As Joon-ho embarked on his journey back to his dormitory, he allowed himself a moment of respite, closing his eyes to immerse himself fully in the world around him. With each step, he felt the subtle shift of his weight beneath his feet, attuned to the rhythm of his movement.
The gentle caress of the wind against his skin sent shivers of anticipation down his spine, as if whispering secrets of the world yet to be discovered. He inhaled deeply, savouring the crisp freshness of the air, alive with the promise of a new day. The sound of distant chatter and bustling activity echoed in the air, a symphony of life that surrounded him.
Despite the hustle and bustle of university life, Joon-ho found solace in these fleeting moments of solitude, where he could quiet the chaos of his mind and embrace the simple beauty of the present moment.
The sudden sound of approaching footsteps jolted Joon-ho out of his reverie, prompting him to open his eyes swiftly. As his vision cleared, he caught sight of a blur of movement to his left, accompanied by the soft swish of fluttering hair. A cascade of bleach-blonde strands grazed past him as the jogger whizzed by, leaving Joon-ho momentarily startled by the unexpected encounter.
The woman who jogged past Joon-ho exuded an aura of athleticism and determination. Her toned physique moved with effortless grace, every muscle in perfect harmony as she propelled herself forward. Her short, tousled hair, bleached to a striking platinum blonde, fluttered in the breeze like a wild mane, adding to her dynamic presence.
A pair of sleek, mirrored sunglasses shielded her eyes from the sun's glare, lending an air of mystery to her already enigmatic appearance. Clad in form-fitting sportswear accentuating her athletic figure, she exuded confidence and strength with each stride. Despite the intensity of her workout, there was a serene elegance to her movements, a testament to her disciplined training regimen.
As the woman slowly disappeared into the distance, Joon-ho's attention was drawn to the path she had chosen. His brows furrowed in concern as he realized that it led to a dead end, a fact that seemed to escape the jogger's notice.
"Hey, excuse me!" Joon-ho's voice cut through the air, his urgency evident as he called out to the jogging woman.
However, his words seemed to be swallowed by the steady rhythm of her footsteps, leaving him with a sense of growing concern as she continued on her path, seemingly unaware of the dead end ahead. Undeterred by her initial lack of response, Joon-ho raised his voice, his tone more insistent now as he tried once again to capture her attention.
"Hey, wait up!" he called out, hoping this time she would hear him.
Finally, the woman paused in her tracks, her irritation clear in the way she turned to face him.
"Sorry to bother you," Joon-ho began as he approached her, his tone friendly yet earnest. "I just wanted to let you know that the path you're taking leads to a dead end."
He gestured towards the end of the path, hoping to emphasize the importance of turning back to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience.
With a sceptical glance, the woman quickened her pace, eager to confirm Joon-ho's claim for herself. As she reached the corner and peered around it, her expression softened slightly, acknowledging the truth in his words. Meeting Joon-ho's gaze once more, she offered a brief nod of thanks before retracing her steps, her jog now redirected along a more favourable route.
Watching her depart, Joon-ho couldn't help but smile, grateful for the opportunity to lend a helping hand to a fellow newcomer. With a renewed sense of camaraderie, he continued on his way, the encounter serving as a reminder of the importance of kindness and community in their shared journey at NexaCorp Korea University.
It dawned on him that, like himself, others appreciated the importance of maintaining a healthy body and mind. In that brief interaction, amidst the shared understanding of the significance of physical well-being, Joon-ho found a connection with a stranger—a connection rooted in the mutual pursuit of vitality and self-care.
As Joon-ho continued his walk back to his dorm, his phone chimed with the familiar sound of a new message. Pulling it out of his pocket, he saw Soo-jin's name lighting up the screen. With a smile, he unlocked his phone and opened the message, eager to catch up with his friend.
"Hey Joon-ho! Just woke up, hope your morning jog went well!" Soo-jin's message read, her cheerful tone evident even through text.
"Hey Soo-jin! Yeah, it was great. Feeling energized for the day ahead," Joon-ho replied, his thumbs tapping away at the screen as he walked.
"That's awesome! You're so disciplined, always up early and working out. I wish I could be more like you," came Soo-jin's response, her admiration for Joon-ho's dedication shining through.
"Ah, don't worry Soo-jin, you'll get there eventually. Just gotta keep at it!" Joon-ho couldn't help but chuckle at Soo-jin's comment.
"Yeah, easier said than done though. I've made that promise to myself so many times already," Soo-jin admitted, her frustration evident in her message.
"Well, you know what they say, practice makes perfect! Besides, if you don't work out, you might lose your title as the best," Joon-ho teased, knowing full well how much Soo-jin valued her position at the top.
"Hey now, you know I can't let that happen! I'll start tomorrow, I promise," Soo-jin replied, determination laced in her words.
"Sure thing, Soo-jin. Just don't forget to set that alarm!" Joon-ho teased, a playful grin on his face as he imagined Soo-jin scrambling to get out of bed the next morning.
With their conversation light and full of banter, Joon-ho continued his journey back to his dorm, grateful for the friendship and camaraderie he shared with Soo-jin.
As Joon-ho continued his stroll back to his dorm, he couldn't shake off the feeling of contentment that enveloped him. The cool morning air brushed against his skin, refreshing and invigorating after his workout. The rhythmic sound of his footsteps echoed in the empty corridors, creating a soothing cadence that seemed to lull him into a state of tranquillity.
However, as he walked, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a twinge of thirst creeping up on him. He had already stopped at one water fountain earlier, but the exertion of his morning jog had left him needing more hydration. Spotting another fountain up ahead, Joon-ho quickened his pace, eager to quench his thirst.
Reaching the water fountain, Joon-ho bent down and took a few refreshing sips, relishing the coolness of the water as it trickled down his throat. The sensation was invigorating, washing away any lingering traces of fatigue and leaving him feeling revitalized.
With his thirst quenched, Joon-ho lingered by the fountain for a moment, enjoying the peaceful solitude of the early morning. The world around him seemed to slow down, the hustle and bustle of daily life fading into the background as he savoured the quiet stillness of the moment.
As he stood there, lost in thought, Joon-ho's mind drifted back to his conversation with Soo-jin. Her words of admiration and encouragement echoed in his mind, filling him with a sense of pride and determination. He was grateful for Soo-jin's friendship and support, knowing that she was always there to cheer him on, both in the virtual world of NexaRealm and in the real world.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Joon-ho resumed his walk, his footsteps light and purposeful as he made his way back to his dorm. The familiar sights and sounds of the university campus surrounded him, each one imbued with a sense of familiarity and comfort.
As he approached the separation part of the dorm building, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment wash over him. The morning had been productive and fulfilling, setting the tone for the rest of the day ahead. With a smile on his face, Joon-ho pushed open the door to his dorm, ready to tackle whatever challenges awaited him with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
While Joon-ho approached the dorm building, his mind still filled with the lingering effects of his morning jog, the honk of a vehicle nearby suddenly jolted him out of his reverie. Startled, he glanced around to locate the source of the sound and spotted an electric vehicle approaching, its sleek design gliding silently along the pathway. The driver, a familiar face, offered Joon-ho a friendly wave as the vehicle slowed to a stop to allow a group of students to disembark.
Stepping aside to make way for the students, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about the newcomers. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to catch a glimpse of their faces amidst the hustle and bustle of the morning rush. However, he knew that he would have the opportunity to meet them later once classes began.
As the electric vehicle resumed its journey, disappearing around a bend in the pathway, Joon-ho took a moment to collect himself. The unexpected interruption served as a reminder of the vibrant energy that permeated the campus, a constant reminder of the new experiences and opportunities that awaited him as a student of NexaCorp Korea University. With a renewed sense of anticipation, he continued on his way, eager to see what the day had in store.