Kyung Jisoo stirred under the warm cocoon of his blankets, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains casting a golden hue over his room. He stretched, feeling the satisfying pull of muscles still growing into their full strength. His dark hair, tousled from sleep, fell into his eyes as he blinked away the last remnants of slumber. His lean frame, still catching up with the height he'd gained over the past year, moved with the casual grace of youth.
"Jisoo! Breakfast is ready!" His mother's voice, gentle yet firm, floated up the stairs.
With a resigned sigh, Jisoo swung his legs out of bed and stood, feeling the cool wooden floor against his feet. He shuffled to the bathroom, splashing water on his face to chase away the last dregs of sleep. The reflection staring back at him was one of youthful energy and curiosity, with eyes that sparkled with the promise of the day ahead.
After a quick run through with his fingers, his hair settled into something resembling order. He pulled on a t-shirt and jeans, the casual attire of someone still teetering on the edge of adulthood, and made his way downstairs.
In the kitchen, the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast greeted him, a comforting and familiar scent. His mother, her face a picture of loving efficiency, set a plate of food in front of him as he took his seat at the table.
"Good morning, Jisoo," she said with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Morning, Mom," he replied, reaching for the chopsticks.
As he dug into his meal, the television in the corner of the kitchen caught his attention. The news anchor's voice, usually a background hum, now carried a note of urgency.
"...and in breaking news, Ulsan Genesis Biotech has exploded early this morning. Witnesses report seeing strange green flames emanating from the building. Authorities are urging residents to stay clear of the area as they investigate the cause of the explosion."
Jisoo paused, chopsticks halfway to his mouth, as the screen showed images of the biotech facility he had walked past countless times. The building was now a smoldering ruin, tendrils of green smoke curling into the sky.
"That's the lab near your school, isn't it?" his mother asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
"Yeah," Jisoo replied, unable to tear his eyes away from the screen. "I wonder what happened."
His mother placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure they'll figure it out. Just be careful on your way to school today, okay?"
Jisoo looked up, a small smile on his lips. "Mom, it's Saturday. No school today."
"Oh, right! I completely forgot," she laughed, shaking her head. "Where's Dad?" he asked.
"He's out running errands. He said he'd be back by noon," she replied.
Jisoo nodded and continued eating. When he finished, he stood up and stretched, ready to leave the table. As he walked toward the door, he caught a glimpse of the clock and froze. His heart skipped a beat as he remembered he had a date today. With a surge of urgency, he stormed back to his room to prepare.
Rifling through his wardrobe, he picked out a crisp, white shirt and paired it with dark jeans and a stylish jacket. He glanced at himself in the mirror, adjusting the collar and running his fingers through his hair to make sure everything was in place. Satisfied with his appearance, he grabbed his phone and wallet, and then rushed out the door.
He lived in an apartment on the top floor, and the quickest way down was the stairs. Bursting through the door, he sprinted down the flights, his footsteps echoing through the stairwell. As he reached the bottom, he bolted out into the street, heading toward Ulsan Grand Park.
With time ticking away, Jisoo knew he had to hurry. He had always enjoyed the thrill of parkour, and now it would come in handy. He leapt over railings, vaulted over obstacles, and took shortcuts through alleyways, his movements fluid and precise. The wind rushed past him, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and urgency.
Finally, he reached the entrance of Ulsan Grand Park, slightly out of breath but exhilarated. He scanned the area, looking for his date, hoping he wasn't too late.
Then he spotted her, standing near a flower bed, her back turned to him. She was wearing a light blue sundress that fluttered gently in the breeze, the color bringing out the warmth in her complexion. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, catching the sunlight in a way that made it seem almost luminescent.
Grinning to himself, Jisoo decided to surprise her. He moved quietly, sneaking up behind her and placing his arm gently around her shoulders. She let out a startled scream, spinning around quickly, her eyes wide with fear.
But when she saw it was him, her expression transformed. Her almond-shaped eyes lit up with joy, and a radiant smile spread across her face, dimples appearing on her cheeks. Her lips, glossed with a hint of pink, parted in a delighted laugh.
"Jisoo! You scared me!" she exclaimed, playfully swatting his arm.
He chuckled, pulling her into a quick hug. "Sorry, Bae Suji. I couldn't resist."
Suji's face softened, her eyes shining with affection as she looked up at him. "Well, I'm glad you're here. I thought you were going to be late."
"I almost was," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But I made it. Ready for our day in the park?"
Suji nodded eagerly. "Absolutely. Let's make the most of it."
As they walked hand in hand into the park, the unsettling news about the biotech lab was a distant memory. For now, they were just two young people enjoying a beautiful day together, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the park around them.
As they strolled through the park, laughter echoed between them, the sunlight filtering through the trees.
"Hey, you've got a bit of dust in your hair," Suji said, reaching up to brush it away gently.
Jisoo chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Guess I might have gone a little overboard on the way here."
"Overboard? You mean jumping off rooftops again?" She teased, shaking her head.
"Okay, maybe just once or twice…" He grinned, knowing he was caught.
"Jisoo, seriously! You need to stop! I can't keep worrying about you like this."
He nodded, his smile fading a bit. "I know, I know. I'll be more careful, I promise."
Suji looked at him, her expression softening. "You mean a lot to me. I just don't want anything to happen to you."
"Nothing's going to happen," he reassured her, taking her hand. "I'll always be by your side."
"Good. Just… promise me you'll always be careful?" she said, her eyes searching his.
"Always, Suji. I wouldn't have it any other way."
As they continued walking, Suji smiled softly, feeling the warmth of his presence. "You know, no matter what happens, I'm really glad we have each other."
"Me too, Suji. You make every day better," Jisoo replied, squeezing her hand lightly.
Just then, the sun peeked through the trees, casting a golden glow around them. Suji looked up and laughed, "And no more rooftop jumps, okay? Just park adventures."
"Deal! Only safe fun from now on," he promised, grinning.
They both laughed, feeling a deep bond that only grew stronger with each shared moment. As they wandered deeper into the park, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them, ready to enjoy the day together.