The entire day felt off.
Too quiet.
Too controlled.
Tahee sat in class, but her focus wasn't there.
"…He said I'm avoiding the wrong place."
A pause.
"…So staying here is worse?"
Her fingers tapped lightly on the desk.
"…Or going back is?"
The bell rang.
Students moved.
Voices returned.
But the unease didn't leave.
Tahee stood up slowly.
"…I should just go home."
The thought felt wrong.
But unavoidable.
The house was silent when she returned.
Not empty.
Just… waiting.
"…I hate this feeling."
She stepped inside.
Her footsteps echoed softly.
Then—
"You're back."
She stopped.
Su-ho stood in the living room.
Alone.
Waiting.
"…Of course."
Tahee forced a small smile.
"I had classes."
"…Don't start."
Su-ho nodded once.
"I know."
A pause.
"I was expecting you."
Silence.
Tahee's fingers tightened slightly.
"…That's worse."
Su-ho gestured toward the sofa.
"Sit."
Not a request.
An instruction.
Tahee walked over.
Sat down.
Calm on the outside.
"…This is it."
Across from her—
Su-ho didn't sit immediately.
She watched first.
Then slowly—
She took her seat.
Facing her directly.
No distractions.
No interruptions.
Just the two of them.
"…Great."
A brief silence stretched.
Then—
Su-ho spoke.
"Let's try something simple."
Tahee didn't respond.
"…Simple never means simple."
Su-ho leaned back slightly.
"What did you do yesterday afternoon?"
A pause.
Tahee answered calmly.
"I stayed home."
"…Basic answer."
Su-ho nodded.
"And before that?"
"…Class."
"…Still safe."
Another pause.
Then—
"What about last month?"
Silence.
Tahee froze—
Just slightly.
"…Too far."
Her mind went blank for a second.
"…There's no memory."
That wasn't her life.
That wasn't her past.
But her face—
Stayed composed.
"I don't remember clearly."
"…Careful."
Su-ho watched her.
Closely.
Too closely.
Then—
She spoke again.
"Strange."
A pause.
"You remember small things clearly."
Her gaze didn't move.
"But not your own past."
Silence.
Tahee's grip tightened.
"…She's connecting it."
The room felt smaller.
Heavier.
Like there was no space to breathe.
Then—
Su-ho leaned forward slightly.
Not aggressive.
But precise.
"Who are you pretending to be?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Tahee didn't move.
Didn't react.
But inside—
"…This is bad."
A pause.
"…Really bad."
Su-ho didn't repeat the question.
Didn't pressure her.
Didn't even wait for an answer.
Instead—
She leaned back.
Calm again.
Controlled.
As if she already had one.
"Don't worry."
A pause.
"You don't have to answer now."
Silence.
Her eyes held Tahee's.
Sharp.
Unwavering.
"I'll figure it out."
And for the first time—
Tahee realized something terrifying.
"…She's not guessing anymore."
"…She's investigating."