With Minho out on his photography assignment, Ji-eun and Soo-jin set off into the city, their hearts brimming with excitement and anticipation. As they walked hand in hand through the bustling streets, the neon lights casting a colorful glow around them, they couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration at the prospect of exploring Seoul on their own.
Their first stop was a lively night market, where vendors peddled their wares under the glow of paper lanterns. The air was filled with tantalizing aroma of street food, and Ji-eun's stomach rumbled with hunger as they passed by stalls selling skewers of grilled meat and steaming bowls of noodles.
"Wow, everything looks so delicious!" Soo-jin exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sights and sounds of the bustling market.
Ji-eun nodded in agreement, her mouth watering at the tantalizing array of treats on offer. "Let's try a little bit of everything," she suggested, pulling Soo-jin towards a stall selling crispy fried chicken.
As they sampled their way through the market, Ji-eun and Soo-jin found themselves caught up in the excitement of the bustling crowd. They laughed and joked as they navigated the maze of stalls, their spirits soaring with each new discovery.
But as the night wore on, their adventure took an unexpected turn. As they wandered down a quiet side street, they suddenly found themselves face to face with a group of rowdy teenagers, their laughter turning to jeers as they spotted the two girls.
"Hey, what are you two doing out here all alone?" one of the boys called out, his voice laced with arrogance.
Ji-eun's heart pounded with fear as she tightened her grip on Soo-jin's hand, her instincts urging her to flee. But before they could make a move, the boys began to advance, their intentions clear.
"Let's teach these girls a lesson," another boy said, his voice dripping with malice.
Soo-jin's eyes widened with terror as she looked to Ji-eun for guidance, her hand trembling in Ji-eun's grasp. "W-what do we do, Ji-eun?"
Ji-eun's mind raced as she searched for a way out of the situation, her heart pounding in her chest. But before she could formulate a plan, a voice rang out from behind them, cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Hey, leave them alone!"
Ji-eun and Soo-jin turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows, his stance confident and his eyes blazing with determination. It was Minho, returning from his photography assignment just in time to come to their rescue.
The boys hesitated, taken aback by Minho's sudden appearance. Sensing an opportunity, Ji-eun grabbed Soo-jin's hand and together they sprinted away from the scene, their hearts pounding with relief as they fled to safety.
As they caught their breath in a nearby alleyway, Ji-eun turned to Minho with gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Minho. You saved us."
Minho smiled warmly, his heart swelling with pride. "I'll always protect you, Ji-eun. You and Soo-jin are like family to me."
And as they walked home together, the events of the night serving as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows, Ji-eun and Soo-jin knew that no matter what challenges they faced, they could always rely on Minho to keep them safe. And in that moment, as they walked hand in hand through the streets of Seoul.
With their hearts still racing from the encounter, Ji-eun and Soo-jin walked in silence beside Minho, their minds reeling from the adrenaline-fueled ordeal. The neon lights of the city seemed to flicker with an ominous glow as they made their way back to the safety of their apartment, each step a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the darkness.
As they reached the familiar streets of their neighborhood, Minho glanced down at Ji-eun and Soo-jin, concern etched on his face. "Are you two okay?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with worry.
Ji-eun nodded, her breathing still ragged from their narrow escape. "We're fine, Minho. Just a little shaken up, that's all."
Soo-jin remained silent, her eyes wide with fear as she clung tightly to Ji-eun's hand. Minho could see the tremble in her fingers, the lingering effects of their encounter with the group of teenagers.
"We're almost home," Minho reassured them, his voice soothing in the darkness. "Just a few more minutes and we'll be safe."
As they approached their apartment building, Minho felt a wave of relief wash over him at the sight of the familiar entrance. He ushered Ji-eun and Soo-jin inside, his heart pounding with gratitude that they had made it back unharmed.
Once inside, Minho set about preparing a warm drink for Ji-eun and Soo-jin, hoping to soothe their frayed nerves. As they sat together in the cozy living room, sipping on steaming mugs of tea, Minho couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
"I'm sorry, Minho," Ji-eun said softly, her voice filled with guilt. "I didn't mean to put us in danger like that."
Minho shook his head, reaching out to squeeze her hand comfortingly. "It's not your fault, Ji-eun. You and Soo-jin did nothing wrong. Those boys were in the wrong, and I'm just glad I was able to get to you in time."
Soo-jin looked up at Minho with tear-filled eyes, her gratitude shining through despite the fear still lingering in her heart. "Thank you for saving us, Minho," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Minho smiled, his heart swelling with love for the two girls. "You're welcome, Soo-jin. I'll always be here to protect you, no matter what."
As they sat together in the quiet of the apartment, the events of the night began to fade into memory, replaced by a sense of warmth and safety that enveloped them like a blanket. And as they drifted off to sleep, Minho knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, their bond stronger than ever before.