Tales Of The Heart | (G)i-dle

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The neon lights of Busan pulsed like a throbbing heartbeat, reflecting off the rain-slicked streets.

Soyeon, her trench coat a shield against the chill, stood before a bar called "The Charming Martini," its name barely visible in the flickering neon. The place looked like a den of secrets, a haven for shadows, and Soyeon, her eyes sharp as a hawk's, was searching for a particular kind of shadow.

A gruff voice, like gravel scraping against stone, rumbled from behind her. "Looking for someone, kid?"

Soyeon turned to face the speaker, a man built like a brick wall, his face a roadmap of hard-lived years. "I'm looking for Yuqi," she said, her voice a low, steady hum.

The man chuckled, a dry, rasping sound. "Yuqi, eh? You're chasing a ghost, kid. She's as elusive as a wisp of smoke, a whisper on the wind."

Soyeon's eyes held a steely glint. "I know," she said, her voice unwavering. "But I have to try."

The man, seemingly impressed by her resolve, pointed to a dimly lit corner. "She's back there, the one with the book."

Soyeon's heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs as she pushed through the throng, the air thick with the scent of cheap whiskey and the desperation of those who sought solace in its embrace. The crowd was a sea of faces, each one etched with a story, a struggle, a secret. She navigated the human tide, her senses honed, her focus unwavering.

Finally, she reached the corner, the dim light casting long shadows that danced with the smoke swirling in the air. There, pressed against the wall, was a woman, her back a silhouette against the gloom. A book, its pages worn and yellowed, rested in her hands, a silent testament to a world beyond the confines of this smoky haven.

Even from a distance, Soyeon recognized the familiar curve of her back, the way she held her head, a touch of defiance in its tilt. And there, just a hint of a smile played on her lips, a flicker of mischief that seemed to echo the neon lights pulsing outside. It was Yuqi, her presence as undeniable as the scent of rain on the wind.

Soyeon's breath caught in her throat. The moment had arrived, the chase was over, and the game had just begun.

"Yuqi," Soyeon whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

The woman looked up, her eyes widening in surprise, then softening into a knowing smile. "Soyeon," she said, her voice a melody that tugged at Soyeon's soul.

"It's been years," Soyeon said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"I know," Yuqi said, her eyes filled with a mixture of joy and sadness. "But I'm here now. And I'm glad you found me."

The two women sat down at a table, the air crackling with unspoken words and shared memories. Soyeon, struggling with her conflicting obligations and feelings, was drawn to Yuqi, and her past mistakes seemed less significant in the face of this connection.