Chapter 1: Moonlit Encounter

The full moon cast its silvery glow over the bustling streets of Seoul, illuminating the vibrant nightlife of the city. Onjo, a 22-year-old art student, walked home from her part-time job at a local café, her feet carrying her on autopilot as her mind wandered to her upcoming art exhibition. She had spent countless hours perfecting her craft, and the anxiety of showcasing her work to her peers and critics was beginning to take its toll. As she turned a corner onto her street, Onjo noticed a familiar figure leaning against the railing of the bridge that spanned the nearby stream. Cheongsan, a 25-year-old freelance photographer, was gazing out at the water, his eyes lost in thought. Onjo had met Cheongsan a few times through mutual friends, but they had never really spoken at length. She had always found him to be quiet and introspective, but there was something about the way he observed the world around him that drew her in. Onjo's feet seemed to move of their own accord, carrying her towards Cheongsan as if pulled by an invisible string. As she approached, he looked up, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "Onjo," he said, his deep voice low and smooth. "What brings you out here tonight?" Onjo shrugged, feeling a little self-conscious under his gaze. "Just walking home from work. I couldn't sleep." Cheongsan nodded, pushing off from the railing to stand straight. "I know the feeling. Sometimes I find that the city is more alive at night, don't you think?" Onjo smiled, feeling a spark of connection with him. "Yeah, I do. There's something about the way the lights reflect off the buildings, and the sounds of the city... it's like a different world." As they stood there, the moonlight casting an intimate glow over the two of them, Onjo felt a sense of ease wash over her. It was as if she had known Cheongsan for years, not just a handful of times. Without thinking, Onjo reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind Cheongsan's ear, her fingers grazing the soft skin of his cheek. It was a gentle, intimate gesture, one that seemed to surprise them both. Cheongsan's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, but then his gaze softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "You always were a little bold, Onjo," he said, his voice low and husky. Onjo's heart was racing now, her pulse pounding in her ears. She felt a thrill of excitement at the way Cheongsan was looking at her, his eyes burning with a slow-burning intensity. And then, without another word, Cheongsan reached out and gently took Onjo's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers in a gentle, possessive grasp. The world around them seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in the moonlit night, their hearts beating as one.