The university campus buzzed with life. Colorful stalls filled the grounds, music drifted through the air, and groups of parents, students, and guests wandered around, enjoying the festival. Laughter and chatter echoed in every corner, and posters announced fireworks at night.
Ara and Mina stood in the corridor near the teacher's room, watching from the window.
Mina's eyes sparkled as she pointed to the banners outside.
Mina: "Can you believe it? Fireworks tonight! Ara, if only I could watch them with my sport crush… ahh, it would be like a dream come true."
Ara raised a brow, amused.
Ara: "You sound like you're living inside a drama."
Mina clasped her hands together dramatically.
Mina: "Well, maybe I am! Imagine it—fireworks painting the sky while he's standing right next to me. Tell me that isn't fate!"
Ara shook her head, laughing softly.
Ara: "You're hopeless."
Mina grinned but suddenly gasped, checking her phone.
Mina: "Oh no! My assignments—I left them in class. If Professor finds out, I'm doomed."
She scrambled for her bag, panicked.
Mina (hurried): "Ara, wait for me here, okay? Don't move. I'll be back in five minutes."
Ara: "Go. I'll wait. Bye."
Mina ran off down the hallway, her voice echoing behind her. Ara leaned on the railing by the window, watching the festival below. For a moment, she allowed herself to breathe.
Ara (inner thought): It feels… peaceful. Almost normal. Like I belong here.
She closed her eyes, letting the faint breeze calm her.
Then—
Click. Click. Click.
The sharp rhythm of heels on the floor.
Ara's eyes flew open. Her chest tightened instantly. The sound was too familiar. Too haunting.
Ara (inner thought, trembling): No… not this sound. Not here…
The steps echoed slowly, each click stabbing into her memory. Her breath came short and shaky. She backed away from the railing, clutching her arm.
Ara (inner thought): The same steps… that night… the woman…
Her vision blurred with flashes from the past: a woman in a red dress, red heels clicking closer, her face always hidden in shadow. Ara's throat closed. She wanted to scream but no voice came.
She forced herself to glance down the hallway.
And there—just before a corner—a glimpse of red heels disappeared from sight.
Ara (whispering, horrified): "…Her…"
Without thinking, she stumbled forward, chasing the sound.
Her shoes echoed against the empty corridor as she ran. Her palms sweated, her body trembling with every step.
Ara (inner thought, breathless): I need to know… who she is. Why here… why now…
The clicking sound grew faint, then vanished. Ara stopped in front of the old storeroom, its door slightly ajar.
Her hands shook violently. She reached for the handle, lips quivering.
Ara (inner thought): What if… what if she's inside? What if it's really her…
She inhaled sharply and pushed the door open.
Darkness. Dust. Stacks of boxes covered with old sheets. The smell of damp paper and forgotten books.
Ara's knees weakened. She pressed her hand against the wall, trying to steady herself. Her body trembled from head to toe.
Ara (whispering to herself): "There's… no one?"
Sweat rolled down her forehead. Her breaths came fast and shallow. She closed her eyes, fighting the panic threatening to crush her chest.
Then—
Voice (from behind): "Ara?"
Her heart stopped.
She spun around with a gasp, clutching her chest as if to hold her pounding heart in place.
It was Taehyun.
He stood at the doorway, looking confused, his brows furrowed at her pale, terrified face.
Taehyun (concerned): "What are you doing here? You… you look like you've seen a ghost."
Ara stumbled back, pressing her hand harder against her chest.
Ara (shaken, whispering): "Ah—! Taehyun…"
Her voice cracked. She couldn't explain the fear choking her, couldn't find words.
Taehyun took a slow step toward her, his eyes never leaving hers.
Taehyun (softly, cautious): "Ara… why are you trembling? What happened?"
Ara shook her head quickly, unable to answer, unable to tell him the truth that clawed at her memory.