Chapter 02 — Who Am I Now?
Without realizing it, a small sound of joy escaped my lips.
As I crossed the street, my steps bounced lightly — like an excited puppy heading out for a walk.
Is she eating right now?
Glancing toward the convenience store, Se-hee spotted A-young inside.
She was so cute. Even from far away, without stage makeup, A-young’s soft, round face made her look like a gentle baby.
For a moment, Se-hee had the sudden urge to take a picture — but no. Some lines shouldn’t be crossed.
She clenched her phone and instead just watched quietly.
A-young walking out of the store, looking around as if she had nothing else to do.
A-young kicking at small stones, her face clouded with frustration.
It hurt to see her like that.
So, while she was staring sadly at her phone and nibbling on a salad, Se-hee quickly opened another account and left another sweet comment under the group’s social media post.
Right then — as if she’d seen it — A-young’s expression brightened with surprise, a small smile blooming on her face.
She was so easy to read.
She’s too cute, it hurts.
Se-hee’s heart throbbed painfully as she continued to watch her. When A-young stood up, Se-hee also got to her feet.
She didn’t want to stare too much. Even from a distance, idols can sense eyes on them. And someone like A-young — already sensitive because of her job — didn’t deserve to feel uncomfortable.
A-young had already been through enough.
Being the least popular member of an already unpopular group — that was punishment enough.
Still, looks like my comment cheered her up.
Just as Se-hee turned to head home, A-young suddenly lifted her head.
Startled, Se-hee dropped her gaze — but she still caught sight of her.
A-young was lightly slapping her cheeks with both hands, psyching herself up, as if to say “Let’s do this.”
That was who she was — always trying to stay bright, refusing to give up hope, shining like a star even when no one was watching.
A girl who perfectly embodied what it meant to be an idol.
Se-hee smiled. It had been so long since she last saw her.
I’ll see you again after your comeback.
Lately, Se-hee had taken on another part-time job.
Her savings were already enough to fully support A-young’s next promotion period — she’d planned everything.
She hadn’t spent as much as she expected during the previous album cycle, which helped her save even more.
Of course, the fact that she could save meant A-young had barely any individual schedules lately — something that made Se-hee feel both proud and sad at once.
Still, this time would be different. The new song was amazing — maybe this comeback would finally make them popular. Maybe both the group and A-young would blow up, and Se-hee’s savings wouldn’t even be enough.
Smiling at the thought, she turned her head one last time to look at A-young.
Huh?
Something was wrong.
In just a few seconds, the scene had changed — A-young was arguing with someone.
At first, Se-hee thought it was her manager, but the man’s build was unfamiliar, and A-young’s expression was… scared.
The man was trying to drag her away, his tone threatening.
A-young’s face went pale.
No way… that guy can’t be—
Then she remembered — the rumors.
A few days ago, fans had warned that a sasaeng (stalker fan) had been following MATE around. The company even posted an official notice about it.
And now Se-hee knew. Instinctively.
Whoever he was — A-young was in danger.
Before she could think, her body moved on its own.
A-young was backing up — toward the road.
“Watch out!”
Se-hee’s heart pounded as A-young stumbled backward.
And then —
A massive truck came roaring straight toward her.
There was no time to think, no time to hesitate.
All Se-hee felt was fear — that A-young might die — and the desperate need to stop it.
“A-young!”
“Unnie!?”
Without thinking, Se-hee lunged forward, grabbing A-young’s arm with all her strength.
She managed to pull her out of the street — just barely.
But in that instant, Se-hee herself was thrown forward — right into the path of the truck.
A-young’s wide, terrified eyes filled her vision.
“Unnie!”
Her voice trembled with shock and panic.
As Se-hee heard the deafening horn and felt death rushing toward her, she somehow smiled.
She didn’t blame fate. She didn’t ask why there were no bystanders, or why this had to happen.
Her life hadn’t meant much anyway — but saving A-young? That gave it meaning.
With that single thought, she closed her eyes.
A crushing weight slammed into her back — pain exploded through her body — and then everything went black.
***
When Se-hee opened her eyes again, she blinked slowly.
She should’ve been dead. After being hit by a truck, how could she not be?
But somehow… she was alive.
Guess that fortune-teller was right. Not an easy life to kill.
She remembered the old man from years ago, laughing as he told her she had a “long, stubborn life line.”
She thought it was nonsense back then.
But now… something felt off.
Very off.
Wait… I’m too fine.
Her gaze shifted to the IV lines in her arm. She was clearly in a hospital — that part made sense.
After all, she’d been in an accident.
But this wasn’t a normal traffic accident.
Realistically, no one should survive being hit by a truck like that.
Even if you did, you’d lose an arm, a leg — or worse, be paralyzed.
Yet she was completely intact.
Her body ached all over like one giant bruise, but nothing was broken.
Her fingers, her limbs — all there.
What am I, a cyborg?
She frowned, scanning the room.
And then another odd thing hit her — this hospital room was way too fancy.
Marble floors, soft lighting, designer furniture — this looked like the kind of private suite you’d see in dramas, the ones reserved for CEOs or chaebols.
Even if I emptied my entire fangirl savings account, I could barely afford one night here.
Everything felt strange. Unreal.
Even her own body didn’t feel like her own.
As she turned her head toward the mirror on the wall — she froze.
“W-What…?”
The reflection staring back at her wasn’t her.
It wasn’t her face — not even close.
And yet… it looked familiar.
No way. She looks just like Ji-hyun.
Not her “main bias,” but an idol anyone would recognize — the legendary one.
The idol who even her haters admitted was flawless — in looks, in skill, in professionalism.
The one who’d been number one on every ranking for years — both as a solo and as part of her group.
The center of the girl group MOA — Ahn Ji-hyun.
Why on earth is Ji-hyun here? Why is she in this hospital room? Why… is she in the mirror?
She blinked rapidly — once, twice.
You’re hallucinating. Calm down, idiot.
But no matter how many times she told herself that, the reflection didn’t change.
The face in the mirror — flawless skin, soft eyes, perfect lips — was undeniably Ahn Ji-hyun’s.
What… what the hell happened to me?
