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THE CITY buzzed with life as twilight painted the sky in hues of orange and purple. Sunghoon stood by his window, watching couples stroll down the street, laughter echoing in the air.
Tonight was supposed to be special, a romantic date with Willow at that new café everyone had been raving about. He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing with thoughts of their plans. He could already picture her bright smile as they indulged in unique desserts, the kind that made you forget the world outside.
Dressed in a comfortable sweater and jeans, he felt both excited and a little anxious. He played with the small charm that dangled from his keychain, a nervous habit he had developed over the years.
It was a reminder of his tendency to overthink, especially when it came to Willow. She had become an important part of his life, her warmth and spontaneity bringing color to his otherwise routine days.
Just then, his phone buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts. It was a message from Willow, filled with exclamation points and promises of fun. She mentioned her favorite game, hinting at a night filled with laughter. Sunghoon smiled, his heart racing at the thought of spending time with her.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his fluttering nerves. Sunghoon glanced at the clock, realizing he had a few moments before he needed to leave. He imagined their conversations, her animated gestures as she recounted funny stories, and how effortlessly they fell into easy banter. They had met at a mutual friend's gathering, and since then, their bond had grown steadily, often hinting at something deeper.
But just as he was about to head out, his phone rang. Willow's name flashed on the screen, and his heart sank slightly, sensing the change in tone even before he answered.
"Hey, Hoon," she said, her voice laced with disappointment. "I'm really sorry, but I have to cancel tonight. My cousin needs a babysitter."
Willow sat cross-legged on her bed, the soft glow of her fairy lights creating a cozy atmosphere. She glanced at her cousin's toys scattered around the room, the sound of his energetic play echoing in the background.
Her heart sank as she spoke into the phone, feeling the weight of disappointment. "I really wanted to see you tonight," she said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "But I can't leave him alone."
Sunghoon's voice came through, steady and calm. "Oh, that's okay. We can reschedule." Despite his words, she could sense his disappointment, mirroring her own.
There was a pause, and Willow could hear the sounds of the city outside her window, a reminder of what they were missing. Just then, she heard a burst of laughter from her cousin, making her heart twinge.
"I just... I was looking forward to our night, and I know you were, too." she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, Sunghoon's tone shifted, filled with surprising enthusiasm. "Wait, what if I come over instead? I can bring some board games and snacks for your cousin. It could still be fun!"
