Yours Truly - ADMIRER

CH6

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The first night in Seoul
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T

aehyung's pov:

It was the first night after I arrived in Seoul. The city lights flickered through the hotel room’s windows, casting an inviting glow over the streets below. I had just moved here for my studies, but with all my stuff still packed and waiting to be moved into the apartment tomorrow, the hotel felt lifeless, dull. Boredom weighed heavy, so I decided to step out and explore the city a bit.

The streets were busy, even at this hour. Neon lights and car horns mixed with the soft breeze of the night air. I found myself wandering without a real destination, just taking it all in. Somehow, I ended up on Hangang Bridge, the river stretching beneath me, the city lights reflecting off the water’s surface.

That’s when I spotted her.

A girl stood by the railing, gazing out at the water, looking utterly lost in her thoughts. Her pale face and red eyes hinted that she had been crying for quite some time. I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her, like something about her sadness resonated with me.

I tried to see her more clearly, but just as I took a step forward, she turned around and started walking away. My legs moved on their own, following her without thinking. "Will I be looking like a stalker if I follow her?" I wondered, but something about her made me ignore that. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to know what was wrong.

She entered a small convenience store and came out with a few bottles of soju in her hands. Not long after, she found a seat at a nearby restaurant and ordered some dishes. I watched from a distance as she poured herself a drink, her fingers trembling slightly. Her order came , but her eyes lite up seeing a particular dish ,tteokbokki—her favorite, I guess, from the way her eyes softened at the sight of it.

I felt strange, sitting there watching her like this, but I couldn’t help it. I ordered a few things for myself, stealing glances her way. There was something  in her sadness, something that made me stay longer than I planned.

She was already a few drinks in when the peace shattered. A loud thud echoed through the restaurant as someone tripped over her foot, falling to the ground with a groan. The man, clearly offended, got up and glared at her.

“Hey, woman! Can’t you keep your legs in?” he barked.

She didn’t even flinch, casually taking another sip of her soju. “WHerE weRe yOu keEpiNg yOuR eYeS, HuH? JUst wATch yoUr waY aNd gO. DOn’t coMe hEre baRkIng liKe a dOg.”

That... was a bit harsh. The guy’s face darkened with anger, and the argument heated up fast. Voices rose, and soon it escalated. I could see the moment he lost control. His hand shot up, ready to strike her.

I was already on my feet, ready to stop him, when she caught his hand mid-air. With one swift motion, she twisted his wrist and shoved him backward, making him stumble. “BasTaRd,” she muttered, her voice dripping with contempt.

He barely caught his balance, glaring at her with rage. Before he could come at her again, I stepped in between them.

“Hey, let’s calm down,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I’m really sorry for what happened. It was an accident.”

Before I could finish, she roared from behind me, her drunkenness making her bold. “WhY aRe yoU apOloGizIng fOr mE?! LeAvE mE, I’lL haNdlE hiM mYseLf! I’lL sEe wHaT hE cAn dO!”

She was practically fuming, her anger sharp in contrast to her earlier numbness. I glanced back at her, trying to calm her down. “It’s fine. Just... let it go, alright?” I apologized once more on her behalf, paid for both our meals, and grabbed her by the arm gently, leading her toward the door.