𓈒𓏸 song's apt no. 1 ༄.°

@✧˚ s. mingi As their lips touched, Minah felt heat spread through her. There was no denying the chemistry, the spark in the air that made her heart race. The kiss was soft and experiential at first, like a dance that found their way into this new closeness.

Minah’s senses went off the charts, all she could feel was Mingi’s warm breath mingling with her own intoxicated one. For a second, it felt like the world had stopped and it was just the two of them in their own little bubble. It was like that small space between them had always been meant to disappear and in this moment they were just two lost souls connecting in a way that felt meant to be. As the kiss got deeper, she was lost in the feeling, her head spinning with emotions. In that moment all her problems disappeared, it was just his lips on hers.

Minah pulled back slowly like the connection between them was still buzzing in the space between her lips and his. Her eyes opened a little, blurry and unfocused but shining with something unsaid. She looked at him and for a second she was going to say something but the words got stuck in . Her breath mixed with his, shallow and warm as she blinked and processed the collision of their worlds.

A small laugh escaped , barely a sound, more like a breath. Her hand which had somehow ended up on his shoulder during the kiss stayed there like she was unsure if she should let go or hold on tighter. It felt like reality had shifted just a little and her perspective on the moment.

She let her hand slide off his shoulder, down his arm as she pulled back. She breathed, unsteadily but calmly. Her lips felt like they were still blooming and lingering even in her drunk state like the moment had burned itself into her brain.

She looked up at him, her eyes blurry, trying to focus on his face. Her hand drifted to his chest and her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt like she was anchoring herself to him or keeping the moment from slipping away too fast. Minah’s head was fuzzy but even through the haze she could feel Mingi’s warmth beneath her and her head fell into his lap.

She laughed softly and almost childishly, unselfconsciously and free, a sound she barely recognized as her own. “You’re warm,” she murmured to herself, the words spilling out without thought. She didn’t quite process what she was saying only that his presence was soothing something deep inside her that she hadn’t felt in a long time.

His voice came to her, deep and soft, telling her to go inside. But the words went past her, lost in the fog of her brain. She smiled sleepily and opened her eyes a crack to look up at him and her hand reached up to touch his cheek without her even realizing how intimate the gesture was.

“Maybe… we could just, mm.. stay here,” she mumbled, her words slurring slightly, yet soft and almost pleading. There was something she didn’t want to leave behind in this moment, something fragile that would disappear if she moved. Her eyes fluttered, heavy with soju and the lingering heat of the kiss. Her lips curved into a small sleepy smile as she shifted slightly, seeking comfort, her breaths slowing into a soft hum.

The thing is, she wouldn't remember any of this when she wakes up the next morning.

@✧˚ k. minah He just hummed, listening to her voice which was now clearly laced with the effect of alcohol. 'So she is a light drinker.' He made a mental note not to let her drink too much if in the future they had another drinking session like this. It was a nice change for Mingi. he never had any talk like this, even with his childhood friends, but for some reason, with Minah, he felt like he could talk about everything without worrying about her judging him. There's just something about her that made him lower the walls he built around his heart so easily without her even trying to barge in.

"Waiting, huh? Maybe I am. For what? I'm not sure. It could be waiting for the right person or the right moment. Or could be both." He chuckled as he sipped the soju. However, he was surprised when Minah stood up abruptly, his hands moved forward to catch her just in case she stumbled, which luckily didn't happen. His eyes were on her as she downed another shot of the alcoholic drink but before he could say anything, the way she plopped down beside him made his body stiffen, though the worry in his eyes was seen almost immediately at her drunken state.

It's amazing how someone he just met a few days ago could have this big impact on him. And it's not like Mingi never got involved with women for him to crave a woman's attention, but Minah was just... an enigma. It may be because the alcohol started to affect him as well as he found himself also leaning toward her, basking in the warmth her smaller frame emitted. The touch of her hand on his arm sent a delicious shiver through his whole being, as he watched her, waiting for her next move. Mingi didn't dare to move or say anything so he wouldn't make things get awkward if she decided to move away.

But boy was he surprised by the next thing that happened.

Mingi's eyes widened in surprise when he felt her soft plump lips upon his. It was just a soft kiss, with no ulterior feelings beneath it. But even so, he couldn't help but think of how perfect her lips felt against his as if it was made just for him to kiss. He was still sober enough and of course, his brain told him to pull away from the kiss, that it was not the right thing to do. Not when she was drunk and had no idea what she was doing, but his heart urged him to reciprocate the kiss, to show and tell her that whatever happened, she could always lean on him. His eyes slowly closed, returning the kiss in the same manner, with no urgency and definitely not a needy one, just a gentle brush along the shape of her lips.

Mingi waited until she pulled away first, their breath was still mingled with each other's, a mix of alcohol lingering. He slowly opened his eyes to look at her, taking in how she looked from close proximity. He felt a strange tug in his heart the more he stared at him as if she was someone that he had been waiting for all of this time. But maybe it was because of alcohol in his system that he started to think something absurd like that. Someone from the big city like her surely wouldn't find a country-side boy like him attractive, no matter what the reason. maybe to just fill the void while she was here, nothing serious, that's for sure.

That thought hurt his heart more than he would like to admit, but he knew, he shouldn't start on hoping of something or someone that wasn't meant for him to have. "...Do you want to come inside? I think that's enough soju for the night..."

@✧˚ s. mingi Minah refilled their glasses again, slower this time as she tried not to spill. She took another shot, winced at the burn and then chuckled quietly. “You know,” she said, her voice dropping, “I thought I left Seoul because I wanted something new. But maybe… maybe it’s just that I was running away, from whatever I had left behind.” Her fingers drummed against the side of the glass as her eyes wandered out to the edge of the rooftop where the lights of Haepung twinkled in the distance. “I don’t know,” she added, “saving me from myself perhaps or waking me up to reality.”

Minah slipped into Mingi’s deeper voice as he spoke along with the rustling night air. She watched him, her eyes on the line of his lips when he talked about his father and the faint shadow in his eyes that quivered with every word.

“I-” Minah hesitated, realizing she shouldn’t pry into his family. But now she understood why he did what his mom asked and why she talked about him the way she did. They only had one another. “You’re doing a good job, if no one’s ever told you,” she said softly. Mingi was always so laid back you wouldn’t think he had been carrying such a heavy burden at a young age. And yet he was telling her, a total stranger who had just set foot in this quiet town, a stranger who barely knew him. She didn’t know what made him open up but she felt more attached, as if she was tied to him with an invisible string.

“Soulmates… I don’t know,” she said, picking up her glass and then putting it down halfway. “I think it’s less about finding ‘the one’ and more about finding someone who just… fits.” She shrugged lightly, the movement almost a little defeated. “Someone who makes the mess a little more bearable." Minah looked at Mingi, her eyes steady now, her voice soft. “And you’re not crazy,” she said with a little smile on her lips. “You’re just… waiting. I get that.”

Minah stood up abruptly with the tiny half-filled glass, she took a few unstable steps forward, then spun around and faced Mingi. “To H-haepung,” she declared, her words slightly slurred, “A-and to… figuring things out, I guess.” Gulping down what was left in her glass, she walked towards him and sat beside him before placing the glass down with a soft thud.

Minah’s gaze lingered on Mingi, the alcohol starting to blur the world around her, softening the edges of everything. She could feel herself leaning a little closer to him, as though gravity itself was nudging her in his direction. It was an unintentional shift, but one she didn’t resist. Her head felt light, and her thoughts became a gentle hum rather than clear lines. There was a warmth in the air between them, mingling with the faint smell of soju and the coolness of the night.

Her lips curved into a half-smile, “Funny thing is,” she said, “even with all the fresh air, sometimes it still feels like..." She glanced back at Mingi, noticing how his eyes gentled. There was no need for pretenses, maybe it was the liquor or maybe it was just that they were both tired of putting on a facade.

Her vision danced as she reached out a hand, brushing against Mingi’s arm for balance. She wasn’t sure if it was the soju or just the way she felt around him, but something tugged her closer. She could feel the warmth of his breath, the faint heat coming off from just sitting beside him, and before she realised it, her gaze had drifted up to his lips. "I'm too… waiting for, something to change.”

Minah leaned in without thinking, her breath hitching for a moment before her lips found his. It was a soft, quiet kiss, not a kiss of urgency or desperation, but of an instinctual craving she couldn’t help. There was a sense of inevitability to the way she closed the space between them, as if that space had always been meant to disappear. Her lips touched his and for a second it felt like everything around them had stopped and it was just the two of them, drawn together by a force they couldn’t define.

@✧˚ k. minah He listened to her answer quietly while sipping the soju slowly, taking it easy compared to the way how she downed hers, feeling the weight of her words as she opened up about her past. To be honest, he was half expecting her to shut his question off, but it was nice to see that she was comfortable enough to share a glimpse of her life before coming to Haepung. Even if it is all thanks to the alcohol they consumed.

Her laughter, however, felt so foreign even to his ears. It was not one of those happy laughter, something similar to the ones he often let out when he was laughing at himself when he hit the bottom. While she had a place to get away from Seoul, Mingi, no matter how much he felt stuck, could never leave Haepung and his mother. It was his promise to his late dad before he passed away, and he was determined to keep that promise till the end.

“Well,” He started “I’m glad you found this town nice enough for you to settle in. It might not be the biggest seaside town you can find in Korea, but I can assure you we’re just as good as Busan, Sokcho, or any other place. Not that I ever went there but as the local, I have to say that.” Mingi grinned at her, his eyes disappearing into a crescent shape before he, too, drank the rest of the alcohol in his glass.

A shrug was given to Minah when she talked about the charm of Seoul girl and the possibility of why his mom so adamantly pushed the two of them together despite they barely knew each other. “Saved you? What do you mean?” Mingi’s brow raised in confusion as he didn’t really get why she said something like that.

Settling down, there mere idea of it scared him, to be honest. No matter how many girls he dated before, he could never imagine himself getting married to one, so in the end, he just gave up and dated for fun; maybe that’s what made his mother worried. Mingi refilled their glasses and then cast his eyes back forward, pondering quietly about his answer.

“I… never thought about settling down, to be honest. I’m not sure I could be a good husband or even a good father. You see, my father passed away when I was around… 9? Or 10? I didn’t have many memories of him, all I remember was how much he loved tinkering with cars and fixing them, doing some modifications and all. He also often took me to the garage to watch him work. I guess that was when I wanted to be a mechanic and own our own shop” He had to shut his eyes for a moment to collect himself as he recalled one of the most painful memories in his life, the moment he lost his father. “He passed after getting caught in an accident. The last thing he told me was that I have to take good care of Mom.”

Why did he tell someone he barely knew about this? Was there anything different about Kang Minah? He didn’t know for sure, but for some reason, the words just kept pouring out.

“Maybe that’s the reason why I don’t want to get married any time soon. Plus, there’s just something that… I don’t know, a nagging feeling that I have to wait? I don’t believe in soulmate but maybe I just haven’t found the one?” His laughter broke the quiet night as he shook his head in amusement. “You must’ve thought I’m crazy.”

@✧˚ s. mingi While they conversed, Minah always refilled their glasses generously, with no regard for consequences. Every time she filled their cups she drank her shot without blanching, the liquid was warm going down . Every time she took a refill she was gradually shedding her inhibitions, her answers were faster, her chuckles getting louder.

She thought for a second and nervously started to twirl the little shot glass in her fingers. “Haepung…” she started to say it brought a soft smile to her face but something was longing in that smile as well. “It just seemed like a place where I could breathe for a while” She looked out into the distance where darkness seemed to stretch on forever. "Seoul was… suffocating. It was as if each day had been mapped out for me and then just had to live through that day. I had to escape all of that. So, one day I just… left.”

She sounded very convinced despite that feeling of doubt that lingered at the back of her heart. How many times had she wondered if it was really possible to run away from all of the problems that she had? But here she was now, enjoying a few moments of solitude that were so very rare back home, enjoying the calm and cool night wrapped up in the moonlit sky at a rooftop, with a man, who not too long ago, had been a complete stranger.

Minah then shook her head slightly, as if to push away the thoughts. "I really didn’t have any plan how it was going to turn out. I just wanted to be somewhere that I could hear my own voice," She just laughed softly, not at him but at herself. “It’s not like I was looking for a small town adventure or I wanted some sort of life-altering experience. But then I found myself here and it was ok., it was… different.”

She glanced at Mingi, wondering how much to share. She wasn’t used to talking about this part of herself, especially not with someone she barely knew, but there was a quiet understanding in his gaze, a patience that made her feel as though she didn’t have to rush through her words or sugarcoat the truth.

“Maybe your mom thinks Seoul girls have some magic charm,” she teased, reaching for the bottle again and filling their glasses. “Or she just saw a chance to end your bachelor streak.” Her words slurred just a touch, but she didn’t seem to care.

Mingi chuckled, taking another sip. "Or she thinks you’re here to rescue me," she said, her gaze studying him with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Minah shrugged, tipping back another shot and savoring the burn. "Well, I’m definitely not here to play matchmaker, but I get why she’s worried," she said, setting the glass back down with a little clink. “You don’t seem like the type who’s in a rush to settle down.”

@✧˚ k. minah "Besides, after all that teasing at dinner, I think I deserve at least a drink."

Mingi couldn’t help but to chuckle hearing Minah say that. It was true. After the stunt his mother pulled for the two of them, they do deserve some drinks tonight, maybe a little celebration for surviving the awkward dinner.

And apparently she did think the same.

Another chuckle escaped as he lifted his shot glass. Clinked it against hers, Mingi downed the entire liquid in one shot, nose scrunching up a little as the bitterness and the burnt sensation filled his throat. If he had to be honest, having a company right now didn’t sound so bad, especially if it’s her.

There was just something about Kang Minah that intrigued him, and he wanted to know what exactly it was. But maybe not right away, after all, they live next to each other now, he had plenty of time and opportunity to learn more about her as time went by.

Her question brought his attention back to her, followed by a little scoff as he refilled their glass. “For sure she loved to meddle in my love life, but tonight was the first time she ever was this persistent. Usually when I said I’m not interested or told her to stop, she would immediately drop the topic.” He paused to down the liquor again then continued “I wonder what made her act like this. Maybe because you came from the big city? To tell you the truth, we never visited Seoul before, so maybe she had this idea in her head that people from there are some kind of amazing people?”

There was a slight pause between them, although it wasn’t as awkward as it initially was. He shifted a bit so he could get a better look at her. “What about you though? I mean, what makes you left and ended up here? Or Why Haepung? If you don’t mind me asking.”

@✧˚ s. mingi Minah stood in the doorway, the cool night air danced atop her skin, the weight of Mingi's gaze settling upon her. There was a flicker in his eyes, surprise quickly masked by a resigned sigh, as though he'd already known why she was there. Her fingers tightened slightly on the plate of tangerines. It wasn't hard to catch the exasperation on his face, and suddenly she felt this might have been a mistake coming up here.

His words confirmed her suspicion that he knew his mother had sent her. With a regretful smile, he neared her. "She... she meant well." Instantly, her foot felt rooted to the spot, almost afraid to make another step without his permission, as he walked toward her.

There was an awkwardness in the air, as though they were both caught up in a game neither had intended to play. And as Mingi turned to walk back to the table, he stopped abruptly. For one long second, he stood still, and Minah could almost see the gears turning in his mind. Then he glanced over his shoulder, his gaze more guarded now. Should she not have been here? Did she annoy him further? Was that why he couldn't even sit in the same room as her when it was his place?

"…If you want, you can join me here," he said, his voice hesitant. His attempt at casualness was betrayed by the nervous way he nodded, his eyes darting down as he retreated back into his chair, finally snubbing out the cigarette he'd been smoking. It was a small, thoughtful gesture, and Minah could not help but notice the way his fingers lingered on the glowing tip of the cigarette, as if he was giving up something more than a casual habit because she was present.

She froze between the alternatives. She could retreat now, go up to her apartment, and get out of this uneasy situation. At least she did not have to feel obliged to remain. But against her better judgment, there was a part of her tugged by a strange feeling. Beyond Mingi's way of shrugging off his mother's nosy interferences lay the glimmer of something else, something calling to her, though she was not entirely sure why.

She walked to the table slowly, her footsteps breaking the silence. "I suppose one drink wouldn't hurt," she said, setting the plate of tangerines down beside the bottles. "Besides, after all that teasing at dinner, I think I deserve at least a drink." The words came out light, but there was an underlying hint of playfulness, trying to bridge the awkwardness hanging between them.

Her gaze finally met his, the corners of her lips curling upwards in a soft, relieved smile. She reached for the soju. "Let's make a toast. To surviving tonight." Taking the small glass, she poured for him. She watched as the clear liquid rippled inside. "Here." She waited for him to clink his glass against hers before throwing the shot down in one gulp.

But as the heat of the liquor began to seep into her, Minah felt herself relax, just a little. The night was still except for the intermittent hum of the wind, and it was easy to pretend for a moment that they were just two people having a drink under the stars. She wasn't sure what had compelled her to stay, but now that she was here, sitting across from Mingi, she found herself curious to see where this would lead.

"So," she said, leaning back, "did your mom always meddle this much, or is this just a new hobby of hers?"

@✧˚ k. minah The serenity that he felt before suddenly disappeared with the way the door creaked open, signaling someone just invaded his reverie. Mingi turned to find the culprit and was surprised to see Minah standing there with a plate full of tangerines in her hands. His mind immediately went to his mother and her ridiculous plan of setting him with her and Minah just confirmed his speculation when she said that it was indeed his mother who sent her up here and she didn’t have any choice but to comply with the old woman.

Sighing, Mingi stood up and made his way toward Minah, an apologetic smile on his face. “...I am sorry for all the trouble my mother caused you, Minah-ssi. You could’ve just brought these back to your place instead of coming up here, you know. She wouldn’t know about it anyway and I’m sure by the time I go back she would already going back home.” He shook his head in exasperation. It was pretty unusual for her mother to do such a thing but maybe it has something with Mina coming from the big city.

Turning around, he was in the middle of walking back to the wooden table when he stopped after contemplating a lot in his head, fighting with himself over the idea. He glanced over his shoulder to look at the woman to whom he admitted that he was somewhat attracted, which was pretty surprising since it would be the very first time he ever felt something like this to anyone this fast. He didn’t believe in ‘Love at first sight’ bull, but for some reason, ever since he laid his eyes on her that faithful night, it was hard for him to not think about her.

Sounds creepy?

Yeah, he admitted that himself too.

“...If you want, you can join me here. I bought too much alcohol anyway, I doubt I can finish it all myself.”

Mingi hoped that his invitation didn’t sound too forward or signal that he had ulterior motives toward her. Thus he quickly added. “I mean, we didn’t have time to properly talk to each other. And let’s be honest, my mom was way too annoying during the dinner. Let me make it up to you by inviting you for some drinks? But if you don’t want to, I understand. No pressure.”

He nodded way too quickly and sat back down on his previous spot, though this time he had his eyes cast down, waiting slightly anxiously for her decision. The cigarette that he put down earlier, he quickly put it off, just in case she didn’t like the smell of cigarettes if she decided to join him tonight. Mingi blamed his mother for putting some weird ideas in his brain because of how eager she was to talk about their love life back during the dinner, but there was a part of him too that was curious about the woman named Kang Minah, and he does want to know more about her without his mother meddling in.

@✧˚ s. mingi Minah stood at the base of the stairwell, the chill of the night wrapping around her and causing her skin to prickle and her breath to puff in tiny, transitory clouds. The plate of tangerines Mrs. Song had pushed into her hands felt heavier by the second, its weight much more symbolic than actual. No sooner had she dried the last dish than the older woman was pushing her toward the door, insisting or, rather, commanding that she take the fruit up to Mingi. It had all been done in a daze: the little push Mrs. Song gave her, that knowing, amused smile, and the soft, yet decisive click of the door closing behind her before Minah could get a coherent word of protest out of .

"Eomeoni…", she had whispered in disbelief, standing frozen a moment as if perhaps the shock of it all would cause time to rewind already. But it was too late. She was already out there, plate in hand, feet starting to move on their own as they carried her towards the stairs, each step heavier, more uncertain than the last.

/What exactly was she thinking?/

There was an odd mix of reluctance and curiosity churning within her, tugging at her in opposite ways. Part of her wanted to turn around, to run back into the apartment and insist that Mrs. Song take the tangerines up herself. But there was another part, small, but undeniable, that was intrigued. Dinner had been awkward enough, with his mother's teasing and the unexpected conversation about her love life. But alone now, with no one to hide behind, Minah wondered what Mingi would be like without his mother's meddling. Would he still be the teasing, playful man she met, or was there something deeper she hadn't seen yet?

The iron door creaked softly at the top of the stairs as she pushed it open, almost too loud against the quiet of the night. She hesitated, peering through the gap and instantly locating him. Mingi sat alone in the middle of the rooftop, hunched slightly over the wooden table, his broad shoulders outlined against the soft glow of the moon. Bottles of soju and beer were placed randomly across the table, evidence of his attempt at finding some peace in the stillness of the evening. His chair was kicked back, a cigarette lax between his fingers. Wisps of smoke curled upward and dissolved into the night air, and his dark and distant gaze was fixated on something far beyond the rooftop, beyond the town, maybe even beyond himself.

For a second, Minah was paralyzed. She grasped the plate of tangerines more tightly, her overwhelming impulse was to turn and leave. She felt like she had stepped into something private, a quiet moment not for her eyes. The rooftop, the alcohol, the cigarette, it all belonged to some side of Mingi that she had never met. Some side that felt strangely intimate.

It was too late. The door had groaned and Mingi was already aware of her.

His head turned slightly in her direction, and she caught just for a second the flicker of surprise before it got extinguished behind his usual cool demeanor.

"Am I interrupting?" Minah's voice came out softer than she intended, a whisper barely loud enough to carry across the distance between them. She forced a small smile, feeling a little out of place under his silent, watching gaze. "She insisted I bring these to you," she said, her smile widening slightly in a conscious effort to shake off the awkwardness. "I didn't really have a choice."

@✧˚ k. minah “Thank you for your purchase!”

The last greeting from the convenience store’s cashier was the last thing he heard before the quietness of the road greeted him again. It wasn’t even late at night but since it was a small town, there’s nothing much to do at night around here except near the port where the fishermen were going to fish or people visiting the restaurants to have dinner or get some drink. Mingi glanced down at the plastic bag he’s carrying. Four bottles of Soju, several cans of beers along with a package of cigarettes, and a pack of grilled dried squid to accompany his drinking time. It wasn’t something that he often get from the store but tonight, he felt that he might need those drinks.

HIs mind keeps replaying what happened during the dinner time with his mom and the beautiful neighbor tenant and how his mother pushed him to her. As much as he loved his mother, Mingi never liked it when she meddled too much, including with his love life. And if it was just to , maybe he should let her know that it was a bit too much and obviously he didn’t want to make Minah feel uncomfortable around him.

As he arrived back in the apartment building, he stood right in front of it and just stare at the building for a while, remembering how proud his father was when he bought and renovate it just few months before he passed away, it was almost as if he was preparing something that could help his family go on with life after he left the world. He had never let anyone see him cry, not even his best friend Yunho who was almost like a brother to him. He knew that he got to be strong, for his sake and his mother’s.

Returning back to his unit, Mingi just walked into the kitchen to take his drinking glass and called out to his mother. “Umma, I’ll be on the rooftop. Take your time talking with Kang Minah-ssi. There’s also some cakes in the fridge and some tangerines there too. Just call me if you need anything. Tonight, just stay here. I can drive you back home tomorrow on my way to work.” He informed them then resumed his walk to the rooftop where there’s the wooden table laid in the middle of it.

Sitting down on the wooden furniture, Mingi set all the stuff he bought on the table and poured himself some somaek, taking a little sip of the alcoholic drink while looking over to the distance. His mind involuntarily reverted back to Kang Minah. Sure there was something different about her which probably because she was from Seoul, but it felt like there was more than just that. What’s this thing about her that intrigued Mingi more than he should be? For sure he didn’t want to be labeled as a playboy by someone whom he just met several times, they were not even friends. But he couldn’t deny that for some reason, he wanted to know more about her, to be closer to her.

He quickly shook his head as an amused smile appeared on his face. “I must be getting crazy… Mom’s words really get into my head, it seems.” Taking the pack of cigarettes, Mingi took out one and light it up, a white smoke could be seen soon as he took a puff, exhaling it slowly. "She's just liked any other woman... Just because your mom likes her, doesn't mean you have to do the exact same thing too, idiot..." he muttered before lifting the cigarette back to his lips.

@✧˚ s. mingi Minah's eyes watched Mingi until he was out the door, swinging shut with a loud thud. For that one moment, there was enough tension in that room to cut through. She hadn't anticipated that this evening would take such an unexpected turn, after all, so awkwardly, with Mingi's mother practically offering him like a side dish with the jjigae. And yet, despite the whole awkwardness of the situation, Minah found herself struggling not to smile at their family dynamics; it was a feeling that would never have been felt back at home.

Mrs. Song exhaled in a mild exasperated sound, "I guess I just get a bit carried away." She turned her gaze to Min-ah now, beaming with an almost conspiratorial grin. "But can you blame me? A fine young lady such as yourself and my son, well. he could use some guidance."

At that, Minah's eyebrows shot upwards. Guidance? Mingi really didn't appear to her like the type that needed someone leading him by the hand, and then again she had just seen him flee the room to avoid his mother's less-than-subtle matchmaking.

Minah chuckled low in , the awkwardness dissipating in the warmth of the older woman. "It's all right, eomeoni. Really. I am used to people being curious. Moving from the city into a small town does tend to invite a lot of questions."

Mrs. Song brightened a little then, but the next words brought a shade of concern into her voice. "Although… I do hope that you'd keep an eye on my boy. He… never tells me when he's having a hard time. Maybe he doesn't want me to worry, but I'd feel better knowing there's someone close he can share his troubles with."

She fidgeted in her seat, trying to find words. "eomeoni, surely Mingi is doing all right by himself."

But Mrs. Song didn't stop there. There was a mischievous spark in her eyes, and she inched her body forward just a bit-as if she was sharing some sort of secret. "You see, dear, Mingi has been around quite a few women, but I've never seen him get this flustered. That boy is too comfortable at times, but with you? I think you got him thinking twice. That's a rare thing."

Minah's eyes widened, her heart skipped a beat. Flustered? Mingi? It was preposterous, yet replaying how he could barely meet her gaze when he'd opened the door, she realised, Mrs. Song was right. There was something in his reaction tonight, something that wasn't just his usual cocky charm. She hadn't imagined it.

Mrs. Song's voice softened then, the weight of her thoughts evident in her tone, "You know it is not easy for him, all strong and stuff, he lost so much, his dad at such a tender age, taking care of me. I do not even know if he has ever let anyone in enough to really help him carry that weight." Her eyes met Minah's then, sincere and catching her off guard, "Maybe you could be the person he lets in".

Minah's breath caught as the meaning of Mrs. Song's words finally hit her, letting her in. The mere thought caused flutterings in her stomach. She barely knew him, but to think he would lean on her, even just a little, was somehow an interesting concept. She hadn't felt this in a long time, her heart racing, thoughts running wild in her head.

The spell of the instant was broken as Mrs. Song, smiling lightly, pushed another plate toward her. She couldn't help but let a burble of laughter escape her, even as she took another bite. "Thank you, eomeoni. And don't you worry, I'll make sure to keep an eye on him." She smiled, more bold now. "He certainly keeps me on my toes."

@✧˚ k. minah So far, the dinner went on without his mother telling any embarrassing story about him, which was one of the things he was worried about as he didn't need her to spill all of the things he did to the new neighbor that might ruin her impression on him. But it seemed like he was being thankful way too soon as his mother dropped something that much worse.

He should've seen it coming.

Mingi choked on the soup he was sipping at the exact moment when his mother asked about Minah's availability. He quickly shot his mother a glare to which, of course, the older Song didn't even notice it and continued to pester Minah about it.

Now sharing his embarrassing moments sounds much better compared to what happened right now. Mingi let out a soft sigh when his mother finally addressed him to which he responded with a roll of eye. I'm not happy with the way she pushed Minah with such a topic. “cut it off, umma. You should eat your jjigae before it turns cold.” He scolded her. Despite acting nonchalant, Mingi couldn't help but feel bad that Minah had to entertain his mother like that, although for some unknown reason, there was a little happiness in his heart to know that she wasn't seeing anyone right now.

“I'm sorry about my mom, Minah-ssi. She's too nosy sometimes for her own good.” Mingi squinted at his mother, despite this, there was still affection underlying in his words. After he lost his father in young age, his mother has been working so hard for them to survive and to even let Mingi finish his school at the technical Institute even though he said it was fine for him to not go to higher education. For Mingi, his mother is his hero, well… even when she was being mischievous like this.

He almost let out a chuckle when he caught the sight of his mother pouring at him. “I was just asking. It's not everyday we have a tenant who comes from the big city, my boy.” Mrs. Song sighed almost a little bit too dramatically. “Wouldn't it be nice to have a daughter-in-law coming from there? The girls you introduced to me lack some kind of charm that I found in Minah-ssi.”

Mingi choked, again, and this time ended up in a coughing fit because of his mother's words, his face was red from embarrassment as he glared at her. “Umma!” He chided her while glancing at Minah. “This is why I was reluctant to tell Minah-ssi about your dinner invitation.” He sighed before standing up, taking the empty bowl of jjigae and rice with him, now already feeling annoyed by the situation. “I'm done eating. Thank you for the meal.” After setting the dishes down on the sink, he made his way to the front door. “Please behave, umma. You don't want to scare your tenant away now, do you?” He sighed “I'm going to buy something from the convenient store. Just take your time. And remember, no more asking her about her personal life or even think about whatever intention you had in your mind earlier.” With that Mingi left his unit and slammed the door behind him.

Mrs. Song could only sigh and gave Minah an apologetic smile. “I guess I got too carried away. I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable dear. Please enjoy the meal and forget whatever this old lady said earlier. Although… I do hope that you'd keep an eye on my boy. He…never told me whenever he was having a hard time, maybe he didn't want to make me worry but I'd be more happy to know if he has someone close whom he could share his worry with.” She gave Minah a soft smile before pushing the rolled eggs toward her. “Anyway! Eat a lot! Young people need to eat a lot so they have a lot of energy~!”

@✧˚ s. mingi The door opened to reveal Mingi, who barely looked at her before shying away. That quick look was enough to make her think.

/Did he dress up for dinner?/

The black tee and proper jeans were casual yet a step up from his usual rather relaxed attire. She almost smiled at that thought. Before she could utter one word, the older woman enveloped her in a warm embrace. This had to be Mingi's mother.

"Hello, eomeoni, thank you for inviting me to dinner," Minah said, somewhat taken aback by the sudden display of affection. As she pulled back, she caught sight of the older woman's smile, right down to the small dimple at the corner that was practically identical to Mingi's. She hadn't expected her landlady to be so warm. Maybe it's the water in Haepung that makes everyone so friendly, well, almost everyone. Her eyes traced to Mingi, who was being ordered to set the table.

"The dinner was very sudden and I didn't have time to prepare any gifts. Please, let me help with the table," Minah offered politely as she reached for the plates and utensils Mingi had pulled from the cabinets. But Mrs. Song quickly stopped her, gently pulling Minah aside and sitting her down with a cup of tea in hand. "Sit, dear, let my son do his job."

Minah smiled, feeling somewhat helpless and charmed by Mrs. Song's warmth. "I am well, eomeoni. I have just found a small job at the bakery! Maybe when you drop by, I could offer you my staff discount," she said with a grin, keeping the conversation light as they chatted. Her eyes wandered to Mingi every now and then as he busied himself setting the table. He seemed so different when he wasn't teasing her, focused, even a little demure in the presence of his mother.

"It seems my son is finally good at something," Mrs. Song teased, and Minah's heart skipped a beat.

/Did she catch me staring at him?/

Her eyes widened, and opened to defend herself, then Mrs. Song added, "Come on, dearest, let's eat while it's hot."

Minah exhaled a soft sigh of relief, she was speaking of dinner, not her stolen glances toward Mingi. "It's nothing fancy, but I hope it suits your taste," Mrs. Song continued sweetly. Minah lifted the first piece of food and delicately set it in Mrs. Song's bowl. "It must taste as great as it looks." As the dinner began, she felt a strange warmth, like she was being welcomed into something special.

As they started to eat, the smile never left Mrs. Song's face, she was quite amused by their company and the food she had prepared with such love. The kimchi jjigae was warm, comforting, and delicious, just like back home.

"So, Minah-ssi," Mrs. Song said, pausing to place a piece of chicken onto Minah's plate. "Tell me more about yourself. Do you have any family here, or are you all on your own in Haepung?" Minah quickly swallowed the last bite of the ingredients that she was chewing and quickly answered with a nod, "I have a cousin here, but for now, I'm on my own here. I moved from Seoul for a change of pace. It's been... nice, actually."

Mrs. Song nodded reflectively, then eyed her more directly, almost mischievously. "And are you... seeing anyone? A nice young woman such as yourself must have them lined up, certainly back in Seoul."

Minah almost choked on the rice bits that had just went down from the unexpected question, her cheeks warmed. "Ah n-no, I'm not seeing anyone right now," Minah said, her voice a little higher than it should be, trying to keep composed. She should have expected this from the more mature family members, just as her own, but this had came rather sudden. "I've just been too busy trying to settle in and get going with my new job."

Mrs. Song smiled warmly but didn't let the subject go quite yet. Mrs. Song hunched slightly forward, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "Well, you know," she said in a softer volume, as if sharing a secret, "my Mingi is still single, too." The chopsticks slipped from Minah's grasp and hovered in mid-air, before thudding softly on the table, she then quickly picked them up in attempts to cover her expression.

She beamed at Minah, "He's a bit rough around the edges, but he's a good boy, hardworking, and he has always been so kind to everyone. And now that you're neighbors, well… it wouldn't be so bad to keep an eye on each other, would it?"

Minah blinked. For a moment, she had no words. Her mind whirred as she quickly looked away from Mingi. "Eomeoni, that's very... thoughtful of you," Minah finally managed to say, trying to laugh it off, though her heart was thudding in her chest. "But I don't think Mingi would—"

"He'd be lucky to have someone like you," Mrs. Song cut in smoothly, smiling as if she was already planning their wedding. "Isn't that right, Mingi?"

@✧˚ k. minah After making sure Minah had entered her unit, Mingi hopped onto his bike again and drive towards his mother’s house which was just a five minutes' drive to help her carrying the food, although she refused to ride on his bike for ‘safety’ reason no matter how much he assured her that it was completely safe to ride with him. She just told him to go back first and clean up his place as it would be embarrassing if it was dirty and there were dirty clothes everywhere. “I can just put them in my room, no one would notice it.” He grumbled which earned him a hard smack on his back from his mother, saying that it wouldn’t be nice to have a guest coming over when everything is messy.

So here he found himself, folding the dirty clothes he had thrown so carelessly the night before since he was too tired to properly clean up and once he made sure that he had them inside the washing machine, Mingi quickly mop the floor and make sure everything is pristine clear before taking a quick shower just before his mother arrived who gave him an approved nod as she look at his place although she had to cast a disapproving look when she took notice of his black tank top and baggy jeans.

“Are you seriously going to wear that, Song Mingi?”
“What’s wrong with it umma? This is what I usually wear.”

He shrugged and that made another smack landed on his back to which he yelped in pain. “Go change.” Was a simple order from her and Mingi had no choice but to comply with it. Changing into a black tee and proper jeans this time, he went back outside to the living room just as the doorbell rang, signaling the esteemed guest had arrived.

“Go open the door. I still need to finish the jjigae.”

Scrunching his nose, he was reminded once again why he decided to move into the apartment. Despite knowing that his mother meant no ill will towards him, her nagging sometimes could be quite unbearable for him and being the only child, he had no one to share the pain with; even so, he still come and visit her every day before and after work to show her that he would never go abandon her, no matter what.

Unlocking the door, Mingi definitely did not prepare himself for what kind of sight that would greet him. Stunned by her appearance, the young lad could only stand there, freezing on his spot as his eyes laid on the beautiful sight of Kang Minah. The way her hair flew oh so perfectly, to the light makeup she was wearing, to the outfit she’s wearing which just accentuated her beauty even more. A soft “Wow” escaped him before he could even stop himself, and that apparently did the trick as he quickly shook himself out of the stupefied state so he could finally step aside to let her in.

“Thank you for coming. Mom would be delighted to see you.” was the only greeting he could muster while avoid looking at her at any cost, just in case he made a fool out of himself again and he could not afford that. Gesturing her towards the living room, soon the oldest in the room greeted her by a hug, smiling so wide that showed a little dimple just like one that MIngi had, a proof that he was indeed her son. “Welcome, my dear! My name is Jang Sooyeon, Mingi’s mother and your landlady. Welcome to Haepung and I’m sorry for the trouble that my stupid son had caused you.” She shot a glare at the lad who raised his hands in defense though his mother definitely paid no mind to that as she gestured to Minah to sit down first then place a cold lychee tea on the table for her. “Now, tell me, how do you like this small town so far? Coming from the big city to the quaint little town like this must be quite hard for you… I hope you have settled in nicely?” Mrs. Song asked then turned to Mingi “Now make yourself useful and set the table for us, Minki?” Seeing that he, again, had no power to refuse, he carefully and nicely set the table for them, placing the bowls and eating utensils neatly before checking on the food that his mom was cooking, kimchi jjigae, fried chickens, salad and rolled eggs; setting them in the middle of the table while letting his mother talk with the beautiful lady whom he sneaked few glances over and each time he was reminded that Kang Minah was indeed a beautiful woman.

"It seems that my son is finally good at something. Come on dearest, let's eat while its hot." Mrs. Song smiled kindly, and Mingi let himself to smile at the warm sight in front of him, waiting for the two ladies to sat down first before he took a seat beside his mother. "It's nothing fancy, but I hope it suits your taste."

@✧˚ s. mingi Minah had just finished her shift at the bakery when she saw Mingi waiting outside their apartment building. His tall figure was unmistakable, and though instinctively she wanted to avoid eye contact and hurry inside, he approached her with a friendly, somewhat awkward smile. "Hi there, Minah-ssi," Mingi greeted; his tone was less confident than usual, then he continued on.

Minah blinked, taken aback. Dinner with his mom? They knew each other, what, for a few days? And she was still really skeptical about him. But the way he looked, all nervous and stuff, softened her a bit. Of course, this wasn't his idea, and he made that perfectly clear, but for some reason, that made her chuckle. He was trying to be considerate, and that did not go unnoticed.

With a slight pause, Minah exhaled softly as her face started to curl up into a smile. "Dinner with your mom, huh? Sure that sounds nice," she said with a light nod of the head. Really, the thought of home-cooked meals and the thoughtfulness that came along with the invitation was breaking her down. "Thanks for the invite, Mingi-ssi."

Inside her unit, she felt a bit lighter. This unplanned situation didn't look as bad after all. Maybe it was Mingi's charm, or maybe it was just the thought of not being so alone anymore in Haepung.

The shower refreshed her, and she donned a simple blouse with comfortable pants, being considerate to dress accordingly but without going overboard. As she viewed herself in the mirror, what hit her was that this was more than dinner-actually, meeting a boyfriend's family. The thought struck her like a bolt of lightning as she stood there, adjusting her hair in front of the mirror.

/Boyfriend? Where had that even come from?/

She frowned at her reflection, shaking her head quick to clear the absurd idea. This wasn't some romantic scenario, it was just dinner with Mingi's mom-who clearly had a heart of gold and wanted to make her feel welcome in town. Nothing more.

But she still found herself double-and triple-checking her look before she would leave the apartment. She smoothed her hair down, making sure that all of it was out of place, and even opened up the camera app on her phone to check herself one last time. A little sigh of relief escaped her when she thought she was finally satisfied. Her face was fine, her outfit wasn't wrinkled, and she didn't look too tired after the long day. Presentable.

She stood at her door a few seconds longer than she needed to, her fingers resting on the doorknob. Why was she nervous about this? It wasn't like she had anything to hide, yet her heart thudded lightly in her chest as if, in fact, she did.

/It's just dinner/
/You're overthinking it./

She reminded herself silently. Taking a deep breath, Minah finally stepped out of her unit and across the hall to Mingi's door. Her fingers hovered for a split second over the doorbell before she pressed it, the soft chime echoing in the quiet hallway.

/Why am I acting like this?/

She asked herself. It's not like this is the first time she's meeting her boyfriend's family-Mingi wasn't her boyfriend-Mingi isn't even a friend, to be exact. The concept was just so ridiculous it made her want to burst out laughing. But the flutter of anticipation in her chest was undeniable. There was something about the whole situation that was making her feel a bit, flustered.

It would not do to give in to fancies, so she tamped down on it fast, the way it had risen. Focus, she told herself.

/It's only dinner./

@✧˚ k. minah It took almost all the power in him to not burst out laughing at the obviously red-faced lady in front of him right now nor to throw a joke at her since he didn’t want to make their first meeting turn out to be the worst meeting ever, especially if they were about to live next to each other. He was quite having a fun time right now and this woman in front of him really picked his interest up and he made it his goal to get to know her more as time went by.

He watched as she walked towards the correct room this time still with a teasing smile on his face. Leaning against the railing, Mingi crossed his arms while watching the lady in amusement as she accidentally dropped her key and continued to fumble with it. “You sure you don’t need my help? I’m sure I can help you with a thing or two.” He grinned at her even though he was sure she wouldn't be able to see it, and when she finally managed to unlock the door, Mingi clapped his hands. “Good job~ Finally you get the right room.” A soft chuckle escaped him, unable to keep it inside any longer. “Well, since now you can go have some rest, I shall bid you a good night. I’ll tell mom you’ve finally arrived and had a little… trouble.” Still grinning, he walked over to his unit and unlocked it with ease, compared to her. “Well, good night, pretty lady. See you in the morning. If you ever need anything, remember, I’m just a door away. Feel free to knock on my door~” Mingi gave her a little wink before disappearing behind his door, leaning against it to let out the laughter he had been trying so hard to hold back out there. “Oh God… finally something interesting in this town~ Well, I guess things will get livelier in Haepung from now on. I should ask mom for her name~”

@✧˚ s. mingi Minah tapped her foot with growing impatience, feeling the frustration bubble within her as she watched the man take his phone out of his pocket. Was he really dialing for the cops? Her heart raced furiously as she bit down on her lip in anxiousness and quickly took out her phone to check the pictures that came attached with the rental agreement she'd meticulously saved. She was sure that this was supposed to be the right apartment building she was to be in. Then, the worry that mounted in her chest began to chew at her thoughts and made her wonder, had she, been swindled in this whole thing?

Just when she was going to open to cut him off to show him her tenancy information, the man quite abruptly ended his call. After he had ended his conversation, he pointed with his index finger toward the door on their right side. Just then, when the light in the corridor, as if on cue, flickered to point at the door that clearly now displayed the number "01" across it—the very door she had been trying to get into, trying so desperately. Then, right at that moment, from chest to stomach, her heart plunged down as reality weighed hard on her. She indeed had been trying to enter the wrong apartment all this while.

Her face turned a vivid and deep shade of red, as embarrassment surged over her in a manner reminiscent of an overwhelming wave crashing onto the shore. The man, who was now unmistakably entertained by the situation, introduced himself with a friendly smile as the son of the landlady. Minah took a long, deep breath, making a concerted effort to suppress the feelings of mortification that were overwhelming her and to maintain her voice in a steady and composed manner. "Alright then, Song Mingi-ssi," she replied, striving to keep her tone cool and collected, even though her heart was racing wildly in her chest. "I’m sure your place isn’t quite big enough for the two of us to comfortably stay together."

She seized the handle of her handbag and dragged it along, toting it most of the time while striding with an air of triumph and assurance. "Please keep your doors closed, I won't be needing your help." And with such a remarkable and sure declaration, she hastily sprinted toward the right door, unlocking it as fast as she could, her cheeks yet smudged and scorching with the warmth of humiliation. But she could not help but steal a half a glance, from the corner of her eye, at her neighbor whom she, for the very first time truly recognized was far from unattractive, no, quite the contrary. The thought made her absent-minded, and her focus strayed from whatever was going on, so the key dropped from her hands, creating a loud clatter on the floor. "Argh..." she murmured, frustrated, letting her luggage go with a thud as she stretched down to pick up the dropped key. Her hands were a bit trembling with nerves when she finally managed to insert the key into the lock, and after a little struggle, she did manage to open the door. "Finally."

@✧˚ k. minah Mingi let out a scoff, as if he didn’t believe the lady in front of him despite her already showing a key. “That key could be just any key, ma’am. Doesn’t mean that it’s the key to that room.” He retorted, not wanting to back down just yet. Well, these days, one could never be too cautious right? Who knew that behind her beautiful appearance she is a professional thief and had some kind of weapon hidden on her body? Until she said that she paid to live here.

“Wait- what? Paid?” He repeated in disbelief. Did his mom kick him out without telling him? Brows furrowed in confusion, Mingi held out his hand toward her as he fished his phone from his pants with his other hand and dialed his mother. It took her a few moments before picking up and immediately he bombarded her with questions about the supposedly new tenant; that was when his mother scolded him for forgetting that she had told him earlier this week that there would be a new tenant moving from Seoul to the unit right beside him. Slapping himself mentally, Mingi quickly disconnected the call after bidding goodbye to his mother to save him from another nagging which could last like an hour or even more.

Sighing as he looks at the lady, he then pointed to the door on his right, just next to his unit where the lady was trying to get in with the wrong key. “Of course you can’t get in. The place you’re trying to enter? That is my place. Yours? Is this.” He said in a clear amusement in his voice “Unless you want to live with me, which I don’t mind, of course. Then be my guest.” Gone all the cautiousness he displayed earlier, replaced by his usual flirty self. “Right. And I’m sorry for accusing you of being a thief. I haven’t changed the lightbulb which I definitely will do tomorrow. Anyway, I’m Song Mingi. Your new neighbor and the landlady’s son. If you need anything, you can just call me or just knock on my door. Will always open my door gladly for a beautiful lady like yourself.” He winked playfully at her before pointing at her luggage “Is there any more luggage? I can help you carry it up here. A woman should never lift anything heavy for sure. Just say the word and I’ll go get it.”

@✧˚ s. mingi The sudden sound of a man's voice broke the silence around her, making Minah jump slightly, her heart raced and leaped into . The feelings of unease and anxiety had been heightened by the dim, flickering light in the hallway as she turned slowly to see a tall figure approaching her, the shadow he was casting ominously along the corridor behind him. As he drew closer, she could see crossed arms resting firmly against his chest and a stern, almost intimidating expression set upon his face.

"Police?" she echoed back, her brow arching high in disbelief, clearly taken aback by the suggestion. Without missing a beat, she quickly mirrored his stance, crossing her arms firmly in front of her chest, her posture radiating a strong sense of determination not to be intimidated by the situation. "I live here—I’m going to be living here!" she retorted emphatically, pointing sharply at the closed door with a slight edge in her voice that made her frustration evident. To further emphasize her point and her right to be there, she held up the key she’d been struggling with earlier, as if it were a badge of her ownership. "I paid for this place," she added firmly, underlining her assertion with undeniable confidence.

Minah's eyes narrowed a tad bit in the examining look he gave her as he viewed her appearance, tall man, oil stains on his shirt, clearly exhausted from some kind of labor, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes now that he could take a better look at her. Concealed underneath her subtle anger at the situation, she couldn't help but notice the slight tremble in his voice earlier.

"So, if there is anyone who should be the one to call the police in this situation," Minah continued, keeping her voice steady even though her heart was still racing with adrenaline, "it definitely should be me. What do you think you are doing just lingering outside of a lady's house at that time of night?"

@✧˚ k. minah “Home sweet home”

Mingi softly muttered as he got off from his bike. His white shirt had some oil stain on it after fixing four cars today and a couple motorbikes that he didn’t even get enough time to get a proper break today and all he wanted right now was just take a warm shower, drink a cold beer and sleep. Completely forgetting about his mother’s word about a new tenant coming tonight, Mingi yawned as he made his way up to the second floor, almost tripping over the staircase as the lamp was too dim for him to see properly.

“I should remember to change the bulb tomorrow– what’s that sound?”

He stopped on his track when he heard a thumping noise from the second floor. Even though he looked like he was a brave guy, in all honesty, Mingi couldn’t stand anything with ghosts in it. He would immediately leave or avoid such places, but since he needed to get to the second floor in order to reach his unit, he didn’t have any strength to face his mother’s questions if he returned home. “Oh, dear Lord…” Gulping his saliva, his grip tightened as he continued to make his way up even with shaky legs as he ascended only to see a woman in front of his unit door, stomping her foot. Sighing in relief, Mingi let out a little shaky laughter when he realized that the woman in front of his unit was a human, just like himself. But it raised up another question, what was she doing in front of his unit? Who is she? He was sure that it’s the first time he had ever seen her.

“Excuse me? May I help you? What are you doing in front of my house?” He asked while raising his brow and crossing his arms, demanding an explanation from the beautiful woman. “I’m this close to calling the police on you.”

@✧˚ s. mingi The bus pulled away, leaving Minah on the deserted Haepung street with her luggage beside her. Deepening to twilight, the sky gave out, and the streetlights flickered alive, casting long shadows down the empty road. She glanced at the digital map on her phone in an effort to get through the unfamiliar terrain.

"This should be it," she murmured, catching sight of the humble two-story apartment building that matched the address she'd been given. The building itself seemed old but sturdy, its paint chipped in places and a few potted plants gracing the entrance. Her eyes wandered up the second floor, where her new home would turn out to be. Her heart sank slightly at the realization there was no elevator. "Right, this isn't Seoul," she huffed, blowing up her cheeks in resignation.

She grasped the handles of her luggage and began her slow ascent up the stairs. Her suitcase thumped with the wheels loudly on every step, echoing through the quiet evening. At the top, corridor lights flickered to life, casting a thin, pale gleam over the row of doors. A heavy fatigue weighed her down, making each step like a chore.

"Unit 02," she whispered, squinting at numbers on the doors. Her eyes were rather dimly lit, and so her vision remained blurry. She walked to the nearest door and peered through her tired eyes at the very small faded numbers. "Is this it?" she wondered out loud, uncertainly.

Thudding her bags onto the floor, Minah reached out into the letterbox and pulled out the key. Her fingers trembled a bit as she put the key into the door, she felt both anticipation and exhaustion. However, when she twisted the key, it just would not budge. A wave of confusion washed over her as she again screwed up her eyes at the door, trying to make out the number.

"Come on," she said, with a bit more force applied to the key, but still, the door wouldn't budge. A spark lit up in her chest as she felt frustration welling up, and she stamped her foot on the ground so that it echoed through the silent corridor.