When Fate Threads Us Together

Parting and Promises

A Heavy Farewell:

The morning sun rose slowly over Busan, casting a warm glow on the city that had become a place of profound significance for both Kang Joo and Eun Ho. The air was tinged with the bittersweetness of impending goodbyes, and as Eun Ho stood in her hotel room for the last time, a deep sadness washed over her. The city had transformed from a mere location on her work itinerary into a place where her heart had been rekindled, where she had rediscovered a love she thought had been lost forever.

Busan was no longer just a bustling port city to her—it was where she had laughed, cried, and reconnected with the man she had once been so close to. The memories of the past few days played through her mind like a movie reel: the vibrant energy of the fashion festival, the excitement of the runway shows, the late-night talks, and the tender moments shared with Kang Joo. It had been a whirlwind, a beautiful blur of emotions and experiences that had left a permanent mark on her heart.

Eun Ho was originally supposed to leave for the airport with her team, but there was a sudden change of plan. Kang Joo, not wanting to waste any opportunity to be with her, insisted on personally driving her to the airport. It was his last chance to spend time with her before they had to part, and he wasn’t about to let it slip through his fingers.

As she brought her suitcase to the car boot and settled into the passenger seat, Eun Ho couldn’t shake the heaviness in her chest. The car ride to the airport was quiet, but it was the kind of silence that spoke volumes. Kang Joo occasionally glanced over at her, their hands brushing against each other’s on the console, sending small sparks of electricity between them. They didn’t need words to express what they were feeling—the connection between them was enough.

The Airport Farewell:

When they arrived at the airport, the reality of their impending separation began to sink in for both of them. Kang Joo parked the car and helped Eun Ho with her luggage. Her teammates, who had arrived separately, were waiting at the departure gate, but they gave the couple some space, sensing that this goodbye was going to be difficult.

Standing face to face in the bustling terminal, Eun Ho and Kang Joo found themselves in a world of their own. The noise of the airport faded into the background as they focused solely on each other. “Remember what I promised,” Kang Joo said softly, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I’ll be back, and we’ll see each other again soon. This isn’t goodbye.”

Eun Ho nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’ll be waiting,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion. She knew that leaving was necessary, but it didn’t make it any easier.

They leaned in, their foreheads touching as they shared a moment of closeness before parting. And then, just as they were about to pull away, Kang Joo pressed a quick, tender peck on her lips—a sweet, fleeting kiss that conveyed all the love and promise between them.

The unexpected kiss didn’t go unnoticed. Eun Ho’s teammates, who had been watching from a respectful distance, suddenly erupted in cheers and applause, catching the couple off guard. Both Kang Joo and Eun Ho blushed deeply, momentarily embarrassed by the attention. But the embarrassment quickly gave way to happiness as they exchanged shy smiles, realizing how much support they had around them.

Kang Joo chuckled, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. “I guess we’ve been caught,” he said, his eyes twinkling with affection.

Eun Ho laughed softly, her heart swelling with warmth. “It’s okay,” she replied, her hand squeezing his one last time. “I’m glad we were.”

Kang Joo’s Regret:

As Kang Joo watched Eun Ho walk toward the departure gate, his heart felt heavy. The memories of the past few days flooded his mind—every moment they had shared, every look, every touch. He had never expected to find her again, let alone to rekindle the love they once had. From friends to lovers. And now, the thought of her leaving filled him with a sense of loss that he couldn’t quite comprehend.

Busan had become dear to him, not just because of the festival but because it was where he had rediscovered Eun Ho. But he, too, had to leave. His career commitments called him back to Paris, a city that had once been the center of his life but now felt distant and cold compared to the warmth he had found in Busan with Eun Ho.

As he stood alone, replaying their conversations in his mind, he felt the weight of the promises they had made to each other. Letting her go was the hardest thing he had ever done, and the regret gnawed at him. It had all happened so fast—too fast for him to fully process what it meant. He wished he had more time, wished he could hold onto her for just a little longer.

Before they parted, he had made a promise to Eun Ho—a promise that he would return to South Korea as soon as he could, that he would see her again. He had told her that this wasn’t goodbye, not really, because he would stay in touch with her, no matter how far apart they were. But even with that promise, the thought of leaving her behind, of flying back to Paris while she remained here, was almost too much to bear.

The discovery of her love, of being accepted fully by her, was something he had longed for, and now that he had it, the thought of being apart was unbearable. But like Eun Ho, he was determined to see this through, to not let the distance or the challenges that lay ahead tear them apart.

The Long Journey Home:

As Eun Ho’s plane took off, she stared out of the window, the city of Busan growing smaller beneath her. She thought about the promises they had made, about how they had both vowed to make it work no matter what. She felt a surge of determination—she wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way of their love. Whatever the circumstances, whatever obstacles they might face, she was committed to loving him.

Kang Joo, too, couldn’t shake the feeling of loss as he watched the planes take off from the balcony of Busan International Airport. He knew that the journey ahead would be difficult, but he was ready to face it. For Eun Ho, for the love they had found again, he would do whatever it took to keep their connection strong. The city of Paris, once a symbol of his success, now felt incomplete without her. But he held onto the hope that he would return to South Korea soon, that they would be together again.

As they both journeyed back to their separate lives, their hearts were heavy, but their spirits were resolute. They had found something precious in each other, something that neither of them wanted to lose. And as the distance grew between them, so did their determination to stay connected, to hold onto the love that had been reignited in the city by the sea.

"Kang Joo, I love you"

"Eun Ho, I love you too. I'll be back."