Mystical Fantasy : Not the Destiny Heroine

The night sky blanketed the city with the gentle glow of streetlights and a soft breeze that stirred the calm. In a quiet corner of the hospital garden, two old iron chairs bore silent witness to a conversation that somehow felt heavier than the night air.

Han-na hugged her knees, sitting sideways while staring at the empty patch of ground beneath her feet. Her pale cheeks were bathed in the soft light of the garden lamp, but her eyes carried the weight of unfinished thoughts.

"Jinhyuk-ssi..." she whispered. "Can I ask you something?"

Jinhyuk turned toward her, nodding slightly, though part of him was on guard.

"That night… that one night," Han-na continued, "I clearly remember being stabbed. I remember the pain, the coldness of the knife, and how heavy my body felt afterward... like all my blood was pouring out. But… when I woke up, there was no wound. Not even the doctors could explain it. They said I'd lost a lot of blood, but there was no sign of an injury. Isn't that strange?"

Jinhyuk stayed silent.

He knew this question would come eventually. But now that it had, the words caught in his throat. He looked down, fingers clasped tightly together.

"I... don't really know how to explain it," he said at last. "But I think… there are many things we don't understand about this world. Myself included."

Han-na nodded quietly, not pressing further.

"Sorry if my question made things difficult for you," she said with a weak smile. "If you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you. I'm just… curious. Your life… it's oddly fascinating. Even though it's dangerous."

Jinhyuk gave a bitter smile. "Fascinating? A life where strangers chase you down, you're accused of theft, almost die several times in a week, and now might get expelled from campus? You think that's fascinating?"

Han-na nodded seriously. "Yes. I think it is. It feels like real life."

Jinhyuk turned to look at her. The girl gazed at him steadily, completely sincere.

"And because of all that, I think your life is far more interesting—especially compared to mine, where I'm just trying to survive each day, grateful if I have something to eat." Han-na continued.

"I want to ask... can I... be your friend? Or rather, your partner. Someone who can help you through all this. Because to me, your life feels like that of a hero—someone with a special mission to save the world. And I want to be part of that kind of life."

Jinhyuk blinked at the unexpected proposal.

"You're kidding, right?"

"I'm not."

"You're the one who said my life was dangerous—and it is. You almost died once just for getting involved with me."

Han-na smiled, her eyes calm. "Precisely because I almost died... I feel like I won't die so easily next time, if I'm by your side. As your… partner."

Jinhyuk shook his head, half-laughing. "Wow, your way of thinking... is something else."

Han-na shrugged. "Maybe. But I've lived in emptiness for years, Jinhyuk-ssi. No one to turn to. No one who cared. No purpose. Everything I had was always taken away too quickly. But when I'm with you… it feels like I finally see something I can hold onto—something that makes my heart race, even if it's still unclear."

Silence fell for a moment. Jinhyuk looked at her pale face. Her body still weak, but the determination in her eyes… made it impossible for him to argue.

He let out a quiet sigh.

"I don't know what kind of life I'll end up living… but if you want to be friends… I'm okay with that."

Han-na nodded and smiled faintly. It wasn't a bright smile, but it was warm—like someone who had finally been given permission to hope again.

The night went on. But for the two of them, the world felt a little calmer. Even if danger still loomed, at least now… they weren't alone anymore.

---

Morning light slipped in through the hospital curtains, bringing a gentle warmth that slowly pushed away the chill of night. Jinhyuk opened his eyes. His neck was stiff, and his back ached from spending the night on a small couch far too short for his frame.

He yawned and glanced at the hospital bed. There, Han-na was already sitting up, her hair tied back messily, her face looking fresher than the night before. That pale face now had a bit of color.

"Morning," Jinhyuk said, stretching as he stood.

"Good morning, Jinhyuk-ssi." Han-na smiled warmly.

A few minutes later, the doctor and a nurse entered the room. A quick checkup followed, and then the doctor looked at Han-na with a satisfied smile.

"You're recovering quickly. Honestly, your case still confuses us," he said. "You lost a lot of blood… but there's not a single wound. We even checked for internal bleeding, but found nothing. In any case, the good news is—you can go home this afternoon."

Han-na and Jinhyuk exchanged glances.

"Thank you, Doctor," Han-na said.

Once everything settled down, Jinhyuk stood. "Alright, I'll go get some breakfast. Wait here for a bit."

Han-na nodded. "Okay. Be careful."

The hospital corridor was still quiet. The polished floor reflected the pale white lights overhead. As Jinhyuk walked casually toward the cafeteria, a voice stopped him.

"Jinhyuk… don't you remember me?"

Jinhyuk turned around. A female nurse stood a few meters away. Her long black hair flowed down her back, and her sharp eyes weren't threatening—more like filled with curiosity… and old scars.

Jinhyuk frowned slightly. "I'm sorry… I'm not sure."

The woman exhaled slowly and bowed her head. Then, calmly, she lifted the lower edge of her uniform—just enough to reveal her hip. There, a long, irregular burn scar stretched across her skin.

Jinhyuk's eyes widened. He quickly looked away, startled, thinking she was about to show something inappropriate.

"Relax, Jinhyuk-ya. I just want you to see this," she said.

Jinhyuk looked at the scar—and suddenly, a wave of memories crashed over him.

Flashes of the past surfaced.

Three children running around in a backyard garden. Young Jinhyuk, young Yoon Seri… and one more—an older tomboyish girl, taller than the two of them. Her hair tied in a ponytail, her manner more like an older brother's, even though she was clearly a girl. She was their leader.

They had played with fire once, trying to build a campfire from sticks. But one stick burned too brightly and flew toward Seri. The older girl leapt in, shielding Seri with her body. The burning branch hit her hip.

Not long after that incident, she disappeared. Her parents said they moved her to the city. But Jinhyuk never believed it. And the three of them were never together again.

Jinhyuk looked back at the woman, eyes wide.

"You… you're... Seo Nayeon?!"

The woman smiled softly, her eyes misting over. "Yes. It's me."

Jinhyuk took a step back, still in disbelief. "But it's been… over fifteen years... I thought you were…"

"It's been a very long time," Nayeon said quietly, her eyes beginning to glisten. "Since the last time we played under that big tree."

Jinhyuk stared at her. Memories long buried now opened wide. He'd almost forgotten how important Nayeon had been to them. She wasn't just a childhood friend—she had protected both of them. She was their real 'older sibling', even if not by blood.

"Noona… this is crazy…" Jinhyuk whispered. "I thought we'd never see each other again…"

Nayeon held back her tears. "I never forgot about you two. I was just… waiting for the right time to come back."

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