Paris looked different in the morning—warmer, softer—almost like it understood something had shifted between Park Ji-hoon and Choi Eun-seo the night before. The sparkling Eiffel Tower lights and the secret kiss under the stars were still fresh in Ji-hoon's mind. He replayed it again and again, unable to stop smiling during breakfast.
Eun-seo, on the other hand, avoided eye contact.
Not because she regretted it.
But because every time she looked at him… her heart did a backflip.
She sat at the hotel café, steaming cup of coffee in hand, pretending to scroll her phone. Ji-hoon stared at her openly, chin resting on his palm, a teasing smirk on his lips.
"Are you going to pretend the kiss didn't happen?" he asked, leaning closer.
Eun-seo choked on her coffee. "Yaah! Speak quietly!"
Ji-hoon laughed, loving how flustered she looked. "Why? Did you forget already?"
She glared—cheeks red. "Of course I didn't forget!"
"That's good." He grinned wider. "Because I'm definitely not forgetting."
—
They spent the day visiting the Louvre Museum. Ji-hoon pretended to admire art, but really, he admired Eun-seo. She pointed at paintings, eyes shining with excitement, and he thought she was prettier than anything on the walls.
When she wasn't watching, he snapped candid photos of her smiling.
But the sweet mood didn't last forever.
Just when Ji-hoon reached for her hand, a group of Korean tourists passed by. Eun-seo quickly stepped away, acting like they were strangers again.
Ji-hoon's smile dropped.
Once they were alone again, he asked quietly,
"Are you embarrassed to be close to me?"
Her eyes widened at his hurt tone. "No! That's not it… I just…"
But before she could finish, his phone lit up with a familiar name:
Ha-rin
(K-pop idol trainee and Ji-hoon's rumored ex-flame)
Instantly, Eun-seo's heart clenched.
Ji-hoon didn't answer the call, but Eun-seo couldn't unsee the name on his screen. Her insecurities rose like a storm. Ha-rin was glamorous—popular—and most importantly, from Ji-hoon's world. A world Eun-seo was never part of.
"Looks like someone important," she said, trying to sound casual.
Ji-hoon noticed her shift in tone. "She doesn't matter."
"But she's your past, right?" Eun-seo forced a smile. "I'm just… temporary."
His eyebrows pulled together sharply. "Temporary?"
"I mean… this trip will end soon," she whispered. "We go back to Korea and become strangers again."
Ji-hoon inhaled slowly, fighting frustration.
"Why do you decide things alone?" he said. "Why do you keep running whenever someone sees us?"
"I…" Eun-seo's voice cracked. "I'm scared."
Scared of falling too deep.
Scared of losing him.
Scared that the kiss meant more to her than him.
"Ji-hoon-ssi… you flirt with everyone. How do I know this isn't just another—"
He stepped forward abruptly, closing the distance.
"Do you think I would kiss just anyone like I kissed you?" His voice was low, rough with emotion.
Eun-seo went speechless.
Ji-hoon took a breath. "I'm scared too, okay? You make me nervous. You make me want to change." He placed a hand against his chest. "Last night wasn't just a moment for me. You're not a moment, Eun-seo. You are… starting to become everything."
Her heart stopped.
But before she could respond—
Ha-rin called again.
Eun-seo looked down, her walls rising back up. "You should answer. She must need you."
Ji-hoon stared at Eun-seo, realizing something important:
His past was ruining his future.
He declined the call.
"Look at me," he said gently.
Eun-seo did. Her eyes were full of fear and longing.
Ji-hoon came closer, cupping her cheek with warm fingers. "I want you. Not rumors. Not anyone else. Just you."
She blinked back tears.
"Then promise me…" she whispered, voice trembling. "Promise I won't wake up one day and find you gone."
His thumb brushed her lips tenderly.
"I promise."
—
Later that night, Eun-seo stood alone on the hotel balcony, watching city lights twinkle. Her heart felt lighter but still cautious. Loving someone like Ji-hoon felt like standing at the edge of a cliff—beautiful, but terrifying.
Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her waist from behind.
Ji-hoon rested his chin on her shoulder. "Still thinking too much?"
"Maybe," she admitted softly.
"Then stop." He nuzzled closer. "Just think about this moment."
Eun-seo leaned back into him, allowing herself to trust his warmth.
"I don't want this trip to end," she confessed.
"It won't," he answered without hesitation.
"We'll figure out Korea together."
She turned to face him. "You mean… you still want us after we go home?"
Ji-hoon didn't reply with words.
He kissed her—slow and sincere.
When they finally pulled away, he whispered against her lips:
"I'm not letting you go."
Her fear melted like snow in spring.
For the first time…
Eun-seo let herself believe him.