Sae-Byeok

It had been four months since you won the games, but the victory felt hollow. The wealth, the new house, the cleared debts—none of it filled the emptiness gnawing at your chest. Especially when you thought about her. Saebyeok. The guilt was suffocating. You had left to get her help, only to return too late. Her last words echoed in your mind, refusing to fade, haunting every quiet moment.

You shook your head, trying to push the thoughts away as the cool night breeze drifted through the open window. Reaching into your pocket, you pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with shaking hands before taking a slow drag. The burn in your lungs was grounding, if only for a moment. It was late—you should head to bed.

Then you saw it.

Out of the corner of your eye, a shadow stood in the dim hallway. Your breath hitched. Saebyeok?

She was just standing there. Still. Silent. Watching.

Your mind raced. How much did I drink? Not enough to be hallucinating… right? You rubbed your eyes, but when you looked again, she was still there. Your heart pounded as you just stood there, staring—trying to figure out if you were dreaming. Or if she was really there.