The rain had stopped by morning, but the sky remained pale and watchful, as if waiting for something unspoken.
Ha-ein stood in front of the mirror in the small studio apartment above Ji-na's soon-to-be restaurant. She had barely slept. Not because of jet lag — but because of the dream.
He was there again.
Not just his voice or shadow — this time, she saw his face.
Clear. So real it made her chest ache when she opened her eyes.
He had said her name. Not just "Ha-ein." A different name.
One she didn't recognize, but somehow… knew.
She pressed her hand to her heart.
— "Why does it feel like I've known you for lifetimes?" — she whispered, to no one.
---
Downstairs, Ji-na was already making a mess in the kitchen. Flour on her cheek, eggshells on the floor, music playing like it was a good day.
— "Did the ghost of your mystery man visit again?" — she teased, handing Ha-ein a slice of burnt toast.
— "Yes," Ha-ein replied without a smile. "And this time, I saw his eyes."
Ji-na paused, serious now.
— "Was it… comforting? Or scary?"
Ha-ein took a breath.
— "Both."
---
Later that day, they walked to the local market for supplies. The air in Busan felt different — alive, heavy with salt and something older. Memories, maybe.
As they passed a small clinic, Ha-ein stopped.
A man stood outside the building, talking to an elderly patient.
He wore a navy blue coat, his expression soft and focused.
Something inside her pulled.
— "Do you know him?" — Ji-na asked, noticing her stillness.
— "No. I…" — Ha-ein's words faded.
The man looked up.
Their eyes met.
Time stilled.
Not because of attraction. But because in that instant, something deep inside her shifted — as if the ground beneath her heart had moved.
The man blinked, and a polite smile crossed his lips.
He bowed slightly, then entered the clinic.
Ha-ein didn't move.
Ji-na watched her closely.
— "You've seen him before, haven't you?"
— "Only in my dreams," Ha-ein whispered.
---
That night, she couldn't paint.
Not because she lacked ideas — but because too many memories that weren't hers filled her mind.
Hands reaching through fire. Tears in a temple. A name carved in stone.
And him. Always him.
But now… he had a face. And it wasn't from another life anymore.
He was real. In Busan. Alive.
And something told her… their story hadn't even begun yet.
---
[END OF CHAPTER 2]