You stirred awake as a soft beam of sunlight filtered through the car window, accompanied by the faint honk of a passing car. Your eyes fluttered open, the unfamiliar sight of a car's interior coming into view. A blanket was draped over you, its warmth cocooning you as you slowly pieced together your surroundings.
Glancing to your right, you spotted Hae-in in the driver’s seat, his hands steady on the wheel, his expression calm but focused. The faint signs of exhaustion were etched into his face—dark circles beneath his eyes and his complexion pale.
You shifted slightly, and his eyes flickered toward you. “Oh, sorry,” he said softly. “Did I wake you up?”
You blinked, still a little groggy. “No, it’s fine. I was just… confused.” Your voice was hushed as memories of the previous night came flooding back. A faint heat rose to your cheeks as you recalled everything—your conversation, the quiet intimacy of the hilltop, and… the kiss.
You adjusted the blanket around yourself, clearing your throat. “How… how did we end up here? In the car, I mean?”
Hae-in glanced at you briefly before returning his attention to the road. “You fell asleep after we talked,” he explained. “It was pretty late, and I finally managed to find a spot with enough signal to send my location. In-yeop came at dawn with his car.”
Your eyes widened. “Wait… so how did I…?”
A small, almost bashful smile tugged at his lips. “I carried you to the car,” he admitted. “You looked really tired, and I didn’t want to wake you up.”
Your face flushed, and you sat up straighter, the blanket slipping from your shoulders. “You carried me? Down the entire hill?”
“It wasn’t that far,” he said, trying to sound casual, though the faint hint of a sheepish grin betrayed him.
“You must have been exhausted,” you said, frowning as you noticed his tired eyes again. “I mean, after everything that happened… and now you’re driving too?”
Hae-in shrugged lightly, his smile softening. “It’s no big deal. You needed the rest more than I did.”
You couldn’t hide your flustered reaction, your hands fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. “Still… that’s really…” You trailed off, unsure how to articulate the mix of gratitude and guilt swirling in your chest.
He chuckled quietly, sensing your unease. “Seriously, it’s fine. I’m used to carrying heavy things.” His tone was teasing, but his words only made your cheeks burn hotter.
You decided to change the subject. “What about your car? What happened to it?”
“In-yeop’s handling it,” Hae-in said with a reassuring nod. “It should be fixed soon. Right now, this is his car.”
You nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. The ride continued in comfortable silence, the hum of the car engine and the soft morning breeze through the slightly cracked window lulling you into a calm state.
Before long, Hae-in pulled up in front of your home. He parked and turned to you, offering a small smile. “Here we are.”
You hesitated for a moment, clutching the blanket before handing it back to him. “Thank you,” you said earnestly, your gaze meeting his. “For everything.”
His smile grew, warm and genuine. “Anytime.”
You stepped out of the car, the crisp morning air brushing against your skin as you turned toward your house. But before heading inside, you glanced back at him. Hae-in gave you a small wave before driving off, the car disappearing down the street.
