Moments Between the Spotlight

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Encounter

Evan adjusted the strap of his camera bag as he stepped out of the bustling subway station in Seoul. The early evening sun cast a golden glow over the city, painting the high-rise buildings in soft hues of orange and pink. His plan for the day was simple: explore the city and capture moments on film. He was a freelance photographer, and Seoul had always been a city full of endless inspiration, but today, something felt different, though he couldn't quite place why.

He wandered through narrow streets lined with cafes and boutiques, letting his instincts guide him as they always did. It was then that he noticed a small café tucked away in an alley, its exterior unassuming but charming, with ivy creeping up the walls and soft music spilling out through the open windows. A perfect spot for a quiet break, he thought.

The bell above the door jingled softly as Evan stepped inside. The warm scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped him, and the cozy interior made him feel at ease. He found a seat by the window, pulling out his camera to review the day's shots. As he clicked through the images, he noticed someone walk in, their presence catching his attention before he even looked up.

Hanni.

He recognized her instantly. She was part of New Jeans, the breakout K-pop group that had taken the world by storm. Her songs had been on the radio nonstop, and her face graced countless advertisements, but seeing her in person felt surreal. She wore a simple hoodie and a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes, trying to blend in—an attempt to escape the constant gaze of fans and the flashing cameras of the paparazzi. For a moment, Evan wondered if anyone else had noticed her, but the café was quiet, and she seemed to go unnoticed.

Evan's heart raced as she approached the counter. He tried to keep his cool, returning his attention to his camera, but out of the corner of his eye, he watched her. There was something about the way she moved, calm yet with a hint of caution, as if she was always on edge, wary of being recognized. It was a side of her the public rarely saw, a side that intrigued him.

Hanni ordered a drink and glanced around the café, scanning for a place to sit. Her gaze landed on the empty seat across from him. Evan's heart skipped a beat as she walked over, and for a moment, he thought about offering her the seat. Before he could, though, she stopped in front of him.

"Is this seat taken?" Hanni asked, her voice soft but clear.

Evan blinked, surprised that she had approached him. He shook his head, trying to keep his composure. "No, not at all. Feel free."

She smiled a small but genuine gesture and sat down. Evan could feel the air between them shift, the weight of her celebrity status suddenly making the moment feel charged. But Hanni didn't act like the global star she was she simply sipped her coffee and stared out the window, lost in thought.

Evan wasn't one to fangirl over celebrities, but something about Hanni drew him in. Maybe it was her grounded demeanor, or the quiet sadness he sensed behind her eyes. He hesitated, unsure if he should say something. After all, she had come here for peace, not to be bothered by some stranger. But then again, maybe she needed to talk to someone who didn't see her as just Hanni, the idol.

He decided to take a chance.

"You're good at flying under the radar," he said, glancing at her cap. "I didn't even notice you were... well, you know."

Hanni looked at him, her eyes studying his face as if trying to determine if he was genuine or just another fan hoping for a selfie. After a moment, she smiled again, this time with a hint of amusement. "Thanks. I guess I've had some practice."

Evan chuckled softly, the tension between them easing. "I imagine it must be hard, always being in the spotlight. Must be nice to get a break from it all."

Hanni nodded, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "It can be exhausting sometimes, but I love what I do. Still... moments like this, where I can just be myself for a while, are rare."

There was a vulnerability in her voice that surprised Evan. He hadn't expected her to open up, but he could tell she needed it—someone to talk to who didn't expect anything from her.

"Well, if it helps," he said, gesturing to his camera, "I'm usually the one behind the lens, so I get it. Sometimes you just need a break from everyone watching."

Hanni raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're a photographer?"

Evan nodded. "Freelance. I've been traveling around, taking pictures of places that inspire me. Seoul's one of my favorite spots."

Hanni's expression softened. "That sounds amazing. I wish I had more time to just... explore like that. I mean, I travel all the time, but I never really get to see the places I go."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly after that. Evan talked about his adventures behind the camera, and Hanni shared stories about the ups and downs of her life as an idol. It felt surprisingly natural as if they were old friends catching up rather than two strangers who had just met.

As the evening wore on and the café began to empty, Hanni glanced at the time and sighed. "I should probably get going before anyone notices I've been here too long."

Evan nodded, though he felt a pang of disappointment at the thought of her leaving. "Yeah, wouldn't want to blow your cover."

Hanni smiled at that, standing up and pulling her hoodie tighter around her. Before she left, she paused and turned back to him. "Hey, it was nice talking to you, Evan. Thanks for treating me like... just me."

Evan felt his heart skip again, this time more noticeably. "Anytime."

With one last smile, Hanni slipped out of the café and into the night, leaving Evan sitting there, wondering if he'd ever see her again. But as he stared at the door she had walked through; he couldn't shake the feeling that their paths might cross once more.

And when they did, he had a feeling everything would change.