[Han Inaya POV]
It's been a month since I found myself trapped in this strange yet oddly familiar world.
At first, I couldn't believe it-time travel? Really? The concept had always fascinated me, but living it was a different story altogether.
The shock of realizing I'd traveled back to what seemed to be my past life had overwhelmed me to the point where I fainted.
For two whole days, I was unconscious. Grandma-my "new" grandmother-told me I had been weak and exhausted, so she nursed me back to health.
During this time, I met two more family members besides grandma.
To my surprise, I had a sibling-a teenage brother named Eunwoo-and a grandfather.
They seemed relieved that I woke up, but also confused by the strange things I had been saying when I first arrived.
They assumed I had lost my memories due to some accident, and while I knew the truth, I decided to go along with it.
I mean, who would believe me if I told them I'd come from the 21st century?
They told me about our family, piecing together bits of a life I was supposed to have lived.
According to them, I didn't have parents-just grandma, grandpa, and Eunwoo.
While it sounded heartbreaking, they spoke of our little family with such warmth and love that it made me feel like I belonged.
Eunwoo, however... I swear, if there's one thing I've learned about him in the past month, it's that he exists to test my patience! That boy is the definition of "annoying."
He pulls pranks, teases me endlessly, and somehow always manages to blame me when things go wrong.
And of course, grandma always believes him.
Every time she pulls my ears and scolds me for something I didn't do, I want to strangle him!
But, despite all the chaos he creates, I can't deny that he cares for me in his own weird way.
Like that time I tried to run away. I was so overwhelmed by everything-being in a strange time, surrounded by strange people, feeling like I didn't belong.
I thought escaping would fix everything, but Eunwoo and my grandparents caught me.
Grandma cried when she saw what I was trying to do.
Her tears broke something inside me. She hugged me tightly, whispering that everything would be okay, that they were here for me no matter what.
For the first time, I felt like maybe I didn't have to do this alone.
Maybe I didn't have to fight my way back to my time so soon.
In the month that followed, they showered me with love and care, trying their best to help me
"recover my memories."
If only they knew the truth-that I hadn't forgotten anything.
I was perfectly fine; I just didn't belong here.
Every day, I wrestled with whether I should tell them that I wasn't their real Inaya, but the warmth in their eyes stopped me.
This wasn't my time, my life, or my family.
But in their eyes, I was theirs.
And that made this whole situation both harder and easier at the same time.
After that failed attempt at running away, my grandparents and Eunwoo became extra cautious about leaving me alone.
They hovered around me like guards, always watching my every move.
Whenever they got busy, they'd assign Eunwoo the task of
"looking after me,"
and boy, did he take his job seriously.
That little monkey! If there was a moment to tease or annoy me, he would grab it with both hands.
Thank God he wasn't glued to me 24/7, or I would've gone insane. But to be fair, he wasn't all that bad.
Despite his endless mischief, he had his moments.
He actually took care of me when it mattered, like when I got overwhelmed or felt lost.
I guess having a sibling in this past life wasn't the worst thing.
Back in my real life, I didn't have any siblings, so dealing with Eunwoo was a completely new experience.
Half the time, I wanted to throttle him, but the other half, I found myself smiling at his antics-though I'd never admit that out loud.
Today, I was restless.
Sitting around the house wasn't helping me figure out how to get back to my real time.
My grandparents had made it clear I wasn't allowed to wander off, but I couldn't just sit here and do nothing! I needed answers, clues-anything that could lead me back to where I belonged.
As I looked around, I noticed Eunwoo busy organizing herbs in their proper places.
He was carefully picking each one, mumbling to himself, completely engrossed in his task.
My grandmother is a doctor, a brilliant one at that.
She knows every herb, treatment, and remedy like the back of her hand.
Honestly, she's a genius! People come from far and wide just to seek her help.
And my grandfather? He's an ex-soldier-strict, disciplined, and incredibly kind. Though his body has weakened with age, his mind is as sharp as ever.
His presence demands respect, and he carries himself with a grace that reflects his years of service.
Then there was Eunwoo-an aspiring herbalist, learning everything he could from Grandma.
He seemed so passionate about it, always asking questions and taking notes like a diligent student.
Grandma even told me that I used to be interested in herbs and medicines too.
Apparently, I had been training under her guidance.
But that wasn't me.
Not the real me. I wasn't some herbalist in the making-I was a law student in my real time.
The idea of sorting herbs or memorizing treatments made my head spin.
It was ironic, really.
In this life, I was supposedly training to be a doctor, but in my real life, the thought of anything remotely medical gave me hives.
"Wow, great,"
I thought sarcastically as I watched Eunwoo carefully handle the herbs like they were the most precious thing in the world.
I couldn't imagine spending my days doing that.
While he was fully immersed in his task, I was already scheming ways to sneak out. I had to find my answers, even if it meant breaking a few rules.
I finally managed to sneak out of the house while everyone was busy.
This was my perfect chance to find a way back to my time.
I didn't have a plan, but I didn't care.
All I could think about was exploring and hoping for some miracle to send me home.
I wandered aimlessly, not knowing where I was going.
The world around me felt surreal, yet painfully real.
People walked past me, busy with their lives-some chatting animatedly, others sitting idly, and a few rushing from one stall to another.
Everything was so different, yet oddly familiar.
But the hanbok! Oh, this suffocating, clumsy hanbok!
"Huff! What kind of torture is this?"
I muttered under my breath, tugging at the skirt as it tangled around my legs for the hundredth time.
"How do women even handle this? They walk around like it's the easiest thing in the world, and here I am tripping every two steps!"
I had already stumbled more times than I could count, earning strange looks from passersby.
Some people gave me amused smiles, while others stared like I was the strangest creature they'd ever seen. I couldn't blame them; I was practically wrestling with my own dress in the middle of the street.
As I continued walking-or rather, awkwardly dragging myself forward-I found myself in a bustling market.
The plaza was alive with energy, filled with colorful stalls, chattering merchants, and the delicious aroma of freshly cooked food.
Despite my frustrations, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the liveliness around me.
But my moment of wonder didn't last long.
I stepped forward, and something soft and furry met the sole of my foot.
I froze, my heart skipping a beat.
Slowly, I glanced down.
A tail.
My stomach dropped as I followed the tail's length to its owner-a dog.
A large, muscular dog with sharp eyes and bared teeth.
The low growl that escaped its throat was enough to send chills down my spine.
It was the kind of growl that screamed, You've messed up big time.
I gulped, trying to smile nervously at the dog as I slowly lifted my foot off its tail.
"Good boy... uh, I didn't mean to... you know... step on you,"
I whispered, as if the dog could understand me.
But it was too late.
The dog's growl deepened, and before I could even blink, it lunged forward, barking ferociously.
"AHHH!"
I screamed, turning on my heel and running for my life.
My hanbok, which was already a nightmare to handle, became even more of a hindrance as I stumbled over the fabric.
I ran like my life depended on it-because it probably did.
I could hear the dog's heavy paws thudding against the ground as it chased me, barking furiously.
"Why?! Why me?!"
I cried out, my voice nearly drowned out by the chaos behind me.
My heart pounded in my chest as I zigzagged through the plaza, narrowly avoiding people and stalls.
The dog didn't let up, and I could feel its hot breath closing in on me.
This is it, I thought. This is how I die. Chased down and bitten by a dog because I accidentally stepped on its tail.
My legs burned, my breaths came out in desperate gasps, and I could feel my hanbok threatening to trip me at any moment.
Yet, somehow, I kept running, clinging to the hope that I could outrun the furious beast.
I was running around like a madwoman, my heart hammering in fear as the dog's bark grew louder behind me.
Panic had taken over, and all I could think of was saving myself from those sharp teeth.
Why the hell wasn't anyone helping me? Maybe it was because I was moving too fast, zigzagging through the crowded plaza like a crazed lunatic.
People just stepped aside, startled, as I barreled past them.
Some muttered complaints, others laughed under their breath, but not one soul came to my rescue.
"Ah, dammit! Why me?!"
I yelled, glancing over my shoulder at the dog that was determined to catch me.
In my frantic state, I decided to veer off to the corner of the plaza, thinking I could lose the dog there.
But fate had other plans.
Without realizing it, I ran straight into someone.
With a loud thud, I collided with a figure-a solid, unmoving wall of muscle, to be precise.
The impact sent both of us tumbling to the ground.
I yelped as I landed hard on top of the stranger, the force knocking the air out of my lungs.
Beneath me, the man let out a groan, his body hitting the ground with a dull, painful sound.
For a moment, everything froze.
The chaotic barking of the dog, the murmurs of the crowd, even my own panicked thoughts-all of it faded into a deafening silence as I realized the position I was in.
My hands were pressed against his chest, and I could feel the steady rise and fall of his breaths.
His face was mere inches from mine, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes striking me even in my dazed state.
His expression was a mix of shock, irritation, and-most of all-confusion.
I blinked, my heart still racing, not from fear of the dog anymore, but from sheer embarrassment.
"What the-"
he started, his voice deep and laced with annoyance, but before he could finish, the dog's furious barks snapped me out of my daze.
"Oh no!"
I shrieked, scrambling to get off him as the reality of my situation came crashing back.
"The dog! It's coming!"
I tried to push myself up, but my tangled hanbok betrayed me once again, causing me to stumble and fall back onto him.
The man groaned again, this time clearly annoyed.
"Are you insane?!"
he growled, his voice cold and commanding.
"I-I'm sorry!"
I stammered, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and panic.
"But there's a dog chasing me, and-"
"A dog?!"
he interrupted, his brows furrowing in disbelief.
Before I could explain further, the dog appeared, barking wildly as it lunged toward us.
The man's eyes widened slightly as he quickly sat up, his sharp instincts kicking in.
In one swift motion, he pulled me to my feet and stepped in front of me, shielding me from the enraged animal.
"Stay behind me,"
he ordered, his voice steady and authoritative.
I clung to the back of his robe, peeking out nervously as he stood tall, facing the dog with a confidence that left me momentarily stunned.
Who was this man? And why did he look like he could take on the entire world without breaking a sweat?
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[Jeon Jungkook POV]
Frustration bubbled inside me as I glared at the dog, growling and barking as if it had been wronged.
Why on earth was this animal so fixated on chasing her? And why did this girl-who had just fallen onto me and turned my day into chaos-have to clutch onto my robe like her life depended on it?
I rolled my eyes but stayed composed, silently assessing the situation.
The dog didn't seem rabid, just irritated. Perhaps she'd stepped on its tail or scared it.
Animals couldn't communicate like humans, but their actions reflected their emotions.
Hurting the dog wasn't an option-it wasn't its fault.
Reaching down, I grabbed a stone from the ground and threw it to the other side of the plaza, intentionally missing the dog but enough to divert its attention.
The noise did the trick.
The dog's head snapped toward the direction of the stone, and I used the brief distraction to grab the girl by the wrist.
"Come with me,"
I said firmly, not sparing her a glance as I pulled her along.
Her steps were unsteady, but I led her swiftly to a narrow alleyway tucked between two shops.
It was barely wide enough for a couple of people to squeeze through.
Once we reached the darkest corner, I pushed her back gently but firmly against the wooden wall, pinning her there to ensure she stayed out of sight.
My body leaned in closer instinctively, shielding her entirely from view.
Her back was pressed against the rough wood, and my frame loomed over hers.
She was shorter than me, but not by much.
Her face was at the level of my neck, her uneven breaths tickling my skin.
I didn't focus on the awkwardness of our position.
My attention was on the dog, still in the plaza and pacing around in confusion.
It sniffed the air, its tail wagging in indecision, before shaking its head and trotting off.
The tension in my shoulders eased as I let out a low exhale.
Turning my head, I glanced at the girl for the first time.
She was pinned against the wall, her wide eyes fixed on me with a mix of shock and nervousness.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breaths shallow and audible.
That's when I noticed just how close we were.
My body was practically pressed against hers, my hands still resting on either side of her, trapping her in place.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Her gaze flickered between my eyes and the space between us, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
I immediately stepped back, breaking the proximity and clearing my throat.
"Stay here,"
I said curtly, not meeting her eyes. My voice was calmer than I felt.
Turning my back to her, I peered out of the alley to ensure the dog was gone for good.
She didn't respond, but I could feel her gaze boring into me.
I didn't dare look back.
This girl was turning my already frustrating day into something even more chaotic, and I wasn't sure how much more I could tolerate.
I turned back towards her, my frustration bubbling over, and snapped,
"What on earth were you even doing?!"
My voice was low, but the irritation was evident.
I didn't want to cause a scene in the busy plaza, but her actions had pushed me to the edge.
Her nervous expression shifted into one of defiance, her lips pressing into a thin line before she fired back,
"I didn't do anything! I just accidentally stepped on his tail! It wasn't my fault! And why would I ever want to be chased by a dog?!"
I stared at her, utterly incredulous. Instead of showing an ounce of gratitude or even apologizing for the chaos she'd caused, she had the audacity to argue with me.
"Instead of saying thank you or sorry, you're yelling at me?!"
I retorted, my tone sharp.
"If it wasn't your fault, why did you come running toward me, huh? You could've just run somewhere else!"
Her eyes narrowed as she shot back,
"Oh, hello, Mister Perfect! I wasn't interested in running toward you! I just did it in a hurry. It's not like I had time to think about where I was going!"
I exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of my nose as I felt my temper flare.
This woman was beyond exasperating.
What had I done to deserve this day? I took a step toward her, my boots hitting the ground heavily, and she immediately reacted.
Her defiant stance faltered, and she instinctively stepped back, her hands lifting slightly as though to ward me off.
But before she could say another word, the long hem of her hanbok caught under her heel, and she stumbled.
I barely had time to react as she lost her balance, her arms flailing before one hand latched onto the collar of my robe in desperation.
"Hey, watch it-!" I started, but it was too late.
Her grip on my collar only pulled me down with her, the momentum sending both of us crashing to the ground.
She let out a sharp yelp as her back collided with the hard earth, and the force of the fall sent me toppling directly onto her.
My weight pressed down on her, eliciting another cry of pain from her lips.
Before I could catch myself, we rolled once, then twice, until I ended up flat on my back with her sprawled on top of me.
For a moment, everything was still except for the sound of our labored breathing.
She had her eyes clenched shut, her face scrunched in discomfort, and her hands still tightly gripping the front of my collar as if she were hanging on for dear life.
A low groan escaped my lips as the impact of the fall caught up to me.
This was the second time today I had hit the ground because of her.
My patience was running dangerously thin.
"Would you please stop grabbing me like that?"
I muttered, my voice laced with both irritation and exhaustion.
She finally opened her eyes, blinking a few times as if realizing the situation we were in.
Her face turned a deep shade of red as her gaze darted between my face and the proximity of our bodies.
"I-I didn't mean to..."
she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
I sighed deeply, closing my eyes for a brief moment to collect myself. This strange woman was going to be the end of me.
Thank God we were still in the alley, shielded from prying eyes.
I opened mine slowly, the weight of the situation sinking in.
My gaze locked with hers. Her wide, anxious eyes-soft black hues swirling with a mix of confusion and panic-pulled me in.
Wait. Those eyes.
My chest tightened as recognition hit me.
I had seen those eyes before, the same softness, the same defiance.
Could it be her? The girl I had been hunting for a month? The one who'd slipped through my grasp, leaving nothing behind but anger and unresolved questions?
She must have noticed the change in my expression because she immediately started squirming, trying to get up and away from me.
But in her haste, she stumbled again, the fabric of her hanbok tangling around her legs.
I barely had time to react before she fell forward once more.
Instinctively, I turned my face to the side to avoid the impact.
But then I felt it.
Something soft. Warm. Delicate.
Her lips had brushed against my cheek.
My eyes widened, my breath caught in my throat as a strange, unfamiliar sensation shot through me.
My heart-cold, steady, and unyielding for as long as I could remember-stuttered for the first time, skipping a beat like an untrained soldier missing his mark.
She froze. I froze.
Neither of us moved, and the silence between us was deafening.
I could feel her breath against my skin, erratic and unsteady, mirroring the wild drumbeat of her heart that I could sense even without touching her.
Her lips, soft and hesitant, lingered against my cheek as if time had decided to mock us by standing still.
Her wide eyes finally registered what had happened.
Slowly, almost hesitantly, she moved back, her lips parting slightly in shock, her cheeks burning red.
"I-" she tried to speak, but the words seemed to die in her throat.
I stared at her, still unable to process what had just occurred.
The girl I had been chasing for a month was here, right in front of me, and she had just... kissed my cheek. Not intentionally, of course, but the fact remained.
For the first time in years, I felt a crack in the walls I had so carefully built around myself.
And I hated it.
.
.
.
She was still on top of me, her hands resting lightly on my chest, her face mere inches from mine.
Her shallow breaths brushed against my skin, and for a fleeting moment, I found myself frozen, caught between confusion and an unexplainable pull.
What the hell am I doing?
I mentally cursed myself, forcing my thoughts back into order.
A wave of irritation swept over me, and I quickly returned to my usual cold demeanor.
"Get up,"
I commanded firmly, my voice sharp enough to snap both of us back to reality.
She blinked, clearly flustered, and quickly attempted to push herself off me.
But before she could fully do so, I added,
"And be careful this time. If you tripped again, I swear, I'll make you regret it."
Her face was a mix of nervousness and defiance, but she nodded silently, carefully getting to her feet.
I stood up immediately after, brushing the dust off my robes, my mind set. I know her now.
After searching for a month, she was finally within my grasp.
There was no way I was letting her slip through my fingers again.
Without a second thought, I grabbed her wrist in an iron grip, ignoring her startled expression.
"Hey! Let go of me!"
she protested, tugging against my hold.
Her voice held a mix of confusion and rising anger, but I didn't falter.
She struggled, twisting her arm, but it was futile-I was far stronger.
She kept trying to pull away as I dragged her through the bustling streets, ignoring the curious glances from passersby.
My mind was focused on one thing: getting her to a place where we could talk without interruptions.
I led her to an old, abandoned house on the outskirts of the plaza.
I knew the place well; it had been vacant for years, dust and cobwebs claiming every corner.
I didn't care about the state of the place. Privacy was my only priority.
As soon as we stepped inside, I locked the door behind us.
The sound of the latch clicking into place made her stiffen, her eyes widening in alarm.
Before she could react, I grabbed her shoulders and pinned her firmly against the rough wooden wall.
"Let go of me! What the hell are you doing?!"
she yelled, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
She struggled against my grip, but I didn't loosen my hold.
"Enough,"
I said coldly, my voice was low but commanding.
Her movements still slightly, though her glare never faltered.
"You think you can just run around causing chaos and get away with it? Not this time."
My gaze locked onto hers, my voice filled with unyielding determination.
"You've been playing with fire, and now it's time to answer for it."
Her defiance wavered for a moment, her breathing uneven as she processed my words.
Yet, despite her fear, I could see the spark of defiance still burning in her eyes.
"You don't even know me!"
she shouted back.
"What gives you the right to drag me here and treat me like this?!"
I leaned in slightly, narrowing the distance between us.
"Oh, I know you more than you think,"
I said, my voice barely above a whisper but carrying the weight of a storm.
"And you're not getting away this time."
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