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  "Oppa... It... hurts... I'm scared..."

  "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Da-yeon! Just hold on! The ambulance is coming! Please, don't die! Don't leave me!"

  Tae-yoon wailed. He screamed her name until his voice broke into a guttural sob.

  But her hand didn't reach his face. It fell.

  Thud.

  The light in her eyes extinguished. The world went black.

  "NO!!! DA-YEON!!! LEE DA-YEON!!!"

  "Gasp! Haa...! Haa...!"

  Tae-yoon shot up in bed like a compressed spring released.

  A ragged gasp tore from his throat, echoing in the empty room. His body was drenched in cold sweat, his pajamas clinging to his skin like a wet shroud. His heart hammered against his ribs so hard it felt like it would crack his sternum.

  He looked at his hands.

  They were shaking uncontrollably.

  The sensation of the warm, sticky blood was still there. The metallic smell of iron filled his nose, overpowering the scent of his fabric softener. He couldn't bring himself to unclench his fists.

  He sat there, hyperventilating, for what felt like an eternity.

  He looked at the wall clock.

  07:20 AM.

  Sunlight was filtering through the curtains, promising a gentle morning. But in Tae-yoon’s eyes, the afterimage of the crushing pole and the dying girl was burned into his retinas.

  The accident yesterday—the truck hitting the pole he usually stood by—had morphed into his worst nightmare.

  ‘I need to check. If I don't see her breathing with my own eyes, I'm going to go insane.’

  He grabbed his smartphone with trembling fingers. It took three tries to unlock the screen. He dialed Min-su’s number.

  Before the second ring could finish, Min-su picked up.

  "Yo, Tae-yoon. You're up early? You remember we're meeting Ha-jun at 10 AM, right? The kid is excited about the bypass route."

  Tae-yoon swallowed dryly. His throat was constricted. He cleared it multiple times.

  "...Min-su. It's me."

  "Why do you sound like that? Are you sick? You didn't forget the promise, did you?"

  Tae-yoon stared blankly at the window, visualizing the empty space where the telephone pole used to be.

  "I'm sorry... Let's postpone today's meeting."

  "What? Hey, Ha-jun stayed up all night prepping the Sungjin security breach. Why the sudden change? Did something happen?"

  Min-su’s voice was laced with confusion and a hint of irritation. But Tae-yoon couldn't come up with a logical excuse. The fear that was carving out his chest was too raw.

  He whispered, his voice cracking.

  "I just... I need to... I need to see Da-yeon."

  Silence.

  The breathing on the other end of the line stopped.

  Three seconds of heavy silence passed.

  Then, Min-su roared.

  "You idiot! Why didn't you say so?! Of course! Screw the meeting! Da-yeon comes first, you moron!"

  The irritation in Min-su's voice was replaced instantly by a rough, brotherly relief.

  "I'm coming to pick you up right now. Just wash your face. I'll carry you there if I have to, you bastard!"

  Tae-yoon felt a tiny knot in his chest loosen. But his fingertips were still trembling.

  "Min-su, thanks. And... tell Ha-jun I'm really sorry. I couldn't make it today."

  Min-su scoffed.

  "Sorry my ass. Ha-jun worships the ground you walk on. If I tell him you went to see your sister, he'll probably set off fireworks in celebration. Stop worrying and get ready. I'll be there in 20 minutes."

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  The call ended.

  Tae-yoon lowered the phone. His heart was still racing, but the paralyzing fear had shifted into a desperate urgency. He looked at his haggard reflection in the mirror.

  ‘I have to go. I have to confirm she’s alive.’

  He stumbled into the bathroom and splashed freezing water onto his face, scrubbing hard as if trying to wash away the phantom blood of his nightmare.

  The Ghost was finally stepping out of the shadows to face his most painful, yet most precious reality.

  10:30 AM. Near Da-yeon’s Cafe.

  Min-su’s car pulled up quietly in the alleyway across from the cafe.

  Tae-yoon got out, pulling his baseball cap low over his eyes. He hid behind a telephone pole—ironically similar to the one in his dream—and peered across the street.

  Through the glass window, he saw her.

  Lee Da-yeon.

  But seeing her tore his heart into pieces.

  The cheerful girl who used to laugh at his jokes was gone. In her place stood a fragile woman. Her white apron looked too loose on her frame; she had lost so much weight. Her eyes, once bright, were dull as she wiped a table mechanically. Every time the door chime rang, she would look up with a desperate hope, only to look down again in disappointment.

  She was waiting.

  She had been waiting for him, alone, while he played the role of a ghost.

  ‘I’m sorry, Da-yeon... Oppa is so late.’

  Tae-yoon gripped the rough concrete of the pole, biting his lip until he tasted blood. He held back the tears that threatened to spill.

  Min-su, watching from the driver’s seat, silently turned his head away to give his friend dignity.

  After composing himself for what felt like hours, Tae-yoon wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He adjusted his cap and took a deep breath.

  He walked across the street.

  Cling-clang.

  The clear bell chimed.

  Da-yeon bowed automatically without looking up. "Welcome, I'll take your order shortly."

  Tae-yoon didn't answer. He walked up to the counter and stopped.

  Sensing the silence, Da-yeon looked up, puzzled.

  Tae-yoon slowly took off his cap. His eyes were red, but his smile was the one she knew.

  "Da-yeon-ah. Oppa is here."

  Clatter.

  The portafilter handle in Da-yeon’s hand slipped and hit the floor.

  She stood frozen, blinking rapidly as if she were seeing a hallucination. She rubbed her eyes, looked again, and then her face crumbled.

  "Oppa...! Is it really you? Oppa!"

  She ran out from behind the counter and threw herself at him.

  Tae-yoon caught her, wrapping his arms around her thin frame. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

  "Where were you?! I thought you were dead! I was so scared!"

  Tae-yoon stroked her hair, resting his chin on her head.

  "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm late."

  Only then, feeling her warmth, did the ice in Tae-yoon’s heart begin to melt.

  After the flood of tears had subsided, the three of them sat in a corner booth. Da-yeon refused to let go of Tae-yoon’s arm, clinging to him like a child.

  Min-su brought three warm Americanos, trying to lighten the mood.

  "Hey, Da-yeon. Your brother isn't a hologram. Release the clamp. Kang Tae-yoon’s arm is going to fall off from lack of blood circulation."

  At that moment, Da-yeon’s eyes widened. She looked between Min-su and her brother.

  "Tae-yoon? Oppa, why did Min-su oppa call you that? Tae-yoon? Your name is Jin-woo."

  Tae-yoon shot Min-su a sharp look, then turned to Da-yeon, holding her hand firmly.

  "Da-yeon, listen. Don't be surprised. The work I'm doing right now... it's complicated. Outside, I'm using the name 'Kang Tae-yoon'. I have my reasons. So for a while, please just accept it. It's to protect both you and me."

  Da-yeon looked confused, but seeing the serious look in her brother's eyes, she nodded slowly.

  "Okay... If you say so. As long as you are alive, the name doesn't matter."

  Tae-yoon smiled, trying to inject some of his 'Manager Kang' humor to ease her worry.

  "Da-yeon, do you know why I couldn't contact you? I was busy 'fishing'."

  "Fishing? You?"

  "Yeah. I was busy trying to 'catch' your heart again. Haha!"

  (Note: A cheesy pun play).

  Da-yeon laughed, a sound of pure relief, while Min-su clicked his tongue in disgust.

  "Ugh, look at these siblings. Alright, since it's the weekend, let's get out of this stuffy city. I'll drive you to the beach. My treat."

  Min-su drove them to a quiet seaside park west of Seoul.

  When they arrived, the winter ocean was calm, reflecting the afternoon sun.

  Min-su unlocked the doors. "I'll stay here and nap. You two go for a walk. Eat something nice. Call me whenever."

  "Thanks, Min-su."

  Tae-yoon’s voice trembled slightly with gratitude.

  "Get out of here before I change my mind."

  Tae-yoon and Da-yeon walked along the sandy beach. Da-yeon held his arm tight, her head resting on his shoulder. The cold sea breeze blew, but Tae-yoon felt warmer than he had in years.

  "Oppa, this feels like a dream. Can we rest tomorrow too? Can you stay with me until Monday?"

  Tae-yoon stopped and looked at her.

  "Of course. Tomorrow, and the morning after that. I'll be right next to you."

  The sound of their laughter mixed with the crashing waves. For a few hours, the mask of the Phantom was discarded. There was no hacking, no Sungjin Group, no revenge. Just a brother and a sister.

  8:00 PM.

  Night had fallen. Min-su drove them back to the city, dropping them off at Tae-yoon’s current apartment.

  Min-su had already stopped by Da-yeon’s place to pack her an overnight bag.

  "Alright, have a good family time. Da-yeon, make your brother cook something expensive!"

  "Okay! Thank you, Min-su oppa!"

  Min-su’s car disappeared into the night. Tae-yoon led Da-yeon into his apartment.

  It was the first time "warmth" had entered the Ghost’s lair.

  Da-yeon looked around the sparse, minimalist living room.

  "Oppa... you live like a monk. There's no food, no decorations. It's so cold."

  "I... didn't have time to decorate. Now that you're here, we can fill it up."

  Tae-yoon made her hot tea. She changed into one of his oversized t-shirts and sat on the sofa. They watched the city lights, talking about everything they had missed.

  Then, Da-yeon asked the question Tae-yoon feared.

  "Oppa... what Min-su oppa said earlier... You aren't doing anything dangerous, are you? Changing your name... disappearing..."

  Tae-yoon felt a pang of guilt. He smoothed her hair gently.

  "Don't worry. It's just business. Everything is under control. Tomorrow is Sunday, right? Let's spend the whole day together. I'll take you wherever you want."

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