"Spirit Serenade: Notes of Fate"

Our First Unexpected Meet..

Content Warning: The following scene contains descriptions of a major character injury and a potentially distressing situation. Reader discretion is advised.

In case you find the topic sensitive or triggering, please consider skipping this section or proceeding with caution. Your well-being is important. If you choose to continue, please be aware that the scene involves an injured character and may evoke strong emotions.

30 August 2027

I was jolted awake by the persistent ringing of my phone. Still half-asleep, I groggily answered the call.
"Hey there, what were you up to? I was seriously starting to worry. I even had this wild idea that you got kidnapped, and I was ready to dial 911 if you didn't pick up," my friend exclaimed with genuine concern.
I couldn't help but chuckle and retorted, "Oh really? And which superhero police were you gonna summon for my rescue?"
"Don't even try it, you little rascal! You totally promised you'd shoot me a text once you landed in Seoul. I was freaking out here, tossing and turning all night," my friend playfully scolded.
I sheepishly grinned and replied, "Okay, okay, my bad. Jet lag hit me like a truck after the journey. I reached, crashed, and snored away in dreamland as soon as I got here."
"I can't stand you, Aki" she playfully remarked.
"Hey, right back at ya, Amiya," I laughed.
After our usual banter Amiya shifted gears, "So spill the beans, how's it all going?"
Giving her the lowdown, I replied, "Honestly, it's pretty sweet. The place is all cozy and charming, plus I've got this killer view of the Han River from my window. Slowly getting the hang of things."
Despite my words, Amiya seemed to sense my underlying emotions,"You sound good, but is something bothering you?"
Taking a breath, I admitted, "Well, it's just... you know how it is. Change and all."
Amiya was quick to reassure me, "Listen, if this new gig doesn't float your boat or you start missing home, you can always come back, okay?"
"Thanks, Amiya. That means a lot," I replied gratefully.
I checked the time and chuckled, "Oh, by the way, it's like 8:30 am here. So, it must be around 4:30 in the morning there, right?"
Amiya teased, "You just figured that out? Haha, you really need to get the time zones down. If you'd messaged me when you got there, I'd be in la-la land by now."
"Oops, my bad," I admitted, feeling guilty. "I'll try to remember next time."
Curious about my plans, Amiya asked, "So, what's on your agenda?"
"Thinking of roaming around the city a bit, capturing some cool pics. I'll make sure to share 'em so you can be jealous," I joked.
Rolling her eyes, Amiya replied, "Yeah, whatever, brat. Well, I'm hitting the sack. Catch you later. Sweet dreams!"
"Thanks, Amiya. Sleep tight and catch you on the flip side. Good night!" I said, hanging up the phone with a smile.

Interacting with Amiya always manages to brighten my spirits. With a yawn, I swung my legs out of bed, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and commenced my familiar morning routine. While scrubbing my teeth, a casual glance out the window greeted me with a revitalizing view. The splash of water on my face left me feeling refreshed, and as I reached for a towel to pat my skin dry, I caught my own gaze in the mirror. Pushing aside the unruly strands of hair obscuring my vision, my mind buzzed with a flurry of thoughts. A sensation, a premonition perhaps, hinted that the day held something in store for me - a palpable quickening of my heartbeat mirrored my anticipation.

Abruptly, the chime of the doorbell pierced my contemplations, yanking me back to reality. Swiftly, I snatched my coat from where it lay on the bed and hurried toward the door, my pulse still echoing the previous crescendo of thoughts. My fingers closed around the cool metal of the doorknob, and I pulled it open, revealing my manager on the other side. Balancing an assortment of groceries and items in his grasp, he stood there with an expectant expression, seamlessly intruding upon the quiet canvas of my morning.