When Junwoo returned ten minutes later, keys in hand, he stopped mid-step.
She was asleep.
Curled against the wall, arms around her bag, head tilted slightly.
A loose strand of hair fell over her forehead.
Her breathing was steady, peaceful.
He froze, his chest tightening.
She looked like a forgotten dream,
or a melody left unfinished on an old piano.
He crouched down carefully.
"Harin… you'll catch a cold… Harin," Junwoo whispered softly, hoping she would wake up.
But she didn't stir.
So he lifted her gently, holding her as if she were made of moonlight, and settled her in his car.
Fastened the seatbelt.
Closed the door softly.
He didn't know where she lived.
He didn't want to wake her.
So he made a choice.
He took her home.
Morning light filtered through the blinds when Harin opened her eyes.
Everything was strange.
Unfamiliar.
But she was dressed.
Her bag was beside her.
And she was safe.
Her heart thudded.
Then she heard it,
the sound of the shower.
Panic squeezed her chest.
The bathroom door opened.
Junwoo stepped out, damp hair clinging to his forehead, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist.
Harin froze. Her heart slammed in her chest. W-What… why is he standing there like that? Her eyes widened, and heat rushed to her cheeks. His chest, his shoulders… he's so… she quickly averted her gaze, gripping her bag.
"Good morning," Junwoo said softly, his voice calm, steady, yet somehow carrying a warmth that made her stomach flutter.
"H-Where… am I?" she stammered, her words barely coherent.
"You fell asleep outside the gallery," he said gently, stepping closer, careful not to crowd her. "I didn't know your address… I promise nothing happened ."
Her face burned hotter. She could barely focus. She wanted to run, to escape this… this temptation, this closeness, this… she couldn't even think straight.
"And… where did you sleep?" she asked finally, her voice low, hurried.
"On the couch," he said simply.
Harin's pulse raced. She muttered something about class, grabbed her bag, and tried to escape toward the door.
"Let me drive you ," Junwoo said, his tone insistent, but soft.
"No! I… I'll be fine ," she said, panic in her voice, and rushed toward the stairs, her heart hammering, every step a desperate attempt to regain control.
Junwoo watched her go, a strange ache twisting in his chest. He had wanted to stay close, to know her, to protect her… something about her intrigued him, pulled at him. I need to be near her. I need to know her. I need to make sure she's safe.
She paused halfway, then disappeared down the stairs before he could say another word. Junwoo stayed frozen, staring after her, silent, speechless.
For the first time in a long while, he felt a pang of sadness, a longing he didn't understand yet.
Across the city, in the boxing room, the sound of fists hitting leather echoed sharply against the concrete walls.
Sweat dripped from Jahoon's jawline as he punched the bag again , harder this time, his movements sharp, rhythmic.
Junwoo leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching him in silence.
But anyone who knew him well would've noticed:
he wasn't really watching the punches.
His mind was somewhere else.
Jahoon stopped mid-swing, letting the bag sway slowly.
He wiped his forehead with his wristband before giving Junwoo a side-eye.
"You're thinking of her, aren't you?" he said, voice low but teasing.
Junwoo didn't deny it.
He exhaled, almost smiling, almost sighing.
"I don't know what it is," he murmured.
"She has something… something that pulls you in without warning."
Jahoon raised an eyebrow, amused.
"That's rare. You don't get intrigued easily."
Junwoo's eyes drifted downward, unfocused.
"She feels familiar," he said quietly.
"Like there's something I'm supposed to remember. But I can't put my finger on it."
Jahoon punched the bag lightly, thinking.
"Maybe it's nothing," he said.
"Or maybe it's one of those people who come into your life for a reason."
Junwoo's jaw tightened a little.
He didn't want to admit it, not even to himself, but…
he wanted to be near her.
He wanted to understand her.
Protect her.
Jahoon smirked.
"You're already in trouble, bro."
Junwoo shot him a look.
"I'm not."
"You are," Jahoon insisted calmly.
"Your face says everything."
Junwoo didn't respond.
Because deep down… Jahoon was right.
At that same moment, across the city, Harin had just lain down on her couch, staring at the ceiling, her heart still unsteady from the morning.
Her mind drifted back to Junwoo , his voice, his eyes, the way he had looked at her like she was something fragile he wanted to protect.
Why can't I stop thinking about him?
It's ridiculous…
DING-DONG.
Harin jumped, her heart skipping a beat.
She ran to the door and opened it.
Jisoo stormed in like a whirlwind, a huge takeout bag in her hands.
"HA-RIN! I brought chicken!" she announced, almost bouncing in excitement. "Girls' night, just the two of us!"
Harin laughed, her eyes lighting up. "Jisoo! You're amazing! You always know how to make my day perfect."
Jisoo winked and set the bag on the coffee table. "Of course. You know when I bring food… the night is guaranteed to be great!"
Harin collapsed onto the couch, practically hugging Jisoo, unable to contain her excitement. "I'm so happy you're here… Jisoo, you have no idea how much I needed this!"
Jisoo laughed and nudged her .''Come on!open the bag before it gets cold!"
Harin leaned forward, inhaling the irresistible smell of fried chicken, her eyes sparkling. "Oh my god… it smells amazing.''
Jisoo plopped down next to her . "And now, tell me everything you wanted to say, We have a whole night to laugh, talk, and forget the rest of the world!"
Harin took a deep breath, the excitement of Jisoo's arrival still buzzing in her chest. She picked at a piece of chicken, then looked at her best friend with wide eyes
"Jisoo… you won't believe what happened today," she began, eyes wide.
Jisoo leaned forward eagerly, already snacking on a drumstick.
Harin spoke quickly, words tumbling out. "So… I met this guy at the gallery. We were looking at the paintings together, just talking… normal stuff. And when we finished, he asked if he could take me home. I thought it was fine… so I waited outside while he got the car… but then…"
Her cheeks burned. "I fell asleep. Just… without realizing it. And when I woke up…" She paused, covering her face with her hands for a moment, then peeked out. "…I was at his house. On his bed. Jisoo… his bed! And he was… he had just gotten out of the shower… hair wet… a towel… half naked… abs… everything!"
Jisoo's mouth dropped open, the chicken halfway to her mouth. "Wait… what?! You spent the night at a stranger's house… a guy you just met at the gallery?!"
Harin groaned, trying to hide her blush. "I know! I know it sounds insane! But nothing… nothing happened! I swear! I just… I couldn't think straight. I was so embarrassed, I didn't know where to look."
Jisoo blinked, still shocked but laughing at the same time. "Harin… seriously. This is insane. You literally fell asleep at a stranger's place… and he's gorgeous… and you didn't… I mean…" She waved her hands, eyes wide. "Oh my god!"
Harin grabbed another piece of chicken, taking a bite to calm herself. "Yes! And the best part? The food is amazing. I mean… at least I got to eat. That's the only thing keeping me sane right now."
Jisoo shook her head, still laughing. "You're unbelievable. ''
Harin giggled, finally leaning back on the couch, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. ''it's so crazy. But…honestly… part of me wants to see him again."
Jisoo raised an eyebrow, biting into a drumstick. "Ohhh… so he made an impression, huh?"
Harin nodded, cheeks flushed '' he's Calm, kind… and there's something about him I can't explain. He's… intriguing. I just… I want to know him more."
Jisoo grinned, shaking her head. "Harin… you're already falling for him. You've literally known him for a few hours!"
Harin laughed softly. She took another bite of chicken, savoring the taste.
"Okay," Jisoo said, waving her hand. "Tonight, we eat, laugh, and forget the crazy, bizarre stranger who's messing with your brain. Deal?"
"Deal!" Harin said,smiling widely her eyes sparkling with joy and incredibly grateful for Jisoo and this moment.
And as they dug into the food, laughed, and teased each other, Harin tried to focus on Jisoo's stories about her day. But no matter how much she laughed at Jisoo's antics, her mind kept wandering back to Junwoo.
His hair… wet like that, the way it stuck to his forehead…
The towel… the curve of his shoulders… his chest…
God, I can't believe I fell asleep there… on his bed…
She shook her head, trying to push the images away.And yet, every time she closed her eyes for a moment, she could see him: Junwoo, standing there with that towel, that calm, unreadable expression, his eyes meeting hers , the way he had looked at her . She shivered slightly, not from cold, but from something she didn't want to name yet.
The night went on. Laughter filled the house. The chicken disappeared bite by bite. Jisoo told story after story . But even in the middle of all the fun, a tiny, persistent thought lingered in Harin's mind:
What if I see him again? What if… something changes between us?
And somewhere deep inside, she knew this was just the beginning.
FLASHBACK : Out of Sync .
The library was quiet, filled with pale afternoon light.
The smell of old pages drifted through the air.
In the medical section, Junwoo scanned the shelves for an old neurology textbook, fingers brushing the spines.
He was focused ,breath calm, eyebrows slightly drawn.
Just on the other side of the shelf, Harin still in her high school uniform flipped through a book of Korean poetry.
Her hair slipped over her shoulder, the world soft around her.
They were there.
Back to back.
Two universes separated only by silence.
A book slipped from Harin's hands, landing softly on the floor.
At that exact moment, Junwoo bent down to pick up one that had fallen from his side.
Their fingers touched the same cover.
"Oh sorry," Harin murmured.
"It's okay," he said quietly.
No spark.
No recognition.
Just a heartbeat missed.
They stood up.
Walked away in opposite directions.
So close,
yet too far.
A thread formed there, thin and invisible.
He was already in medical school, buried in anatomy and dreams.
She was still just a high school girl, her future fragile, just before everything would collapse.
The universe had brushed them together,
but out of sync.
Because some stories begin long before we realize.
And some souls must lose themselves before they can find each other.
And this time… destiny was no longer whispering.
It was calling their names.
And neither of them had any idea what was coming next.