15th Midnight: Me, Myself (1/1)

- You... - he glups - You don't remember me, right? - he tsks - There's no way you...- Maybe... you know my sister? - I frown.My brain worked fast and came up with this big and lame bluff. Who knows? Maybe It works. I just know that this guy can't find out that I'm Hyun Ae. Don't ask me because I don't know why either, I don't even know If this guy is looking for the rigth person. But, by the look on his face the moment he saw me, and how Hana tried to make me avoid him until now... I'm sure this person can't know who I am.- Your sister? - he frowns.- My name is Park Hyun Jae, the name of my twin sister is Park Hyun Ae - I talk slowly, leaving him space to digest what I say.- Twin... sister? - he's about to pass out.- Huh - I nod, offering him a seat - I came from the states after I found out I had a twin sister.- That's why she never told me... - he takes a deep breath as I hand him a glass of water - She didn't know either.- Excuse me but... - I frown - Who are you?- Oh... Mianhamnida - he gets up and bows 90º - Annyeong haseyo, Lee Tae Sung imnida!- Lee... Tae... Sung... - I try to recall him but nothing comes to my mind - Can I ask how did you meet my sister?- I was... - he tilts his head to the side.- Maybe... you were... her boyfriend? - I ask a bit, A LOT, worried.- Ani, ani! - he shakes his head like a mad man with his hands up, blushing - I was, somehow, her manager.- Manager?- Huh, Hyun Ae-ssi was working on her book and, since we were friends from college, I helped her find someone who wanted to publish it. But...- But... ? - I encourage him to keep talking.- Hyun Jae-ssi, right?- Huh.- Do you want to meet her? - he frowns.oOo ~) Junhyung POV (~- Stop fooling around with me, Lee Hyun Jin! - I yell into the phone.- How many times do I have to tell you, huh!? - he yells back - I FOUND HER! - Please... - my voice comes out as a whimper - Tell me you are not lying...- I told you... - he sighs - I'm on my way there right now! A colleague of mine that works there told me he saw her. As soon as I sent him the pic he recognized her!- Junhyung!I turn around to meet with Hana's scared look, as If she saw the devil or a ghost.- Wae!? Mwoh!? - I ask in panic.- You have to get there before Hyun Ae! - she pants.- Huh, hyung. Hana's here - I place my palm on my forehead - If you get there first, keep Hyun Ae from meeting her.I go down stairs in twos and leave Yoseob alone at the studio with a lame excuse. I try not to trip and break my head right there. As I try to process all the things hyung just told me 5 minutes ago while Hana sits next to me, on the passenger seat. She steals some stares at me from time to time, worried I'll cause an accident and die before I can even meet her.- Calm down, huh? - she pleads - She's ok while she doesn't touch her.- She won't get back all her memories If they meet? - I frown, trying to focus myself on the road.- She won't, don't worry - she sighs - She needs to know the truth by now. That's what It's supposed to happen.- That is what It's written in her plot, right?- I don't know. All I know is that I had to keep her from meeting this person and that's it. She doesn't talk to me anymore - she shrugs.- So... You're out, right? - I grin.- I'm out, that's right - she chuckles.- What is going on in your world, Hana?- Everything's messed up - she ducks her head - I'm being chased.- Chased? - I raise an eyebrow - Why? By who?- That's another story - she smiles - Now, focus on your task and stay alive.- So stubborn - I mutter.- I heard it.oOoI run through the walkways, Hana following me closely. On our way here, I got a text from hyung saying that he got to meet her and stop her and that person. They must be waiting for us somewhere in this stupid and nauseating place. The white wall makes me feel sick already. Just in case you didn't get it, we're in a fucking hospital.- Junhyung! - Hana stops me grabbing my arm.- W-Wae? - I pant.- You need to stay calm... for her - she squeezes my arm a bit - She's right there, turning the corner.As she said, Hyun Ae's standing there, at the end of the corridor, next to hyung and guy I don't know but he looks like he saw a ghost. I stare right at her eyes, expecting to find her trembling, scared, doubtful... But there's nothing of that. She looks steady, calm... quiet. Bad.- You're here? - hyung asks, the atmosphere feels dense. Awkward.- H-huh - I nod.- I was waiting for you - Hyun Ae grabs my hand with a smile and squeezes it.- It's such a honor to meet you, Junhyung-ssi - the guys offers me his hand.- You're... - I shake it hesitating a bit.- Oh... Annyeong haseyo - he bows 90º - Lee Tae Sung imnida. I was Hyun Ae-ssi's manager.- Hyun Ae's? - I frown.- Huh! Hyun Ae's! - Hyung states as Hyun Ae squeezes my hand tighter.- Hyun Jae-ssi will explain it later - he states.- Huh, I'll explain that later.- Hyun Jae... - I mutter.- Hyun Jae-ssi didn't want to hear anything without your support, Junhyung-ssi. The issue isn't easy for me to talk either - he ducks his head.- I-I... - hyung takes a deep breath - I'll explain it as a doctor.- Go ahead - Now I'm the one squeezing Hyun Ae's hand.- Hyun Ae-ssi is... asleep.- Asleep? - we both sing.- She got into an accident and, since then, she sleeps. Her brain is active, she breathes by herself, her heart beats by itself,... - he runs his hand over his hair - They don't know the cause.I know, Hyun Ae's here, standing next to me. How can she be there, in that room? This is so damn confusing.- Is she... going to... ? - Hyun Ae tries to ask.- She's totally and completely fine, she won't die If she keeps like this but...- You don't know when or If she'll wake up - I state.- That's it.- I want to see her - Hyun Ae blurts out. And I turn panic mode on.- Can you please leave us alone for a moment? - I ask, more like pleading.- I know - she smiles, taking my face between her hands - I know so don't worry, huh?- Hyun Ae... - I whisper - I don't want to lose you...Maybe It might be embarrassing, maybe I look like a clingy leech, a needy kid, someone really selfish or just a stupid man in love. But I can't stop it. I can't keep myself from wanting her, missing her when she's not around, be scared to lose her like this, right now, at this spot. I can say it in japanese, in english, french, spanish,... I can try to translate it into any language but the same words will come out from my mouth: No without her.- I'm right here - she strokes my cheek with her thumb - I'm sure Hana explained it to you already, huh?- I did - she states, standing right in front that door I don't want to open.- I need to do this - she stares into my eyes, trying to find my courage there.- I'll be with you all the time, arasso? - I'm the one holding her face between my hands now, with a deep frown - Did you hear what I say? I'm here with you.- You're always with me - she tilts her head to the side and caresses my hand with her cheek.- I got it, lovebirds - Hana rolls her eyes - I can't stay here for too long and I'm sure you want me to give you some answers.- Are you going to reply to our questions? - I raise an eyebrow as she grabs the knob.- As much as I can... - she turns it and opens the door a bit - Ready?Hyun Ae takes a deep breath as I hold mine, walking toward that door, that leads inside that room. Where we don't know exactly what we are going to find. I don't know who holds the hand tighter but I do know that I won't leave her go." As I turn it around, I see that the other side of the cover changed. It has a pic of a girl, with a long brown wavy hairstyle. The pic is too small and the hair covers most of her face so It's hard to see how she looks like. Her body rests on her side, a bit bent. Something close to the fetal position, with her arms bent close to her head too.She doesn't look like she sleeps peacefully, It's more like a girl agonizing just before the moment to shut down her eyes forever."Now I know who was that girl. I have her in front of me... on the bed of this hospital room. Hyun Ae stands in front the door way and doesn't want to move. For some reason, I need to walk forward, go closer to that bed and see it with my own eyes. That's way, I squeeze her hand before letting it go. She encourages me with the way she looks at me. It's not like she doesn't want to go closer, she's scared.I step forward, slowly, Hana stands on the right side of the bed and nods, as If she wanted to encourage me too. At least, she doesn't look so bad as on that pic. She lies down there, face up, with a peaceful look on her face. The only thing that might tell you she's sick is the IV that feeds her and make her stay alive.I lean closer, trying to draw all her features. She's Hyun Ae, there's no doubt. The same nose, tempting lips, perfect jaw, the shape of her eyes... I'm sure that If she opens her eyes here, right now, I'll go crazy. Bye sanity. Since I know, I'm sure, she'll have the same eyes.- This makes no sense - I mutter.By instinct, my hand moves toward her face. Carefully, I leave my fingers caress her cheek. I stop when I hear a gasp from behind me. When I turn around, I find Hyun Ae with her hand on her cheek, the same one I just touched.- What did you expect? - Hana chuckles - It's you after all.- You felt it? - I frown.- H-Huh... - she nods weakly.- I can't with this - I storm out of the room.I don't know what got inside me but I can't stay here anymore. I want to run away, I need air, go out of this place. I walk, almost running, and get outside the hospital. Once I'm there, I look for somewhere quiet and take a seat on a bench.- What the hell do you think you're doing right now!? - Hana appears in front of me, on the other bench.- What do you want me to do, huh!? I feel...- Overwhelmed? Scared? In shock? - she raises an eyebrow - How do you think she might feel right now that she found out everything?- I...- You already knew this part wan't going to be easy - she gets up - The hard times start now.- Now that she knows the truth about her body... - I take a deep breath - What is next?- I don't know... - she jumps suddenly - I have to go back now.- Hana? - I frown. She acts weird.- There're things you need to explain - she points to Hyun Ae, standing right there.- Hyun Ae... - I hold back my breath.- Settle things by yourselves - she disappears.- You knew it, right? - she gulps, trying not to cry.- Hyun Ae... - I get up and try to walk toward her.- Since the beginning... you knew what was wrong with me... - she sobs.- You know I couldn't tell you... you already know... - I almost reach her.- I do know... I saw you there...- There? - I frown as I hold her by her shoulders.- I made you jump from that cliff... - she looks up at me, tears falling down her cheeks - What am I?- Shh... It's ok... I'm here - I hug her so tight that she might stop breathing.Wae? Why is she telling me this? Is she trying to hint me until where she remembers? Who knows... But, since she's still here, there're things left to remember. I know. But... What It's there for me to do? What is my role in this story? How can I save her? How much time we have? Is there really a way to save her? oOo ~) Hyun Ae's POV (~We stay like that, hugging each other as I cry and he tries to hush me rubbing my back with his soft hand. We forget about the time while I explains him about the twin sister thing until he gets a call from Hyun Jin-ssi. We have been gone for more than half a hour and they have been looking for us since we left the room. That's why, we go to meet them right away to the front gate to say our goodbyes before going back home to recover after this shock.- I'm really sorry, Hyun Jae-ssi - Lee Tae Sung bows again - It's unfair that you got the news this way.- Kenchana - I try to smile - At least, I found her.- It was a pleasure to meet you, even in this kind of circumstances - he offers his hand and I shake it. ~ Flashback ~- Tae Sung sunbae~! - I run toward his desk, surrounded by his classmates. - How can you come in your sunbae's classroom like this, huh? - he chuckles and shoos his friends. They leave laughing.- I got it! Boon seonsaeng-nim selected me to do it! - I'm spazzing like a fangirl.- Mwoh!? - he opens his eyes widely - You'll cover the concert at Beauty Café!?- Huh! - I nod joyfully.- Yah! You're not on your last year yet! How can they give it to you, brat?- I worker really hard! - I pout - I'll graduate earlier than my other classmates too.- I'm glad you got it, kiddo! - he ruffles my hair - After the great review you did for that creepy movie I knew you'll be better than me.- Sunbae~! - I whine.- Don't worry, I won't end up as a reporter for sure - he laughs - The same as you.- Why do you say so? - I ask in shock.- You're going to be a writer, I know - he winks.- Ani-yo, I'm not good enough.- Nonsense - he hits my forehead slightly.- Sunbae! - I frown, feeling the itchy pain in my forehead.- Talking about the concert... - he wiggles his eyebrows - How do you feel meeting Beast for the first time?- How should I feel? - I tsk.- You told me you were a fan of them.- I wasn't a fan but met one of them from high school.- Which one?- Why should I tell you? - I chuckle.- Why are you always so secretive, huh? We know each other since that day you fell on top of me from uptairs but I just find out that I really know almost nothing about you. Not even where you live.- You know a lot of things about me.- By the way... - he clears his throat, as he always do when he's going to talk about something serious - Did you get in touch with your mother? - I shake my head no - Wae?- Since I left she won't talk to me. They had to call her from the hospital and tell her that my dad passed away because she won't pick up my calls.- There's no chance to solve it? - he tilts his head to the side, trying to see my eyes.- The bond between us was broken a long time ago. She wanted me to go with her to hurt my dad, that's all.- Then... you don't miss her at all?- When I was there I lived by myself, It's not like she did her role as a mother - I grin - I miss my dad.- Next month will be his 1st anniversary, right?- Huh - I nod weakly.- I'll help you with it, arasso? - he points his index finger at me - There's no way I'll leave my dongsaeng do it by herself.- Gomawo, sunbae.~ End of the Flashback ~ Now... I do remember you now, Tae Sung sunbae. Without noticing it, two tears fall down my cheeks and everyone looks at me with worried eyes.- Hyun... - Junhyung holds my arm - What is wrong?- Huh? - I look at him, with these puppy eyes - I'm ok, something came into my mind. Beautiful memories.- You both should go back home and rest - hyung states.- I'll take her home, Yoseob told me they ended in the studio for today - I sigh.- Mianhae - I look down.- You don't have to feel sorry about anything - he takes my face between his hands again - Huh?- Huh - I nod.- Let's go home.oOo ~) Junhyung's POV (~I grab her hand and lead us toward the parking lot. She stays quiet since a while ago, and that means nothing good. But I'm not sure If I more scared of her silence or what she might say once she starts talking again. She keeps staring outside, with her elbow resting on the door as her head rests on her hand. As she always do.- Lee Tae Sung... - she stares at me and I hold the wheel tighter - He's my sunbae.- Sunbae? - I frown - From where?- College, journalism degree - she smiles.- So... you studied to become one of these that always follow us everywhere? - I smirk, trying to make her forget everything. Every single bad memory and smile.- Of course not! - she pouts with a deep frown - Remember that movie we watched in your room while Mi Ri did my room?- I saw the Devil? That one?- Huh - she nods - I made the review of that movie for Day Day Seoul.- Are you serious!? - I open my eyes widely - That's one of the biggest newspapers in Korea!- And I was still a student - she sticks out her tongue.- So you were a nerdy at school - I chuckle.- I was Ducky though - she mutters with a pout. But I didn't hear her...- Don't get mad, huh? - I pinch her cheek.- I'll cook pizza today and I won't give you any - she puffes her cheeks and gets off the car.- Yah! - I follow her inside and hug her from behind - Don't get mad at me, huh?- Yah! Stay away! - she slaps my hands on her tummy - You have the smell of hospital on you~!- You too - I smirk, kissing her neck - Let's take a shower together~!- Junhyung...I stop dragging both of us toward my room and stand right there, hearing her call my name like that.- Huh?- I feel relieved that we found... me. And now, I understand it a bit better. I don't know how this might end but I want you to know that I didn't do anything to harm you, really.- I know, babo... - I hug her waist tighter.oOoAfter our shower party, I play in the living room with LETHyo while Hyun Ae has fun in the kitchen, experimenting with the ingredients for the pizza.- If I put three kinds of cheese... - she tilts her head to the side - You think It might taste weird?- It'd be a three-chesee pizza - I smirk.- Ani, I don't like the idea - she pouts and goes back into the kitchen.- Why did you think of it If you didn't like it? - I chuckle.- You're of no help, Babo Junhyung... - I hear her mutter.- Yah! You... *crash* - I get up from the couch and run into the kitchen - Hyun Ae! What's wrong?When I come in front of her, I meet with a full can of tomato sauce spilled on the floor and on her and a stunned Hyun Ae. The look on her face, pale as milk, twisted in pain and fear, her chest going up and down in a fast pace, her hand petrified in the air. Her eyes, that lost gaze on them...I walk toward her, I almost fall when I step on the sauce but I get to keep my balance and hold her by her shoulders, shaking her a bit so she can come back to her senses. She stops looking into space and stares at me with her eyes wide open.- We have to save her! They caught her! - she pants.- Who!? - I frown.- Hana! We have to go and save her!- We can't go there. She is in her world. - I try to hold her but she keeps struggling - There's no way we can reach her!- Junhyung... - she stops struggling - If we don't go there... She'll die. She's part of me.- Mwoh? - I frown.She frowns, trying to tell me something with her eyes. She knows who is Hana? That means she knows about...- We can use my notebook to go there - she states.- Your notebook? - I pick it from the table confused - This?- Not that one... the other one......My book, my story...