Minutes have already passed and he still cannot believe the predicament he is in. He let himself be pulled by the makeup artist onto the chair Yohan just vacated, because he was still in a daze. As the woman started doing her job, he stared at his reflection through the mirror. Nothing changed, still the same exact Kio who left his real world. Even the clothes and the accessories he's wearing are the same.

"Did you cut your hair?," the hair stylist suddenly stood beside him, inspecting his hair. The length was indeed longer than the styles he had in the past, he was even planning to let it grow till his jaw. "I remember it was a bit longer than this," the woman added.

So the other Kio already had grown his hair longer?

"I decided to play with the scissors last night," he forcefully chuckled. The stylist slightly shook her head in amusement before turning to Hei-won.

This means there's another Kio here, before me. That old man said not to think about him anymore, but where could he be at this moment? In another universe? Did we switch places?

His eyes subconsciously travelled around again—nothing suspicious, everyone's acting normally. Of course they are, he's the only one who travelled into another dimension. He realized there's no time travel that happened, unlike the ones he watched in the movies wherein they can visit the past or the future.

This is all present, just purely parallel universe where one world is moving the same pace as the other world. Then what changed here? What are the differences of this world from his original world?

Lilac. Lilac better be alive. That Elius Spencer said so. He said he will bring me to her.

There's only one way to find out. He brought his phone out of his pocket, his breathing becoming labored because of nervousness. What if she ends up dead in this world as well? What if that man wanted to punish him more and make him suffer for the second time?

No. He can't do it right now. He needs to handle this situation carefully and wisely—one thing at a time. He can't make any mistake here, he can't waste this chance. He needs to grow the fuck up and not do anything reckless, because he's facing all these on his own.

He swallowed hard before putting his phone back inside his pocket. First, he must do this job right—act like there's nothing wrong. If he starts investigating now, he will be distracted all throughout the shoot for sure. The only thing he can do for now is trust Elius' words;

Lilac is alive in this world.

.°•⏳°.•

"Why are you suddenly going to your apartment? Is your brother visiting?," Yohan asked after knocking twice on his already open door.

The moment they have come back to Haneul's penthouse—where they are currently staying, just like back in the other world—after the shoot, he immediately asked Manager Chen if he can stay in his own apartment the upcoming days. 

He is sure he got his own apartment in this universe too, because he saw the same set of keys and a key card in his backpack—the same one where he found the hourglass. The manager allowed him, saying that their next schedule will be five days from now anyway.

"I just want to stay there for a while," he shrugged, praying that he at least looked natural. He should take acting lessons with Asher soon.

The eldest scoffed, "I bet you're just gonna invite your friends over."

His movements halted. Okay, he's probably talking about Gun, Soonho, Enzo and Minhwan, right? We should be friends in this world too, then.

He continued packing up his laptop and camera, and was finished after a minute. He wore his backpack, carried the laptop bag and stood up straight to face the leader.

"Better get wasted in a private place than in public," he smartly replied, remembering it was Haneul who said this to him back in the other world.

Yohan raised his eyebrows, "where did that smart mouth come from?," he huffed. "Just drive safely, you reckless brat," he then turned around and strode away.

Kio looked at the dresser where he usually leave his car key, and found it on the same spot instantly. He has a car here as well, thank goodness. His luck is rather cooperative, he better not run out of it anytime soon.

Once he arrived in his apartment, a sense of nostalgia immediately hit him. It was the same one as what he bought in the other world. The moment he entered the living room, the sight of Lilac's third anniversary surprise suddenly materialized in front of his eyes. But it took only a second and a blink, for it to disappear. It was all an illusion. The darkness of the space eventually came back and he can do nothing but release a painful sigh.

Lights flooded the room as he turned them on. He was about to reach for his house slippers when he faltered—there is only one pair.

He hurriedly walked towards the master bedroom, and straight to its adjoining toilet and bath. One toothbrush, one set of toiletries, one bath robe... everything is solely for him. He then entered the walk-in closet and as expected, the clothes inside are all his. Lastly, he went back to the living room and stood before the six-feet tall display shelf. He looked at each framed photo, one after another, and still, there were only his family and his members with him.

No sign of Lilac.

He shakily held his phone and scrolled through his contacts. He even made sure to look at each one of the registered names, because he tends to change Lilac's quite frequently.

Still, he found no 'Baby,' nor 'My Love,' nor 'My Brightest Star,' and he started to feel weak and scared. He sat down the couch, his left hand covering his face while the other still gripping the phone tightly.

Feeling a heavy weight in his chest, he tapped the Twitter app and was instantly directed to the timeline of his secret private account. He went to his profile and checked his Followings; just the familiar secret accounts of the members, his friends and other idols he's acquainted with, and some accounts of his and RAVN's official fanbases. Unlike in the other world where he is following her private account and some of her fanbases, Lilac's name is nowhere to be found in here, this time.

He tapped the search bar and entered the hashtag for her. Once the results loaded, he could finally release the breath he has been holding. The top tweet was an update made by one of her stans. It was her recent post on Instagram, just ten minutes ago.

She's alive. Fuck.

He can't help but close his eyes and tear up a little. The photo shows a bouquet of pink roses given by one of the brands she's modeling for.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice full of sincerity.

So we didn't date in this world? We're not even friends?

Before he could contemplate further, his phone dinged, an Instagram notification slid down his screen saying a user posted for the first time in a while. He quickly recognized the username as Soonho's private account. Curious, he tapped it and instantly stilled.

@so_on_ho: She said she's craving for ice cream, do I have any other choice?

The caption read, but what made him stop was the photo posted with it. It shows a black-haired Lilac grinning enthusiastically while holding a tub of ice cream—chocolate chip cookie flavor, her favorite.

A pang of jealousy filled his heart as he stared at the girl on the screen. She looked both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time—if that is even possible. He remembered her saying she will never dye her hair black, and though he would always counter it with; 'you'll look good with any color,' Li was pretty adamant on her decision. But here she is with short black hair, and he wasn't wrong, she still looked really good.

See? This already proves that this Lilac is not my Lilac. Are they together? Is Soonho her boyfriend in this world, instead of me? But isn't that better? I want to make it up to her, right? And being with Soonho will be the best for her. He will treat her better than I ever did. He won't cheat on her and he won't cause her to... die.

Before his thoughts get even worse, his phone started ringing. Once he saw his best friend's name, he quickly answered it.

"Can you believe that fucker?!" Gun straight up exclaimed.

He stayed silent, attentively listening to his friend's voice because it felt so long since he last heard it. Gun didn't forgive him back in his world and for sure, he will never be able to anymore. After what he had done to the latter's childhood friend, who is almost a sister to him, Kio already accepted the fact that his friendship with Gun will never be the same again.

Maybe, I also have to make it up to him here.

"He's now closer with Li than I am! He's stealing my position in Li's life! I am the best friend, not him!" Gun ranted. "If not for his pitiful year-long crush to my childhood friend, I wouldn't have given him her number," he then groaned.

"So... they're together?"

"Hell no, the asshole is too much of a coward to make a move," Gun snickered. "Just wait, if he still keep up with this pace, he'll stay in the friendzone."

His friend's words caused him to exhale yet another shaky breath. He's been on edge since he got here, his chest is starting to hurt with all the mood changes.

"Why did I even call you, of all people?," the guy on the other line started again. "I forgot you have this unreasonable hate towards her," he chuckled, "you judgemental prick."

His eyes slowly widened, "I- I do?"

"Bro, all this time, you've been telling me you're not interested with Lilac—never in this lifetime. You don't want yourself to be associated with a spoiled brat who's too clumsy and overrated and blah blah blah... I almost punched you in the face but Soonho did it for me. That guy worships the ground Lilac walks on."

He was rendered speechless.

I hate her? I hate her in this world? How the fuck is that even possible?

"Yo man, are you still there? The fuck are you even doing? You've been silent. Holy shit! Don't tell me you're screwing someone... you pig!"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "of course not, what the hell? I'm alone in my apartment."

Gun laughed out loud, "don't blame me, when was the last time you hooked up with someone? Was it that influencer you were photographed with? Man, that was insane!"

"Shit," he violently cursed under his breath. I hooked up with that woman here?! Son of a bitch.

"Oh wait, no. You said you didn't fuck her, you were too drunk and your manager fetch you early. Bro, that woman is wicked though... she really set you up! You're disgustingly clingy when drunk, and she used it to her advantage. Good thing the shots were too blurry."

Yet again, he sighed in relief. He never expected he will say this but thank God for Gun Pravat's talkative ass.

"So you're really going celibate? Minhwan told me."

He almost choked, "when did I ever say that?"

"Dunno, I thought you're tired of your playboy ways? That scandal is really a wakeup call, huh?"

Playboy? Is that how I am here? Damn.

"Say," Kio cleared his throat, "did I really say I hate Lilac?"

"What's up with you, man? You hate her and the feeling is mutual. You infuriate her—Li's words, not mine. Stop acting clueless, are you drunk?"

He leaned against the couch and gazed up the plain white ceiling. Was the old man aware of this? Is he teasing him by putting him in this situation? How can he handle this? He hates Lilac, and Lilac hates him! Now what?

Nevermind that, I need to see her, even just a glimpse of her. I need to see her breathing—alive and well.

"Gun, I need to go."

"Yeah, yeah. It's already a miracle you accepted my call, Mr. Global Superstar."

Kio faintly smiled, he missed this annoying idiot. "I'll call you again, let's hang out one of these days."

"I'm in. Bye, oppa. Saranghae..."

"Fuck off," he laughingly replied before hanging up.

Now, how can I see her?