PROLOGUE - Rain That Remembers
Aria never imagined that rain could bring back other people's memories—so much so that she began to see deaths that had't yet happened.
And all those memories occurred while she was fully conscious and in her right mind. At first, Aria thought it was all just a dream or her imagination.
However, over time she began to realize that what she was seeing wasn't just a dream. And those images would always appear suddenly—whether she was awake, working, or eating.
Those fragments of memory came without warning and for no obvious reason. It would show her fragments she could'nt choose.
Sometimes she would see an image she did't recognize. Or just a feeling. A feeling like—fear. Sadness. Loss. Aria could feel those emotions even though they weren't about her.
Those feelings were so real, as if she were mourning someone, she had never even known. Then, she began to see faces as well—
A fleeting glimpse.
Blurry.
And one thing is certain—it is about death.
Aria receives these fragments of memory or images of death whenever it rains. Sometimes she sees nothing at all. Just sounds or just sorrounding. Sometimes it is just a jumble of emotions.
But Aria already knows—whatever she sees will lead to someone's death.
And she never knew who that person was until that memory fragment occurred.
•••
That night, Seo Aria was still at her desk at The Speech House.
A client's file lay in front of her. Just as she was about to open it, the office lights suddenly began to flicker.
Once. Then again.
Zzzt... zzzt... ttt...
Aria seemed to freeze.
The sound of rain outside was still audible, and for a few moments, the atmosphere seemed to shift.
The sounds around her began to slow down. The reality she had known began to shift. It was as if she were experiencing a digital glitch.
Aria's gaze went blank and blurry.
She already knew what was about to happen.
And before she could do anything, her vision changed.
(VISION MODE)
The nighttime atmosphere and the headlights of passing cars glinted off the wet road surface.
A man stood upright in the middle of the road, holding a black umbrella.
His face was blurred by the heavy rain, making it difficult for Aria to see him clearly.
The man walked slowly. Then he stopped.
Aria tried to make out his face. But just then, the sound of car tires came from behind the man.
The car was speeding toward him. Then the sound of brakes screeched.
Then—Thud!
A strong impact.
The sound of a car crash—it sounded like an accident had occurred. A red traffic light was visible ahead.
The man turned his head slightly.
Aria tried to see the man's face.
But the car's headlights and the rain made everything blurry.
Aria was not sure what happened after that. The image flashed by for just a few moments. It all happened too fast.
Then the image vanished
•••
Aria jolted awake and returned to the real world.
Those fleeting images made her breathe a little faster. Her chest rose and fell as if her breath were caught in her throat. Aria clasped her hands together to calm herself.
The file in her hand was already crumpled from her tight grip. A cold sweat began to form on her forehead.
Aria took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
"...it's him again."
She did not know that man. But his face often appeared in her visions.
Yet, through those fragments of memory, there was a feeling that was all too familiar to Aria.
The office lights stabilized again, and the sound of rain could be heard as usual.
The sounds of people in the office began to be heard once more.
Yet Aria still wasn't completely at ease. She tried to gather her composure again—and then a voice called her name.
"Seo Aria-ssi, 서아리아 씨." Aria startled and looked up. She hadn't noticed when the man had entered.
"When did he come in?" Aria whispered.
A man in a gray suit stood in front of her desk. His hair was slightly damp from the rain. His face was very calm. His eyes were subdued, but his gaze was fixed on Aria.
The man spoke in a soft, calm tone. "I've come to write my obituary."
Aria froze. She did not know how to respond.
The man looked at her for a moment before continuing—
"...before I die."
Aria could only stare in astonishment at the man in front of her.
No words.
And the man's face in front of her looked all too familiar!
Let the rain fall and let the mystery unfold. 🌧️🖤
