Yoo Jaehyun strolled along the street, phone pressed to her ear as she chatted with her younger brother, who was currently at his own wedding venue.
"I can't believe you got married before me! Why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend sooner?" Her voice held a playful edge of envy.
He chuckled warmly on the other end. "I wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, I knew you'd bombard me with questions if I said anything too early."
She rolled her eyes, even though he couldn't see it. "That's not true! I'm just… curious, that's all."
He laughed, clearly amused. "Sure, let's go with that. Admit it—you're a hopeless romantic at heart."
She huffed in mock annoyance. "And you're an annoying little brother who owes me every detail of his love life."
He feigned offense. "Hey, I tell you plenty! It's not my fault my life is more interesting than yours."
She let out an exaggerated sigh. "Har har, very funny. But seriously, why am I always the last to know?"
His tone softened, filled with affection. "You know I love you, sis. I just wanted you to be happy and surprised, without having to listen to your endless dating advice."
She smiled, knowing he was right. "Fine, maybe you have a point. But I still want the full story. Spill."
He laughed again. "Alright, alright. I'll tell you what I can—but you have to promise not to go overboard."
Her curiosity piqued. "Deal. Now talk."
Spotting the green light, she stepped onto the crosswalk, still engrossed in their conversation. "So, tell me about her. Is she pretty? Smart? Kind?"
"Slow down," he laughed. "Yes to all of that. She's everything I could have wished for."
A faint pang of envy pricked at her heart, but she pushed it aside. "I'd better get going now. See you soon, dong-saeng~"
He groaned, though laughter lingered in his voice. "I told you to stop calling me that! I'm not a kid anymore."
"You'll always be my little brother, no matter how old you are. See you at the wedding," she teased.
He let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine, fine. See you later, noona."
Chuckling, she ended the call. In her hands, she clutched the carefully chosen wedding gift, her thoughts drifting to the look of delight she hoped to see on his face when he opened it.
A mix of happiness and faint melancholy washed over her. Her little brother was all grown up, starting a new chapter of his life, while she remained the last single one in the family. But she shook the thought away—today was a day for celebration, not gloom.
Lost in thoughts of the ceremony and the heartfelt speech she planned to give, she failed to notice the world around her fading into a blur. The hum of traffic and the chatter of passersby seemed to grow distant, drowned out by the rhythm of her own heartbeat.
Suddenly, a vehicle came speeding toward her, far too fast and out of control. Before she could react, it crashed into her with devastating force.
She was thrown into the air, her body landing hard on the pavement as horrified screams erupted from the crowd. Blood stained the road and the front of the car, painting a grim scene amid the bustling street. Bystanders rushed over, panic in their eyes.
"Is she breathing? Is she alive?!" someone shouted.
Silence followed, heavy and suffocating. She lay motionless, barely clinging to life, a faint pulse the only sign she was still there.
(What's happening? Why… why don't I feel any pain? Am I… dying?)
Her mind spun in confusion. Everything felt distant and hazy, as if she were watching the scene from far away. There was no pain, no fear—only a strange, cold detachment.
(No… this can't be happening! I haven't even made it to the wedding! I haven't even seen his face! I can't die now… I just can't…)
Despair flooded her thoughts. The images of her brother's big day, the years they'd shared, and the future moments she'd never get to experience swirled in her mind, overwhelming her.
(I'm sorry…) Tears spilled from her eyes. (I couldn't be there for you. I hope… you'll be happy. Please, be happy…)
As her vision darkened, she surrendered to the silence, thinking that was the end. But moments later, when her sight returned, she wasn't lying on the cold asphalt anymore.
Instead, she found herself in a strange, unfamiliar place.
(Are these… memories from another life?)