The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my messy hair over and over. I put on my best clothes.
It felt like I was going on a date… no, like I was going to meet my destiny.
With my heart pounding in my throat, I walked to the bus station. The air was cold, my breath turning into mist, but inside, a fire was burning under my skin.
I sat on my usual seat, by the door in the middle of the bus. Headphones in, music turned up high. My head rested against the window, my breath fogging up the glass.
The streets stretched and blurred in the soft morning light.
Everything was normal… until he came.
The bus door opened, and a boy stepped in.
Sunlight from behind wrapped his brown hair in a golden halo. His steps were calm yet full of confidence. His eyes… cold and distant, but sharp enough to pierce through me. A gentle but powerful wave of his scent spread through the air.
That scent… like rain on wet soil mixed with the warmth of sunlight on skin. Real. Alive. Addictive.
It felt like he could see everything.
My heart skipped a beat. The music in my ears faded into a dull hum.
He walked past me without even glancing.
But for me? The world slowed down, like a movie in slow motion. My eyes followed him from the corner.
The bus stopped. I got off as usual, but my legs felt weak, like they couldn't hold me anymore.
The doors closed.
Before the bus moved, I turned my head back.
He was sitting exactly in my seat.
That moment, he looked at me.
Our eyes locked.
My breath caught. Time froze.
No sound, no movement—only his gaze. Cold yet deep, as if he was reading everything inside me.
The bus drove away, and he disappeared from sight.
I stood there, trembling, my mind screaming.
"I've seen him… the one I've been searching for in my dreams."
[Classroom]
I rushed into class so fast that even I was surprised. My heart was still pounding.
Yuri was sitting with his head down, but when he saw me, he smiled.
Before he could say anything, I grabbed his arm and pulled him aside.
— Yuri! I saw him! That guy… the one I always see in my dreams!
Yuri's eyes widened.
— Seriously? You're sure it wasn't a dream again?
— No… it was real. Completely real.
My voice trembled.
— I can't explain it… but his look… just one glance and everything around me disappeared.
Yuri laughed.
— So? What did you do? Did you get his number? Did you talk to him?
— (with a shaky laugh) No! My brain completely shut down. It was like there were no words left in the world.
Yuri shook his head.
— You're hopeless, Jung-ho… what if you never see him again?
— (whispering) No… I won't let that happen. I can't let him slip away.
✨ End of Part 2 – The Fateful Encounter
💫 The story continues in Part 3… 💫