Fifteen years ago – Rainy afternoon, school gate
The rain came suddenly, splashing onto the pavement like a hundred little heartbeats.
Minho, just eleven, stood by the school gate with an unopened umbrella in hand. He wasn't in a rush. He was waiting—for her.
And there she was.
Minji. Ten years old, short hair sticking to her cheeks, clutching a sketchbook to her chest as she ran through the downpour.
Minho stepped forward.
"Minji!"
She stopped, blinking at him through the rain.
"You'll get soaked," he said, holding out the umbrella.
She hesitated. "What about you?"
"I don't mind."
Their fingers brushed for a moment as she took the umbrella. She gave him the smallest smile. One he'd never forget.
"Thank you, Minho."
He didn't say anything. Just watched her run off under the umbrella—his umbrella—until she was out of sight.
He didn't care that he was drenched.
That day, he felt warm in the rain.
Present Day – Seoul, 2025
Minji sat by the window in a quiet café, one hand resting lightly around her coffee cup. Her sketchbook was open, though untouched.
Outside, people rushed by on the gray sidewalk—umbrellas everywhere. She liked watching the city from here. She always had. Maybe it reminded her of something.
She wasn't sure what.
Her gaze wandered to the glass. A man walked past—tall, in a black coat, walking fast, his face turned away.
She didn't see him clearly. Didn't try to.
And he didn't look inside.
Minho walked right past the café window, focused on the message buzzing on his phone. His reflection in the glass never touched hers.
Two people.
One past.
Same city.
Same moment.
But they didn't see each other.
Not yet.