Switzerland looked like a postcard come to life snowy mountains standing proudly against a clear sky, lakes shining like sheets of crystal glass, and air so fresh that it almost felt unreal.
But at that exact moment, Choi Eun-Seo wasn't enjoying any of it.
She ran across the platform of Zurich Hauptbahnhof, dragging her suitcase behind her. Her breathing turned sharp, her bangs sticking to her forehead. She checked the time again and groaned.
"Of course… I would be late on the very first day."
Her carefully planned solo trip — a gift to herself after years of working non-stop — was already turning into a disaster. And to make it worse, the universe seemed to be laughing at her.
Right then, someone bumped hard into her shoulder.
Her suitcase wobbled. She stumbled.
And the train door slid shut in front of her with a final, mocking click.
Eun-Seo stood frozen.
"No. No. NO!"
The train began to move, leaving the station — and her — behind. Her jaw clenched so tight she could almost hear her teeth crack.
She spun around to glare at the cause of all this.
A guy wearing a black leather jacket stood with headphones around his neck, one hand casually holding his coffee. His black hair was a little messy, and he blinked at her with the widest brown eyes she'd ever seen — like a confused puppy.
He bowed slightly, hands up in peace.
"Oh. Sorry. Did I do that?"
His voice was deep. Calm. Too calm for someone who just ruined her day.
"Yes, you did that!" Eun-Seo pointed at the empty tracks. "I missed my train!"
He looked at the train disappearing into the distance…
Then back at her.
Then he… smiled.
"Well, look on the bright side," he said, shrugging. "You got to meet me."
She stared.
…Was he serious?
"I don't need strangers in my life," she snapped. "Especially clumsy ones."
"That hurts," he said dramatically, putting a hand over his heart. "You don't even know my name yet."
"And I don't want to!"
He chuckled, clearly entertained.
"Name's Park Ji-Hoon, by the way. And you're welcome for making this trip more interesting."
She wanted to throw her suitcase at him.
Instead, she took a deep breath. She was supposed to be a mature adult — not let some annoyingly handsome weirdo get under her skin.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from the tour guide:
> "If you missed the 11:30 train, wait for the next group bus at 1pm. It will take you to Interlaken."
Interlaken. Her dream destination.
So it wasn't the end of the world.
Still… the guy was grinning at her like he was a gift from the heavens.
"I don't need company," she repeated and marched toward a bench.
But, of course…
He followed.
"So… Korean, right?" Ji-Hoon asked, sitting way too close.
She scooted away. "Yes. And I don't talk to strangers."
"Oh, but now we're not strangers." He pointed at her suitcase. "I'm pretty sure I saved it from falling. That means we're kind of travel buddies now."
She blinked. "Are you always this delusional?"
"Only around pretty girls."
Her cheeks heated — from anger. Definitely from anger.
She stood up and walked away again.
He followed again.
She whirled on him. "Why are you glued to me?!"
"Huh? I just happen to be walking in the same direction."
He looked far too innocent to be believable. "And also, I'm waiting for that bus too."
Her eyes widened. "You're… on the same tour?"
"Yep! Europe Backpackers Group Tour — Seoul Edition."
He beamed like a kid meeting Santa.
Eun-Seo wanted to scream into the void.
Of all the people in the world…
She had to be stuck with him.
---
The next hour passed painfully slowly.
Eun-Seo attempted to ignore him — headphones on, phone out, eyes glued to the floor.
But she could feel his gaze.
Persistent. Annoyingly curious.
Like he was trying to figure out her entire life story just by looking.
Finally, she removed one earbud.
"What?" she snapped.
Ji-Hoon smiled, holding out a warm pastry wrapped in paper.
"Peace offering. Swiss almond croissant."
She eyed it.
Her stomach growled — betraying her.
He grinned wider.
"See? Your heart wants to forgive me."
She snatched it from his hand.
"My stomach says thank you. My heart still hates you."
He laughed — a real, soft laugh that made her chest flutter unexpectedly.
No. No fluttering allowed.
The bus finally arrived, and they both got on. Of course, the only empty seats were together.
As the vehicle began moving, Ji-Hoon rested his head back, hands behind his neck — relaxed like they were old friends.
"So, Eun-Seo," he said.
She looked at him sharply. "When did I tell you my name?"
"You didn't. I heard the guide callyou earlier."
He shrugged. "I pay attention."
That made her uncomfortable — because it felt… intimate.
"I'm not interested," she said quickly.
"In what?"
"You."
He blinked. Then smirked.
"Well, that makes exactly one of us."
Her heart skipped.
She faced the window, refusing to let him see she was affected at all.
Hours later, the bus arrived near a mountain overlook where the group would take photos.
Everyone stepped out and gasped at the sight.
Mountains brushed the sky.
Cold winds carried the scent of snow.
Eun-Seo felt her frustration melt a little.
This was why she came.
She walked to the railing, sipping in the crisp air.
A voice came from behind her — softer than before.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
She turned.
Ji-Hoon wasn't teasing now. His expression was gentle, his eyes reflecting the view.
"It's… peaceful," she admitted.
"Yeah."
He glanced at her — not the mountains.
Her chest tightened for a second.
Then he pointed behind her.
"Just be careful with your scarf."
She frowned. "What—"
Wind whooshed — her scarf flew off toward the edge.
She gasped. "No!"
Ji-Hoon jumped into action.
He caught the scarf right before it dropped over the cliff.
Then he turned around, scarf in his hands, looking too proud of himself.
"See? I can save things too."
She opened her mouth to argue…
But instead…
"…Thank you."
The words tasted strange — like they came from someone else.
His lips curved into a slow smile.
"I knew you had manners somewhere in there."
And just like that — the moment broke.
Eun-Seo rolled her eyes and walked away to join the group.
But her heart?
Her heart took one more glance at the boy who smiled like he already knew he'd see her again.