I walked up to a vegetable stall and gave the vendor a small smile.
"Please, can you give me some vegetables?"
"Yes, young lady," he replied proudly. "We have the freshest vegetables in the market. You won't find them anywhere else."
Hmph…
That's what they all say.
Freshest, huh?
Oh—right. I should probably introduce myself.
My name is Soheon.
And as you may have noticed… I talk to myself.
My professor once said it's a sign of intelligence.
My parents, on the other hand, think I'm slowly losing my mind. They even pray for me sometimes.
…Honestly, I don't blame them.
Anyway, I'm exhausted today.
Oh! Before I forget—I recently graduated from nursing school.
And today, for some reason, I decided to come to the local market and suffer.
Also… I have a tiny habit.
I like disguising myself.
You know, like celebrities—with hats and face masks so no one recognizes them.
I mean… if I can't be a celebrity, at least I can feel like one.
Right?
"Would you like me to add some fruits to your vegetables, young lady?" the vendor asked.
"Ah—mianhaeyo (sorry), I didn't hear you," I said quickly.
"I asked if you'd like some fruits as well."
I studied his face carefully.
If I said no, I just knew he'd start one of those long speeches—
"My fruits are the freshest in the market! Eat them and your skin will shine like a baby's—"
Yeah… no.
So I forced a smile.
"Yes."
And somehow… he still looked like he wanted to start preaching.
Luckily—
My phone rang.
I nearly gasped.
Who is this angel that just saved me?
I checked the screen.
Yuna.
I instantly loved her a little more.
I paid quickly and walked away, bringing the phone to my ear.
"Hey, Yuna. What's up?"
"You sound excited," she said suspiciously. "What did you do?"
"Nothing," I replied, already heading toward the next stall. "What do you want? You never call unless you need something."
"Aww, you know me so well," she laughed.
I turned to another vendor.
"Do you have fish?"
"What do you need fish for?" Yuna asked.
"Not you—I'm at the market."
"Yes, we do," the vendor replied.
"Okay, give me your best ones."
As he started packing them, I shifted the phone.
"So, what did you want to tell me?"
"Have you watched the news?" Yuna asked.
"Nope."
"I knew it."
"Then why ask?"
"Oh… nothing. Just like that."
"Oh, really?"
"Yep. Anyway…" she paused. "You know my celebrity crush?"
"Yes," I said dryly. "The one you're definitely not stalking."
"Ahh! I am NOT stalking him!" she protested.
"I just… happen to have his pictures and know his schedule," she added under her breath.
I smirked. "Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you were his personal photographer and fortune teller."
"Will you listen before I block you?"
"Sorry, sorry. Continue."
"Do you still want the fish?" the vendor interrupted.
"Yes. How much per kilo?"
"1,000 won."
"Okay."
Then—
"He's missing," Yuna said.
I blinked. "He's missing? And that concerns me… how?"
"Can't you even pretend to care?" she snapped.
"I do care. That's why I'm still on the call."
"Hmph. Then I guess I won't tell you about the reward."
I stopped walking.
"…Reward?"
"It's 5 million won for anyone who finds him."
My eyes widened.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's find him!"
"I don't know where he is."
"Then what's the point of being his biggest fan?" I shot back. "Bye!"
"Wait!" I called quickly. "At least send me the contact number!"
"Fine."
"But Yuna—"
"Hmm?"
"Why didn't you charge your phone?"
"…Laziness."
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Unbelievable.
"Here is your fish," the vendor said, handing me the bag.
"Thanks."
I turned to leave—
—and suddenly collided with someone.
Everything dropped.
My groceries
I almost screamed, but the stranger quickly crouched down, apologizing as he helped gather my things.
"I'm so sorry—"
His voice was rushed. Uneasy.
He kept glancing over his shoulder like someone was chasing him.
Before I could properly see his face—
He ran.
Just like that.
And then—
Chaos.
A wave of people came rushing toward me.
A stampede.
I didn't even remember deciding to run—I just did.
My heart pounded. My legs burned.
I didn't know where I was going.
I didn't even know where my groceries were anymore.
The crowd was getting closer.
Closer.
I wanted to cry—
Until suddenly—
Someone grabbed my arm.
And the next thing I knew…
I crashed into a chest.
A very broad… very solid chest.