Chapter 0: The Day Before the Storm

The aroma of roasted coffee beans and sweet pastries wrapped around Kang Mira like a familiar hug. She stirred her caramel macchiato, the foam swirling into a perfect heart for a fleeting second before dissolving. Outside the cafe window, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the bustling Seoul street. Neon signs were just beginning to flicker awake, painting the grey pavement with splashes of electric pink and vibrant blue. It was her favorite time of day in her favorite spot – a small, independent cafe tucked away on a side street, far enough from the main drag to feel cozy but close enough to watch the city pulse with life.

Mira sighed contentedly, leaning back against the plush velvet cushion of the booth. Today had been long, filled with the usual controlled chaos of her part-time job assisting a demanding graphic designer, followed by an evening lecture for her night course in marketing. Juggling work and studies wasn’t easy, but Mira possessed a quiet determination, a resilience forged during leaner years after her parents’ business struggled. She was saving diligently, not just for tuition, but for the future she envisioned – a small, sunny apartment, maybe a cat curled on the windowsill, and Lee Jae-won by her side.

Ah, Jae-won. Just thinking his name brought a soft smile to her lips. She glanced at her phone, checking the time again. He was late, but that wasn’t unusual. His job at a trendy marketing firm was demanding, often keeping him tied up in meetings or client dinners. Mira understood. She admired his ambition, his easy charm, the way he could light up a room with his confident smile. He made her feel cherished, special. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a partner.

They’d met two years ago through mutual friends, a whirlwind romance that quickly settled into comfortable intimacy. He loved her quirky sense of humor; she adored his surprisingly thoughtful gestures – like remembering the obscure indie band she’d mentioned liking months ago or bringing her favorite spicy tteokbokki when she was stressed with exams. Of course, no relationship was perfect. Sometimes his ambition felt like it overshadowed everything else, and his phone seemed permanently attached to his hand, buzzing with work calls or messages even during their dates. But Mira pushed those fleeting doubts aside. He was busy building a future for them, wasn't he? That’s what he always said.

A familiar notification chime broke her reverie. It wasn’t Jae-won, but a message from her best friend, Shin Soo-min.

Soo-min: Still waiting for Prince Charming? ;) Don't let him keep you waiting too long! Fighting! 💪

Mira chuckled, typing back a quick reply. Mira: He’s fashionably late as always. Gives me more time to enjoy my coffee! How was your meeting?

Soo-min worked at the same company as Jae-won, albeit in a different department. They’d bonded instantly during Mira’s first visit to Jae-won’s office party – two young women navigating the pressures of work and life in the big city. Soo-min was stylish, always impeccably dressed, with a sweet, almost shy demeanor that Mira found endearing. She often confided in Mira about her own insecurities, her envy of Mira’s seemingly stable relationship with Jae-won. "You're so lucky, Mira," Soo-min would sigh sometimes, stirring her own latte during their frequent cafe meetups. "Jae-won oppa is handsome, successful, and he clearly adores you. You guys are perfect."

Mira always brushed off the compliments, feeling a pang of sympathy for her friend, whose own dating life seemed to be a series of disappointments. "You'll find someone wonderful too, Soo-min," Mira would reassure her. "You deserve it."

Soo-min: Meeting was BORING! 😩 Wish I was having coffee with you instead. Tell Jae-won oppa I said hi when he finally shows up! Gotta run, boss is calling.

Mira smiled again, tucking her phone away just as the bell above the cafe door jingled. Her heart gave a familiar little leap. There he was.

Lee Jae-won strode in, looking effortlessly handsome even after a long day. His tailored suit jacket was slung casually over one arm, his tie loosened, and his dark hair slightly tousled. He scanned the room, his eyes lighting up when they met Mira’s.

"There's my patient girl," he said, sliding into the booth opposite her. He leaned across the table, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek before planting a soft kiss on her lips. "Sorry I'm late. Client meeting ran over. You know how Mr. Kim can talk."

"It's okay," Mira said, her earlier annoyance melting away under his warm gaze. "Long day?"

"The longest," he sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. "But seeing you makes it all worth it." He flagged down the waitress, ordering an iced americano before turning his full attention back to Mira. "So, how was your day? Survive Professor Ahn's lecture?"

They fell into easy conversation, sharing snippets of their day. Jae-won complained good-naturedly about his demanding clients and office politics, while Mira recounted a funny incident involving spilled ink at her design job. He listened attentively, laughing at the right moments, making her feel like the center of his world. This was why she loved him, she thought. These moments of connection, the feeling that they were a team navigating life together.

Yet, even as they talked, Mira noticed his phone buzzing repeatedly on the table, screen down. He ignored it for a while, but eventually, his eyes kept flicking towards it.

"Work?" Mira asked gently.

"Yeah," Jae-won sighed, picking it up. "Just Soo-min asking about the quarterly report draft. Sorry, I should probably just check…" He quickly typed a reply, his brow furrowed in concentration for a moment longer than seemed necessary for a simple work query.

A tiny flicker of unease sparked in Mira’s chest, an unwelcome echo of past instances where his phone seemed to hold secrets. He’d always had plausible explanations – late-night project deadlines, urgent team messages, even Soo-min needing advice about work problems. Mira trusted Soo-min implicitly, and she wanted to trust Jae-won just as much. She mentally scolded herself for the suspicion. He’s just dedicated to his job, she reasoned. And Soo-min is our friend.

Jae-won put the phone down, flashing her an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Where were we?"

"You were telling me about the disastrous proposal pitch," Mira prompted, pushing the unease away.

He launched back into his story, his usual charisma returning. But Mira couldn’t shake a subtle feeling that something was slightly off. Was it the way he avoided her gaze for a split second after checking his phone? Or the faint, unfamiliar floral scent clinging to his jacket, different from her own perfume or his usual cologne? Probably just from a colleague at the office, she told herself firmly. She was being paranoid.

Later, walking hand-in-hand towards the subway station under the deepening twilight sky, Jae-won squeezed her hand. "Big day tomorrow," he said, his voice softer now. "My team leader is finally reviewing my promotion proposal."

"Oh, Jae-won, that's wonderful!" Mira exclaimed, genuine excitement bubbling up for him. "You've worked so hard for this."

"Fingers crossed," he said, though his smile seemed confident. "If it goes well… maybe we can finally start looking at those apartments we bookmarked? The ones near the park?"

Mira’s heart soared. This was it. The future she dreamed of was finally within reach. All her hard work, her patience, her unwavering belief in him – it was all paying off. "Really?" she breathed, her eyes shining.

"Really," he confirmed, pulling her closer. "I want that future with you, Mira. More than anything."

He kissed her then, a deep, lingering kiss under the glow of a streetlamp that felt like a promise. All her earlier doubts vanished, replaced by a warm certainty. He loved her. They were going to build a life together.

As they parted ways at the station entrance, Jae-won heading towards his apartment line and Mira towards hers, he called out, "Hey, Mira! I might be working late tomorrow night celebrating… or drowning my sorrows. Don't wait up, okay?"

"Okay," she smiled back. "Good luck! Fighting!"

He blew her a kiss and disappeared into the throng of commuters. Mira stood there for a moment, a giddy happiness warming her despite the cooling night air. She couldn't wait for tomorrow, couldn't wait to hear his good news. Maybe she’d surprise him. Yes, that was a good idea. She’d finish her shift early, pick up his favorite celebratory meal – champagne and fried chicken – and surprise him at his apartment. He’d love that.

Humming softly, Mira turned and headed down the stairs to catch her train home. She thought about the small apartment near the park, imagined decorating it with Jae-won, maybe finally getting that cat she always wanted. A fluffy white one, perhaps, with bright, intelligent eyes.

She passed a stray cat huddled near a trash bin in the station tunnel – a sleek black creature with piercing green eyes that seemed to watch her with unusual intensity as she walked by. Mira smiled at it sympathetically. "Don't worry, kitty," she murmured softly. "Things will get better."

If only she knew how drastically things were about to change, not just for the cat, but for herself. If only she knew that the storm wasn't just a metaphor, but a literal tempest gathering on the horizon, ready to break not just the weather, but her entire world. Tonight, however, wrapped in the false warmth of Jae-won’s promises, Kang Mira slept soundly, blissfully unaware that she was living the last peaceful day of her human life. The future she envisioned was indeed coming, but it would arrive in a form she could never have imagined, heralded by betrayal and ending in tragedy, just beyond the threshold of the coming dawn.

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