Chapter 3: Turbulence of the Heart
Incheon Airport – Executive Conference Room.
The air is thick with the scent of floor wax and expensive cologne. JUNGHAN, HYUNA, and SUNG-MIN (the third employee, a nervous tech guy) are seated across from the AIRPORT AUTHORITY DIRECTOR.
The Director, an older man with a mischievous glint in his eye, looks back and forth between Junghan's stern face and Hyuna's bright, eager expression.
Director: "Mr. Kim, I must say, your team looks very balanced. And you two..." He gestures between Junghan and Hyuna. "Are you a couple? You look very good together. Like a visual pair from a magazine."
Hyuna's heart hammers against her ribs. She holds her breath, her eyes darting to Junghan. Say yes. Even if it's a joke, say yes.
Junghan: (Immediately, without a second's hesitation) "No. We are not a couple. She is just my junior. Actually, she's more like a younger sibling to me. My family has known hers for years."
The word "sibling" hits Hyuna like a physical blow. The hope in her eyes dies instantly, replaced by a hollow shock. She looks at his profile, but he's already turned away, reaching for the project blueprints.
Director: (Laughing) "Ah, I see! My mistake. Well, Mr. Kim... a handsome man like you, are you seeing anyone? Or is the Art Director too busy for love?"
Junghan actually offers a small, polite smile—the kind he never gives Hyuna.
Junghan: "No, I haven't met anyone who is my type yet. I'm quite particular."
Hyuna looks down at her lap, her vision blurring. Not his type. Even after all these years of following him, she isn't even in the running.
The Terminal Hallway – 15 Minutes Later.
Junghan hands a heavy stack of flight logs to Hyuna and Sung-min.
Junghan: "Get these organized by flight code in the temporary office. Don't lose anything."
Hyuna takes the files, her hands trembling. She needs to get away—now. She turns and starts walking fast, her head down, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. She's so blinded by tears that she doesn't see the tall figure turning the corner.
CRASH.
The files scatter like white birds across the floor. Hyuna stumbles, but a pair of strong arms catches her elbows, steadying her.
Jae-won: "Whoa! Steady there. Be careful, the airport floors are newly waxed—they're very slippery."
Hyuna looks up, her eyes red-rimmed. JAE-WON stands there in his full pilot's uniform, looking concerned and incredibly kind. He immediately bends down, helping her gather the dozens of papers.
Hyuna: "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking."
Jae-won: (Pausing, looking at her face) "Hey... are you okay? Are you crying? Did the bump hurt you that much?"
Hyuna: (Wiping her eyes frantically) "No. No, I'm fine. Just... allergies."
Jae-won smiles gently. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a clean, folded handkerchief. He presses it into her hand.
Jae-won: "Take this. I have a flight to catch, so I can't stay. But try to look up when you walk, okay? The view is better."
Hyuna looks at the handkerchief, then at him.
Hyuna: "Thank you... Pilot-nim."
Jae-won gives her a playful salute and walks away. After a few steps, he glances back at her retreating figure.
Jae-won: (To himself, smiling) "Very innocent type. Cute."
The Tarmac – Sunset.
Junghan is standing near the observation fence, directing a photographer for the new "Sky-Line" campaign. He's explaining the lighting angles when the sound of jet engines roaring fills the air.
A crew of pilots and attendants is walking toward the terminal from a recently landed Boeing.
One woman stands out. HAEYOUNG.
As she walks, she reaches up and removes her pilot cap. The movement is slow-motion. Her long, dark hair cascades down her shoulders, caught in the golden hour light. She laughs at something a colleague says, her face radiant and full of life.
Junghan stops mid-sentence. His stylus almost slips from his hand. He stares at her—not as an Art Director, but as a man who has just seen something he didn't think existed. It's love at first sight. The "type" he said he hadn't met? She's standing right there.
She walks past him, the wind from her stride carrying a faint scent of expensive perfume. She doesn't even see him. She heads straight for the flight lounge.
Sung-min: "Senior? Senior! Should we move to the next gate?"
Junghan is snapped out of his trance when Sung-min accidentally hits his arm while pointing at a clipboard. Junghan looks back at the crowd, but Haeyoung is gone. He stands there, his heart racing for the first time in years, looking at the empty space where she was.
[FADE OUT]