Jun-ha knocked lightly on the door of Ji-ah and Daeun's room.
"Jisoo," he called, leaning against the frame, "can you cook dinner for tonight as well?"
Ji-ah looked up from the bed and nodded with an easy smile. "Sure."
Daeun and Ji-ah soon made their way to the kitchen. Ji-ah took the role of head chef while Daeun, reluctantly, acted as her assistant—washing vegetables, passing utensils, and muttering under her breath.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Jun-ha and Hyun-min were sprawled on the couch with cups of coffee.
"So," Jun-ha began casually, "what did you two talk about after we left for grocery shopping?"
Hyun-min leaned back. "Not much. I told her she could stay here until her place is livable again… and that we're not actually dating. It was just a rumor."
Jun-ha nearly choked on his coffee. "You told her that?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Jun-ha shook his head in disbelief. "Nothing… just didn't expect you to admit that so soon."
In the kitchen, Daeun lowered her voice. "Aren't they taking advantage of us? Why do we have to make dinner now?"
Ji-ah stirred the pot calmly. "It's fine. We're living here; it's the least we can do."
"Yeah, but how long do we have to stay here? Can't we just go to Jisoo's apartment? I know the address."
"You know it's not livable right now," Ji-ah reminded her. "Besides, we don't have any other option—and we don't even understand this world yet."
Daeun sighed, resigning herself to the situation.
Before long, dinner was ready, and they all gathered around the table. The atmosphere wasn't awkward, but a quiet stillness hung between them—until Jun-ha's phone buzzed sharply, startling everyone.
He glanced at the screen, then picked up. "Hello?"
"Jun-ha, how's Jisoo's condition?" a man's voice asked—it was the drama director.
"She's okay," Jun-ha replied cautiously, "but she hasn't regained her memory yet."
"Can she still do the drama?" the director pressed.
"I'm not sure… shouldn't you be calling Daeun, her manager?"
"I tried, but she didn't pick up. Since you're living in the same house, I called you instead. We really need to continue shooting—Jisoo is the main lead. If we delay any longer, the drama won't air, and we'll lose ratings. Please, convince her to return tomorrow."
Jun-ha hesitated. "I'll ask her… but no promises." He ended the call and returned to the table.
Hyun-min looked up. "Who was that?"
"The director," Jun-ha explained. "He wants to resume filming tomorrow. Says it's urgent and really needs Jisoo's cooperation."
Hyun-min frowned. "How can she shoot in her condition? She doesn't even remember the drama or the script."
Before Jun-ha could respond, Ji-ah suddenly spoke up. "I can do it. I'll try my best."
Daeun turned sharply toward her. "What?"
Jun-ha studied her. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I can do it," Ji-ah said firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"…Alright. I'll tell the director you're in. Daeun, don't you have a copy of the script on your tablet?"
"I do," Daeun admitted reluctantly. "I'll help her with it."
"Good," Jun-ha said, already pulling out his phone. "I'll pass along the news."
Dinner resumed, though the earlier stillness had now been replaced with a quiet sense of tension. After finishing his meal, Hyun-min leaned toward Ji-ah.
"Can you really do it?"
Ji-ah met his gaze steadily. "It's not a big deal. It was my profession before I lost my memory… so maybe I can do it now too."
Later, back in their room, Daeun confronted her. "Why did you agree to this?"
"Remember what I told you?" Ji-ah smiled faintly. "That I'll live as Jisoo from now on. It's time for me to be the main character."
"Are you sure? You don't belong to this industry—or this world. You have no experience. How can you pull it off?"
"I can," Ji-ah said with quiet determination. "If Jisoo can, why can't I? I just need your help."
Daeun sighed but finally smiled. "Alright, my dear… what choice do we have?"
Meanwhile, in another room, Jun-ha and Hyun-min's conversation continued.
"Why didn't you tell the director no?" Hyun-min asked. "She's in no condition to film."
Jun-ha shrugged. "It's all about ratings. I didn't force her—she wanted to do it. Why do you have a problem? Or… are you worried about her?" His lips curved in a teasing smirk.
Hyun-min scowled.
"I'm just worried about my career, not for her," Hyun-min finished, his voice sharp but lacking conviction.
Jun-ha gave him a knowing look, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Alright, alright… I accept it."
Hyun-min leaned back on the couch, crossing his arms, but didn't say more.
The rest of the evening passed quietly. One by one, they all retreated to their rooms. The house soon fell into stillness, the faint hum of the city outside the only sound.
Tomorrow would bring the start of something none of them could quite predict.
---
The next morning dawned bright, sunlight spilling through the curtains like a silent promise. For Ji-ah, it wasn't just the start of a new day—it was the beginning of a chapter she'd never imagined living.
The house was unusually quiet, each person lost in their own thoughts. The air carried a strange mix of anticipation and uncertainty, as though everyone was silently bracing for what lay ahead.
Jun-ha's voice broke the stillness. "Alright, everyone, let's go. Time to head to the shooting site."
Daeun frowned, glancing at Ji-ah. "Isn't it too early? I mean… Jiah—Jisoo—hasn't even practiced the script yet."
Jun-ha waved off her concern. "No need to worry. She'll have time to prepare and go over her lines once we get there."
Ji-ah straightened, her expression calm. "Alright then. Let's go."
Hyun-min stood near the door, slipping on his sunglasses. "Don't forget your masks and anything else you need," he reminded, his tone casual but his gaze lingering briefly on Ji-ah.
With that, they gathered their things and stepped outside. The car ride was quiet, the city's early-morning streets sliding past the windows. For Ji-ah, each passing moment felt like the slow countdown to stepping into someone else's life—and truly becoming the "main character" she had promised to be.
---