Incomprehensible News

The news about Euna was utterly baffling—and shocking.

What the hell…? She's only got higher places to climb now, right? So why…?

I knew exactly what kind of resolve, what mindset, what sheer effort it took for her to reach that position. I'd watched it all from the sidelines. Euna had been desperate. And that wasn't just empty words. She'd charged forward like this was her one and only path, no turning back. That's the kind of actress she was. That's the height she'd scaled. Now, all that was left was the world stage, an even loftier peak. Offers had even come in from overseas.

Even on a minor news page, Euna's retirement announcement had racked up hundreds of comments, making it a blazing hot topic.

"N-No way…?"

Did they catch my tail? Are they gonna hunt me down and kill me?

A whirlwind of thoughts swirled in my head. Especially the part about Heena abruptly halting all her training and holing up.

Are they plotting to drag me out and beat the shit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠outta me?!

Like a thief with guilty feet, I frantically scanned 360 degrees around me. But all I saw were cars zipping by and ordinary people passing through—no suspicious signs anywhere.

No killers or anything… right?

Honestly, Heejin might send hitmen, but Euna and Heena didn't seem the type. Even before the hypnosis, their lives hadn't intersected with that underworld shit.

Yeah, it'll be fine.

Right. Whatever. Let's just finish this walk and relax.

But seriously, why retire?

I'd helped her so much. If she bails now, all my efforts go down the drain.

Of course, if Euna reversed her decision in a few days, fans would welcome her back with open arms. At her age, with that acting prowess, there were only a handful like her—not just in Korea, but worldwide. And above all, Euna was stunningly beautiful.

But for some reason, this nagging feeling told me she wouldn't take it back.

I scrolled up to the interview photo of Euna. Her dry, frizzy hair, gaunt face, and vacant eyes… they were staring straight at me. Obviously looking at the camera, but the alignment was so precise it sent chills down my spine.

No. Don't overthink it. It's done.

I'd abandoned them. All these relationships, all these emotions—they were forged by the Hypnosis App. Without it, they couldn't hold; they were sandcastles. Once hypnosis wore off, memories vanished. All the shared moments gone, leaving just some creep who'd toyed with them weirdly.

That's why I cut them loose.

To be brutally honest: post-hypnosis, if they forgot everything, what were the odds they'd say, "Even without hypnosis, I love you!" versus "What the fuck did you do to me, you bastard? I'm gonna kill you!"?

No matter how much I pleaded, "No! I did all this for you!", would they buy it? Hell no. I wouldn't believe me either.

I'm no gambler, like I said before.

"Why'd you do it…?"

Still, the words slipped out unbidden. It hit hard because I knew her struggles.

I shook my head, switched tracks, and wrapped up the walk.

Strolling along, I came to a bridge. Clear river water flowed beneath.

Come to think of it… with Ga-eun…

I smacked my forehead.

"You idiot. What good does remembering do?"

Yet the thoughts kept chaining on.

Ga-eun… what could she be up to now?

Han Ga-eun. Korea University’s youngest professor ever. A stunner who'd guested on TV multiple times, just like her daughter Euna. Elite of elites.

Oh yeah, and her breasts were the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠biggest—felt amazing to touch.

What the hell am I thinking.

I shook it off and checked the university student community. As someone clueless about prof forums, that was my only shot for info on her.

I clicked the last post.

Title: Prof Han Ga-eun wrecked lately. [Student Verified]

Content: Korea U student here. Re-enrolled last year, taking Prof Han's class. Here's my student ID. As title says. Prof took long medical leave recently cuz sick. Came back but looked off. Saw her cry in class once—what was that? Students know. She was brutal with power trips and verbal abuse. But like 2-3 years ago, suddenly turned sweet? Yeah. Cuz I made her that way.

Content continued: But about a month—or two?—ago, she shows up totally wrecked, teaching classes. Skipped a few too. People heard her sobbing in passing—not just one or two.

Comments were exploding. One made my heart skip.

Sorry. Dumped? Yeah? Probably? Hmm. Honestly, no clue.

Anyway, after Euna's retirement bombshell came Ga-eun's resignation—my head was spinning.

I pocketed my phone and looked up at the sky.

Hypnosis App side effect?

Heena stops training. Euna retires. Ga-eun resigns.

App glitch? Or something else wrong?

To cool my racing mind, I hit a nearby convenience store, grabbed a 2-for-1 drink deal, and handed one to the clerk.

"Th-Thank you!"

"Yeah. Enjoy."

Downed mine in one go and headed home. No mood for more walking.

Time would heal it, but it'd take a while.

"…"

I opened the gallery, scrolled through photos with Euna and Ga-eun. Watched vids of banging mother and daughter together. Awkward V-sign selfies too.

Snapped out of it—I was watching a movie. Heroes of the Night, starring Euna. Straightforward hero-vs-villain plot. But elevated to masterpiece with intricate direction, setups, and worldbuilding.

This one hit 15 million viewers, right?

"Shoulda grabbed popcorn."

Eye candy action finally led to the finale. One-on-one with boss Black Avenger. Blasting flashy powers, then a miracle civilian assist lets her win. HQ backup rolls in, cliché ending tune plays.

"Great flick."

I queued up her other movies too. All bought already—no payments needed. Even no-name early roles where she barely appeared.

From Heroes of the Night's 15M smash to her debut as a minor middle-schooler in Fate.

After bingeing them all, I let out a long sigh and flopped onto the bed.

Watching Euna's films stirred up old memories.