The warmth from the halwa still lingered softly inside Mira’s apartment.
After sitting near the balcony for a while and finally finishing her own bowl quietly— she felt lighter somehow.
Not because of the mysterious neighbor.
Not because of the awkward conversation.
But because— for the first time since coming to Korea, something about the floor no longer felt uncomfortable.
The misunderstanding was finally cleared.
And honestly— that itself brought peace to her heart.
Mira slowly washed the bowl and cleaned the kitchen afterward.
The apartment looked calmer now.
Outside, soft sunlight had started replacing the rainy weather from earlier.
For a few moments— she simply stood near the window quietly watching people moving below on the streets.
Then suddenly— her eyes shifted toward the nearly empty grocery shelf beside the fridge.
“…Oh.”
Milk almost finished.
Snacks gone.
Vegetables nearly over.
Mira sighed dramatically.
“Matlab ab bahar jaana hi padega.”
Still— the thought didn’t feel that bad today.
Actually…
going outside suddenly sounded nice.
Maybe she could walk around nearby for a while.
Buy groceries.
Try some street food.
Spend the evening peacefully before Monday attacked her existence again.
That thought alone made her laugh softly.
A few minutes later—
Mira stood in front of her wardrobe thinking seriously like her life depended on it.
Not overdressed.
Just comfortable.
Finally she picked simple blue jeans and an oversized pastel hoodie.
Comfortable enough for walking, but still neat enough that she wouldn’t look completely dead outside.
After tying her hair loosely and wearing minimal makeup— she looked at herself once in the mirror.
“Haan theek hai.”
Simple.
Comfortable.
Soft.
Exactly what she wanted.
She quickly grabbed her phone, wallet, keys, and tote bag before switching off unnecessary lights inside the apartment.
Then after one final glance around—
Mira stepped outside and locked the door behind her.
The hallway remained peaceful as usual.
For one brief second— her eyes unconsciously shifted toward apartment 506.
Then immediately she shook her head lightly at herself and smiled.
Still— a tiny awkward memory from earlier replayed inside her mind again.
instead of embarrassment now, the memory simply made her smile faintly.
Then quietly—
Mira walked toward the elevator.
Completely unaware— that inside apartment 506, someone else had just stepped out of his room at almost the exact same moment.
Meanwhile— inside apartment 506— the atmosphere had become unusually relaxed after weeks of nonstop schedules.
The TV played quietly in the background while game controllers and snack packets were scattered around the living room carelessly.
For once— nobody wanted to think about concerts, interviews, or work.
Just rest.
Hoseok was half asleep on the couch while Yejun lazily scrolled through his phone nearby.
Junho stood near the balcony quietly looking outside for a moment.
The weather looked peaceful after the rain.
Cool wind.
Soft evening sunlight.
Calm streets below.
And suddenly— he felt like going outside for a walk.
Honestly— evening walks always helped clear his mind somehow.
He turned around casually.
“I’m going for a walk nearby.”
Yejun looked up briefly.
“Now?”
Junho nodded once.
“Hmm.
I’ll come back soon.”
Meanwhile Hoseok groaned dramatically from the couch.
“I don’t even have energy to stand.”
Yejun stretched tiredly before replying—
“I’m probably sleeping after this.”
“Enjoy your grandfather lifestyle.” – Hoseok
“At least I rest peacefully.”
That instantly made Hoseok laugh loudly.
Meanwhile Junho quietly grabbed a simple black hoodie and wore a cap and mask naturally before leaving.
For idols like them— going outside without covering themselves was almost impossible.
Especially in Seoul.
A few moments later— the apartment door opened.
And at almost the exact same second— apartment 507 opened too.
Junho’s steps slowed instantly.
For one brief moment— he genuinely forgot to move.
Mira.
Standing only a few feet away from him.
This close.
Not concert screens.
Not distant balcony lights.
Real.
Junho simply looked at her unconsciously.
Her long dark hair rested softly over her shoulders while the oversized pastel hoodie made her look unexpectedly soft and comfortable.
Simple blue jeans.
Minimal makeup.
Fresh face.
Warm brown eyes.
Nothing flashy.
Yet somehow— everything about her quietly stood out.
Meanwhile—
Mira noticed him too.
Immediately— she realized this wasn’t the same person from earlier.
This man looked taller.
Broader.
And somehow calmer.
Even with the mask and cap— his presence felt different.
For one brief second— she found herself slightly surprised by how handsome he looked despite most of his face being covered.
Then immediately she mentally scolded herself.
“Kya ho raha hai mujhe aaj…”
Still— she smiled politely.
“Hi.”
Junho blinked once before replying softly—
“Hi.”
And somehow— even his voice sounded warm.
A tiny awkward silence settled between them afterward while both walked toward the elevator together.
The hallway suddenly felt strangely smaller.
Meanwhile Mira’s eyes unconsciously shifted toward his cap and mask again.
One masked neighbor was already confusing enough.
Now this one too?
Before realizing it— the thought escaped her lips quietly in Hindi.
“Corona wapas aa gaya kya…”
Junho looked toward her immediately.
“Sorry?”
Mira’s eyes widened instantly.
“No no— nothing.”
Embarrassed immediately, she looked away quickly.
“I was talking to myself.”
For one brief second—
Junho almost smiled behind the mask.
And somehow— the awkwardness between them felt unexpectedly comfortable.
Then finally— the elevator doors opened softly in front of them.
And for the first time— both stepped inside together.
It begins quietly— through stolen glances, awkward silences, and moments where someone unexpectedly starts standing out from everyone else.
And slowly— a simple coincidence begins feeling a little too memorable.