UNKNOWN GUEST

#93 Love Locks

Author's POV-

People, especially couples, passing by, threw curious glances her way. After all, at a place like Namsan Tower—infamous as a destination for lovebirds, with all those "love locks" lining the fences—what was a woman doing there alone, standing by herself, looking utterly lost in thought?

She could practically feel the weight of their silent questions, even if they were polite enough not to ask.

It wasn't as if she wanted to stand out, but her presence here must have seemed out of place. The night was cool, with a breeze that would've normally been comforting, but tonight it only made her feel more adrift. 

She clenched the two love locks in her hand. Two, not one. A detail that felt ridiculous now. This was supposed to be a couple's tradition, after all. She had planned to come here with him. Jason Roberts. But, of course, things never turned out as planned.

Lately, she had been hearing nothing but distressing news. For the past week or so, every headline and whisper seemed to mention the same topic: American agencies hunting down those who had sided with Captain America during that whole fiasco. Even people who merely helped them were under scrutiny. 

Jason was among those they were hunting, someone who had fought by Cap's side and vanished afterward. She tried to tune it all out, but despite blocking every social site on her phone, the news still found its way to her ears. Passersby would talk about it—pieces of conversation floating in the air—and her mind couldn't help but latch onto the fragments.

He had promised. He'd promised they'd meet again when her favorite band, BTS, won the Billboard Awards, and that they'd go to their Epilogue tour concert together. She'd been looking forward to it with such silly enthusiasm. 

But now... nothing. No messages. No updates. Jason had simply disappeared, like a puff of smoke in the wind or maybe lost to the depths of the ocean. No one knew where he was.

And now here she was, standing in the middle of Namsan Tower Plaza, utterly lost. She let out a soft, exasperated sigh. Why had she even suggested they come here? This place, out of all places—a destination for couples.

They weren't even sure what they were to each other. Friends? Maybe. But standing here, with those ridiculous locks in hand, she felt like the fool.

That weird guy. He had really messed with her mind, hadn't he?

The early summer night felt far too cool now, the breeze tickling her skin but offering no comfort. She pinched the bridge of her nose, as if trying to block out her growing frustration.

This was all ridiculous, absurd, and completely out of her control. But most of all, it was just... sad. She hadn't wanted to admit it, but it was.

She let out a deep breath, lowering her hand, and stared down at the locks. One for her, one for him. But here she was, alone.

She ran a hand through her hair in frustration as she approached the fence, where countless colorful locks swayed gently in the breeze, each representing love, promises, and memories shared between couples.

She stood there, staring at the sea of names etched into metal, letting out a bitter chuckle. These were meant to symbolize something hopeful, something lasting. But the two locks in her hand? They felt meaningless now.

Her grip tightened around them as she glanced down. I should just throw these away and be done with it, she thought. Worrying about him, hoping for a reunion—it was ridiculous.

There had been no word, no message. He had vanished. Let it go, she told herself. She raised her hand, ready to toss the locks over the fence, ready to end this foolish attachment.