Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Scarf and the Stranger
The crisp, autumn air of Seoul swept through the quiet park near Incheon Airport, carrying with it the faint scent of fallen pine leaves and distant city traffic. Y/N sat alone on a weathered wooden bench, wrapping her thick wool coat tightly around her shoulders to ward off the chill.
Just an hour ago, she had said her final goodbye to her mother at the departure gate. The memory of her mother’s tearful smile and warm hug still lingered, leaving a quiet ache in Y/N’s chest. Stepping foot in South Korea just a few days ago was supposed to be the start of her grand dream—to survive and shine as an independent street performer in a city renowned for its music. Yet, looking around at the towering glass skyscrapers and the fast-paced crowd, the sprawling metropolis felt cold, vast, and utterly intimidating. Her Korean vocabulary was currently limited to basic greetings and broken phrases, making her feel like an isolated island amidst a rushing ocean.
She let out a long breath, watching the golden afternoon sunlight filter softly through the amber leaves overhead. Opening her cracked leather notebook, she traced her fingers over the lyrics she had scribbled during her flight. Music was her only anchor, her absolute sanctuary. She wasn't here to chase foolish romance or grand fairy tales; her focus was singular—survival and her craft.
A short distance away, a sleek, tinted black van pulled silently into a shaded corner near the park entrance. Inside, Jeon Jungkook let out a heavy, tired sigh.
At twenty-six, he carried a weight that few could ever comprehend. As the youngest CEO of South Korea’s top entertainment empire and a world-renowned vocalist whose songs ruled global charts, his life was an endless loop of board meetings, vocal training, and stadium tours. Today, however, he had managed to steal thirty minutes of freedom.
Slipping on an oversized black jacket, pulling a dark mask over the lower half of his face, and letting his messy dark bangs fall over his eyes, he stepped out into the park. To the world, he was an untouchable icon; to himself, right now, he was just a guy needing fresh air. He pulled out his phone and started a surprise livestream to check in with his fans.
Within seconds, the viewer count spiked into the millions.
"Hey everyone," Jungkook murmured into his phone, his voice deep and smooth behind the fabric of his mask. "The weather in Seoul today is really nice. I'm just taking a short walk before my next schedule."
The comment section flashed by at lightning speed, a chaotic waterfall of hearts, compliments, and excitement. A light, fond chuckle escaped his lips as he read a few humorous messages, walking slowly down the paved stone path.
Suddenly, a sharp, playful gust of wind whipped across the open plaza.
Before Jungkook could even react, a long, soft crimson scarf was torn from a nearby bench. The fabric flew straight through the air and wrapped itself squarely over his face, completely blinding his eyes and blocking the smartphone camera.
The livestream chat erupted into sheer madness. Comments like ‘WHAT HAPPENED?!’, ‘OPPA ARE YOU OKAY?!’, and ‘IS THAT A BLINDFOLD?’ flooded the screen in milliseconds.
Jungkook froze in mid-stride, his brain taking a second to register the sudden darkness. He gently reached up and pulled the warm, soft fabric away from his eyes.
Before he could even process what had just occurred, a girl rushed up to him, her cheeks flushed bright red—partly from the cold breeze, and partly from sheer embarrassment.
"Ah... m-mianhamnida!" Y/N blurted out in slightly clumsy, heavily accented Korean.
Without waiting for a response or even looking him in the face, she quickly snatched the scarf out of his hands, wrapped it snugly around her neck, gave a quick, awkward bow, and turned sharply on her heel—walking away down the path as fast as her legs could carry her.
Jungkook stood completely rooted to the spot, his jaw slightly slack beneath his mask, phone still raised in mid-air.
He stared at her retreating silhouette as her dark hair fluttered in the wind. Millions of people across the globe hung on his every word, threw flowers at his feet, and screamed his name in crowded stadiums. Yet this stranger had just bowed awkwardly, stammered a broken apology, reclaimed her property, and walked away like he was as invisible as the autumn air.
A faint, amused smile spread across his lips under the mask, his dark eyes sparkling with rare curiosity.
"Mianhamnida, huh?" he muttered softly to himself.
He lowered his phone, watching her until her figure completely blended into the distant crowd, leaving behind only the soft scent of fresh rain and wool.
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*To be continued......
