Kira squinted at the mark on Jack's neck. Her stomach fluttered, mind spinning. That symbol… that tiny curve… it was strangely familiar.
Her thoughts tripped back years ago, a memory hazy but vivid enough to make her heart skip.
Jack had always seemed like just another kid when he visited Korea. But she remembered… a foreign boy with that same crooked smile, that same mischievous glint in his eyes. She had sworn she would marry him one day, a childish promise, a secret she had whispered only to herself.
⸻
Flashback
Jack, in Korea, walking through his aunt's study, stopped dead. Three photographs on her desk. One of the girls immediately caught his attention—a girl with that smile, the one he had adored from afar as a child.
He leaned closer. The other two girls were there too, but it was the one beside Kira who made his heart skip. He picked up the photo, tracing the girl's lips in memory.
"Who are these girls?" he asked his aunt, voice low. "Do you know where they are now?"
His aunt hesitated, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I can tell you… but you must promise one thing."
Jack's brow furrowed.
"Anything."
"You cannot interfere directly. You can watch over them if needed. But they must not know you're involved through me. They must find the truth themselves."
Jack's chest tightened.
"I understand. I'll follow your rules."
He studied the photo once more. That smile, that innocent little face he had admired for years, was the reason he had returned. He would protect them, quietly, carefully, and maybe one day… meet her again.
⸻
Present
Kira blinked, her mind snapping back to the porch. Jack was leaning on the rail, smiling at her, unaware that her thoughts were tangled in the past.
The birthmark, that childhood memory, the flashback—it all clicked.
"Ne… neomu daebak," she whispered under her breath, a mix of shock and disbelief.
(Not possible… this is incredible)
Jack tilted his head, noticing her gaze linger.
"Kira? What is it?"
She shook her head quickly, cheeks burning.
"Ani… nothing. Just… old memories."
Jack smiled softly, unaware that the symbol on his neck had just rewritten years of unspoken history between them.
For Kira, that small mark wasn't just a memory. It was a bridge connecting her past, her childhood crush, and the boy standing in front of her now—Jack.
Ethan and Ava – Confession
The afternoon sun was warm, spilling through the trees as Ava and Ethan sat on the small bench near the campus garden. The air smelled faintly of flowers and fresh-cut grass, but Ava barely noticed.
Her hands twisted in her lap, heart pounding so fast she thought it might leap out.
"Ethan…" she began, her voice quieter than she intended.
He turned to her, eyebrows raised, a soft smile forming.
"Yeah? What's up?"
Ava took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"I… I like you. Like… more than a friend. I've liked you for a while now."
Ethan froze for a heartbeat, eyes widening, then slowly, a warm smile spread across his face.
"You… really mean that?"
Ava nodded, feeling a mix of relief and fear.
"Yes. I know everything that's happened… and I just… I had to tell you."
Ethan reached over, taking her hand gently.
"I like you too, Ava. I've wanted to say something for a while, but I didn't know how…"
Ava's stomach fluttered. She couldn't help the little laugh that escaped, nervous and happy at the same time.
"Really?"
"Really," he said, giving her hand a soft squeeze.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear you say that."
They sat there for a moment, just holding hands, letting the world shrink around them. The tension, the fear, the chaos from the past weeks—all of it faded, just for a little while, into sunlight, warm hands, and the simple truth.
Ava's heart felt lighter than it had in months, and even though the mysteries and secrets weren't gone, for the first time, she felt like she could face them… with him by her side.
———————-
Later that day, Ava found Kira in the common lounge, scrolling through her phone with that concentrated look she always got when she was deep in thought.
Ava smirked, leaning casually against the wall.
"Kie, guess what…"
Kira looked up, eyebrows raised.
"What?"
Ava's grin widened, a little mischievous.
"Ethan and I… we're together now."
Kira blinked, mouth slightly open.
"…Really?"
Ava nodded, tilting her head.
"Yep. Finally told him how I feel. He feels the same."
Kira's lips pressed into a thin line, trying to hide something, but her eyes were sharp, scanning Ava as if she were a puzzle to solve.
"Ne… jinjja?" she muttered in Korean, half amused, half suspicious.
Ava laughed softly, shrugging.
"Ne, jinjja. Don't look at me like that. I'm not trying to make you jealous."
Kira scoffed, but there was a hint of blush on her cheeks.
"Uh huh… sure. Ani, don't even think about it. I'm not jealous."
Ava tilted her head, teasing.
"Uh huh… keep telling yourself that, Kie. It's cute."
Kira groaned dramatically, burying her face in her hands.
"Ahh, babo. You're so annoying. Stop smiling like that!"
Ava's smile stayed, playful and teasing, but inside she felt a little twinge herself. She wondered if Kira would ever admit she cared a bit more than she wanted to show.
Kira's POV –
Kira leaned against the railing, watching the campus fountain sparkle in the afternoon sun. Her thoughts were a mess. Ava and Ethan… the way they looked at each other… it made her heart squeeze.
Do I want Ava? she wondered.
No… I want her to be happy. She's my best friend. That's what matters.
Her thoughts were interrupted by someone plopping down beside her. Jack.
Before sitting fully, he leaned over and gave her a quick, soft peck on the cheek.
Kira blinked, cheeks turning pink.
"Eh… what was that for?" she asked in a cute, flustered voice.
Jack just smiled, shrugging.
"Nothing."
Her heart fluttered. He had that infuriatingly calm, confident smile she couldn't help but notice.
"So," he said, leaning a little closer, "would you… like to go to dinner with me tonight?"
Kira froze, her mind spinning. Are… are you asking me out? she muttered under her breath
Jack's smile grew, teasing but sincere.
"So… is that a yes?"
Kira bit her lip, thinking for a second, then shrugged playfully.
"Maybe."
He laughed softly, standing up and offering his hand.
"Maybe is good enough for me."
She took his hand, feeling that warm, steady pulse of excitement and nervousness. Together, they walked off toward the campus exit, the sunlight casting long shadows behind them.
Kira's heart was light, but she couldn't shake one thought—Ava.
She wanted to be happy, for herself and for Ava… but sometimes, life had a funny way of mixing hearts, memories, and choices all in the same place.