"Give me your hand!" Rian shouted, fighting against the heavy waves.
Mira tried to reach him, but the current kept pulling her away. "I—I can't, Rian!" she screamed, coughing as water splashed over her face.
"Just hold on!" Rian yelled again, struggling to get closer through the surging water.
––
Meanwhile, far from the shore, Yurim stood frozen before a familiar tree.
Her eyes darted around in confusion. "Why am I here…?" she whispered under her breath, panic rising in her chest.
The wind brushed through the branches, making them sway and whisper softly. The tree's long leaves shimmered in the dim light, casting eerie shadows that danced across Yurim's face.
And then––
"Yurim…"
The voice came from nowhere and everywhere at once. The tree spoke again — that same soft, humming tone.
Her breath caught. Memories flashed through her mind like lightning — that evening when she took a shortcut after her part-time job, tripped near a strange shrine, and heard a tree whisper her name for the first time. The shock, the light, the sudden fall… and waking up in this world.
She gasped as realization struck. Her eyes widened. This was it. This was where everything began.
"Seems like you're happy in this world," the tree murmured gently.
"W–what? Happy?" Yurim stammered. "Why did you do this to me? I want to go back! I don't want to fix anything! My life was perfect as it was! Please—send me back to my world!"
Her voice trembled, breaking at the edges.
"Oh, poor soul…" the tree whispered, its tone calm and distant. "You've struggled a lot here. But remember — every world holds something valuable to give. The only way to return… is to sacrifice the most precious thing you've found in this one."
Yurim's face went pale. "What…? That's impossible. I don't have anyone valuable in this cruel world! Please… don't do this to me!" she begged, her voice shaking.
The tree gave a soft laugh — not cruel, but hauntingly gentle, like the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.
"Your friend is waiting for you," it said. "Go back."
And then — silence. The magical glow faded, and the tree stood still, ordinary once more.
Yurim stared at it, heart pounding, her mind spinning. "Sacrifice… something valuable…" she whispered, clutching her chest. "But what could that be…?"
––
Back at the sea, waves crashed as Rian fought against the current.
"Now, give me your hand!" he shouted again, reaching further. His fingers brushed Mira's — and this time, he caught her wrist tightly. With all his strength, he pulled her toward him.
She gasped for air, clutching his shoulder as he dragged her to the shore.
Mira collapsed onto the sand, coughing hard. Rian leaned down beside her, catching his breath. "You're okay… you're okay now," he said, his voice hoarse.
But when he turned to look for Yurim —
She was gone.
His heart sank. Panic flashed in his eyes. "Yurim?!" he called, scanning the beach. "Yurim!"
No answer.
Only the sea, roaring endlessly under the grey sky.
Rian's expression hardened with worry — a silent fear rising in his chest.
But then––
"Rian!"
The voice echoed from behind him, soft yet breathless. He turned at once.
There she was — Yurim, running toward them, her hair wet and clinging to her face. Relief washed over him; his shoulders loosened as if the weight he carried finally slipped away.
Yurim knelt beside Mira, who was still coughing weakly. "Are you okay, Mira?" she asked, patting her back gently.
"I'm okay now…" Mira said between short breaths. "Where's Rian?"
Rian bent down beside them, his knees sinking into the damp sand. His voice came low, calm. "Right here."
Mira looked up at him and managed a small smile. "Thank you… for saving my life."
Rian didn't speak — he just gave her a quiet nod and a faint, reassuring smile.
Then his gaze shifted to Yurim. His tone turned serious. "Where did you run off to?"
Yurim hesitated. "I… I just went to look for help," she said quickly, avoiding his eyes. "But I couldn't find anyone."
Rian's brow furrowed. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Yurim stood up and grabbed Mira's arm gently.
"I think we should head back home now," she said softly, her voice a little too hurried.
Mira nodded in agreement, still a bit shaken. The three of them started walking along the shore — the waves brushing against their feet, the air still heavy from the storm that had almost taken one of them away.
As they walked, Yurim glanced back over her shoulder. Her eyes found the tree standing far in the distance, its dark silhouette quiet and motionless against the fading light.
She stared for a moment, her heart tightening. The wind brushed against her face, carrying the faint whisper of that voice — "Sacrifice something valuable…"
Yurim turned away quickly, forcing a small smile as she caught up with the others.
But deep down, a strange ache had already begun to grow in her chest — one she didn't yet understand.