Chapter Text
THE BUNNY
“The rabbit kept chasing the butterfly, even after it strayed from its colony.
It pressed forward, ears twitching at the sound of heavy steps behind it — but it didn’t look back.
The butterfly danced ahead, glimmering in the dim light.
By the time the rabbit turned, it was too late.
The last thing it felt was the sharp pain sinking into its neck.”
I woke up in a panic, phantom fangs still sinking into my neck.
“That damn wolf again... if only I hadn’t chased that cursed butterfly.”
The clock read 4:30 a.m. — too late to go back to sleep. Trying to sleep would be a waste of time.
I went through my morning routine and started making breakfast for my cats — the only true companions I have in this life.
Ah, I forgot to mention, I can see the past lives of every human, including my own.
In my past life, I was a rabbit. That’s how I know that damned wolf killed me in a life before this one.
By the time I reach the office, it’s already 8:45 a.m. I head straight to my cubicle. Hard to believe it’s been four years since I joined Bang Corp. — back then I was just a sales assistant. Now? One of the marketing directors. Not bad for someone who doesn't have life outside work.
Just as I’m about to start working, Jisung crashes into my cubicle with that same annoying grin plastered across his face. Don’t get me wrong, I like my friend — I really do — but sometimes he makes it hard not to throw something at him.
“What do you want, Han?”
“Oh, hyung, don’t be like that. I came to bring you coffee!” he says, proudly setting my cup down like he just saved my life. “Anyway, what are you doing here? The new president’s introduction starts soon. Aren’t you going?”
Ah. That. I almost forgot.
Three months ago, our president had a cardiac arrest — survived, but he’s been in recovery ever since. The company’s been buzzing since the news dropped last week that his son, who’s been running the Sydney branch, is moving here to take over operations.
I knew it would happen eventually. I just didn’t expect it this soon.
Jisung leans against my desk, clearly enjoying the gossip. “Did you hear the rumors about him? They say he’s ruthless. Cunning. The kind of guy who’ll smile while cutting your bonus in half. Almost sounds like a wolf, doesn’t it?”
I choke on my americano. The sip goes straight down the wrong pipe.
“Jesus, hyung, are you okay?”
No, I’m not. Nothing’s been fine since this morning — that dream, now this wolf talk. But I just wave it off.
“Yeah, just hand me a tissue.”
“The inauguration’s in an hour,” Jisung says, smirking as he passes me the napkin. “You know you can’t skip it, right? Besides, you’re still our star employee.”
He really hasn’t changed since his past life — still has that squirrel face, the same twitchy energy. You’d think years of seeing people’s past lives would make it easier, but it doesn’t. Especially when you know the guy chatting about wolves used to be a squirrel.
“Get out of my cubicle before I throw this coffee at your face Han.”
“No, you love me too much to do that.”
“No, I love my coffee too much to waste it. Now, out. I’ve got work.”
After far too much effort, I managed to shove Jisung out. Only an hour left before the new president arrives — better get through these reports before the chaos begins. God knows how bad it’s going to get.
If only someone had smacked me right then and there. Because I really had no idea how bad it would be.
☁︎☕⋆₊˚✧🐇💼✧🐾☾🐺✧˚₊⋆☁︎
BANG CHAN
One week ago — Sydney, Australia
The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city did little to quiet my thoughts. The traffic below hummed like distant static, but my mind was louder.
Just as I was about to drown in my own thoughts, a knock came at the door.
“May I come in, sir?”
I sighed. “It’s past office hours, Bin. Relax. No one’s going to strangle you if you drop the ‘sir.’”
“I’m not too sure about that. Your mother always seems way too excited to strangle me,” he chuckled, placing a folder on my desk. “Here’s the list of every movement being monitored among the board members since your father’s… incident.”
Right. Father.
It’s been almost three months since it happened.
To the world, it was a cardiac arrest — easy, believable, safe.
But anyone who knows how to read between the lines wouldn’t buy that for a second.
“How is he?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
Still, that childish part of me hoped — just maybe — the answer would be different from yesterday.
Changbin, as always, didn’t fail to disappoint me.
“You know,” he said, half-amused, “instead of asking every five hours, you could just visit him. At least then your mom might spare me for a day.”
“She loves you, Bin.”
“She loves strangling me. There’s a difference.” He huffed, then added, “Anyway, your flight to Seoul is on Friday. You ready for it?”
I welcomed the change in topic — at least I didn’t have to talk about a dying father.
“Define ‘ready.’”
“Touche.”
“Don’t be so tense, Chan,” Changbin says, walking toward me. “It’ll be fine. Besides, you’ll be in Korea in a week. Then it’s only a matter of time before we figure out who’s behind all of this.”
“There’s no point in raking your brain now,” he adds, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Everything will eventually fall into place. Say—how about we hit the club? Take your mind off things?” He wiggles his brows.
“Just say you want to see your boyfriend.”
“Just say you’re jealous that I have a boyfriend,” Changbin fires back, already turning toward the door.
“Your boyfriend is my cousin, idiot! What does he even see in you?”
“Same thing you saw when we became friends all those years ago.”
“Makes sense.” I shrug. “Tell the driver to start the car. I’ll be down in a few.”
“Noted, sir.”
I smile.
☁︎☕⋆₊˚✧🐇💼✧🐾☾🐺✧˚₊⋆☁︎