[At night]
The day's work completed, you shut down your laptop, donned your coat, and made your way towards the elevator. As you waited, the rhythmic sound of approaching footsteps reached your ears. You knew instantly - it was Yujin, your fiancée. Deciding to playfully tease her, you ignored her approach.
"How dare you ignore me!" Yujin exclaimed, delivering a playful yet strong slap to the back of your head.
"Ouch! Ahn Yujin!" you protested.
"That's for not waiting for me," she chuckled, darting inside the elevator as the doors opened.
"Man, that's a strong one, Yujin," you mused, patting the back of your head in response to the lingering pain.
Inside the elevator, Yujin held the door for you. "Come on, don't be a cry baby! Come on inside."
As you entered, she playfully continued, "You're lucky to have someone like me to be your fiancée. You know that, right?"
"Yeah, I know that. That's why it's always fun to tease you because you wouldn't be mad," Yujin replied, flashing a genuine smile that made it hard not to smile back.
Exiting the elevator on the 1st floor, Yujin pulled you into an embrace, leaning on your arm. Glancing around the lobby, you ensured no co-workers were present to witness the affectionate display.
Satisfied, you rested your head on top of Yujin's and placed a tender kiss. Walking out of the building, you hugged her tightly, showering her with kisses from the top of her head to her cheeks and eventually to her neck. Laughing, she reciprocated with a kiss on the lips.
"Oho! You're asking for more, isn't it?" you teased.
Yujin slipped out of your embrace, retaliating with a slap on your ass before running ahead.
"Ahn Yujin!" you called after her, forming a suggestive smile.
"If you catch me, I might let you slap mine!" she shouted, teasing you further.
Hearing her challenge, you tightened your shoelaces and adopted a samurai-like pose from an anime you recently watched."Lightning Thunder Breath, First Form. Here I go!"
The chase began, with Yujin shrieking in playful fear as you ran after her. She giggled and sprinted ahead.
[At Hangang River]
Sitting on the stairs near the river, you awaited Yujin, who had gone into a convenience store for some snacks. Feeling the wait was taking longer than expected, you took out a carton of cigarettes - one of your few vices.
As you lit a cigarette, memories flooded your mind. She came out from the store, a bag of snacks hitting your head.
You put the snacks aside, finishing the last puff of your cigarette as she took a seat next to you.
"You can smoke if you want. With this view, we should let it loose," Yujin suggested, handing you a can of beer.
Feeling a bit guilty, you hesitated. "You're sure?" you asked, pulling out the cigarette pack."
Yep. Cigarettes and beer are always good companions," she replied, opening a can of beer for you.
"It's a good smoking tray," you chuckled, taking the beer and having a sip.
Both of you admired the view in silence. Yujin, with a smirk, couldn't help but stare at you.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" you asked, keeping your eyes on the view.
"Not gonna lie. You look sexy while you're smoking," she complimented.
"Oh, do I?" you smirked.
"Yeah," she blushed.
"You're drunk," you observed, palming both of her cheeks.
"Maybe I am. Hehe...he," she giggled.
"Babe...""Yeah?" you replied, lighting another cigar.
"You love me, right?" Yujin asked.
"Of course, I do! I love you 3000," you responded, referencing her favorite song - a memory from a road trip to Jeju.
"Then why don't you marry me?" she blurted out.You laughed, realizing she was intoxicated.
"Babe, we're engaged, and we're getting married next week," you explained.
"We're getting married?"
"Yep."
"So you're going to be my husband?"
"Yeah, babe. You're going to be my wife."
"That's great!" she smiled in happiness.You couldn't help but laugh, realizing her drunk state.
You pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head.
"Babe.."
"Yeah?" you replied, your eyes fixed on the moon.
"When we get married, how many children do you want?" she asked with a pout.
"Baby? Hmm?" you thought, looking at her pouting lips. Succumbing to her charm, you gave her a peck.
"I don't care about the number or gender. As long as they have a carbon copy of you, that would be awesome."
Yujin blushed, pouting even more.
"Not fair. I want them to be like you too," she said, leaning on your shoulder.
"Don't worry, Yujin. As long as you're there, raising our kids together, then I wouldn't ask for more than that."
You laughed together, and as the night continued, you promised to quit smoking for her.
"Now that I'll stop smoking, what do I get in return?" you teased.
"You'll get this," Yujin grabbed your neck, capturing your lips in a passionate kiss.
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The scene shifted, and you found yourself alone by the Hangang River, ashes of a cigarette between your fingers. Lost in your memories, you wished for Yujin's presence, hoping she would lean on your shoulder once more.
Feeling helpless, tears welled up in your eyes. You reached for another cigarette, lighting it up and taking a puff, the smoke mingling with the sorrow in the air.
You missed her warmth.
You missed her smile.
You missed her teasing.
You missed her kisses.
You missed her, and no amount of cigarettes could ever fill the void she left behind.
"I tried to smoke out her memories, but the saddest moment is when the person who gave you the best memories becomes a memory that is unforgettable."
As you sat there, contemplating the bittersweet symphony of love and loss, the moonlight revealed a message etched into the bench:
"Even in the absence of smoke, our love lingers in the whispers of the wind.Until we meet again, my Yujin."
