AUGUST 2, 2023.

"And, cut! That's all for this scene!" I yelled, ignoring the people passing by. I turned off the camera and sighed with relief, glancing over at Beomgyu who was smiling in satisfaction. The other people behind them, portrayed to make it look like it was freshman orientation, bowed to me, thanking me for an opportunity. I bowed quickly, walking toward Taehyun and Gyeowool. They were busy handing back the butterfly and moth to the student entomologist, and I bowed to her as well as she placed the insects in their enclosures. Once done, I smiled and clapped my hand once, catching their attention.

"How did you feel? Acting wasn't too bad?"

"I think that was the best take," Taehyun admitted, Gyeowool agreeing by nodding. "How about you, director? What did you think of the take?"

"I think it was the best one too," I nodded, looking at the time. "Okay. I'm going to go edit this and I'll be back in thirty minutes. Where do you guys want to meet so that we can submit the film? We don't want to delay any longer in case the internet is bad."

Beomgyu stepped up. "How about we meet at the cafe by the engineering hall? It's pretty empty around this time."

I glanced, not being able to give him a full stare. I typically do, but as time went by and my rejection circulated in my head, I grew more tense around him. I didn't know what he'd think of me. "Okay, sounds like a plan," I replied with a sense of bravery, facing my actors. "Good job, and I'm sorry for suddenly changing the ending like this, taking time out of your lives to film. It won't happen again."

"Don't be," Gyeowool shook her head. "Come on, Yewon. We're friends, too. Friends do anything for each other."

"I agree. If anything, I'm glad that you had inspiration to add to this film. Although we haven't seen the editing, I'm sure this is something amazing," Taehyun patted my back, and Beomgyu opened his mouth, but realizing I didn't mind, he shut up. "But, could I ask why you wanted to change it?"

I pressed my lips together, letting the corners of my lips turn upwards. "Change of heart. It seemed more realistic," Taehyun thought about it, furrowing his eyebrows. "When we watch it, it'll make sense. You only see the script and film in fragments, so it may not adhere to the mind."

"I trust you," Taehyun nodded, still thinking about it as Gyeowool pushed forward.

"How about the three of us–Beomgyu, Taehyun, and I–go to the cafe, and you meet us there when you're finished instead of all of us going away for a while?"

"Sounds like a good idea."

"I'll take you back to the dormitory," Beomgyu offered, but I quickly shook my head. "Why not?"

"It's not a big deal. We're on campus, Beomgyu, and my dorm is a five minute walk away. I won't be long," I reassured him, fiddling with my fingers. "Just listen, okay? I promise I'll be quick."

He frowned. "Okay. Be safe on your way there."

I headed back to the dormitory. Yoona was in class, which left me in a moment of peace. I sat down and downloaded the clip to my laptop, loading it in. As I deleted the first five takes and kept the sixth, I took out the last few seconds, running the clip back from the beginning to make sure that it was perfectly pushed in. Then, doing my final touch (that resulted in me taking an extra ten minutes to size down some clips and play them in reverse), I was officially done with the film.

So, clicking play, I leaned in close.

"There you are," Taehyun called out as the camera focused on Gyeowool, her eyes widening as she twisted around. The camera then cut to both of them in the same frame as the people spoke loudly, creating a bustling atmosphere, Gyeowool holding a water bottle. She tightened her grip on it, her face contorting into something of surprise, disarray, and... love.

I was so consumed by her face that I missed their dialogue, and it had cut to the most symbolic part of the film. A moth and a butterfly.

I smiled as the screen turned black.

Distantly, I heard Gyeowool's voice, recalling how she wanted to master the tone that she had me repeat the statement a few times.

"I have always loved you," Gyeowool spoke, then her voice grew quieter. "But the memories are why... I'm finally choosing to surrender."

And that was the end of the film.

I smiled and downloaded it, finally finding the heart to name the film. As I grabbed my computer and stuck it into my bag, running down the hall to head to the cafe, I no longer felt fear.

Only relief.

It was almost over, Han Yewon.

"What's the title, Yewon!?" Gyeowool whined as the three sat in front of me, waiting for me to reveal it before we'd submit it. "Come on. Please, just save me the suspense! This isn't very kind of you!"

"When have I ever been kind?" I chuckled, typing it into the submission page. "Alright, here we go. Come gather around and see the title."

Gyeowool shot up and Taehyun followed, the two actors sprinting around the big table as they came to me. Beomgyu took a moment to open his vlogging camera, excited to document this for, one day, social media to see. So, I glanced over and gave him an awkward smile as he recorded, turning up the brightness on my computer. "The title is..."

Gyeowool and Taehyun gasped in synchronization, the title appearing in the reflection of their eyes.

'I Remember.'

"That's it?" Taehyun asked, Gyeowool nudging him. "But, I'm being serious, I promise! I thought with how much work poured into the detailed script, we'd have something a little more... intricate?"

"With a film that's very intricate, you need something simple to capture the mass," I smiled proudly, crossing my arms. "Again, you're going to understand once you watch the film–hopefully, once we win."

"Okay, okay! I can't wait any longer, Yewon! Submit it!" Gyeowool clapped her hands, placing a gentle touch on my shoulders. I made sure the film was downloaded in its entirety, twice, and made sure that I put the title and all needed information. Now, I was left with the 'submit' button sitting at the bottom of my screen, gawking at me. "Go ahead. You've checked over five hundred times!"

"I know, I know," I eased, laughing. "Alright, let's submit. Three, two, one...!"

I pressed the button, and it began loading. It was a minute of pure anxiety and us watching the screen, waiting for good news or bad news.

Then, the screen changed, and it said successfully submitted.

Gyeowool was the first to cheer, grabbing Taehyun and hugging him. He was clearly flustered although he hugged back, the two cheering as they jumped up and down. Beomgyu chuckled and placed the film camera on the table, capturing all four of us. "We did it! Now, all we need is to win!"

"That is the biggest challenge of all," I smiled, looking at them. I caught eyes with Beomgyu and he sweetly smiled, and I couldn't help myself but to glance away. Ugh, why am I nervous!? I looked back at him and grinned a little bigger hesitantly, sticking out my hand. "Good job, co-director."

Beomgyu chuckled softly and gave me a high-five, but instead of keeping it short, he intertwined our hands, shocking me. "I owe it all to you, director."

I panicked and slipped my hand out of his, laughing awkwardly. Beomgyu remained the same, chuckling as he enjoyed seeing me turn back to the computer. I picked up his vlog camera and placed it in my face, inhaling sharply. "Hopefully by the next time we see this beautiful vlogging camera, also known as our watchers, you'll see us winning the Seoul Film Festival student film section. What a blessing that would be, right?"

I wanted to add something else, but I figured it might be too depressing to mention, so I'll keep it for the depths of my mind–

What a blessing it would be, because that means I've finally answered my own prayers. Instead of chasing a God that ceased to exist in my life, I would be my own serenity and safety. It's not to say one doesn't exist–but maybe they side with Soobin too. Maybe the God I seeked redemption from all this time was the devil, like Soobin, so I never really reached far enough.

Maybe this time, if I found peace, if I became independent and rewrote my errors, God would hear, and maybe he'd trust me.

Maybe I'd be saved.

But if I can't be saved by an otherworldly being, that doesn't matter. I will do it myself. I will crawl out of hell, just like when I was reborn. The casket was tight, filled with no air, but I dug the dirt and broke it open. I did it all by myself, without the help of anyone else. I may be a moth, a zombie by logic, but I will not be fathomed as a quitter.

"Yewon, you're dazing out," Gyeowool commented, tapping me. I blinked and apologized by bowing my head, handing Beomgyu the camera. "Anyway, now we just wait for the notification. Since we did the late deadline, it should only be a few weeks. Are you excited, Yewon?"

"I'm more nervous than excited," I replied, rubbing my hands together. "But, I know that whatever happens is all up to fate. Maybe we were a good contender, but there was better."

"Who can beat the poetic Han Yewon?" Taehyun wiggled his eyebrows, nudging me. "I mean, it's like your debut film. Wouldn't you be the best film-maker in the world if you won this?"

"Best is exaggerated," I rolled my eyes, closing my laptop. "Anyway, once again, thank you guys. I really owe it all to you three."

"You did great, Yewon," Gyeowool complimented, giggling. "To the film!"

We looked at one another, not wanting to cause her any more embarrassment. "To the film!"

As they went back to their seats, my phone buzzed, indicating a text. I grabbed it out of my back pocket and slid up, seeing the notification. It made my eyes widen–I never thought he'd text me back.

Hey, Yewon.

Yeah, I'm down to talk if you are. How about whenever you're available?

Let me know. Thanks for the text.

I was about to text him back, but I noticed some nosy eyes. "Who are you texting?" Beomgyu inquired with full curiosity. I sat my phone closer to my body, giving it a glance. "What? Is it–"

"No," I knew what he was going to say. Soobin. "It's Yeonjun."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "What for?"

"We're just going to talk."

"Should I be there?"

"No, no need," I reassured. "It's going to be civil. We're friends."

Beomgyu scoffed, turning his head away from me. "I don't trust anyone who's friends with that asshole."

"Language!"

"Sorry, Yewon."