In the rain with a stranger

Episode 1: Rainfall encounter

It was a rainy night as I ran swiftly down the road, searching for a place to take shelter. Fortunately, I quickly found one and rushed over to stay dry.

My name is Fred, a junior prosecutor, 28 years old, and still single due to my busy work schedule. Every day, I meet plenty of beautiful women who take an interest in me, but I, on the other hand, have no interest in them.

Not to boast, but I was blessed with good looks, something I am truly grateful for. The problem, however, is that despite the many attractive women who fancy me, none of them appeal to me. I just don’t find them attractive in my eyes, which makes it difficult for me to choose someone to pursue.

The rain continued to pour as I waited for a bus to take me home. While standing there, my attention was caught by a certain figure. For the first time in my life, I felt something different upon seeing her. She was incredibly attractive in my eyes, and my heart began to race uncontrollably.

She struggled to hold onto her umbrella due to the many things she was carrying. Without hesitation, I decided to help her, ignoring the fact that I would get drenched in the rain.

Without saying a word, I held my umbrella over her just as she accidentally dropped hers. I couldn't explain what I felt at that moment—there was something about her beauty, and I had this strong feeling that she was a kind person.

"Thank you!"

Those were the first words I heard from her. Even her voice was beautiful, a melody to my ears. Despite being soaked, I continued shielding her from the rain.

"Hey, you're getting wet," she pointed out upon noticing how drenched I was.

Fred: "It's okay. I'd rather get wet than see those important-looking papers of yours ruined."

"Come on, let’s go over there so you can take shelter too."

We walked together toward the same spot where I had been standing earlier. The moment we arrived, she suddenly fell silent, no longer acknowledging my presence.

With nothing else to do, I just watched her while she gazed at the road, lost in thought. I had no idea what to say or do to break the silence. So, I simply stood there, observing both her and the street ahead.

As we continued waiting for the bus, she remained quiet, looking around aimlessly without glancing at me even once. A few moments later, she finally spoke.

"Finally, a bus is here."

"Are you heading to Cheongpyeong too?" I asked as she boarded.

She didn’t respond immediately, making me feel embarrassed, especially when I noticed other passengers looking at me. But then, as if realizing the situation, she finally answered, "Yes."

Inside the bus, we sat in separate seats. I felt too shy to talk to her further, worried I might be annoying her. Since I couldn’t think of anything else to say, I decided to remain silent and rest for the ride.

Minutes later, we arrived at our stop. I was surprised to find out that we were headed to the same place. As we got off, the rain had already stopped, so I no longer needed to cover her with my umbrella. However, I still held onto hers while she carried her other belongings.

We walked together into the village in silence. But just as I thought we wouldn’t exchange another word, she suddenly spoke.

"Have you lived here for a long time?"

"Huh?" I was caught off guard by her question, still lost in thought.

"I said, have you been living here for a long time?" she repeated, raising her voice slightly, probably thinking I hadn’t heard her.

"Oh, yeah. I’ve lived here since I was a kid, but I wasn’t born here."

"Did I ask that?" she shot back.

"Huh?" I responded again, confused.

"Never mind," she said.

"What about you? Have you lived here long? Though, judging by the way you look, it seems like you just moved in—"

Before I could finish, she interrupted, "Yes, and I was born here. I remember a childhood friend, a little boy I used to play with, but I don’t think he’s here anymore. I heard his family moved away long ago... they became rich."

I was surprised by how she suddenly opened up to me. Just a while ago, she wasn’t even acknowledging me, and now she was sharing a piece of her past.

"You!"

I stopped walking when she said that.

"What?!" I asked, confused again.

"You! Do you even know how to be a gentleman? I’ve been carrying these heavy bags the entire time, and you didn’t even think to help me?"

I couldn’t help but smile, though I also felt a little embarrassed. Why didn’t I think of helping her carry her bags? I really was an i***t.

"Well, all the men here in Cheongpyeong are selfish—just like my father," she added.

"That’s not true," I replied, quickly grabbing a few of the bags she was carrying.

But she stopped me.

"No need, I'm home now. See? That’s my house," she said, pointing at a nearby house.

I felt a little embarrassed, but at the same time, I was happy. That night, for the first time in a long while, I felt like I had finally met someone special—someone who could possibly be my future girlfriend.

"Goodbye! Thanks for helping me back there with the rain," she said.

Before she left, I quickly asked, "Wait! What’s your name?"

"My name is—"

But I never heard the answer.

"Hey, wake up! You’ve got work to do!"

I was abruptly shaken awake by my annoying younger brother, Dennis.

That’s when I realized—it was all just a dream.

I really thought I finally had a chance to have a girlfriend, but it turns out... maybe that’ll never happen.

"Seriously, Dennis, if you’re going to wake me up, can you not kick me? Do you have any idea how painful that is? And you do this every morning before work!"

Dennis: "Then learn to wake up on time. You’re already old, and yet you still need someone to wake you up... and you’re a prosecutor at that!"

Fred: "What time is it?!"

Dennis glanced at his watch. "Seven-thirty."

Fred: "What?! Seven-thirty?! Why didn’t you wake me up at six?!"

I rushed through my morning routine, quickly bathing, dressing, and running out the door.

As I sprinted through the village, I still couldn’t shake off the memory of that girl from my dream. But as I turned a corner, I saw her.

The same girl from my dream.

She was walking down the street, carrying several bags. She was just as beautiful—just as attractive as I had imagined.

But as much as I wanted to talk to her, I was already running late for work. I had no choice but to continue running.

I managed to catch the bus on time and arrived at my office just as my shift started.

At the office, my colleagues and our leader were already waiting for me.

"Good thing you made it on time," my chief prosecutor said.

"Fred, the case files for this month are on your desk," my team leader, Cristy, informed me.

Fred: "Got it."

"Chief, shall we start the meeting?" my partner, Kiko, asked.

And with that, our chief prosecutor began the meeting.

Narrator’s POV

Fred’s career as a prosecutor flourished. As time passed and he successfully handled more cases, he eventually achieved his dream of being promoted—finally becoming equal in rank to his former senior, Cristy.

Two months later...

"So, you finally caught up to me. Are you happy now?" Cristy teased.

"I can’t believe we’re at the same level now, Ms. Cristy."

Cristy: "Wow, it’s weird hearing you call me that."

Fred: "Well, you can’t tease me anymore now that we’re equals."

Cristy: "Oh? What if I still do?" she joked.

Fred: "Good luck with that."

But while Fred’s career was progressing, there was still one thing left uncertain—his love life.

Would he ever see the girl from his dreams again?