Two Days Ago
Park Sangwon woke up to the soft chime of his alarm, the morning light filtering through the curtains of his sleek but lonely apartment. He rubbed his eyes and sighed, feeling the emptiness of the spacious, modern space. Gone were the bustling mornings in the dormitory with his twelve brothers from IGNITION. Now, he faced a quiet routine, far removed from the chaotic, yet comforting, camaraderie of his youth.
His day began with a solitary breakfast, a stark contrast to the shared meals of the past, filled with laughter and conversation. He missed the banter, the arguments over the last piece of toast, and the playful teasing. Now, it was just him, a bowl of cereal, and the morning news playing in the background.
After breakfast, Sangwon headed to the studio. His entertainment agency, relentless in its demands, had been pressuring him to release a new album. He had been working on it for months, pouring his heart and soul into each song. Yet, the pressure to churn out commercial hits was suffocating. He wasn't just a music manufacturer; he was an artist. He wanted his music to mean something, to resonate with his listeners on a deeper level.
The studio, once a place of joy and creativity, had become a battleground. His manager constantly pushed for progress updates, urging him to speed up the process. "We need this album out, Sangwon. The market is waiting," his manager would say, the words feeling more like a command than encouragement.
Feeling overwhelmed, Sangwon decided he needed a break. He needed to find peace, a place where he could reconnect with himself and find inspiration. Jeju Island, with its serene landscapes and tranquil beaches, seemed like the perfect escape. The summer solstice festival offered a chance to blend in, to breathe, and perhaps, to heal.
As he arrived on the island, the fresh sea breeze and the soothing sound of waves welcomed him. It felt like a different world, far removed from the incessant demands and flashing cameras. He rented a small, cozy cottage near the beach, hoping the simplicity of nature would help him clear his mind and reignite his creative spark.
The first two days were blissful. He spent his mornings walking along the beach, the sand cool beneath his feet, the horizon stretching infinitely. In the afternoons, he would sit with his guitar, strumming chords and jotting down lyrics that flowed naturally, inspired by the beauty around him. The evenings were reserved for quiet reflection, watching the sun set over the ocean, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.
Despite the solitude, there was a sense of fulfilment in this routine. For the first time in years, Sangwon felt like he could breathe. He wasn't just Park Sangwon, the idol; he was Sangwon, a man seeking meaning beyond the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.
As the summer solstice festival approached, the island buzzed with excitement. The locals welcomed him warmly, unaware of his celebrity status. He felt like he belonged, free from the weight of expectations. The festival promised music, dance, and a celebration of life—a perfect blend for someone trying to find his footing again.
On the night of the festival, he performed a small set on the beach, his heart poured into every note. The crowd was small, intimate, and appreciative. It was during this performance that his eyes met hers—Mira. Her gaze was steady, curious, and sincere. It was a moment that struck a chord deep within him, a reminder of why he started making music in the first place.
After the concert, Sangwon found himself searching for her, wanting to connect with the girl who had sparked something within him. But as the festival wound down, she was nowhere to be seen.
...
The morning after the festival was enveloped in a gentle drizzle. Mira awoke to the sound of raindrops tapping against the window of her cozy beach homestay. She stretched and yawned, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation for the day ahead. Today, she was to meet Han Jiwoo again, who would take her to an ancient, abandoned site hidden deep within the forest.
After a quick breakfast of rice, kimchi, and seaweed soup, Mira donned her raincoat and set out to meet Jiwoo. The island, shrouded in mist and rain, looked even more mystical than before. The forest, with its towering trees and lush undergrowth, seemed like a portal to another world.
Jiwoo was waiting for her at the edge of the forest, a bright smile on her face despite the rain. "Good morning, Mira! Ready for an adventure?"
Mira nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Yes, let's go. I'm excited to see this place you and Professor Jisoo discovered."
They set off, the path winding deeper into the forest. The rain made the leaves glisten, and the earthy smell of wet soil filled the air. As they walked, Jiwoo began to share stories of the forest and its secrets.
"This place," Jiwoo said, her voice hushed with reverence, "is one of the most mysterious sites we've ever come across. During our last trip, Professor Jisoo and I found traces of an ancient structure buried beneath the ground. The Cheonmado painting is said to be hidden here."
Mira's eyes widened. "The Cheonmado? But why haven't you excavated it yet?"
Jiwoo explained, "According to the manuscripts, the painting can only be located when the sun is directly overhead. The ancient royals were clever; they used the position of the sun to hide their treasures, ensuring they could only be found on specific days."
Mira looked around, the rain dripping from the leaves, making the forest seem alive with whispers. "So, we need to wait for the longest day of the year?"
Jiwoo nodded. "Yes, the summer solstice. That's when the sun will be at its highest point. But there's a complication. We don't have permission from the authorities to dig here."
Mira stopped in her tracks, alarmed. "What do you mean? We need some sort of permission from the authorities, right?"
Jiwoo sighed. "That's where you come in. As licensed archaeologists working for the government, Professor Jisoo and I would have to go through a lot of red tape. But you, as a student and a foreigner, could slip under the radar. If we succeed, Professor Jisoo will take all the blame and credit you for the discovery, which will greatly benefit your studies."
Mira's heart pounded. She dropped the maps she was holding and turned to Jiwoo, her eyes blazing with anger. "Are you serious? This is illegal! If I get caught, I could be kicked out of the country. Why are we doing this?"
Jiwoo placed a calming hand on Mira's shoulder. "I understand your concerns, but think about the significance of this discovery. The Cheonmado is a national treasure. If we find it, it could change the course of your academic career. And Professor Jisoo will make sure you're protected."
Mira took a deep breath, trying to process the gravity of the situation. "I need to think about this. The longest day is yet to come, so we have some time."
Jiwoo nodded, understanding. "Take your time, Mira. This is a big decision. But remember, the opportunity to discover something this significant doesn't come often."
As they continued to explore the site, Mira couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The rain, the forest, the ancient secrets buried beneath the ground—all seemed to be watching her, waiting for her decision. She looked up at the sky, the rain now a gentle mist, and wondered what path she would choose.
Mira silently followed Jiwoo back towards the car after visiting the site. The forest had left her with more questions than answers, and her mind was a swirling storm of uncertainty. She paused suddenly, turning to Jiwoo.
"Jiwoo-nim, you can go ahead… I'll just take a stroll on the beach nearby…"
Jiwoo, sensing her turmoil, gently held her shoulders. "Why? I mean- if you're thinking about what we discussed earlier… Just don't worry too much… You can trust us…"
"No, it's fine… I was actually wondering all the way from Seoul to Jeju, about why Professor Jisoo has blackmailed me over my scholarship… I can understand it now… Let me just think about it, I'll come back to the homestay within an hour or two…" Mira said with a tired smile on her face.
Jiwoo hesitated but then nodded. "Alright, Mira. Take your time. We'll be waiting."
Mira watched Jiwoo drive away before turning towards the nearby market. The bustling atmosphere was a stark contrast to the silent, eerie forest. She wandered through the stalls, her senses overwhelmed by the vibrant colors and enticing scents. The market was alive with the sound of vendors calling out their wares and the chatter of tourists and locals alike.
She stopped at a fruit stall, admiring the array of exotic fruits she had never seen before. The vendor, a cheerful old woman, offered her a sample of a bright orange fruit. Mira smiled politely and took a bite, savoring the sweet and tangy flavor. It was a small moment of joy amid her inner turmoil.
Moving on, she found herself drawn to a shop selling handmade artifacts and local clothing. She admired the intricate designs of the long skirts hanging on display. After hesitating for a moment, she picked out a few and headed to the mirror at the back of the shop.
As she tried on a vibrant blue skirt, she glanced at her reflection. Her silver nose ring still shone brightly on her face, but the broken emerald in it bothered her. She traced the jagged edge with her finger, trying to ignore the symbolism of her fractured life. She wondered if rejecting Jisoo's offer could fix the broken parts of her existence, but the reality of her situation crashed down on her. It wasn't an offer; it was a condition. To save her PhD, she had to take the risk.
The thought of getting caught and being banned from the country sent a chill down her spine. Questions stormed her brain as she paid for the skirt and continued her walk. She needed clarity, but all she felt was confusion and fear.
Finally, she found herself at the beach, the soothing sound of waves offering a momentary respite from her troubled thoughts. She kicked off her shoes and let the cool sand sink between her toes. The ocean stretched out endlessly before her, a reminder of the vastness of the world and the insignificance of her troubles in the grand scheme of things.
Suddenly, Mira realized that the people around her had scattered in a matter of minutes. The stalls set up for the second day of the Solstice festival were being quickly dismantled by the local residents. Everyone seemed to be in an extreme hurry to get back to their homes as the beach grew more desolate with each passing second. She ran towards one of the stalls and asked the old man inside, "What happened, Ahjussi? Are we not celebrating the festival tonight?"
"Didn't you watch the news? The weatherman forecasted a storm approaching the coastline tonight, so the local authority has declared that the beaches be evacuated as soon as possible before the sun goes down! Go, run away now!" he shouted at her while hurriedly closing down his stall and running towards the bus, which was being boarded by the other residents.
Mira also ran behind him, hoping to get inside the bus, but it was already full, leaving space for only one more person. Without hesitation, she stepped back to let the old man get on the bus. She watched the bus drive away from the beach, then walked towards the bus stop, waiting for the next one to arrive. The winds began to howl within minutes. Unlike the cozy previous night, the beach seemed frightening today—no one was nearby, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore was menacing. To worsen the situation, rain started pouring down heavily. Mira sat there, under the small bus stop shelter, unfazed by the storm. Her home country had faced worse disasters, and such storms were a regular occurrence in Hokkaido. She had grown aloof to fears like these.
In a moment of frustration, Mira stood up and started walking toward the sea, letting herself get drenched in the heavy rain. Far away, she spotted a little puppy struggling to get out from under one of the stalls, whimpering loudly. She ran toward it and helped free its tiny leg from a plastic thread stuck in the wet sand. Picking up the puppy in her arms, she turned to walk back to the bus stop. But as soon as she lifted her foot, a large wave struck the beach, making her lose her balance. The strong winds blowing against her didn't help. She found herself stuck in the typhoon, the winds pushing her back. Embracing the puppy tightly against her chest, she sat down on the sand, losing all her strength to fight back the gusting winds. The daily struggles she faced, coupled with the determination to free herself from emotional turmoil, weighed heavily on her. At that moment, death seemed easier than living a life burdened with hopes and responsibilities. She had never lived for herself.
Suddenly, a hand reached out in front of her face. Her eyes, filled with rainwater and hiding her tears, couldn't see clearly who the person was. But she wanted to hold that hand, to rely on someone, to be supported by someone. She was tired of being the first and only daughter, tired of bearing the burden of her family's struggles. She held the hand tightly, and the person pulled her up with force. Standing up with the puppy still clutched in her other arm, the person wiped her eyes, helping her see more clearly.
"Do you want to die?" he asked.
"No, I want to live," Mira said, breaking down into sobs.
"Then you must live a good life," he said, wiping her eyes again. She could now see clearly—the face in front of her was familiar. The most beautiful face she had ever seen. The heavy typhoon winds blew his hair, and her own long hair whipped against his face. It was Park Sangwon. Her heart began to beat faster as she looked into his eyes, and he stared back into hers. They stood motionless, his hand still holding hers tightly. The rain poured over them wildly, the sense of time, place, and weather fading away as they looked at each other.
The intensity of the storm seemed to mirror the tumult within her. In that moment, the chaos of nature was drowned out by the calm she felt holding his hand. His presence, solid and real, grounded her in a way she had never experienced. The wind roared around them, but in each other's eyes, they found a solace. His thumb brushed away a tear from her cheek, and she closed her eyes, leaning into his touch.
"I'm here," Sangwon whispered, his voice barely audible over the storm, yet it resonated deeply within her. She nodded, unable to speak, overwhelmed by a mix of relief and an unfamiliar feeling that wrapped around her heart.
...
A few hours later,
A cup of hot coffee was placed on the table as Mira sat down in the chair. Sangwon had offered her a pair of dry shirts with long pajamas and a towel when they returned from the beach. Mira hesitantly accepted the clothes and changed into them while Sangwon brewed the coffee.
Mira sipped the hot coffee, feeling a rush of warmth spread through her body, savoring its taste. Suddenly, she realized that the person sitting opposite her had been staring at her for a while.
"Ahh… no need to make it so obvious," Mira said, sipping her coffee.
Sangwon looked at her with a confused expression.
"I know that I'm looking extremely hot right now," she continued.
"What?" Sangwon choked on his coffee, looking at the young woman sitting there, drenched like a little cat. The puppy she had saved earlier was sleeping near the woodfire in his house.
"Weren't you pretty brave out there, saving that little guy?" Sangwon asked, pointing toward the puppy.
"Yeah… whatever… I didn't die at least. Thanks—thanks to you," Mira stuttered.
"I see you have a special place for death in your life," Sangwon chuckled. "Don't come to a beautiful place like Jeju if all you want to do is die."
"Who wants to die, huh? Didn't you tell me to live? I will live the best version of my life!" Mira said, gulping down the last sip of coffee.
"By the way… is it fine with your manager? I saw him freaking out the moment I got inside your car on the beach."
"Forget about him," Sangwon said, leaning back on the couch. "Do you know who I am?" he asked.
"Kind of… uh… you're an idol—"
"Pretend you don't know my profession."
"Okay…"
"Let's just go with first names," Sangwon suggested, smiling warmly.
"Sure, I'm Mira," she replied, returning his smile.
"Sangwon."
As they introduced themselves, Sangwon's manager arrived with dinner, interrupting their conversation. They joked and flirted with each other throughout the meal, the playful banter easing the tension of the evening.
"So, Sangwon, sorry but I'll drop the honorifics… do you always rescue damsels in distress during storms?" Mira teased, twirling a noodle on her fork.
"Only the ones who look extremely hot when drenched," Sangwon retorted, his eyes twinkling.
"Well, I guess I should be flattered," Mira laughed.
After dinner, the storm outside reached its peak. The rain hammered the roof and glass windows, creating a cacophony that drowned out their laughter. Mira called Jiwoo to inform her of her whereabouts, and Jiwoo's panicked voice only added to the chaos of the evening.
"Jiwoo, calm down! I'm safe. I'm with a... friend," Mira said, glancing at Sangwon, who raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Just stay safe, okay? The storm is really bad," Jiwoo urged.
"I will. Don't worry," Mira assured her before hanging up.
They sat down on the couches, Sangwon on one and Mira at the end of the other. An awkward silence settled between them as they ran out of topics to discuss. The loud banging of the thunderstorm outside filled the room, making them both jump occasionally.
Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out, plunging the room into darkness. The storm had caused a power outage.
"Well, this just got more interesting," Sangwon said, trying to lighten the mood.
Mira chuckled nervously. "I guess we'll have to entertain ourselves without electricity."
"Sure," Mira agreed, feeling a strange comfort in his presence despite the raging storm outside, "Do you have some alcohol?"
"Aren't you afraid? Sitting alone with a man, amidst the darkness… drinking alcohol is dangerous…"
"Are you suggesting that you're dangerous?"
"This night… surely is…"
Sangwon brought out a bottle of red wine from his fridge, poured it into a glass, and offered it to Mira.
"You want me to drink alone? Where are the great alcohol etiquettes of Korean society? Or do you want to…" Mira laughed, noting how Sangwon never took his eyes off her face.
He poured another glass of wine for himself and sat on the floor across from Mira, continuing to stare at her.
"Aren't you staring at me a bit too much?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You're so beautiful," he replied softly.
Their eyes locked, creating a palpable tension between them. The wine bottle was emptied within minutes, and a profound silence settled in the room. Two silly individuals, lost in each other's eyes, engaged in an unspoken drinking bet. Mira, already saturated, struggled to finish her last glass of wine. Sangwon looked at her in a daze,
"Are you sure you want to let me win?" he teased, gulping down his wine. As he looked up, he found her face extremely close to his.
Mira scanned his face in the dim light, leaving no space between them. She was undeniably attracted to him, and the influence of alcohol had eroded her inhibitions. She wanted him—badly. Very, very badly.
Without a second thought, she leaned forward and placed her lips on his. The kiss was gentle at first, exploring the unfamiliar territory, but quickly deepened with a shared urgency. Sangwon's hands found their way to her waist, pulling her closer as he responded with equal fervor.
The taste of red wine lingered between them, adding a heady sweetness to their kiss. Mira's fingers tangled in his hair, the silky strands slipping through her fingers as she held him close. Sangwon's heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing the intensity of their connection.
As the storm raged outside, their own storm of emotions swirled within the safety of the small, dark room. The rain pounded against the windows, but it only served to heighten the intimacy of the moment. They were lost in each other, oblivious to the world outside, bound by a desire that had taken them both by surprise.
"Would you forget about this tomorrow?" Sangwon asked, breathing heavily as he broke away from their passionate kiss.
"I don't think of tomorrow," Mira replied, engulfing him in her arms. Sangwon lifted her up, carried her to his bedroom, and gently placed her on the bed. He began placing soft kisses along her slender neckline, nibbling her collarbone. Subtle moans escaped her lips as she laid back, unbuttoning her shirt and helping him remove it over his head.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Keep quiet," she whispered, silencing him with another deep kiss.
"You'll regret this move," he warned.
"Let me regret," she responded, her eyes dark with desire.
"Are you sure?" he asked again, uncertainty in his voice.
"Shut up and get down," she commanded.
The darkness of the room, broken only by the hazy moonlight, shielded their faces. Their minds were muddled by alcohol, but their desires burned vividly, like a fire in their hearts.
A loud moan shattered the cold room's silence, mingling with the sound of tears wetting the pillow and sweat dripping onto the sheets.
"Why did you—" a confused mumble echoed in the silence, but there was no reply. Their bodies entwined, fitting perfectly together.
"Sangwon… have you never done this before?"
"I said… you'll regret this…" he murmured, guilt mixing with desire as he pulled her up from the bed, positioning her on top of him. He laid back on the sheets, wrapping his arms around her naked body. It was a pleasure he had never felt before, a release of his innermost desires, a sensation entirely new to him.
"If you don't remember this night… you will regret…" he whispered, holding her close.
Their bodies floated in pleasure as midnight passed, neither willing to stop. It became an unspoken contest of who would relent first.
"Are you sure you've never done this before? It doesn't seem…" Her words were cut off as his lips silenced her, exploring every inch of her body.
Their movements became more synchronized, driven by a shared hunger. Each touch, each kiss, felt like a discovery, an exploration of uncharted territory. Sangwon's hands traced the curves of her body, committing every detail to memory. Mira responded with equal fervor, her hands roaming over his muscular frame.
The night wore on, and their passion only intensified. The storm outside raged, but inside, they created their own tempest of emotions and sensations. The barriers they had both built around themselves were torn down, leaving them vulnerable yet completely connected.
"Do you feel this too?" Mira asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yes," Sangwon replied, his voice trembling with the intensity of the moment. "I've never felt anything like this."
Their connection deepened, transcending the physical. It was as if their souls were intertwining, merging into one. The guilt and the fear melted away, replaced by a pure, raw connection.