When Ji-Woo finally looked up, her eyes met his—warm, expressive, and sparkling with cheerful mischief.
Eun-Woo's tousled brown hair looked like it had been tousled by a whirlwind, yet somehow, it suited him perfectly, giving him a carefree, irresistible charm.
His smile was so genuine and sweet, it could melt glaciers and warm even the coldest hearts.
His gaze was steady and unwavering, locking onto hers with an easy confidence that made her feel both nervous and strangely comforted.
"Careful, you always drop things," Eun-Woo teased softly, his voice light and playful as he stood upright, offering her a gentle smile.
Without hesitation, he reached out and handed her the scattered books, his fingers brushing hers briefly in a casual, friendly gesture.
"Here, keep it safe next time," he said, voice warm with kindness.
Ji-Woo blinked, slightly taken aback by his ease. She hesitated for a moment before summoning her courage.
"Thank you… uh… may I know your… name? I...don't seen to remember you" she asked politely, her voice trembling just a little.
Eun-Woo's cheerful expression faltered for a second, as if surprised by her question, but then his smile returned brighter than ever.
"Oh, I almost forgot—you have a memory loss, right? Anyway, my name is Eun-Woo," he said casually, extending a hand toward her with a relaxed, confident gesture.
For a moment, Ji-Woo's gaze drifted to his outstretched hand, her mind racing. She hesitated, then slowly reached out her hand, their fingers brushing as she shook it gently.
Her voice was soft but clear. "I am Kim Ji-Soo…"
The words slipped out before she could stop them, her voice trembling slightly. She paused, confusion flickering across her face.
"What?" Eun-Woo asked confused, his eyes narrowing slightly. ''You're Ji-Soo?''
Ji-Woo's smile paused for just a beat, then she chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling. "No, nothing. The name just spilled out—I'm Ji-Woo."
She hurried to cover her slip, darting her eyes away.
"I already know you're Ji-Woo. Foodie, you don't need to introduce yourself, I know you." Eun-Woo casually quipped, his tone light and teasing, as if their exchange was nothing special.
In a playful tone, Ji-Woo asked, "In that case, we must be really good friends or something?"
Eun-Woo nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets, his grin turning mischievous. "Close? hmm..... Am not so sure."
He chuckled softly, then added with a cool smirk, "You'll have to find out." Without another word, he turned and walked away into the crowd, his figure slowly retreating into the sea of students.
Ji-Woo's gaze followed his retreating back, a mixture of relief and nervousness swirling inside her. She sighed quietly, a small smile playing on her lips.
"That was close," she whispered to herself, her heart pounding faintly against her chest as she watched him disappear into the bustling schoolyard.
---
The classroom suddenly fell into a hush as the door swung open, and the teacher entered behind her.
Ji-Woo, hands clasped behind her back, bowed her head low, her bangs falling over her eyes, shielding her from the eyes that immediately turned toward her.
Her shoulders were tense, every nerve on edge as she quietly made her way to her seat.
She sank into the chair with a soft sigh, her hands resting on the desk in front of her.
Mrs. Posh, known formally as Mrs. Penelope Posh, was a striking young woman with an aura of warmth and radiance.
Tall and elegant, she wore a perfectly fitted blazer and a matching skirt, her presence commanding yet friendly.
Her radiant smile spread as she cleared her throat, capturing the attention of the entire class.
"Attention, kids. Today is a wonderful day. I hope you're doing fine," she asked softly, her tone gentle yet authoritative.
The students responded with a chorus of nods and murmurs, their voices blending into a harmonious hum.
Mrs. Posh paused, her expression serious but kind.
"But… as you all know, just a few months back, one of our students went missing," she added, her voice calm but tinged with concern.
All eyes in the classroom shifted to Ji-Woo, who sat quietly, her head still bowed.
The whispers grew low, and a few students glanced toward her with curiosity and sympathy.
Mrs. Posh continued,
"Now that she's been found involved in a car accident involving two people accident and has amnesia..." Her voice softened, filled with understanding. "I hope we will treat her well and be a part of her journey to regain her memories."
As she finished speaking, the class nodded in unison, their expressions a mixture of respect and empathy.
Eun-Woo, standing at the back, watched with a quiet smile, his arms crossed, observing the scene with a calm, thoughtful gaze.
Ji-Woo," Mrs. Posh turned toward her gently, her voice warm and reassuring. Ji-Woo looked up, a faint smile touching her lips.
"I wish you a quick recovery," Mrs. Posh added softly, her eyes filled with kindness. Without another word, she handed a book to a nearby boy.
"Call attendance," she instructed simply.
The boy nodded, and the students watched as Mrs. Posh gracefully exited the classroom, her presence leaving behind an air of calm authority.
The moment she stepped out, all eyes instantly shifted to Ji-Woo. The room grew tense with curiosity and anticipation.
Ji-Woo's shoulders tensed. She gulped nervously, fidgeting with her hands as a flood of questions burst forth from her classmates.
"Did you really lose your memory?" one asked eagerly.
"Now you can't remember anything?" another pressed.
"How did your hair grow back? And why do you look more mature?" added a third.
"Do you remember me?" someone else asked, voice trembling slightly.
Overwhelmed, Ji-Woo struggled to keep pace with their rapid-fire questions. Her lips trembled, and her words came out in a rush, her voice barely above a whisper.
The classmates nodded in understanding, leaning back and giving her space. Eun-Woo, standing at the back, watched her with a faint smirk, amused by her struggle but choosing to stay quiet.
He appreciated that they were finally showing her genuine concern.
Deciding to give her a moment, Eun-Woo turned to walk away. As he exited, he accidentally bumped into Mi-Sook, who scoffed and pushed him aside with a sharp glare.
She stormed into the classroom with a commanding presence, expecting everyone to turn their attention to her. But instead, all eyes remained fixed on Ji-Woo.
Mi-Sook's fists clenched as she approached, pushing past a few students to see who was attracting such admiration.
Her gaze settled on Ji-Woo, and her face froze in shock.
"Kim… Ji… Ji-Woo…" she stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Ji-Woo looked up at her with a small, gentle smile. Her calm expression contrasted sharply with Mi-Sook's stunned silence.
The latter's eyes widened in shock, and she gasped softly, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Ji-Woo stood up slowly, tilting her head innocently as she looked at Mi-Sook. Her expression was gentle, almost curious, as if she didn't quite understand the tension in the air.
Mi-Sook's eyes widened in shock, her face blanching as if she had seen a ghost—or perhaps something even worse.
"Ji-Woo... You're alive?" Mi-Sook's voice trembled, disbelief evident in her tone.
Ji-Woo paused for a moment, then let out a soft sigh, her expression unreadable. She didn't answer immediately, standing silently as the room fell into a heavy silence.
A girl with two ponytails stepped forward hesitantly, her voice soft but clear.
"Yes... I was also wondering why... she is still alive," she said quietly, casting a cautious glance at Ji-Woo.
"Yeah," another voice chimed in. "Some whispered she was the girl who supposedly died in the accident—they looked almost identical."
Whispers swirled around the classroom, filled with surprise and curiosity.
"I know, right?" some students murmured, their voices tinged with awe.
But Mi-Sook felt none of the intrigue or whispers. Her gaze remained fixed on Ji-Woo, her eyes sharp and cold.
She sat back down slowly, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her mind swirling with dark memories.
A flash of her past flickered— a car crash, chaos, and then her stepping out, seeing Ji-Woo instead of fleeing.
Instead of running, Ji-Woo had smirked at her, a cruel, defiant expression. Mi-Sook's heart clenched as her mind replayed her whispered words: "Die, Wretch."
That same "wretch" she had once killed was still alive.
How was that possible? How could she be standing here now, unscathed? Her thoughts churned with questions and a mixture of fear and rage. How?