Anecdotes

ii. petrichor ~ nayeon × seokjin

Ship: Im NaYeon × Kim SeokJin

---

The city was drenched in a relentless downpour, a curtain of gray mist shrouding the streets. Nayeon had always loved the rain, finding solace in the rhythmic drumming of droplets on her umbrella. It offered a kind of solitude she cherished. But today, as she trudged toward the bus stop with a stack of books in hand, she wished it would let up just a little. Her balance wavered, and she slipped on the wet pavement, the books tumbling into a shallow puddle.

"Need a hand?" came a voice behind her.

She turned, brushing damp hair from her face, to see a man holding out his hand. He looked like someone who didn't belong in this dreary scene-a warm smile that contrasted with the gray backdrop. Jin.

"Thanks," Nayeon muttered, accepting his help. Together, they retrieved her soggy books.

"You should be more careful," Jin said lightly, handing her the last book. His tone wasn't patronizing but playful.

Nayeon rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind."

They shared an awkward laugh before parting ways. At least, that's what Nayeon thought.

---

Fate had other plans.

The next day, Nayeon arrived at her part-time job at the cozy little bookstore she adored, only to find Jin sitting at a corner table with a steaming cup of coffee, a notebook open in front of him. His eyes lit up when he recognized her.

"Book rescuer!" he greeted, waving her over.

Nayeon hesitated, then approached. "You're here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Jin replied. "I come here to write. You?"

"Work," she said simply, motioning to her apron.

As the days passed, their interactions grew more frequent. Jin was a struggling writer with an easygoing charm, while Nayeon, an aspiring historian, was reserved and introspective. They were opposites, but conversations between them came effortlessly.

---

One evening, the rain was heavier than usual, and the power in the bookstore went out. Candles were lit, casting a warm glow over the space. Nayeon sat on the floor, organizing a stack of unsorted books, when Jin joined her.

"Looks like we're stuck here for a bit," he said, handing her a flashlight.

They talked for hours, the storm outside mirroring the swirling emotions between them. Jin told her about his struggles with writer's block, his fear of failing, and the stories he dreamed of telling. Nayeon, in turn, shared her passion for history, her longing to explore forgotten places, and the way books had always been her escape.

"You're different," Jin said quietly. "In a good way."

Nayeon looked up, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "You barely know me."

"Maybe," he said, leaning back, "but I want to."

---

The turning point came when they went on a spontaneous trip together. Jin insisted it was for "research" for his book, and Nayeon reluctantly agreed. They ended up in a secluded forest trail, the world around them lush and green. As they walked, Jin asked her about her favorite childhood memory, and she described rainy days spent reading by her grandmother's window.

"You love the rain, don't you?" Jin observed.

"It's peaceful," Nayeon admitted. "It's when the world slows down, and I can breathe."

Jin smiled. "I think I'm starting to like it too."

The trip was filled with small moments-Jin teasing her about her tendency to trip over roots, Nayeon laughing at his exaggerated stories, and shared silences that felt intimate rather than awkward. They were learning each other, piece by piece.

---

By the time they returned to the city, something had shifted. Jin lingered at the bookstore longer than usual, and Nayeon found herself looking forward to his visits.

One evening, as they stood outside the bookstore under a shared umbrella, Jin cleared his throat. "You ever think about writing your own story?"

Nayeon glanced at him. "I don't think I'd be good at it."

"I disagree," he said, his voice softer now. "I think you'd be great."

The rain continued to fall around them, but neither seemed to mind. Jin's hand brushed hers briefly as he adjusted the umbrella. Nayeon felt her heart skip a beat, but she didn't pull away.

"Maybe," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, the world seemed to pause. There was no confession, no grand declaration, just a shared understanding that something was beginning.

And as the rain fell, it carried with it the promise of something more.