Chaeyoung had been dreading this moment for months. She knew she couldn't keep it from Mina and her friends any longer. Taking a deep breath, she hugged her tightly.
"Mina, there's something I need to tell you," Chaeyoung said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mina's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean? What happened?"
Chaeyoung took a deep, shaky breath. "I don't remember everything clearly, but I know I was driving too fast. I lost control of the car, and it hit someone. I think... I think that person died because of me."
Mina separated from the hug and shook her head, "Chaeyoung, listen to me. You lost your memories after the accident. Are you sure this isn't a fabricated story? Maybe someone told you this and you just believed it."
Chaeyoung looked down, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know, Mina. It feels so real, but my memories are so jumbled. I can't tell what's true anymore."
Mina gently cupped Chaeyoung's face, lifting her head so their eyes met. "Chaeyoung, you can't even kill a bug without feeling guilty. There's no way you would intentionally hurt someone."
Chaeyoung's lips quivered. "But it's true! I really did hurt someone! I killed someone.
Mina shook her head firmly. "No, I refuse to believe that. You are one of the kindest, most gentle people I know. Let's get to the bottom of this together. Tell me what really happened."
Chaeyoung nodded slowly. She hesitated before continuing, her voice trembling slightly. " Before, leaving Budapest, I met up with Ari. We decided to catch up one last time. But something felt off. She seemed distant, and I didn't understand why. "
Mina frowned, he concern deepening. "Ari?!" "What happened when you met her?"
Chaeyoung sighed, rubbing her temples.
Flashback...
Chaeyoung waited nervously at the cafe, her eyes scanning the crowd for Ari. When she finally spotted her, Ari's expression was unreadable, her eyes cold. Chaeyoung stood up, a tentative smile on her face.
"Ari, What did you want to talk about? "Chaeyoung asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Ari didn't say a word. Instead, she slapped Chaeyoung across the face, the force of it making Chaeyoung stumble back in shock." What was that for?! " Chaeyoung exclaimed, her hand flying to her stinging cheek.
Ari's eyes blazed with anger. " You killed my girlfriend because of the accident! She died on the spot Chaeyoung. Do you even realized what you've done?"
Chaeyoung felt like the ground had been ripped from beneath her. "What? No! That can't be true! How did it happen?"
Ari took a step closer, her voice shaking with fury, "You should remember what you did. You need to pay for it. Go to the police and confess, or I swear I'll do everything in my power to hurt Mina and your friends. You won't be able to hide from this."
Chaeyoung's heart raced, her mind spinning, "Ari, please, I don't even remember the accident clearly. There must be some kind of mistake."
Ari's expression hardened. "There's no mistake. You did this, and you need to take responsibility of it. Of you don't I'll make sure everyone you care about suffers."
With that, Ari turned and walked away, leaving Chaeyoung standing there stunned and terrified.
--
Chaeyoung took a deep breath, steeling herself to continue the story. Mina's concerned gaze never wavered.
"When I was found at the cliff," Chaeyoung began, "Yeonjun was the one who discovered me. He told me he was terrified when he saw another person was involved in the accident. He was so scared that he called my father for help."
Mina's brow furrowed. "Your father? What did he do?"
Chaeyoung's voice quivered. "Yeonjun told me that, just before the rescuers arrived, the motorcycle that someone was riding exploded. It was sudden and unexpected. The body they buried as mine... it wasn't me. It was Ari's girlfriend."
Mina's eyes widened in shock. "Ari's girlfriend? Oh my God, Chaeyoung..."
Chaeyoung wiped away a tear. "I didn't know any of this until Yeonjun told me. He said my father wanted to protect me, so they staged my death to give me a chance to start over. They buried her as if she were me."
Mina's face was a mixture of horror and disbelief. "This is... so much to take in. Ari's girlfriend died, and they buried her as you?"
Chaeyoung nodded slowly. "Yes. And that's why Ari is so angry. She believes I killed her girlfriend, and she wants me to confess to the police. She threatened to hurt you and our friends if I don't."
Mina took Chaeyoung's hands in hers, her voice firm despite the shock. "We need to figure this out together, Chaeyoung. We need to go to the police and tell them everything. Ari's pain is understandable, but threats won't solve anything. The truth needs to come out."
Chaeyoung looked at Mina, her eyes filled with fear and determination. "I am planning to do it alone. I don't want you to end up in more trouble."
Mina shook her head. "No matter what happens, I'll be right here with you."
Chaeyoung took a deep breath, drawing strength from Mina's resolve. "Okay. But, you're an idol. I'll face this alone."
Mina squeezed her hands. "No! Together. We'll get through this, Chaeyoung. I believe in you."
--
As the night deepened, Chaeyoung fell asleep in Mina's arms, the day's emotional turmoil finally taking its toll. Mina lay awake, gently stroking Chaeyoung's hair, her mind racing with thoughts and worries.
Mina whispered softly to herself, "No matter what happens, even if I have to retire as an idol, I'll do it to be by Chaeyoung's side. She completes me, and with her, I'm whole."
The next morning, a sense of calm and determination filled the air. Mina and Chaeyoung decided to set aside their worries for a day and focus on each other. They started with breakfast at their favorite café, laughing and talking as if the weight of the world wasn’t on their shoulders.
"We should do something special today," Mina suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Chaeyoung smiled, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. "What do you have in mind?"
Mina took Chaeyoung's hand and led her to a familiar place—an apartment that once belonged to Chaeyoung. As they walked in, Chaeyoung's eyes widened in surprise. Her paintings were still there, vibrant and full of life. Her things were neatly arranged, the apartment well-maintained as if she had never left.
"You kept everything," Chaeyoung said, her voice filled with emotion.
Mina nodded, her own eyes glistening. "I couldn't bear to change anything. It felt like a part of you was still here, and I needed that."
They spent the day rediscovering the apartment. Chaeyoung found her old sketchbooks and began drawing while Mina hummed softly, a tune they both loved. They reminisced about old memories, sharing stories and laughter, the bond between them growing even stronger.
As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the room, Chaeyoung put down her pencil and looked at Mina. "Thank you for today. I needed this more than I realized."
Mina leaned in, kissing Chaeyoung gently. "We both did. No matter what happens, we'll face it together. But today, it’s just us, our love, and our dreams."
Chaeyoung nodded, feeling a renewed sense of hope. "Together, always."
They spent the evening wrapped in each other's arms, their love a beacon of light in the midst of uncertainty. And in that moment, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would overcome them, as long as they had each other.
