Heaven's Cloud
The identity of 'me' 2/2
Jiyeon followed the woman without any hesitation, as if possessed.
Soon, an incredibly huge mansion appeared before her eyes.
In the middle of the upscale residential area of Cheongdam-dong, standing tall on a quiet street,
Just from its appearance alone, it exuded an intimidating and difficult-to-approach aura.
김지연
“…What is this place…”
Looking up at the mansion with her head tilted back, Jiyeon whispered without realizing it.
But the footsteps did not stop.
As the woman passed through the front door and went inside as if it were a given, Jiyeon followed behind her cautiously.
The interior was more refined and luxurious than I had imagined. A large chandelier hung in the living room, and antique picture frames were placed on the fireplace.
She felt as if she had stepped into an unfamiliar museum, and began to doubt whether this could really be her ‘home.’
The woman put her bag down on the sofa as if she was used to it, and headed to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.
All those movements felt like a daily routine.
Jiyeon looked around quietly, then suddenly stopped in front of a large family photo hanging on the wall in the living room.
김지연
“…Why should I…”
Her footsteps stopped, and it was a moment where her breath seemed to stop. It was her as a child.
In the photo, there is the woman in the kitchen right now and an unfamiliar middle-aged man.
And another young woman. A young man. In between, there was clearly a delay.
Looking a dozen years younger than she is now.
I couldn't remember the name or the face exactly, but I had a gut feeling that the person in the photo was me.
김지연
“Haa… ugh… my head…”
Jiyeon started climbing the stairs to the second floor, touching her forehead.
A somehow familiar energy was circulating on the stairs, and as if drawn by that flow, I stopped in front of a room.
As I carefully opened the door and went in, a room filled with soft sunlight unfolded before my eyes.
It was a girl's room.
A neatly arranged bed, a doll on it, and a picture frame on the desk.
Delay slowly approached the desk and ran his fingertips over the surface.
At that moment, the photo in the frame caught my eye.
It contained a picture of Jiyeon smiling brightly.
김지연
“…This is…my room…”
She muttered in disbelief.
However, no matter how hard I tried to remember, my head only grew more painful, and I felt like I was wandering through a fog that had no substance.
Eventually she left the room and went out of the house.
Even though it was clearly my own home, my body felt strange enough that I couldn't stay there for long.
It felt like something was pushing her from within.
My breathing became short and my chest felt like it was burning. Jiyeon barely managed to get out of the alley, leaning against the wall.
And, even in my fading mind, there was one face that came to mind.
His face.
I felt like I had to have him. I felt like I could only breathe if he was there.
김지연
"Haa...haa..."
She passed the alley lined with grand houses, breathing heavily.
At that time, something was being filmed nearby,
There were filming crews, celebrities, and flashing cameras, but Jiyeon didn't even have the strength to see them clearly.
????
“Yes, Seungkwan! Today is the last day of filming, and you’ve already talked to many citizens!”
Seungkwan was finishing up filming a street entertainment show.
At that time, I was smiling brightly in front of the camera like a professional and continuing the interview—
The moment I turned my gaze absentmindedly, I saw Jiyeon walking with difficulty, leaning against the wall in the far corner of the alley.
His eyes grew wide.
It was definitely a delay. Her face was soaked with cold sweat, her steps were unsteady. She was definitely strange.
but…
승관
“...!”
Seungkwan stared at her in surprise for a moment, but soon realized that they were currently filming.
승관
“…Yes! It was a truly meaningful time thanks to the citizens I met today—”
After finishing the closing remarks with a professional face, he quickly exchanged greetings with the staff.
승관
"Thank you for your effort!"
The first thing he did was turn his head and look down the alley.
But… she was already gone.
He bit his lips briefly and sighed slowly.
승관
“…What, why do you look so tired…I don’t think something is wrong…”
But I could tell deep down, she wasn't okay.
His worries only grew.
Jiyeon, who barely made it back to her house, threw herself on the sofa almost collapsing before even closing the front door.
My whole body sagged as if it had collapsed, and my breathing became ragged.
What on earth have I been through?