Six years ago, at that time, Hae Yeon couldn’t sleep a wink. It was because of Cha Do Ha, who not only helped her but also drove her home.

The next day, when she went to the lecture hall dragging her tired body as a result of staying up all night, Ye Eun was elaborately explaining to others what had happened yesterday.

“Kim Seung Woo couldn’t even make a peep, I tell you? It felt like years of indigestion were finally being cleared!”

“Such a thing happened? You should have called me! You know how much I like senior Cha Do Ha.”

“Hey, Kim Ji Soo. You think you’re the only one? There’s a line of female students waiting to see senior Cha. But you know what.”

Ye Eun held her chin and made an exaggeratedly serious expression. The eyes of the female students focused on her.

“For some reason, I have a feeling that senior Cha Do Ha might soon become unavailable. I wonder why?”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

As the juniors rushed over, Ye Eun declared ‘no comment’ and looked at Hae Yeon. Seeing Hae Yeon looking embarrassed, Ye Eun linked arms with her and led her to a corner.

“Min Hae Yeon. Why did you get off yesterday?”

“…Huh?”

Seeing Hae Yeon’s face turn red without her realizing it, Ye Eun clapped her hands once.

“Wow! Finally, my friend is having a romance!”

Ye Eun put her arm around Hae Yeon’s shoulder and whispered.

“Your long single life is coming to an end, Min Hae Yeon.”

Me…? Hae Yeon didn’t know why she had gotten off the taxi even after dropping him off. She thought it was just to express her gratitude to Do Ha. But only after more than a week did she understand what Ye Eun had said.

It all started when she coincidentally met that man again at the store where she worked part-time.

The restaurant where Hae Yeon worked was open 24 hours, so many nearby college students who stayed up late frequented it. But in a corner of that somewhat shabby restaurant, a man was eating alone.

Hae Yeon recognized him at a glance. Of course, he was a man who would stand out anywhere, but for someone like her who had neither the leisure, time, nor heart to be interested in others, the fact that he caught her eye was surprising in itself.

While bringing over the basic settings, Hae Yeon ignored her inexplicably pounding heart. She pretended not to care, not to know, and just focused on her work, but when Do Ha didn’t say anything even though he clearly saw her face, she felt a little disappointed.

‘He probably doesn’t recognize me because it was night that time.’

That man must have been drinking then too. She didn’t know why she was making excuses, but Hae Yeon tried to think that way.

After finishing his meal in a short while, Do Ha came to the counter. Unlike the bar, the restaurant was brightly lit, so Hae Yeon was flustered when she clearly saw Do Ha’s handsome face that she hadn’t properly seen before.

“That’ll be 8,000 won.”

Hae Yeon, who was speaking out of obligation, suddenly felt brave when she received the card Do Ha casually held out. She didn’t want him to leave the restaurant like this. So, for the first time in her life, Hae Yeon did something she had never done before.

“Excuse me…”

What should I say? ‘Hey, did you get home safely yesterday?’ She was going to ask somewhat brazenly, but when she actually called out, her heart was pounding too much. In the end, as she just stood there without saying anything, Do Ha answered indifferently. As if he knew exactly what was on Hae Yeon’s mind.

“Have you been well?”

“…!”

Thanks to that, Hae Yeon’s face turned red. Unable to collect herself, Hae Yeon forgot that she was going to pay for his meal instead and stupidly swiped the card Do Ha had handed her. For someone who rarely got flustered, she felt strange about herself acting this way.

“Is there a convenience store nearby?”

“Ah, um, it’s in the next building.”

To her disjointed answer, Do Ha briefly met her eyes before leaving the restaurant. Hae Yeon was perplexed, but as customers came in, she had no choice but to busy herself.

The time she finished work was 2 AM.

Although both the subway and buses had stopped running by this time, it was fine because the owner provided taxi fare every day. Of course, it was a ploy to increase the store’s sales by keeping the pretty-faced Hae Yeon, but even that was something to be grateful for.

Even though the daytime was warm, the early spring air was still chilly in the predawn hours. As she was wrapping her clothes tighter while waiting for a taxi, a long shadow fell in front of her.

“Let’s go.”

A voice and tone that was becoming slightly familiar. When she turned her head, it was that man. Cha Do Ha.

“…Pardon?”

Not knowing what to call him, she omitted any title, which made her feel somewhat foolish. Feeling inexplicably embarrassed, Hae Yeon was bewildered as to why someone who had finished eating and left hours ago was outside.

Whether he knew Hae Yeon’s thoughts or not, Do Ha just said what he wanted to say.

“Not the front, the back.”

It was a really concise explanation. The strange thing was that she understood those compressed words. Following Do Ha’s gaze, she saw a black car parked on the street, which looked expensive even to Hae Yeon’s eyes that didn’t know much about car types. If anyone else had told her to get in, she would never have done so.

Hae Yeon had controlled her consciousness and actions for almost her entire life. Because she was alone, the consequences of not controlling herself would be entirely her responsibility, and no one would take responsibility for those results. But on this late night, or rather early morning, her body was moving on its own.

“Then… excuse me.”

Despite not being able to meet his eyes, Hae Yeon boldly opened the car door. She didn’t know why she opened the passenger door herself.

‘Am I crazy?’

Despite being someone who always maintained good manners everywhere, and moreover, even though the car owner had told her to sit in the back seat, Hae Yeon sat right in the front seat. Fortunately, Do Ha just raised an eyebrow at Hae Yeon’s action without saying anything.

Sitting in the passenger seat and glancing at Do Ha’s sharp yet handsome face, Hae Yeon was flustered when he turned his head and their eyes met. Suddenly avoiding Do Ha’s eyes, Hae Yeon rolled her eyes and swallowed the words she wanted to say. It seemed like even saying thank you would be unnecessary for this man.

Awkwardly turning her eyes elsewhere, Hae Yeon admired the spotlessly clean interior of the car. While examining the interior that reflected Do Ha’s nature, his sudden words made her involuntarily swallow a dry gulp.

“Don’t misunderstand. I don’t have any other intentions.”

This man really had a knack for unexpected words and actions.

Hae Yeon’s head naturally turned to the left when Do Ha, who seemed like he wouldn’t say a word until they arrived, spoke to her. At the same time, Do Ha also turned his head towards the passenger seat. Seeing his faintly smiling face, Hae Yeon’s ears flushed. Her cheeks burning up, she gripped her handbag tightly, wanting to hide her reddened face.

“I was sitting in the convenience store, and they said they were closing right at that time.”

“…”

His excuse was really flimsy. Hae Yeon realized her lips were twitching. When was the last time she had smiled at a single word, living so busily, so hard, not even realizing how time passed?

It’s not that she always frowned, but she couldn’t remember the last time she had smiled genuinely from her heart. And to think it was at such an implausible, clumsy excuse.

If this were a taxi, Hae Yeon would be reading a book under her phone’s light. Time was the most precious thing in the world, and it was that valuable. She worked and studied even when others were sleeping.

Normally, even if she wasn’t reading a book, Hae Yeon would be mentally reviewing the contents of today’s lectures. But now, she was completely caught up in thoughts about Do Ha’s single sentence. It was truly an impossible thing.

“Don’t misunderstand this either.”

Do Ha said this as they were entering Dobong-gu. Although she could have questioned how he drove the familiar route so easily, Hae Yeon had to bite her lip to suppress a laugh at his added words.

“I just have a good memory. I remember well after seeing something once.”

This was also a statement she couldn’t respond to. Hae Yeon just blinked her wide eyes before composing herself again. Pretending to smooth out the wrinkles in her bag, she tried to appear calm by fiddling with it, when they suddenly arrived at her home.

“Thank you.”

Hae Yeon nodded slightly, showing her manners. Although she didn’t know his exact age, he must be older than her since he had even taken time off from school.

As she was getting out of the car, the man also got out of the driver’s seat. As her gaze naturally went to him, Do Ha smiled slightly. Hae Yeon reflexively looked into his eyes.

“…!”

Cha Do Ha, who had maintained a stiff expression throughout, was really smiling. Of course, he had smiled faintly earlier, but the impact of his bright smile now was tremendous. Hae Yeon had never seen a man smile so wonderfully in her life.

Perhaps because it contrasted with his usual cold face, she wished he would smile a little longer.

“I won’t answer because it’s something you’ll hear again tomorrow.”

“…?”

For a moment, not understanding what he meant, Hae Yeon blinked her big eyes rapidly, and Do Ha smiled again. Hae Yeon was quite surprised that even a man’s smile could be beautiful. Most of the adult men she had seen growing up were relatives, and they weren’t particularly good-looking.

To Hae Yeon, who had only seen the smiles of such people, Do Ha’s smile was unfamiliar. Unfamiliar yet fascinating. It was also surprising that her face could flush with such a pleasant feeling at an adult man’s smile.

“T-Then!”

As Cha Do Ha was about to return to the car, Hae Yeon called out without realizing it. After calling out, her face turned red, and this time she ended up covering her cheeks with her hands.

“P-Please have some tea before you go tomorrow,”

Even so, work would still end at 2 AM. Inviting someone for tea at that hour, she must have gone completely mad.

“At this hour?”

Do Ha asked mischievously with a slight smile. Hae Yeon could confidently say that now not just her face, but her entire body must be red.

“2 AM is a good time for tea. Senior…”

Surprised at her own words, Hae Yeon bowed her head deeply. Her chest felt so itchy, she didn’t know why. As the silence lengthened, Hae Yeon had no choice but to raise her head, only to look bewildered.

Do Ha’s long eyes were gently curved as he looked at her. Hae Yeon could hear her pulse throbbing. Her heart was beating so fast. As it was the first time her heart was so fervently doing its job, Hae Yeon awkwardly rolled her eyes around.

In doing so, she didn’t notice. That Do Ha had come very close.

“Will you call me that one more time?”

At the soft voice cutting through the quiet dawn, Hae Yeon wanted to cover her eyes. She absolutely couldn’t bring herself to look up at him directly. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to rush into her house immediately.

“Sen, sen…”

Ah ah, I can’t do it. Hae Yeon, feeling awkward and embarrassed, just agonized before finally completing the last sentence.

“…ior.”

“Yes, Hae Yeon.”

“…!”

His hay-like tone had suddenly turned sweet. Whether Do Ha had sugar on his lips or her ears were coated with honey, she didn’t know. Surprised by the sudden sweet voice, Hae Yeon stumbled backwards and almost fell.

Hae Yeon’s wobbling body landed very comfortably on something warm. Smelling the familiar scent, she realized it was Cha Do Ha’s embrace, and also understood that the pleasant air she had smelled in the car was his body scent.

She felt like she was going crazy, her body twisting. Hae Yeon wished someone would apply cold water to her burning cheeks. As if hearing her wish, Do Ha cupped Hae Yeon’s cheeks with his cold hands. Hae Yeon looked at his gently smiling face for a moment before awkwardly lowering her head.

While only listening to the sound of her own heart beating in rhythm, her body was pulled again, and Do Ha’s pleasant baritone seeped into her ears.

“Go to bed early.”

“…”

“Stop studying.”

At the words that followed like a whisper, Hae Yeon curled up her body in Do Ha’s arms. Feeling like thousands of volts of electricity were flowing through her body, it was natural that she couldn’t answer as her legs went weak. Hae Yeon just peeked at Do Ha’s face with its pleasant smile and shook her head.

Only later did Hae Yeon wonder how Do Ha had known her schedule. And even later, she learned that such things were not at all important.

What was important was the feeling of falling for each other.

It didn’t matter who was first. Hae Yeon thought that living as a person might be for the sake of just one meeting with someone. Sometimes, you could recognize each other with just one exchanged glance.

So it was impossible for her not to love Do Ha.

He, who had boldly approached her who had nothing, no possessions, no family, didn’t flaunt his family background. That’s why Hae Yeon gave her heart completely to his sincerity.

And Hae Yeon has never regretted that decision, not even once, to this day.