The wind was howling.
The cold breeze in the night was enough to make anyone shiver. Snow continued to fall, drifting gently with elegance.
The vast, dark sky, studded with countless stars, was enough to make even the busiest adult stop and admire its beauty.
And beneath that glittering sky, two strangers met in a place that brought them both comfort.
No one seemed to notice, but this fateful meeting was set up even by the stars.
"That's new."
She was surprised to see someone else there at that hour. Usually, she had this quiet spot all to herself.
Aiden sat crouched on the bench, his hands clutching his head, looking like a man weighed down by the world. Minji assumed he was just another soul burdened by life, something all humans share and went on toward the vending machine.
She inserted a coin and selected a hot coffee, hoping the warmth would soothe her soul tonight.
"That smells great," she whispered as the machine dispensed her drink.
But just as she started walking toward the bench, Aiden suddenly shouted:
"MY LIFE SUCKS!"
Minji nearly dropped her coffee. He didn't know it yet, but the woman he startled was favorite member Ryu Minji, the most promising idol in the industry, the woman he adored the most.
Startled but intrigued, Minji looked at him. For someone so tall, his face looked oddly... innocent.
A random man screaming into the night in her favorite place, her curiosity was piqued. Hesitantly, she asked,
"Why?"
"Why does your life suck?"
Aiden, too caught up in his feelings to register who was talking to him, blurted out without thinking,
"I HAVE NO MONEY, FEW FRIENDS, NO GIRLFRIEND, AND LUNAE IS PERFORMING TOMORROW AND I STILL HAVE NO MONEY!"
Minji burst into laughter, genuine, belly-holding laughter. She covered her mouth with one hand, her waist with the other, trying to contain herself.
"That's it?" she said between laughs.
It was the first time in a while she had laughed like that, not the rehearsed laugh she gave fans or cameras, but one that came straight from her heart. Aiden noticed it. Somehow, he felt like he'd made someone's night better.
He looked up. In front of him stood a woman in a long brown coat, a black scarf wrapped around her neck, large sunglasses masking most of her face, and long, shiny black hair.
He couldn't see her clearly, but something about her felt... familiar.
Then, Minji reached into her coat pocket and held out a shiny ticket.
"Here, a tic-"
Before she could finish, Aiden snatched the ticket, stood up, raised it high with both hands, and shouted:
"THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT, YOUR HIGHNESS!"
Minji was stunned.
"You're such a loser," she said, laughing again.
Without waiting for a response, Aiden dashed off, clinging to the ticket like it was made of gold. He didn't even look back.
Sigh.
"Finally, I'm alone again," she said, smiling.
She looked at the ticket stub still in her hand.
"I'll just buy a new one online for my sister. I hope she forgives me," she chuckled.
Minji sat on the bench, took a sip of her coffee, closed her eyes, and looked up at the night sky.
The stars twinkled like blooming flowers in a celestial garden.
The wind kissed her skin like she had just stepped into a walk-in freezer.
Despite it all, the night was comforting. Peaceful.
This was her sanctuary.
But the peace didn't last long.
"Hey," a voice called from behind. "Can I get your contact info? I'd like to pay you back someday."
Minji turned her head to face him, locking eyes with Aiden.
She asked the most critical question any idol could ask a fan:
"Who's your favorite member?"
She didn't know why she asked. Was she hoping to hear her own name? Or afraid to? Maybe part of her wanted to know if she still mattered.
Aiden looked straight at her and replied seriously,
"Mi-" he paused.
"Mi?" she raised an eyebrow.
"...Mirae."
Minji grinned.
"Of course he's a loser," she thought.
But Aiden had his reasons. He wanted to gatekeep Minji. To him, she wasn't just an idol, she was special. And he didn't want to share that with the world but he knew that it wouldn't matter after all the star will continue to shine through time.
"Give me your phone."
He handed it over without question.
Minji typed in her number, saving it under the name "Mirae."
"I was kidding," Aiden said as he turned to walk away. "Minji's my favorite."
"What?" she called out.
"You heard me. You're my favorite. Right, Ryu-ssi?" he said, before vanishing into the night.
Minji chuckled softly to herself and whispered,
"Maybe you're not such a loser after all."
Even beneath her layers of disguise, she wondered how he could tell.
Maybe she was still recognizable... or maybe, just maybe
he really was her fan in the truest sense.
The night wind brushed against her face as she stood up
and thought to herself that the encounter was strange.
Maybe this was nothing.
Maybe it was something.
but one thing is certain, the stars are carefully watching.