The sun hung low over the bustling streets of Seoul, casting golden hues over the towering buildings and weaving alleys. Riku strolled through the city, his bag slung casually over his shoulder. The air was crisp, and the sounds of life buzzed around him—street vendors calling out their wares, the hum of distant traffic, and the chatter of passers-by.
Turning a corner near the Han River, he noticed a girl sitting on the edge of a bench, her eyes scanning the distance as if searching for something—or someone. Her clothes were neat but worn, and a small suitcase rested at her feet. Curiosity piqued, Riku approached cautiously.
"Hey," he said softly, not wanting to startle her. "Are you okay?"
The girl looked up, her eyes a deep brown filled with a mix of determination and sadness. "I'm fine," she replied, though her tone betrayed her words.
"Do you need help?" Riku pressed, gesturing to the suitcase.
She hesitated before sighing. "I'm Nam-Soon. I came here looking for my mother, but I... don't have a place to stay right now."
Riku felt a pang of empathy. He knew what it was like to feel lost, even if his circumstances were different. "I'm Riku," he said, offering her a small smile. "I have an apartment nearby with an extra room. You're welcome to stay while you figure things out."
Nam-Soon's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You'd do that for someone you just met?"
Riku shrugged. "Everyone needs a little help sometimes."
After a moment's consideration, Nam-Soon nodded. "Thank you. I'll take you up on that."
The two walked together to Riku's modest two-bedroom apartment. It was clean and neatly arranged, with warm lighting and simple furniture.
"This is nice," Nam-Soon remarked as she stepped inside.
"It's not much, but it's home," Riku said. He set her suitcase by the spare room. "You can stay here as long as you need."
Nam-Soon smiled for the first time, a genuine expression that lit up her face. "Thank you, Riku."
As they settled in, Riku learned more about Nam-Soon. She was the same age as him—17—and had a sharp wit and a surprisingly resilient spirit despite her struggles. Over dinner, he asked, "Have you thought about going to school? I'm attending J High School here in the city."
Nam-Soon looked thoughtful. "I haven't been to school in a while... but maybe it's time to try again. Yeah, I'll go with you."
Riku grinned. "Great! You'll like it there. It's not perfect, but it's a good place to start fresh."
The next morning, they both stood in front of J High School, a modern building surrounded by trees and a lively student body.
"Ready?" Riku asked, glancing at Nam-Soon.
She took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's do this."
As they walked through the gates, the bustling energy of the school washed over them. Nam-Soon's resolve grew stronger, and Riku couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism for both of them.
Their new chapter had begun, and though challenges lay ahead, they were ready to face them together.