The silver suitcase

Rain poured steadily over the streets of Seoul, turning the roads into shimmering rivers of reflected light. Seventeen-year-old Min-jun pulled his jacket tighter around himself as he hurried toward the bus stop. He had spent the evening studying at the city library and had lost track of time. By the time he arrived, only one bus remained—the last bus heading toward his neighborhood. The doors opened with a soft hiss, and Min-jun stepped inside. To his surprise, the bus was nearly empty. Only a young woman sat near the back. She looked to be in her twenties and wore a dark coat. Resting beside her was a small silver suitcase. Min-jun found a seat several rows away and put on his headphones. Outside, the rain continued to fall heavily against the windows. As the bus traveled through the city, Min-jun occasionally glanced at the woman. She seemed nervous. Every few minutes, she looked out the window as if checking whether someone was following her.Min-jun slowly pushed the gate open and stepped into the building. The entrance hall was dimly lit. A single light bulb flickered above him. The old elevator stood motionless in one corner. Its metal doors looked rusty and worn out. Not trusting it, Min-jun decided to use the stairs. His footsteps echoed throughout the building. The silence made him uneasy. As he climbed to the second floor, he noticed that most of the apartment doors were closed. Some appeared to have been abandoned for years. The paint on the walls was peeling. Old notices were pinned to a bulletin board near the staircase. Min-jun checked the luggage tag once more. The address pointed to Apartment 304. He continued climbing. On the third floor, a cold breeze swept through an open window. The rain outside had almost stopped. The city lights glowed in the distance. For a moment, Min-jun wondered whether he should have simply left the suitcase with the bus driver. This situation felt strange. Still, he had already come this far. Turning a corner, he finally spotted Apartment 304. The door was closed. A faint light could be seen beneath it. Min-jun approached carefully. He adjusted his grip on the silver suitcase. Then he raised his hand and knocked. No answer. He waited for several seconds. Nothing. He knocked again, this time a little louder. The hallway remained silent. Just as he was about to turn away, he heard a faint sound coming from downstairs. Someone had entered the building. The footsteps were slow and deliberate. Min-jun froze. The sound grew louder. Whoever it was seemed to be heading toward the third floor. Suddenly, the atmosphere felt much more unsettling. Holding the suitcase tightly, Min-jun stared toward the stairwell and waited. At one stop, the bus paused longer than usual. A black car had stopped near the station. The woman immediately turned away from the window and lowered her head. "Strange," Min-jun thought. A few minutes later, the woman suddenly stood up. The bus had reached a quiet district on the edge of the city. She hurried toward the exit just as the doors opened. In her rush, however, she forgot the silver suitcase. "Wait!" Min-jun called. But the woman had already disappeared into the rain. The bus doors closed. Min-jun picked up the suitcase and carried it to the driver. "Someone left this behind," he said. The driver examined it briefly. "The lost-and-found office won't open until tomorrow morning," he replied. "You can leave it here if you want." Min-jun was about to do so when he noticed a small luggage tag attached to the handle. Written on it was an address. He hesitated. If he returned the suitcase tonight, the owner would not have to worry about it all night. After thanking the driver, Min-jun stepped off at the next stop. The address led him across several streets and into an older part of Seoul he had never visited before. Tall modern buildings gradually gave way to narrow alleys and aging apartment blocks. The rain finally began to slow. After twenty minutes of walking, he found the address. An old apartment building stood quietly between two larger structures. The front gate was slightly open. Min-jun checked the tag again. This was definitely the place. Taking a deep breath, he entered the building with the silver suitcase in hand. What he did not know was that this simple act of kindness was about to pull him into an adventure he knew would never forget.