Milo:

By the time we reached Seongjin-ri, the sun was dipping low, stretching long shadows over the dirt roads. The village was still alive with vendors packing up and kids darting between carts, but none of it registered. My head was stuck on Sang-min’s words—on the Black Lotus, on Orla. None of it added up, and it gnawed at me the entire way here.

I glanced at Sang-min. He walked ahead, relaxed, like we hadn’t just survived an ambush, like we hadn’t lost someone. It was as if the whole thing had already left his mind. That irritated me more than I wanted to admit. Orla was out there—alone, in danger—and we were just strolling into town like nothing had happened.

We reached Sang-min’s hanok, a small, traditional house with a courtyard and wooden beams. Raven snorted beside me, sensing we’d stopped for the night, but I felt restless. My whole body was on edge.

Sang-min pushed open the gate. "This is home. It’s not much, but it works." He gestured inside. "Get some rest. We’ll talk strategy tomorrow."

Tomorrow? I frowned. "We don’t have time for that. Orla’s—"

"Gone," he cut in. "Kidnapped. Yes. But rushing in won’t help. We need a plan, and that starts with resting. We’ll move when we’re ready." He stretched like he had all the time in the world. "Besides, I’ve missed my bed."

Before I could argue, a voice rang out.

"Sang-min! You’re back!"

A woman hurried toward us, a basket in her arms. Her energy was bright, familiar. My brain lagged, like I was seeing someone I knew—someone from home. Yoo’s girlfriend. No, not her, but close. The same smile, the same lightness in the way she moved. Everything about this was getting too weird.

"You must be tired after the trip," she said, handing him the basket. "I made your favorite."

Sang-min took it with a nod. "Thanks, Ye-jin."

Ye-jin. The name barely registered. I was too busy trying to process why she reminded me so much of someone else. Different world, same people? Or was my brain just making connections where there weren’t any?

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ye-jin turned to me, her smile widening. "Oh! I didn’t realize you had company. You must be a friend of Sang-min’s. I’m Ye-jin."

I blinked. "Milo," I said, bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too!" She returned the bow, her voice light. "I hope Sang-min isn’t dragging you into anything too dangerous."

I didn’t respond. I wasn’t in the mood to pretend things were normal.

I looked at Sang-min, waiting for him to say something. But he just smiled, nodded, and thanked her again. That was it. No teasing, no flirting, no warmth. In my world, Yoo would have pulled Ji-hye close, kissed her cheek, made some ridiculous joke. But Sang-min? He kept his distance.

The whole thing felt off. Why weren’t they hugging? Why wasn’t he even inviting her in?

After a few more words, Ye-jin waved and headed back to her house next door. "I’ll see you tomorrow, Sang-min!"

The second she was gone, I turned to him. "So, what was that?" I asked. "You and Ye-jin… are you together or something?"

Sang-min scoffed. "What? No. We’re just friends."

I crossed my arms. "Friends who bring you food the second you get back? And you don’t even invite her inside?"

His jaw tightened. "Ye-jin is a respectable woman. I wouldn’t invite her in without her parents’ permission."

I let out a dry laugh. "So you’ve thought about it, then."

His expression didn’t change. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

This world was seriously backwards. Maybe it made sense here, all these old traditions and customs, but to me, it just seemed unnecessary.

"You’re one to talk," Sang-min said. "Seems to me you haven’t made any moves on Orla either."

I frowned. "Now’s not exactly the time, is it? She’s been kidnapped."

"But you’ve thought about it."

I hesitated. "Of course I have. But it’s complicated."

Sang-min smirked. "So, we’re both in the same predicament, then."

I watched him head toward the house, shaking his head. Same predicament? Not even close. Yoo had a girlfriend waiting for him back home. Sang-min had Ye-jin right next door. Me? I hadn’t had a real relationship since high school. Then came the trainee years, the no-dating contract. And even now, with the ban lifted, it wasn’t like I had the time. My life wasn’t built for romance.

I sighed, staring at the ground. If only Sang-min knew how much harder it was in my world. Relationships weren’t just about making a move. There were contracts, fans, managers, and scandals. Privacy didn’t exist. And now, with Orla… I didn’t even know what we were, or what we could be.

Sang-min disappeared inside, but I stayed on the steps, staring into the dark. His words echoed in my head. Had I really done nothing? Did it even matter, with everything else going on?

We never had the chance to figure things out. Never had the space to ask, what is this?

Everything had been rushed—crashing into chaos, running, fighting, surviving. There was never a moment to breathe, let alone think about feelings. The thought gnawed at me. What if I never got that chance?

I clenched my fists. It didn’t matter. Not now. Orla was out there, and I had to focus. Anything else—whatever could’ve been—would have to wait.

If it could wait at all.

©Sky Mincharo