Dive // Jaeyi x Seulgi

Chapter 1

Jaeyi took a deep breath and adjusted the straps of her diving gear. The salty smell of the sea was clinging to her skin, and the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore was the only sound breaking the silence. She had become accustomed to the solitude of her new life. Here, in Seulgi's hometown, she was no longer the daughter of the corrupt man. She was just Jaeyi. A diving instructor by day, remote worker by night, trying to save enough money to go back to college.

There were times she still thought about the life she left behind. Designer clothes, an elite education, and the cold luxury of her father's wealth—none of it had truly been hers. It had all been a mirage, a gilded cage that she had once thought was security. Now, her world was simpler. Humble meals, a small rented apartment, and money that she had earned through hard work, all these things felt more real than what father had given her. It was exhausting but at least she was free.

But freedom brought its own challenges. Her sister Jena, for instance, was still out there. She was still alive, but the scars of their father's manipulations ran deep. Jae-yi often found herself wondering if Jena would ever truly heal, if she would ever be able to look at herself without wondering what was real and what was the product of their father's twisted mind. She had tried to reach out, but the past was a wall that neither of them seemed ready to climb.

Jaeyi sighed, dipping her toes into the water. She had been hopeful that she could leave everything behind, but certain specters would follow her wherever she went. And then there was Seulgi.

Of course she hadn't allowed herself to search for her, but she always knew where she was. A competition ranking here, a mention on social media there—just enough to know she was doing well. But Jaeyi never reached out, never let herself get too close. What would she even say? Would Seulgi hate her, or worse—would she have forgotten her completely?

The ocean stretched before her, endless and unknowable. She let herself sink beneath the surface, letting the water cradle her as she stared at the fading light above. She had once told Seulgi that they would go diving together someday. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance to keep that promise.

-

Seulgi never imagined she would be at the top of her class. But here she was—consecutively ranking first in her radiotherapy program, earning the admiration of her professors and the envy of her peers.

Sometimes, she would catch herself staring at the report card in disbelief. The old her would have never thought that was possible. The girl who had once been drowning in desperation had believed in nothing—not herself, not the future. But she knew better now. She had done this on her own.

No. That wasn't entirely true.

She had done this because of Jaeyi.

That girl had reached into the depths of her ruin and pulled her back before she could sink any further. Jaeyi had given her hope when she had none left. Even now, Seulgi could still hear her voice, see the smirk on her lips, feel the ghost of her touch.

The package had arrived months ago, wrapped in plain brown paper with no return address. The moment she saw the items inside it — a photograph of her hometown, a pair of shoes, and the pendant that she had given to Jaeyi — her hands started to tremble. It was her. There was no doubt about it..

Jaeyi was alive.

And she was out there, somewhere.

Seulgi hadn't told her stepmother about the package. She had debated it, but in the end, she knew she had to do this on her own. She had to see for herself.

Every summer, every holiday, Seulgi returned to her childhood hometown, searching. She walked the streets, sat by the docks, visited every familiar corner, hoping for a glimpse of the girl who had once saved her. But every time, she left empty-handed.

Still, she refused to give up.

Because if there was one thing Seulgi knew for certain, it was this—Jaeyi had changed her life once before. And if fate was kind, she would get the chance to return the favor.

Somewhere, somehow, they would meet again

-

Jaeyi counted the money in her savings jar, her fingers tightening around the bills. She was close—so close to finally enrolling in college. A few more months of work, a few more dives, and she could reclaim the future that had been stolen from her.

But the past had a way of creeping back in. Just days ago, she had run into someone from her old school—a girl named Haneul, who had once eagerly bought pills from the very network Jaeyi was entangled in. Haneul had recognized her immediately, her eyes widening in shock before the glint of opportunism shone through.

"Jaeyi? I can't believe it. You... you just disappeared. Do you know how much people have speculated? If I post about you—"

Jaeyi cut her off with a slow smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "You won't post anything."

Haneul hesitated. "What?"

Jaeyi took a step forward, lowering her voice just enough to send a shiver down the girl's spine. "You were a customer, remember? A very willing one. Do you think your university would appreciate knowing that their precious scholarship student once funded her late-night cramming sessions with illicit meds?"

Haneul's breath hitched. "You wouldn't—"

"Try me." Jaeyi tilted her head, watching as Haneul's confidence crumbled. "I still have the old messages, Haneul. Every single transaction, every single request. You wouldn't just lose your place at university—you'd lose your entire future."

The girl trembled, her bravado melting away as she dropped to her knees. "Please... I won't say anything. I swear. Just—just let me go."

Jaeyi crouched, tilting Haneul's chin up with a single finger. "Good. Now, forget you ever saw me."

Haneul nodded frantically before scrambling to her feet and rushing away. Jaeyi exhaled, rolling the tension out of her shoulders. It was exhausting, living like this—constantly watching her back, ensuring no trace of her past could be used against her.

She leaned back against the wall, staring at the sky. There were nights when she wanted to reach out, when her fingers hovered over the keyboard, typing a name she could never bring herself to send. Seulgi.