Unforgettable You {Extraordinary You Sequel!}

Episode 26: Past Lives

Dano enters her room and plops onto her bed. She grabs the water bottle at her feet and takes sips of it to soothe her throat, to physically calm herself. Haru steps into the doorway and leans against the frame, watching her. He had insisted on walking her back. Dano was thankful that Juda wasn't here for the moment... but, she couldn't be sure when she'd return.

Still...

"Are you okay now?" Haru asks.

Dano nods vigorously, swallowing hard. She screws back her bottle cap, "Yeah, I'm okay now. Don't worry about it."

"You just collapsed."

"I had a flashback, that's all. The great big one."

Haru blinks, eyes clouding, "The great big what?"

"The flashback. You know! The one that brings back all your memories! All at once, and it's unnerving and annoying, but also necessary. Yeo Juda told me all about it. I've been expecting it since the short-lived flashbacks started being replaced by strange dreams. And... I, um... yeah," Dano clears her throat. "Yeah. That's-that's what I've been expecting. So, I knew that was going to happen."

"I bet you didn't know it was going to be like that."

"Well, no, I didn't know I was going to feel lightheaded. But, I mean, if that's what happens to all characters who find their egos, then sure! Why not! I'd rather have my ego and be like this."

"You didn't just feel lightheaded," Haru retorts, gazing at Dano with a soothed passiveness. "You passed out. You fell from the box—you're lucky I caught you with my back."

For a moment, she's struck by his words. Because they conjure up familiar images.

"Ahh..." she breathes. She hangs her head quippedly for a moment, staring fervently at the floor. She gasps a laugh. "Right... your.... back."

When she raises her head again, she's surprised to see Haru grinning at her. His eyes squint with light. He looks away, like he's trying to suppress a laugh.

"What, what?" She demands, staring at him. Her eyes are wide. "What are you laughing at?"

He meets her gaze again. His grin has fallen into a soft smile, "Because you're cute."

Dano is dumbstruck. A moment passes between them.

"Cute?"

"Mm," he's still smiling, but his eyes have glazed over, shrouding with thought. His arms are folded, and now he unfolds them. He still leans against her doorframe. "Listen, Dano-ah."

She studies him. He holds her gaze.

Suddenly, she is aware of every particle of space between them. Every breath they exhale into the atmosphere; every time he blinks and his eyelashes peel open, revealing his iridescent doe-eyes.

His throat bobs, "So, now you... remember... everything. Right?"

She nods. Her head jounces continuously, like a bobble head.

"You remember me?"

"Yes," she replies.

His eyes grow larger, more intense—hopeful, desperate.

"You remember Number 13?"

"Yes."

"The tree? October 10th?"

"Everything, Haru."

Silence falls between them, filling every gap and corner of the room. It's cozy and familiar. Haru releases a sigh through his nose, but it's so subtle that if anyone else was here, they wouldn't have caught it. Only Eun Dano.