Hana and Seokmin hid behind the counter, their hearts pounding in unison, as the footsteps drew closer, the sound echoing through the silence like a ticking time bomb.

The tranquility of the room was shattered by the sudden influx of people, their voices and footsteps creating a cacophony of sound.

The waiters and waitresses scurried about, their faces pinched with concern, while the manager and his wife stood frozen, their argument hanging in the air like a challenge.

"I said leave me!" the woman screamed, her voice like a razor's edge, as she yanked her wrist free from her husband's grasp.

She stumbled backward, her eyes blazing with tears, and collapsed onto a chair in the corner, her head cradled in her hands.

The manager's face turned beet red with rage, his eyes bulging as he bellowed, "Goddamnit! You made a fucking huge scene!" His words were like a slap, making Hana flinch, her heart racing with discomfort.

The woman's husband took a step closer, his voice dripping with venom, "Aren't you ashamed? Don't you care about your reputation?" His words sent shivers down Hana's spine, the malice in his tone making her skin crawl.

The air in the room seemed to vibrate with tension, the argument hanging like a dark cloud, threatening to unleash a storm.

Seokmin's finger pressed against his lips, a silent warning to Hana to remain quiet. She nodded slowly, her eyes locked onto his, but her mind was already slipping away, drifting back to a place she desperately wanted to forget. The woman's shrill voice cut through the air like a knife, making Hana flinch once more.

"What the hell did I do!?" the woman screamed, her words dripping with venom. "I saw you flirting with that fucking bitch!" The accusation hung in the air like a challenge, and Hana felt her heart racing, her breath catching in her throat.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she felt a stinging sensation in her nose.

The voices of the arguing couple faded into the background as Hana's mind was flooded with memories of her parents' own vicious arguments.

The sounds, the screams, the feeling of helplessness – it all came rushing back, like a dark tide rising up to engulf her.

Her breathing grew uneven, and she felt herself swaying, her hands grasping for the counter to steady herself.

Seokmin's eyes locked onto hers, filled with concern, and he immediately leaned in closer, his hands covering her ears, shielding her from the abusive words.

It was a gentle, protective gesture, one that spoke volumes about his protectiveness towards her.

For a moment, Hana felt like she was floating, suspended in a sea of uncertainty. But as Seokmin's hands covered her ears, she felt a sense of peace wash over her, a sense of safety she hadn't known in years.

She had always been the strong one, the one who shielded her brother from the pain and fear of their parents' arguments.

But now, for the first time, she was being shielded, protected from the harsh realities of the world. And it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

As the voices escalated into a deafening crescendo, Hana's grip on Seokmin's sleeve tightened, her fingers digging deep into the fabric as if it was her only lifeline.

Her mind was a jumble of memories, each one more painful than the last, as she recalled the countless times she had shielded her brother from the toxic arguments that had ravaged their home.

She had been the rock, the safe haven, the one who had held it all together, even when everything around her seemed to be falling apart.

But now, as Seokmin's calm, gentle voice washed over her, she felt the carefully constructed walls she had built around herself begin to crumble.

"Shh...calm down...it's okay..." he whispered, his words a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves. Hana felt a lump form in her throat as she gazed up at him, her eyes welling up with tears.

Unbeknownst to her, the dam had burst, and tears began streaming down her cheeks, hot and unchecked.

Seokmin's eyes locked onto hers, filled with compassion and understanding, as he drew her closer, his warmth enveloping her like a shield.

Hana felt herself melting into him, her heart overflowing with emotion, as she let the tears flow, releasing all the pent-up pain and sorrow she had carried for so long.

"It's okay...it's alright..." Seokmin whispered, his voice a gentle breeze that soothed Hana's frazzled nerves.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheeks, and wiped away her tears, his touch soft and comforting.

"Take a deep breath..." he instructed, demonstrating the action himself. Hana followed his lead, her lungs expanding as she inhaled, her body slowly relaxing as she exhaled. Seokmin's eyes never left hers, his gaze a steady anchor that kept her grounded.

As they breathed in tandem, Hana felt her racing heart slow, her trembling subsiding. Seokmin's hands cradled her face, his thumbs tracing gentle arcs across her cheeks, wiping away the last vestiges of her tears.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and husky, his eyes boring into hers with concern. Hana nodded slowly, her gaze locked onto his, her fingers still clutching his sleeve as if she feared letting go.

The air between them vibrated a sense of connection, of understanding, of two people bound together by a shared moment of vulnerability.

As Hana's breathing steadied, Seokmin's movements became less guarded, and he unintentionally knocked over a small object, the sound shattering the tense silence.

The room's occupants froze, their heads swiveling towards the noise, as the man's sharp voice cut through the air, "Who's there!?"

Seokmin's reaction was instantaneous. "Let's go!" he whispered urgently, grabbing Hana's hand and pulling her up from the floor.

Together, they sprinted out of the room, the others hot on their heels, their footsteps echoing down the hallway.

As they ran, the corridor seemed to blur around them, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds. Seokmin's grip on Hana's hand remained firm, his fingers intertwined with hers, as he navigated the twisting hallway.

Finally, they reached a darker corner, the shadows cast by the flickering lights above.

Seokmin pinned Hana against the wall, his hands cupping her cheeks, his fingers tracing the curves of her face. "Be careful, okay?" he whispered, his eyes locked onto hers, his brow furrowed with concern.

Hana's heart still racing, nodded, her eyes never leaving Seokmin's. As they stood there, the sound of footsteps grew louder, and Seokmin's gaze flicked towards the approaching noise.

Without hesitation, he leaned in, his lips brushing against Hana's forehead in a gentle, fleeting kiss.

"I'll see you tomorrow." he whispered, his breath dancing across her skin. And with that, he released her, his hands dropping away from her face, leaving Hana feeling bereft, yet strangely exhilarated.

As Seokmin turned to disappear into the crowd, Hana's fingers instinctively rose to her forehead, tracing the spot where his lips had touched her skin.

Hana stumbled through the front door, her mind still reeling from the chaos that had erupted earlier. The memory of Seokmin's kiss lingered on her skin, a gentle warmth that she couldn't shake off.

As she made her way to her room, her legs felt like lead, her body weighed down by the emotional turmoil that had been brewing inside her.

She collapsed onto the floor, her back against the bed, and let out a deep sigh. The silence of her room enveloped her, a stark contrast to the cacophony of emotions that had been raging inside her.

But as she gazed blankly into space, her mind began to wander back to her parents, and the familiar ache of sadness settled in her chest.

Just as she was starting to get lost in her thoughts, a faint rustling sound broke the silence.

Hana's gaze drifted towards the door, and her eyes widened as Pluto, the playful puppy, trotted into her room.

She had forgotten that Haneul had begged her to let him keep Pluto for a few days, and now, as the puppy approached her, Hana felt a mix of emotions.

At first, she was hesitant to touch him, her hands hovering uncertainly above his fluffy head.

But as Pluto let out a series of high-pitched yips, Hana's reserve crumbled. She couldn't resist the puppy's big, round eyes, or the way his tail wagged furiously as he snuggled closer to her.

With a soft sigh, Hana reached out and scooped Pluto into her arms, feeling a sense of calm wash over her.

As she buried her face in his soft fur, she felt the tension in her body begin to ease, replaced by a sense of peace and comfort.

For a moment, she forgot about her parents  and simply let herself be present in the moment, surrounded by the simple joys of life.

The next day, Hana, Haneul, Seokmin, and Mingyu decided to spend the day together, with Pluto, the playful puppy, in tow.

As they strolled through the park, Mingyu and Haneul lagged behind, cameras in hand, snapping photos of Pluto's antics.

Seokmin and Hana walked ahead, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they discovered shared interests and passions.

Despite having already passed the getting-to-know-you phase, Hana found herself enthralled by Seokmin's words, her attention captivated by the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his love for photography.

His voice was like a gentle melody, weaving a spell around her, making her feel like she was the only person in the world.

As the days passed, Hana found herself growing more and more fond of Pluto. Whenever Haneul brought the puppy home, Hana couldn't help but smile at his playful energy, his wagging tail, and his snuggles.

She began to look forward to their impromptu playdates, feeling a sense of joy and freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time.

And whenever Seokmin was around, his camera seemed to be an extension of himself, always at the ready to capture life's fleeting moments.

Hana couldn't help but notice that he had a particular fondness for taking photos of her – candid shots, posed portraits, and everything in between.

She would catch him gazing at her through the lens, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled, and her heart would skip a beat.

It was as if he was trying to capture the essence of her, to bottle up the moments they shared together, and preserve them forever.

The two weeks had flown by in a whirlwind of laughter, adventure, and quiet moments shared between Seokmin and Hana.

As the day of her departure for her hometown loomed near, they decided to meet alone, one last time, in the evening, when the sky was painted with hues of twilight and the stars were beginning to twinkle like diamonds.

Hana stood at the park, lost in thought, her gaze drifting upwards to the celestial canvas above.

She wrapped her cardigan tighter around her, shielding herself from the creeping chill of the evening air.

The world around her was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, and for a moment, she felt like she was the only person in the universe.

The sudden click of a camera shutter broke the spell, and Hana turned around, her eyes locking onto Seokmin's bright smile.

He stood a short distance away, his camera still raised to his eye, his gaze fixed on the picture he had just captured.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the only sound the distant hum of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves in the evening breeze.

Seokmin's eyes sparkled with delight as he lowered his camera, his smile still plastered on his face. "You look beautiful in the evening light," he said, his voice low and husky, his words sending a shiver down Hana's spine.

He hurried over to Hana, his face alight with excitement, his eyes shining like stars in the evening sky.

"I need to tell you something..." Hana began, her voice barely above a whisper, but Seokmin didn't seem to notice, too caught up in his own euphoria.

"Me too!" he exclaimed, his words tumbling out in a rush.

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