The day was drawing to a close.The art gallery where Lee Soo Min worked was gradually emptying. The spacious hall, filled with the scent of fresh paint and canvases, now seemed unusually quiet. All morning and throughout the day, frantic preparations had been underway for the exhibition of a renowned artist — a major event attended by influential figures, the press, and curators.Soo Min stayed behind longer than the others, assisting with the setup and logistics. She always tried to do more than required. Perhaps that was why her colleagues respected her."Ms. Lee, thank you for your help. Sorry you had to stay late."The young employee bowed her head slightly."It's my pleasure," Soo Min replied politely, smiling. "This is an important day for the gallery."Bowing in return, she put on her coat, grabbed her bag, and headed for the exit.The evening air was fresh, almost chilly. The city shimmered with lights: windows, storefronts, streetlamps. A light breeze tugged at the hem of her coat, and the rhythm of her heels echoed on the wet sidewalk.Soo Min checked her phone: 8:48 PM."I've missed the bus," she muttered to herself. "I'll have to walk."
The young woman was a little frustrated, as, in such weather, she longed to get home as quickly as possible.She turned into a familiar alley — a shortcut home. There was almost no one around, except for a group of girls gathered outside a 24-hour store. They were loudly discussing something in excited voices."I'm telling you, it was him! I'm sure of it!" one of them shouted.
Soo Min walked past, not paying attention to their conversation. She thought about the fans who wait for hours to catch a glimpse of their idols. It wasn't her world — she lived in a different one. But somewhere deep inside, she felt a pang of sympathy for the stars who couldn't even hide in the dark.She had no idea that only a few minutes earlier, something entirely different had occurred in the same alley.
***
He stepped outside, still brooding over how foolishly he had lost the bet with the members of his group. It wasn't such a big deal — buying dinner for everyone — but it still felt unpleasant to lose. After all, it was his choice to play the game "Ttari" and he had lost. At least now there was a good chance to catch some fresh air and relax after the rehearsal, to step into the shadows and simply unwind. He was certain it would take only a few minutes.His hood was pulled low over his face, as much as his sweatshirt allowed, and the collar of his coat was turned up. He hoped that his appearance would go unnoticed, allowing him to just be alone — at least for a minute.But no."It's him! Look, he's going!"He froze. The surprise hit him like a wave. No sooner had he stepped outside than they saw him — the girls, their eyes lighting up with recognition. They had unmistakably identified their idol in him. He never imagined he would be the center of attention so quickly. He had hoped that a simple disguise would be enough to buy dinner and return home. But reality proved otherwise. He hadn't expected such persistence — or eyes full of eager excitement.He quickened his pace, holding back his irritation. All he wanted was a few minutes of peace. But as always, his personal moments were foreign to those who considered him part of their reality.Voices. Footsteps. Too loud, too impatient. He gritted his teeth. Behind him — squeals, laughter, shouts, cameras."Please, can we take a picture? I'm your biggest fan! I love you!" shouted a high school girl, rushing towards him. She grabbed his sleeve, her fingers desperately clutching the fabric.He jerked his arm away, barely suppressing his annoyance."Why are you all the same? Sticky fingers, empty promises. I didn't come here for this."He said nothing. He didn't look back. His heart was pounding. He hurried away, shoving his hands into his pockets.
The street turned sharply — and so did he.The noise lessened, but the footsteps behind him quickened, grew louder. A dead end."Damn it," he cursed venomously.He stopped abruptly, spun around, and tried to climb over a low fence, but misjudged it — his hand slipped. The metal tore at his skin. He landed on his feet, then immediately staggered, his palm burning with pain."Damn..."Fortunately, the girls hadn't followed him. He heard them stop, and one of them said,"Maybe it's not him...""No, it is! I'm sure of it! Let's go, I think he turned that way." The high school girl pointed to the next corner, and they ran off in pursuit of the fleeing boy.They were gone.And he was left. In this damn alley. He leaned against the brick wall, staring at his cut hand.Blood dripped onto the asphalt. His fingers pulsed. He could still feel the vibrations of adrenaline coursing through his body."Just a cut. Just fans. Just an evening. Everything as usual. Everything as always."He closed his eyes. Just standing. Just waiting it out.
***
Walking just a few dozen meters, Soo Min suddenly slowed her pace. At the edge of the alley, in the half-darkness, someone was standing against the wall.A young man.He didn't notice her at first. He was alone, leaning against the brick wall, staring at his hand. The streetlamp's light caught the crimson drops — blood was trickling down his fingers.He was injured.For a moment, her heart skipped a beat."Maybe it's better to just pass by? Who knows who he is…"He stood there motionless, as if lost. There was no threat or malice in his posture — only exhaustion and something fragile, something hard to define.There was something about him that made her stop. And take a step forward."Are you…?" she faltered. "Are you okay?" Her voice trembled, and for a brief moment, she questioned whether she should have said anything at all.It was too late. The words had already escaped.She gripped the strap of her bag tighter, as if it might somehow protect her.The young man suddenly looked up. His light gold eyes — alert, slightly confused — met hers. It was as if he hadn't expected anyone to notice him."I'm fine," he exhaled hoarsely, with belated certainty. "I just… cut myself."He awkwardly lowered his hand, as if trying to hide it, but the blood continued to drip.Soo Min didn't move, her gaze fixed on his face — or rather, on the little that was visible beneath the hood and the brim of his cap.She was still unsure. It could be dangerous. But if he truly wanted to cause harm… wouldn't he have done so already?He looked lost. More injured than dangerous.Soo Min exhaled and slowly reached into her coat pocket.A white handkerchief — too clean, too personal. It shouldn't have meant anything. Yet, it was the first thing she gave him. She always carried a clean handkerchief with her. Just in case.And now, that "just in case" had arrived."Press it against the wound," she said, standing before him and already extending the white, clean handkerchief. "At least you won't get any more blood on yourself."He hesitated but finally took the handkerchief and pressed it firmly against the wound."Thank you," he said in a muffled voice. His tone was raspy, as though he had been silent for a long time."Who is he…?" Soo Min frowned, not taking her eyes off him.He stood a little farther away, deliberately staying in the shadows. He looked suspicious — dark coat, hood, cap pulled low over his forehead. His face was barely visible — just a hint of a chin and lips. Everything about him seemed… careless. But it wasn't mere carelessness — it was calculated. As if he didn't want to be remembered."He's definitely not from around here… And what is he doing here?"A thug? A spy? Or just a crazy person?
"Do you have anything with you? A band-aid, maybe?" she asked, already rummaging through her bag.After a few seconds of searching, she pulled out a band-aid and handed it to him."Here. Once the bleeding stops, put it on. But it's better to clean it first. Otherwise, it might get infected."He nodded silently, took the band-aid, and stuffed it into his coat pocket. Her calmness unsettled him.No questions, no fanatical looks, no attempts to take a picture. Just help — quiet, unconditional.Didn't he recognize her? Or was she just pretending?Was she pretending? Trying to get closer?The thoughts gnawed at him."I'm sorry… for the, uh, awkwardness," he mumbled, unsure how to finish the sentence. He glanced at her, as if trying to find an explanation for his words. "I didn't think anyone would come over.""It's okay," she replied softly, her voice calm, almost warm. "Sometimes it's just worth helping. For no reason."She smiled slightly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and took a step to the side, heading toward the exit of the dark alley."Wait!… your handkerchief…" His voice trailed off as he realized she was almost gone, melting into the darkness. He grabbed the cloth, still unsure of what to do, and clenched it in his hand.She left something invisible in the air, something hard to grasp. The warm handkerchief — just human warmth, and for some reason, that seemed more important than anything that had happened up until that moment.He looked at the fabric, feeling its presence still lingering nearby.What was that? he asked himself, but the answer never came.And yet, it was something he couldn't just let go.
***
Soo Min walked quickly through the cool streets, feeling the weight of fatigue settle heavily on her shoulders. After a long day at the gallery, all she wanted was one thing — to get home and hide in the silence.But the thoughts of the stranger still lingered."Who was he? Why was he so surprised that I helped him? What was he doing in that alley? How did he hurt himself?"Unconsciously, she reached for her coat pocket. The handkerchief was no longer there. It had disappeared, just like the moment itself.She remembered how her grandmother had always said that a handkerchief was something meant for someone else, for another person. But she hadn't thought much about the meaning of that gesture when she handed it to the stranger. She had simply decided to help.She shifted her gaze to the sky. The city lights made it hard to see the stars, but through the dense veil, the moon managed to break through. It was bright and solitary, like a reminder of something important.Calm.A simple, quiet feeling, one that had been so lacking in her life lately.
When she reached her door, she pulled out her keys and, as always, slowed her movements, carefully inserting them into the lock. The familiar click was almost soothing. She slowly turned the key and stepped inside.The apartment greeted her in silence — warm and quiet, just as always. The darkness that filled the rooms seemed cozy, and at the same time, it felt like a shield against everything that was outside. Soo Min closed the door, letting the sense of solitude wrap around her.Kicking off her shoes by the door, she stepped inside, unbuttoning her coat as she moved. Her actions were mechanical — she was too tired to think.Coat — draped over the back of the chair.Bag — tossed somewhere on the couch.Shirt — discarded beside the armchair.Leaving a trail of scattered things behind her, like the remnants of the day, Soo Min walked into the bathroom, releasing her hair from its clip. Chestnut curls cascaded down her shoulders, soft waves brushing against her bare skin."What a crazy day…" she exhaled, turning on the water.The straps of her bra lazily slipped off her shoulders, the fabric falling silently to the floor. Her panties followed — a gentle rustle, and then nothing separated her from the long-awaited peace. She stepped over them, heading toward the bath, where warm water, like soft silk, slowly filled the space.Not waiting for the water to reach the brim, Soo Min slid into the tub, stretching her legs out and resting her head on the edge. The warmth enveloped her, washing away the fatigue, dispersing the heaviness of her thoughts.Silence.No voices.No bustle.No tension.Only the muted sound of water, dissolving the worries of the day.But memory proved capricious — from the depths of her mind, the image of the mysterious young man resurfaced. His face, hidden beneath the shadow of his cap, eluded her gaze, remaining a blurred silhouette in her memory. Only his light-gold eyes briefly flared in the dimness — alert, yet with a barely noticeable spark of surprise.
The way he hesitated when accepting the snow-white handkerchief, as though unsure of what to do with it.The way his light-gold eyes lingered on her, as if trying to understand something.She involuntarily smiled at the corners of her lips… but quickly pushed the thought away.The world is full of chance encounters.
And this one… would most likely be forgotten by tomorrow.