Swipe Right for Love | WinRina

Chapter 4

Prior Kim Minjeong, Jimin's life had settled into a predictable rhythm. Every morning, she woke up in her small but cozy apartment, surrounded by piles of law books and notes, remnants of late-night study sessions. Her days were a relentless cycle of lectures, study groups, and part-time work to make ends meet. Though she enjoyed her studies and was passionate about becoming a lawyer, there was an undeniable sense of loneliness that had been creeping into her life, especially as she saw her friends pairing off and starting their own families.

Jimin had always been the type to keep busy, to push aside her own feelings in favor of focusing on her goals. But lately, that loneliness had started to weigh on her more heavily, especially during the quiet moments in between her hectic schedule. On weekends, while others enjoyed their social lives, Jimin found herself buried in her books, convincing herself that it was all for the best. Love had never been kind to her, and her past relationships had only left her more guarded and cautious.

She had been through her share of heartbreaks, each one leaving a deeper scar than the last. There was the boyfriend who couldn't handle her busy schedule, accusing her of being too focused on her career and not enough on him. Then, the girlfriend who seemed perfect until she abruptly ended things, citing that Jimin's dreams were too big, her ambitions too overwhelming. Those experiences had left Jimin doubtful about starting a new relationship, afraid that it would end in the same way—another disappointment, another reminder that maybe love wasn't in the cards for her.

It was during one of those rare moments of introspection, while scrolling through social media and seeing happy couples, that she wondered if she had been too focused on her career. Maybe it was time to take a chance, to put herself out there again. So, on a whim, she had downloaded the dating app, more out of curiosity than hope. She hadn't expected much—after all, her luck in love had been dismal at best—but she figured it was worth a try.

That's when she came across Winter's—or Minjeong's profile. The lack of a display picture caught her attention first, followed by the simplicity of the bio. It was a refreshing change from the overly curated profiles she usually saw. Intrigued, Jimin decided to message her, not knowing that this small decision would soon disrupt the monotony of her life.

After a few exchanged messages and a surprisingly engaging conversation, they had agreed to meet. Jimin wasn't sure what to expect, but something about Winter had piqued her curiosity. It was rare for her to connect with someone so quickly, especially through an app, but Minjeong's sincerity had stood out.

That morning, as Jimin was getting ready for class, her phone buzzed with a message. She smiled as she read Minjeong's text: "Good morning, Jimin! I hope your day is going well. Looking forward to our next meeting."

Jimin's heart warmed at the simple but thoughtful message. It was a small gesture, but it made her feel a connection that was both reassuring and exciting. The day ahead seemed a little brighter, fueled by Minjeong's kind words.

Her thoughts drifted back to their first meeting at the café, and Jimin couldn't help but chuckle at how surprised she had been. She had expected Minjeong to be modest in appearance, perhaps even plain, considering the lack of a display picture on her profile. But when Minjeong waved her off from where she's seating, Jimin's breath had caught in her throat. Minjeong was stunning—her sharp features, flawless skin, and the effortless elegance with which she carried herself were completely unexpected.

Jimin had been momentarily speechless, trying to reconcile the image she had in her mind with the reality standing before her. Minjeong was the opposite of humble when it came to her looks, though not in the arrogant way Jimin might have expected. Instead, Minjeong seemed completely unaware—or perhaps simply uninterested—in how her beauty might affect others.

As they sat across from each other, sipping coffee and exchanging polite conversation, Jimin couldn't help but think how grateful she was that Minjeong hadn't put up a display picture. She could only imagine how many people would have swiped right just for that face alone, not caring about who Minjeong really was beneath the surface. It made Jimin appreciate even more that their connection had formed based on words and shared interests, rather than something as fleeting as physical attraction.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of lectures and brief conversations with classmates. Despite her focus on her studies, Jimin's mind kept wandering back to the café and Minjeong's charming, albeit reserved, personality. She had admired Minjeong's honesty about herself and her willingness to let Jimin choose the place for their next meeting. It was refreshing to encounter someone so genuine amidst the often superficial interactions she had experienced before.

But as much as she found herself drawn to Minjeong, Jimin couldn't entirely shake the doubts that lingered at the back of her mind. She had been hurt before, and the idea of opening herself up again was daunting. Would this time be any different? Would Minjeong be another heartbreak waiting to happen?

Yet, despite these fears, Jimin felt a spark of optimism she hadn't felt in a long time. There was something about Minjeong that made her want to try, to believe that maybe this time, things could turn out differently. Maybe this could be the start of something real.

By the time Jimin returned to her apartment that evening, she was ready to analyze their meeting further. She had taken a liking to Minjeong, not just as a potential romantic partner but as a person she genuinely wanted to know better. The feeling of hopefulness that Minjeong's presence had sparked was something Jimin hadn't felt in a long time. It was strange but comforting to think that their connection might be the start of something meaningful, especially when so much of her life had been dedicated to overcoming obstacles and dealing with disappointments.

As Jimin settled into her routine, her anticipation for their next encounter grew. The prospect of getting to know Minjeong more deeply was a welcome distraction from her demanding law studies and the pressures of her daily life. For the first time in a while, Jimin allowed herself to embrace the possibility of a new beginning, not just in love but in the sense of finding someone who seemed to genuinely understand her.

She opened her laptop to review her notes but couldn't help but glance at her phone, hoping for another message or a reminder of their upcoming date. With a contented sigh, she closed her laptop and let herself imagine what their next meeting might bring. The future felt a little brighter with the prospect of Minjeong in it.

tbc.