Eun-ji glanced at her reflection in the glass window of the small art studio she had rented in Seoul's bustling Insadong district. Her dark hair was loosely tied back, wisps falling around her face, which bore traces of charcoal smudges, an unintentional side effect of a day spent sketching. The art supplies scattered around, half-finished canvases leaning against walls, and her own excitement about her upcoming exhibit all reminded her that she was finally living her dream.

Today was supposed to be quiet, a day of creating without interruptions. But just as she was settling into her routine, her phone buzzed on the table beside her brushes.

"Can we meet up for coffee?" texted Mi-kyung, her closest friend from university.

Eun-ji smiled, imagining Mi-kyung's cheery face as she scrolled through her friend's follow-up messages full of emoji-laden enthusiasm. It was her favorite way of reminding Eun-ji that they needed a break from work to enjoy life. With a soft laugh, Eun-ji quickly replied and agreed to meet her at a nearby cafe.

After tidying her studio, she stepped outside and made her way through the crowded alleyways of Insadong. The streets buzzed with the chatter of locals and tourists alike, creating a comforting background hum as she passed quaint stores filled with traditional Korean ceramics and handmade crafts.

The cafe was tucked into a side street, a cozy place she and Mi-kyung frequented. As Eun-ji walked in, she scanned the room for her friend and found her at a corner table, waving enthusiastically.

"Eun-ji! Over here!" Mi-kyung called, her smile as bright as ever. She wore a casual, oversized sweater and her usual expressive look, radiating energy.

The two friends embraced, and Eun-ji settled into the seat across from Mi-kyung, accepting the coffee she had already ordered for her. They chatted about their days, with Mi-kyung pressing Eun-ji for details about her art show.

"You'll have your own exhibition soon! Just think about it," Mi-kyung said, her eyes glinting with pride. "I mean, not everyone gets this kind of opportunity!"

Eun-ji bit her lip, trying to mask her own excitement. "I know! I'm grateful…but I feel so nervous, Mi-kyung. What if no one likes my work?"

"Nonsense! They'll love it. Just don't let your nerves ruin the experience. And if you're still worried, you can always paint one of those abstract pieces that make people think it's deeper than it actually is." Mi-kyung winked, making Eun-ji burst out laughing.

Their laughter was interrupted as the cafe door opened, the gentle chime announcing the arrival of a tall man in a sharp, tailored suit. He looked distinctly out of place in the quaint cafe, his appearance polished and precise, as if he had just come from an important business meeting. He seemed absorbed in his phone, barely noticing the ambiance around him as he approached the counter.

Eun-ji caught a glimpse of his profile, a strong jawline, neatly styled dark hair, and an intense expression that hinted at a world of thoughts behind his calm exterior. He looked familiar somehow, though she couldn't quite place him. Her gaze lingered on him until Mi-kyung nudged her, raising her eyebrows knowingly.

"See something interesting?" Mi-kyung whispered, barely containing her smirk.

"Oh, stop it. He just looked…familiar, that's all," Eun-ji replied, brushing off her friend's teasing. She was here to catch up with Mi-kyung, not to get distracted by strangers, no matter how intriguing they might appear.

As they continued their conversation, the man finished his order and turned to find a seat, momentarily glancing around the room. His gaze landed briefly on Eun-ji, and for an instant, their eyes met. Eun-ji felt a slight, unexpected jolt in her chest, a quick, sharp spark of recognition. But just as quickly, the moment was gone as he looked away, his expression neutral, and sat at a table by the window.

Mi-kyung leaned in closer, clearly enjoying herself. "See? You totally noticed him."

Eun-ji shook her head, determined not to indulge Mi-kyung's theories. "You're impossible," she laughed, trying to ignore the faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

They continued chatting, Eun-ji's thoughts occasionally drifting back to the stranger seated just a few tables away. He had an air about him that hinted at something beyond the surface,a confidence that was neither brash nor loud, but quietly commanding. He barely glanced up from his phone, but Eun-ji sensed he was more aware of his surroundings than he let on.

"Anyway," Mi-kyung said, bringing her back to the conversation, "I was thinking we should celebrate your exhibit. How about a night out with everyone from university? We could"

Before Mi-kyung could finish, Eun-ji accidentally knocked over her coffee, spilling it across the table. Embarrassed, she hurried to mop up the mess, but her hand slipped, sending her phone clattering to the floor.

The man nearby looked up at the commotion. In an unspoken offer of assistance, he approached, picking up her phone and handing it to her, his calm gaze meeting hers with a hint of concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice deep but polite, holding out her phone.

For a moment, Eun-ji could only nod, captivated by his steady gaze. "Y-yes, thank you," she managed, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

His expression softened just slightly. "It's no problem," he said, before returning to his table.

As he walked away, Mi-kyung nudged Eun-ji again, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, if that wasn't fate, I don't know what is."

Eun-ji rolled her eyes, trying to laugh off her own flustered feelings. But she couldn't deny that there was something intriguing about him, a quiet allure that seemed to draw her in, even in such a fleeting encounter.

For the rest of their time at the cafe, Eun-ji found herself sneaking glances his way, her curiosity piqued. But soon, he finished his coffee, gathered his things, and left without another word, slipping back into the busy Seoul streets as easily as he had entered.

"Think we'll see him again?" Mi-kyung asked, clearly as curious as Eun-ji.

Eun-ji shrugged, though her mind lingered on his image. "Probably not. Seoul's a big city."

But as they left the cafe and she returned to her studio, Eun-ji couldn't shake the feeling that this brief, unexpected encounter was only the beginning. She didn't know his name, his story, or why he felt so familiar, yet she felt that their paths might cross again.

And for the first time in a while, she felt a new kind of excitement, a curiosity that had nothing to do with art but everything to do with the mystery surrounding the stranger in the tailored suit.

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