Sun kissed

Mina woke up slowly, the early Seoul light slipping through the curtains. For a moment, she felt empty, like the day would be another lonely one. Then she remembered: Jinwoo had said he could be her guide. · She rolled over, grabbed her phone, and saw a message waiting. · **Jinwoo:** · > *Are you free today? I have a good place I want you to see.* · Mina smiled, a little warmth spreading in her chest. She replied immediately: · > *Yes, but give me 1 hour to get ready. I just woke up.* · Seconds later, his answer came. · > *I’ll be in the parking lot in one hour.* · She checked the time, then jumped out of bed, suddenly excited to see the city—not just as a place of sadness, but as a place of possibility. · After a quick shower, she spent longer than usual styling her hair. Today she tried a new look, a little more “herself” and less “I‑just‑woke‑up.” She checked her reflection, satisfied, and grabbed two jackets just in case. · When she arrived at the parking lot, she saw Jinwoo waiting by his car, already looking at his watch. He saw her, then his face changed—soft, surprised, a little nervous. · He had come early, a little too excited, even practicing a small wave in front of the car mirror before realizing how strange that looked. When she appeared, he forgot his rehearsed wave and just smiled. · “Wow…” he said, then immediately stopped, almost correcting himself. · “That looks nice.” · Mina raised an eyebrow, amused. · “You were about to say something else, weren’t you?” · He laughed, a little flustered. · “Maybe. But I don’t want to scare you with too many compliments.” · She teased, · “Too late. You already did.” · She held up the two jackets. · “Is it going to be cold? I brought extra just in case. I’ll keep them in the car if you don’t mind.” · Jinwoo opened the door for her. · “Be my guest.” · She blinked, slightly confused by his answer, then smiled and climbed in. · On the road, Jinwoo glanced at her occasionally, trying not to stare. · “Do you need breakfast?” he asked. “We can stop somewhere.” · Mina shook her head. · “Not yet. Maybe later, brunch, unless you’re hungry.” · “We can go directly,” he said. “I’m saving room for surprises.” · They drove toward the park, the city waking up around them, the autumn air soft and golden. · Jinwoo took Mina to a quiet park in Seoul, filled with golden‑orange trees and soft autumn light. They walked slowly, passing couples, families, and dogs, until they found a quiet bench under a big tree. · “Do you always take people here when you play tour guide?” Mina asked, half‑teasing. · Jinwoo smiled. · “No. I usually just sit here alone and pretend I’m writing in my head.” · They sat, leaning back, watching the leaves fall. After a while, Mina said, · “This day would usually feel sad… but today it doesn’t.” · Jinwoo looked at her, a little surprised. · “Really?” · Before she could answer, a voice called out, · “Jinwoo?” · They both turned. A guy in his twenties walked toward them, holding hands with a girl. The guy froze when he saw Jinwoo, then smiled. · “Long time no see,” he said. “I didn’t know you were in Seoul today.” · Jinwoo’s jaw tensed slightly. · “Oh… hey, Sung‑ho.” · Then the guy’s eyes moved to Mina, lingering on her, then back to Jinwoo. · “What are you doing here?” he asked, clearly curious. · Without thinking, Jinwoo gently took Mina’s hand and stood up, turning slightly toward her. · “Oh, I’m on a date, too,” he said, voice light but a little forced. · Mina’s eyes widened. She looked at their joined hands, then up at Jinwoo’s face, noticing the slight tension in his smile. For a second, she felt confused, then pieces clicked in her mind: · This guy knows him. The girl looks familiar, maybe his past crush. He’s hiding something. · She smiled, soft and understanding, and nodded along. · “Yeah,” she said, leaning into the lie, “we’re just enjoying the view.” · Sung‑ho glanced between them, then laughed. · “Wow, Jinwoo, I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” · Jinwoo’s hand twitched, but he kept it on hers only a second longer before letting go. · “Ah, we’re… still new,” he said quickly. · As soon as the other couple walked away, Jinwoo turned to Mina, a guilty expression on his face. · “I’m sorry, that was…” · Mina cut him off with a small, knowing smile. · “You don’t have to explain.” She looked down at her hand, where his warmth had just been. “It’s okay… to use me in a situation like that. I still can’t repay you for everything you’re doing for me.” · Jinwoo stared at her, surprised by how calmly she accepted it. · “Mina, I…” · She shrugged, keeping her voice light. · “Don’t worry. I know you’re not actually with me. You don’t need to feel bad.” · He looked at her for a moment, realizing: · -this girl, who had just come out of a painful divorce, was still trying to protect his feelings. · Quietly, he said, · “Thank you.” · Mina turned back to the park, a soft smile on her lips, as the autumn wind carried golden leaves around them. · After Sung‑ho and his girlfriend left, Jinwoo and Mina walked back to the same bench under the big tree. The park had grown quieter, and the autumn air felt a little cooler against their skin. · Jinwoo sat down first, a little stiff, like he was trying to hide his nerves. · “I’m sorry about that,” he said. “I didn’t plan to drag you into a lie like that.” · Mina smiled, softer this time. · “You don’t have to apologize. You were protecting yourself… maybe your past, maybe your pride. I get it.” · Jinwoo blinked, surprised by how calmly she understood. · “You always see more than people think.” · Mina laughed, a little shy. · “That’s what happens when you spend too much time alone with your thoughts.” · A silence fell, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It felt like the air was giving them a moment to breathe. · Mina asked, her voice quieter, · “Was that girl your… something you regret?” · Jinwoo hesitated, then nodded slightly. · “She was my first crush. I used to think about her a lot. But seeing her again… it’s weird. It’s like the past, but not mine anymore.” · Mina watched his face, the way he looked away, like he was trying to protect her from his own feelings. · “It’s okay,” she said gently. “You don’t have to hide in front of me.” · Jinwoo turned to her, eyes searching. · “I don’t want to hurt you,” he said honestly. “You’ve been through enough. I don’t want to be… another person who makes your life messy.” · Mina’s heart softened at his words. She looked down, playing with the edge of her jacket. · “Then don’t,” she said after a pause. “Just be honest. If you feel something, show it… but slowly.” · Jinwoo smiled, a little stunned. · “You’re trusting me with that?” · She nodded, cheeks a little pink. · “I’m trying to.” · They sat in silence for a while, the park wrapping around them like a quiet promise. · Jinwoo looked at her, her hair catching the afternoon light, and thought, I’m starting to care about you more than I planned to. · But he didn’t say it out loud. · He just smiled and said, · “Thank you… for today.” · Mina smiled back, a little shy, and looked toward the sunset. · “Thank you… for making this day not feel like one more day of sadness.