She’d said “sure,” like it was the most effortless thing in the world, but to me, it nded heavier—like permission to breathe a little easier.

  I lowered myself onto the grass beside her, careful not to sit too close. Just a few centimeters between us. Enough space to say I see you, without saying I need to know you. The earth was cool beneath my palms, the scent of river air brushing past like a whisper, but all I could feel was her presence—quiet, grounded, real.

  She didn’t make a show of it. Just calmly removed her earphones, not tossed or tangled like most people would. No—she wound them neatl around her fingers, pced them in her bag with intention. It was such a small thing, but it told me everything: she knew how to treat silence with care.

  She took a slow sip of her coffee, eyes steady on the river, like it had more to say than I did. And maybe it did. Maybe I was just lucky to exist beside her for a moment like this.

  There was something about the way she didn’t rush to fill the space between us—how she let the quiet linger without making it feel awkward. It made me want to match her pace, to meet her in that stillness. I didn’t know her, not really. But sitting there on the grass, I felt like the story had already started—and I’d somehow stumbled into my favorite part.

  As I sat down, my eyes casually swept over the things around her, and that's when I noticed it—the small cardholder hanging from the side of her bag. It was simple, bck, a practical little accessory, but what caught my attention was the clear pocket on the front. Inside, tucked neatly, was a photo.

  I leaned in slightly, curiosity getting the better of me.

  The face in the picture was familiar. Seonghwa from ATEEZ. The name immediately clicked in my mind—ATEEZ.

  That was when it hit me.

  I hadn’t heard her mention K-pop before, but now it made sense. The way she had her favorite idol’s picture tucked away so carefully—Seonghwa, no less—told me everything. She wasn’t just a casual listener. She was a fan. A big fan, probably, if she kept his photo in her cardholder like that.

  I didn’t need any more clues. The little details—the subtle hints—painted the picture clearly now. ATEEZ was her group. Seonghwa was her bias.

  It was a simple observation, but it gave me a new understanding of her, one I hadn’t expected to uncover just by sitting next to her.

  “I hope I’m not being too forward,” I began, my voice softer as I gestured toward her bag. “But your cardholder caught my eye. I couldn’t help but notice—is that Seonghwa in the picture?” Curiosity filled up my tone as I asked her.

  She turned towards me, her movement calm, almost measured, as if she had been waiting for this moment. Her lips curved into a soft, polite smile, and her eyes met mine with a quiet curiosity. She nodded gently, acknowledging my question before her voice floated back to me.

  “Yes,” she said, her tone light, a hint of amusement in it now. “But... how did you know it was Seonghwa?” The curiosity in her voice mirrored the same spark I had felt when I first noticed the photo, her eyes searching mine with an unexpected warmth, as if she too was now intrigued by the connection.

  I leaned back slightly, a small smile tugging at my lips as I replied, “I’m also into K-pop, but I tend to lean more toward K-R&B. Still, I listen to both, and I’ve got a few groups I stan. ATEEZ is one of them, of course."

  I paused for a moment, feeling the weight of what I was about to say, then added with a half-ugh, “I’d really say Seonghwa has this calming nature about him... like you do, actually.”

  Her smile softened, and for a moment, the world felt quieter, as if the space between us had shrunk. The way she carried herself—calm, composed, yet warm—reminded me of the idol in the picture, somehow. It wasn’t just the music, it was something in the way they both seemed to fill the silence without ever forcing it. And in that small, fleeting moment, it felt like I had uncovered something more than just shared tastes.

  She let out a soft ugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You may think I have a calming nature right now,” she said, her voice light, teasing. “But once you get to know me on a deeper level, it’ll be like you’re taking care of a child.”

  I raised an eyebrow, the hint of a grin forming on my face. “Is that so?” I asked, the amusement in my voice matching hers. “Well, I suppose I’d better brace myself for the challenge then.”

  She shrugged, the pyful glint never leaving her eyes. “I’m just saying,” she said with a small smirk. “You’ve been warned.”

  I chuckled, the quiet between us feeling more like an invitation than an awkward pause. There was something about her—how easy it was to fall into this back-and-forth, how natural the conversation flowed. I couldn’t quite pce it, but I wasn’t rushing to figure it out. For now, it felt nice just to be in this moment.

  The wind brushed past again, as if urging us to lean into the conversation. I gnced at her, my curiosity piqued. “So, since we’re on the subject of K-pop—what other groups do you stan? I mean, besides ATEEZ, of course.”

  She grinned, as if expecting the question. “Oh, there’s quite a few,” she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “I’m a big fan of Stray Kids, for one. Their energy is just... unmatched. You know, they’re like a storm when they perform. God’s Menu is a song I’ll never get tired of. It’s a little chaotic, but in the best way possible. And Felix’s voice—it's like honey and gravel at the same time. I can’t get enough of it.”

  I nodded, already knowing how intense and vibrant Stray Kids’ music could be. “Yeah, their beats hit hard. I can see why you'd be drawn to them. Their live performances are insane.”

  She tilted her head, clearly enjoying the depth of the conversation. “Definitely. And don’t even get me started on EXO. They're legends. Their vocal range is just ridiculous. Love Shot... every time that bass drops, it feels like the world pauses for a second. It’s smooth, it’s slick—it’s EXO in a nutshell.”

  “EXO’s got that timeless vibe, for sure.” I leaned in slightly, matching her energy. “I stan BTS too, but more for their lyrics. The way they write and the messages they send—it’s incredible. You know, Spring Day still hits me every time. It’s like a soft ache wrapped in hope. And don’t even get me started on RM’s rap skills.”

  Her eyes softened, her smile turning knowing. “BTS is a whole vibe. I get that. Spring Day... that’s a masterpiece. I think every ARMY can agree on that one.”

  “I’m also into MONSTA X,” I added casually, “Their sound is so raw and intense, but I love that they can switch it up. Follow is one of those tracks you can’t listen to just once.”

  “Same!” she said with a spark in her eyes. “MONSTA X is so underrated. Their intensity is one thing, but they can also go soft. Secret... that one’s just a whole different side to them. It’s like hearing a different side of a person you thought you knew.”

  We both chuckled, the easy flow of our conversation giving way to something deeper. She was right—it was like peeling back the yers of an artist’s personality, seeing sides you didn’t expect.

  “So, what about you?” she asked, now genuinely interested. “What other groups do you stan? Or are you more of a solo artist kind of person?”

  I thought for a moment, taking a sip of my drink. “I’d say I lean a little more toward solo artists,” I said. “I mean, I love groups, but I’m all about individual talent. Like Taeyeon from Girls' Generation—her voice can make you feel everything, you know? I—I—that whole album was on repeat for weeks. And G-Dragon, of course. His influence on K-pop is undeniable.”

  Her eyes widened. “Ah, yes! G-Dragon is a godfather of K-pop. He’s an icon, truly. But I also get the solo artist appeal—like IU? That girl’s a genius. Palette is my favorite album from her. It’s so... peaceful and introspective. I love how she can go from soft balds to this quirky pop energy, and it all just works.”

  I nodded. “Exactly! There’s just something about solo artists. They have this unique space where they can truly express themselves without needing to rely on a group dynamic. But, at the same time, there’s something about the synergy of a group that makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger, you know?”

  She smiled, leaning back and looking out toward the river, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. “Yeah, I get that. I think it’s why I love K-pop in general. It’s not just the music—it’s the culture, the fandom, the connection you feel to the artist. You’re not just listening to the songs. You’re following their journey, their growth. And when they hit those high notes, or drop those beats, it feels like they’re sharing a part of themselves with you.”

  I paused, letting her words sink in. “Exactly. It’s more than just music. It’s an experience. And I think that’s what makes K-pop stand out. It’s the intensity, the passion. The way they make you feel like you’re part of the story.”

  She looked back at me, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “You know, I think you’d like some of the more niche groups too. There’s this one called ATEEZ’s little sibling group, Stray Kids, you might get a kick out of them. I’ll make you a pylist someday.”

  I ughed. “I’d appreciate that. But only if you make sure there’s a bit of Seonghwa in there.”

  She grinned, winking at me. “Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty.”

  “You know,” she began, a pyful smile tugging at her lips, “there’s another group I’ve been really into tely.”

  I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? Who?”

  She leaned in slightly, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. “KINGDOM.”

  My eyes widened in instant recognition. “Wait, KINGDOM? No way. You stan them too?”

  Her grin widened at the excitement in my voice. “Of course! How could I not? They’re just... incredible. Their concept, their music—it’s like nothing else I’ve heard in K-pop.”

  I couldn’t help but nod eagerly. “I know, right? Their heritage concept? Brilliant. And their vocal range—each member brings something unique to the table. I honestly can’t get enough of Excalibur and Bck Crown. Those songs are epic.”

  She ughed, her eyes lighting up at the mention of those tracks. “Exactly! Excalibur is everything. It’s like an anthem of strength. The choreography is insane too. I could watch that performance on loop for hours.” She paused, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “And don’t even get me started on Bck Crown—it’s like they’re telling a story with every note. The power in their voices is just unmatched.”

  I leaned back slightly, feeling the excitement bubbling between us as we continued to share our admiration. “Their concept is so grandiose, like a fusion of history and mythology. And the way they pull it off without feeling over-the-top—there’s a real artistry to it.”

  She nodded, looking out at the river for a moment, then back at me with a spark in her eyes. “I’ve been following them since their debut, and each comeback just gets better and better. They don’t just rely on the music—they create a whole experience. The visuals, the themes, even the lore they build around each song... it feels like you’re stepping into their world with every new release.”

  “Exactly,” I agreed, leaning in slightly, my tone excited. “Their storytelling is so rich. It's like you're not just listening to music—you’re diving into a whole new universe. And don’t even get me started on the members themselves. They all have such distinct personalities, but together, they create this perfect bance.”

  “Right?” she said, ughing softly. “It’s hard to choose a bias when they’re all so talented. But if I had to pick... I’d probably say Arthur. His voice is just—there’s something about it that gives me chills every time he sings.”

  I grinned, impressed by her choice. “Arthur has an incredible voice. I can totally see that. But for me, it’s Dan—his stage presence is insane. And his rap skills? He can switch from powerful to smooth in an instant. I love how versatile he is.”

  Her eyes sparkled as she nodded. “Dan is amazing, for sure. There’s something magnetic about him when he’s on stage. But that’s the thing with KINGDOM—they all bring something different, and yet, when they come together, it’s like this perfect synergy.”

  I chuckled, feeling a sense of connection building between us. “It’s like they’re not just a group—they’re a force. And honestly, it’s pretty rare to find that kind of chemistry in K-pop nowadays.”

  She grinned, clearly enjoying the exchange. “Totally. It’s one of the reasons I respect them so much. They’re not just following trends—they’re setting them. And I feel like people are finally starting to notice. They deserve all the recognition coming their way.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” I said, a smile spreading across my face. “I think KINGDOM’s on their way to big things. And it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who sees it. Feels good to stan a group that’s so passionate about what they do.”

  She ughed softly, the sound like music in the air. “Yeah, it’s like we’re part of this cool secret club, isn’t it? Just two people bonding over the greatness that is KINGDOM.”

  “Definitely,” I said, leaning back slightly, enjoying the moment. “And who knows, maybe one day we’ll both be at one of their concerts, cheering them on together.”

  Her eyes lit up at the idea. “That sounds perfect. You better save me a seat,” she teased, her smile warm and genuine.

  “I wouldn’t dream of sitting anywhere else,” I replied, the connection between us growing stronger with every word.