The soft glow of the shopping mall lights spilled over the crowded walkways, bustling with families and friends drifting from store to store. Jae-Hyun was taking a rare break from his music, wandering through the aisles of a record store, fingers brushing over the album covers. As he inspected an old vinyl, a soft tug at his sleeve pulled him out of his thoughts.

He looked down, surprised to see a little girl with wide, tear-filled eyes staring up at him. She couldn't have been older than five. Her dark, glossy hair framed her face, her cheeks flushed and slightly damp, and she was clutching a small stuffed rabbit with an iron grip.

"Excuse me, mister," she whispered, her voice quivering. "I… I can't find my mom."

Jae-Hyun knelt down, his intense gaze softening as he looked into the girl's eyes. There was something familiar about her, a spark of recognition that he couldn't place, but he brushed it aside for now.

"Hey," he said gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "It’s alright. We’ll find her. What’s your name?"

"Ji-Eun," she mumbled, sniffling as she wiped her face with the back of her hand. "My mom… she was just here, but now she’s gone."

Jae-Hyun’s heart gave an unexpected twist at the name. Ji-Eun? The name struck him like a lightning bolt.

Pushing down the sudden whirlwind of emotions, he focused on the little girl, who was watching him with hopeful, glistening eyes.

"Alright, Ji-Eun. Let’s go look for your mom," he said, offering her his hand.

Ji-Eun hesitated but then slipped her tiny hand into his, her grip surprisingly tight. "Thank you, mister," she whispered, looking up at him with a mix of relief and trust.

He straightened, leading her through the mall, scanning the area for any sign of a frantic mother searching for her child. "What does your mom look like?" he asked, hoping for some direction.

"She's pretty," Ji-Eun answered, her face lighting up a bit. "She has long hair and a kind smile. And… she always smells nice."