MIRA'S POV:

I kept twirling the navy blue light stick thoughtlessly while its golden outlines glimmered gorgeously with the constant change of colors. A fortnight had passed without a trace since my grand incident at Gangwon-do. And it has been exactly 14 days 12 hours and 38 minutes since I last saw him. Except for the fancams from the outdoor performances at California Beach special concerts that Jiwon and Sorim showed me, I heard nothing from his side.

Even when the news about Hakyeon oppa fainting on their second day of performance spread through social media like wildfire, I couldn't bring myself to call or at least text any of them and that made me feel entirely helpless. I breathed out another lifeless sigh while I watched the numbers in the digital clock switch, indicating the pitiless passing of another minute.

"Yah, Kang Gia! You will break my starlight light stick at this cost. Keep it back and what's with this sudden my soul has left my body trance? Is this how one's supposed to be like after a healing trip?"

Sorim asked her 'WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED YOU?' in a different modulation for the innumerable nth time since I returned from Samhwasa. Giving up doesn't exist in her dictionary and like always, I shook it off with another half-hearted smile.

"Ji Ah eonnie is sad because, now that her assignment is done, she will have to leave once the semester holidays begins. I think she is not ready to leave her beloved roommate yet. Geuchi, eonnie?" My darling roomie came to my rescue like the lovable munchkin she was but my rather intrusive housemate was still not satisfied.

"Or she might be sad to leave the hot idol group she's been working with. Or precisely speaking, anyone in particular..." She crossed her arms defensively.

Jiwon stopped stuffing her luggage and turned towards me with an uncertain look while I simply rolled my eyes. Feigning ignorance about the topic. Losing the last bits of her left over patience, Sorim got up, throwing her hands in the air with an annoyed face.

"Fine, I'll cut to the chase. Didn't Go Shinwoo-nim fetch and send you back way more often or has my eyesight actually gone worse, Gia? Not to mention how, he, was the one who sent you back from your trip as well. Whereas you told me that you were going with the stylist eonnies. Alone. And it has been 2 damned weeks since then and I haven't even seen his shadow in this area while you... you have been all emo and entirely shut down for the whole time!"

My dear friend finally exploded due to her overwhelming concern and I couldn't help but be moved by her immense care. Fortunately, her suspicion was solely focused on VIXX's manager, who was only doing as told by their rapper. Thinking about that very man in question, instantly stirred surplus emotions in my heart. The thwarting and totally disturbing emotions that I've chosen to disregard as they were too heavy for my delicate heart to carry.

My imprudent mind instantly went back to that day and began replaying the sickening scenes without my own consent. I closed my eyes, in an unwise attempt of shutting off the agony the reminder of his words brought along.

He said everything he needed to, did everything he wanted to and then, he left. He left without a single glance back at the callous damage he caused. He told me to leave and to never set another foot back in his life. He told me to live my life like I've been doing before meeting him. How will I do that?

Will my footsteps going back after leaving him feel so heavy?
Will I go back comfortably, turn on the TV and laugh?
Can't I not think about him and just fall asleep?

The hollow emptiness was the only answer I could afford to those complex queries. I know that love can't just be created right away but it can't be erased right away either. That's why this feeling called love is incomplete and it can't be described with those typical breakup songs. This very feeling of losing him despite never having him at all in the first place but I don't know why tears come when I hear them. And as said, all those bottled up emotions began to pour in the form of tears from my eyes while Sorim and Jiwon rushed to my side in panic.

"Omomomomo, sesange! Gia! Gia... Gia, it's alright sweetie. It's alright... That stupid guy. He made you cry... Should I break his face for breaking your heart?" Sorim exclaimed in anger while the girls embraced me affectionately from both sides.

I shook my head frantically, feeling extremely bad for the innocent Shinwoo oppa, who has been wrongly accused in the place of someone else. But I know I can't tell either of them anything about the truth, not even my real name. And that made me feel even worse and I began to sob harder.

All the incidents from the fateful trip came rushing back to my memory and I found myself suffer the pain freshly again. It was over. It was all over. The only reason I came to this place ended up being the very reason for me to never return. And that once beautiful stranger who turned out to be the one man who I'd truly cared for in my whole life had made it catastrophically crystal clear.

"Andwae! This won't work. Ji Ah eonnie, you're not going back home now. If you do, I'm afraid you might end up breaking even worse."

Jiwon expressed her concerns and Sorim agreed as well but where else would I go if not back home. That's the only place where I will still be welcomed. Speaking of which, I should probably call Lina and tell her everything. Maybe she would recommend the right solution for this. She always did. Suddenly, I missed her more than I already do and I wanted to run back and hide in her shadow again.

"You should come with me to my house for this break, eonnie. Stay with us for a few days and I think the different environment might help you feel better."

She suggested with her whole heart but perplexingly, Sorim appeared to be taken aback by my roommate's sudden proposal. She immediately got off the bed and placed her hands on her hips while an unusually rare sulkiness surfaced on her features.

"Mwo ya! She has been your roommate all this time and you still want to steal my only chance. Andwae! Gia should stay at my place, don't you think so too, Jiwon-ah?" She was clearly clenching her teeth as it alarmed Jiwon at once.

"Oh... is it?" My beloved roommate seemed as confused as a gold fish while she simply stared at Sorim. Clueless on totally another level.

"Yes, it is Jiwon-ah! Besides, we live in the same neighborhood. So, you can stop by to meet Gia anytime you want. Not to mention that, there are lesser people in my house, which would save her the trouble of unwanted socializing."

She convinced the younger girl with more justifications while I simply watched them discuss. I realized how they were both trying to help me mend my wrecked heart and once again, I was astounded by the extents of their affection for me. After a long and intense staring battle, Jiwon finally snapped out of whatever trance she was in and began nodding her head aggressively.

"Arasseo! Ji Ah eonnie, you should stay at Sorim eonnie's place and I'll hang out with you every day. Although it's in the middle of Seoul city, our neighborhood is still a very nice place to relax and I promise that you're going to feel a lot better."

Right after I agreed to their offer, the girls began to pack while eagerly scheduling a perfect holiday plan for me as I sat there staring at the number in my call log that I haven't touched for a fortnight now. I took a deep breath and carefully organized my thoughts. Perhaps the girls were right. Perhaps I might get my second chance at healing if I follow them. With that optimism on mind, I deleted his number and dialed Lina to inform her about my extended stay here.

★★★

I woke up to the sweet sound of birds chirping in harmony from Sorim's hand phone while she slept totally unaffected by the serene sound of her own alarm blaring by her ears. And just like I've been doing for the past two days, I suspended the alarm and proceeded to the kitchen where Sorim's mom was actively making breakfast while watching her morning news. She was all dressed up in formal attire and ready to leave for work but like any other filial mother, she was busily preparing food for her precious daughter to survive the day till she returns from work.

"Good morning, Mrs. Yoon!" I greeted the older woman with respect as she replied me in her addictive enthusiastic high pitch.

"Good morning to you too, Gia-yah! And how many times have I told you my dear. You can call me eomma or eomeoni. Jiwonnie calls me like that too, you know." She was wearing her most beautiful smile that always made me doubt her age while she handed me a mug of hot coffee. I realized how she had serious resemblance of my own mother back in the States. Only difference was that Mrs. Yoon had longer hair and lighter skin.

"What are you doing up so early, dear? After all that soju party last night, I didn't think any of you would be alive before 10am today."

Her words instantly recapped the blurry incidents from the said night. I smiled shyly, shrugging my shoulders as she returned to her chores with another motherly grin. Knowing both Sorim and Jiwon well, I was very sure that neither of them will even rise before 11am, while I was wide awake.

Speaking of which, when did Jiwon leave last night? My responsible big sister instincts were itching to inquire about it to Mrs. Yoon but I was afraid that the query might give away my lack of memory about our last night's girls' party. So, I chose to ask something else instead.

"Emm... Mrs. Yoon?" Her back was facing me while she remained silent.

"Mrs. Yoon?" I tried again but my call went unanswered again. I couldn't help but laugh when the reconfirmation regarding the roots of my dear friend Sorim's stubborn traits finally hit me. Clearing my throat, I called the older woman again. This time, a little louder.

"Eomeonim!"

"Yes, my dear Gia-yah?" She whipped around with her most pleased grin while I simply smiled, shaking my head in disbelief.

"I don't think either of them will wake up anytime sooner. So, I was thinking of buying some groceries from downtown and cook lunch for them. Can I borrow your shopping bags for that, please, eomeonim?" I earnestly emphasized the last word a little, earning another one of her sweet smiles.

★

After a quick shower, I grabbed the bags from Mrs. Yoon's kitchen and headed downtown. Half way down the road and my slow brain suddenly decided to point out the absence of my phone in my pocket. Which I left in the kitchen counter while writing a note for Sorim. However, I didn't bother turning back to get it since I remembered the route to the mart anyhow.

On the way, I observed the streets and people who seemed quite hectic with their daily routine as they rushed pass me. No matter how many times I tried to shake it off, the odd sense of familiarity that radiated from these foreign streets was unavoidable. I even had a few blur waves of déjà vu brush over me as I passed by a few spots. But my brain was still clouded by the hangover effects and hence, failed to process the figures just yet.

Ignoring the unsettling unusualness, I proceeded with my planned shopping and bought everything I needed. Despite having a considerably bad sense of direction, I somehow managed to walk back from the mart as though I knew the route by heart. And honestly, it was a huge surprise for myself as well. However, such sort of oddities had become habitual ever since I set foot in South Korea and thus, I ignored them again.

Since my mind was able to roughly recall attending a girl's school somewhere around the very same neighborhood, I persuaded myself that maybe I had crossed these streets some time before. Plus, it was only yesterday when I walked through the same route to that very mart with Sorim and Jiwon. So perhaps, it should not be as startling as it seems to be.

When I arrived at the last cross junction before turning right in the direction of Sorim's house, my steps involuntarily stopped. Some sort of scarce jolt sprinted down my spine, as I obliviously glanced at both the empty streets on my left and front. My thoughts instantly began mounting in anticipation of what might be awaiting at the ends of these odd roads. But deep down, I felt a strange sting, saying I might already know. Suddenly, I recalled Jiwon's words from yesterday as my gaze diverted from the front to my left.

"Ji Ah eonnie, if you walk straight in this direction and take the second turn on your right, you can find my house. It's the first house in mahogany. It used to be quite bright but now the color has dulled a little."

Even her directions sounded familiar. I literally face palmed myself for getting confused on an hourly basis and scanned the bags in my hands instead. Well, since I bought enough hangover soup for two, why not give my portion to Jiwon since I feel totally sober at the moment. Plus, I will get the pleasure of surprising my darling roomie as well.

Just like that, I began walking in the opposite way, constantly repeating the oddly familiar directions in order to not get lost. Upon passing the first right turn, I mentally began preparing myself to greet Jiwon's family as I took the second right and spotted the mahogany house right away, just as she said.

I walked up to the porch and all of a sudden, nervousness started to sink into my senses. Maybe I should text Jiwon to come out instead of ringing the bell but she might still be sleeping and not see my text. But before I could picture more possibilities, my brain decided to remind me of my precious phone which I left safely on the kitchen counter.

Suddenly, I was regretting my decision. I should have gone back and grabbed my phone. However since it was already too late to regret, I rang the bell anyway and practiced my greetings repeatedly while waiting to be answered.

"Annyeong haseyo, I'm Jiwon's roommate from college. Annyeong haseyo, I'm Jiwon's roommate from college. Annyeong haseyo, I'm Jiwon's roommate from college." I levelled my posture and got ready to greet with a polite bow as I heard the door being opened from inside.

"Annyeong haseyo, I'm Jiwon's room..."

For one brief moment, I almost believed that I was still under the influence of alcohol and possibly hallucinating. But then, the next very moment, I realized that I was not.

"Mi... erhem.. Kang Gia-shi? What are you doing here?"

Suddenly, I felt all the heat in my body rushing to my face at once. Usually my system only flushes in such way in response to shyness but this time, it was pure annoyance. My hands fisted on impulse, tightening my grip on the bags as I braced to reply in a steady voice.

"I could ask the same thing. What are you doing here, Kim RAVI-shi?"

★

RAVI'S POV:

Flashback ~
Jamsil-dong, 2011.

Adjusting the front of my cap to cover half of my face as usual, I attempted to walk ahead with self-constructed confidence, as if I owned the whole neighborhood. However it was evidently proven otherwise because, my senses were cautious enough to keep a certain distance from her, in effort of avoiding the prying eyes of some nosy neighbors.

It will clearly stir some unwanted talks among the meddlesome mouths of our area if I'm caught hanging around with a girl from outside the neighborhood on a regular basis. My eyes threw occasional glances at my back, where the fragile girl was frailly dragging herself, with her heavy school bag hanging onto her shoulders.

She seemed worried but wary enough, to not cross the anonymous gap. Though I was concerned about the neighbors, it still troubled me to see her like that. Especially when everything within me was dying to keep her nowhere but right in my arms where I'd know she'll be safe and secured. Without realizing, we were almost at the cross junction that parted into four separate routes.

One among which led to my house. And since the mart and shop lots were already behind us, it was finally safe to be near her. I stopped between the cross roads and waited for her as she dragged her drained legs forward, with her heavenly face hung low. Knowing that she'll definitely crash against my chest walking like that, I simply stood there waiting for it to happen. And my assumptions had never been proven more accurate.

"Yeogi-yo, keep your eyes forward as you walk, won't you?" Her startled face whipped up to meet mine. But the tiredness in her tender eyes rapidly turned into shock and unease as she began stuttering in tension.

"Yah, are you crazy? You said we need to keep distance. What if someone sees us? Wait, was it me?" She panicked. "I'm so sorry, Won-ah! Walk ahead, ppalli ppalli!" She tried to push me off into motion but I chose to stay still.

One glance at her troubled eyes, and I knew what exactly was on her equally tensioned mind. She was feeling guilty because she crossed the distance. The distance that I set so that I won't be caught. Whereas I am the one who dragged her all the way from her school to play at the canola field. We've known each other for almost five years now and I still hadn't gotten the guts to introduce her to my parents. I haven't even mentioned her name before them, let alone an introduction.

Several times, I had considered having her to meet my baby sister at least. But then, she is too young and I was worried she might not be able to keep the news to herself yet. Though we do hangout at various spots in my neighborhood, I still haven't extended her a proper invitation to my house. And I bet that has been bothering her since day one, but as the bright girl she was, I supposed she chose not to question my priorities.

How noble of you, Kim Wonshik...

I felt a pang of guilt slap my gut as I saw her lovely eyes ramble around the space ruefully. Scanning for possible priers as she stood before me looking like a lost fawn.

"Come here..." Taking her hands in mine, I pulled her back to my chest as we stood facing the route that headed north.

"If you head straight in this route, there is an old playground that overlooked a giant canola field. The atmosphere there is really soothing and it can warm any heart." I gently placed my palms on her shoulders as she shrugged a little.

"I know the way to the field, Won-ah. We go there all the time." She stated as a matter of fact and turned around. She took a tentative step back, completely detaching herself from me.

"And seriously why are we doing t