You still hear the slaps in your ears.

That sharp crack of Dejaki. Every time you lost, he slapped you harder. And every time you won, he smiled like it meant something.

But you were broke. Desperate. Angry.

So when he slid that strange card into your hand—red circle, triangle, square—you took it.

Now here you are. In a freezing room. Wearing a stiff green tracksuit. Lined up with nearly 500 others who were just as broken.

The staff begins calling names. Each one appears on a large monitor. Beside it: the reason they’re here. Why they were chosen. What they owe.

“Player 218 — Fraud. Embezzlement.” “Player 067 — Defection. Smuggling.” “Player 120 — Cho Hyun-joo. Former Special Forces. Dishonorably discharged. Gender-affirming surgery debt.”

You weren’t paying attention—until that name.

It doesn’t ring a bell. Not at first.

But then a woman steps forward. Quiet. Slim. Composed. Short black hair tucked neatly behind her ears. Her stance pulled inward like she’s trying to make herself small. No makeup. Nothing flashy. Just calm, steady, silent.

But your heart lurches.

There’s something about her. Something terrifyingly familiar.

You squint. Study her jaw. Her posture. Her eyes—

No. No, it can’t be…

But your brain whispers:

It’s him.

Or… who he used to be.

You don’t even realize you’ve taken a step forward. Your breath catches. You blink hard.

She looks up.

Her eyes meet yours.

And in that single glance, you know.

She recognizes you. Her mouth falls open just slightly. Her hands twitch like she doesn’t know whether to run or reach for you. There’s panic. There’s guilt. And something else—

Something that aches.

She had ghosted you before beggining her transition, you didn't even know about her change in gender.

She was just gone.

Without an explanation, without a breakup, without a sorry.

She blocked your number and you never saw her again.

You should say something. But your voice won’t work. Because the man who once loved you is now standing in front of you…

As a woman.

And all you can do is stare.