Choen's pulse quickened as she called out his name—Aldreic. The word left her lips before she could even think about it, her voice louder than she expected.
Aldreic stopped in his tracks, his body rigid as he slowly turned to face her.
Their eyes locked.
For a brief, heart-stopping moment, it felt like the world around them had paused, the noise of the bustling street disappearing into the background. Choen's chest tightened as she stared at him, trying to process the sight of him after all these years.
But there was no recognition in his eyes, no warmth. Just cold, unyielding indifference.
For a second, Choen felt like time was slipping away, like they were two strangers meeting for the first time. But before she could speak, before she could even ask him anything, he turned his back on her.
And just like that, he merged with the crowd, disappearing into the sea of faces.
Her heart hammered in her chest.
Choen stood there for a moment, frozen. She couldn't believe what had just happened. He hadn't spoken a word. No apology. No explanation. Nothing. It was like he didn't even care that she was standing right there, waiting for him to acknowledge her.
From behind her, at a distance, hidden in the shadows of the alley, Dokkaebi watched the entire exchange unfold. His eyes flicked from Choen to Aldreic, narrowing as the man slipped into the crowd.
A cold chill settled over him. His fists clenched involuntarily.
So it's him… Dokkaebi thought to himself, his mind racing. Aldreic.
He could feel the anger rising in him, but he forced himself to remain still, not wanting to make his presence known just yet. He'd seen Choen's reaction—her confusion, her hurt. But there was something Dokkaebi knew that she didn't.
She didn't know who Aldreic really was.
She thought he was the innocent boy. The one who was always bullied. The one who needed saving, Dokkaebi's thoughts continued, his voice silent in his mind. But she didn't know the truth. He was the bully. The one who hurt her. He played the part of the victim, but all along, it was him who caused the pain.
Dokkaebi's jaw tightened, a low growl of frustration building within him. The pieces clicked together now, the memories from Choen's past. He'd seen it all before. Aldreic had twisted the story, manipulated Choen into thinking he was the one who'd come to her rescue.
But I know the truth.
He continued to watch Choen, wondering if she would finally understand the real Aldreic. The one who had been hiding in plain sight
Meanwhile, at Joon's University
The soft hum of conversation in the university hallways gradually faded as Joon walked through the corridor. His usual confident stride drew curious glances from students around him, some whispering his name, others just gazing at him as he passed. He was used to it—he was used to being the center of attention, always surrounded by an invisible aura that kept people intrigued.
But then something caught his eye.
At the end of the hall, a figure stood motionless. The students around her seemed to blur into the background, but she was still. Standing so perfectly still, almost frozen, with the light streaming through the window behind her, casting her in a soft, almost ethereal glow.
Her delicate figure was framed by a cream cardigan, and her hair was tied back with a ribbon so simple yet elegant. Her hands were clasped in front of her like she was holding a secret. But what caught Joon off guard was the innocent expression on her face. It was as though she belonged in another time, another world altogether.
Joon stopped mid-step, his heart racing.
For a split second, it felt like the world had slowed. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was different from the others. There was something about her that drew him in, something that made him want to know more.
"Ari?" The name escaped from his lips before he even realized it. His voice was soft, almost hesitant.
Her eyes lifted, locking with his. The world around them seemed to shift.
A soft, knowing smile crept onto her lips. "Joon," she said, her voice gentle but carrying a depth that sent a shiver down his spine.
The air between them felt charged, like an invisible thread had connected them. Joon stood still for a moment, unable to look away. She was calm, collected, almost too calm for someone her age. There was an innocence to her, but something about it felt like a mask—something he wasn't sure he could trust.
Ari's gaze didn't waver, and it was as though she knew exactly what he was thinking. That smile—gentle, yet unsettling—was all she needed to say.
Back with Choen and Dokkaebi
Dokkaebi remained quiet, his gaze never leaving Choen as she stood there, lost in her thoughts. He knew that, just like before, Choen was trying to process everything on her own. But this time, things felt different. She was beginning to see the cracks in the past, the moments that didn't fit the story she had been told.
He took a deep breath, his mind filled with the thoughts he had been carrying for so long.
I need to tell her the truth, he thought to himself. But she's not ready. Not yet.
His hand instinctively hovered near the back of his neck, where the tension was building, but he didn't move forward to comfort her. Not yet.
For now, he simply watched her, his presence a silent promise that he was there—watching, protecting. Waiting for the moment when Choen would finally see the reality of Aldreic and understand who he really was. The one who had hurt her, not saved her