CHAPTER 8: GROWING CLOSER
396 Words
The next morning, sunlight slipped through the window and landed on Namjin’s face.
He groaned softly and turned his head — only to see Anaya asleep on the couch, still holding her laptop from the night before.
For a moment, he just looked at her.
No makeup, messy hair, and yet… there was something peaceful about her.
He whispered to himself, “How can someone look so calm even in chaos?”
When Anaya woke up, she found Namjin already dressed, humming a tune while making coffee.
“Wait—you can make coffee but not ramen?” she teased.
He smiled. “This is idol-level coffee. You won’t understand.”
She laughed, “Oh really? Then I’ll judge it like a professional.”
She took a sip and made a serious face. “Hmm… it’s 7 out of 10.”
Namjin pretended to be hurt. “What? Only seven? You’re lucky I didn’t call my fans to cancel you.”
They both burst into laughter — the kind that comes easily when two people start feeling safe around each other.
Later that day, Namjin said, “Let’s go out. I’ll show you real Seoul.”
Anaya hesitated. “People will recognize you.”
He winked. “Not if I’m in disguise.”
A few minutes later, he appeared wearing a bucket hat, mask, and oversized hoodie.
Anaya giggled. “You look like you’re about to rob a bank.”
They wandered through small streets, trying street food, playing claw machines, and taking silly selfies in a photo booth.
For the first time since she arrived in Korea, Anaya forgot about auditions, jobs, and pressure.
As the evening lights flickered on, they sat on a bench near the Han River.
The wind was cool, and the water shimmered under the moonlight.
Namjin looked at her and said quietly,
“You know… I’ve met thousands of people, but you’re the only one who doesn’t treat me like an idol.”
Anaya looked at him and smiled softly.
“That’s because I don’t see Kim Namjin the star. I see Namjin, the guy who can’t cook ramen.”
He laughed, but his eyes lingered on her face a little too long this time.
And for the first time, the air between them felt… different — warm, and full of something neither of them wanted to name just yet.
- Writer
