"You can break your promise, but she can't eat cotton candy!?" she asked, her voice rising in incredulity. She threw up her hands, as if to emphasize the absurdity of the situation. Areum slowly nodded, looking at her father.

Seokmin's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at Hwayoung incredulously, as if he couldn't believe she was calling him out on his hypocrisy.

"Ms. Hwayoung!" Seokmin exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and authority.

Hwayoung turned to him, her eyebrow raised in a gentle arch, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Yes?" she replied, her voice light and curious.

Seokmin's expression turned serious, his frown deepening. "I'm really grateful for your help," he said, his voice sincere.

"But, can I speak to my daughter in private?" he asked, his eyes darting briefly to Areum before returning to Hwayoung.

Hwayoung's smile never wavered as she nodded innocently. "Yeah, please. Go ahead," she said, her voice airy and unconcerned.

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting out the window as she watched the passersby with a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement.

Seokmin's eyes widened in a mix of surprise and concern as he turned to Areum. "You told her everything?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Areum's expression remained blank and innocent, her big brown eyes sparkling with a hint of curiosity. She nodded slowly, her chin dipping down in a gentle bob.

Seokmin sighed, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over him. He leaned in closer to Areum, his voice taking on a softer, more persuasive tone.

"What now? You want your mom's story, right?" he asked, his eyes searching Areum's face for any sign of understanding.

Areum's gaze remained fixed on Hwayoung, her expression unreadable. Seokmin's eyes flicked to Hwayoung before returning to Areum.

"I'll tell you everything when we get home," he promised, his voice filled with conviction.

"I promise," he added, his eyes locking onto Areum's, searching for any sign of trust.

But Areum's gaze remained fixed on Hwayoung, her expression a mask of calm curiosity. Hwayoung, sensing Areum's gaze, turned to her and smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with a hint of understanding.

Hwayoung's words cut through the air, her tone laced with a hint of skepticism. "Promising again? What's the guarantee that you won't come up with lame excuses?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gazed at Seokmin.

Seokmin's eyes dropped, his gaze avoiding Hwayoung's piercing stare. He looked like a scolded child, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

Areum, however, seemed to be enjoying the exchange, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she nodded in approval.

Hwayoung's smile faltered for a moment, and she turned to Areum, her eyebrows rising in a silent question.

Areum nodded again, her eyes never leaving her father's face. Seokmin, sensing the weight of their combined gaze, took a deep breath and turned to Hwayoung.

He leaned forward, his hands resting on the table as he met Hwayoung's gaze. His eyes locked onto hers, a hint of determination burning within them.

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as he prepared to respond, his voice low and even.

"Why are you intruding into our space?" His eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze challenging Hwayoung to back down.

"I will tell her whenever I wish to!" Seokmin exclaimed, his voice rising in indignation.

But she didn't flinch. Instead, she leaned in closer, her movements mirroring Seokmin's. Her eyes locked onto his, a fierce determination burning within them.

Her expression remained calm, her voice steady. "Look, Seokmin," she said, her words dripping with a sense of urgency. "I was there today to save her. But I might not be there every day." Her eyes seemed to bore into Seokmin's soul, as if willing him to understand the gravity of the situation.

The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension, the silence hanging heavy like a challenge.

Seokmin's eyes flashed with anger, but Hwayoung's gaze remained steady, her determination unwavering.

Hwayoung's voice was laced with conviction as she spoke, her eyes locking onto Seokmin's. "I promised Areum that I'd ensure she got her story," she said, her words dripping with determination.

She turned to Areum, a soft smile playing on her lips, before turning back to Seokmin. Her expression hardened, her voice taking on a slightly accusatory tone. "And I can't break my promise like you," she said, her head shaking slowly in disappointment.

The air between them seemed to thicken, the tension building as they locked gazes.

Seokmin's eyes flashed with a mix of emotions, but Hwayoung couldn't quite decipher the look.

Was it anger, frustration, or something else entirely?

She searched his eyes, trying to read the emotions swirling beneath the surface. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence hanging heavy like a challenge.

Then, Seokmin's gaze dropped, his eyes breaking contact with Hwayoung's. The moment was fleeting, but Hwayoung sensed a glimmer of vulnerability, a crack in Seokmin's armor.

"Anyway, I'm done with my shopping. I'm free till evening, and I've got my coffee right here," Hwayoung's eyes sparkled with amusement as she gestured towards the cup of black coffee, her voice light and carefree.

"And we are..." Areum and Hwayoung exchanged a mischievous glance before chiming in unison, "All ears." Their synchronized response was like a perfectly orchestrated duet, leaving Seokmin feeling momentarily stunned.

Hwayoung's bright smile seemed to stir something deep within Seokmin's stomach, leaving him feeling unsettled.

He stared at her, his eyes searching for answers, before turning to Areum and leaning in closer.

"We don't even know who she is, sweetheart." he whispered, his voice laced with concern, hoping Areum would change her mind. But Areum's expression remained resolute, her eyes shining with determination.

She smiled sweetly and pointed at Hwayoung, "She's Hwayoung. My friend." The simplicity of Areum's statement was like a gentle rebuke, leaving Seokmin feeling slightly chastened.

He turned to Hwayoung, expecting to see a triumphant smile, but instead, she offered a small, self-deprecating shrug.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and her lips curved into a gentle, enigmatic smile, leaving Seokmin feeling even more perplexed.

Seokmin's eyes pleaded with his daughter as he asked, "Don't I have a choice?" His tone was laced with a hint of desperation, as if he was grasping at his last straw.

Areum and Hwayoung exchanged a mischievous glance, their eyes sparkling with amusement. In perfect sync, they shook their heads, their ponytails bobbing in unison.

Seokmin let out a dramatic sigh, his shoulders sagging in defeat. He raised his hand, signaling the barista. "I'll have a coffee, please," he said, his voice resigned. The duo's faces lit up, their eyes shining with excitement.

Areum and Hwayoung exchanged another glance, this time their faces bursting into identical, excited grins.

Seokmin cleared his throat, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice. "Once upon a time... in a small town..." He paused, shifting in his seat as he began to tell a tale that would change everything.

Seokmin and Mingyu stood side by side at the railway station, the gray sky above them threatening to unleash a torrent of rain at any moment.

The air was heavy with anticipation, the wind carrying the sweet scent of wet earth. Seokmin's camera clicked away, capturing the moody atmosphere of the station, the subdued chatter of the passengers, and the rhythmic chug of the train.

Mingyu, ever the enthusiast, bounded ahead, his eyes scanning the platform for the perfect shot. Seokmin's camera clicked away, capturing the vibrant colors of the station, the laughter of the passengers, and the rhythmic chug of the train.

As the train rumbled to a halt, Seokmin raised his camera, ready to snap a photo of the captain emerging from the carriage.

But instead, his lens landed on a woman, her back to him, her presence both captivating and mysterious. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night, and her slender shoulders seemed to slope in gentle surrender to the weight of her thoughts.

"A marvel in front of me..." Seokmin's voice trailed off, his eyes glazing over as he relived the memory. "Like a wonder," he whispered, a soft smile spreading across his face as he met Areum's gaze.

"The rain was a witness..." His words hung in the air, suspended like a promise. And as if on cue, the sky outside erupted into a symphony of thunder and rain.

The droplets pattered against the windowpane, casting a rhythmic melody that seemed to match the beating of Seokmin's heart.

Hwayoung, sitting across Seokmin, turned her eyes towards the window, her gaze entranced by the rain-soaked world outside.

A smile played on her lips, her interest piqued. She turned back to Seokmin, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, and leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table.

The movement was subtle, but it spoke volumes about her engagement. She was hooked, and Seokmin's next words would be the bait that would reel her in deeper.

Seokmin was about to click a pic of the woman who was about to turn around—

"Dad, wait!" Areum's voice burst forth, shattering the spell that had held Seokmin entranced. He blinked, his eyes refocusing on his daughter's eager face.

"What happened?" Seokmin asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. Areum's eyes sparkled with worry, her voice laced with feigned innocence.

"Who should I imagine?" she asked, her tone dripping with curiosity. Seokmin's expression faltered, his eyes drifting downward as he struggled to respond. Areum's voice prodded him again, this time with a hint of seriousness. "Whom should I imagine as Mom?"

The question hung in the air like a challenge, and Seokmin's silence was deafening. Hwayoung's eyes darted to Seokmin, noticing his hesitation and discomfort. She swiftly intervened, turning to Areum with a warm smile.

"Areum, look at me," Hwayoung said, her voice gentle and reassuring. She leaned in, her eyes locking onto Areum's. "You can imagine me." The words spilled from her lips like a gift, and Areum's face lit up like a lantern.

A radiant smile spread across Areum's face, her eyes shining with excitement. Seokmin's head jerked up, his eyes wide with surprise as he stared at Hwayoung, his mind reeling with the implications of her words.

"Dad..continue!" She said with a bright smile, her eyes never leaving Hwayoung.

As she turned around, Seokmin's breath caught in his throat. He was utterly entranced by her beauty, his eyes frozen on the captivating vision before him.

The rain droplets falling on him were like a distant memory, his senses numbed by her presence.

Mingyu's voice was a faint murmur as he opened the umbrella, but Seokmin's gaze remained fixed on her, his camera clicking away to capture the moment.

Seokmin's eyes followed her every move as she walked past him, her slender figure gliding effortlessly through the rain-soaked platform.

A soft smile played on his lips, his heart beating in rhythm with the raindrops. He couldn't help but be drawn to her, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic stranger.

Without thinking, Seokmin decided to follow her, his feet moving of their own accord. It wasn't the most noble of intentions, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that her presence would be a game-changer for him.

He was honest with himself – he found her captivating, her beauty leaving him breathless. The rain-soaked streets seemed to fade into the background as he trailed behind her, his senses heightened with anticipation.

For days, he had been her silent shadow, following her every move with an unrelenting fascination. His camera had become an extension of himself, capturing the intricacies of her life, the subtle nuances of her expressions.

He had watched her laugh with friends, haggle with vendors, and stroll through the park, her beauty leaving him breathless with each passing encounter.

As she navigated the bustling streets, her senses had grown accustomed to his presence, her subconscious alerting her to the familiar feeling of being watched.

And then, one fateful day, she turned to confront him. The local market, with its vibrant colors and cacophony of sounds, provided a fitting backdrop for their encounter.

Her eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she demanded, "Why are you following me?" The question hung in the air, her voice firm but laced with a hint of curiosity.

"Are you in love?!" she spat, her voice dripping with sarcasm, but her anger was palpable, etched in the deep furrows of her brow. She snatched the camera from his grasp, her fingers brushing against his, sending a jolt of electricity through his veins.

Seokmin stood transfixed, his eyes locked onto hers, mesmerized by the fiery passion that danced within them.

"Camera..." he whispered, his voice barely audible, his gaze never wavering from hers. "I'm talking to you!" she exclaimed, her frustration boiling over as he seemed to tune her out. Her eyes flashed with indignation, her cheeks flushing with anger.

Just then, a younger boy appeared by her side, his eyes narrowing as he took in Seokmin's disheveled appearance.

"Hana, what's wrong?" her brother, Haneul, asked, his brow furrowed with concern. Seokmin's lips curled into a subtle smile as he waved at the boy. "Hi..." he said, his voice low and smooth.

Hana's anger reached a boiling point. "Aren't you ashamed to take pictures of a girl without her permission?" she scolded, her voice rising as she took a step closer to Seokmin.

Her brother's eyes widened in outrage. "we should file a police complaint!" he exclaimed, his gaze darting suspiciously towards Seokmin.

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