Syameon Village was famous for its shamans. That was where she first met her aunt. Back then, complaints about her constantly came from school. Her poor grandmother had to face every teacher and parent one by one. No one wanted their child to study with a freak. Not even her own family had wanted her—so why would strangers?
But her grandmother had always believed in her. She never called her crazy like the others. Instead, she searched for all kinds of ways to help her—and eventually found Syameon Village. She was only fourteen when she came. The disturbances from the spirits had grown so intense, she began experiencing physical assaults. Her body was always bruised and battered.
The first thing her aunt said when she saw her was:
"You have such beautiful eyes. Beautiful eyes should see beautiful things, right? Now tell me, how much harm are they doing to you?"
"It's only been a few weeks," she answered. "I keep losing consciousness. When I wake up, I find myself covered in wounds."
Her aunt stepped closer.
"Your eyes act as a gateway for spirits. They enter your body through them. Should we blindfold you to block them out?"
Seeing the fear on her face, her aunt winked.
"No need for primitive methods. The bruises on your body mean they can't hold onto you. That's actually a good sign. I can't help you see less of them, but I can make sure they don't touch you. I'll give you a necklace—you have to wear it at all times, okay?"
She nodded.
Her aunt's approach was so maternal. She even stroked her head.
"What you're going through feels like a nightmare now—and sadly, it'll continue to feel that way for a while. But some things must happen. These experiences will shape who you are. You won't understand what I mean yet, but one day you will. You're strong, and you are never alone. I can see what you see—and the girl who was just beside me, Cho Hee, is like you too."
She was surprised.
"You're like me?"
Her aunt smiled and nodded. "You can be friends with Cho Hee. She feels very alone too."
From that point on, she spent every holiday in Syameon with her aunt and Cho Hee. But after her grandmother passed away, she became more withdrawn and eventually stopped visiting. She was sure they'd be shocked to see her now.
Finally, they arrived in front of her aunt's house. She knocked, but no one answered. Thinking they might not have heard, she slowly stepped inside. The courtyard was empty.
"Aunt? Cho Hee?"
"Maybe they're sleeping?" Jackie suggested.
"It's not that late. Let's check the backyard."
"Aera!"
"Cho Hee!"
They ran into each other's arms, crying.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"Long story," Aera replied, glancing at Jackie beside her.
Cho Hee hadn't noticed him until now. When she did, she let out a small scream.
"Jackie! I can't believe it's really you! What happened? You have to tell me everything!"
She bombarded them with questions while pulling Aera toward the house. After a brief summary of events, Aera asked about her aunt.
"She left this morning to visit her sick sister and didn't say when she'd be back. I can call her tomorrow morning. You must be hungry—I'll make something for you." Then she turned to Jackie, embarrassed. "I'd make something for you too, but I know you're not… hungry. And by the way, you're even more handsome up close."
She giggled foolishly. Aera nudged her with her elbow. Jackie, meanwhile, was silently inspecting the photos inside the house. He pointed at one.
"Who's this?"
Cho Hee looked at the photo. "That's Aera."
Jackie appeared thoughtful. Was he remembering something?
"Are you starting to remember?" Aera asked.
He scratched his head, still looking at the photo. "No, it just feels familiar."
Then Cho Hee looked at Aera and shouted, "He remembers you!"
Why did she yell like that? Why was she so excited? Maybe she was just guessing. Why would he remember her…
"Did I know you?" Aera gave Cho Hee a sharp look before turning to Jackie.
"We went to the same high school, but I wouldn't say we ever met."
Of course he wouldn't remember. Why would he remember freak Aera?
...
After dinner, Cho Hee said she had prepared a bed for her. Aera was exhausted. As she headed to her room, she noticed Jackie following her.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm staying with you."
What did that even mean? "No, I'm sleeping alone and you're staying outside till morning."
He shook his head. "No, I'm staying. You're the only one I can trust. I need you. I can't let you out of my sight."
It was raining again. She was terrified of storms. And now she was supposed to share a room with a ghost?
"Absolutely not." She opened the door without waiting for an answer. But how was she supposed to stop him? Talismans didn't work on him.
"Get out of the room."
"Never."
"I'm tired and I want to sleep. For that to happen, you need to leave me alone."
He raised his hands in surrender and left. She was exhausted but couldn't fall asleep. She searched Jackie's name on her phone again, hoping to find something, but still nothing. With a sigh, she stared at the ceiling.
She was overwhelmed. What would she do now? Her aunt would fix this… she had to believe that. After wrestling with her thoughts a bit longer, she finally drifted to sleep.
...
Her eyes burned when she opened them. She checked her phone—11:00. Had she really slept that long? Well, yesterday had been exhausting. As she stepped out to wash her face, she heard Jackie and Cho Hee laughing in the kitchen. But as soon as she entered, they went quiet.
"Why'd you stop talking?"
They exchanged glances and started giggling again.
"Jackie was saying how loudly you snore in your sleep."
What were they talking about?!
Snoring? She didn't sn—wait, how would Jackie even know?
Jackie stood like a mischievous child. "I came in after you fell asleep and tried to wake you up in the morning. But you were more dead than I am. How can a woman snore like that?"
He had come in even though she told him not to?! And…
"I do NOT snore! That's it. Once I get my energy back, I'm leaving. Handle your own problems."
She was helping him, and he made her the punchline. Great.
"Why are you so tense? I should be the one freaking out. I was just teasing. If you can't take it, I won't do it again."
"Even without your memory, your arrogance is still intact."
"What do you mean?"
"You and your weirdo friends gave me nicknames in high school—freak Aera, ghost girl Aera... You'd just stand there while they laughed at me."
Cho Hee jumped in. "Aera, calm down!"
She was supposed to stay calm? After he made fun of her again? After everything?
"What's this noise?"
"Auntie!"
"Aera! You ungrateful girl, where have you been?" Her aunt scolded her while pulling her into a tight hug.
When they let go, she turned to Jackie.
"Of course you had a reason for coming."
She was a little upset—rightfully so.
"Jackie found me. He doesn't remember anything."
Her aunt examined Jackie closely.
"There's something strange about you. But you already know that, don't you?" she asked Aera.
"Follow me." She led them to her room. "Lie down here."
Jackie did as told. She burned some herbs, waving the smoke over him while whispering words with her eyes closed. Aera and Cho Hee watched silently. Finally, she opened her eyes.
"You're not dead."
What did that mean?
Jackie looked stunned. "What does that mean?"
"I feel remnants of a very dark spirit—but your soul resisted it. Jackie's soul is… special. It's a star soul."
"He's already a star," Cho Hee said.
"Not that kind of star, foolish girl. I mean an actual star—from the sky. A sacred soul!"
Silence filled the room.
"Sacred souls aren't supposed to be on Earth—unless they've been cursed."
"I don't understand. Aunt, please explain."
"Jackie didn't die. His body is intact. The shock from the attack caused his memory loss. That's why there's no news about him. The real issue is: he must return to his body immediately."
Jackie finally found his voice. "What happens if I don't?"
"You won't die or vanish. You'll become one of those rotting, cursed souls doomed to wander this world forever."
It was a terrifying thought. Aera couldn't accept it.
"What can we do, Aunt?"
"A similar event happened centuries ago. That's why star souls were forbidden to descend. I need to find the ancient records about it. Until then, stay close. You both need each other."
No one spoke another word. Her aunt asked for quiet so she could focus on restoring Jackie's memory—and kicked Aera out of the room. Her nervous energy was distracting.
Thirty minutes later, she returned.
"He's sleeping now. When he wakes, the memories will start coming back. For now, you two should return to Seoul. While I look for a solution, you must find a way to get close to Jackie's physical body. I'm leaving now."
Aera watched her go, stunned. How was she supposed to get near the country's most famous idol? The fact that her aunt believed she could made her eyes sting. But it felt impossible.
She sank to the floor.
What was she supposed to do now?