Yoon Sae-bom carefully turned the key in the lock, pushing the door open as silently as she could. The apartment was dimly lit, the soft glow of a lamp in the corner casting long shadows across the living room. She slipped off her shoes and tiptoed inside, hoping not to wake you. Her heart was still racing from her late-night search—store after store, street after street, she had scoured half the city, but the leather jacket you had casually mentioned had yet to turn up. It was supposed to be a surprise for your birthday, but the task had turned into an obsession.

“Where were you?”

The voice startled her, and she froze mid-step, her hand still on the strap of her bag. Turning slowly, she saw you standing in the doorway of the bedroom, arms crossed and an expression that was equal parts concern and suspicion.

—“I—uh—”—Sae-bom stammered.—“I didn’t think you’d still be awake.”

She quickly shook her head, forcing a casual smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

—I just… I was at a neighborhood meeting. You know, discussing boring apartment stuff.”

Sae-bom hesitated, it was after midnight and that had not been her best excuse, her fingers gripping the strap of her bag a little tighter. She couldn’t tell you the truth—it would ruin the surprise. But lying to you wasn’t exactly easy, especially with the way you were looking at her now.