Love is better than pain
2. Unfamiliar city, familiar language
At the end of the narrow, dark alley, a quiet street appeared.
Myeongho stopped only after confirming that there was no longer any trace of pursuit.
His hand, which was still holding Siyeon's wrist while she was gasping for breath, carefully released itself.
디에잇(명호)
"are you okay...?"
A small, short word.
There were countless emotions in it. Siyeon blinked, still breathing heavily.
There were countless emotions in it. Siyeon blinked, still breathing heavily.
강시연
“Oh. Ha… Really… Thank you so much…”
She trailed off and bowed her head deeply. Her voice trembled, and traces of the fear from earlier lingered in her eyes.
강시연
“I really… didn’t know what to do…”
Myeongho looked at her quietly and spoke softly.
디에잇(명호)
“Be careful. It’s dangerous to wander around a place like this alone.”
At those words, Siyeon raised her head, looking a little surprised.
강시연
“…You’re Korean?”
At those words, Myeongho paused for a moment. He could have corrected himself, saying, "No, I'm Chinese," but he felt it was unnecessary.
Instead, he simply nodded slightly. Only then did Siyeon smile, seemingly relieved.
강시연
"I'm so… relieved. I can hear Korean like this…"
Myungho didn't take off his hood, but he pushed the hat that was covering his front back slightly.
Eyes appeared beyond the hair. And then—
Their eyes met briefly.
Three seconds of silence, as if time had stopped. A brief exchange of words took place, with both sides holding their breath.
In that air, just as Siyeon was about to cautiously open her mouth— Myeongho tensed for a moment.
if…?
디에잇(명호)
‘You don’t recognize me, do you…?’
But the next moment, Siyeon hesitated, tilted her head slightly, and asked another question.
강시연
“Um, but… I was trying to ask for directions when I ran into those people… Do you happen to know where this address leads…?”
The demonstration showed the cell phone in his hand.
A map app was open on the screen, the address clearly displayed. Myungho's eyes widened the moment he saw the address.
디에잇(명호)
‘Isn’t this where I’m staying now…?’
An unbelievable coincidence. He hesitated for a moment, then looked up and spoke.
디에잇(명호)
“…Let’s go together. I’ll stay there too.”
When Siyeon heard that, she looked at him with surprised eyes.
강시연
“Really? Wow… I’m so glad…”
At her relieved smile, Myungho frowned slightly. For some reason...
I have a strange feeling that this meeting isn't the end...
On the sidewalk, dimly lit by city lights, the two people walked a few steps apart, their steps cautious and awkward.
Siyeon glanced at Myeongho next to her.
The figure with the hood pulled down, the dark features… He barely spoke.
He might be a bit blunt.
Even as I thought about that, strangely enough, I felt relieved just by having him by my side.
강시연
'But... the voice... seems familiar...'
She turned her head, then looked forward again, and then glanced briefly at his profile.
As if sensing this, Myeongho stared quietly ahead without looking back, as if nothing had happened.
But he too was sensing the direction of the gaze.
A brief silence. An awkward silence.
Finally, Siyeon opened her mouth.
강시연
“Excuse me… Do you live in China by any chance? I came here for work… and I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Myeongho turned his head slightly and answered.
디에잇(명호)
“Oh, I don’t live there either. I just came for a bit on business.”
A short and concise answer. His tone was cool, but Siyeon felt strangely reassured by it.
At least… it felt a little bit familiar knowing that we were here for the same reason.
강시연
“My name is Kang Si-yeon. I’m 27 years old.”
She stopped walking for a moment, turned her head towards him and said.
강시연
"Excuse me... Could you tell me your name? I'm so grateful... Even if it's not your contact information... I thought it would be helpful to at least know your name so I can express my gratitude."
As she spoke, Siyeon's eyes were filled with sincerity. She was grateful to the person who saved her, and she longed to remember that name.
Myeongho thought for a moment. Actually, he didn't need to say anything.
If I had revealed my name for no reason, my identity could have been unnecessarily exposed.
But… at this moment, he couldn’t avoid Siyeon’s eyes.
디에잇(명호)
“…Seo Myeong-ho.”
Three short, clear letters. Siyeon's eyes widened at the name.
강시연
"Myungho... Seo Myeongho...? I wonder if I've heard of you somewhere..."
Siyeon looked at him cautiously again, but Myeongho smiled lightly and looked away.
디에잇(명호)
“It could be because there are many names like that.”
At those words, Siyeon chuckled and said, “I see…”
After that, the two started walking again.
This time... From a slightly closer distance.