THE TURTLE & HER RABBIT

A Few Months Ago...

A gentle breeze caressed Aera’s face as she walked down the path to her job. The soft ding-ding of bicycles passing by added a musical undertone to the quiet morning. Up ahead, the figure drawn inside the traffic signal noticed the flow of bikes and changed its color from red to green, leading a train of middle schoolers across the zebra crossing toward their school.

It was a refreshing start to what promised to be an eventful day—her last in Busan before she moved to Seoul for a new chapter in her life. A familiar sense of comfort washed over her, much like the tranquility she found every day at Daisies, the florist shop where she had worked part-time since her first semester at Busan University.

Working at the shop had been a simple means to meet her monetary needs at first, but over time, the flowers became more than just plants. They became companions in her otherwise monotonous life, filling it with colors and stories she never expected. Aera could spend hours nurturing them, talking to them as if they were old friends sharing the day’s events. Their leaves would twirl gently in the wind as though in response, and the sight filled her with a peace that was unmatched by anything else.

But the flowers weren’t her only solace. Wang Jiyoung, the shop’s owner, had become a sisterly figure to her, always ready with playful banter or a shoulder to lean on. Jiyoung knew Aera’s secrets, consoled her during difficult times, and teased her endlessly about her lack of a love life.

Despite Aera’s reasoning, Jiyoung never stopped trying to set her up on blind dates. “You’re such a turtle, always hiding away in your shell,” Jiyoung would often say. “One day, your rabbit’s gonna come along and rock your world. You won’t be able to hide forever then.”

Aera would just shake her head with a laugh, retreating into her shell as always. She couldn’t imagine romance ever bringing her the kind of peace that flowers and Jiyoung’s company did. Still, Jiyoung’s words often echoed in her mind, especially when her thoughts wandered to someone from her past.

Jungkook.

The name alone sent a wave of nostalgia flooding her. He had once been her best friend, her confidant, and—if she was honest with herself—her first love.

They had been inseparable, spending their school days laughing and supporting each other through every joy and hardship. Jungkook’s infectious smile, his wide eyes full of wonder, and the way he always scrunched his nose when he laughed—it was all still vivid in her memory. She missed his presence more than she cared to admit.

Aera often wondered where Jungkook was now, what he was doing. Would he even recognize her after all these years? Where are you, Jungkook? She thought more often than she liked. She had tried to move on, burying those feelings deep down, but there were moments like now when her heart ached with the longing to see him again.

She could still hear his voice in her mind, saying, “It’s okay. Your knight in shining armor is here with you.” The memory always made her smile, but it also left behind a hollow ache she could never quite fill.

“Good morning, Aera,” Jiyoung called from behind the counter, engrossed in her morning magazine as usual.

“You too, Jiyoung,” Aera replied, her smile widening as she donned her apron. The shop radiated warmth and light, with sunlight spilling through the windows and dancing on the flower pots. Aera had helped Jiyoung arrange the shop just like this. Fairy lights wrapped around the shelves gave it an almost magical feel, as if tiny creatures might appear at any moment to start a little feast.

“Today’s quiet. How odd,” Aera mused, reaching for her floral scissors next. She glanced at Jiyoung, silently waiting for one of her trademark remarks.

“Don’t jinx it. We’ll see if you can leave without knocking something over,” Jiyoung teased with a grin.

Aera gasped, her face feigning offense. She wasn’t that clumsy, though her sprained ankle last month might suggest otherwise. “I have grace, thank you very much,” she said, her voice laced with mock indignation.

Jiyoung chuckled from behind her magazine. “I’ll miss teasing you, you know.”

“And I’ll miss you too, but not the teasing,” Aera shot back, though the warmth in her tone was unmistakable. Jiyoung’s laughter filled the shop, as familiar as the scent of roses.

They fell into their usual rhythm, lighthearted exchanges mixed with quiet work. Yet beneath the routine, Aera couldn’t ignore the bittersweet edge of the day. Her departure from Busan loomed larger with each passing hour. In a week, she’d be in Seoul, starting her new job as a landscaper at a prestigious architecture firm. The bustling city would be nothing like the serene life she had built here.

Leaving felt a little easier knowing who was taking her place—Kim Moobin, a university confidant. He was a tall, broad-shouldered classmate she had shared a few courses with. While studying architecture, he had a deep knowledge of plants and anthologies, making him the perfect fit for the flower shop, Daisies. His calm, grounded demeanor reminded her of a gentle giant, and his occasional flirtatious remarks would certainly keep Jiyoung on her toes.

She smiled at the thought. 

Jiyoung had a thing for younger men, though she’d never admit it. Watching their banter unfold would definitely be popcorn-worthy. At least her leaving would bring some fun to the shop.

“Hey, look at this.” Jiyoung’s voice cut through Aera’s drifting thoughts. She slid a local magazine across the counter. “Isn’t that your future boss?”

Aera glanced down, her eyes catching on the cover. THE ASPIRING YOUTH FOR THE NATION, the headline read, above a photo of a man with a stoic expression, broad shoulders filling out a sharp Raymond suit. Though his hands rested casually in his pockets, his presence exuded authority.

“Kim Seokjin, CEO of Kim Enterprises,” Jiyoung read aloud, her tone suggestive. “And single, apparently. What do you think?”

Aera barely registered Seokjin’s name. Her eyes had caught a different one—Park Jimin.

Her stomach clenched.

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THE ASPIRING YOUTH FOR THE NATION

In the realm of digital technology and the internet operating at the speed of light, not only teenagers but also adults have been blinded by its glory, limiting their “opinions” to Tweets or Instagram posts only.

No one prefers to indulge in political activities, act upon the concerns, or contribute to the development of the nation, instead hoping for a savior to lead the way on these issues. The future would have crumbled had it not been for the precious gems who thirsted for the world to be a better place.

Kim Seokjin, the CEO of Kim Enterprises, is renowned for establishing incredible heights for architecture in South Korea. From being named the youngest CEO to being crowned as one of Vogue Korea’s 20 Most Influential Personalities, he has achieved enormous success. One of them is his anguish for orphans or physically challenged youngsters that echoes through the organizations and charities he has endorsed before his golden days.

The new innovator has also dominated Park Corporation, the nation’s primary architect company run by the Park clan. However, the authorities insist that the new heir, Park Jimin, will soon take over his father’s designation as the new CEO and bestow the company with its obligated supremacy. When asked about his rival’s claim, Kim Seokjin, in his mellowing tone, replied, “I believe ample efforts would reveal themselves when the time is ripe, but I do wish them felicity in the future.”

Celebrating his thirty-third birthday next week, the bachelor, with his elegance and sophisticated conduct, fascinates not only the hearts of minors but millions across the country.

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Aera froze at the sight of Jimin’s name. Memories she had buried clawed their way back to the surface. Park Jimin. She hadn’t thought about him in years. Not since that winter festival twelve years ago.

Her chest tightened as emotions she had fought to bury surged back.

It wasn’t just a name to her. It was a reminder of a night she’d rather erase—a night that left scars she still carried. Aera bit her lip, willing it all back down. The pain, however, refused to fade.

“I thought I was over this,” she whispered to herself, blinking away the burning sensation in her eyes.

Jiyoung’s voice softened, sensing something was wrong. “You okay there, Aera?”

Aera forced a smile. “Yeah, just... thinking about everything changing.”

The day dragged on with a handful of customers and the usual routine. Yet, as closing time neared, the weight of her impending departure settled heavier on Aera. She had expected the move to Seoul to be difficult, but not the emotional toll of confronting old ghosts.

As Jiyoung locked up the shop, she handed Aera a small pot of rosebuds. “Here. For courage.”

Aera stared at the flowers, their meaning sinking in deeper than any parting words. It wasn’t just a simple gesture; it was a piece of the life she was leaving behind. She gently ran her fingers over the soft petals, inhaling their scent.

“Thanks, Jiyoung. I’ll need it,” she said softly, though she tried to smile.

Jiyoung rested a hand on Aera’s shoulder, her usual teasing replaced by quiet sincerity. “You’ll do great in Seoul. But don’t forget to visit. And call me whenever you miss me.”

Aera nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She had always known leaving wouldn’t be easy, but the weight of it hit harder than she expected. As she stepped out of the shop for the last time, she glanced back at the cozy space that had been her second home. The flowers seemed to wave in the wind, offering a silent goodbye.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the first traces of night emerged. Aera took a steadying breath and stepped forward. The door to Daisies closed behind her, and though her heart remained in Busan, her journey had just begun.