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3

"Is this all your things, Unnie?" Chaeyoung asked, her voice soft as she carefully placed the last box on the floor.  The small studio apartment felt suddenly much smaller, filled with my belongings.

"Yes, thank you so much, Chaeyoung. I'll pay you," I replied, wiping the sweat from my forehead.  The effort of moving, even with her help, had left me breathless. Five days ago, her offer to let me stay had felt like a lifeline.

"Hmm, don't worry about that.  This place was given to me, but I rarely use it, so it's nice to have someone take care of it," she said, her smile warm and genuine.  The sunlight catching the gold in her eyes made her seem almost ethereal.

"Eh, but I'd feel bad not paying for electricity or bills," I protested, still feeling awkward about accepting such a generous offer.

"Nah, you can just cook me dinner. I heard from the Unnies that you're a good cook," she replied, her smile widening.  The casualness of her words belied the depth of her kindness.

"Oh, if that's what you want, then sure. But I'll pay for the groceries," I agreed, feeling a warmth spread through my chest.  Her generosity was overwhelming.

She beamed, a silent understanding passing between us.  A comfortable silence settled, broken only by the soft clinking of boxes.

"So, are you coming home tonight?" I asked, breaking the quiet.

She turned back to her task, her movements fluid and graceful. "Nope, but I'll be back in the morning to get some clothes."

"Why?"

"Um, I'm staying at school to finish a project," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Oh, okay," I replied, a slight pang of disappointment hitting me.  I had hoped for more time with her.

The day flew by.  My things were settled, the space feeling more like home with each item put in its place.  The aroma of dinner filled the small kitchen – a fragrant stew simmering on the stove.  As evening approached, I called Chaeyoung back from the doorway.

"Hey, have dinner with me first," I said, my voice a little hesitant.

She glanced at her watch, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, before her smile returned, brighter than before.  "Hmm, sure."

We ate in companionable silence, the only sound the clinking of our spoons against bowls.  Afterward, despite my protests, she insisted on helping me wash the dishes, her presence a comforting warmth in the small kitchen.

It was almost seven when she left, her departure leaving a quiet emptiness behind.  I turned on the TV, the bright light momentarily illuminating the stark simplicity of the living room.  A sofa, a coffee table, a TV – that was it.  Dahyun had said Chaeyoung rarely used the place, but it was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.

The apartment had three rooms, a bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen.  I hadn't fully explored it yet, focused as I was on moving in.

I switched off the TV and decided to explore.  The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, the tub and shower separated by a generous amount of counter space.  The toilet was tucked away in its own alcove.  A small laundry area with a washing machine and neatly organized baskets completed the space.

I noticed a door in the corner of the living room, previously unseen.  I opened it to find a wide veranda, clothes hanging gently on a line, probably Chaeyoung’s.  A small bench and table sat in the center, surrounded by potted plants.  She had a green thumb, I realized.

I spent an hour on the veranda, watching the city lights twinkle below.  Dahyun hadn't exaggerated – the view was breathtaking.

It was almost midnight when I finally returned inside, drawn to the one room I hadn't yet seen.  I reached for the doorknob, my breath catching in my throat.  It was locked.  Of course.  Chaeyoung's room.  I wouldn't barge in unannounced.  A quick bath and then bed.

After a warm bath, I crawled into bed, the soft sheets enveloping me.  I played games on my phone until my eyelids grew heavy.

The sound of my alarm jolted me awake.  I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and stepped out of my room.  Chaeyoung was in the kitchen, talking on the phone.  She ended the call with a nod and a "yes."  She saw me and smiled.

"Good morning," she said, her voice bright and cheerful.

"Good morning. I'll just cook breakfast," I replied, feeling a strange lightness in my chest.  The sight of her, bathed in the morning light, was unexpectedly calming.

She sat at the kitchen table, watching me cook.  The scent of bacon and eggs filled the air.

"Well, this is nice," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

"What?" I asked, flipping the eggs.

"Hmm, does anyone ever tell you that you'd be a great wife?" she asked, her words casual, yet the undercurrent of something more was unmistakable.  She stood, reaching for something in the cabinet.

"Well, I guess no one did," I replied, a blush creeping onto my cheeks.  "And what made you think so?"

She returned with a jar of coffee and two mugs.  "Well, seeing you right now in an apron... makes me want a wife. And oh, do you want coffee?"

I cleared my throat, surprised by the unexpected compliment.  "With milk, please," I managed.

She poured the coffee, placing a mug before me.  I thanked her silently, pulling up a chair.  We ate breakfast, a comfortable silence settling between us, punctuated only by the clinking of mugs and the soft sounds of chewing.

"Oh, this is good," I said, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Eh? That's plain," she replied, her words laced with amusement.

"I don't usually have hot coffee in the morning, so this is new… and nice," I said, my voice softer than I intended.

"Me too. I don't eat bacon and eggs in the morning, so this is new… and nice," she echoed, her smile warm and genuine.

At that moment, something shifted within me.  This was new… and nice.  And perhaps, something more.