The next morning, Soorin woke to sunlight.
Streaming through her window.
She'd actually slept.
Deep. Dreamless.
For the first time in weeks.
Her phone showed 8:47 AM.
One message from Minjae.
[Morning! Still good for coffee? There's a place in Hongdae. Quiet. No one will bother us.]
She stared at it.
Part of her wanted to cancel.
To hide. To avoid making any decisions.
But another part—
Another part was tired of running.
She typed back.
[Sounds perfect. Send me the address?]
His response came instantly.
[Café Bloom. Corner of Seogyo-dong. See you at 10?]
[See you then.]
★☆★☆★☆
She got ready carefully.
Jeans. Oversized sweater. Minimal makeup.
Hair down. Natural.
Not trying too hard.
Just comfortable.
Her mother was in the kitchen.
"Going out?"
"Meeting a friend."
"The safe one?"
"Yeah."
Her mother smiled.
"Good. Be careful anyway."
"Always am."
★☆★☆★☆
Café Bloom was tucked away.
Down a side street in Hongdae.
Small. Cozy. Plants everywhere.
