Words were being spoken…
But were they just words?
Kim's expression had changed since the last sentence his reflection had said.
A terrifying question froze inside him.
Could it be…
if his mother had died instead of him…
would she have tried to bring him back?
And would Jack…
have remained his friend until the end?
Or would he forget him one day?
And Mary…
would time have made her forget…
to stand one day beside another man?
Would he have become just a memory?
Or an unforgettable reality?
Amid the wandering of his thoughts, the reflection said softly:
"I didn't tell you this to distract you."
Then it looked into his eyes.
"But you must know…"
"What the mutual feeling between people is…"
"Before you do anything for them."
Silence fell between Kim and his reflection.
A long… heavy silence.
Then suddenly—
the reflection smiled.
A strange smile.
As if it had remembered something very old.
It said slowly:
"Perhaps…"
"There is only one way."
Kim raised his head quickly.
He said eagerly:
"Really?!"
"Tell me!"
The reflection laughed a short laugh.
Then it said:
"But the cost…"
"You won't like it."
It stepped closer.
Until their eyes were perfectly aligned.
Then it said:
"Time… allows no one to return."
It paused.
"Unless someone… takes its place."
Kim froze.
He said slowly:
"What do you mean?"
The reflection answered calmly:
"I am just a reflection of you."
"A version born from your anger… and your pain."
Then it placed its hand on his chest.
"If I merge with you now…"
"I will open a rift in time."
The space around them began to crack slowly.
As if reality itself were breaking.
But it continued in a low voice:
"But when that happens…"
"I will no longer exist."
Kim's eyes widened.
"Will you disappear?!"
The reflection smiled calmly.
"Not disappearance."
"But a sacrifice."
Then it said:
"All your anger…"
"All your hatred…"
"All the dark part inside you…"
"Will vanish with me."
It paused for a moment.
Then it said:
"You will return to the past…"
"But…"
It looked at him deeply.
"You will return without me."
The reflection's body began to transform into cracks of black light.
Then it spoke its final words:
"Live your life…"
"Do not let your anger give birth to me again, Kim."
Then—
the light exploded.
A giant temporal rift opened…
Swallowing Kim.
---
Suddenly—
Tears.
Tears fell from his eyes.
But…
around him, laughter.
Many laughs.
Mocking laughter.
Kim raised his head slowly.
The school.
He…
had returned.
Embodied in his old body.
A second-year high school student.
A bully stood in front of him and sneered:
"Don't cry just because of food."
Kim looked around.
The school cafeteria table.
The plate on the ground.
Scattered.
He remembered.
They had bullied him.
They had thrown his food on the floor.
Kim said in a low voice:
"You…"
"You don't know why I was crying."
The bully approached:
"What?"
"I didn't hear you."
Then he shoved him.
Kim fell to the ground.
And laughter erupted around.
Suddenly, Mary rushed forward.
And shouted angrily:
"Why are you bullying my friend?!"
"Fools… all of you!"
Someone pushed her forcefully, and she fell.
He sneered:
"I don't understand why you defend trash like him."
Then he poured water on Kim's head.
"He's a loser."
Then he looked at Mary.
"Don't tell me you like him."
And he burst into laughter.
But—
Kim grabbed his shoulder suddenly.
He said in a low, terrifying voice:
"If you stay here…"
"I will kill you."
Silence fell.
Everyone froze.
In his eyes…
there was something terrifying.
Eyes…
Not a student's.
But…
a killer's.
No one dared move.
Not even the bully himself.
Then Kim released him…
and walked away.
Mary quickly said:
"Kim!"
"Where are you going?"
He turned.
Looked at her.
And said:
"Who are you?"
Mary froze.
"Stay away from me."
Her eyes widened.
"Kim… are you okay?"
"I don't feel like you're okay."
A girl called her from afar.
Mary said to her:
"One moment!"
Then she looked at Kim.
"Please… can I borrow your book today?"
Kim looked at her in shock.
Mary…
But…
his memory didn't recognize this face clearly.
She was distant.
Weak.
Then she said worriedly:
"Are you okay?"
He looked at her.
Tears fell.
But…
his face was smiling.
Then suddenly—
He hugged her.
Strongly.
As if she were someone he hadn't seen in centuries.
He cried.
Cried for a long time.
Everyone was in shock.
He said in a trembling voice:
"Are you… really Mary?"
"I…"
"Finally… I'm back to you."
Her face turned bright red.
"Get away!"
"What are you doing?!"
Then she muttered:
"I was in my room last night…"
Everyone was even more shocked.
Her room?
Are they connected?
Her face turned even redder.
"Idiot!"
"Stay away from me!"
Kim said calmly:
"I don't care about anyone else."
Then he raised his hand.
Cracked his fingers.
But—
nothing happened.
He looked at her in surprise.
Cracked his fingers again.
And again.
"Why…"
"Is it not working?"
He said, confused:
"What's happening?"
Mary grabbed his hand.
And said:
"Come."
She led him to the school rooftop.
She stood in front of him.
Then she said slowly:
"You're acting strange today, Kim."
Sweat began dripping from him.
He said quickly:
"No…"
"I'm Kim."
"Kim who is with you every day."
"I… I…"
He looked down.
And said in a low voice:
"I'm the loser you like."
She held his hand tightly.
And said:
"No."
"You are not a loser."
Then she smiled.
"You're a part of me."
He looked at her for a long time.
Then the school day ended.
But Kim…
did not return home.
Instead, he went with Mary.
To her house.
She said to him:
"Have dinner with us."
Mary's mother sat at the table.
There was a lot of food.
But Kim…
couldn't control himself.
He began eating ravenously.
As if he hadn't eaten in years.
Mary's mother looked at him with a smile.
"You seem very hungry."
"Shall I bring more?"
Then she said:
"Didn't you eat well today?"
Kim said quietly:
"Actually…"
He paused.
"I haven't eaten for a very long time."
Mary's eyes widened.
She thought to herself:
"A very long time?"
"But…"
"He was with me in my room last night."
"And we ate together."
Her mind froze.
"Did he have an accident?"
"But…"
She looked at him with worry.
"He's fine."
"But…"
"What is happening to him?"
And that question…
Was the beginning of something much bigger.