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⋆˙⟡♡ Chasing Serendipity ⋆˙⟡♡
On a sunlit Thursday afternoon in mid-September, Donghyuck could be seen leaned against his white motorbike, exhaling tendrils of smoke as laughter danced in the air with his friends. They were gathered near the entrance of Seongsu-dong subway station, a regular spot to hangout after their classes—that's a ritual he had embraced since starting at the prestigious private graduate school of Law.
Despite the weighty burden of his major, Donghyuck thrived in the academic arena, effortlessly balancing the demands of his coursework. Law was no simple path; it required an air of composure, a skill he mastered with ease. "You have to keep your cool if you want to wear the lawyer's robe," he often mused, fully aware that few could pull it off quite like he could. To him, law wasn't just a subject; it was his destiny, his identity.
As the son of a wealthy industrialist, graduating from law school was more than a personal achievement—it was a crown to wear proudly, a boost to the family's reputation. His parents beamed with pride, and Donghyuck couldn't shake the feeling that he was leagues ahead of many of his peers. College life was a breeze for him; he floated through it all, unconcerned and carefree.
And so, he embraced life with open arms—chilling with friends, sharing drinks, smoking casually, and immersing himself in the vibrant youthful life. Each day was a celebration, a canvas painted with laughter and joy, as he savored every moment without a care in the world.
Donghyuck reveled in the art of socializing, earning the affectionate title of the moodmaker and social butterfly among his friends. He never felt the need to analyze a person's status before engaging in conversation; everyone was welcome in his orbit. His circle was a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse threads of society, encompassing those who could barely afford a moment's respite for a group smoke after class, struggling to find their footing in the bustling city of Seoul.
Without hesitation, Donghyuck embraced them as equals, bumping shoulders like brothers under the warm glow of camaraderie. They often gathered near Seongsu-dong station, a lively hub where the hustle and bustle of city life surrounded them, too absorbed in their own worlds to shoo them away. In that crowded space, he found a peculiar solace, observing the throngs of people passing by—millions of lives intersecting yet each distinctly unique.
During these hangout sessions, some faces caught his attention, sparkling with stories waiting to be told, while others blurred into the backdrop of the ordinary, leaving him to gaze blankly into the distance. Each encounter was a fleeting moment, a snapshot of the rich tapestry of humanity that unfolded before him, inviting both connection and contemplation in equal measure.
On that fateful day, as Donghyuck laughed with his friends about the hilarious incident of Jaemin being asked out by a middle-aged lady during his café shift, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye. Amid the laughter and chatter, he noticed a boy passing by, and in that fleeting moment, everything seemed to slow down.
At first glance, it was the boy's soft hair and round, fluffy cheeks that drew him in.
Pale skin contrasted with dark hair, artfully parted over his forehead. He wore a light blue sweatshirt, layered with a dark denim jacket, effortlessly blending comfort with style. Not much younger or older than Donghyuck, there was something undeniably captivating about him.
Unlike the countless others he often observed—those exchanging flirtatious glances or fidgeting with discomfort—this boy held a quiet allure. Donghyuck didn't feel the urge to perform or react; he simply stared, entranced, as if time had momentarily paused in the midst of the bustling crowd.
Silently, he absorbed the scene, feeling a strange connection that transcended words and laughter, a moment of stillness in the vibrant chaos of life.
"Bro!" his friend interrupted, pulling Donghyuck from his thoughts.
"Huh?" he murmured, still lost in the boy's fading figure.
"That guy hot?" Mark asked, his street punk accent playfully contrasting his soft, elegant appearance. His tone was teasing, but there was a hint of curiosity behind it.
Donghyuck hadn't realized how long he'd been staring, completely unaware of the conversation drifting around him. Mark had noticed his distraction and turned to see what had captured his friend's attention so completely.
"Mmm..." Donghyuck continued to gaze in the direction where the boy had walked away, his mind swirling with thoughts.
"Not really," he chuckled, shaking his head as if to dismiss the matter.
With a shrug, Donghyuck returned to his circle, lighting up another cigarette and resuming the banter with his friends. Yet, beneath the surface, an unsettling feeling lingered—a restless yearning, perhaps. A quiet longing to catch another glimpse of that boy, to unravel the mystery that had ignited something deep within him.
...
His longing didn't have to linger for long. The very next day, Donghyuck spotted the same boy again, this time clad in a bright yellow shirt and a medical apron. A stethoscope dangled from one hand while the other busily checked his phone, a bag slung casually over his shoulder.
A doctor?
Unlike the previous day, the boy wasn't power-walking toward the train, much to Donghyuck's relief. This allowed him to take in every detail, to study the boy's features more closely. To his surprise, the boy had a remarkably ordinary face—no makeup to conceal the weariness etched into his skin. Perhaps that was what made him so striking.
Donghyuck noticed the prominent bags under his eyes, the tiredness radiating from his gaze, and the slight curve of his lips that spoke of fatigue. Even as he stood waiting for the train, his posture revealed his exhaustion, a silent testament to long hours and heavy burdens.
Yet, despite the evident weariness, the boy's expression was blank—almost stoic, as if he had grown accustomed to this low-energy existence, treating each day's struggles as just another part of the routine. In that moment, Donghyuck felt an unexpected familiarity—a shared understanding of the burdens of life and the quiet battles faced by the ordinary people in Seoul. Though he had never personally experienced these struggles, for being from a privileged family; he had witnessed them through the lives of those around him, his companions.
'Just average med students,' Donghyuck thought.
Yet it was his eyes that captivated Donghyuck, curved and expressive, even with the bags beneath them adding an air of vulnerability. There was something undeniably attractive about him—so much so that Donghyuck found himself using the word "attractive," a term he hadn't intended to embrace around someone he had just met. "Eye-catching" seemed more fit. Coming from a high-profile background, he had always had an affinity for those who chose to go without makeup. People often yearn for what is hidden from view.
In his sheltered life, Donghyuck rarely encountered anyone in their raw form. Even his parents and siblings would rush to perfect their appearances each morning. Yet this boy exuded a refreshing indifference to his looks amidst the bustling crowd. It wasn't a sign of carelessness; rather, an authentic testament to simplicity. Most would be busy applying lipstick or eyeliner in his position, yet here he was, unapologetically himself.
He was comforting to look at.
Still, Donghyuck found himself pondering why this boy stood out among the countless others in the station—many of whom also wore no makeup. What was it about this ordinary face that held such extraordinary allure? He didn't conform to the rigid beauty standards of Korea, yet his simplicity radiated a quiet charm that drew Donghyuck in deeper.
"You have a nice nose,"
Donghyuck found himself blurting out; his voice ringing through the air as he aimed the compliment at the boy from a meter away, leaning casually on his white motorbike. That day, his friends had left early, and he had dropped a few of them off at the station, each from their respective universities. They were his middle school friends, not as fortunate as he was—none had received scholarships or the means to attend a private law school like him. A couple, like Chenle and Jisung, had managed to enroll in private institutions, but most of his friends were bright students at Seoul's government university, studying science and technology.
After class, Donghyuck often found himself without anything better to do, so he rode his bike around the city, choosing to drop his friends off rather than letting them waste their pocket money on bus fares.
On this particular day, the train had just left a few minutes before the boy arrived at the station, which explained why he was waiting for the next one, standing right at the entrance and under Donghyuck's curious gaze.
"Thank you," the boy replied, glancing over at Donghyuck. There was no smile or frown on his face, just a calm acknowledgment. He didn't seem flustered or uncomfortable, perhaps just a touch of gratitude. To Donghyuck, though, what stood out most was the boy's voice—soft and soothing, it resonated in a way that felt warm and inviting.
The boy turned his attention back to his phone, and Donghyuck didn't push for more questions or attempt to spark a conversation. Despite being the social butterfly of his group, something about this boy made him hesitant to intrude further. Instead, he waited in silence, stealing glances as the minutes ticked by, letting the boy continue in his quiet world until the next train finally arrived.
Even though he felt a growing eagerness to learn more about him, to uncover the layers of his life, he restrained himself. Curiosity bubbled inside him, stronger than the day before. He found himself wondering about the nameless boy more than he could have anticipated, yearning to know him beyond the brief encounters they shared.
What could his name be?
The thought lingered in Donghyuck's mind, adding a personal touch to his intrigue as the boy prepared to leave, stepping toward the approaching train.
...
The third time Donghyuck saw him was nearly a month later. During that time, he had made a habit of arriving at the station daily, hoping to catch another glimpse of the boy. No, he wasn't exactly getting obsessed with the boy, nor was his curiosity at its peak—Donghyuck transformed into a different person when that happened. But when he skipped some days, he ended up regretting it afterward, feeling a restless energy gnawing at him.
'What if he was there today?' he would ponder, wrestling with the thought.
So, when he finally spotted the boy again, he didn't hesitate to make a move. He boarded the train alongside him, feeling a thrill at their shared journey. The boy, completely unaware of Donghyuck's presence as a potential stalker, stood by a holding pole instead of taking a seat, despite the number of empty spots around them. Donghyuck followed suit, keeping a comfortable distance yet close enough to feel connected.
As the train rumbled on, the boy leaned his head down, eyes closed, while Donghyuck discreetly studied his features. This silent exchange lasted for more than six minutes until the nameless boy suddenly broke the stillness.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his eyes still closed as he tilted his head slightly in Donghyuck's direction, glancing up at him only a few seconds later.
Caught off guard, Donghyuck felt his heart race at the unexpected question.
"Well uhh...umm"
Welp. How's he going to explain stalking him for days? Three days, specifically, of staring at someone with interest and following him onto public transport isn't exactly stalking... probably... probably not.
"Are you perhaps...single?" he questioned, his voice a mixture of nerves and curiosity.
The boy paused, his brows furrowing slightly as he took a moment to respond.
"I am," he finally replied, his tone measured.
Donghyuck took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. "Well, would you... would you like to go on a date with me?"
The boy frowned this time, his expression turning thoughtful, perhaps a bit wary.
"You've caught my attention and interest well these past few days, and I'd like to get to know you better," Donghyuck stated earnestly, his eyes searching the boy's face for a hint of a positive reaction.
The boy sighed softly, shaking his head. "I'm sorry. I don't—I don't date men."
Donghyuck felt a wave of disappointment wash over him, but he quickly masked it with a small, understanding nod.
"A friendly date!" Donghyuck interjected, not ready to give up so soon. "It'll just be a friendly hang-out."
"I—" the boy paused, his frown replaced by a bewildered expression. Still, he managed a polite smile. "I'll see... I'll think about it."
As the train slowed to a stop at the next station, the boy hurriedly got off, leaving Donghyuck standing by the holding pole. He watched as the boy disappeared into the crowd, the station sign reading "Itaewon."
So he lives in Itaewon...?
Or did he get off at the nearest station because Donghyuck was being a creep...? Both had equal possibility. How was Donghyuck going to find him again if he stopped coming to Seongsu-dong station?
Even as the boy walked away, Donghyuck kept his eyes on him, a sense of urgency building. Just as the train doors began to close, he realized he hadn't asked for the boy's name.
"Hey! Hey, I didn't get your name! Or your address...?!"
But it was too late. The doors shut firmly, and the train pulled away, leaving Donghyuck with his unanswered questions and a lingering sense of regret. He stared out the window, the boy's figure growing smaller in the distance, wondering if he'd ever see him again.
Shit...
...
And thus, Donghyuck ended up spending his weekend wandering around the streets of Itaewon, hoping to catch a glimpse of the boy. He knew how ridiculous this was. The population of Itaewon was nearly 20,000, and the odds of finding this one guy were slim to none. Still, he pressed on.
Along the way, he greeted some of the old ladies at the street food stalls, hoping to get their attention—those who sold corn dogs and ramyeon for cheap.
"Ahjumma, do you know any medical students living around here?" he asked one vendor.
The lady paused her dough-making process to look at him. "There are a lot of medical students living in Itaewon..."
"Well, uh," Donghyuck scratched his head, "Any certain guy... A little small, dark hair, curved eyes, long nose...." He scratched his head, trying to recall more features, "He looks very... very comforting..."
Donghyuck sighed, feeling the futility of his description, "Urgh, what am I even talking about..."
To his surprise, the lady nodded thoughtfully. "I do know someone like that, but I'm not sure if he's the one you're looking for. Around this time, he should be playing volleyball with his neighborhood friends at the court two streets down."
Hope gleamed in Donghyuck's eyes. "Ah! Thank you," he said, bowing before hurrying off, wasting no time.
Donghyuck braced himself for the possibility of encountering an unfamiliar face, resigned to the likelihood of disappointment. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. By some twist of coincidence—or perhaps a stroke of luck—he stumbled upon the very face he had been searching for. There, at the volleyball court, the boy was full of energy, laughing and playing with friends, a stark contrast to the weary demeanor Donghyuck had previously seen.
A wide, bright smile spread across Donghyuck's face, feeling almost foolish with joy at the sight of the boy he had been longing to find. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring them together in that moment, and he couldn't help but feel a rush of exhilaration watching him in action.
"Hey!" Donghyuck called out, his voice bursting with excitement.
A few boys and girls turned to look at him, their expressions shifting from confusion at first then to curiosity. It took a moment for the boy to process who was calling him, recognition dawning slowly on his face. As realization set in, his initial confusion shifted to a frown as he approached Donghyuck, who couldn't help but smile even wider at the sight.
To Donghyuck, that frown was oddly captivating.
Donghyuck grasped the net surrounding the open court, fingers curled around the taut strands that separated them, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. In that moment, everything felt charged with possibility, and he was ready to embrace whatever came next.
"You followed me here too... Are you some kind of stalker?" the boy asked, a mix of surprise and annoyance in his eyes.
Donghyuck maintained his smile, unfazed by the accusation that was, in some ways, true. "Have you thought about the date?" he countered, his enthusiasm shining through.
"Answer me first," the boy insisted, crossing his arms defensively.
"Well, I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I am," Donghyuck replied with a playful shrug.
"When did this start? How long have you been following me?"
"Woah, woah, woah!" Donghyuck raised his hands to mock surrender. "I only followed you yesterday from the station to the train! But you left without telling me your name or address, and I just wanted to hear your answer about the date."
He leaned in closer, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "How is that my fault when you leave me so curious?"
The blush that spread across the boy's cheeks after that comment was way too vibrant, betraying his true feelings despite his protests.
"I told you, I'm not into men—" he began, but his voice faltered, the heat of embarrassment evident.
Donghyuck couldn't help but chuckle, sensing the internal struggle beneath the boy's words. "We'll see about that"
"Why do you even find me so interesting?" the boy asked, his tone curious as he struggled to maintain a serious expression.
Donghyuck pondered the question, caught off guard. Why was he so drawn to this boy? What could he say to explain his restless urge to catch a glimpse of him each day? In a moment of spontaneity, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"Has anyone ever told you that your face has the grace of an angel?"
Wow. Cringe.
Yet, the boy's pale complexion flushed a vibrant blood red, betraying his embarrassment.
"No one has seen an angel, and these cliché pickup lines irritate me," he replied sternly, though a hint of amusement danced in his eyes.
"Well, you certainly match the description from the holy scriptures," Donghyuck countered playfully.
And it was true—there was something almost angelic about him, a grace that captivated Donghyuck.
“And you awaken a sense of serendipity within me,” Donghyuck concluded.
The boy quickly tried to shift the conversation. "W-well, that day you didn't ask my name or address— Why is that even relevant? Why am I even talking to you—"
"Because you find me interesting too," Donghyuck interjected with a grin leaving the boy speechless.
"You're too full of yourself," he scoffed, shaking his head as he turned to walk away.
"I'm Lee Donghyuck!" he called out, determination in his voice. "Law student, living in Seongsu-dong!"
The boy paused mid-step, turning back to Donghyuck with a mysterious smile. The air between them charged with an unexpected connection.
"Huang Renjun. Medical student, Itaewon Street-26/8"
⋆˙⟡♡⟡⋆˙