Crystal Snow

A STRANGER'S FRIEND

The lady is breathtakingly lovely, and she looked stunning. Anya is in awe at what she is witnessing. Are you fu*&cking kidding me? The author she seeks is standing right in front of her, and she does not appear to be 65 years old. Ma’am, I swear you don’t look 65 at all. What do you eat, huh? She appeared to look 45 years old and gorgeous.

While glancing at the lady, Anya appeared to be speechless. "Miss?" the lady inquired. 

Anya instantly returned to her senses. She met the lady and gave her a formal introduction, as well as the reason for her search."Is that the reason you've come to see me? Why didn't you just send me an email rather than coming here? From Seoul, it's a long way." "Aa yes, I sent you an email, Ms. Hwang, I waited a week for you to respond, but I haven't received any,” Anya explained, 

"Is that true? These days, I should check my emails. I'm starting to forget things as I get older, "jokingly replied the lady. Ms. Hwang's joke made Anya chuckle as well. Oh no, you don’t look old, ma’am. I want to know what do you eat every day tho.

 "Why don't we have a cup of tea and chat about it? Or how about some coffee? " "Thank you, Ms. Hwang. I'd love to. And I prefer Tea " The two took a walk to the store's semi-kitchen area and discussed their business.

"Ms. Anya, I'll consider your offer, and if you don't mind, might I think about it? Could you please allow me a night to go over the contract again? I'll respond to you tomorrow." Writer Hwang asked Anya.

“Yes, indeed! Miss. Hwang, of course, we can do that." Anya politely responded. "Can you come back here at 5 p.m. tomorrow?" Ms. Hwang asked Anya, "Yes, Ms.Hwang, I'd be delighted to do so." Anya responded." I'm hoping for positive feedback tomorrow (smiled).

I'll see you tomorrow Ms. Hwang" Anya chimed in. “ I had a great time talking to you, Ms. Anya," said Ms. Hwang  

"Me too, Ms. Hwang. I really enjoyed having a tea conversation with you" " Really? We should do this often " " yes, Ms. Hwang. I'd love too" Anya replied while Ms. Hwang was walking her to the door. "Thank you, Ms. Hwang," Anya said as she politely bowed and walked away.

***

It's the third day, and supposedly Anya's last day in Busan, but as we all know, Writer Hwang requested a day to consider her options, so Anya will have to remain another day before returning to Seoul. Anya chose to go sightseeing in Busan today.

Anya began her day by visiting bird-watching parks, museums, shopping markets, food markets, and, of course, Cafe Aristocrat, one of Busan's most famous cafes. Miji's parents, one of the SHOTS members, own it. She took a lot of photos on her trip to Busan.

Anya is quite amazed by the cafe's interior while inside. Is this a Cafe, or what? or even a hotel? Anya muttered to herself. She was bewildered.  Will Minji be here today? Haha! What a ridiculous question, she answered to herself. It's already 4 p.m., and she needs to return to Ms. Hwang's shop to find out what her decision will be.

***

Anya was overjoyed when writer Hwang informed her of the good news. Anya couldn't contain her delight and anticipation for Ms. Hwang. She bowed and thanked Ms. Hwang several times. They studied the contract's terms and conditions over tea, and Anya left the store with a bright smile after four hours of discussion.

The next day.

 Anya was about to go back to Seoul. She decided to stop at a little store near the KTX Station for some rice cakes on her way there. She intended to give these as gifts to her coworkers in addition to the excellent news she had received. Before leaving for home, she went to the store and bought a large number of rice cakes.

As soon as Anya arrives in Seoul, she immediately goes to her workplace. Everyone greets her warmly, as though they haven't seen her in a long time. Sia hugs her as if she hasn't seen her in years, and she continues to cling to her. 

Anya presented the excellent news to them, as well as the rice cakes she had purchased for them. 

***

Anya decided to stop in the local park for a while on her way home to eat some rice cakes while swinging on the swing. The cool night breeze soothes her after a long day.

She enjoyed the music as she listened to her earbuds humming the song Promise, a single by Minji from SHOTS. She hums it enthusiastically while she eats the rice cake.

Suddenly, a stranger sat next to her on the swing chair. "Hello," the stranger said. Anya choked on her food after being shocked. What the- “Hey!! Do you have to do that?! (coughs) 

“I was on the verge of dying,”  she said to the stranger as she rapidly drank her water. 

“Oh no, Miss, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to surprise you. Please accept my apologies,”  the stranger said. Apology, my foot! 

“Do you do that to every person who-” Anya looked at the stranger “ You!” she said to the stranger. 

“What? me?” the stranger replied, “ you were that guy over there last week” she pointed to the slide. “I'm sure it's you,” she added.

“Last week?”  the stranger asked in confusion “yes, the... the….” Anya replied in a jumbled manner, “Oh, sure, I recall. You were the one who ran!” While saying those words, the stranger laughed a little and sat down in the swing chair. 

“I did not run tho. I was about to go home that night,” Anya explained defensively. 

“yeah.. yeah... I get it.” " good," Anya smirked. “Why don't you take a seat and carry on with what you were doing? I was only coming to get some fresh air,”  the stranger said.

What the hell? Is it necessary for me to run again? But it would be such a pity if I did. He appears to be a decent individual. “huh?”  Anya stupidly replied, 

“ Why are you still standing there? Are you going to run again?”  the stranger asked Anya “huh? What? No! I'm not going to run, haha!” Anya replied sarcastically. I want to run, oh God, help. She then took a seat in the swing chair. 

Anya got deafeningly quiet and put down her rice cake. “Miss, what's the matter? Don't worry about me; go back to listening to your music,”  the stranger said. Anya just nodded and pretended to check on her phone. Oh God, help.

She didn't notice the stranger's gaze on her phone's screen as she silently pretended to examine her phone.  

“oh, so you're a TRIGGER?” The Trigger is the name of the Biggest fandom in the world that belongs to the SHOTS.

“huh?” Anya responded, confused as to what the man meant as he pointed at Anya's phone. “oh. Ummm. Yes, I am,” Anya proudly answered. 

The stranger remained completely silent. Anya offered one rice cake to the stranger “here,” gesturing to the stranger with the rice cake,  

While receiving the rice cake, the stranger asked.“ What's this?” 

“It's rice cake from a local store in Busan," Anya replied. 

Despite the stranger's hat and mask, she notices that the stranger's mood brightens. “really? Are these from Busan?" the stranger excitedly asked.  

“yes, I just got here this afternoon. I was in Busan for like three days ago for a mission," Anya said, smirking.” 

“Oh? Really? are you a secret agent or something like that?” He questioned humorously, “What? no!” Anya defensively answered, Can I kill you instead?  

“I was there to convince someone to sign a contract with our company. That is my mission,”  Anya explained. The stranger found Anya's defensive response amusing and laughed at it. 

"Why ?" Anya asked, Does he thinks I’m a big joke?  “nothing,”  The stranger answered while still laughing, “I'm telling the truth!” Anya said in a pout. Why should I make him believe me if I don't have to? What’s the point anyways? I don’t even know this guy.  

The stranger stopped laughing and reassured Anya that he believed her. 

“I’m sorry. Please accept my apologies; I simply thought that was funny.” “What's the big deal, huh? and you're a bit obnoxious dropping honorifics to a stranger," With one brow raised, Anya remarked irritably. 

The stranger quickly apologized to Anya. “I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to be rude to you.”

The stranger suddenly stood up and looked her in the eyes. Anya was surprised, and she also looked at him in the eyes. What the- Oh my, those eyes are beautiful, wait, is he wearing contacts? His eyes are stunningly beautiful, and those brows are-- Oh my God, what is he doing?! 

"By the way, my name is Minji," the stranger said while bowing politely. Should I introduce myself too?  Oh my God, I think I should. Anya also stood up and introduced herself. "My name is Anya" Anya introduces herself.

"I'm sorry for how I behaved earlier, Miss." "Okay, I forgive you, since it’s rude not to forgive you tho" Anya responded as she rolled her eyes.

"Thank you." Anya just nodded and resumed eating her rice cake. 

Minji took his first taste of Anya's rice cake. He acted as though he was tasting the most costly and delectable food on the globe. He was punching the air like a kid who had just eaten cotton candy out of joy. "This is amazing! I haven't had this delicious rice cake in a long time," Minji said. 

Anya was speechless as she stared at him. "Oh, that's fantastic! I'm happy you loved it." Anya answered, 

"Thank you for this present, Ms. Anya," Minji said. "Oh, it's nothing," she says. "It's just that I have some that have left after giving half to my coworkers. you'd like to have some more?"

 Minji just looked at her and hands open, gesturing that he'd like to have some more.  

Weird... And cute Oh my God, what's happening to me? He’s not cute! He’s weird! Anya just laughed "you're cute, haha!" said Anya. Yeah, I just said he's cute! F*&ck you self! Said Anya on her mind 

"It's like I can have this kind of food for just once in a blue moon," Minji explained. 

Minji received seven rice cakes from Anya. "Oh, why are there so many?" says the Minji. 

"I have ten left, and I can't eat them all," Anya explained. "My limit is 3 to 4 pieces. I gave you seven, so it won't go wasted," she added.

"oh, is that so.. well, if that's the case, I thank you big time. I'll pay you next time." Minji expressed his gratitude. 

"oh no! there's no need to pay me. That's not for sale," Anya explained. Does he think I'm selling these to him? Anya thought on her mind.

Minji burst out laughing. "No, what I mean is that next time we meet, I'll treat you to food or beverages as a token of my appreciation," Minji explained. 

"oh... good" "What do you want to have when we meet again?" Minji asked of Anya. 

"Well, I'd like to try some..." while she considers what she wants in return, she gives delayed responses. 

"what?" Minji asked, 

"umm... maybe .... a cotton candy?" Anya replied.

"What? Cotton candy? are you a kid?" Minji said humorously. "What? no! but I rarely see cotton candies here in your country." Anya explains. 

"Oh, is that so. Okay, let's see if there's any. wait, are you not Korean?" Minji was puzzled. "oh yes, haha! I'm not" Anya chuckled and removed her mask, revealing her non-Korean face traits to Minji. 

Minji was dumbfounded, and all he could do was stare at her. 

"Yeah, keep your mouth shut. To you South Koreans, I'm sure I appeared as an extraterrestrial. I'm not as fair-skinned as you are, and my eyes are larger. I have no resemblance to any of you. Please accept my apologies." Anya said.

Minji became speechless and stared at Anya with wide eyes as if he had seen something very amusing. Oh! my Gosh, Did he stop functioning? Anya on her mind, 

There was a moment of silence between them. After a few moments, Minji spoke to Anya and asked, "So, why do you come to Korea?" 

"hmmm... it's because of a simple dream." "What dream, if I may ask?" 

"I first arrived in Korea as a tourist and spent about a month exploring the country. I was fascinated by this country and..." Anya paused for a moment before continuing. "I wanted to see THEM in-person." she continued talking about her K-idols. "However, as a foreigner, I am unable to attend any of their fan meetings. I didn't have a residency here at the time, so I decided to hunt for one, and to my surprise, I was hired by a famous company. However, before I begin, I must first learn the language properly, so I return to my home country to do so. Even yet, I was already employed here at the time; I worked for them online. It's only that I won't be able to receive the visa because I still need to learn Korean and pass the ETOPIK examinations at the time." Anya explained.

 "ah. I get what you mean. I admire your tenacity." Minji said, 

"They're my driving force in all of this, and I'm always determined to achieve my goals," Anya said. 

"Thank you for that, Miss Anya; you worked very hard, and I thank you on behalf of all the members," Minji said.

"Oh? I wish I could hear those words from them one day, but I appreciate you thanking me on behalf of your fellow Koreans, who are the ones who inspire me the most. Thank you, Mr. Minji.." Anya stopped as she noticed something and looked at Minji "oh? Mr. Minji,"

 "Why are you looking at me like that?" Minji said out in confusion.

"You're also Minji." "oh no, haha!" Minji defended, "wow, you're amazing. You have the same name in one of the members," Anya was taken aback by the fact that one of the members had the same name as him. Minji just scratched his back head and laughed awkwardly. 

"haha, no. No. Yes. No. I mean, yeah, I'm so lucky to have the same name as Park Minji, but I'm not a Park tho, I'm a Kwon my full name is Kwon Minji hehe" Minji said, but Anya laughed, she laughed so hard and said, "No, I never think like that, that you are Park Minji," 

"what?" Minji asked in confusion. "I'm truly amazed that you Koreans have nearly identical names. Don't you make up new names around here?" Anya humorously asked. 

"oh well, I don't know. Let me ask my parents first about that," they laughed.

 "Now, I wanted to learn more about Korean history. It fascinates me greatly." Anya expressed her interest. "Oh? Really?" said Minji. "Yes, but maybe I'll try to learn Korean Dishes first." "you cook?" "yes! I'm also a foodie, and the cuisine you prepare here is absolutely delicious. I'd like to learn everything there is to know about cooking, from the ingredients to the method. Everything!" Anya said enthusiastically. 

"you're a fascinating person Ms. Anya," Minji said, 

"really? Maybe I am. I was simply interested in learning more about your culture. As a result, I am able to understand more of my Korean acquaintances, particularly those who are close to me." 

"you're a good friend Ms. Anya. I want to be your friend. Can we? I mean, may I?"