Chapter Text
Pham Hanni was trying hard to keep her mind focused on the pages of her Grammar book. Although it was Friday night, and she knew she was almost the only one staying on campus that evening, she genuinely couldn't care less about that. She needed to prepare for the upcoming exam week. Her dear friend and classmate, Danielle, had spent the whole week trying to convince her otherwise, but had failed. Hanni wasn't a brilliant student, even though she had the best grades in her class, but it was all due to her constant effort and sacrifice. She wasn’t a natural genius. She wasn’t born that way. Over time, she had gained some popularity on campus as the smart and pretty girl, but most people, especially the guys, were easily bored by her personality. Of course, she didn’t bury herself in books all the time, but she wasn’t the party girl either. She had gone to a few occasional parties with Danielle, but it was never an environment that made her feel comfortable. Her friend respected that, although she kept trying week after week to convince Hanni to come with her.
Her phone vibrated, and she saw a message from Danielle, almost as if her friend had called her with the power of her mind. “I’m sure your brain needs a break right now. Take it easy, girl.” Attached to the message was a picture of a can of beer. Her favorite flavor. Not bitter.
Hanni smiled to herself but didn’t reply to the message. Still, she thought her friend was right about one thing: she had been pushing herself to the max for almost three straight hours, so her brain was definitely asking for a break—and maybe some beer.
Hanni stretched her arms, stood up from her desk, and walked over to the fridge. She pulled out a can of her favorite beer, the same one in the picture. Since she shared a room with Danielle, it was no surprise that her friend was so attentive to her needs and preferences, so a pack of sweet beers was always stocked in their fridge.
The phone vibrated again. “I’ll never understand how you can like this,” followed by a picture of the beer in the pub’s wastebasket. The image made her smile again, and she sent an angry emoji in response.
After a few minutes and a couple of sips of her drink, Hanni glanced at the wall clock. It was still early. 23:12 was a good time to continue her reading, but for some reason, she felt the urge for something different. Maybe some fresh air. However, when she peeked out onto the balcony, all she could see was the clothes hanger outside and the wall of the neighboring building. Even if the hanger wasn’t there, there wouldn’t have been enough space to set up a chair and feel comfortable, and the view was pitiful. Suddenly, she remembered it was Friday night, and almost the entire campus would be out at that time. Even those like her, who didn’t enjoy outdoor activities, would probably be playing video games all night or visiting their families for the weekend. That wasn’t her case, though. Her parents were in Australia while she had chosen to study in Korea. Hanni had only been able to visit her family twice this year, the same as the year before.
“I think it’s a good time to go watch the night clouds,” she said to herself. The campus was in the middle of the city, so stargazing was impossible, even on clear nights. But Hanni was a simple girl, born and raised in an urban area. Just being able to see the clouds above the city lights made her feel a little happier, a little closer to her hometown. Knowing that the hallways and corridors would be empty and with little surveillance, she grabbed a hoodie and coat, and left the room, her favorite book tucked under her arm.
Oddly enough, May was proving to be a cold month, even though it was already spring, so she couldn’t risk catching a cold—not with so much studying left to do. But reading something different for an hour might help clear her mind.
She reached the rooftop door and opened it without hesitation. Her dormitory was the tallest building, due to the high demand for student housing in her faculty, so it offered the best view. A cold breeze greeted her, but it felt refreshing, waking her up as if the wind were giving her a welcoming kiss. Even the smells up there felt different, meters away from the noise and chaos of the streets. She’d brought a book and a large thermos of coffee but decided to leave her phone in the room. She needed a break from the real world for a while.
Hanni sat with her back leaning against the wall, in a spot where she was sheltered from the wind but still had a clear view of the cloudy sky. Thanks to the city lights, the clouds looked like gray and navy-blue cotton balls. She loved it.
Her reading began once again, but this time, she allowed herself to enjoy it without any stress. Before Sunrise was one of her favorite movies and books, and whenever she had the chance, she would read it over and over again.
In the silence of the night, peace was her only companion. At least, for a while.
Suddenly, a familiar sound broke her from her thoughts. She peeked over the side of the wall and saw a figure closing the door and walking toward the corner of the rooftop. From behind, she could only make out a person in a blue hoodie and dark jacket standing there, hands in their pockets. Based on the height, it should have been a girl, Hanni thought—or maybe a short, thin guy. No, she was sure it was a girl. A tall girl. Hanni easily recognized those Nike sneakers. The new women’s model for the winter season. You must be rich to afford those expensive sneakers, or work yourself to the bone with part-time jobs until you wreck your credit card.
Anyway, Hanni thought it would be disrespectful to stare in silence. The girl had probably come up here for some time alone, not expecting a stranger to spy on her and notice her expensive sneakers.
So, Hanni decided to speak. Softly.
"I'm sorry, but I feel compelled to tell you that you're not alone up here..."
But in the quiet, her words felt louder, and the girl jumped in surprise.
“Oh my...” It was definitely a girl. “I didn’t expect to see anyone here... Did I interrupt something?”
Well, she seemed polite. Not everyone would think of that after such a surprise. Hanni immediately smiled.
"Oh, no, not at all. I was just reading. You surprised me, too. I wasn’t expecting anyone to come up here. It’s cold, and almost everyone on campus is... you know, out."
"Yeah, that’s exactly why I came up here too. I didn’t want to go out, but I didn’t feel like staying in my room either. I wasn’t in the mood for either." She pulled her hand out of her pocket and lifted her hood, revealing a black knitted wool cap. "Do you mind if I stick around? I just want to feel the breeze for a while..." Her voice was unexpectedly deep.
"Oh, no, not at all," Hanni replied. "Actually... Would you like some coffee?"
The offer came out of nowhere. The polite girl would probably turn it down, Hanni thought, but to her surprise, the girl stepped closer without hesitation.
"Really? I love coffee..."
Hanni gestured for the tall girl to sit next to her. "I know you’ve come looking for a little personal space, but if you like coffee as much as I do, maybe we can share a quiet moment together, and then you can go to the other side of the roof when you're ready."
"Sounds good to me," the girl replied, sitting down next to Hanni and leaning her back against the wall. Now that she was close enough, Hanni noticed the small braid in her long dark hair.
"I like your braid," Hanni said.
"Hm? Oh." The girl took off her knit cap, revealing her messy long hair. "Thanks... I even forgot I had it."
"It looks great on you," Hanni added, smiling at the sight of her tousled hair.
"And am I seeing a purple lock under your hood?" the girl asked, tilting her head to get a better look at Hanni’s face.
"Yes, actually..." Hanni giggled, then pulled her hood back to reveal her messy purple-dyed hair. "This is the craziest thing I’ve ever done. My mom went crazy when I told her about it, but luckily, I’m far enough away to escape her yelling."
"I like the color," the girl said. "I think it goes really well with your round eyes and glasses." She smiled, and Hanni felt her heart skip a beat, her cheeks flushing.
"Thank you..." she murmured, quickly pulling her hood back in place. Just then, when she tried to use the coffee as an excuse to avoid further conversation, she realized there was a problem.
"Uh-oh..."
"What’s wrong?" the girl asked.
Hanni tried to think quickly for a solution, and thankfully, she found one.
"I only brought one mug for myself... But you can use the thermos' cup if you don’t mind. Well, it was made for that purpose, so..."
"It’s okay. Really."
Hanni smiled and handed her the makeshift cup, pouring some warm coffee into it.
"Hope you like it a little bitter. I didn’t bring more sugar."
"Hey, what’s the point of drinking coffee if it’s not bitter?" The girl placed the hot thermos between them.
"Pour yourself as much as you want."
"Thank you." The unfamiliar girl smiled and took a sip. "Oh, this is delicious. What brand is it? Starbucks?"
"No. To be honest, I don’t even remember. I’ll check later and let you know the next time our paths cross." Hanni took a sip from her green cup as well. "Anyway, what’s your name? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around... Well, then again, it’s not like I leave my room much unless it’s for class."
The girl responded with a warm smile—just as warm as the coffee cup she held between her hands, Hanni thought.
"My name is Minji. Kim Minji. I’m in my first year, so... Yeah, I’m still getting used to this place. And the truth is, I’m not great at socializing. How about you?"
"Hanni. Pham Hanni. This is my second year, so I think I’m older than you?"
"Actually, I missed a year, so I think we’re around the same age."
"Oh. Well, welcome to college then."
"Thanks. But tell me about yourself. Anything. I like listening more than talking. You’re not Korean, right?" Minji said, shifting her position to the side to look at Hanni a little closer.
"I’m from Australia, but my parents are from Vietnam. And, uh... I’d describe myself as a bookworm. If I’m not studying, I’m probably reading something else. I love books... That’s why I decided to study literature. But I’m not a nerd, okay? I know I look like one, but these are just reading glasses."
"It looks great on you, really. You don’t look like a bookworm, though. I’d say you’re an intellectual. And your face looks cute with those glasses. Also, your eyes are pretty." Hanni blushed again. Luckily for her, the place was dark enough that the change in her skin color wasn’t noticeable—or so she hoped. "Also, you speak Korean really well."
"I do what I can," Hanni replied, quickly changing the subject. "Okay, your turn. I bet your career is way more interesting than mine, Miss Kim Minji."
Minji took another sip from her mini cup before answering.
"I'm in the Faculty of Science. Guess the old me thought it would be fun. I can’t say it’s not interesting, but there are way too many names, and the periodic table is killing me—and it’s only my first year."
"I remember that. I don’t know how I managed to survive my science classes all through high school... I admire you."
"I’m pretty sure you probably immersed yourself in your school library."
"Yes, exactly. You get the point," replied Hanni, picking up the bottle to pour more coffee into the girl’s cup. "I told you, I’m a bookworm."
As the minutes passed, they continued their impromptu conversation without interruption until a sound came from the dark-haired girl’s pocket. She gestured an apology and answered the call without getting up from her spot. Hanni assumed it wasn’t an important or private call since her companion didn’t seem bothered by her presence. Not having her own phone to use as an excuse to pretend she wasn’t listening, Hanni decided to do the opposite and just stared at her naturally. She couldn’t explain why, but Hanni suddenly felt the need to look at her like that. To be honest, the girl was very pretty. She had those big, dark eyes, a prominent upper lip, and there was something oddly charming about the way she frowned when she was paying attention to what someone was saying. The cold up there made her cheeks and nose flush with a reddish tone. Or maybe she was blushing for another reason—not just because of the person on the other end of the line, but also because of the weird girl with big round glasses staring at her in silence.
Who was on the other side of the line, by the way? Did she have a boyfriend? No, the voice was female. A girlfriend? It sounded older. Was it her sister? Her mother? Suddenly, Hanni could hear more voices in unison—some weird screams and other noises. Minji pulled the phone away from her ear and closed her eyes with a shy smile.
"Thanks, Mom," the girl said, then added, "And Dad. I heard him singing in the background too... Yes, please thank them all for me." Hanni blinked twice in confusion. "No, I’m not going anywhere today, maybe tomorrow. I’m just tired. Had a rough day..." She paused, listening to her mother. "Yes, I promise I will. Now go to sleep, it’s late. Thanks for staying awake for me... I love you all... Bye." With a sweet smile on her face, Minji hung up, slid the phone back into her pocket, and then looked up to meet Hanni's gaze.
"I'm sorry I kept staring at you like that," Minji said, her voice a little sheepish. "But I didn’t bring my phone and thought it’d be weird to start reading or just look at the sky while you were busy."
"Isn’t it weirder to keep staring at me during the whole conversation?" Hanni teased, pouring more coffee into the girl’s cup. It seemed like Minji was taking the situation in stride, not looking genuinely uncomfortable.
"Only if you put it that way," Minji replied with a grin. "By the way, was that a call with your whole family or something? It sounded like a crowd on the other end. Not that I was eavesdropping or anything, but they were pretty loud."
Minji couldn’t suppress a small laugh.
"Yes, they’re loud almost all the time. I’m pretty loud myself when I yell. I hope you never get to see that side of me."
"Oh, now I really want to see it," Hanni grinned back.
Minji just shook her head slightly, her smile still in place.
"Didn't you hear what they said?" Minji asked, now sitting face-to-face with Hanni instead of side by side.
"They were loud, but not loud enough for me to catch their words. Don't worry," Hanni replied.
"Oh, good." Minji poured the last drops of coffee into both their cups, handing one to Hanni before finishing her own.
"Thanks," Hanni said. "So... Can you tell me? Or is it a secret? I kind of felt like I was part of the conversation."
"You're being really dramatic, you know?" Minji teased.
"My friends tell me that a lot," Hanni replied, taking a sip. The coffee wasn’t as warm as before, but oddly enough, she wasn’t cold anymore.
"Well, it's past midnight, so... It’s my birthday," Minji said, avoiding Hanni’s gaze as she spoke and finishing her coffee with a small sip.
"What? Wait, WHAT? Like, seriously??"
"Why would I lie about my birthday? You just heard my entire family scre-"
"Why didn’t you tell me?? No, wait, you didn’t have to. But why didn’t you go out and celebrate with your friends? I know you said you're tired, but... It’s your birthday!!"
"They wanted to take me to a pub, but... I think you can already tell I’m not that type of girl. I'm not into parties and all that. So, I told them I wasn't feeling well and suggested we do something tomorrow... I mean, today," she corrected with a small laugh. "Then I pretended to be asleep until they left, and here I am." She raised her hands, as if what she was saying was the most natural thing in the world. "Somehow, I think I prefer to enjoy moments like this alone. But... it’s been nice meeting you here. Actually, I never would have imagined spending my birthday on a college rooftop, drinking coffee with a purple-haired girl who doesn’t always bring her phone."
"Well, I’m glad to know I wasn’t just an interruption to your perfectly planned, lonely birthday celebration," Hanni teased with a grin.
Minji laughed softly again, and Hanni couldn’t help but think it was somehow cute the way she covered her mouth before letting her laugh escape. The way her eyes formed little crescents when she laughed and how her gums peeked out behind her hand—it made Hanni think she was even more adorable.
"No, you weren't. Honestly, this has been a nice night, thanks to you..." Minji said, and Hanni could tell she meant it.
They stared at each other for a moment. The whole situation felt oddly special to Hanni, though she wasn’t sure if she believed in coincidences. Still, there was something about it that made the night feel significant.
"Anyway," Minji continued, "you know a bar doesn’t always have to mean a party, right? Sometimes it’s nice to just share a drink and chat with friends over some good music..."
"Yeah, sometimes," Minji agreed. "But not tonight. I wanted some fresh air, and this conversation is way better than any music."
Hanni quickly looked away, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. She muttered a simple "Thanks," her voice quiet. No one had ever made her feel like a good companion before. She was used to being the one who followed others' plans, the adaptable one. But tonight, Minji was the one who had entered Hanni’s space. It felt new and comfortable in a way Hanni hadn’t expected.
Then, another thought crossed her mind.
"I wish I could give you a present..." Hanni started, rummaging through her pockets, but they were completely empty. Her fingers brushed against something on the floor as she reached for the back pocket of her jeans.
"Oh no, you don't need to give me anything. Seriously!" Minji said, glancing at Hanni as she searched her pockets. "Or... I think I'd like to have your phone number."
"Here." Hanni interrupted, handing Minji the book she had been reading earlier.
"What? No!"
"This is one of my favorite books. Actually, it's from a movie, which is also one of my favorite films, so... it's really important to me," Hanni explained, her voice steady.
"Hanni..."
"I want you to have it." Her tone was firm, her eyes looking directly into Minji's. "I don’t know if you’re into reading or not, but... there’s something about you that reminds me of how I feel when I read this book. Maybe it’s the way you speak, or how we met by chance..." She smiled softly. "Please, accept it. Happy birthday, Minji."
Minji let out a soft sigh, a polite smile spreading across her face. She took the book from Hanni’s hands, and for a brief moment, Hanni felt Minji’s fingers brush against hers.
"Hey, you're freezing," Minji remarked, noticing Hanni's shivering.
"I'm fine," Hanni smiled, though it was a little weak. She mumbled shyly, "So... you were saying something about my phone number?"
"Oh, yeah. I mean, maybe we could keep in touch? Now you're the only person, besides my friends, who knows when my birthday is."
"I'd love to, but the problem is I didn't bring my phone, and... Oh God, this will sound like an excuse, but honestly, I still haven't memorized my number..." She laughed nervously. "Really! I'm not good with numbers, I’m not making it up!"
"No, I totally believe you," Minji chuckled, shaking her head. "I know mine, but—"
Minji's eyes caught something sticking out of the side of the book. She pulled it out and found a Christmas-themed bookmark, complete with a cute snowman and green and red ribbons. She gently took it out, recognizing it as something Hanni must’ve used a while ago. Then Minji’s expression shifted, and Hanni could tell an idea had popped into her head. Minji dug through her pockets and finally found a pencil.
"May I?" Minji asked, looking up at Hanni.
Hanni nodded, watching as Minji wrote something on the bookmark.
"Here," Minji said, handing the bookmark back to her. "This is my phone number. If you don’t text me, you’ll break my heart."
Her words were meant as a joke, but there was an unexpected firmness to them. Hanni looked at her in surprise, then a smile crept up on her face.
"Also... Now both of us have a part of your book," Minji added with a wink.
"Now I feel like I’m getting an autograph from a rock star. My honor." Hanni took the bookmark back, noticing the numbers and the letters "MJ" written in blue ink. "I’ll text you as soon as I get to my room. I promise."
"And the coffee brand, remember," Minji added with a grin.
Now that there was no more coffee to share, they continued their talk for a few more minutes until the cold became hard to bear.
Minji noticed how Hanni's fingers felt like ice when they briefly brushed together, and without thinking, she stopped mid-sentence.
"Well, time to get back to our warm rooms," Minji said, her voice soft but firm. She reached over and took Hanni’s hand in her own, the coldness of Hanni’s skin making her shiver. "You're going to catch a cold if you stay here any longer."
Hanni was momentarily stunned, caught off guard by the simple act. Her mind raced with the unexpected gesture, but Minji’s warmth was undeniable, and she didn’t have the strength to protest.
"Let's meet again soon, if you like the idea," Minji continued, her voice slightly lighter now, like it was a promise. "But for now, it’s after midnight, and the night’s only going to get colder. So don’t fight me—let’s go."
Hanni sighed softly, though there was no resistance in her. She nodded and began gathering her things, feeling oddly reluctant to let go of the moment. But the cold and Minji’s insistence were enough to push her into action. They both stood up and made their way back into the warmth of the building, the conversation quieting down as the distance between them grew.
When they reached the third floor, where Hanni’s room was, their paths diverged. Minji’s dorm was further, across campus, and she still had a bit more walking to do in the frigid night.
"Be careful on the way," Hanni said, her tone soft but concerned. "And answer my text as soon as you get there, to make sure you’ve arrived safely."
"I will," Minji replied, flashing a small but sincere smile. She waved her hand in farewell and muttered a quiet "goodbye," before turning and heading down the stairs. The sound of her footsteps faded, leaving Hanni standing there for a moment longer, watching the girl disappear into the dark.
Hanni basically ran down the hallway until she reached her front door and entered the bedroom. She jumped onto the bed, grabbed her cell phone from the bedside table, and for some reason, her heart was racing fast enough to feel it thumping against her chest. She quickly registered Minji’s phone number and sent a Kakao message immediately. Then she headed to the kitchen to wash her mug and thermos bottle, but she couldn’t help herself from staring at the cup Minji had used to drink.
A blush crept up on her cheeks out of nowhere, and she rapidly dipped the cup in the water.
It was more than five minutes, but less than ten, when the reply came. Hanni ran back to her room and looked at the screen with shining eyes. "Safe landing." An airplane emoji accompanied the message. Now that the other girl had also registered her number, Hanni could see her picture. It looked like an old one, where she had shorter hair and was laughing out loud, without covering her mouth. In fact, she had a cute gummy smile.
"I like your picture," Hanni wrote. "I hope to see you laugh like that someday."
The first response was an angry emoji. "Nope." Minji replied, and Hanni couldn’t hold back her own laugh.
She kept her word and sent a picture of the coffee jar.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something," Hanni continued the chat after that. "I love your sneakers. They look great on you. Your style is so cool."
"Really? Thank you. They were an early birthday present from my parents, that's why I was wearing them today."
That explained a lot, Hanni thought. "They sure love you," she said, and Minji responded with a new heart-shaped sticker.
Hanni put the phone back on the bedside table, changed clothes, put on her pajamas, and went to brush her teeth. Suddenly, she didn't feel like studying anymore; she just wanted to lay her head on the pillow and chat for a while with that girl with the deep voice. For some reason, she made her feel relaxed and excited at the same time.
When she was already under the covers, Hanni checked her phone again and found a new message.
"Ehm. Ey... I was thinking..."
"Uhm?"
"Maybe you could come celebrate with us tomorrow, if you have time. You know, with my friends, to a pub... with good music. I know you're not really into that kind of thing, like me, but..." The message ended there. Hanni smiled and her reply was quick enough for Minji to stop typing.
"I would love to." Actually, it wasn’t easy for her to meet new people, but she didn’t even think about it when she answered. "It's a special occasion. Count me in."
Minji sent a surprised sticker and then thanked her with a big heart emoji.
"I will start reading your book after tomorrow. I promise," she said then.
"No rush. Take your time and enjoy the travel," Hanni answered.
After a few minutes of meaningless chatter, Minji stopped replying. Hanni assumed she had fallen asleep and turned off the light, pulling the covers up almost completely. Her hands were cold, but she felt a warmth spread inside her chest. Now, she had a lot to think about. What would she wear for their upcoming plans? Minji had such a cool style, and Hanni really wanted to match with her. Maybe she could ask Danielle for advice, but that would mean explaining the whole situation to her, and Hanni wasn't sure where to even begin. Besides, her friend would probably be upset for turning down their plans of the past two weeks in favor of another girl's invitation.
Hanni closed her eyes and decided to sleep, though her mind was still filled with images from the past few hours. Minji’s deep voice, her dark, sparkling eyes, the sound of her laughter, and the gummy smile that she tried to hide behind her hand... her messy but shiny dark hair, and the soft touch of her fingers over hers when they shared the book.
There were plenty of things to think about, aside from the looming worry of exams, but at that moment, all Hanni could focus on was Kim Minji and their meeting on the rooftop that cold May night. It had been an unexpected and precious moment, one she would treasure forever—both a birthday and a date she would never forget. Who would have thought that two girls could meet like this? The thought of what might come next only made her heart race with excitement. Maybe now, Hanni believed in coincidences.
With a smile on her lips and her cheeks flushed, she let out a deep sigh and finally fell asleep.