Encounter

In 2012, in the bustling area around a prestigious university in Seoul, students were still seen roaming around, even though it was already late in the evening.

"Aren't you supposed to be back at the dorm by now? Why are you still here in the library?" Minji, a short-haired girl and Da-Eun's best friend questioned. Her curiosity was piqued as she interrupted Choi Da-Eun, who was diligently engrossed in her late-night study session.

It was already 11 pm, and the library's cold air-conditioner had been switched off, with only a few dim lights remaining, yet Da-Eun's determination kept her glued to her notes, undeterred even as the security guards loomed, ready to usher her out.

Da-Eun spared a moment to glance up, her expression a mix of exhaustion and determination. "I just can't focus in the dormitory anymore. It's become unbearably hot because of the ongoing blackout," she explained, her voice carrying a hint of frustration.

The summer had taken a peculiar turn, marked by incessant rain that had plunged the area into darkness for three consecutive days. The Mint Dormitory residents were left in limbo, uncertain about when the power would be restored. In the meantime, they had sought refuge in a nearby hotel, but the influx of students had turned it into a chaotic environment unfit for studying.

"Eh? Power issues again? Seriously, it's astonishing how much money you wealthy folks poured into this dorm, and yet the owner can't even spring for a decent generator," Min-ji remarked with a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Unlike Da-Eun, who hailed from a wealthy family, Min-ji's roots were firmly in the middle class. She bore a sense of responsibility not to burden her parents with additional expenses. Instead of opting for the convenience of a dorm room, even a budget one, she diligently commuted from the university to her family home. It entailed a twenty-minute bus ride followed by a brisk ten-minute walk. The journey not only saved her money but also spared her from the dormitory's uninspiring, and often unappetizing, dining options.

"The owner's notorious for being penny-pinching. We're powerless to change it, and the parents aren't too keen on sponsoring him for a proper generator. If this blackout stretches into another day, I might just have to pack my bags and head home," Da-Eun recounted, recalling the audacious demands of their arrogant landlord, who had repeatedly asked boarders to fund his generator purchase. His brazenness was something to behold.

In truth, Da-Eun had never been particularly enamored with the idea of dorm life, but her mother had insisted upon it. She'd reasoned that Da-Eun wouldn't truly embrace the university experience without residing in a dormitory.

But that's just an excuse, Da-Eun knows. She recognized the truth behind her mother's justification—an excuse to shield her daughter from the tumultuous atmosphere at home. Chaos reigned in their household due to her father's questionable actions. Her mother, Min Gye-wool, harbored suspicions of her husband's involvement with another affluent businesswoman. In an earnest effort to spare her daughter needless stress over familial turmoil, she had pushed Da-Eun into dormitory living, away from the disarray that plagued their own abode.

"That's wicked of him to ask for something so expensive," Min-ji shuddered just thinking about how a person can be so greedy.

"Anyway, forget about him. It's late. Is it alright for you to stay so late and commute?" Da-Eun concernedly asked. Min-ji only commutes on her own and she's worried. What if a pervert or a psycho suddenly appears?

"Don't worry, my father waits for me at the bus stop," Min-ji assured.

They conversed for another ten minutes before they finally separated. With their parting, Da-Eun realized her stomach rumbled in protest; she hadn't eaten dinner yet. Acting on instinct, she made her way to the hotel where she was temporarily residing, a haven from nightfall until the early morning hours.

Within the hotel lay a 24/7 restaurant. Despite the late hour, the food it offered remained delectable. As she settled into a seat, waiting for her order, her attention was stolen by the collective murmur of other diners. They were pointing, their expressions filled with intrigue.

Curiosity piqued, and Da-Eun followed the direction of their gestures. There, amidst the restaurant's soft lighting, stood a figure that commanded attention. Tall and impeccably composed, he possessed a chiseled face that could rival the most famous of heartthrobs, with dark expressive eyes framed by lashes that even women would be envious of.

His raven-black hair, tousled with carefree sophistication, he was dressed in casual attire that effortlessly blended style and comfort, and his lean physique hinted athleticism.

The female students who happened to catch a sight of him couldn't help but steal glances, their admiration veiled behind fluttering lashes and subtle smiles. Whispers of his presence flitted through the restaurant like a secret shared among friends, as each observer found themselves momentarily captivated by his magnetic appeal.

It was the first time Da-Eun encountered a man of her age who possessed an allure and too much sex appeal. The thought flitted through her mind that he might be a celebrity, perhaps even a K-pop idol. While the university boasted well-groomed male students, none seemed to hold a candle to this unnamed heartthrob.

Despite his simple attire, a luxury tracksuit that screams expensive with just a tiny brand icon on the chest area, he exuded an irresistible aura that held her attention captive. She couldn't tear her gaze away until the moment he left the restaurant. In that instant, Da-Eun knew she had just experienced her very first crush.