It was a crisp autumn afternoon, and Mai found herself strolling through one of her favorite quiet spots in Seoul, a secluded park with winding paths and fiery red and orange leaves falling gently from the trees. She had her earbuds in, music softly playing, but her thoughts kept drifting back to one person—Jaehyun.
They had become close in the past few months. He was always calm, grounded, but also incredibly kind. It wasn't just his good looks that made her heart flutter (though those dimples didn't hurt); it was the way he made her feel seen, especially in a city where she sometimes felt out of place.
As she walked, she heard her phone buzz in her pocket. Pulling it out, she smiled at the familiar name on her screen: Jaehyun.
Jaehyun: I'm nearby. Want some company?
Mai grinned and quickly typed back. Mai: Always. Meet me at our bench?
It wasn't long before she spotted Jaehyun's tall figure in the distance, walking toward her with his signature effortless style. He was dressed casually in a gray hoodie and jeans, his hands tucked into his pockets, but as always, he looked like he'd just stepped out of a magazine.
"Hey," he said as he approached, his dimpled smile making her heart skip a beat. "You've been hiding here again."
Mai chuckled. "You know I love this spot. Plus, it's quiet enough to think."
Jaehyun sat down next to her on the bench, close enough that their shoulders brushed. "I get that. Life's been crazy lately with schedules and everything. I needed some air."
Mai nodded, glancing up at the trees above them. "Yeah, I've been needing a little break too. Sometimes it's overwhelming... being different in a place that doesn't always understand."
Jaehyun's expression softened. He turned to face her fully, his eyes filled with understanding. "I know it's not always easy, Mai. But you're never alone in it, okay?"
Mai looked down at their hands, which had somehow ended up inches apart on the bench. Her skin, a warm, deep brown, was such a contrast to his. She'd had her insecurities about that before—how people would perceive them if they saw her with him. Would people stare? Would they judge? But Jaehyun had never made her feel like her differences were a problem. If anything, he seemed to appreciate every bit of what made her her.
"Thanks, Jae," she said softly. "You've always made me feel comfortable, even when I'm not sure if I belong."
He frowned slightly, a serious look crossing his face. "You do belong, Mai. Don't ever doubt that. Anyone who makes you feel like you don't doesn't see how amazing you are."
Mai felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. "It's just... sometimes I feel like people don't understand me. But with you... it's different."
Jaehyun's gaze lingered on her for a moment, something deeper flickering in his eyes. "That's because I see you, Mai. All of you. And I wouldn't change anything about that."
For a second, the world around them seemed to pause. The sounds of the city faded, and all Mai could focus on was the sincerity in Jaehyun's eyes, the way his gaze made her feel like she was the only person that mattered. He reached out slowly, gently intertwining his fingers with hers.
"You know," he continued, his voice softer now, "the first time we hung out, I noticed how comfortable you are in your own skin. It's something I admire. And anyone who's lucky enough to know you sees that too."
Mai's heart swelled at his words. She squeezed his hand gently, feeling a wave of emotion wash over her. It wasn't just his words, but the way he said them, like he meant every single one. In that moment, all her fears about not fitting in, about being "too different," melted away.
Jaehyun shifted closer, his shoulder now pressed firmly against hers. "I don't know if I ever told you this, but I feel... different when I'm with you. In a good way," he added quickly with a smile.
Mai laughed softly, tilting her head to look at him. "Different how?"
"I don't know," he said, glancing down at their joined hands. "It's like I don't have to be 'Jaehyun the idol' with you. I can just be me."
Mai's heart fluttered at the vulnerability in his voice. She squeezed his hand a little tighter. "Well, I like 'just you,'" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled, his dimples deepening. For a moment, they just sat there in comfortable silence, watching the leaves fall around them. The cool breeze ruffled Jaehyun's hair, and Mai couldn't help but admire how effortlessly handsome he was, even in the most ordinary moments.
"Can I ask you something?" he said after a while, his voice soft.
"Anything," Mai replied.
"Does it bother you?" Jaehyun's eyes searched hers. "The stares, the comments... about us being together?"
Mai paused, taking a moment to think. "Sometimes," she admitted, her voice honest. "Not because of you, but because of what it means to some people. I'm a Black woman in a place where I already stand out. Being with you just adds another layer to that."
Jaehyun's brow furrowed slightly, and he squeezed her hand. "I hate that you have to deal with that."
"But," Mai continued, smiling gently, "being with you makes all that worth it. You make me feel like I'm more than enough, Jae. And that's all that matters."
His eyes softened, and before Mai could react, Jaehyun leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. It was a gentle, sweet gesture, one that made her heart swell.
"You're more than enough, Mai," he whispered against her skin. "Don't ever forget that."
Mai closed her eyes, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. In this moment, with Jaehyun by her side, the world felt like it had slowed down just for them. It didn't matter what others thought or how different they might appear on the outside. With him, she felt completely, perfectly seen.
And in his presence, she knew that she was loved exactly as she was.
