Night faded into morning.
Every day started with the loud ring of Yuna's alarm at six, and every day she woke to the same empty space beside her. The faint smell of cedar lingered in her mind, but not in the room. She told herself it was nothing—a trick of her senses, a stubborn memory. Then she would catch the first subway to the studio, letting the familiar noise swallow her whole.
The set had its own rhythm and pattern.
Cables sprawled across the floor like twisted vines. Lights buzzed hot and bright, air filled with the smell of scorched dust and hairspray. Yuna learned to navigate it all without being seen: grabbing batteries, marking scenes, keeping track of props that others forgot until the last minute.
And every time Ryu Jin entered, her heartbeat quickened.
His presence turned everything electric. Managers stepped aside, stylists rushed around like busy stars, crews moving about hastily, trying to keep up with him. But he never glanced her way—no nod, no smile. Just his perfect performance and sharp control of every camera angle.
It was easy to believe she was invisible.
Until night came.
The pattern unfolded with almost magical precision.
Night One
The set finally cleared, leaving only the sound of her broom sweeping the concrete. Outside, a figure leaned against the railing, his hood casting shadows over his face. "Hungry?" he asked, his voice low and confident.
They walked side by side through rain-slicked streets to a tiny pojangmacha, the air rich with the scent of garlic and gochugaru. Steam curled under the plastic tarp as they shared spicy tteokbokki and fish cake skewers. His shoulder brushes hers each time they reach for the spicy food.
And back at her apartment, he stayed. His warmth lingered steady beside her until dawn. When she woke up, only silence remained.
Night Two
The same routine, yet different. He waited in a darker corner with his hands in his pockets, his eyes catching the faint moonlight. "Long day?" he asked.
She nodded, too tired to say more. This time, they chose a noodle house located in a narrow alley. She wondered why the places he chose always failed to acknowledge his celebrity status.
He listened as she talked about the chaotic prop change and the assistant director's frantic shouts. He knew too well of the event, yet he smiled and laughed as if he had heard it for the first time.
Again, he left before morning.
Night Three and Four
The rhythm grew stronger.
They strolled through the nighttime streets, enjoying street food and taking home takeouts. Sometimes they chatted about movies and music. Other times, they just walked in a cozy silence. Each evening, she promised herself it would be the last time. Still, her heart raced whenever she saw that familiar figure waiting in the shadows.
Every morning, she woke up alone.
By the end of the week, she had stopped wondering how he found her. The set took up her days, but the nights were theirs—a secret woven between reality and dreams.
Saturday finally came, bringing the usual coffee meet-up with Mina and Soojin. They had been friends since college; their weekend get-togethers were a steady thread, even when work scattered them across the city.
Mina spotted Yuna as soon as she walked into the warm café. "Over here!" she called, waving excitedly.
Soojin's eyes widened in awe when Yuna slipped into the booth. "Look at you."
"What?" Yuna asked in confusion.
"You're glowing," Soojin teased with a playful smile. "So," she leaned closer, pretending to be serious. "Who is he?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Yuna tried to act cool.
"You usually come in looking like a zombie. Now, you look like you've found a secret spa." Mina said, sharing a knowing glance with Soojin.
The three of them sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment. No one asked for more details. They simply shared warm smiles and the unspoken strength of a long friendship.
Yuna tried to appear casual as she stirred her iced latte. "Maybe I've just been... sleeping better."
"Uh-huh," Mina replied, exchanging a knowing glance with Soojin. "You usually stumble in here like a zombie. Now you look like you've discovered a secret spa."
They shared a laugh that felt warm and familiar, but Yuna's chest tightened. These were the friends who had supported her through exams and heartbreaks, the ones who could tell when a smile concealed deeper feelings.
_______________
When Yuna left the café that afternoon, the city light felt a little softer, and the air felt a little lighter.
She thought of Ryu waiting in the shadows, of their quiet dinners together, and how his eyes seemed to look right through her tiredness. Night couldn't come fast enough.
When it finally did, she found him just as she expected: leaning against the softly lit railing, his hood pulled low, a gentle smile on his face. "Hungry?" he asked.
Yuna felt her heart lift. "Yes," she replied, stepping into the cozy warmth of his world.