Ha rin pov:

The blaring sound of my alarm shattered the silence, pulling me from my sleep. Groaning, I grabbed the clock and tossed it across the room. "Just five more minutes," I mumbled into my pillow.

But the universe was not on my side this morning. Moments later, my mom's voice echoed through the hallway. "Ha-rin, it's time to get up!"

"Mom, it's a holiday. Can't I sleep in?" I called back, burying my face deeper into the covers.

"No, you can't. You have responsibilities, remember?" she said, her footsteps getting closer.

"Responsibilities?" I echoed, trying to think of what she meant. Then it hit me. The NGO center. I was supposed to visit today because I'm one of the members.

"Yes, responsibilities. You promised to help out at the NGO center today," my mom reminded me as she entered the room.

I sighed, sitting up reluctantly. "But I barely slept last night."

"I know, sweetheart, but they need you there. You made a commitment," she said, crossing her arms and giving me that look only a mother can give.

"Alright, alright. I'm getting up," I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

"Good. Breakfast is ready downstairs. Don't take too long," she said with a smile before leaving the room.

I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom, grumbling to myself. "Why did I agree to this? Holidays are for sleeping in, not getting up at the crack of dawn."

As I got ready, I thought about the NGO center. Despite my reluctance to wake up, I always felt a sense of fulfillment when I was there. Helping out the kids and seeing their smiles made it worth the early mornings.

By the time I made it downstairs, my mom was setting the table. "There she is. I was starting to think you'd fallen back asleep," she teased.

"I almost did," I admitted, sitting down and reaching for a piece of toast.

"Well, I'm glad you didn't. You know how much those kids look up to you," she said, pouring me a glass of juice.

I nodded, taking a bite. "Yeah, I know. It's just... sometimes it feels like a lot."

"I understand. But you're making a difference, Ha-rin. Remember that," she said, squeezing my shoulder.

Her words gave me the boost I needed. "Thanks, Mom. I'll be ready in a few minutes."

"Take your time," she replied with a smile. "You're doing great work."

After finishing breakfast, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. The morning air was crisp, and the streets were quiet, a stark contrast to my usual hectic weekdays. As I walked to the NGO center, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

When I arrived, the familiar sight of the center's building came into view. It was a modest structure, but it held a special place in my heart. I took a deep breath and walked inside, greeted by the bustling activity of volunteers and children.

"Good morning, Ha-rin!" Mrs. Lee, the center's coordinator, called out from across the room. She was a warm, motherly figure who always made everyone feel welcome.

"Morning, Mrs. Lee," I replied with a smile, waving at her.

She walked over and gave me a quick hug. "Thank you for coming today. The kids have been asking about you."

"I'm happy to be here," I said, feeling a bit more awake and energized. "What do you need me to do?"

"Well, we have a few new arrivals today. I was hoping you could help them get settled in," she said, leading me to a small group of children who were nervously clutching their belongings. I knelt down to their level, offering a warm smile.

"Alright, why don't we introduce ourselves? I'll go first. I'm Ha-rin, and I'm here to help you with anything you need."

A little girl with pigtails shyly raised her hand. "I'm Mina. I like drawing and playing with my dolls."

Next, a boy with glasses spoke up. "I'm Joon. I like reading books and playing soccer."

One by one, the kids shared their names and interests. There was Hye-jin, who loved to sing, and Tae-ho, who enjoyed building things with blocks. Their innocent enthusiasm warmed my heart.

"Great to meet all of you! How about we start with some fun activities?" I suggested, leading them to the art area.

We spent the next hour painting, drawing, and building with colorful blocks. The room was filled with laughter and creativity. I could feel the children's excitement and it made me happy.

Just as I was finishing up, the front door opened, and I heard familiar voices. I turned around and my heart skipped a beat. Ji-hoon walked in, followed by Jungkook and my mom. My eyes widened in shock. Of all the people to show up here, why did it have to be him?

"Why is he here, Mom?"I asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the awkwardness of the situation.

My mother chuckled, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. "Oh, we bumped into each other on the way here, and I thought he might want to join us for a bit."

I ignored him, turning to Mrs. Lee. "What else do you need me to do?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.Mrs. Lee looked slightly confused by the tension but didn't comment.

"Could you help set up the activity area for the kids? We're doing an art project today.""Sure thing," I replied, eager to find something to distract me from Jungkook's presence.

As I busied myself with the art supplies, I could feel Jungkook's eyes on me.

He tried to approach me a few times, but I skillfully avoided him, keeping myself surrounded by kids or tasks.

Ji-hoon and my mom chatted with the other volunteers, unaware of the silent battle happening between Jungkook and me.

We spent the next hour painting, drawing, and building with colorful blocks. The room was filled with laughter and creativity. I could feel the children's excitement and it made me forget about the awkwardness with Jungkook, even if only for a little while.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jungkook watching us, a hesitant smile on his face.

He tried to approach a few times, but each time, I found an excuse to stay busy with the kids."Ha-rin, look at my drawing!" Mina exclaimed, holding up her picture of a sun and flowers."That's beautiful, Mina! You're very talented," I praised her, giving her a high-five.

Jungkook tried to join in on the activities, casually making small talk. "Those are some really cool drawings, Mina.Can I help you with anything?"Mina beamed up at him. "Can you draw a dinosaur for me?"

"Sure thing," Jungkook said, grabbing a crayon.

I continued to focus on the kids, ignoring Jungkook's attempts to engage me.

When he tried to speak to me directly, I kept my responses short and polite, making it clear I wasn't interested in conversation.

"Ha-rin, do you need any help over here?" he asked, trying to assist with setting up the paints.

"I've got it, thanks," I replied curtly, turning my attention back to the kids.Despite my efforts to keep my distance, I could feel his presence and his attempts to mend the rift between us.

It was frustrating and confusing, but I couldn't let myself be distracted.

The kids needed my full attention, and I was determined to give it to them.As the day progressed, we played games, built towers with blocks, and even had a mini dance party.

The children's laughter and joy were contagious, and for a while, I felt my worries melt away.Near the end of the day, while the kids were busy with an art project, Jungkook approached again.

This time, he didn't say a word, just silently helped organize the supplies and cleaned up spills. I appreciated his efforts, but I wasn't ready to let my guard down.

Finally, as we wrapped up, Mrs. Lee gathered everyone for a group photo. The kids squeezed together, beaming at the camera.

I found myself standing next to Jungkook, and despite my best efforts, our shoulders brushed. I tensed up but forced a smile for the photo.

𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃

Author pov:

Ha-rin sat at her desk in the quiet of her room, a soft glow from the bedside lamp casting a gentle warmth around her.

With a serene determination, she picked up her pen and let her thoughts flow onto the page, the ink capturing the essence of her feelings.

"In the quiet of this night, I find myself reflecting on the journey of my heart. Each moment, each smile, etched into my memory like the strokes of this pen. Love, they say, is a canvas we paint together, with every color representing a shared joy, every brushstroke a whispered promise."

She paused, the pen hovering over the paper as she considered her next words.

"How do you capture the essence of someone who has become your world? In the simplicity of your touch, I find solace. In the warmth of your gaze, I find reassurance. Each day with you is a melody, harmonizing with the rhythm of my soul."

With a soft exhale, she completed her thoughts, the pen gliding effortlessly across the page.

"Love isn't about grand gestures or epic tales. It's found in the quiet moments, in the spaces between words where hearts speak their own language. Here, in this quiet sanctuary of my thoughts, I cherish the gift of loving you, a journey that unfolds with each beat of my heart."

As a final touch, she wrote a name at the bottom of the page-a nickname she had
주하류크 (Juharyuk) given him, one he didn't even know existed.She penned, a name that held a hidden connection.

She folded the paper tenderly, placing it in her drawer with a smile. This letter wasn't meant for anyone else's eyes but her own-a testament to the beauty of her feelings, quietly held close in the stillness of the night.

𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃

Dear readers,

Thank you for sticking with the story so far! This part was kind of boring ik!!

How would you rate the story up to this point? Share your thoughts in the comments!

"Love is about how much you love each other every single day.♡"

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