The Missing Link (Remastered)

Chapter 1: Reality is Never Fair

I wish I could run away to my own imaginary world.

Then I wouldn't have to face the pain that is my reality.

~BookishTsundere

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차
하
나
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Cha Hana

The bell rang, signifying the end of school for many young children of Daedo Elementary School, including myself.

I could only sigh, putting my books into my bag to go home without a care for the world. My movements felt sluggish, as per usual. As if it had lost its energy.

Well, it did more than a year ago, when my twin disappeared....

"Hana, I have somewhere to go. Can you and Semo go back by yourselves?" Dingyo asked me as she and Layla got their bags.

"Yeah, of course we can," I faked a smile. "Semo's in the toilet for now, so you guys should go ahead." 

"You sure?" Layla frowned. "I'm worried about what might happen to you..." 

"Same here...." Dingyo nodded. "I'll get Suho to accompany you-" 

"No need," I shook my head. "I'll be fine." 

"You sure?" Ogong's voice wafted in, making us turn to see him and his brother Ondol looking at us (well, me) in concern.

"Yes, I'm very sure. Plus, Suho's busy with his dad, remember?" I reminded him.

"I know, but still..." he sighed. He and Ondol had come back after the final villains had been defeated, thus allowing us to have a hearty reunion with them. They had grown close enough so they didn't have to worry about being separated by Ogong's Pilot duties, which we were all glad for. 

He did tell me once that he felt like something was missing from our goodbye video....

Of course, it clicked to me at once.

I knew who was missing.

I opted to smile at him, "Really, I'm fine. You guys should head off."

"But-"

Semo thankfully chose to pop up that moment, blinking, "Hey guys. Something wrong? Why do you guys look so strange-" 

"Nothing! Let's go!" I grabbed him and dragged him away, not giving him a chance to talk to the others. The last thing I wanted my cru- er, I mean friend, to do was to panic over me. He had done that once too many time over the year when I had to cope with....

"Hana! Slow down!" He panted out, trying to wrench his hand from my death grip. 

However, my steps were perpetual, grip tight. My eyes went glassy. 

Remembering when someone was once in the same position as Semo, long long ago. 

"*laughs* Oppa! Slow down! Please!"

My chest tightened. Tears threatened to fall from my cheeks, but I kept my head down, covering my eyes from anyone who might be passing by.

The people who did catch my face, though, went immediately into gossip mode. 

"Hey... Isn't that the kid who lost his twin two months ago?"

Shut up... 

"Yeah it is... Poor him..."