As I took my first step towards him, it felt as though I was being drawn towards a precious treasure. The mere act of looking into his eyes was like embarking on a journey filled with emotions and unspoken words.

His eyes, a rich shade of brown, held a warmth that seemed to emanate from the depths of his soul. They were like eternal hearths, their flickering flames promising loyalty, honesty, and so much more.

With each step I took closer to him, I found myself getting lost in the depths of his gaze. It was as though time stood still, and all that mattered in that moment was the connection we shared.

Eventually, we came to a halt, and I couldn't help but ask, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Without hesitation, he replied, "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to walk with me. My car is just a few steps away, and we can continue talking as we head in the same direction." He pointed to the right, suggesting that his car was parked nearby.

I nodded, my heart fluttering with excitement. "I'm heading in the same direction, but would it be alright if I walked with you? I'm just a bit concerned about being seen together."

He chuckled softly, reassuring me, "Don't worry, no one will recognize me. I know how to hide my identity well." With that, he put on his mask and cap, ready to accompany me. "Shall we?" he asked.

"Sure," I replied, a smile playing at the corners of my lips. Together, we began our leisurely stroll, enveloped in a comfortable silence.

After a few moments, I couldn't help but notice that he still held a bouquet in his hand. My curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself wondering who this lucky recipient might be.

Just as I was about to ask, he surprised me with a question of his own. "Has anyone ever given you daisies?"

I smiled, shaking my head. "No, I've never received a single daisy before."

His expression shifted from surprise to disappointment within seconds. "No daisies?!" he exclaimed.

I nodded, feeling a pang of longing. "No."

He seemed lost in thought for a moment before speaking again. "If someone were to give you a bouquet of daisies, how would you feel? Happy or sad?"

I turned my gaze forward, contemplating his question. "I'm not entirely sure, as I've never been in that situation before."

"But still, think how you would feel if you were in this situation. You know yourself best," he said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I smiled and looked up at the sky while thinking How would have I felt? 

As I was looking at the sky, I could see my dad giving a daisy to my mother. I could see their smile.

Looking at that, I just knew how I would have felt.

"I imagine I would feel happy. Daisies remind me of my parents and their smiles. Remembering their joy would bring a smile to my face too."

As I turned to face him, I noticed that he had been watching me intently. The smile he bestowed upon me was reflected back in my own.

Soon, we arrived at his car, and he offered to drop me off at my house since it was late. "It's already really late. I'll drop you off."

"No. Its absolutely alright. I live nearby," I declined, explaining that I lived nearby and it wasn't a hassle. "Alright then. I'll take your leave," I said, bowing respectfully.

Returning the gesture, I caught sight of his extended arms holding the bouquet towards me. "This is for you, Sena."

"For me? You are giving it to me? What about the girl you were waiting for?" I asked, my voice filled with surprise.

He placed his left hand on his head, smiling nervously. "Yes, it's for you. You know, I wasn't actually waiting for someone," he confessed. "I was waiting for your shift to end so I could commend your unwavering dedication to your work. But then you shared with me why daisies hold a special place in your heart, and it made me think that perhaps you might be missing your parents. So, I took the bouquet with me, unsure if it would make you happy or sad. I decided to wait here and ask you how it would make you feel. And now that I know, here you go."

His words left me speechless, and all I could do was stare at him in astonishment.

With a step closer, he reached out to me, causing me to freeze in place.

"So, would you accept this gift as a token of my appreciation?" he asked, his smile growing wider.

As I looked into his eyes, I felt a warmth that melted my frozen state, and his smile was contagious. I couldn't help but mirror his expression and replied, "It would be my honor."

I gently took the bouquet from his hand, our fingers touched each other.

He bowed gracefully, and I reciprocated with a bow of my own. Then, he got into his car and drove away to his home.

As I watched his car disappear into the distance, a thought crossed my mind, Perhaps it was just pure luck to have met him. I doubt I will ever see him again.

Little did either of us know what the future had in store for us.

Neither of us could have predicted the challenges that lay ahead.

With a smile on my face, I made my way home, feeling a sense of contentment.

Once I unlocked the door and stepped inside, I placed the bouquet on the table.

Sitting down, I found myself captivated by the flowers, my mind consumed by thoughts of him.

I should find a vase to display them, I thought.

I retrieved a vase from my room, the same one my mother used to hold my father's daisies. Carefully, I added a bit of water to the vase and arranged the daisies inside.

As I gazed at the flowers, I couldn't help but be entranced by my thoughts, fixated on him, his eyes, and his smile still etched vividly in my mind. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he had left an abiding mark on my heart.

With the lights turned off, I made my way to my room, ready to embrace sleep.

The next morning, when I opened my eyes, they widened with surprise.

For the first time, I saw En-Ju and Hana already awake before me.

Checking the time, I initially thought I had overslept, but then realized it was my usual waking hour.

As Hana noticed my wakefulness, she approached me and said, "Get ready, we're going somewhere."

Confused, I asked, "Where are we going?"

"You'll find out when we get there. Now, hurry and get ready."

"But I have work to attend to."

"Don't worry about that. I've already informed your boss that you won't be coming in today. Now, get ready," she instructed, handing me a dress.

I complied, getting dressed, but my mind remained in a state of shock.

Approaching En-Ju, I hoped she would have some insight into our destination, but Hana had kept her in the dark as well.

"Come on, the cab is waiting," Hana urged.

With no other choice but to follow, knowing that Hana was skilled at keeping secrets, we all climbed into the cab. Hana swiftly blindfolded both En-Ju and me, ensuring we remained in suspense until we arrived at our destination.

As the car began to move, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. Where could Hana possibly be taking us?

After what felt like an eternity, the car finally came to a halt, and Hana's voice filled the air, "We've arrived, but remember, you cannot remove the blindfold just yet."

Curiosity tingled within me, urging me to uncover the mystery that lay ahead. I felt Hana's hand gently guiding me out of the car, standing me in front of something.

Taking a deep breath, Hana removed the blindfold from both En-Ju and me simultaneously.

I opened my eyes, and my jaw dropped in shock.

Before me stood a magnificent, breathtaking sight that left me utterly speechless. It was a place I never thought I would see, a place that held a special significance to me.

TO BE CONTINUED