"I'm sorry, gran. I got to go! I'll talk to you again."

You let your body drop on the soft bed. Everything was a mess; your hair was a mess, your mind was in a mess and now your heart was in a mess too. You couldn't think. The realisation still hadn't sunk in completely.

"Lee Jung Hwan is Sandeul. Sandeul is Lee Jung Hwan. Lee Jung Hwan is Sandeul. Sandeul is Lee Jung Hwan." You repeated the two lines until sleep took over you.

When you woke up, the first star had already appeared in the sky. Your legs weren't hanging by the side of the bed. Instead, they were neatly tucked away. You crawled out of bed and went outside, your eyes searching for that one person – the boy who shone brighter than the stars.

"Don’t have to look. He already left." Mrs. Jang smiled. "The food is getting cold. Come and eat!”

You nodded your head and walked over dejectedly. You had so much to tell him and so many questions to ask. Perhaps it was a good thing, though. Truth to be told, you didn’t know where you should begin. This would give you some time to consolidate your thoughts and to prepare your speech. You could ask him out tomorrow to meet over a cup of tea. Then you would break the unbelievable news to him. You could already picture his reactions. First, disbelief will be written all over his face. Next, he’ll think really hard about what you say, and he will realise that you have no reason to lie. Finally, he’ll jump about in joy and possibly grab your shoulders, shaking you vigorously. Maybe he’ll even pull you in for a hug. From there, it could lead to a passionate ki–

“I know you aren’t his cousin.” Mrs. Jang’s sudden confession erased your thoughts. You choked a little. “His face never lies.” You swallowed hard. You didn’t expect this to be coming.

“I’m sorry for lying.” You bowed your head. “I’ll leave!” You were truly sorry for deceiving the old woman.

You got up from your seat, already preparing to pack your bag and leave. However, she shook her head. “Stay,” she said. Her voice was firm yet pleading.

“But –” You protested; you were in the wrong after all.

“I can see that he enjoys your company.” Her eyes were soft and warm. “Poor boy, he has been lonely for so long.” The last sentence was barely audible.

“I’m sorry,” you said again.

That night, you had many things on your mind. You couldn’t sleep.

“Gran?” you called. “I’m sorry for earlier.”

“No worries, Jas.” She reassured. “So tell me, what’s troubling you?”

Your grandmother can read you like an open book. She could easily see that her precious granddaughter was troubled. You would always turn to her if you had problems.

“I’m not sure, gran. I don’t know anymore.”

“What are you confused about, darling?”

You took in a deep breath and spoke. “What will happen if I go back?” This question had been bothering you ever since the first day you came to the 21st century.

You traced the outline of the maple leaf carefully, having given up on the idea of making a pressed bookmark. You coloured the tracing and added in the different hues of orange, the brilliant autumn captured in your small piece of art. You finished it with a short sentence and an autograph.

“What will happen if I go back?” you asked cautiously.

Your grandmother gave you a sad smile. “You know Jas, their memories with you will be modified.” Her eyes were filled with sorrow. “It’s like you’ve never existed.”

The tears were threatening to fall by then, and you tried holding them back.

“You still have us, Jas!”

You couldn’t hear what she was saying because at the moment, you broke down in tears, and all you thought about was that Jung Hwan will forget you.

“It’s like you’ve never existed.” Your grandmother’s words haunted you. You let out a long sigh and lie on the bed, holding your completed art work under the light and admiring its beauty.

“You’ll remember me, right?”

Author's note:

It's Sandeul's birthday today!

Happy birthday to him!

I'm glad I made it in time.

It's a relatively short update, though.

Anyway, his solo song in 'Ignition' is really beautiful!