I jolted awake, my head pounding like a drumbeat echoing through my skull. The room spun slightly as I squinted at the glowing numbers on my phone. 6:45 AM. Too early, too bright, and far too loud inside my head. The hazy remnants of last night's chaos lingered—Gin's laughter booming through the air, the sharp tang of smoke curling from his cigarette, and the endless clinking of glasses as we toasted his birthday like it was our last.

"Chaeyoung!" My sister's voice pierced through my daze, accompanied by a sharp knock on the door. "You're going to be late! Get up now!"

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, dragging myself upright. The house felt emptier than usual. My sister, five years older and already saving lives as a volunteer doctor in rural Thailand, had gotten in late last night. She'd probably already left. Her life was purposeful, and structured. Mine? I was just drifting, an Arts major who picked his course based on convenience, not passion. My friends and I were here because Gin's secret girlfriend—Chanda, our university's president—was footing the bill for us. She had only one condition: Gin had to graduate, and we had to stick with him.

I debated skipping class, the hangover luring me back to bed. But instead, I dragged myself out, grabbed cigarettes from the convenience store, and headed to the subway. Maybe I'd call Gin and Hyuga, bail on classes, and kill time at the bar.

Lighting a cigarette outside the subway entrance, I paused mid-drag. A figure caught my attention, and for a moment, the world stopped.

Wait? It's her?!

The girl I used to see at the station after high school, the one who'd etched herself into my memory like a melody I couldn't forget. She hadn't changed. Her graceful stride, and her calm presence, that had captivated me before. Her uniform is now replaced with a university ID swinging gently from her neck. My heart quickened. Was this fate, or just a cruel coincidence? I followed her onto the subway, keeping a careful distance, afraid to scare her—and maybe afraid of myself.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. Before I could muster the courage to say anything, a hand clapped my shoulder. "Chaeyoung!" Gin's loud voice pulled me back to reality. He laughed and punched my arm lightly. "Daydreaming again?"

I sighed, brushing it off. My heart was still pounding from seeing her, but I didn't say anything.

Gin and I decided to skip class and called Hyuga to join us. By noon, the three of us were back at a bar, beers in hand, Gin spilling his latest drama. Chanda, his older girlfriend, and our untouchable benefactor, was pushing him to straighten out his life. Meanwhile, I couldn't stop thinking about the girl on the train. When I told my friends about her, they laughed at some point but they made a promise to help me find her.

That casual evening, as I walked home alone I decided to stop by at the park. The chill of the park was a welcome reprieve from the noise of the bar. My mind was too preoccupied with her—her face, her smile, her mystery. I stopped to smoke, staring at the glowing moon, wishing for some clarity, and some direction in my life.

Then, I heard it.

A scream. High-pitched, desperate, cutting through the stillness of the night. My cigarette fell from my fingers as I whipped around, spotting a group of men beating another guy while a girl cried out for help. My heart dropped when I saw her again. The girl from the train. Her face was pale, stricken with fear, tears streaming down her cheeks.

For a moment, fear rooted me in place. I wasn't a hero. But the sight of her trembling, the sound of her pleas—it was enough to propel me forward. Gritting my teeth, I ran toward them, kicking one of the attackers square in the stomach. He crumpled to the ground with a groan, but the others turned on me. One sneered, "Chaeyoung? Long time no see. Time for payback" His face was vaguely familiar—someone I must've fought before.

What followed was chaos. Fists flew. I dodged and landed punches, but a blow from behind sent stars across my vision. Blood trickled down my face, and dizziness threatened to take me out. Still, I stood my ground, fueled by her terrified cries. Somehow, I managed to drive them off.

When it was over, I stood there, bloodied and shaking, unsure of what to say. I turned to her. She was kneeling next to the unconscious guy they had beaten —her boyfriend, I assumed—sobbing. My chest tightened as I watched her, knowing she wasn't mine to protect.

"You're bleeding," she said softly, her voice trembling. Before I could reply, she reached into her bag, pulling out a handkerchief. She stepped closer, gently pressing it to my wound. Her touch was warm, and soothing, and I froze, unable to do anything but stare at her.

"Let's get him to a hospital," she said, glancing at the guy. I hoisted him onto my back, the weight almost unbearable in my condition, but her worried gaze gave me strength.

At the hospital, I learned they weren't a couple after all. The guy, Kai, was her older brother. Relief washed over me, though it felt foolish. Her father, a doctor, thanked me repeatedly. Somehow, I found myself invited to dinner with her family.

Sitting across from Mina at a cozy restaurant, her smile illuminated the room, and I felt painfully out of place. Her world was so far from mine—polished, refined, purposeful. I was a troublemaker, a guy with no direction, no plan, no right to even dream of someone like her.

Still, when her parents and brother stepped away for a moment, she leaned across the table, her eyes meeting mine. "Chaeng," she said softly, testing the nickname. "Thank you. For everything."

I fumbled for words, my gaze dropping to the table. "It's nothing," I mumbled, though my chest felt like it might burst.

That night, as I walked home, the streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, her name echoed in my mind. Myoui Mina. Her smile, her laugh, her touch—they replayed like a song I couldn't stop humming.

For the first time in years, I felt something stir deep within me. Hope. A flicker of possibility. Maybe, just maybe, I could be someone worth knowing.

 Fate had brought her back into my life, and this time, I wouldn't let her slip away.