Chapter 1 - Serendipity

The streets of Seoul were quiet as Seunghyub walked home from his evening study session. The city, usually bustling with activity, seemed to take a breath, resting under the soft glow of streetlights. He glanced at his watch, realizing how late it had become. His mother would worry if he didn't get home soon.

As he rounded the corner near a small park, a flicker of movement caught his eye. There, sitting alone on a bench, was a girl. She had long, dark hair that cascaded over her shoulders, and her pale skin seemed to almost glow in the moonlight. She wore a simple dress, and her eyes, a striking shade of green, were fixed on the ground.

Curiosity piqued, Seunghyub approached cautiously. "Excuse me, are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern.

The girl looked up, startled. For a moment, Seunghyub thought he saw a flash of fear in her eyes, but it quickly vanished. She nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm fine. Just... enjoying the night."

Seunghyub smiled, trying to ease the tension. "It's a beautiful night. I'm Seunghyub, by the way."

"Eunsol," she replied softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

He noticed her shivering slightly and offered his jacket. "Here, you look cold. Take this."

Eunsol hesitated but accepted the jacket with a small, grateful smile. "Thank you."

Seunghyub sat down on the bench next to her, maintaining a respectful distance. "Do you come here often?"

Eunsol shook her head. "No, not really. Just needed some fresh air tonight."

There was something about her that intrigued him, a sense of mystery that he couldn't quite place. He found himself wanting to know more about her, to uncover the secrets she seemed to carry. "Do you live around here?"

Eunsol's eyes flickered briefly with something that looked like sadness. "Not exactly. I'm... new in town."

"Well, welcome to Seoul," Seunghyub said warmly. "If you need any help finding your way around, I'd be happy to show you."

She smiled again, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you, Seunghyub. You're very kind."

As they sat together in the quiet of the night, Seunghyub felt an unusual connection to Eunsol. There was something almost ethereal about her, something that made him want to protect her, even though they had just met.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Seunghyub stood up. "I should probably get going. My mom worries if I'm out too late. But it was nice meeting you, Eunsol."

Eunsol nodded, standing as well. "It was nice meeting you too, Seunghyub. Thank you for the jacket."

"Keep it," he said with a smile. "Maybe I'll see you around?"

"Maybe," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of hope.

As Seunghyub walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was more than just a chance meeting. There was something different about Eunsol, something that drew him to her in a way he couldn't explain. Little did he know, this was just the beginning of a journey that would change his life forever.