(A/n: Hi)
Kiana sat quietly at the edge of the bed, watching as Jung Heewon stepped out of the room.
"If you need anything, just call my name," Heewon said from the hallway, her voice calm and reassuring.
"Mm," Kiana nodded faintly in response.
When the door closed behind her, silence settled again.
Kiana's gaze drifted to the floor, thoughts stirring uneasily. She now understood a little more about this world—enough to know it resembled her own. Korea existed here too. So... was this still her world? Had she simply been transported to a different country?
But if that were true, why could she understand the language perfectly? Why did it feel so natural?
And more troublingly—why had she become Kiana?
She clenched her fists in her lap. The memory of the searing pain in her eye returned like a flash of lightning. That eye, once blue, had turned golden, diamond-shaped... just like the Herrscher of the Void.
Was someone or something inside her?
Kiana shook her head and exhaled sharply, trying to push the thoughts away. No answers would come from sitting here and spiraling.
Her eyes landed on the neatly folded towel resting on the bed.
Maybe I should cool down first...
She picked up the towel and stepped out into the hallway. The house was quiet and clean, small but cozy. Wooden floors creaked softly beneath her bare feet. She glanced around before her eyes found Heewon, now seated on the couch, typing away on a laptop.
Heewon looked up and smiled. "Oh, do you need something?"
"Where's the bathroom?" Kiana asked, her voice calm but slightly distant.
"Just go straight down the hall, then turn left," Heewon replied.
"I see. Thank you." Kiana gave a polite nod and made her way down the hall.
Heewon returned to her work, eyes scanning the screen.
A few moments passed.
Kiana emerged from the bathroom, now dressed in fresh clothes Heewon had lent her. A soft white silk shirt and a pair of comfortable track pants. The fabric was unfamiliar, but the warmth was welcome.
As she stepped into the living room, Heewon glanced up again and raised an eyebrow. "Kiana, you need to dry your hair, or you'll catch a cold."
Before Kiana could spoke, Heewon stood, took the towel from her hands, and gently began rubbing her damp hair.
"It's too much of a hassle," Kiana muttered. "It'll dry on its own."
Heewon let out a soft sigh, a drop of sweat comically forming on her brow. "I honestly don't know how you have such smooth hair if you don't take care of it."
"It's natural," Kiana replied simply.
Heewon chuckled, shaking her head with an amused smile. She gestured toward the couch. "Come, sit."
Kiana obeyed, sitting beside her.
There was a brief silence before Heewon tilted her head thoughtfully. "Do you want to style your hair?"
Kiana turned to her, slightly surprised. "You can?"
Heewon nodded. "I used to help my niece with hers."
Kiana paused, then gave a small, hopeful smile. "Then... could you do two big braids?"
"Hmm?" Heewon blinked. "Like this?" She made a vague motion with her hands.
"No," Kiana said as she raised her own hands to show the style two thick braids, one on each side.
"Ah, I see. Sure," Heewon said, her tone warm as she picked up the comb.
Kiana sat still, letting her hands rest in her lap as Heewon began gently parting her hair.
A few minutes later, Kiana stood in front of a mirror, quietly admiring her reflection. Two thick braids behind her. It wasn't a style she often wore at least, not in the memories she could recall but there was something... comforting about it. Her pale hair gleamed under the room's soft light, and for the first time since waking up in this world, a small smile crept across her lips.
"You like it?" Jung Heewon asked from behind, arms crossed with a satisfied smile.
Kiana nodded. "Mm."
"You know," Heewon said, raising a brow, "I can do other styles if you want. You've got the perfect hair for it."
"No need," Kiana replied, shaking her head gently. But in her mind, she added silently.
This is enough… a small reminder of who I am now.
----------------------
The Next Morning
Kiana awoke in the guest room to the soft golden light of morning spilling in through the window. She sat up slowly, gaze drifting outside. The trees swayed gently in the breeze. The sky was clear. Quiet.
So it wasn't a dream, she thought.
She really had become Kiana Kaslana.
She really was somewhere else possibly a parallel world. One eerily similar to her own, yet undeniably different.
And she had no idea how to go back.
Kiana pushed those thoughts aside and rose from the bed. She didn't want to burden the kind woman who had taken her in. Jung Heewon had offered her warmth, shelter, and even comfort things a stranger didn't owe her. Kiana wasn't about to overstay her welcome.
After washing up and changing into her own outfit, she stepped into the living room where Heewon sat on the couch, sipping coffee and working on her laptop.
Kiana stood quietly in front of her, posture firm, determined.
"I'm leaving today," she said. "But… before that, I want to repay you. For everything. Even if it's just a little."
Heewon blinked and looked up, placing her cup down. "Hmm... Let me think," she murmured, tapping her fingers on the coffee table rhythmically.
Kiana waited silently, patient but resolved.
Finally, Heewon looked at her with a smile. "You know, I have a younger brother. But we're not exactly close. He's kind of... distant."
Kiana tilted her head, unsure where this was going.
"So, how about this just for today," Heewon continued, her eyes warm and playful, "you can be my little sister."
Kiana blinked. "...Eh?"
"No chores, no repayment," Heewon said, folding her arms. "Just spend the day with me. Keep me company. That's enough."
Kiana hesitated. Her first instinct was to decline.
But Heewon's offer was simple so she accept it.
"…Okay," Kiana finally said with a small nod.
Heewon smile. "Great."
----------------------------------
The train doors slid open with a chime, spilling passengers into the busy platform. Kiana stepped out, her white hair catching the fluorescent lights as she paused to take in her surroundings.
Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
The words on the station sign glowed clearly. She blinked at them, still struggling to understand why everything here felt familiar yet foreign at the same time. Jung Heewon hadn't told her much—only that they'd be spending the day together, and that Kiana should get ready. The rest was a mystery.
"Kiana, hurry up," Heewon's voice rang out, snapping her from her daze.
"Ah—" Kiana shook her head quickly and jogged to her side. Together, they climbed the steps out of the station, passing under the bold letters that read Geumho Station.
The moment they emerged onto the street, a wave of weekend energy greeted them. Families strolled in groups, couples walked hand in hand, and children tugged impatiently at their parents' sleeves.
"There are… a lot of people here," Kiana murmured, eyes wide as she scanned the crowd.
Heewon nodded. "It's the weekend, after all."
"Weekend?" Kiana tilted her head. "But… why were you working this morning?"
Heewon cleared her throat, adjusting her bag. "Ah, that was just… checking something. Not everyone has the luxury of completely resting on weekends."
"I see." Kiana gave a small nod, accepting the answer without further thought.
As they walked, a different sensation tugged at her attention—a rich, savory aroma that drifted through the air. Her nose twitched, catching the smoky scent of roasting meat. Her eyes followed the trail until they landed on a street vendor, skewers of chicken sizzling over open flames.
Her stomach gave a soft growl.
Kiana quickly pressed a hand against it and turned her head away, biting her lip. They had already eaten breakfast at Heewon's house. Besides, she had no money of her own. Asking would only trouble Heewon, and she didn't want that.
So she closed her eyes, as if shutting out the sight would block the temptation.
From the corner of her vision, Heewon noticed. Her lips curved into an amused smile.
"If you want some, just say it, Kiana."
Kiana's eyes snapped open, startled, just in time to see Heewon walking toward the vendor.
"?!" She stared, as though trying to silently ask if Heewon was serious.
Heewon only nodded, already pulling out her wallet. A moment later, she returned with three skewers of glistening chicken, the aroma even stronger now.
"Here." She placed all three into Kiana's hands.
Kiana blinked down at them, stunned. The skewers felt warm against her palms, and the smoky scent made her mouth water. But even as she longed to taste them, hesitation crept in. Heewon hadn't bought any for herself.
Slowly, Kiana lifted one skewer and held it out. "…Um. You eat too."
Heewon looked at the food, then at Kiana's earnest expression. After a beat of silence, she chuckled softly and accepted it.
But Kiana still didn't move. She stood there, watching closely, almost as if waiting for permission.
Realizing this, Heewon lifted the skewer and took the first bite.
Only then did Kiana's shoulders relax. She sank her teeth into her own, and her face lit up with delight as the rich, juicy flavor spread across her tongue.
The afternoon stretched into a gentle rhythm.
Everywhere they went, Jung Heewon seemed determined to spoil her. At each food stall they passed—fish cakes steaming in broth, hotteok dripping with syrup, tteok skewers sizzling on the grill—Heewon would buy something for Kiana.
At first, Kiana resisted. She knew her appetite was far from normal. If she let herself go, she could eat endlessly. The thought of leaving a hole in Heewon's wallet gnawed at her. So each time Heewon tried to hand her something, she would protest.
But…
Gulp.
The scent of roasted meat, fried batter, and sweet syrup was impossible to resist. Even when she shook her head, Heewon still bought the food and placed it in her hands. And each time, without realizing, Kiana would eat it.
So it went, again and again. Refuse. Receive. Eat.
Until finally, the two of them sat on the edge of a roadside planter. Heewon scrolled lazily through her phone, while Kiana sat hunched forward, her hands clutching her knees, her face tilted toward the ground.
The warmth of all the food filled her stomach, but guilt sat heavier than any meal.
I'm the only one having fun. I'm the one being spoiled. I should be repaying her kindness, not taking more.
Her fists clenched. No. I can't accept this.
Suddenly, Kiana shot to her feet. The sudden movement startled Heewon, who looked up sharply.
"What happened, Kiana?"
Kiana turned, determination lighting up her eyes. "Wait here, Sister Heewon! I'll buy you something!"
Before Heewon could answer, Kiana darted toward the large mall looming behind them. Heewon blinked, then let out a small laugh under her breath. "…What is she up to now?"
----------
Inside the mall, the air was cool, the polished floors gleaming under bright lights. Shoppers strolled past, carrying bags and chatting, their reflections doubling on the glass storefronts.
Kiana slowed her steps, her excitement quickly fading into unease.
What should I even get her? A gift… food? Clothes?
But then a harsher truth struck her. …I don't even have any money.
She stopped in the middle of the walkway, face falling. Both her palm smacked lightly against her cheeks. "Come on, think, Kiana! There has to be something!"
She forced herself forward, wandering up to the second floor. And there—something caught her eye.
A wallet.
It lay abandoned on the ground, leather worn but stuffed thick with bills.
Kiana bent down and picked it up. The weight of it in her hand made her breath catch.
A gift for Sister Heewon… if I just took a little—
Her eyes widened. She shook her head violently. "No!" she hissed under her breath. If I did that… I'd have no right to carry the name Kianaand it would be insult to buy gift from stolen money.
Her grip tightened around the wallet. Then, with firm steps, she marched to the lost and found counter.
"Excuse me, I found this," she said, placing it down before the staff. They nodded with a polite smile.
Relieved, she turned to walk away. But just as she did, another figure brushed past her shoulder and stepped up to the counter.
The girl accepted the wallet from the staff, bowing slightly in thanks.
It was her hair that caught Kiana's eye first—long, flowing, a deep shade of violet that gleamed under the mall lights.
Kiana froze.
That face… why does it feel so familiar?
As if sensing her gaze, the girl turned.
Purple eyes met blue.
For a heartbeat, time seemed to still. Both of them stood there, locked in each other's gaze.
(A/n: rooftop)