Timeless Loves

Chapter 1: The Unexpected Farewell

The story begins with a tense atmosphere inside the car amidst a heavy downpour. Min-jun and his wife, Eun-ji, are engaged in a fierce argument. They blame each other for their relationship growing cold due to the busyness of their lives.

"Can we go back to how we used to be?" Eun-ji's voice trembles, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Min-jun grips the steering wheel tightly, frustration evident from his labored breathing. The rain pounds against the windshield, mirroring the storm brewing between them. His jaw clenches as he tries to focus on the road, but the pain in Eun-ji's voice stirs something deep within him.

"Do you still care?" Eun-ji whispers, almost inaudible over the sound of the pouring rain.

He exhales sharply. "Of course I care! But what do you want from me, Eun-ji? To leave everything behind? Just to prove something?" His voice rises, the weight of unspoken emotions pressing down on both of them.

A brief silence fills the car, the tension suffocating. Then, Eun-ji's breath catches. "I never wanted you to leave everything, Min-jun. I just... I want to feel like I still matter."

Min-jun, still angry, glances away from the road for a moment, turning to look at her—

A BLINDING LIGHT. THE SOUND OF A CRASH. SCREAMS CUT SHORT. THE WORLD GOES DARK.

Chapter 2: A New Awakening

When Min-jun opens his eyes, he finds himself in a hospital room, but something feels off. His body feels lighter, free from the fatigue that had plagued him for years. Panic sets in as he forces himself to stand, his breathing ragged.

He has returned to his 22-year-old self.

His heart races as he takes in the unfamiliar yet familiar surroundings. Memories of his life with Eun-ji flood his mind—moments filled with laughter, quiet nights, their first apartment together—but something is missing. A dull ache forms in his chest as he realizes he can't recall certain details. Those memories feel distant, slipping away like grains of sand through his fingers.

Is this a second chance, or a cruel trick of fate?

Min-jun's breathing is uneven as he sits on the hospital bed, his mind racing. His fingers tremble slightly as he touches the IV tube attached to his arm. The sterile smell of antiseptic fills his nose, grounding him in the present.

"What... happened?" His voice is hoarse, barely audible.

Memories of the accident flash through his mind—the argument, the rain, Eun-ji's tear-streaked face, the blinding headlights. But as he looks around, confusion grips him even tighter. This isn't the same hospital room. The walls are a dull beige, not the pristine white he remembers. His reflection in the glass window reveals a younger version of himself—22 years old.

His heart pounds as he gets up, stumbling toward a small mirror near the closet. He runs his fingers through his hair, noticing how fuller and wrinkle-free his face appears. The burden of stress and exhaustion accumulated over the years is gone. It's as if time has rewound.

"No... this can't be real."

The door creaks open, and a nurse enters, startled to see him awake. "You shouldn't be moving yet, Min-jun. You were unconscious for two days after the accident."

"The accident?"

The nurse smiles sympathetically. "You were hit by a car while trying to save a cat in front of your campus. You're lucky—just a mild concussion and some bruises."

Min-jun's stomach churns. A cat? Not the car accident with Eun-ji? His breath catches as he grips his head. The memories are still there, but they begin to fade, slipping away at the edges like a dream upon waking.

If I saved a cat... does that mean Eun-ji is still alive?

Hope and fear swirl within him. If he truly is in the past, then maybe—just maybe—he has a chance to fix everything.

But what if the memories of his future slowly fade, slipping from his grasp before he can fully understand them?

Chapter 3: Echoes of the Past

Min-jun sits on the hospital bed, staring at his trembling hands. The weight of his reality presses against his chest, suffocating yet electrifying. The sterile hospital room feels alien, yet his body remembers the pain from the accident. A cat. That's what brought him here, not the accident with Eun-ji.

"This is real... isn't it?"

His voice shakes as he whispers to himself, afraid to disturb the fragile illusion. He clenches his fists, his nails digging into his palms. If this really is his past—if fate has given him a second chance—then he must act. He must find Eun-ji.

Just as his resolve strengthens, the door bursts open, and a familiar figure rushes in. His friend, Jisoo, is out of breath, as if he'd sprinted the entire way.

"Min-jun! Damn it, you scared me half to death!" Jisoo's voice is a mix of relief and frustration. "Why did you jump in front of a moving car just for a stray cat?!"

Min-jun blinks, processing the emotions on his friend's face. It's been so long since he last saw Jisoo—not like this, not before time hardened him. The realization tightens Min-jun's throat.

"I just... I couldn't let it die," Min-jun mutters, his voice barely audible.

Jisoo snorts, shaking his head. "Still reckless as always. You'd better be glad that cat ran off safely, or I'd be even angrier with you."

A small laugh escapes Min-jun's lips. It all feels strangely familiar. Yet, beneath Jisoo's scolding lies warmth—a warmth he hasn't felt in a long time. His friend was always there, looking out for him in ways Min-jun never appreciated before.

"Jisoo… what's today's date?"

Jisoo frowns at the odd question but answers anyway. "March 15, 2014. Why?"

Min-jun's blood runs cold. One year. He has exactly one year before losing Eun-ji. Before their love turns into bitter regret. His fingers tighten around the sheets.

"Nothing… just needed to confirm."

Jisoo eyes him warily. "Are you sure your head didn't get hit too hard?"

Min-jun forces a smile, shaking his head. "No. I just… I need to fix things."

Jisoo scoffs. "Fix what?"

Min-jun doesn't answer. He's already lost in thought. He needs to find Eun-ji. He needs to remember everything before it's too late.

And more than anything—he needs to save their love before it slips from his grasp again.