As the night deepens, the moon casts an ethereal glow over the garden, its light filtering through the window and bathing Seul-ki in a soft luminescence.
She remains in her chair, her gaze unfocused as she immerses herself in her daydreams. Her thoughts flit from the grandeur of the villa to the complex dynamics of her relationship with Ji-hoon and his friends.
The sounds of laughter and music from the other rooms permeate the quiet of Seul-ki's sanctuary.
Despite the cacophony, her eyelids grow heavy as she continues to daydream. Eventually, she succumbs to sleep, her body relaxing into the chair.
The noise from the partygoers continues, an audible reminder of the vibrant life beyond her door
However, it's not enough to keep her under. After a brief period, the fitful rest comes to an end. Seul-ki stirs, her eyes fluttering open as she awakens from her doze.
She takes a moment to reorient herself, the sounds of the villa's nightlife now a familiar backdrop to her solitary musings.
Seul-ki rises from her chair, curiosity piqued by the unusual sounds that had roused her from her rest. She moves silently across the room, her hand reaching for the doorknob.
Turning it gently, she opens the door just a crack, peering out into the dimly lit hallway.
The music's volume increases as Seul-ki opens the door slightly, the bass thumping rhythmically against the walls of the villa. The moaning sounds grow louder and more distinct, muffled only by the pulsing beats that fill the air.
It becomes apparent that the noises are not just a product of the music, but rather, they are the voices of people in the midst of pleasure and indulgence.
Seul-ki swiftly retreats from the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. The realization of what she had heard propels her away from the noise, seeking solace in the tranquility of the garden.
She slips out of the villa through a side door, the cool night air enveloping her as she steps onto the manicured lawn.
The garden, bathed in the soft glow of the moon, welcomes Seul-ki with a soothing quietness that stands in stark contrast to the villa's raucous interior.
She takes a deep breath, the scent of night-blooming flowers filling her senses. As she walks further into the garden, she spots Jun-ho sitting on a stone bench, his attention absorbed by his phone's screen.
Jun-ho looks up from his phone as Seul-ki approaches, a faint smile on his face. "Hey, you also couldn't sleep because of the noise, right?"
Seul-ki inquires, her voice barely above a whisper to maintain the peaceful ambiance of their surroundings.
Jun-ho pockets his phone and gestures for Seul-ki to join him on the bench. "Yeah," he replies, his gaze following the path of a butterfly flitting through the moonlit garden. "But it's normal.
It happens every time we go on a trip. Very soon they'll fall asleep from tiredness, so let's sit here till the moaning dies down." Seul-ki nods, appreciating Jun-ho's company amidst the din.
Seul-ki takes a seat next to Jun-ho, the stone bench cool beneath her.
They sit in companionable silence, the garden around them alive with the subtle music of nature—a stark contrast to the raucous sounds coming from the villa.
After a few moments, Jun-ho breaks the silence. "You know, it's not always like this," he says, his voice low. "Sometimes we get to enjoy places like this without all the... commotion."
Jun-ho continues, "There are times when we visit places for their beauty and peace, not just for parties. It's just that Ji-hoon and his friends... well, they have their own way of enjoying things.
" He glances at Seul-ki, his expression thoughtful. "But I'm glad you're here. It's nice to have someone who appreciates the quieter moments."
As the night deepens, the sounds of revelry from the villa gradually subside, giving way to the natural symphony of the garden.
The crickets and night birds become the new accompaniment to Seul-ki and Jun-ho's shared solitude. Jun-ho, seeming to sense Seul-ki's discomfort earlier, attempts to lighten the mood.
"You know, there's a legend about this garden," he begins, his voice taking on a storytelling quality. "They say that on nights with a full moon, the koi fish in the pond gain the ability to speak, offering words of wisdom to those who listen."
Jun-ho stands up from the bench, extending a hand towards Seul-ki. "Would you like to hear their wisdom?" he asks with a playful smirk.
"It's said that you have to whisper your deepest wish to the water's surface. If the legend is true, the fish might just respond."
Seul-ki takes Jun-ho's offered hand and rises from the bench. Together, they walk over to the edge of the koi pond.
The moon's reflection ripples across the water's surface with each gentle breeze. Seul-ki leans in, her lips parting as she whispers her wish to the koi fish beneath the water.
The words hang in the air for a moment before drifting down to the pond, disappearing into the shimmering depths.
Jun-ho watches with an amused smile, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. They both wait in silence, half-expecting a response from the legendary koi.
After a few moments, a fish swims close to the surface, its orange and white scales catching the moon's glow. It opens its mouth as if to speak, but only
...bubbles emerge, breaking the surface with a soft plop. The koi fish, having captured their attention, darts away into the murky depths of the pond, leaving behind a trail of disturbed water.
Seul-ki steps back from the pond's edge, a small smile playing on her lips at the sight of the fish. She turns to Jun-ho, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "I think I've been given the silent treatment," she comments, her voice light and teasing.
Seul-ki and Jun-ho return to the stone bench, the cool night air wrapping around them as they sit in the quietude of the garden.
The echoes of the villa's earlier revelry seem like a distant memory, replaced by the serene ambiance of their surroundings.
Seul-ki rises from the bench, her movements smooth and deliberate. "Since the noise is down, I will go back to my room and rest for the next day," she announces, her voice clear in the stillness of the garden.
Jun-ho nods in understanding, offering a small wave as Seul-ki turns to leave.Seul-ki walks across the garden, the moonlight guiding her path back to the villa.
The doors to the main house are slightly ajar, a soft glow spilling out onto the patio. She slips inside, careful to avoid any lingering partygoers who might still be awake.
The grand hallway is quiet now, a stark contrast to the lively scenes from earlier in the night.Seul-ki makes her way upstairs, moving silently along the plush carpet of the hallway.
Reaching her room, she opens the door and steps inside, closing it gently behind her.