As the plane touched down at Seoul Airport, the wheels screeched softly against the runway.
"We finally arrived," Rien said calmly.
He rose from his seat and walked toward the exit. Behind him, the boy from the flight hurried after him.
"How do you want me to send the money?" the boy asked, sounding confused.
Rien smiled and waved a hand dismissively.
"I left a paper on your seat. My number and account details are written on it. Just send it there."
With that, he stepped off the aircraft.
The moment he entered the terminal, several men in black suits approached him. Their expressions were serious enough to make ordinary people nervous.
"We're from the company," one of them said. "This document must remain safe at all times. Deliver it personally to the owner of Jinseo Industries. Until then, take good care of your life."
Rien nodded.
"I understand."
Without another word, he walked past them and exited the airport.
"Now I just need to find somewhere to stay," he muttered.
As he reached the roadside, he pulled out his smartphone and checked his notifications. A transfer confirmation appeared on the screen.
"That's great."
He slipped the phone back into his pocket and waited for a taxi.
Suddenly, a masked man sprinted past him.
Before Rien could react, the thief snatched both his smartphone and wallet.
"Hey! Wait!"
The thief dashed across the road at full speed.
Clutching the document bag tightly against his side, Rien immediately gave chase.
Unfortunately, fate seemed determined to make his day difficult.
A car came speeding from the side street.
BAM!
The vehicle struck him and screeched to a halt.
"What?!"
A young woman's shocked voice echoed from inside.
Rien rolled across the pavement before slowly standing up.
He blinked.
Then looked at his hands.
Then at the sky.
Then back at his hands.
"What is happening to me today?"
The driver's door flew open.
A young woman rushed over.
"Are you okay, mister?" she asked with concern.
Rien looked down at her and smiled politely while rubbing his elbow.
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking."
The girl's expression immediately changed.
She crossed her arms.
"If you're fine, then why did you jump in front of my car? Are you stupid?"
Rien stared at her.
"...What?"
The girl rolled her eyes.
"And why are you standing there like the Eiffel Tower? Say something."
Rien adjusted his sleeves.
"My name is Rien Kinohutsu. I was waiting for a taxi when a thief stole my phone and wallet. I chased him across the road and your car happened to hit me."
The girl glanced at his long arms moving as he explained.
Then she looked back at his face.
"So you're completely helpless now, right?"
Rien scratched the back of his head.
"Unfortunately, yes. My money was in my wallet, and my phone is gone. I'm also new here, so I don't know where to go."
The girl's expression softened slightly.
"It's okay."
She pointed toward herself proudly.
"My dad owns an apartment building. It's not fancy, modern, or glamorous, but it's good enough for someone like you."
Her eyes traveled up and down his height.
"And it has doors tall enough for your giant self."
Rien smiled and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you. I won't forget your kindness."
"You better not."
She gestured toward her car.
"Now get in, Tokyo Tower."
Rien blinked.
Then quietly got into the passenger seat.
As they drove through the city, he glanced at her.
"You're a very kind woman. Aren't you afraid of bad people?"
Without taking her eyes off the road, she opened the dashboard compartment.
A pistol rested inside.
"I don't need to be."
Rien nodded thoughtfully.
"That's reassuring."
The girl couldn't help but laugh.
After a few moments of silence, she spoke.
"My name is Kim Jin-Ah."
Rien turned toward her.
"Kim Jin-Ah. That's a beautiful name. Do you know its meaning?"
"I honestly have no idea," she admitted. "Never cared enough to think about it. Do you know?"
Rien looked out the window as Seoul's streets passed by.
"Kim is one of Korea's most famous surnames. Historically, it was associated with nobility and wealth. It commonly symbolizes gold."
Jin-Ah raised an eyebrow.
"Go on."
"Jin often means truth, genuine, or precious. Ah is frequently used to give a graceful or elegant feeling to a name."
He looked back at her.
"Together, your name could represent someone who is precious, truthful, and graceful."
Jin-Ah stared at him.
Then looked back at the road.
"That's surprisingly poetic."
A few minutes later, she parked in front of a modest apartment building.
Rien stepped out and looked around.
"This is quite a wonderful apartment."
Jin-Ah nearly tripped.
"You actually think this place is wonderful?"
She pointed at the building.
"I live in a luxury apartment in a premium district. This place is old."
Rien smiled.
"Everyone has different tastes."
For some reason, that answer made her speechless.
They climbed the stairs together.
Their footsteps echoed through the building.
"Not many people live on this floor," Jin-Ah said. "But the ones who do are so chaotic that you'll never feel lonely."
She opened a door dramatically.
"Welcome to your palace."
The room was simple.
A desk.
A bed.
A chair.
A small bathroom.
Nothing extravagant.
Yet everything was clean and organized.
Rien inspected the room before nodding.
"Everything is well maintained. Thank you."
Jin-Ah smiled.
"Have a good nap."
She left.
After closing the door, Rien removed his suit jacket.
"Getting robbed in the middle of Seoul wasn't on today's schedule."
He sighed.
Then headed for the shower.
Soon the sound of running water filled the room.
About an hour later—
Knock. Knock.
"Coming."
Rien opened the door wearing a blue shirt and loose pajamas.
Jin-Ah stood outside carrying a large rectangular box.
Before he could speak—
"Move."
She pushed a hand against his chest and walked inside.
Rien blinked.
The box landed on the desk.
"What is it?"
Jin-Ah opened it dramatically.
Golden fried chicken appeared inside.
"Ta-da! Chimaek!"
Rien looked at the chicken.
Then at her.
Then back at the chicken.
"It's for me?"
"Of course."
She pulled out two cans of beer from her bag and sat down.
"I skipped dinner. Then I remembered you were robbed and probably broke."
She pointed at him.
"So congratulations. You're my charity project for tonight."
Rien couldn't help smiling.
He took a piece of chicken and bit into it.
"...It's delicious."
"I know."
Jin-Ah puffed out her chest proudly.
"It's my favorite."
As they ate together, Rien watched her cheerful expression.
"You're very carefree."
Jin-Ah shrugged.
"Life's too short to spend every day being serious."
She opened her beer.
"I'd rather be honest than pretend to be someone else."
Then—
GULP.
GULP.
GULP.
She finished the entire can in one breath.
Rien stared.
The can contained twelve percent alcohol.
"Where did you get that?"
"My friend's husband brews craft beer."
Her words were already beginning to slur.
"He sends me some every now and then."
She rubbed her head.
"But I have absolutely zero alcohol tolerance."
Rien nodded.
"That explains a lot."
Three seconds later—
THUD.
She collapsed face-first toward the table.
Before her forehead could hit the wood, Rien calmly caught her.
"I've never seen someone get defeated by a single can of beer."
He sighed.
Then continued eating his chicken.
After finishing dinner, he carefully lifted Jin-Ah into his arms and placed her on the bed.
Pulling a blanket over her, he looked down at the sleeping girl.
"Everything today has been completely unexpected."
He switched off the lights.
The room fell silent.
Taking a pillow and blanket, Rien lay down on the sofa.
Outside, the lights of Seoul glowed beneath the night sky.