Skyview (K/DA Akali x Male Reader)

2 | Waiting Side by Side

How often do we find ourselves trapped within the cyclical nature of human comfort? Like clockwork, we proceed forward, without even fully understanding where it is we are going. It is the fact that we go onward, a process we have done all our lives and is all we ever have known, that brings us respite.

But alas, ambition is simply the carrot on the stick. It is necessary to perpetually reach for what is beyond our grasp to fuel our perseverance.

Is it, then, hopeless?

Meaningless?

Or perhaps it is the tempting nature of the unachievable that dares us to dream.

Such...was folly. Only fools drowned trying to swim through the vast ocean known as 'idealism'. I've always prided myself on rationality. Logic and realism was set in stone; I would never be disappointed vesting my beliefs in theoretical hopes.

But even so, this was rather unreasonable, wasn't it?

I took refuge beneath an overhang protecting the small entrance to a diner, the interior coldly unlit with a large 'CLOSED' sign sprawling the entrance. Rain fell like thunder, crashing down atop the sleek asphalt streets as they reflected back the bright illuminations of store signs and street lamps. I checked my shimmering silver watch wrapped around my wrist with dissatisfaction, noting the minutes slowly ticking into the night.

It was so clear just earlier, but I suppose Korea's weather was rather fickle.

The rapid drumming of droplets pounding the ground in syncopated rhythms hummed in my ear as I dug out my phone from my pocket, the lit screen shining against my face.

What an unfortunate event, for a rainstorm to appear suddenly. And of course, it had to be on the one day I decided to walk.

My car was still parked at the Skyview Entertainment building, so I just needed to order a cab, then I could drive back to the dry comfort of my home. My finger hovered just above the 'confirm' button, when I heard subdued grunts and the pattering of footsteps hurrying across the wet ground.

It caught my attention, and my gaze flickered towards the origin. The edge of my eyebrows raised ever so slightly in surprise. The source of the voice hastened out of the rain and under the overhang, letting out a long sigh next to me.

I hadn't meant to, but my eyes lingered on her for a bit longer than I had anticipated.

She pat down her soaked clothing, trying to wring out the excess water from the hem of her shirt. Strands of wine-colored hair clung to her glassy skin, of which was wrinkled by a deep frown.

"You are..." I had murmured.

My muttering must've reached her ears as she turned to me curiously. Similarly, a look of recognition washed over her previously frustrated expression.

"Oh! I recognize you. You were there earlier in Myeongdong, weren't you?" she greeted. She held her hand over her mouth in surprise while pointing at me.

It was the street performer.

Faint traces of that zealous enthusiasm still burned quietly beneath her soft eyes, even amidst the gloomy weather.

"You must've seen a lot of people. I find it hard to believe you know my face in particular," I doubted.

She shrugged, turning back forward to watch the heavy downpour with short-lived interest. I, too, resumed my stance outward, diving my hands into my pockets.

"I'd say I'm pretty good with faces," she replied, "and well, you did stand out a little."

I glanced at her with faint skepticism.