Collision in the Dark
The moon hung low over the sleepy town of Gyeongcheon, casting silver shadows across the empty streets. The soft hum of a late-night breeze rustled old signboards and laundry lines. All seemed still-until the quiet was broken by hurried footsteps.
A tall figure, masked and shadowed under a black bucket hat, slipped out of the 24-hour convenience store. In his hand-a bag of simple groceries: ramen, bottled water, seaweed snacks. Nothing glamorous. Just the comfort of home.
But behind him-whispers.
"Wait... is that...?"
"It's him! I swear it is!"
His shoulders stiffened. Not here. Not now. He turned down the narrow alley, heart picking up pace.
Another corner, another turn. Too loud. Too fast. And then-
Thud!
The world tilted as he collided with someone-you-walking, laughing with your best friend on a call, not expecting a body to crash into yours at full speed.
Your phone slipped. Your heel caught the edge of the sidewalk.You stumbled until a firm hand caught your waist, steadying you before the fall.
"Ah-I'm sorry! I wasn't looking. Are you okay?" His voice was low, breathless, yet soothing. Polite. Warm.
You looked up, dazed... and that's when you saw them.
His eyes. Brown, soft, and unmistakably familiar. The kind of eyes the world fell for-ones you'd seen in music videos, interviews, posters. They were Seo Jun-ha's eyes.
"You're... you're-"
Before you could say another word, you noticed the faint shuffle of feet behind him-more fans, closing in.
Without thinking, you grabbed his hand.
"This way-quick!" you whispered.
You didn't know why. You didn't plan this. But something in you said protect him.
You led him down winding backstreets, past shuttered shops and sleeping dogs. The noise faded behind you.
Breath short, hands still linked, you finally stopped under a flickering streetlight.
Silence fell.
He looked at you, eyes wide, voice still catching his breath. "Why... did you help me?"
he asked softly. "You don't even know me."