Chapter 1
An Unexpected Encounter
The morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Han residence, illuminating the polished marble floors and carefully arranged furniture.
Ren sat at the dining table, scrolling through his phone while breakfast was served in front of him.
At twenty-one, he was already accustomed to the privileges that came with his family's name. His father owned several successful companies, his mother was involved in charitable foundations, and their family residence was large enough to accommodate more people than they actually needed.
Yet Ren had never been particularly interested in displaying his wealth.
He preferred quiet mornings, uncomplicated conversations and the freedom to make his own decisions.
"Your driver is waiting," his mother reminded him as she placed a cup of tea beside his breakfast.
Ren glanced at the time.
"I'll be leaving in a minute."
"You're saying that while you're still sitting here."
He smiled faintly, put his phone away and finished his breakfast.
Today marked the beginning of another semester at Haneul University, one of the most prestigious private institutions in the country. Ren was entering his final year, and although he had little difficulty keeping up with his studies, he wasn't particularly enthusiastic about returning to campus.
Still, there were worse things than attending university.
He collected his bag and kissed his mother goodbye before leaving.
---
Haneul University was already crowded when Ren arrived.
Students moved between academic buildings, some discussing their schedules while others gathered around the courtyard. The university's reputation attracted students from influential families, but it also offered scholarships to talented individuals from less privileged backgrounds.
Ren stepped out of his car, adjusted the strap of his bag and headed towards the main building.
He had barely crossed the courtyard when someone hurried past him.
A shoulder brushed against his, followed by the sound of something falling.
"Sorry!"
The stranger stopped and turned around.
Ren looked down at the notebook lying near his shoes before picking it up.
"You're in a hurry."
The young man accepted the notebook with a sheepish smile.
"Apparently, more than I should be."
Ren glanced at him.
He was handsome, though not in an overly polished way. His dark hair was casually styled, and his appearance carried an effortless confidence. There was something particularly noticeable about his smile, as though he found amusement in situations that would leave other people embarrassed.
"Thank you," the stranger said.
Ren nodded.
The young man looked at him for another moment before glancing towards the building.
"I should probably go before I'm late."
"Then you should hurry."
"Good advice."
With that, he disappeared into the crowd.
Ren watched him leave for barely a second before continuing towards his department.
He didn't think much of the encounter.
At least, not yet.
---
By lunchtime, the university cafeteria was considerably busier.
Ren had collected his food and was looking for an empty table when he noticed the same young man from earlier.
He was sitting alone near the windows, one hand resting beside an open notebook while he ate.
Ren recognised him immediately.
The young man looked up at precisely the same moment.
Their eyes met.
A familiar smile appeared on his face.
"You're the guy from this morning."
Ren stopped beside the table.
"You remember?"
"You picked up my notebook. I'd be rather ungrateful if I forgot."
Ren glanced at the empty chair opposite him.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
"No. Go ahead."
Ren took the seat.
For a few moments, they ate without speaking. It wasn't uncomfortable, although Ren wasn't particularly accustomed to sharing meals with strangers.
The young man eventually closed his notebook.
"I'm Kairo, by the way."
"Ren."
"Just Ren?"
"Is there supposed to be more?"
Kairo laughed.
"Nothing. I was just expecting a longer introduction."
Ren's lips curved slightly.
"You'll have to settle for that."
Kairo seemed amused by his response.
They continued talking, beginning with their university programmes and eventually moving to less important subjects. Kairo was easy to talk to. He had a habit of making ordinary observations sound entertaining, and Ren found himself responding more than he usually would.
There was something refreshing about speaking to someone who didn't immediately approach him with questions about his family.
Kairo, for his part, seemed entirely unaware of the name attached to the university's most recognisable student.
Or perhaps he simply didn't care.
When they finished eating, Kairo checked his phone and stood.
"I have another lecture."
"So do I."
Kairo adjusted his bag.
"Then I suppose we'll see each other around."
"Probably."
He offered Ren one last smile before leaving.
Ren remained seated for a moment, watching the crowd swallow him.
It was an ordinary encounter.
Nothing particularly significant had happened.
Yet, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, the afternoon seemed a little less uneventful than the morning had been.
---
The following week passed quickly.
Ren returned to his usual routine of lectures, assignments and occasional family obligations. He didn't expect to see Kairo again, but the university was large enough that their paths could easily cross.
They did.
First, near the library.
Then outside the student centre.
And finally, at a small café just beyond the university gates.
By their third encounter, Kairo greeted him as though they had known each other for considerably longer.
"Ren."
Ren looked up from his phone.
"Kairo."
"You're making it sound like you weren't expecting to see me."
"Were you?"
"Not particularly. But I'm beginning to think this university is smaller than I thought."
Ren shook his head, amused.
Kairo gestured towards the empty chair beside him.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
"No."
"Then keep me company."
Ren considered declining. He had intended to return home early, but there was nothing particularly urgent waiting for him.
He sat down.
Their conversation lasted longer than either had initially intended.
When Ren finally checked the time, the afternoon had already slipped away.
"I should go."
Kairo nodded, reaching for his coffee.
"See you tomorrow?"
Ren looked at him.
"Are you planning to make that a habit?"
"Would that be a problem?"
Ren didn't answer immediately.
Then he smiled.
"I'll see."
---
That evening, Ren returned home later than usual.
He changed out of his university clothes, settled at his desk and opened his laptop. An assignment was due at the end of the week, and he had intended to complete part of it before dinner.
His phone vibrated.
An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen.
Unknown Number: You got home?
Ren stared at the message before replying.
Ren: Who is this?
The response arrived almost immediately.
Unknown Number: Kairo. You gave me your number at the café, remember?
Ren remembered.
He hadn't thought Kairo would message him so soon.
Ren: I got home.
Kairo: Good. I was beginning to think you had disappeared.
Ren: I was travelling, not disappearing.
Kairo: Same difference.
Ren laughed quietly at the screen.
It was a small exchange, nothing more than a few messages between two people who had only recently become acquainted.
Still, when Kairo sent another message asking what he was doing, Ren found himself putting his assignment aside long enough to answer.
Outside, the evening settled over the Han residence.
And somewhere between an unexpected encounter and an ordinary conversation, a new presence had begun finding its way into Ren's carefully ordered life.
He had no reason to believe it would become anything important.
For now, Kairo was simply someone he had met.
Someone whose messages he didn't mind receiving.
Someone he was beginning to look forward to seeing again.
