ʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴛʜʀᴏʙ ᯓᡣ𐭩 [BBANGSAZ]

Pretty girl

Pretty: to be attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful. Isn't that peculiar? Many would describe one of interest to be "pretty", yet this only meant they were more attracted to one's appearance. The peculiarity of it grated on Hanni. People tossed around "pretty" like a careless compliment, reducing complex souls to mere physical appeal. Stunning, gorgeous, attractive - an endless barrage of superficial phrases with zero connotation of emotional resonance.

Hanni hated them.

So what if strangers called her pretty daily? So what if every conversation began with a comment on her appearance? It was just a label, a constraint, a constant reminder that others only cared for what's on the surface and reducing a person to mere commodity like a slapped on price tag. Why should she date someone if all they cared about was her looks? It was as if she was just a trophy on display, to be admired for a few minutes before forgotten and left in the dust. She had been naive enough to fall for these fake accounts.

Hanni had once fallen for these shallow charms.
No more.

6:30p.m

"Hanni?"

A low, velvety voice cut through the rain's soothing melody, sending a shiver down Hanni's spine. Deep, yet soothing; soft, yet gentle. There was only one person who possessed a voice like honey - warm and smooth. It snapped her out thought. The girl's unmistakable silhouette emerged from the rain-soaked darkness, growing larger with each step. Her clear umbrella, beaded with raindrops as she approached the latter.

Hanni turned her head, the soft campus lights casting a warm ambiance, forming long shadows across the quad.

"Minji."

Relentless rain pounded against the pavement, its fury warning off anyone brave enough to venture out. Amidst the storm's tumult, the scent of freshly drenched earth and grass wafted through the air, its earthy aroma a stark contrast to the biting winds that sent shivers down her spine.

Hanni's knowledge of Minji was surprisingly limited, despite her larger-than-life presence on campus. Minji's heart of gold and gentle soul easily made her a popular figure. She was like a warm hug on a cold day. Yet, she seemed blissfully unaware of her own popularity. Her innocence only added to her charm, drawing admirers like a magnet. Hanni observed from afar, seated nearby in the classroom, their interactions limited to fleeting hellos and a few text messages. Despite the limited interactions, Minji seemed to always perform little acts of service for Hanni. And everyone else.

"You're going out?"

Minji's face contorted into a slight grimace, her brows furrowing and forming a crease in between as her lips curved downwards into a little pout. She stood beside Hanni, her arms hanging limply by her sides, feet pressed together in a childlike stance.

"Yeah, I need to buy groceries so my roommate and I don't starve tonight."

The campus had a small store for students to purchase essentials, but it had closed abruptly for the day. Just her luck! Hanni didn't even have an umbrella; her roommate had borrowed it and returned it with a large gaping tear. Now, she was contemplating braving the storm to find a shortcut to the nearest convenience store.