The school day has ended for most, and the hallways that were once bustling with activity are now sparsely populated.
Navigating the near-empty hallways, Seul-ki makes her way to her locker. She spins the combination lock, the metallic clicks a familiar sound as she opens it to retrieve her belongings. With her backpack now heavier with schoolwork, she closes the locker door with a soft thud and secures the lock.Seul-ki exits the school building, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the grounds. She walks briskly toward the bus stop located just outside the school gates, her footsteps measured and deliberate on the paved pathway. A gentle breeze stirs the leaves of nearby trees, a soft rustle accompanying her journey.Seul-ki arrives at the bus stop just as the bus pulls up. She steps on board, swiping her bus pass as she moves towards an empty seat near the middle of the vehicle.
The bus rumbles to life, merging back into the flow of traffic as it begins its route.Seul-ki sits quietly on the bus, her gaze focused on the passing scenery. The bus makes its way through the city, stopping every so often to let passengers on and off. The rhythmic hum of the engine and the gentle sway of the bus create a soothing backdrop to her thoughts.The bus continues its journey, the cityscape transitioning to the familiar sights of Seul-ki's neighborhood. After a few more stops, the bus arrives at her destination. Seul-ki stands, making her way to the front of the bus, and steps down onto the sidewalk.Seul-ki takes a moment to adjust to the bustling activity of her neighborhood after the relative quiet of the bus. She walks in the direction of a small convenience store nestled between a dry cleaner and a family-owned bakery. The store's brightly lit sign is a beacon, inviting her inside.Seul-ki enters the convenience store, greeted by the familiar chime of the entrance bell.
The store is a mosaic of colors, with shelves lined with an array of snacks, drinks, and everyday essentials. The air is filled with a mix of scents, from the sweet aroma of freshly baked goods to the tangy scent of assorted chips and candies.Seul-ki peruses the aisles of the convenience store, her eyes scanning the shelves filled with various treats. She selects a few of her favorites—a pack of chocolate cookies, a bag of salted pretzels, and a bottle of grape soda. With her choices made, she heads to the counter where the cashier, an elderly man with a kind smile, rings up her purchases. Seul-ki pays with a few coins, thanks the cashier, and exits the store with her snacks tucked safely in a small plastic bag.Seul-ki walks the familiar path home, the plastic bag of snacks swinging gently in her hand. As she approaches the gate to the Han family's estate, she is surprised to see Ji-hoon standing there, his hands tucked into the pockets of his designer jeans, his school blazer draped casually over one shoulder.Seul-ki approaches Ji-hoon, her expression one of cautious neutrality. She holds up the plastic bag containing the snacks, intending to offer one to Ji-hoon.
However, before she can extend the invitation, Ji-hoon scoffs, looking at the bag with disdain. "What, you think I'd eat that junk?" he sneers, his words cutting through the air like a sharp gust of wind.Seul-ki, taken aback by Ji-hoon's insult, tightens her grip on the plastic bag. She looks directly at Ji-hoon, her eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and resolve. "Ji-hoon," she begins, her voice steady despite the sting of his words, "I was only trying to share something with you. There's no need for insults."Seul-ki offers a small, apologetic nod in Ji-hoon's direction. "I'm sorry if I offended you," she says sincerely, her tone devoid of malice. Without waiting for a response, she turns away from Ji-hoon, her shoes crunching on the gravel as she heads towards the side entrance of the house typically used by the staff.Seul-ki walks through the side entrance of the Han family's estate, the heavy door closing quietly behind her. The staff corridor is dimly lit, a stark contrast to the bright afternoon sun outside. She moves with familiarity through the narrow hallway, her footsteps muffled by the plush carpet underfoot.
Seul-ki makes her way to the staff quarters located in the lower level of the Han family's estate. The corridor is lined with several doors, each leading to a room assigned to a member of the staff. She reaches her room, the last one on the left, and opens the door. Inside, the room is modestly furnished with a single bed, a small desk, and a wardrobe. A small window allows natural light to filter in, casting a warm glow over the simple, yet tidy, space. Seul-ki enters her room, closing the door gently behind her. She places the bag of snacks on the desk and takes a moment to relax, the quiet solitude of her room offering a brief respite from the day's events.Ms. Kim, the head of the household staff, appears at the end of the corridor, her voice echoing softly against the walls. "Seul-ki," she calls out in her firm, yet caring tone, "you can rest for today."
Her words carry a note of finality, signaling the end of Seul-ki's duties for the day.Seul-ki nods in acknowledgment of Ms. Kim's instructions, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she feels the weight of the day lift from her shoulders. She moves to her bed, sitting down on the edge to remove her shoes. After placing them neatly at the foot of the bed, she lies down, pulling the light blanket over herself. The room is quiet, save for the faint hum of the central air system and the occasional muffled sound from the rest of the house.Seul-ki reaches over to her small bedside table where a pair of earbuds and her old, but trusty, music player reside. She picks them up, untangling the cord with practiced ease before inserting the earbuds into her ears. With a few presses of the buttons, she selects her favorite playlist, a collection of soothing melodies and gentle rhythms that she finds comforting.Seul-ki, now comfortably settled in her bed, reaches over to her small desk, her fingers brushing against the spine of her textbook. She picks it up, flipping through the pages until she finds the section she needs to study for her upcoming exams. The room is bathed in the soft glow of the desk lamp as she begins to read, her eyes scanning the lines of text while the gentle melody from her music player provides a soothing backdrop to her focused study session.Seul-ki carefully removes the bag of snacks from her backpack, the crinkling sound of the packaging a soft whisper in the quiet room. She opens the bag, taking out a chocolate cookie. The sweet aroma of the chocolate fills the air as she takes a bite, the flavors a comforting distraction from the day's stresses. She chews slowly, savoring the taste while her eyes continue to scan the textbook pages in front of her.
The room is a sanctuary of calm, the only sounds being the soft rustling of the snack bag and the faint music playing through her earbuds.Seul-ki turns the page of her textbook, her focus returning to the chapter on quadratic equations. She reads through the examples, her pencil poised to work through the problems. As she absorbs the information, she occasionally pauses to take a bite of her snack or sip from her bottle of grape soda, the sweet flavors complementing the studious atmosphere of her room.Seul-ki diligently works through the practice problems in her textbook, her pencil scratching softly against the paper as she solves each equation. The room is filled with the quiet sounds of her focused endeavors, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of the snack bag or the soft turning of pages.Seul-ki closes her textbook and removes her earbuds, placing them neatly on the desk. She stands up and stretches, feeling the tension from hours of studying melt away. She walks over to the small window in her room, pushing it open to let in a gentle breeze. The scent of blooming flowers from the estate's garden wafts in, a pleasant reminder of the world outside her room.Seul-ki steps away from her desk, leaving her textbook and notes behind for a brief respite. She exits her room, making her way through the staff corridor and out into the lush gardens that surround the Han family's estate. The garden is a tapestry of vibrant colors, with various flowers in full bloom and the manicured lawns providing a soft, green contrast to the stone pathways that wind through the grounds.Seul-ki steps onto the garden path, her eyes taking in the beauty of the well-tended landscape. She strolls past a bed of roses, their petals unfurling in shades of red and pink.