Seoul. Monday.
The sun was already starting to dip, casting long orange streaks through the narrow gaps between buildings. It was cold that didn’t bite but settled slowly into your clothes, a reminder that winter wasn’t quite done yet. Classes had drained Yeonji just enough to dull her posture as she slid into the back seat of Rolls Royce Black Badge cullinan. du was already there, as always, behind the wheel, calm and waiting.
They pulled into traffic like any other evening. Noise outside, silence inside. Yeonji had her headphones in, looking out the window, barely moving except for the occasional shift of her fingers tightening around her tote bag. du glanced once through the rearview mirror, just a quiet glance
The silence stretched. Not heavy or awkward
But then quietly, halfway through a red light near a convenience store Yeonji pulled one side of her headphones off. She hesitated, looking down at her lap, then raised her eyes just enough to catch du’s attention through the mirror.
Her voice was soft, almost casual, but her tone betrayed the nerves behind it.
"Want to get a quick snack somewhere?"
She blinked fast after saying it, as if she wanted to take it back, but didn’t.
