For the first time in days, Haru dreamed of her.
But this time, she wasn't trapped in a hallway.
She was floating above the dorm bunk beds. Just watching. Still. Quiet.
When he opened his eyes, she was still there.
Not a dream.
Minju was back.
Her form shimmered faintly in the morning light. Paler than before. But present.
Haru sat up slowly. "You're here."
She nodded once. "Not for long."
He swallowed. "Why?"
Minju looked away. "Because someone finally remembered me. That memory is pulling me together again. But they're trying to erase it. Fast."
She floated lower, her voice a whisper. "They know you're looking. They know you saw."
Haru's skin prickled. "The email?"
She nodded. "And the lights. The feeling in your chest. That's me being pulled in too many directions. I'm not anchored anymore."
Seojun stirred in his bunk. Haru looked over—and when he looked back, Minju was gone again.
But not fully.
She was near.
And that was enough.
Later that day, Eclipse gathered in the rehearsal room.
A practice session. Cameras off. Just the five of them and their reflections.
Seojun and Haru exchanged one look. No words. Just quiet understanding.
Midway through warm-ups, Riki spoke.
"Hey, Haru. Who are you always talking to in the dorm?"
The question hung in the air.
Shiro raised an eyebrow. "I thought he was on the phone."
Minhee looked between them. "No. He's not. I've seen him whisper to nothing."
Haru froze.
Seojun took a breath.
But Haru beat him to it.
"I'm not crazy."
Silence.
Then Riki, softly: "We didn't say you were. We're just worried."
Haru glanced at the mirror.
For a split second, he saw her.
Minju. Just behind him.
Then gone.
He turned back. "I'm talking to someone who needs help. Someone the company forgot."
Minhee exhaled. "Haru. That's not… healthy."
"I know what I saw. And I know what I'm doing."
Seojun finally spoke. "Leave it. He's not wrong."
The others stared at him.
Shiro blinked. "You believe him?"
"I believe something happened. And Haru isn't making it up."
Minhee sat down. "This is too much. We should talk to staff. Maybe a therapist."
That word hit like a slap.
Haru stood.
"You think I need help? Fine. I agree. But not the kind you mean. I don't need therapy. I need to find the person who helped erase her."
He stormed out.
Minju appeared beside him in the stairwell.
Flickering. Barely there.
"You okay?" she whispered.
He didn't answer.
He just kept walking.
Because the closer he got to the truth, the faster she disappeared.
And he wasn't ready to lose her again.