started: June 22
Irene Park, a stunningly beautiful girl, transfers to J high with her twin brother, Daniel. As they move, Daniel turns out to have a new body, forcing the twins to adjust to their new life with an unexpected new body. Irene ma...
The past few days have fallen into a steady, repetitive rhythm. I've finally managed to catch up on some much-needed sleep, and the relief of not battling constant exhaustion and migraines feels like a gift. I've slipped into a routine: leaving school early on workdays, meeting up with Gun before my shift. He picks me up, and we spend time together, grabbing coffee or snacks at cozy cafés before he drops me off. If he's not too busy with work, he usually swings by during his lunch breaks just to drive me home, which makes me feel a little guilty, but he insists he'd rather see me than take a proper lunch. I've become familiar with some of the cooks well, and they're always generous, making me dinner, which I end up giving to Gun in return for all he does. I've learned that Gun really likes spicy or salty meals.
Work has its tiring moments, but I've got a great group around me. Mika, Jose, Hyo-lee, Charlotte, and Lu have all been so patient and kind, making me feel more at ease every shift. I'm slowly getting to know the rest of the staff, too. I've met most of the waitresses and a few of the night shift cooks. Closing shifts with Jose and Hyo-lee have become something I look forward to. We've started sharing more about our lives, which makes the long nights pass by a little easier.
As for school, it's been business as usual. I keep up with the lessons, get my homework done quickly so I can focus on the tougher classes—Psychology and my other college classes. Those take far more time and energy than my high school freshman work, but I push through, buried in textbooks during any free moment.
The distance with my brother, Daniel, feels strange. We're drifting apart, and it stings in ways I didn't expect. Most nights, I come home late, not because of work but because Gun insists on taking me out to eat. Meanwhile, Daniel is working overtime, picking up the hours I used to cover at the convenience store. He's been working hard, and the only moments we get to talk are quick exchanges between class breaks or the occasional conversation on our way to and from school. The tension between us is undeniable, and I can't quite put my finger on how to fix it.
Today, the cold bites deeper than usual as I make my way to my seat. My teeth chatter despite clenching my jaw, and the classroom hums with an unusual loudness, as if everyone's voices are just a bit sharper in the winter air. I slip in my earbuds, seeking a reprieve from the noise, and offer a small smile to Jay, my quiet seatmate who's staring absently out the window. He gives me his usual brief nod, and I settle back, scrolling through messages on my phone, filling the silence.
