22. Is He Single?

The night grew later as Starla and Ha-neul enjoyed their time in the warm and cozy little cafe. The soft light from the hanging lamps created a perfect intimate atmosphere, while the aroma of coffee and pastries still lingered in the air. Outside, the rain continued to fall in a gentler rhythm, adding to the romantic ambiance.

Ha-neul reached into her bag and took out a small box wrapped in dark blue paper, tied with a simple yet elegant silver ribbon. With a gentle smile, she handed it to Starla.

“There’s something for you,” she said, her eyes radiating priceless warmth.

Starla looked at the box with curiosity and a touch of emotion. She accepted the gift with trembling hands, sensing something special inside. “What is this, Ha-neul?”

“Open it and see for yourself,” Ha-neul replied with a mysterious smile.

Carefully, Starla untied the silver ribbon and peeled away the neatly wrapped paper. Inside, there was a wooden box carved with cherry blossom motifs, reminding Starla of their beautiful days in Seoul. She opened the wooden box, and inside was a novel with a beautiful cover.

Starla paused for a moment, recalling the story Ha-neul had once shared with her while they were in Seoul. The novel was a classic work Ha-neul had passionately narrated, a tale of love and sacrifice that stirred the soul. Her eyes began to well up, moved by Ha-neul’s thoughtfulness and effort.

“This... is the novel you told me about,” Starla said with a trembling voice.

Ha-neul nodded, her smile widening. “I knew how much you loved that story, so I wanted to give you something to always remind you of our memories in Seoul.”

Starla opened the first page of the novel and found a small note written in Ha-neul’s handwriting. It read, “To Starla, may every page bring inspiration and happiness. From Ha-neul.”

Starla smiled happily while holding the book tightly. “Thank you, Ha-neul. This means a lot to me.”

Outside, the rain began to let up, leaving only small droplets falling slowly. The streetlights’ reflections on the puddles created a captivating view, as if the city was dancing in tranquil beauty.

“If there are any visitors who would like to contribute a song, please feel free,” said one of the cafe waiters with a warm smile. Her melodious voice caught everyone’s attention in the cafe. Starla and Ha-neul turned to her, surprised by the sudden offer.

“I love playing the piano. Would you like to join me?” she asked with enthusiasm. Ha-neul looked at Starla with shining eyes.

Starla seemed to ponder for a moment. Her face showed hesitation, but also curiosity and a desire to share this moment with Ha-neul. After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, she finally nodded, her smile broadening. “Alright.”

Ha-neul took Starla’s hand, guiding her towards the piano in the corner of the cafe. The instrument looked classic, with its glossy wooden surface and black-and-white keys waiting to be played. Some visitors watched them eagerly, full of anticipation.

Ha-neul sat in front of the piano, carefully lifting the cover of the keys. She glanced at Starla and winked, signaling that everything would be alright. Starla sat next to her, feeling her heart beat faster.

Ha-neul began playing the first notes, her fingers dancing gracefully over the keys. Beautiful melodies started to fill the room, warming it with enchanting sounds. Starla was momentarily entranced by Ha-neul’s skill, feeling every note as if it penetrated her soul.

Soon after, Ha-neul invited Starla to sing. With a bit of nervousness, Starla began singing the lyrics to the song Ha-neul was playing. Her voice was soft yet full of emotion, adding to the beauty of the melody. Each word she sang seemed to convey a message of sincere love, making everyone in the cafe fall silent to listen.

Their melody and voices blended, creating perfect harmony. Starla and Ha-neul looked at each other, their eyes speaking a language only they understood. Each note played and each word sung became an expression of their deepest feelings.

When the song ended, the cafe was filled with applause from the visitors. Starla and Ha-neul smiled broadly, feeling satisfied and happy. They returned to their table, still feeling the vibrations of the music they had created together.

“I didn’t know you could play the piano so beautifully,” said Starla, admiration clear in her eyes.

Ha-neul smiled shyly. “Thank you. I’m also amazed at how beautiful your voice is, Starla.”

Starla held Ha-neul’s hand tightly, feeling the warmth and sincere love. “Thank you, Ha-neul. Tonight was wonderful for me.”

They sat there, enjoying the rest of the night with great joy. The rain outside continued to subside, but it seemed that the love and warmth between them only grew stronger. In the now quieter cafe, they knew that this night would become an everlasting memory, strengthening the bond they had for each other. A night full of magic, where music and love united, creating perfect harmony.

...

Luna collapsed onto her bed after freshening up. The fatigue weighing on her body seemed to disappear instantly, replaced by the happiness swelling in her heart. A smile had been constantly adorning her lips since she arrived at her apartment. The events of earlier in the day still vividly played in her mind, when she spent the entire day with Starla and Min-joon.

Her eyes gazed at the ceiling with a look of contentment, letting today’s memories play in her head like a movie she didn’t want to end. She reached for her phone lying on the bedside table. With her slender fingers, Luna opened the photo gallery, searching for the photo she had just taken with Min-joon.

When the phone screen displayed Min-joon’s handsome face, Luna felt her heart beat faster. The photo was taken when they both smiled at the camera, with a beautiful shooting location in the background. Min-joon’s handsome face with a captivating smile made Luna instantly mesmerized. She realized that this man was truly charming, both on and off the camera.

“Today really felt like a dream,” she murmured softly, as if not wanting her happiness to fade away. Luna smiled to herself, feeling happy and a little shy. She looked at the photo with a gaze full of admiration, feeling the warmth of the beautiful moments they had shared.

“I can’t wait to see him again tomorrow,” she said. Luna’s eyes began to close slowly, but her smile remained. Her heart was full of gratitude for the unforgettable experiences of the day. She knew that today was one of the moments she would always remember with great happiness.

“But seriously, does a guy like him really not have a girlfriend?” A sudden thought made Luna open her eyes again. The question swirled in her mind, creating an undeniable curiosity.

Min-joon, with all his charm, seemed like someone who would certainly attract the attention of many women. His handsome face, friendly demeanor, and charisma that shone every time he smiled made it hard for Luna to imagine that such a man didn’t have someone special in his life. Could he really not have a girlfriend?