And just like that, it was over with Sung-jun.
Six years disappeared in an instant. Waves of anger surged through me. I wanted to march up to Sung-jun and slap him across the face.
But staying by my mother's side was more important now. Time seemed to pass slowly, yet quickly.
The next time I saw the two of them again was on TV.
---
They were smiling brightly on the large TV screen in the hospital lobby.
"Friendship Romance 2"
What is this?
There was no sound, but the subtitles at the bottom of the screen clearly read:
> "Min-ji basically supported me. You know how it can be financially tough when you're acting. Even without me saying anything, Min-ji would just quietly leave her card for me. She'd say, 'The limit isn't much, so use it wisely.' That's when I thought, 'Wow, I really made a good friend.'"
Ha. Hae-young laughed silently.
Min-ji, he said? No. It wasn't her. It was Hae-young who had done all that. You always just showered Min-ji with gifts.
What I gave you, what my mom made for you—everything.
> "There was even a time when a girl I was seeing started stalking me…"
> "Ah, her."
Min-ji smiled meaningfully.
> "Back then, Min-ji stepped right in front of her. Even with that tiny frame, she radiated such charisma—it was kind of impressive."
> "I am pretty cool,"
Min-ji chimed in, joining in the praise, though she smiled shyly, contrary to her bold words. Her fair skin, the flush in her cheeks, and the adorable dimples that formed when she smiled made her even more endearing.
The interviewer couldn't help but exclaim, "Min-ji, you're just too cute!"
"Thank you," Min-ji replied, bringing her hands together politely. It was the perfect finishing touch.
Only then did Hae-young understand why Sung-jun had so readily said he wanted to break up.
From then on, Hae-young watched every show they appeared on.
People, unaware of their true nature, praised them endlessly...
People were obsessed with the facade.
Everything about them—their way of speaking, their expressions, their clothes, even their accessories—became a trend.
Celebrities echoed their catchphrases and cheered on their love. The entire nation adored Sung-jun and Min-ji.
After the show ended successfully, it wasn't long before they officially announced they were dating. The internet was flooded with congratulatory messages. Their couple photos graced magazine covers.
Min-ji landed a cosmetics commercial—something only top stars usually get. Sung-jun moved into a spacious, upscale home. No one remembered the tiny one-room apartment that Hae-young had been paying rent for.
Meanwhile, Seong-ran's life was fading away, day by day. As Hae-young's misfortune deepened, their fame and success only burned brighter—fueled by her pain.
In the end, after a long and painful struggle with life-prolonging treatments, Seong-ran passed away.
The funeral was held quietly.
Sung-jun didn't come.
But right in front of the funeral home, at the bus stop—
A large photo of him hung right in front of the funeral hall.
[Want to go on a trip together?]
It was from a huge travel app advertisement pasted along the street. He was smiling brightly in it.
Hae-young let out a hollow laugh. At that moment, a white hairpin she had forgotten to remove was carried away by the wind.
---
"Next stop: ○○ Station."
Her eyes snapped open. She blinked and looked around in a daze.
She was on the subway.
What...
Why am I here?
Hae-young glanced around, confused.
She looked down at the phone in her hand.
> [Sung-jun, thank you. I know I'm the one asking for a favor, but I'm sorry for getting upset…]
On the screen was a message in progress. It looked familiar.
Strange. It was the same message she had sent to Sung-jun before her mother passed away, asking him to help with the hospital.
Why was she writing it now?
[202X.05.25 11:41 AM]
The time and date looked strange.
"This is... five months ago..."
She muttered to herself just as the subway came to a stop and the doors opened. She blankly watched people getting on and off.
It was the station where she had a meeting. In that moment, it felt like she had been struck in the head.
She had gone back to that day.
The day Seong-ran's accident would happen.
Right as the subway doors were about to close, Hae-young dashed out.
Even if this time slip was just a dream, it didn't matter.
She wanted to save Seong-ran— even if only in a dream.
She ran.
Each time her breath caught at her throat, the more real it all felt. And the more real it felt, the faster her legs moved.
She didn't know how she'd come back—but that didn't matter.
She had returned.
To five months ago.
By the time even her undergarments were soaked with sweat, she finally reached home.
Seong-ran was just stepping out of the house.
In front of her, the staircase loomed.
She was about to miss a step, tumble down, and end up barely surviving on a ventilator for four months… only to lose her life in the end.
"Mom, don't come down! Stay right there!"
Hae-young ran.
Seong-ran looked up at the sound of her name, frowning when she saw Hae-young sprinting toward her.
"Hae-young, what about work?"
Hae-young waved her arms frantically and ran as if her lungs might burst. Thankfully, Seong-ran stopped and didn't move.
Mom won't get hurt. I can stop it.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, a car came speeding toward her from the intersection.
Screeech!
"Ugh!"
Hae-young fell backward, catching herself with her hands. Above her, the sky was a piercing shade of blue.
And then, suddenly, Seong-ran's face appeared above her.
"Hae-young! Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"Are you okay, Mom?"
"What are you talking about? You're the one who got hit by the car!"
Seong-ran scolded her. A wave of relief washed over Hae-young, and she collapsed backward onto the ground.
The collision had been minor, but her lower back throbbed.
Still, it was fine. If she could take the hit in place of Seong-ran—even something worse—she'd gladly do it.
"Are you okay? Can't you get up?"
At her mother's voice, Hae-young opened her eyes again and looked up at the sky. Next to Seong-ran's worried face, another face appeared—a man's.
"Are you alright?"
He stood with the sun at his back, making it hard to see his face. He reached out a hand. When Hae-young took it, he pulled her up with ease.
Only then did she see his face clearly:
A smooth forehead, thick eyebrows, sharp eyes, lips shaped in a permanent scowl, and a tall frame that made her look far up to meet his gaze.
She had seen him before.
Who was he again?
"Seo Hae-young?"
"Ah—"
"It is you."
It hit her in a flash. He was the man who had found Seong-ran on the street and taken her to the emergency room.
The same man who had calmly explained her mother's condition to her dazed self, then disappeared without even saying goodbye.
He had even followed up a few times afterward to ask how Seong-ran was doing.
So, even back then, he must have found her mom by chance while passing by.
If not for him, her mother might have died right there on the street.
"Thank you."
Now that she had returned to the past, she didn't even think to ask how the man already knew her name.
Instead, filled with complex emotions, she simply bowed her head in gratitude.
The man stared at Hae-young. His gaze lingered—
Caught in his intense gaze, Hae-young lowered her eyes. She noticed her hand was still held by the man.
"Hmm."
She twisted her hand free, feeling a tickling sensation on her palm.
"I'm not hurt. I just stepped out suddenly. You can go now."
Since he had been like a lifesaver in her previous life, she had no intention of accepting any sort of compensation.
The man stared at her intently, his gaze almost too strong.
"Hmm. I don't have a business card with me right now."
"I told you, it's okay."
He ruffled his hair and paused for a moment, deep in thought.
"Wait."
"What are you—"
The man walked slowly to the front of the car and opened the driver's door. He bent down and reached inside. There was a faint sound of something falling—like a talisman.
Without a word, he forcefully placed it into Hae-young's hand. It was a phone number plate that had been attached to the car's windshield.
What was this?
"I'm Han Yoon-hyuk. Feel free to charge me."
The man said slowly and drove off. Was he some kind of strange person?
Hae-young hesitated for a moment, then slipped the phone number plate into her pocket. Of course, she had no intention of actually contacting him.
Three days had passed. Sung-jun, who hadn't contacted her even once during that time, suddenly messaged her asking to meet.
"Why didn't you reply?"
Sung-jun, looking a bit thinner, asked as soon as he sat down. He seemed to have already forgotten about the promise to take Hae-young's mother to the hospital.
Hae-young quietly watched him. She wanted to end things right then and storm out, but she held back. Doing that wouldn't hurt Sung-jun at all.
She added sugar to her tea and stirred. The powder dissolved instantly, losing all form. The sweetness spreading across her tongue cleared her mind.
"What's with that smile?"
"I've been busy."
"Busy? Have you been eating properly? Hae-young, you can't lose any more weight. You're way too thin."
Hae-young glanced at Sung-jun for a moment.
Why was he acting so kindly? He probably didn't have any love left for her anymore.
She thought he was just a person she'd been stuck with for too long, someone she was sick of.
"I took care of everything myself."
Her answer was oddly cold, and Sung-jun rolled his eyes in confusion.
"Why's your tone like that? Are you mad at me?"
"No, did I do something to make you mad?"
"No, nothing like that. Oh, a few days ago I called the hospital for your mom? They said it's okay if she doesn't come, so that's why. Is that all you're upset about? Just that?"
"Just that..."
Again with the just. Even coming back, you're still trash.
"Ah, alright, I get it. Sorry, lighten up. I'll be better."
"I'll make it up to you."
Sung-jun smiled charmingly.