The morning of my 'return' to school was already a disaster. It wasn't just the thought of facing Yu Jimin or the judgmental stares of my schoolmates, it was something far more immediate and, frankly, absurd - Kim Winter's wardrobe.
Stepping into her walk-in closet was like entering another dimension. Racks and racks of clothes, shoes piled up like some kind of art installation, handbags that probably cost more than my entire army salary. But as I dig through the options, a growing sense of unease washed over me.
Everything was... practically see-through.
Tiny dresses that barely grazed my thighs, tops that plunged down to my bellybutton, skirts that looked like they'd been designed for a toddler. It was all about showing skin, flaunting wealth, and projecting an image of unladylike.
I rummaged through the racks, desperately searching for something, or anything, that wouldn't make me feel like I was walking around in my underwear. But it was no use. This wasn't clothing at all, it was a collection of status symbols, designed to attract attention... mostly men.
And then there was the school uniform. White sleeves, navy blazer, and...a skirt that barely covered my backside.
I held it up, staring at the tiny piece of fabric with a look of total disbelief. There was absolutely no way I was wearing that. Not in a million years.
I slammed the closet door shut, this whole 'Kim Winter' thing was suffocating me. The clothes, the attitude...I wasn't Kim Winter. I was a soldier. And soldiers wore practical, comfortable clothing that allowed them to move freely and get the job done.
Turning my back on the designer wasteland, I headed to the small, neglected corner of the closet.
There, tucked away behind a pile of silk scarves, I found it - the blessing from heaven, a simple, oversized black hoodie and a pair of dark gray pants.
They were probably some kind of expensive high-fashion 'athleisure' wear, but I didn't care. They were comfortable, they were practical, and they covered my skin. And right now, that was all that mattered.
As I checked myself out in the mirror, I actually recognized myself. Not Kim Winter, but...me. The clothes might have been fancy, but they didn't define me. They were just...clothes.
~•~
The dining room was like something out of a magazine - all shiny marble, a chandelier that probably cost more than my apartment back in the real world, and a table that could seat a small country. Though I have already been here a couple of times, this setting still amazed me. My 'family' was already there, looking like they'd been styled by professionals.
Mother, draped in a silk robe, gave me a whole body scan, as I entered, her eyes widening slightly. Father, ever the stoic, barely registered my presence.
"Good morning... everyone." I greeted.
I took my seat, feeling like I'd wandered onto the wrong set. The table was overflowing with picture-perfect food - tiny pastries, exotic fruits, and a collection of silver dishes that looked more like art than breakfast.
The silence was thick enough to spread on toast as we ate, the only sound that can be heard is the gentle clinking of silverware. I picked at a pastry, feeling completely out of sync in my new outfit.
Then, Minji finally looked up from her smartphone, her mouth open. "Whoa..." she blurted out, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What are you wearing unnie? Did you raid a thrift store?"
The question hung in the air, all eyes now on me.
I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "I...I just want to wear something comfortable...?"
"Comfortable? That's...one word for it. You didn't even wear a tiny-tinnie bit of make up or gloss. Did you lose a bet or something?" There she goes again with her sarcastic remarks.
I ignored her, pushing back my chair and standing up.
"I probably should get going, Mother, Father," I said, turning to my parents. "I'm heading to school now."
Mother blinked, seemingly snapping out of her own thoughts.
"Oh, alright dear, have a good day."
Father simply nodded, his gaze still fixed on my outfit.
"I'm ready to go whenever you are, Mr. Lee." I said to the silent guy standing by the door. He was Kim Winter's driver.
He slowly nodded seemingly stunned on the way I addressed him.
Kim Winter, you lack proper human decency.
I turned and walked out of the dining room, leaving behind the stunned silence and the unspoken judgments of my own family. The worst is just waiting for me out there.
~•~
The car halted in front of the school gates. Towering in front of me was Jasa-go High, the sign all fancy and official-looking. According to my intel, aka, frantic Googling, it was one of the most elite schools in Seoul. Basically, a breeding ground for the rich and powerful.
Mr. Lee opened the door for me, and after that I mumbled a quick thank you.
I took a deep breath, trying to channel my inner self. The air was thick with money and expectations, and I could feel my shoulders tensing up.
Mr. Lee bid me good luck, and I returned it with a greatful smile.
As I turned around, everyone froze, like they were stuck on a landmine.
The war has begun.
They just stared at me. Students in perfect uniforms paused mid-conversation, their eyes popping as they took in my... less-than-perfect attire.
I ignored them, focusing on the task at hand. I had a mission to accomplish, a reputation to rebuild, and a debt to repay. And I wasn't going to let a few judgmental teenagers deter me.
I kept my head up, trying to ignore the stares that were practically burning holes in my back. The whispers just turned into background noise as I tried to figure out where I was going.
Mission first, drama later.
Then suddenly, someone stepped right in front of me, blocking my way. It was a girl, dressed out in the school uniform, but like, the expensive version. Silk scarf, designer shoes. She had this look on her face that was half 'ew, what are you wearing?' and half 'ooh, this is gonna be good.'
"Winter! It's finally good to see you back!"
She took a step closer, giving my outfit the once-scan with a look of pure disgust. "But seriously, what is that?
I frowned, struggling to understand her rapid-fire Korean. "Um...sorry, I'm still having a little trouble with Korean. Could you, like, speak English? The doctor said something about a slight memory thing after...you know." I trailed off, hoping she'd get the hint.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise, and a ripple of murmurs spread through the nearby crowd. She blinked, clearly taken aback.
"Whoa..." she said, switching to perfect English with a slightly mocking tone. " What's with the sudden American accent? And the blue contacts? Hot, but like, what's going on?"
I ignored her questions, she wouldn't understand in the first place.
"I'm sorry, I'm still a bit confused. What's your name again lady?"
The shock on her face deepened. She seemed genuinely taken aback, her carefully constructed cool-girl act slipping for a second.
"I'm...Giselle, Giselle Uchinaga. I'm... your best friend." She stammered, still gazing at me strangely.
So this is Kim Winter's best friend. I searched her face, trying to find something familiar, anything that would jog the owner's memory. But all I saw was a stranger, a beautiful, confused stranger who claimed to know me better than I knew myself.
"Giselle...I... I'm sorry. I don't..."
How could I explain that I didn't remember her, that I didn't remember any of this?
Before I could say anything else, Giselle reached out and took my hand.
"It's okay Winty... the accident must've... you know, nevermind, we'll figure this out. Come on, let's get you inside."
She led me through the crowded hallways and into a classroom, where all eyes immediately turned to us. Or rather, to me. But before we could even take a step inside, this guy sauntered over, all cocky grins and perfect hair.
"Winter, babe!" he said, loud enough for the whole class to hear. "You're back! I missed you like crazy."
He reached out, like he was going to touch my face, maybe even kiss me?
In one swift move, like I'm in a one on one combat with someone - I was on my feet, grabbing his wrist before he could even graze my cheek. I twisted, using his own momentum against him, and before I knew it, he was pinned against the whiteboard.
The classroom exploded with gasps and whispers. Giselle stared at me, her eyes wide with shock. The guy, his face red with anger and embarrassment, struggled to get free.
"What the hell, Winter? What's your problem?"
I stared down at him, my mind blank, my body still feeling the adrenaline. I didn't know who this guy was, or why he thought he could touch me. All I knew was that I had reacted instinctively, protecting myself from a perceived threat.
"I...I don't know, I just... I'm sorry..."
I released him, stepping back and shaking my head. What just happened? And why did I feel like I was losing it?
Before I could say anything else, Giselle stepped in between us.
"Okay, okay, everyone just chill, Winter's still recovering from the accident, and she's got a little...amnesia. She doesn't remember everything - yet. And hey talk to her in English." She nudged the guy.
She turned to the guy, and gave him an apologetic look. "Felix, this is... this is Felix Lee," turning back to me. " He's your... boyfriend, Winter."
Boyfriend? This cocky, entitled guy was supposed to be my boyfriend? The guy I just pinned against the whiteboard?
I looked at Felix, then at my hands, then back at the guy. The shock of what I did, mixed with finding out I...- Kim's had a boyfriend, hit me like a ton of bricks.
I took a deep breath, trying to get it together.
I gave Felix a little bow, which felt totally awkward. "I... I'm really sorry," I mumbled, my face burning. "I didn't... I didn't mean to..."
The words just died in my throat. There was no way to explain the mess in my head.
Felix, still looking a little stunned, reached out and touched my arm gently. "Hey, it's cool, baby...I get it. You've been through a lot."
But as his fingers brushed my skin, I felt this weird jolt. Disgust? Unfamiliarity? I couldn't tell.
I slowly pulled away.
"Could you please, keep your hands to yourself? You shouldn't touch a lady like that young man."
The room went dead silent.
Felix's face just dropped, his eyes all confused. Giselle gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Everyone was staring at me, looking shocked, confused, and maybe even a little scared.
But I was saying the truth.
Just then, a girl suddenly stumbled into the room.
She looked like she'd been through a lot, like a lot. A cast covered her right hand, her glasses were thick-framed and slightly crooked, and her uniform looked like it had seen better days, faded and a little too big. Her whole appearance screamed 'struggle' in all different angles.
She froze in the doorway, her eyes wide and locked on me. It wasn't just surprise in her eyes, it was...fear. Like a scared animal. She looked like she wanted to run, to disappear back into the hallway and never come back.
Then, her lips started to tremble, and her eyes welled up with tears. Before I could even process what was happening, she collapsed to the ground, kneeling right in front of me.
The tension that had been hanging in the air just vanished, replaced by something even uglier.
The other students erupted in mocking laughter, pointing and talking inappropriate remarks at the girl on the floor.
I was stunned. This wasn't right. Not at all.
Without thinking, I immediately knelt down beside her, trying to help her up. "Hey, it's okay... You don't have to do that. Come on, let's get you up."
But she resisted, her body shaking as she kept her head bowed. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry... I fa-failed to entertain you. I failed y-you."
We can't understand each other, but I can feel the sadness and plea in her voice.
What was going on here?
I glanced up at Giselle, hoping for some kind of explanation, some sign that she would help, but she just avoided my gaze, continuing to laugh with the others.
"Please..." she begged, her voice cracking. "Please, just... just be a little easier on me this time. I almost d-died. I really tried my best."
But even with all those foreign words she was saying... I felt this ache in my chest.
Then, out of nowhere, Felix just grabbed the girl's hair, yanking her head back hard.
"Yu Jimin," he spat, his face twisted with anger. "You still have the nerve to show your face here after you almost killed my girlfriend?"
The girl who was trembling before me, the fear in her eyes, the desperation in her voice...it all clicked into place.
This wasn't just some random classmate. This was Yu Jimin. The Yu Jimin. The girl I had been desperately trying to remember, the girl I knew I needed to find.
Without even thinking, I grabbed Felix's wrist, twisting his arm just enough to make him let go of Yu Jimin's hair, but not enough to break anything. He yelped and stumbled back, looking shocked.
I was about to say something, to demand answers, but I was interrupted by a sharp, commanding voice.
"Everyone, back to your seats!"
It was the teacher. She strode into the room, her eyes sweeping over the scene before settling on Yu Jimin, still kneeling on the floor. She knelt down beside her, whispering something in her ear that I couldn't quite make out.
Whatever she said, it seemed to make Yu Jimin flinch.
And as I watched the scene unfold, a chilling realization washed over me.
This wasn't just a school. This was a stage. And Yu Jimin was trapped in a performance she couldn't escape.