"The car hit me," Ji-Woo said quietly, the words finally breaking the long silence. Everything seemed to click into place.
She glanced at Mrs. Kim.
"I… I wanted to run away. Because… you never really cared. Because of the bullying, and the stalking from…" Her voice trailed off, unspoken memories lingering.
Ji-Soo sighed softly, running a hand through her long hair. "So… then, how did we switch lives? I don't even know."
Min-Ju leaned forward, brow furrowed. "Yeah… I'm confused. How did this happen?"
Ji-Woo looked at Ji-Soo, guilt and relief mixed in her expression. "It's my fault. I thought Ji-Soo was dead… because I didn't see her anywhere. So… I stood up, wore her uniform, and ran away—making everyone think Ji-Woo was the one who had died."
She paused, glancing at Ji-Soo.
"I didn't know… everyone would think Ji-Soo was dead instead." She exhaled softly. "I was lucky. Mrs. Han doesn't check the news often, and the story… was wiped away easily."
Ji-Soo nodded, silent, still running a hand through her hair.
Mrs. Kim's voice was gentle but firm. "Are you… staying?"
Ji-Woo looked down, voice quiet. "No. I'm not staying. I just came here to warn Ji-Soo about something."
She glanced at Min-Ju. "Me and Min-Ju will stay here for the night. We'll return tomorrow."
Mrs. Kim simply nodded, knowing better than to argue. Her daughter had been gone once—she couldn't risk losing her again.
Min-Ju smiled slightly, giving a small nod, still processing the revelation but ready to support Ji-Soo.
The room was quiet, but it felt… safe.
For the first time in a long while, the pieces were starting to fall into place.
Ji-Woo, now in her pajamas, handed Min-Ju a fresh set of clothes.
"You'll be sleeping in the guest room," she said, turning away, her tone practical but soft.
Min-Ju caught her wrist gently.
"Wait… I'm sorry," he said, voice low. "For not knowing what happened… and for blaming you."
Ji-Woo gave a small, almost amused smile. "It's okay. Good night."
He nodded and walked away. Ji-Woo turned and stepped into her room, closing the door quietly behind her.
As soon as she turned, Ji-Soo was standing there, grinning like she'd just won a small battle.
"So… her and Min-Ju are…" Ji-Soo began, teasing lightly.
Ji-Woo shook her head, rolling her eyes, and walked over to the bed, sitting down.
Ji-Soo followed, perching on the edge beside her.
"It's weird… we look so alike," Ji-Woo said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Ji-Soo repeated in wonder, "I can't believe it…"
They looked at each other, then both chuckled quietly, the tension easing.
Ji-Soo tied her hair back with a flick of her fingers. "So… why did you come back?"
Ji-Woo sighed, standing and opening the cupboard.
She pulled out a small box. Inside was an old photo—her and another girl, Ha-Rin, smiling together.
"Me and Ha-Rin… we used to be really close," Ji-Woo began gently, her voice steady but soft.
"Then her jewelry went missing. She accused me… nobody believed me. Nobody ever does. Mi-Sook—she was the mastermind. She wanted to get me expelled. But instead, Ha-Rin got expelled for trying to push me off the rooftop."
Ji-Woo lowered her gaze to the photo.
Ji-Soo reached over, lightly tapping her hand. "Don't worry. Now that I know you're okay, I wouldn't mind slapping anyone who messes with me who pretend to be you. I'll handle your problems… then you can come back."
Ji-Woo gave a small smile. "Does Eun-Woo know?" she asked softly.
Ji-Soo shook her head. "He doesn't. I feel bad… he's so nice to me."
Ji-Soo smirks ''But Ji-Bok...''
Ji-Woo shrugged lightly. "Hmm… you became friends. I used to ignore him because he was annoying,''
''He is. But... Lesser with me.," Ji-Soo added with a small grin.
"Come on," Ji-Soo said, stretching slightly. "Let's sleep. Tomorrow won't wait."
She lay down on the bed, turning slightly to face Ji-Woo.
Ji-Woo moved beside her, facing her sister, a quiet smile on her lips.
--
Morning light spilled over the street as Ji-Bok rolled by, whistling loudly, bag slung over one shoulder, skateboard gliding smoothly beneath his feet.
He slowed when he spotted her ahead.
Ji-Soo.…or so he thought.
He squinted, then stopped right in front of her with a lazy grin. "Hey, muffin."
She raised an eyebrow.
"So," he said casually, rocking the skateboard back with his foot, "where're you going? And why aren't you in uniform?"
She opened her mouth—
Tap.
He flicked her nose.
"Ow!" She swatted his hand away. "What is wrong with you?!"
Ji-Bok laughed. "Relax. You didn't punch me immediately, so I had to check if you were still alive."
Then, without warning, he grabbed her hair and flipped it back dramatically.
"When did you cut your hair?" he gasped. "Wow. At least you look cute now—way less threatening."
Her eye twitched. "Don't touch my hair!"
From behind—
THUNK.
Min-Ju smacked Ji-Bok square on the forehead.
"Ow—HEY!" Ji-Bok staggered back, clutching his head. "What was that for?!"
"For touching people like you have a death wish," Min-Ju snapped, glaring.
Ji-Bok scowled, then peered at Ji-Woo again. "…You okay? You usually aim for my ribs by now."
He leaned in, grinning. "So where's your boyfriend?" he teased. "Eun-Woo finally dump—"
Still nothing.
No slap.
No kick.
No dramatic yelling.
Ji-Bok froze.
"…This is unsettling."
His eyes dropped to her forehead. No bandage. Just a faint birthmark.
"…Ji-Woo?" he said slowly.
She smiled. Small. Calm. "Yes."
Silence.
Then—"WAIT."
He leaned closer, eyes wide. "You're the Ji-Woo? Like—original Ji-Woo?"
"Yes."
His jaw dropped. "Then I have been annoying you here this whole time?!"
"My sister? she is....."
He straightened abruptly. "WHERE IS SHE?."
"She's going to school by—"
He didn't wait.
"NOPE."
He kicked off hard, skateboard shooting forward as he bolted down the street at full speed, yelling something unintelligible.
Min-Ju watched him disappear, rubbing his forehead. "…That guy seems exhausting."
Ji-Woo smiled, shaking her head. "He hasn't changed at all."
They started walking again as the morning carried on—like chaos hadn't just rolled past them on four wheels.