Brilliant Short Story Collection (Visual)

Purple scent

[BG: Mart candy display (intense fluorescent lighting, rainy night mood)]

I can’t believe it started raining. It wasn’t in the forecast at all. I step deeper between the shelves at the mart, lightly shake off my damp jacket, and mutter to myself.

That sudden downpour really wasn’t in the forecast, and the damp air sent a creepy chill through me, making me crave something tart, sharp, and comforting.

My eyes hurriedly scan down the shelves to find a bag of sour lemon drop candies to cure the sudden late-night thirst. Lost in thought, I turned the corner of the candy display without even looking ahead.

Thud!

Before I could see properly, I crashed straight into someone’s solid chest. Before gravity could yank me helplessly down onto the cold linoleum floor, one sturdy arm wrapped tightly around my waist and held me up.

That arm pulled me fully against a warm chest, a textbook K-drama perfect shot. Before I knew it, I couldn’t breathe. The moment I looked up, the whole world went silent.

(Me) [Lifts my head to check who it is and freezes as if my breath has stopped]

It was him. Chanyeon oppa. The person I’d had a hopeless crush on for years.

(Chanyeon) [In an oversized purple hoodie / looks down at me with a smile that’s gentle yet amused]

Oppa’s smile was so dazzling it made even the mart’s harsh fluorescent lights seem dim. In those deep eyes, the kindness and deep warmth I always saw were all still there.

Every time the display lights brushed the ends of his clothes, it looked as if a real purple halo was settling around his head.

His face was only a few inches away, and my chest tightened like it might burst. Afraid he’d hear my heart pounding madly, I swallowed hard.

(Chanyeon) [Carefully helps me stand upright and, in a soft low voice]

"I wasn’t looking where I was going. Sorry."

His low voice seemed to reverberate through my whole body. As if giving me time to steady myself, oppa didn’t let go of the hand around my waist right away.

(Me) [Feeling the heat rush to my cheeks, stammering and frantically brushing my hair back]

"I-I wasn’t looking either. Sorry."

(Chanyeon) [Smiles kindly and reaches out as if to lightly brush away the raindrops on my shoulder]

"Anyway, it’s nice seeing you like this. It’s been a while."

His fingertips lingered for a moment on my damp clothes before pulling away. 'He definitely saw that I got soaked because I didn’t have an umbrella.' I silently screamed at myself for not being prepared.

(Me) [Shyly, turning my head just a little toward the candy display to hide my reddening face]

"Yeah, you too, oppa."

(Me) [Finds the last bag of lemon drop candy and reaches out for it]

(Chanyeon) [At the same time, reaches for the exact same spot, their fingers brushing across the plastic bag surface]

(Chanyeon) [Lets out a low, fresh, playful laugh]

"Ah, right. You liked this too."

(Me) [My heart is trembling like crazy, but I try to sound calm and act like nothing’s wrong, slipping my shaking hand into my pocket]

"Yeah, it’s my favorite. But if you want it, go ahead and take it. I know this is the last bag, so it’s fine."

(Chanyeon) [Tilts his head slightly, a soft yet mischievous smile on his lips]

"Then let’s do this. I’ll buy it, and we can share it. How about that?"

(Me) [Points toward the frosted glass doors at the front of the mart and asks]

"Where would we share it? It’s pouring rain outside."

(Chanyeon) [A really mischievous, boyish smile spreading across his face]

"I know a good place. I’ll give you a ride."

Before I could even properly choose the words to make sense of it, I was nodding without meaning to. Chanyeon oppa gently took my hand, and his warm fingers softly intertwined with mine.

It felt like a jolt of electricity ran through my whole body from our touching fingertips. Oppa led me to the checkout, naturally paid for the candy, and took me to his car, spreading his jacket wide over both our heads as we crossed the rainy parking lot.

[BG: Inside a dark, quiet car on a mountain ridge (night view, blurred city lights sparkling beyond the windows)]

The drive wasn’t very long, but thanks to the soft hum of the heater and the steady rhythm of the wipers, the tension that had filled my head melted away. Oppa parked the car on a dark, quiet mountain ridge.

It was the perfect, cozy hidden spot to admire the city lights sparkling beyond the rain-blurred window from the top of the hill.

(Chanyeon) [After tearing open the plastic candy bag and letting the fresh lemon scent fill the car, he pops a candy into his mouth and holds the bag out to me]

(Me) [Take one candy into my mouth and sneak a glance at oppa’s side profile standing against the storm]

I really do love this person deeply. Hoping desperately that oppa wouldn’t notice this painfully unwavering heart in my eyes, a faint ache quietly settled in one corner of my chest.

We really did meet again tonight by some miraculous coincidence. But in the sound of rain hammering the car roof and the warmth wrapping around us, I’m secretly wishing in my heart that we could just sit in this car like this forever.

Sharing snacks, hiding from the world, and sharing each other’s warmth in the sound of the falling rain.

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