Go-hwan had already guessed it.
If someone was secretly listening to their conversation, it had to be Anha. But something felt off… whoever was there didn't feel like the Anha he knew.
Then who was it?
And why were they here?
Those questions remained unanswered.
The sun had climbed almost directly overhead. Half the day was already gone.
Ha-joon stood still, his gaze slowly sweeping across the familiar surroundings. This was the place where he had grown up… where his childhood had taken shape… where he found the motivation to walk forward in life.
Yet, a bitter feeling crept into his chest.
He couldn't meet Anha one last time.
"You once told me that the soul is like water," Ha-joon said, breaking the silence. "It takes the shape of whatever vessel it's placed in."
He paused, frowning slightly.
"But then… something doesn't make sense. If that's true, why does Anha feel different? If her soul was given to her at birth… why is this change so noticeable now?"
Go-hwan stayed quiet for a moment before answering.
"You're right. The soul is like water," he said slowly. "But tell me this—if you pour more water into a container that already has water… what happens?"
Ha-joon blinked.
"They mix… and become one. You can't tell them apart anymore."
Go-hwan nodded.
"At first, it feels unfamiliar. But eventually… it blends in. And becomes natural."
The explanation went completely over Ha-joon's head.
There was no doubt about that.
They had already reached their destination.
Ha-joon placed his bag aside and sat down on a chair, waiting quietly. After a while, a doctor approached him and asked if he had received the letter and brought all the necessary documents.
After checking everything, the doctor told him to wait.
Just then—
A woman rushed toward him, her voice trembling.
"What's your name?"
Ha-joon looked at her, slightly confused.
"I'm Kang Ha-joon… but… who are you?"
He couldn't recognize her.
But somehow… he knew.
This woman—
She was his mother.
Tears streamed endlessly down her face.
She had lost him once… and in her desperate search, she had abandoned everything—her husband, her home, her entire life.
And now… she had finally found him.
Inside his mind, Go-hwan spoke again.
"I know you don't feel anything when you see her," he said. "But in the original timeline… she was everything to you."
He paused, then added softly—
"And I'm sure… you won't hesitate to accept her as your mother,
Slowly, Ha-joon stepped forward.
Whether willingly or not… he had already made his decision long ago.
He would accept her.
As his mother.
"I thought…" Ha-joon spoke quietly, "that you abandoned me after I was born."
His voice trembled slightly.
"But now I understand… none of this was your fault."
He lowered his head.
"All my life… I blamed you."
The woman broke down completely.
"Come here… my son. Come to me…"
She pulled him into her arms.
And for the first time—
They found peace.
Time passed.
Their conversations continued.
And eventually, Ha-joon left the country with his mother for advanced treatment abroad.
Anha stopped thinking about him.
Maybe… her one-sided love had never been anything more than a fleeting feeling to him.
Otherwise, why didn't he even tell her?
Not even once—
That he found his mother.
That he was leaving.
At first, Anha couldn't accept it.
Arguments between them were nothing new… but she had never imagined he would leave her behind like this.
It hurt.
It hurt more than she expected.
But life doesn't stop.
It keeps moving forward—
Sometimes with happiness.
Sometimes with pain.
Today, she decided to let everything go.
To start again.
School had reopened.
Since Anha lived nearby, getting there wasn't difficult. Sitting on the bus, she stared blankly outside the window, her expression dull and lifeless.
It felt like she had lost all hope.
All desire.
Everything.
But somewhere along the way… she realized something.
If she could graduate from this school—
Her future would be secure.
And if she could earn a scholarship, she wouldn't have to struggle anymore.
She could finally focus on her studies.
On her future.
The bus stopped in front of the school.
Luxury cars lined the entrance, students stepping out one after another.
Anha didn't care.
Her past might have been messy… painful… but standing here today filled her with a strange sense of pride.
One day—
She would rise above everyone.
No one would mock her anymore.
No one would ask about her parents.
Her name alone—
Would be enough.
With renewed determination, she ran toward her classroom.
The campus buzzed with excitement.
Today marked the opening of the chess tournament.
And tomorrow—
The finals.
Anha had entered too.
She wasn't particularly good… yet somehow, she had made it to the semi-finals.
But deep down, she knew—
Even if she won today…
She would probably lose in the finals.
The school had three divisions:
Class A (8C) — Top students
Class B (7C) — Average students
Class C (6C) — Below average
Anha belonged to Class C.
But if she wanted that scholarship—
She had to rise to Class A.
Where only the best of the best stood.
Could she do it?
Could she reach the finals?
Silence filled the room.
Two players sat across from each other, deep in thought.
Every move mattered.
Every second felt heavy "
Suddenly—
"I did it…!" I-seul shouted triumphantly. "I crushed you! See you—"
Anha's eyes trembled.
Fear crept into her expression.
"I… lost… again…"
And just like that—
Another hope began to shatter.