She turned to face him fully.
"Someone who doesn't have to hide. Who doesn't have to shrink herself to fit in."
She paused.
"In Korea, I'm always too blonde. Too American. Too... much."
"Too much?"
She gestured vaguely at herself.
"My hair. My eyes. My body."
His gaze flickered down.
Then back up quickly.
"Here, I'm just another girl. Nobody cares."
"I care."
The words were quiet.
But they hit hard.
She looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because you're not just another girl."
Her heart raced.
"Haejin—"
"In Korea, you hide. Wear baggy clothes. Minimize yourself."
He met her eyes.
"But you don't have to. Not here. Not with me."
Her breath caught.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I see you. All of you. And I don't think you're too much."
Silence.
Heavy.
Charged.
The sun dipped lower.
Casting them in golden light.
"Why did you ask me here?" she whispered.
"Because I wanted to talk. Away from everyone. Away from... everything."
"About what?"
He turned fully.
