Hana trudged through the front door of her small studio apartment, exhausted from a long day of juggling her part-time job at the café and her studies. She hung her bag on the chair and dropped onto her bed, letting out a deep sigh.
As she lay there, she mindlessly scrolled through her phone, her eyes glazing over from the fatigue. But then, a message alert broke the silence.
Hana lifted her phone up to her view, rubbing her eyes to focus on the screen. It was a message from her colleague, Yoon-ah.
"Hana, annyeong! I need a favor - can you deliver this package to the customer in Gangnam tonight? I'm stuck with a shift at the café and won't be able to make it. The customer is waiting for it, so please hurry! Gomawo!"
Hana groaned inwardly, feeling her exhaustion deepen. She had been looking forward to a relaxing evening, not another task to add to her list.
But she knew she couldn't say no to Yoon- Ah, who had covered for her countless times at the café. With a resigned sigh, Hana typed out a response.
"Okay... I'll head out now. What's the address?"
As she hit send, Hana reluctantly got up from her bed, grabbed her bag, and headed back out into the evening.
She made her way to the café, her feet carrying her on autopilot as her mind wandered to the long day she'd had. She pushed open the door, and Yoon-Ah looked up from wiping down the counter, a relieved smile on her face.
"Gomawo, Hana! I owe you one," Yoon-Ah said, handing her a small package wrapped in brown paper. "The customer is waiting for this, so please make sure to get it to them quickly."
Hana took the package, nodding as she checked the address on the label. "Gangnam, right? I'll get it there ASAP."
Yoon-Ah nodded, her eyes already back on her phone as she scrolled through orders. "Be careful, okay? It's getting late."
Hana nodded, tucking the package into her bag and heading back out into the evening. She hailed a taxi on the street, giving the driver the address as she settled into the backseat.
~~~~
Kai, on the other hand, walked through the streets, the evening lights casting a warm glow over the city, he couldn't shake off the feeling of restlessness. He needed to feel the air on his face and the freedom to walk without being recognized.
He strolled among the crowd, wearing a hat and a nose mask to disguise himself. The mask was a common sight in Seoul, worn to protect against pollution and germs, so Kai hoped it would help him blend in.
He sighed and looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the evening crowd. He walked past a street food vendor, the smell of sizzling meat and spices filling his nostrils. He watched as a group of friends laughed and joked, their faces illuminated by the neon lights of a nearby billboard.
Walking through the streets, Kai felt a thrill of excitement. No one recognized him, no one asked for a selfie or an autograph. He was just another face in the crowd.
He walked for hours, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. He felt alive, free.
Turning a corner, his eyes landed on a small park tucked away between two buildings. The park was quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. He decided to take a detour, seeking a moment of peace in the midst of the chaos.
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through social media, feeling a pang of envy towards those who could live their lives without constant attention.
Just then, his phone buzzed with a text from Minsoo. "Yo, Kai! What's up? Joon said you slipped out. Everything okay?"
Kai smiled wryly, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his fellow members. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just needed some air."
Minsoo replied with a string of laughing emojis. "Dude, you're such a weirdo. But seriously, be careful, okay?"
Kai chuckled and put his phone away, feeling grateful for his friends' concern.
Meanwhile, the taxi navigated through the crowded streets, Hana gazed out the window, her mind drifting to the mysterious guy she'd seen at the café earlier. She could tell he was an idol given the scene. She wondered what his story was, and why he'd seemed so lost in thought, just by his gaze.
The taxi pulled up to the address, a sleek high-rise building in the heart of Gangnam. Hana paid the driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk, the package clutched in her hand. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the delivery, and headed towards the building.
As Hana entered the building, she made her way to the elevator, package in hand.
Stepping out of the elevator, she checked the address on the package again to make sure she was at the right door.
Hana walked down the hallway, and stopped in front of a sleek black door with a silver doorplate that read "Lee Ji-Hoon". She rang the doorbell and waited.
The door opened, and a bespectacled man in his mid-30s looked up at her. "Hi," Hana smiled, "Package delivery, Lee Ji- Hoon?"
"Oh, hi! Yes, I'm Lee Ji-Hoon. I've been expecting that package." He said, a bright smile fixed on his face.
Hana handed him the package. "Here you go. Sign here, please."
Lee Ji-Hoon signed for the package and took it from her. "Thanks!"
Hana nodded, heading down the hallway and out of the building. Kai spent some more time at the park but as the night wore on, Kai knew he couldn't stay out forever. He had a schedule to keep, a life to lead. He stood up, heading back to the dorm.
Hana walked onto the sidewalk, taking a deep breath of the cool evening air. As she turned the corner, she collided with a tall, dark-haired guy who was rushing in the opposite direction.
The impact sent her stumbling backward, and she landed on her butt with a thud. The guy, who was wearing a mask and a hat, looked down at her with a mixture of surprise and annoyance.
"Watch where you're going!" he exclaimed, his voice deep and irritated.
Hana scrambled to her feet, rubbing her sore bottom. Her eyes narrowing as she took in Kai's disguise. "You're the one who ran into me! And what's with the getup? You look like a bank robber."
The guy glared at her, his eyes flashing with anger. "I am not a bank robber. I'm just... trying to avoid some people."
"Avoiding the paparazzi or something?" Hana continued.
Kai's expression turned sheepish, and he looked away, muttering, "Something like that."
Hana raised an eyebrow, " You're doing a pretty bad job of it. Maybe try a better disguise, like a wig or something."
The guy's scowl deepened, and he looked taken aback by her sassiness. "You know, you're not exactly Miss Congeniality yourself."
Hana shrugged. "Hey, I'm just trying to get home. I don't have time for pleasantries."
And with that, she turned and continued on her way, "You better keep your eyes on the road." She added over her shoulders, leaving Kai looking frustrated and intrigued.