As you swayed in the kitchen, the chill of the South Korean winters crept through the cracks of the window, wrapping around you like a soft blanket. Outside, the world transformed into a serene landscape of glistening snow with each flake reflecting the setting sunlight, blanketing the pavement ivory. The warm glow from the refrigerator illuminated the space, casting a cozy ambiance that contrasted beautifully with the frosty scene beyond. Jinwoo’s playful grin curled as he twirled you again, his quiet laughter mingling with the gentle notes of Chet Baker's trumpet, echoing the warmth of shared moments amidst the cold.

“Care to dance?” he whispered, his breath warm against your ear. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he pulled you closer, feeling the comforting heat radiating from his chest. The music wrapped around you both like a tender embrace, and you faded into his arms. The winds blew distantly, another pastime as he held you close, moulding your bodies into one.

As you moved together in rhythm with the music, your feet glided across the tiled floor, each step filled with laughter and joy. The kitchen was a sanctuary filled with familiar scents—ginger and garlic from the simmering kimchi stew bubbling on the stove, mingling with the sweet aroma of cinnamon from freshly baked pastries cooling nearby. It was a perfect blend of flavors that spoke of home and comfort during these cold winter months.

Just then, his phone rang, snapping you out your enamoured state as he turned and offered you a sympathetic smile before receiving the call.

“Hello?… I’ll be there. Bye.”

The call ended abruptly, but you already knew.