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Chapter 3 - Phantom Reflections, Sunset on the Han

Yora: It's Taehyung. It's really him. Aaaahhh—Taaaaaeeehhyuuuuung!

She suddenly screamed, then immediately caught herself.

Yora: Why did I just scream like that? My brain's a mess.

After thinking for a moment, Yora realized: I'm in Seoul right now, so Taehyung must be in Seoul too. Right, right—I should capture this scene quickly!

She grabbed her phone to take a picture, but the reflection wouldn't appear on camera.

Yora: Useless when I actually need it! What do I do now?

By the time she panicked, the vision in the mirror had already disappeared.

Yora: 😱😱😱 Where did it go? Why won't it show up again?!

She hesitantly touched the mirror, repositioned it, but nothing happened.

Yora: No choice… I'll just have to memorize it. 🥲

---

On the Bus

Haein: Why do you keep switching between looking annoyed and smiling?

Yora: It's something important—no, never mind, it's nothing.

Haein: What's going on? Tell me.

Yora: I might come home late today. I have somewhere to go after uni.

Haein: Without me? It's not a guy, is it?

Yora: 😅 What guy? I just have some errands.

Haein: 🤔 Since when do you have errands I don't know about?

Yora: 😁😁😁

(Inner Yora: I've become a master at lying on the spot. 😂)

---

University

Yora and Haein arrived at the university and split up to their respective buildings.

As soon as Yora entered her classroom, a guy waved at her.

Junhyeok: Yora! Over here—I saved you a seat.

Yora sat down beside him.

Junhyeok: Hey!

Yora: Hi!

(Inner thoughts: Ugh, another handsome guy, but he's nothing compared to my Taehyung. Who is he again? Oh right, Yora's classmate—seems to like her a bit too much.)

Junhyeok: Here, this is for you.

He handed her a book.

Yora: This is…?

Junhyeok: The one you asked me about last time.

Yora: Ah, right. Thanks.

---

After Class

Junhyeok: Are you heading back with Haein? I can drop you off.

Yora: No, I have plans today.

Junhyeok: Alright, take care.

Yora: You too!

She quickly rushed out.

---

Han River Park

Yora made her way to the riverside, retracing the scene from the mirror.

Yora: There should be a bridge… a walking path… and a bench?

She wandered around, searching for the exact spot.

Finally, she found it.

Yora: This is the place. Now I just have to wait.

The sun began to set, but the person she was waiting for still hadn't appeared.

Yora: If I wait any longer, I'll wilt like a flower. Taehyung-ah, when are you coming?

She sighed, admiring the view. Seoul's air is so refreshing!

Then, her stomach growled.

Yora: Ugh, I'm starving.

As she turned around, she bumped into someone.

??: Sorry—are you hurt?

He steadied her by the wrist.

Yora: No, I'm fine.

??: Then why are you crying?

(Inner Yora: Taehyung!!! 😍😍😍)

Yora wiped her tears and took a step back.

Yora: Taehyung…? 🥹

??: If you're okay, I'll get going.

Yora: Huh? W-wait!

Before she could say more, another man approached.

Man: Jiwoo, let's go. The car's waiting.

Jiwoo: Yeah, coming.

He left with the other man, leaving Yora frozen in place.

Yora: Jiwoo? Not Taehyung? How…?

She wiped her tears again, utterly confused. What just happened?!

---

On the Road

Sanghyun: Who was that girl back there? Do you know her?

Jiwoo: No, we just bumped into each other.

Sanghyun: Really? Then why was she crying?

Jiwoo: How should I know?

Sanghyun: You didn't do anything shady, did you?

Jiwoo: Ask her, not me.

Sanghyun: Fine, fine. What about the hospital? Any leads?

Jiwoo: Nothing. The person we're looking for wasn't there.

Sanghyun: It's been five years. Is he even alive?

Jiwoo: We need to find him, dead or alive.

Sanghyun: 👍👍👍

They got into the car.

Sanghyun: When is Kansook coming back?

Jiwoo: Next week.

Sanghyun: Our hope rests with him, then. I'll go pick up the flowers.

Jiwoo: 🙄🙄🙄

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