Between What We Remember
Chapter 1- The Unknown Number
Not her habit to pick up when the caller ID showed nothing familiar.
Mornings in Seoul were always the same -
Messages piled up, her phone vibrating nonstop while she ignored them. The warmth faded from her coffee as it sat half-held. Underfoot, deep below the packed sidewalks, trains groaned through tunnels.
Everything moved.
Few people paid attention to numbers they did not recognize.
Just like the rest of it all, they fit right in there
deleted, forgotten, gone.
This time, it rang two times instead.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the display just past a breath. A moment stretched where nothing moved but the glow across her face.
Nothing came to mind when they saw it. It just sat there, blank, like a forgotten note on a windowsill.
Nothing known. Can’t recall a face. No point replying anyway.
It was hard to brush off, whatever that feeling meant.
A sound came from the device once more.
Over the display, her thumb stayed still.
She should’ve declined.
Blocked it.
Moved on.
Instead -
A whisper of light came from the screen when she tapped it open.
Yuna
(She paused, eyes fixed on the empty message window.)
She arrived late, yet the moment seemed already hers.
Yuna
Name’s not ringing a bell?
Yuna
(A quiet breath slipped out of Yuna, her attention fading fast.)
Yuna
(Her hand reached for the screen, fingers brushing the edge just before it darkened on its own)
A dot blinked into view. Then another beside it.
…then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Whoever it was -
they were hesitating.
Yuna frowned slightly.
Finally -
A signal arrived out of nowhere. It showed up without warning.
Strange words come out sometimes
Suddenly, Yuna shifted her weight, tilting the chair a little behind her.
...
Not exactly how you want things to begin
...
But I feel like I deserve it
...
Maybe I’ve got your digits tucked away somewhere. Could be we spoke before
Yuna
(Frowning slightly, Yuna narrowed her eyes. Then came a pause - her forehead creasing without warning.)
...
Could you tell me what those words mean?
Yuna
(Her breath caught mid-air. Stillness settled across every limb. Silence pressed close around her thoughts.
Not fear.
Not confusion.
Something sharper.
Fingers closed a little harder on the phone. A small shift, but there - steady pressure building without sound.)
Right away, an answer showed up.
...
Maybe you’d have some idea after all, it crossed my mind recently
Yuna
(Yuna almost scoffed.)
(A name.
Simple.
Yet the weight came down harder than expected.)
Yuna
(For just a moment, Yuna looked right at it)
Still - there's something else on Ethan's mind
...
If we had seen each other earlier?
Yuna
Seems like you're not really buying it. That doubt's pretty clear
For some reason -
It felt strange, yet somehow okay.
It felt honest.
Yuna
What part of the world do you call home?
Yuna
(Her fingers stilled.
Yuna lives in Seoul
A pause.
This just does not make sense if that is true.)
Yuna
No way does it
Even now, it's as if I’ve known you forever
Yuna
(Yuna hesitated.
Hold still. For one breath)
...
Yeah... Maybe not
(that’s what Ethan said
Silence followed.)
Yuna
(But this time -
she didn’t lock her phone.
She waited.
She had no way to name why it happened.)
...
Apologies for reaching out - hope this isn’t a bad time.
Another pause.
Longer.
Quieter.
Then -
...
But I have a question before leaving.
Yuna
(Staring at the screen, Yuna saw the words sit there. The message stayed still under her gaze.
Maybe she ought to have refused. Instead, words slipped out quiet and too late.
She didn’t.)
Chapter 2 - Someone Else Is Watching
Yuna
(And she did not move until Yuna watched the screen for a while in silence.)
Yuna
(30 seconds went by.)
Yuna
(Twitch of a finger and suddenly her thumb moved on its own. A second passed – it took her thoughts some time to catch up.)
...
It is better not to drink coffee
Yuna
(She gripped her mug tighter.)
Yuna
Don't say something like you know me.
...
You must wearing a hoodie..
...
With sleeves a bit too long
hair tied but messy
and sitting at a window
Yuna
(Her fingers stopped moving.
She slid her hands inside her sleeve folds and waited.)
Yuna
(For some time it lasted before she finally felt the contact.)
Yuna
What an oddball you are?
...
What is your plan today?
...
What you are studying now?
Yuna
(Her breath was taken away.)
Yuna
(Once again, she experienced that feeling.
As if someone kept watching her all the time.)
Yuna
(Something flickered inside her mind – fleeting, disappearing.)
Yuna
(Childlike image.
Looking at her.)
Chapter 3 - Someone Is Getting Closer
Yuna
Wait, hold on - how could you possibly know I’m into architecture? I’ve never told anyone but my family before. Who even are you right? This feels creepy, honestly. Speak up, explain yourself properly. Someone must have given you my number, didn’t they? The coffee, the hoodie - I mean, every bit matches too closely. That can’t be random. Start talking. What’s going on here?
...
I am telling the truth, Yuna.
...
... I am confused as you
...
Of course, it sounds weird, but honestly, you feel very familiar, Yuna. There is definitely no question of obsession, though. It’s just that when I think about your smile, something inside me awakens. My mind begins to fog up, while my subconsciousness acts faster than reason.
Yuna
(Falling water never took a break.
Her eyes stayed fixed, unable to turn aside.)
Yuna
I gotta go if you don't have to say anything
Yuna
Want to grab coffee nearby cafe
Yuna
Oh, I know what you gonna say
Yuna
That I should stop drinking coffee...
Yuna
I feel alive after take sip of the coffee
Yuna
Why I am talking to you?
...
Maybe you have drawn to me 🤷🏻♂️
Yuna
I have never seen you before
Yuna
I don't have six senses like you. I don't have ability like you. 🤷🏻♀️
...
You should ask directly..
...
You're already obsessed with me, babe?
Yuna
(Why is my heart beating this fast?)
Yuna
In your dreams, stalker.
Yuna
(I can't believe this)
Yuna
(No way he is this handsome)
Yuna
(Stop with that handsome thought pull yourself together 😭😭)
Ethan
I am not pretty as you
Ethan
You and your obsession for coffee.
Yuna
I feel like someone is watching me.
Ethan
Is anyone standing near the trees?
Yuna
(Fingers squeezed the phone harder. The screen dimmed under pressure.)
Ethan
I remember you said this before
Yuna
(Yuna’s fingers trembled.)
Across the street -
A shape moved a little out of place. Like it responded without being told.
Ethan
I have seen you before
Yuna
Tell me when did you see me?
Ethan
I don't remember that.
Ethan
I feel like I been there before
Ethan
I knew the place before
Yuna
How come we’ve never met before?
Ethan
That’s what I’m wondering
(A shape slipped down, landing near her dish. It came without sound, just a shadow settling next to the porcelain.Her grip tightened.Slowly -
Her chin rose slowly at first. Then came a shift, almost imperceptible, like morning light touching dust in the air. A breath passed before her gaze met the room again.)
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