Rain-soaked streets glow under blurred neon as a small café flickers quietly at the corner of the road.
Inside, warm light hums softly as Ha-eun works behind the counter, head lowered, careful not to be seen.
The bell rings.
Ji-an steps in, rain clinging to his coat, eyes tired, moving straight to the window seat.
Ha-eun: "Americano. No sugar."
Ji-an: "I didn't order yet."
Ha-eun: "…You get the same thing every Thursday."
Their eyes almost meet. Almost.
Ji-an looks away and turns a blank page in his sketchbook.
The next Thursday, he comes again at the same time.
Ha-eun prepares the drink automatically.
Ji-an: "You don't have to remember my order."
Ha-eun: "I'm sorry."
Ji-an: "No. I meant I liked it."
Ha-eun nods, unsure what to say.
When Ji-an leaves, his sketchbook stays behind.
Ha-eun picks it up and freezes.
On the first page is her.
That night, Min-seo leans over the table.
Min-seo: "You've been staring at the door all day. Is it a guy?"
Ha-eun: "It's nothing."
At home, Ha-eun opens her violin case.
Her hands shake too badly to play.
Ha-eun: "I can't…"
Rain taps against the window as she closes it again.
Ji-an returns for his sketchbook the next day.
Ji-an: "You saw it."
Ha-eun nods.
Ji-an: "I'm sorry. I draw people without asking."
Ha-eun: "…It's okay."
Ji-an: "What's your name?"
Ha-eun: "…Eun-ha."
Ji-an: "Eun-ha."
Weeks pass, and Ji-an keeps drawing her.
One quiet night, he speaks without looking up.
Ji-an: "Do you hate being looked at?"
Ha-eun: "I'm afraid of it."
Ji-an closes his sketchbook.
Ji-an: "Me too."
They walk together by the river after closing.
Ji-an: "I used to draw romance. Before it felt fake."
Ha-eun: "What made it fake?"
Ji-an doesn't answer.
Ji-an: "What about you?"
Ha-eun: "I used to play music."
Her past resurfaces when her name trends online.
At the café, a cup slips from her hands and shatters.
Ji-an rushes over.
Ji-an: "Are you hurt?"
Ha-eun shakes her head, trembling.
Ji-an: "Do you want me to stay?"
Ha-eun: "…Yes."
Later that night, she tells him everything.
Ha-eun: "My real name is Yoon Ha-eun. I played violin. I failed in front of everyone."
Ji-an listens without interrupting.
Ji-an: "Thank you for trusting me."
Ha-eun cries openly.
On a rainy evening, the café closes early.
Ji-an: "I'm bad at saving people. But I'm good at staying."
Ha-eun: "For now… that's enough."
Time passes.
Backstage, Ha-eun holds her violin and breathes in slowly.
From the front row, Ji-an watches.
The first note shakes.
Then steadies.
The music fills the room, honest and real.
When it ends, the applause is gentle and sincere.
Backstage, Ji-an smiles at her.
Ji-an: "You were beautiful."
Ha-eun laughs through tears.
Ha-eun: "I was terrified."
Ji-an: "I know. That's why it mattered."
Ha-eun looks at him.
Ha-eun: "I don't want to hide anymore. I want to be seen."
Ji-an steps closer.
Ji-an: "Then let me stay. Let me draw you as you are."
Ha-eun: "For a long time?"
Ji-an: "As long as you'll let me."
Ha-eun leans in first.
Their kiss is soft and certain.
Outside, rain begins to fall.
Inside, they stay.
Together.
THE END
Hello everyone
Thanks for reading!This was my first novel.
I'm sorry it was short ,I didn't have any ideas...
I hope y'all liked it !Thanks for reading !