[Chapter 6: Once More, a Place that isn't Home]

And unlike all those other times, I actually held to my word. That's right, buddy— I can be credible at times!

What I didn't expect was to meet Tae-young right at the exit of the college dorm campus. "Ah." I let out, staring at his figure, which was turned away from me. His body flinched instantly, whipping his head back to meet me. The guy's body seemed to tremble out of nervousness as his hands gripped tightly on his phone. I rose a brow, why is he nervous?

"Sorry!" His head bobbed slightly for a quick bow, avoiding my gaze. "I— I should've just texted you or something..." He trailed off. I could practically hear the curse he swore under his breath. That's... surprisingly cute.

I giggled, a hand over my mouth as I closed my eye. God, that's adorable. "Don't worry about that," I waved off, letting him relax as I stepped forward. "I don't mind." I mean, I was just about to leave but— eh, better now than never. I pressed my fingers onto the straps of my backpack, rolling the balls off my feet. "So did you forget something from yesterday? I can go get it for you."

"I actually came for you." I blinked. Huh? I blinked again— what?

"Bruh, really?" He refused to meet my gaze, basically answering my question. I let out a small hum, shifting my weight to the side. Well, then... it would be rude to turn him down, especially since he came all the way here. I took another step forward, grabbing his sleeve with a small tug. In a confused daze, the man glanced down at me. "You might as well come with me."

Tae, although puzzled, stayed silent, nodding his head once. Exhaling deeply, I let go of him, showing him the way to our destination.

I stared down at the adult, who was crouching with heavy breaths. "Damn, you are out of shape."

I swear I heard him choke on his spit. "This body... isn't... isn't used to walking this much...!" Tae panted, wiping the sweat from his forehead. His head raised to stare at me. "Why the hell do you walk so much?!"

"Because I'm too lazy to do driver's Ed." I shrugged. Also because I literally can't afford it. My footing shifted as I looking up at the building, glancing down at my reincarnated friend. "Come on, we're already here."

"What do you mean 'we're already...'" I didn't hear what he said next if he said anything at all. Well, I didn't blame him— this was probably the last thing he expected.

Thumbing my fingers against the straps of my backpack, just ignored his silence. Grabbing the door handle of the building, I swung the door open. "After you," I gestured with a hand out, feeling the joy when he grudgingly strode past me with a slightly frustrated huff.

The inside was much cooler, with the air conditioner buzzing against its crisp white walls. In front of us was a receptionist desk, where a familiar older woman was occupying it. "Oh, Ashley!" She stood up, pushing her glasses as her head perked up. I smiled, waving back at her. "You're here again."

I cleared my throat. "Mhm, hello, Mrs. Wellins," I looked around. It's been years... technically, I thought to myself. But in the end, everything looks the same— the same as when I was here before. My eyes looked over to Tae-Young, stifling a small laugh at his lost expression. "Over here, Tae." I motioned with my hand, along with him.

His head snapped back at me, opening his mouth to say something— only to clamp it shut. The dark-haired adult's brows furrowed, shoving his hands into his pockets as he trudged forward.

"Oh? Who's this?" Mrs. Wellins questioned, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. The adult then smiled, eyes brightening as she turned to me. "Did you finally get a lover?"

"Huh?!" I rolled back, waving my hand up. Wha— I— um— I coughed into my fist, waving her off. "No, no, no, no!" I insisted, feeling my cheeks burn. Aaah...! "It's not— it's not like that!" Sadly. Oh god, there goes my gut. I took a deep breath, ignoring the look the middle-aged woman gave me. "He just wanted to come along."

"... Yeah." Fuck. I internally swore to myself at the sound of his rejected voice. Fuck fuck fuck, I am an asshole. My lips pursued together, eyes narrowing. His— his crush with me, I didn't mean for it to happen. I should— I should stop leading him on.

...I ignored the pain I got from my chest.

"A... Anyways," I spoke in a carefree-like manner, taking off my backpack. She didn't seem to notice my distraction as I placed it on the desk, opening it up. Shoving my hands into the bag, I took out another few smaller bags. "Here you go!"

She gasped, placing her hands to her mouth in surprise when she realized it's contents. "You didn't have to do that...!"

"Isn't that," My friend peered over to the bags, blinking once. He darted his eyes at me before clearing his throat. "Aren't those the stuff you bought yesterday?"

I smiled, shrugging. "Yep, I mean, why else would I buy books along with snacks?" I waved a finger. "I mean, I have the dang internet for that!" My head cocked to the side, focused on the receptionist once more. "And don't worry about it. I mean, I've done this before— it's fine~"

"Oh, well thank you, Ashley." She smiled, gingerly taking the bags. Her head nudged towards the direction of a door, one that led deeper into the building. "You can go ahead and visit them, they seem very fond of you."

Really now? "'Them'?" My reincarnated friend repeated so many questions lingering on his mind. Grabbing back my backpack, I just walked towards the door, turning back to them. "Hey, can't you just tell me what's goi—"

"If ya wanna find out, then come with me." I challenged, staring back at him. My eyes narrowed, watching as his puzzlement only grew. And just like that, I blinked. "Wait, that came out aggressive," I noted, sheepishly waving my hands around. "But you can come along." Haah... I placed my hands behind my back. I'm... a bit nervous about this but... oh well, it's too late to go back now.

Opening the door behind me, I was faced by a hallway. My feet came into a walking pace as I ventured through the hallway, a slower set of footsteps accompanying mine. It should've been normal for the walk to be silent and yet— I didn't like it. I didn't like how different it was than before we came here. Before we got into our old bodies.

When we were Megumi and Hiro.

Was it my fault? I pondered, eyes focusing on the hard marble flooring. It— it probably is. I mean, I just don't want Ashley— I don't '' to be the same with— with—

Aaah... this makes no sense. This whole thing doesn't make sense.

If— if there was an actual culprit, someone who brought us here— Why make us go through this weird... dance? I don't know, who the hell gets joy out of this?!

Before I knew it, we had reached our destination. My footing halted as I took a deep breath, reaching up to press my cheeks together. Okay, okay, I chanted in my head, wiggling my fingers around as a way to pep myself up. I swayed from side to side, just to make sure this was

right.

"Uh, Ashley, what the fuck are you do—"

"Hey everyone!" I exclaimed with a booming voice, bursting through the door with my arms out and wide. The room was filled with children of all ages, all kinds of heads perking up from their food. I forced a grin, standing tall with a peace sign up to my face. "It's ya girl!"

"Ashley!!!" In an instant, I immediately got ambushed by a mob of kids, skidding back as I wrapped my arms around them, laughing as they all giggled. "You're back!"

"Awww, you missed me?!" I gushed, releasing them to push my cheeks together, a wide smile on my face. "It's only been..." A week? Right? "A week— you all are so cute~!"

"I'm— I'm not cute!"

"It's boring without you!"

"Why can't you just stay here forever?!"

I giggled, peering over to a familiar child, who was isolated compared to the others. "Oh, Keith~!" I called out to him, watching as the 9-year-old flinched. I leaned forward, hands behind my back. "Don't you miss me?"

He crossed his arms, looking away. "Why should I? It's only been a week." He huffed.

"Why does this feel familiar?" I heard the Korean behind me mumble under his breath.

My cheeks were puffed out childishly, furrowing my brows. "But I missed you~!" I cooed with a pout. Oh! I stifled a laugh, raising my hands with my fingers wiggling. "Hey," I spoke to the kids, my lips stretching wide. "Why don't we give dear old Keith a little of our... 'love'?"

"Wha— what are you—" But it was too late: he only got a second head start as we burst into a dash, chasing him around the room. "Waaah!!" He immediately got caught.

Stepping away from the chaos, I couldn't help but keep the smile on the face— it was like I didn't know how to take it off. "...Huh." The other adult let out, in a daze.

"Don't worry," I whispered next to him. "He actually likes it. I wouldn't let this happen if they were actually not okay with it." I glanced over to him who was just... staring. I averted my eyes. Well, I just spring this onto him.

"Woah...!" Hearing the sharp sounds of high heels, I looked over to who entered the room, who just so happened to be another caretaker. "Why are you all... oh!" They spotted me. "Ashley!" I waved, sending them a smile. A sigh of relief came out of them as they took care of the energetic kids. "While I'm glad you're here, why don't you help look over the infants? I gotta make sure these children finish their food."

Already piling work on me? "Oh, sure."

"Eeeh?" I heard many groans from the younger ones. "But we just started playing!"

I giggled, twirling a strand of hair. "Don't worry~! We can play later!" I headed out to the door.

"Oh, you help as well!" The caregiver ordered at Tae, who froze up.

"Wha— me?!" He stammered, pointing to himself.

The older adult placed a hand over their hip, raising a brow. "Who else?"

Damn, he is looking like a lost puppy today. I mused, before walking up to him. "Don't tell me, I'll come along." He said before I could say it. The adult didn't even hide his sigh.

I snorted, a hand over my mouth in amusement. What? It's not my fault you're slow. But I held that to myself, opting to take his hand onto mine. Huh, he's warmer now. I noted as my heart seemed to skip a beat.

With just one pull, I led him to work.

I couldn't help but feel my lips quirk up as I cradled the baby close to me, letting out a small hum as I swayed my arms. The little one seemed to feel sleepy, as they gave one last yawn before fluttering their eyes shut, luring to sleep. A small giggle rumbled out of my throat, my back bending down slightly to carefully place the baby down in their crib. I pushed back a strand of hair, staring at its sleeping form. Ah... so cute.

Turning away, I faced my follower, who sat in a chair next to another crib, where another child was sleeping. His silent gaze was back at me, questions wandering in his brown eyes. Patient, I noted as I placed my hands at my sides. I could smell the fresh scent from the humidifier at the corner of the room, transparent in the white walls.

I've... I've prolonged this long enough.

I took a deep breath. Here we go. "What you just saw was my childhood."

The adult blinked as if he wasn't expecting me to speak first. "What?"

"My childhood," I repeated, tilting my head. "That was what it was like."

"Your childhood?" He repeated, at a loss. "But that doesn't... Isn't this a congregate-care ho..." his voice trailed off, realization dawning on his face. In seconds, the Seong's eyes widened as his lips parted slightly. I smiled in wry amusement, crossing my arms. Hesitantly, like he was in utter disbelief, his brown eyes met mine. "...You're an orphan...?"

I giggled, narrowing my eyes. "Yeah, that's right." It was about time I told you. "Until the time I started college, I practically lived in this congregate care home." The 'home' that slipped out felt bitter. After all, it was never really a home— just a place where I lived. "I was just unfit anywhere, so I simply slaved away until I was able to live in a dorm and work."

Day after day— I hoped for something different. For someone— anyone new— to perhaps take me away.

... It never happened.

"But... but that would mean..." He was slowly drawing to his conclusions. I didn't care for the pity in his eyes, gazing softly at me.

So I opted to smile, leaning back against a wall with a giggle. "Don't worry," I said, though I didn't know if it was truly genuine. I'll... have to figure that out. "It doesn't matter now, what matters is figuring out how to get us back in the other world." I averted my eyes. That's right, this life, 'Ashley' is gone.

...'Ashley' was supposed to be gone.

And yet— I clutched the fabric of my shirt. Why do I feel this chest beating?

I shook my head, quickly searching for another topic. We haven't made any progress... would it just be better to wait it out? That's what usually happens in those tropes? My head cocked to the side. Aah... but is it okay to rely on cliches?

"Hey, Princess," I blinked, turning back at the man. He held a thoughtful expression, a hand gripping at his sleeve. "While we... while we work towards that..." Tae seemed to push down the lump in his throat, eyes narrowing. "Can I— can I get to know you more?"

"Huh?" To say I was unfazed would be a lie. What kind of— I leaned forward, placing a hand on my hip. "What do you mean by that? Not that I take any offense or anything."

His shoulders rolled for my comfort, darting his eyes away. "You know how you said a long time ago that, you didn't know much about me?" Ah, I remembered, back from our second chunin exams. He took a deep breath. "I'm the same. Ashley or Megumi— I keep on realizing that I don't know that much about you." He confessed, tilting his head downward. My breathing hitched. "And I just... really want to."

The boy looked outright constipated. His words were awkward. He didn't even look at me in the eyes. Hell, his reasons sucked!

But that just reminded me that even with a different form, a different face, a different voice—

He was still the person I hopelessly, shamelessly crushed on.

"Pffft—" I had to slap a hand over my mouth to not wake up the babies, shoulders trembling. My cheeks burned— whether it was because I was embarrassed or laughing didn't manner.

"Wh— what?" The boy stammered with a dazed expression.

This dork...! I thought with my chest being enveloped with warmth. Fuzzy, nice warmth. Stepping forward, my smile was wide and stretched as I poked his forehead with my middle and index finger, causing him to reel back. "Haha, Tae-young, I—" I let out another laugh. "Sure, of course." My hands were held behind my back as my back arched forward. "I'm... actually really happy you think that." With a small clap with my hands, I pointed at him. "But like I said months before, I want to know about you too!"

The said Korean stared back, the light seeming to glisten in his eyes. But then he got back to reality, nodding his head with a small smile. "Yeah, it's a deal."

That moment made me feel better than usual.

Extra:

"You looked really pretty."

I blinked, halting in my tracks. Wh... what? Whipping my head back at the Seong, my eyes breath hitched when the adult stopped as well. His eyes were widened— like he didn't even expect himself! "Ta— Tae-young?" It's— it's a joke right?

"Ah— I— I mean, I, um—" He stammered, darting his eyes at me in horrified protest. His cheeks were blushed a deep pink, a hand reaching up to rub his nape. "I just— I remembered how you looked like when you took care of those kids— that's all...!"

When I played with them? I thought to myself. My lips pursued together, thumbing my fingers against the straps of my backpack. My vision cast downwards, "But... but you weren't lying, right?" No, he's not the type to lie. I— I not—

"No... no."

Haah...! I turned my head away, my entire mind going fucking blank as heat rushed to my face. I— um, I...! "Ainfwkkfjkwnfjwjfj...!"

"Wh— what?"

"Nothing!"