Lee Chae-woo, a successful architect in his early thirties, stood at the crosswalk, impatiently waiting for the light to change. He was a man of precision and control, used to managing complex projects and demanding clients. Yet, lately, he'd been plagued by a persistent feeling of unease, a sense of displacement he couldn't shake.
He'd been having strange dreams, vivid images of a life he didn't recognize: sprawling palaces, intricate court ceremonies, and the weight of a crown he never wore. The dreams were so real, so detailed, they left him feeling exhausted and confused. He dismissed them as stress-induced fantasies.
As the light turned green, Chae-woo stepped onto the crosswalk, momentarily distracted by the persistent ringing of his phone. He didn't see the delivery scooter speeding towards him until it was too late.
A sharp, piercing horn blared. Chae-woo braced for impact, but it never came. Instead, he felt a sudden shove, a force that sent him stumbling onto the sidewalk. He looked up to see a young woman with tousled hair and wide, startled eyes.