2nd Chances // Park Jihoon FF

001

---"Seoyoon... I'm so sorry."

"I... I can't marry you."

"Seoyoon!"

"Seoyoon... please, wake up."

"Seoyoon!!"***I woke to the hum of murmured voices and muffled crying. At first, my body felt numb, heavy with pain, as if every nerve was dulled and unresponsive. The world around me was a blur of brightness, and I struggled to open my eyes. Gradually, the fog lifted, and I began to see my surroundings—yet, nothing felt familiar. I didn't recognize the faces, the room, or even myself.And most terrifying of all— I didn't know who I was.

"She's awake! Call the doctor, now!" an older woman's voice rang out urgently, and she hurried toward me. Instinctively, I sat up, trembling, and instinctively reached out to push her away, my hands trembling with fear and confusion.

"Honey, what's wrong?" asked an older man on my other side, approaching cautiously, concern etched deep into his face. I stared at them in terror, unable to comprehend who they were or why they were here.

"Who are you? What am I doing here? I don't know any of you," I whispered, my voice trembling as panic surged through me. Their reactions—gasps, tears, and whispered words—only heightened my fear. The old woman backed away, covering her mouth, tears streaming down her face. A doctor entered the room swiftly, his presence calm yet authoritative.

"Seoyoon-ah, it's okay. You don't have to be afraid," he said softly. Seoyoon...?

In that moment, a chilling realization dawned on me—I didn't remember my own name. I couldn't recall who I was, or how I came to be in this place. My mind was a blank slate. Why couldn't I remember anything? Who were these people? How did they know me? What had happened to me? Why was my memory wiped clean?

Panic gripped me tightly. I wanted to run, to escape from these strangers, from this unfamiliar place. But I didn't even know my own name—where could I go? Tears welled up, but no sound escaped. My chest heaved with heavy breaths, and an overwhelming wave of fear threatened to crush me. I felt faint, on the verge of passing out.

"Seoyoon, please, calm down," the doctor pleaded gently, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

He looked at me with compassion, then said, "I think it would be best if you all gave her some space for now." They hesitated, exchanging worried glances, before quietly leaving the room, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.I looked at him, desperation thick in my voice. 

"Who are you? Where am I? Why can't I remember anything?" I asked, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

He introduced himself softly—"I'm Dr. Hwang. You're in the hospital. You were involved in a severe accident last week."A week? I'd been unconscious that long?He continued gently, "Your injury was serious, and it caused significant damage to your brain. That's why you're experiencing amnesia."

"Amnesia..." I repeated numbly, the word feeling foreign on my tongue.

He nodded. "It's temporary. There's a chance your memories may return over time, perhaps in months or even years. But for now, don't pressure yourself." Pressure...?It felt like so much more than that. I had lost everything—my memories, my sense of self—and I was terrified I might never regain them. The thought of being a burden to those around me crushed my spirit. How could I just wait for my memories to return, when every moment felt like a struggle?

The doctor's calm, kind eyes met mine once more. "The only way to move forward is to help yourself. Trust us, and be patient."

And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling—there was something about him, a familiarity that I couldn't explain. His presence was different, comforting in a way I didn't understand. Did he know me? Was he somehow connected to the person I once was? No. I had to trust him. He was my doctor, after all. The only one who could guide me through this darkness.

He gently added, "Whenever you're ready, I'll call in your family."

I nodded silently, overwhelmed by everything I was grappling with. I wanted to think, to process—but the weight of my lost memories made even that difficult. Instead, I simply closed my eyes, knowing that I wouldn't remember anything no matter how much I wished to. Perhaps it was better to just wait, to let time take its course.But deep down, I yearned to uncover who I really was—before this miserable moment, before the pain, before the loss. I longed to reclaim my story.---A sudden, quiet voice broke through my thoughts.

"Do you not love me anymore?"

A wave of shock washed over me, and I instinctively turned away.

"Seoyoon... I'm sorry."

"Seoyoon!" 

***

I shot upright, gasping for air as if I'd just surfaced from drowning. Sweat poured down my face, my chest heaving uncontrollably. My entire body trembled, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. I kept telling myself over and over— it was just a nightmare. Just a dream.Gradually, the panic subsided, and my breathing steadied. But the ache of emptiness remained—I still could not remember. Nothing. I was trapped in this fog of amnesia, lost in a sea of unfamiliarity.I was stuck like this—perhaps forever, I feared.

Then, a voice gently broke the silence.

"You're awake," it said softly. I turned to see him—a boy I barely remembered, yet somehow, he felt familiar.

"Y-you are?" I stammered, feeling foolish.

"Guan lin."He smiled softly. "Your Brother," he added.

"Older or younger?"

"Younger," he chuckled quietly, a hint of sadness behind his smile.

How old am I? I wondered. I didn't even recognize my own reflection, or know how I looked.

He looked at me kindly. "I know this is all so overwhelming. Don't worry—you don't have to force yourself to remember everything right now. I won't push you."

I managed a faint smile in return. We both felt awkward—as if it were the first time we'd met, even though I knew deep down that this wasn't true. In my mind, I was starting over, trying to piece together a life I no longer recognized.

"It's strange... just last week, you knew me," he said softly, pain flickering in his eyes. I saw how much he hurt—how much they all did. And I couldn't help but feel guilty for being the cause of their pain. I wanted to feel what they felt, to reciprocate their love and concern. But I couldn't. My emotions felt frozen, distant, like a game where I'd lost all my progress and had to start anew.

"Where is Halmeoni?" I asked quietly, still unsure about calling her that—about calling anyone these days.

"They took a few clothes for you, and I've been asked to look after you for now," he answered gently.

I nodded faintly, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. I longed to leave this place, to rediscover the world outside, to learn about the life I once had—before the pain, before the emptiness. I wished I could wake up from this nightmare and find myself whole again.

But for now, all I could do was take one small step forward, hoping that someday, I would remember who I truly was.---

****

Hmmm, two members had already been revealed. Who do you think will be revealed next ?