Memory Replacements

Sushi stopped in her tracks and turned back. "What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"You know about his incident with Chloe on the boat that night, right?" Nivi asked.

"I know, and I know that he had some nightmares after that incident," Sushi replied.

"It's not just nightmares. He developed a phobia after that. He tried everything to forget your sister. When I suggested he see a psychologist I know, we found out he has a phobia. He's afraid of sleeping with women," Nivi explained.

Those words left Sushi in confusion, struggling to process the revelation.

"I know you're having trouble understanding everything.

But what I'm saying is the truth, June can't sleep with other women. You were his first and last. That day on the terrace, we were discussing just that. But you misunderstood our conversation," Nivi explained.

"Then why did he say he slept with me because I look like Chloe?" Sushi asked.

"I initially thought he felt comfortable with you when you pretended to be Chloe. But he also got confused because he felt the same even after you revealed yourself. We couldn't understand his situation, and we were discussing that when you arrived," Nivi said.

"So you mean there's nothing between you two?" Sushi asked.

"No, Sushi. I'm June's best friend. I don't want to ruin his life. I can see that you love him, but he also needs to process his thoughts and realize his feelings, especially when you're twins and entangled in his life.

But Huan created a lot of confusion between both of you. I was just trying to remove him from the equation, to help you both.

I apologize for hitting him; I shouldn't have done that. But I couldn't see another way out of that situation. I was desperate to help both of you," Nivi confessed.

Hearing those words brought a smile to Sushi's face. She felt relieved, realizing that June had never done anything wrong.

"Can you forgive me now?" Nivi asked, her expression pleading.

"Nivi, I'm sorry too for giving you the cold shoulder. I misunderstood your intentions. Thank you for explaining everything," Sushi replied, a smile gracing her face.

"Thank god, You understood. I'm always here to help you both.

But you only can help June and I have one suggestion: Huan really seems to be causing misunderstandings between you two. I hope you can clear things up during your trip," Nivi said.

"Sure, Nivi. I will," Sushi assured her as they both prepared to leave.

"I'm sorry to bring this up, I shouldn't have eavesdropped, but... just now I heard that you're pregnant. Is the father...." Nivi hesitantly asked.

"It's June," Sushi immediately responded, cutting off Nivi before she could finish her question.

"Yeah, right, I mean, I know. It's obviously June. Sorry about that," Nivi replied awkwardly.

"Can you not tell him? I want to tell him myself," Sushi pleaded.

"Sure, I'll keep your little secret safe," Nivi said, making a zipping motion across her lips.

🤐🤐🤐

"Hey," Nivi called out as she entered June's office, but got no response.

"June?" she shouted this time.

"Yeah, what happened?" June replied, snapping out of his deep thoughts.

"What's going on with you? What are you thinking about so deeply that you didn't even hear me calling you?" Nivi asked, dragging a chair over to talk with him.

"Nothing. What were they talking about?" June deflected.

"First, you tell me what's on your mind," Nivi insisted.

"I find it weird," June hesitated, stammering.

"What's weird, June?" Nivi asked, confused.

"Sushi! She's acting weird," June said, still lost in thought.

"Is it about her and Huan?" Nivi asked.

"No, listen. You know I met Sushi only a couple of months ago, right? But thinking back over these days, I've never felt she was a stranger, even after knowing she's not Chloe but someone completely new in my life," June tried to explain.

"So...?" Nivi prompted, still confused and needing more explanation.

"Not only that, but some of her behaviors remind me of Chloe from the past," June said.

"Yeah, they're twins. There might be some hidden bonding," Nivi reasoned.

"No, what I mean is, Chloe once told me she had multiple personality disorder whenever she was with Vin. I thought she made it up to avoid me," June said.

"But why would she do that? Even if she did, how does that relate to Sushi? Why is Sushi weird here?" Nivi asked.

"I feel like Sushi is part of Chloe," June concluded.

"June, I don't understand anything. Could you explain?" Nivi asked.

"Okay, listen. Last time when I was angry at Sushi, she wrote all these sticky notes, one after another. Chloe used to do that in our childhood. She'd hide my video games and leave me clues through sticky notes," June pointed out.

"Okay, that might be a coincidence," Nivi suggested.

"It's not just that. Today, I saw a painting of me carrying a little girl. It's a memory only Chloe and I know. But it's in Sushi's room, hidden in her closet," June said.

"Maybe Chloe drew it and somehow it ended up there," Nivi said.

"I don't know who drew it, but the point is, I carried Chloe in my past. Yet, after seeing that painting, I feel like I carried Sushi. The painting shows Sushi, not Chloe," June stated.

"June, they look alike. How can you be sure the painting shows Sushi and not Chloe?" Nivi asked, trying to bring June back to reality.

"There are differences, and I can feel them. Today, I took Sushi to that old store, and she acted like she'd been there before. The old lady in the store called her Sushi and said I took her there in my childhood, not Chloe. She asked how I hadn't figured it out," June said, growing more anxious.

"And how can I sleep perfectly fine with Sushi when I'm terrified of other women beside me? Chloe used to push her hand beneath me while sleeping when we were kids. Sushi does the same thing. When I asked her about it, she made up an excuse," June continued, his voice filled with anxiety and confusion.

"June!" Nivi shouted, trying to snap him out of his state.

She just stared into June's eyes, which were full of worry and confusion. He looked helpless, unable to make sense of what was happening.

June stood there, staring at Nivi. She approached him, handed him a glass of water, and said, "June, first calm down. We will figure out what's happening."

Though Nivi managed to calm him, she felt a twinge of fear about the situation June was in.

"Why don't you stop thinking about all this? Just go on the trip and relax," Nivi suggested, trying to soothe him.

Just then, Sushi entered, limping slightly. June noticed and hurried to the door to support her. He gently helped her to the couch.

"Did I interrupt your conversation?" Sushi asked, feeling guilty.

"No, Sushi, I was just about to leave. You both carry on," Nivi said with a smile, then left the room.

Nivi left the room and called her friend, the doctor who had diagnosed June's phobia.

"Hello, Nivi," the doctor greeted warmly.

Nivi explained everything that had just happened with June.

"I think June might have Memory Replacements..", the doctor continued.