The sky hummed with bright hues, draping over skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, as if it were waiting for the cue all night long. Some had been awake, while others were still drifting in their dreams.
But not for Shin Hajin. He was already at his cafe when the clock ticked 7.30 a.m. Being a cafe owner as well as a barista, he was supposed to be productive from early in the morning. By 7.40, the counter had been wiped clean it reflects the soft glow of the lights above. Tables and chairs were neatly arranged inside the cafe. Pastries sat prettily on the display cabinet, and the machines hummed a distant melody.
Hajin glanced at the clock on the wall. 8.00. Sharp. He smiled slightly and flipped open the signage on the door. Something crossed his mind, " He'll be here in a bit ". Then, a man in a suit with a briefcase on his side pushed the door quietly. The bell dings. The man carved a bright smile as his eyes met Hajin's.
" Welcome, Mr Park, do you want the usual? " Hajin asked, voice low, but doesn't lack politeness.
" Please. But make it two shots today. I'm having an important meeting with an executive today. Need every little help to stay awake," Mr Park replied, still wearing that warm, bright smile. He had been a regular at Mellow Garden Cafe for almost two years now. That also means he was Hajin's first customer since he opened the cafe two years ago.
" Okay. Americano with extra shot coming right away," he slid the cup under the espresso machine. Concentrated coffee dripped into the cups, finely, gently, as they both continued the small talk. It felt alive...but quiet, just like how Hajin preferred.
-
Somewhere in Seoul, an apartment is still dark, only lit by a soft glow of kitchen light. Yoo Jimin, or known to the world as Karina, the leader of aespa, was making something in the kitchen–kimchi fried rice. It's something that she's confident about making. Her favorite breakfast.
Ningning, the maknae, woke up as quickly as possible when the smell filled the quiet apartment. Wearing an oversized hoodie, she walked out to follow the smell like a predator sensing its prey.
" Omo! " Karina screamed slightly when she saw Ningning already at the table, spoon in one hand and a smile that said I'm ready to devour it. Karina's expression softened. She let out a small chuckle.
" Call the other first, then we eat."
" Okay, unnie. But I get more than them. " Ningning replies with a wink that can disarm the whole battalion. Karina nods, a silent agreement.
" Unnie-deul! Wake up, Breakfast is ready," the maknae shouted in the hallway, where their room was. A brief moment later, Winter came out, followed by Giselle. Everyone sat down at the table, waiting for Karina, as she had not yet finished plating the fried rice.
"Enjoy your food, members ~" she says as she slides their plates onto the table.
As the girls enjoyed their food, a thought crossed Winter's mind, "Ah, unnie, today is the day, is it not? "She paused, then added, "The partner announcement". Her eyes meet Karina's.
She felt a jolt of shock go through her body, so intense, like she was thunderstruck. Her head tilted down on its own. Fear. Confusion. Rage. Inside her heart, it's like a rollercoaster of emotions.
The members, ever observant, noticed the change of emotion in her eyes. Ningning glanced at Giselle once, then Winter. " Jimin-ah, don't worry too much. I'm sure he's someone good. Someone who actually deserves you, " Giselle reassured her, her hands patting softly on Karina's back.
She mustered up and said, " Yeah, I hope so ".
-
Across the city, Hajin was wiping the newly washed cups, ears attentively listening to the news on the TV despite the calm noises of people conversing. His mind strolled aimlessly-thinking about the new government program. The National Pairing Program.
Marriage seems like a distance for him. But he was invested in the concept of this program-as a world-famous idol was selected. Karina. The name that buzzed through the streets and media. It quickly became the most anticipated news in the world.
As the presenter appeared on the screen, wearing a sleek black suit, standing firmly on the podium, the air shifted. The government emblem is planted gracefully on the wooden facade. He adjusted his sleeve before greeting the viewers. All eyes are on him.
Hajin's cafe turned silent. Only filled by the hum of the machines and the TV. The presenters announced the other pair first. A tailor paired with a firefighter. An office worker paired with a technician. An actress with a teacher. A doctor with a soldier. And lastly, Karina. The whole nation held its breath when the presenter announced her name. So did Karina. She was watching the news with the girls and their manager. Hands clenched tightly that they turned white. " Here it comes... " Giselle muttered under her breath.
" Ms Yoo Jimin, singer, 26 years old, will be paired with Shin Hajin, cafe owner, 25 years old..." Hajin dropped the cup he was holding, mouth gaped, eyes confused, hands trembling. His face was plastered beside Karina's–showing to the world. Karina covered her mouth. Shocked. Petrified.
" Unnie! He's younger than you ~ " Ningning squealed, happy–too happy. Giselle shot her a glance that lacked a bite. Their manager closed her eyes. Giselle patted Karina. Winter blinked twice.
Meanwhile, in Hajin's cafe, he could feel everyone staring at him. Some gasped, some clapped. His life, quiet and calm before, changed 180 degrees. Now, his face will be on every platform that exists. The life he had protected before blew up into smithereens.
The presenter's voice faded as he couldn't hear anything besides his thunderous heartbeat in his ear. Words stuck in his throat, his body stiffened, as his customers raised their phones and took pictures of him.
What felt like a distance before was a reality of him now. By noon, social media and news channels went into frenzy, his name trended number 1 worldwide. The world talked about them-what will happen. His phone buzzed from notifications that he didn't dare open. Friends reached out to him, asking what happened, but he ignored them all.
Karina checked her phone, which was buzzing too. She looked at the notifications; some people sent her messages about articles.
" 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘢𝘫𝘪𝘯, 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢'𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥? "
" 𝘐𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘢𝘫𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢? "
" 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦? "
These headlines struck harder for Hajin, as the attention shifted towards him 100 percent. Fans had different opinions. Some said he's not deserving of her, spewing harsh words, and some surprisingly supported him. He read these articles despite being afraid. Out of curiosity.
-
That night, both parties lay on their bed. Pondering what will happen and what to do. Hajin had closed his cafe earlier than normal due to chaos. And partially afraid. She had no schedule that day, but it was also frantic. Friends and family messaged her. Even her company was reminding her to be careful and that this was just temporary.
Hajin was sitting in the living room, lights off, and Karina was drying her hair, when their phone buzzed for the last time today. It was late. They picked it up and opened the chat. It was from the government. It was their profile. Karina quickly clicked the link and carefully read his profile.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲
Name: Shin Hajin
Date of birth 5th June 2001
Age:25 years old
Occupation: business owner
Family: Nne
Education: Gwngnam High School
Mobile contact: +82XX XXXX YYYY
Additional information :
• Served 3 years in the Republic of Korea Army 707th Special Mission Group
• Received Order of Military Merit for outstanding service
• Speaks Korean, English and Japanese, and Panamanian
Karina's eyes widened as she read the profile. It was surprising that he served in the most elite unit in South Korea despite being younger than her. But what was more surprising was how he didn't have any family members. Her mind wandered, thinking how heabout survived the harsh world without any support.
Meanwhile, he didn't need to read her profile. He had heard her name, her story, and her achievement countless times. Sometimes his friends told him, sometimes he read it on social media.
Hajin tilted his head back, leaning against his sofa. One hand covered his eyes, the other rested on his abdomen. He let out a very heavy sigh, carrying the burden away. As he let his mind wander for a moment, his phone rang. It was a call from an unknown number. He picked it up, " Hello, this is Shin Hajin. Who is this? ".
" Hello Shin Hajin-ssi, this is Karina, your partner. I'm just calling in advance, " Her voice low-almost whispering. Maybe she didn't want to wake the others, or maybe she didn't want them to hear their conversation.
Hajin straightened up his back, sitting upright like he was speaking to his commander. Body stiffened, mouth trembling, eyes darting everywhere. " Ah, yes. Hello. I'm Shin Hajin. Pleasure to... talk with you, " he said, voice trembling a bit.
" If you don't mind me asking, why are you calling me? "
" No, I'm just... reaching out first cause you know... we uh... we're gonna get m-married tomorrow. So, uhm, just checking out on yo, " she claimed-voice still low, just above whispering. Though she tried to hide her nervousness, she failed to do so-or at least for her.
" Oh. Uhm, thanks. I guess... So, how are you holding u? "
" I'm fine, just nervous about tomorrow, " she held a short pause before saying, " And curious... about you." She paused, a little bit too long.
Before he could speak, she said, " Forget what I said," and she ended the call. Hajin left bamboozled. He swore he could hear his heartbeat in his ear.
After that abrupt phone call, both of them lay on their bed, staring at nothing. Minds clouded with thoughts...