The Halcyon Stiction 🪐

8 - Incognito

Haerin recognizes a certain pattern now.

Each and every time she travels thrice in a row, the fourth attempt will eventually lead her back to the lab. Oddly enough, for reasons unknown to her, she feels sort of relieved whenever she is back at this place.

Or maybe its because, at least here, she knows what to expect.

Number one, the Minji she meets here is always going to be Doctor Minji, the sassy and impassive variant of her beloved.

And number two, Haerin won't be going through the whole struggle of not knowing if this Minji is into her or not, because this Minji clearly isn't.

Speaking of which, upon arriving, she finds Doctor Minji sitting on the chair, looking intently at the screen and she thinks of how eerily similar they look even if she is just a clone. She takes this time to examine the features she oh so loved.

Her eyes, round as ever. Sparkly even.

Her sharp nose, that always nudges into her cheeks when they kiss.

And of course, she finally rests her eyes lazily on her most favourite feature of all.

Those attractive plump lip-oh come on, Kang Haerin, you've kissed four different variants of Minji now.

Haerin shakes her head and takes timid steps towards Doctor Minji. She finds it interesting how Doctor Minji doesn't seem like the other variants of her beloved.

For one, this Minji doesn't make her breathless.

At least with her, Haerin can breathe normally. It's one thing to feel butterflies but it's another thing to feel calm. Perhaps coming back to the lab every now and then will do her some good.

"Kang Haerin, you're back."

Doctor Minji nonchalantly turns around to face her, looking as expressionless as ever. Haerin nods but she suddenly finds something amiss.

"Why do you call me by my name?"

"Isn't that your name?"

"Yes but the first time we met, you called me something else."

"No, I did not even call you by your name. My exact words were If you're wondering if she is your Minji, she is."

Doctor Minji says with a frown. Finally, an expression! But oh no, not a frown. Haerin hates just how she finds every frowning variant of Minji to be so endearing. This must be something coded in her. It must be.

"No, I'm pretty sure that wasn't our first time meeting."

"I beg to differ but I'll give you the benefit of doubt. Tell me then, what did I call you?"

Standing with her arms crossed and wearing that stupidly endearing frown, is Doctor Minji patiently waiting for her answer. Of course, the fact that she has to tell this particular variant of Minji that she called her baby the first time they met is making Haerin feel rather embarrassed.

To add insult to injury, she recalls falling into pitch black unconsciousness afterwards. For reference, please refer to Haerin's fourth time traveling experience.

Sighs, well Doctor Minji is waiting.

Haerin looks elsewhere and says it very quickly, in hopes that Doctor Minji will somehow understands what she says. Yeah, right.

"Youaskedbabyareyoualright?"

"Sorry, I didn't catch that. Can you repeat?"

"You asked, babyareyoualright?"