The late afternoon sun dipped closer to the horizon, casting long, golden shadows that hinted at the approaching evening on the deserted street as I clutched the bag of snacks in my trembling hands. The store clerk had been kind, but I should have known better than to wander out alone in this unfamiliar place. Yet, I had wanted to surprise Chaeng with his favorite treats, thinking a quick errand would be harmless.

It wasn't.

"Chaeng!" I gasped, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face. My body trembled uncontrollably, fear coursing through my veins like ice. The two men were too strong, their menacing laughter ringing in my ears. Sana's words echoed in my mind: "I can't believe you, Mina. You're ready to break your parents' rules just to be with that guy. You barely even know him."

I had laughed at her concerns, brushing them off as unnecessary worries. Now, with my heart pounding and my limbs frozen in fear, I regretted not listening.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I lashed out. My palm connected sharply with the first man's face, the sound of the slap reverberating in the stillness of the night. He loosened his grip just enough for me to break free. I ran, my feet pounding against the pavement, hope sparking faintly in my chest.

But it was short-lived.

The other man caught me, his rough hand yanking me back by the arm. I stumbled and fell hard onto the ground, scraping my knees on the gravel. Pain shot through me, but there was no time to process it. One man pinned my arms down while the other fumbled with his pants, his sinister intentions clear.

My cries for help went unanswered. The street was empty, the store far behind me. I shut my eyes, tears streaming as despair consumed me. This is it, I thought. This is the price I pay for breaking the rules.

"Please," I sobbed. "Don't do this."

A sudden thud startled me, and the weight pinning my arms disappeared. I opened my eyes, heart racing, and there he was.

"Chaeng," I whispered, relief and disbelief flooding my voice.

His face was etched with fury, his usually gentle eyes burning with anger. He didn't hesitate. While one man struggled to pull his pants up, Chaeyoung kicked him square in the face, sending him sprawling. The other man scrambled to his feet, but Chaeyoung grabbed a nearby stone and struck him hard. The sickening sound of the impact filled the air as the man crumpled, unconscious.

The second attacker lunged at Chaeyoung, but he was ready. He hurled the stone with all his strength, hitting the man's head with precision. Blood trickled down the man's temple as he staggered before collapsing beside his accomplice.

Panting, Chaeyoung turned to me, his expression softening instantly. He knelt, helping me to my feet. Without a word, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms encircling me protectively. The warmth of his touch melted the terror that had frozen me moments ago.

"I'm here," he whispered, his voice trembling. "You're safe now."

I clung to him, burying my face in his shoulder. For the first time that night, I felt safe. Slowly, my sobs subsided, replaced by a sense of overwhelming gratitude. As I pulled away slightly, I noticed his shoulders shaking.

"Chaeng, are you... crying?" I asked, cupping his face with both hands. His tears glistened under the moonlight, and my heart ached at the sight.

"I was so scared," he admitted, his voice cracking. "When I woke up and you weren't in your bed, I panicked. I ran outside, asking everyone if they'd seen you. One of the guards pointed me toward the store, but when I found your wallet and phone on the ground..." His voice faltered, and he took a shaky breath. "I knew something was wrong. I had to find you."

I wiped his tears gently with my thumbs, my own eyes welling up again. "You saved me," I whispered. "You saved me, Chaeyoung."

He handed me my wallet and phone, which he had picked up along the way. In his other hand was the plastic bag of snacks I had bought earlier.

"You even brought the food," I said, attempting a weak smile.

He chuckled softly, though his tears hadn't fully stopped. "I didn't want your effort to go to waste."

His words, simple and heartfelt, warmed me to my core. As we walked back toward the motel, his hand never left mine, gripping it tightly as though afraid to let go. I couldn't blame him—I didn't want to let go either.

"From now on," he said firmly, "never go anywhere alone. Promise me."

I nodded, guilt tugging at my heart. "I promise."

We walked in silence for a while, the weight of the night slowly lifting. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, I stopped and turned to him.

"Chaeng," I said, my voice soft. "Thank you. For everything."

Before he could respond, I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His eyes widened in surprise, a deep blush spreading across his face.

"What was that for?" he asked, flustered.

I smiled. "For being my hero."

His lips curved into a shy grin, his dimples appearing. "Anytime, Mina."

The air was cool as Chaeyoung's motorbike roared down the quiet road. I leaned against his back, my helmet snug, and my heart pounding from the day's earlier events. The smell of his cologne was intoxicating, calming my nerves as I replayed the moment he saved me in my mind. I could still feel his hand gripping mine tightly, as though he was anchoring me to safety.

It had been a terrifying moment, but Chaeyoung had been there. His strength and care left an impression on me I will never forget.

As we reached the festival grounds, the streets buzzed with life. Lanterns hung overhead, casting a golden glow over the crowd. Stalls lined the roads, selling trinkets, food, and souvenirs. The vibrant energy of the Yee Peng Festival was palpable, and for a while, the trauma of the earlier incident melted away.

Chaeyoung held my hand firmly as we navigated through the bustling streets. His touch was steady and reassuring, making me feel like nothing in the world could harm me.

"Hungry?" he asked, looking down at me with a grin that showcased his dimples.

I smiled back. "Not really. I'm too distracted by all this. It's so beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you," he said under his breath, but I caught it. My cheeks flushed, and I tried to look away, but he laughed softly, clearly enjoying my reaction.

After a while, Chaeyoung pulled me toward a stall selling lanterns. He picked out two, paying the vendor, then handed one to me.

"Before we release it, we have to write our wishes on it," he said, pulling a marker from his jacket pocket. "Ladies first."

I laughed. "Of course, you'd come prepared." Taking the marker, I shooed him away. "No peeking!"

Chaeyoung turned his back, raising his hands in mock surrender. As I bent down to write, I couldn't help glancing at him. He stood there, patiently waiting, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the warm glow of the lanterns. My heart swelled as I wrote my wish.

I want to share every moment of my life with Chaeyoung, by my side, forever.

I capped the marker, cheeks burning, and handed it back to him. "Your turn. And don't look at mine!"

He chuckled, taking the marker. "Fine, but only if you promise not to peek at mine."

I pretended to look away but couldn't resist stealing a glance. He caught me immediately and smirked. "Caught you," he teased. "Fine, go ahead and look. I don't mind."

Curious, I leaned over and read his words. My breath caught.

I noticed my name scrawled on his lantern. "Why did you write my name on it?" I asked softly.

He shrugged, his cheeks pink. "..."

The festival was alive with laughter, music, and the glow of a thousand lanterns. Everywhere I turned, there was magic—the kind of magic that made your heart feel weightless like anything was possible. Yet, amidst all the beauty and noise, my focus was on one person. Chaeyoung.

We stood side by side, our lanterns in hand, ready to release them into the sky. My heart raced as I glanced at him. He was quiet, his eyes fixed on the horizon, but there was something in the way he held himself, something tender and thoughtful that made my chest tighten.

As we released our lanterns, I watched them drift upward, merging with the countless glowing lights that painted the night sky like a sea of stars. The sight was mesmerizing, almost magical, yet my gaze kept shifting back to him. I wasn't sure what compelled me, but when I finally turned, I found his eyes not on the lanterns or the sky—but on me.

The warmth in his gaze was enough to make my heart skip a beat. "Aren't you going to watch the lanterns?" I teased softly, though my voice wavered slightly.

He smiled, a gentle curve of his lips that felt more intimate than any words. "Why would I, when the most beautiful thing is standing right here?"

His words caught me off guard, and I felt my breath hitch. There was something different in the way he looked at me tonight, something deeper and more vulnerable than I'd ever seen before.

The lanterns drifted higher, their glow fading into the distance, but at that moment, it felt as though time stood still. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the sincerity in his voice. I smiled shyly, letting his words settle over me like a warm embrace.

"Mina," he continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "I want to share everything with you—all the beautiful moments, all the difficult ones, too. I want to be there for you, always."

I blinked, my heart thundering in my chest as his words sank in. I wasn't prepared for what came next.

His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, the weight of his words filling the space between us. "Mina," he began, his gaze locked on mine, "you've changed everything for me. Being with you feels like finally finding where I belong. You're the reason I want to be better, the reason I want to keep moving forward." He took a small step closer, his hand brushing mine, hesitant yet steady. "You're more than I ever thought I deserved, and I don't know if I'll ever be enough. But I promise you, I'll spend every moment trying. You mean more to me than anything else in this world." His voice softened, thick with emotion. "If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that life feels right when you're in it. And all I want... is to keep you in my world, always."

The sincerity in his eyes stole my breath, leaving no doubt in my mind what he meant—what he felt. And in that moment, I knew my heart was safe with him.

My vision blurred as tears welled in my eyes. I didn't want to cry, but his sincerity overwhelmed me. How could I not respond to something so raw, so real?

"Chaeng," I whispered, my voice soft and shaky as I took a step closer, my heart racing. "I never expected to feel this way... I wasn't looking for love, but then I found you. And somehow, everything feels different now. You've turned something I never believed in into something real."

I reached out, gently taking his hand in mine, feeling the warmth of his touch grounding me. "You've shown me a kind of love I never imagined. And I can't help but feel like I've been waiting for you all along."

The words came out in a rush, but they were true—every single one of them."

The moment felt like a dream, as if the world had come to a halt just for us. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, and I melted into the warmth of his embrace. In that instant, nothing else mattered—the noise, the flashing lights, the crowd—they all faded away. It was just us, suspended in time, wrapped in a quiet, unspoken understanding.

When he kissed my forehead, it was more than just a kiss. It was a promise—silent, yet powerful—that everything he had just shared, everything he felt, was more than words could ever express. I closed my eyes, holding onto him tighter, as if by doing so, I could keep this perfect moment from slipping away. I was afraid that if I let go, it would vanish like the lanterns drifting softly into the night sky.

Above us, the lanterns rose, glowing faintly as they disappeared into the vast expanse, but the warmth in my chest, the light in my heart, shone brighter than ever. This was the night I would always remember—the moment when the noise of the world quieted, and all that mattered was the boy beside me. My Chaeyoung. My safe place.

Later that night, back at the hotel, Chaeyoung was sprawled out on the floor with just a blanket and his bag for a pillow, he looked way too comfortable, like he was trying to prove some bizarre point about floor sleeping. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty—he was clearly going for a level of floor-luxury that I wasn't sure even existed.

After a moment of silence, I broke it.

"Chaeyoung?" I whispered, trying not to disturb his 'luxurious' bed arrangement.

Hmm?" came his lazy reply, not even bothering to open his eyes.

"Why did you write my name on your lantern?" I asked, the question tumbling out before I could stop it. It was something that had been on my mind all night, and the quiet of the room finally gave me the courage to ask.

In the soft glow of the window, I could just make out the curve of his smile. "Because, Mina," he said, his voice warm and a little teasing, "You're the only wish I've ever needed,"

"Everything I've hoped for... it's always been you."

I felt my heart skip a beat. His words hung in the air, warm and tender, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. Before I could stop myself, my face flushed, and in a desperate attempt to hide it, I grabbed the blanket and pulled it up over my head. I hoped the darkness would cover the pink creeping up my neck.

"Goodnight, Chaeng," I muttered, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrayed me, soft and unsteady.

"Goodnight, Minari," he shot back, his voice filled with that affectionate lilt I loved.

I peeked out from under the blanket, brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, where did you get that nickname?"

Chaeyoung's grin was practically audible, and I could practically hear the mischief in his voice. "I made it up," he said, a hint of pride in his tone. "It's just for you."

"Minari?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow and giving him a playful glare. "You really are an idiot."

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You don't like it?"

I scoffed, though a smile tugged at my lips despite myself. "I never said that. But it's not like I have a choice now, do I?"

Chaeyoung leaned back against the pillow, hands behind his head, looking way too pleased with himself. "Exactly. You're stuck with it, Minari.

I rolled my eyes, half-sighing and half-laughing. "I'm starting to think I need to get you checked for a nickname obsession."

"Only if you're checking yourself for being way too cute when you're annoyed," he teased back.

I snorted, sinking back into the pillow with a grin. "Idiot," I muttered under my breath, though I couldn't quite hide the smile on my face.

I chuckled quietly to myself, remembering the way his friends had thrown leaves at him the day he confessed in the park. I could almost hear their teasing in the background, like a soundtrack to the memory.

"Goodnight, idiot," I teased, letting out a little laugh despite myself.

His laughter was the perfect lullaby. "Is that my nickname?"

As I finally drifted off to sleep, the world around me softened into a quiet blur. The stress and worry that had weighed on me throughout the day seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of calm I hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if the weight of the world had lifted, leaving only peace in its place.

The soft rhythm of Chaeyoung's steady breathing beside me was a gentle lullaby, pulling me deeper into comfort. I could feel the warmth of his presence, like a reassuring embrace even in the stillness of the night.

 And as I lay there, my thoughts wrapped around him like a soft blanket, a single, comforting thought filled my mind: I had found someone who would always have my back. Someone who cared for me, not just in the good times, but when life was hard, too.

For the first time, I truly believed in wishes coming true. The kind of wishes you don't dare say out loud because you're not sure they're possible. But somehow, here I was, in his arms, and everything felt right. Like the universe had conspired to bring us together, and this moment—this feeling—was something I never wanted to let go of.

With that thought, sleep gently claimed me, and I drifted off with a soft smile on my lips, knowing that I had found my home in him.