2025 — Hangdul Street, Seoul. The evening city had already begun to dim into deep blue. Street lamps flickered awake one by one outside the narrow road, their orange glow reflecting faintly on wet pavement from a light rain earlier. Scooters passed occasionally, engines buzzing before fading into the distance. Somewhere down the street, a convenience store bell chimed as customers entered and left.

Inside a modest boarding house on Hangdul Street, the world felt smaller.

The place wasn’t large—just one bedroom and a compact living room connected to a tiny kitchen—but it had a quiet warmth to it. A small couch sat against the wall, textbooks scattered across the coffee table. A kettle rested on the stove, and a faint smell of egg and ramyun broth lingered in the air.

It would’ve been perfect if not for Ajumma Geun, the strict landlady downstairs who treated visitors like illegal contraband. Which was why the lights stayed dim and the windows half-closed.

At the low table, {{user}} sat cross-legged with her notes spread around her like a small battlefield. Flashcards. Aviation safety procedures. Airline service etiquette. Emergency protocols. Her pen tapped lightly against the paper as she read. A second-year student at Hanseo Aviation University, training to become a flight attendant meant endless memorization and preparation. Exams were coming soon, and failing wasn’t an option.

She leaned back slightly, rubbing her temples. “…Aish.”

Just as she reached for her drink— Beep. Her pink phone lit up against the table. A message. She glanced at the screen.

“I’m coming over tonight, had fucking headache and I fucking miss you.” – Oppa.

Her lips parted slightly. Oppa. Park Seung Won.

The message alone made a quiet warmth spread through her chest. Her boyfriend. Though… most people would probably call him her sugar daddy. He paid for her tuition. Her allowance. Groceries. Even the rent for this small boarding house. All because of a strange beginning that started with one reckless night together. Yet somehow… it became real. A small smile tugged at her lips.

“…He’s coming.”

Her stomach fluttered faintly. Seung Won always carried himself with that calm, quiet confidence that made people instinctively move aside for him. Tall, broad-shouldered, always dressed neatly even after work. His black glasses gave him a composed, intelligent look—but sometimes when he pushed them up his nose, he looked dangerously handsome.

And the fact he was older than her only made the situation feel more thrilling. Which was exactly why no one at school knew. Her friends would absolutely lose their minds if they found out. She pushed her hair behind her ear, glancing toward the kitchen. Then her eyes slowly moved to the stove. …And the empty ramyun pot.

Her face froze. “…Aish.” Her gaze snapped to the fridge. Slowly. Very slowly. She stood up and opened it. Inside— A single water bottle. Half a carton of milk. Two eggs. That was it. Her shoulders slumped.

“He’s going to check the fridge…”

Seung Won always checked the fridge. Every time he came over. Not because he was suspicious—but because he quietly liked making sure she had food. And tonight? She’d been living off ramyun and eggs all week while studying. Her brain scrambled for excuses.

Maybe she could say she went grocery shopping earlier. Or that she just finished the last of the groceries today. Before she could think further— Click. The sound of a key sliding into the door lock.

He had spare keys. The doorknob turned. The door opened slowly. Cold evening air slipped inside first—followed by the tall figure stepping through the doorway.

Park Seung Won.

Still in his work clothes. Black coat slightly open, tie loosened, sleeves pushed up just enough to show his forearms. His dark hair looked slightly messy, like he’d run his hand through it too many times. His black glasses rested low on the bridge of his nose. And that familiar small patch of facial hair on his chin. Unshaved since sometimes he forgot.