Shin Park awoke to the blaring sound of his alarm clock, the harsh beeping cutting through the remnants of his dream like a knife. He groaned, rolling over to escape the unwelcome intrusion. For a moment, he lingered in the hazy afterglow of sleep, grasping at the fleeting images that danced just beyond his reach. But as always, they slipped away, leaving him with nothing but the dull ache of reality.

He forced himself out of bed, the morning light filtering through the curtains and casting long shadows across his room. As he went through his morning routine—showering, dressing, and preparing a simple breakfast—Shin's mind wandered back to the world he had created in his dreams. A place where he could be anyone, do anything, and escape the pressures of being an eighteen-year-old navigating adulthood.

The office was a familiar maze of cubicles and fluorescent lights. His coworkers, mostly in their late twenties and early thirties, bustled around him, engrossed in their conversations. He felt like an outsider, floating through the crowd without truly engaging. Instead, he buried himself in his work, tapping away at his keyboard, the rhythmic clatter offering a welcome distraction from his reality.

As the day dragged on, each hour stretching into the next, the excitement built within him as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. He counted down the minutes until he could return to his sanctuary—the dreamworld.

As night fell, Shin settled into bed, heart racing with anticipation. He closed his eyes, focusing on the soothing darkness, and let himself drift. The familiar sensations washed over him: the weightlessness, the soft pull of his consciousness sinking into the dreamscape.

When he opened his eyes again, he stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast, shimmering sea. The sky above was alive with swirling colors, stars sparkling like jewels against the deep indigo. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the sweet, intoxicating scent of the dreamworld. Here, he was free.

His gaze was drawn to the horizon, where floating islands drifted lazily, adorned with cascading waterfalls and lush greenery. Each one was a new adventure waiting to be explored. With a surge of excitement, he stepped forward, ready to create another perfect night.

But as he walked along the cliff’s edge, a sudden movement caught his eye. There, on the distant bridge connecting two islands, stood a figure—a woman, silhouetted against the vibrant backdrop of the dream. Shin’s heart raced. He had never encountered anyone else in his dreamworld.

Curiosity pulled him closer. Who was she? How had she entered his realm? He approached cautiously, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the stillness. The woman turned, her eyes wide with surprise, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.

“Who…?” he started, but the words caught in his throat.

“Can you see me?” she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Shin blinked, stunned. “Yes. I can.”

The realization hit him like a jolt. This wasn’t just a figment of his imagination. She was real, and so was the connection sparking between them. The dreamworld had never felt so alive, so unpredictable.

He took a step forward, heart pounding. “What’s your name?”

“Hayoung Ahn,” she replied, a flicker of hope lighting her expression. “I—I didn’t expect to find anyone here.”

“Neither did I,” Shin admitted, captivated by her presence. She seemed both striking and ethereal, exuding an aura of wisdom that intrigued him. At 31, she had a depth of experience he couldn’t quite comprehend, but it only drew him closer.

As they stood together on that mist-covered bridge, Shin realized that the dreamworld had changed forever. No longer a solitary sanctuary, it had become a shared space, a realm where possibilities stretched endlessly before them.

And as they began to talk, laughter mingling with the soft breeze, Shin felt something shift deep within him. The dreamworld had always been a place of escape, but now it felt like the beginning of something much more profound—something that could alter the course of both their lives.

---

As Shin stood on the bridge, the vibrant colors of the dreamworld swirled around him, but his focus remained solely on Hayoung. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, even in his dreams. Her presence was a strange mix of familiarity and mystery, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that she held secrets he yearned to uncover.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, a hint of confusion in her eyes. “One moment, I was asleep, and then I found myself here. It’s surreal, isn’t it?”

“Surreal is an understatement,” Shin said, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve never met anyone else in this world before. Usually, I’m alone.”

“Alone?” she repeated, tilting her head. “Why would you want to be alone in such a beautiful place?”

Shin hesitated, unsure how to articulate the comfort he found in solitude. “It’s easier to escape that way. I can create whatever I want without anyone else interfering. But you… you just appeared. It’s like something changed.”

Hayoung looked thoughtful, her brow furrowing slightly. “Maybe we were meant to meet. There must be a reason I’m here now.”

Her words struck a chord deep within him. For the first time, Shin felt the weight of his loneliness lift, replaced by a flicker of hope. “What if we explore this world together?” he suggested, excitement bubbling within him. “We could discover what’s out there.”

A playful smile broke across her face, illuminating her features. “I’d like that. Lead the way, Shin.”

As they walked along the bridge, the scenery around them shifted. The stars overhead twinkled more brightly, casting shimmering reflections on the water below. Each step felt charged with possibility, as if the dreamworld itself was responding to their newfound connection.

“What do you usually do in this dreamworld?” Hayoung asked, glancing around at the surreal landscape.

“I create,” he replied, his voice brimming with pride. “I design landscapes, make up stories, and sometimes, I even fly. It’s a place where my imagination can run wild. But I never thought I’d get to share it with someone else.”

“I can see why it’s special to you,” she said, her gaze fixed on the breathtaking scenery. “But I’ve never had a dream like this. It’s so vivid. I can feel the breeze and the warmth of the colors.”

They reached the end of the bridge, stepping onto a lush island filled with flowers that glowed softly in the twilight. Shin turned to Hayoung, feeling an electric charge in the air. “What do you want to explore first?”

“Let’s go to that waterfall!” she exclaimed, pointing toward a cascade of shimmering water that sparkled like diamonds in the starlight. “It looks magical.”

Shin led her toward the waterfall, excitement bubbling in his chest. As they approached, the sound of rushing water filled the air, a melodic symphony that echoed their anticipation. The water cascaded down the rocks, creating a mist that danced in the air, catching the light like a thousand tiny stars.

“Wow,” Hayoung breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. “It’s beautiful.”

Shin smiled, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. “I created this. It’s one of my favorite places.”

“Thank you for sharing it with me,” she said softly, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary.

In that instant, time felt suspended, and the world around them faded into the background. Shin felt an unexpected warmth blossom in his chest, a connection he couldn’t quite explain. But before he could dwell on it, Hayoung reached down to dip her fingers in the water, breaking the spell.

“Come on! Let’s see how far we can get!” she called, laughter ringing like music in the air as she splashed water in his direction.

“Hey!” Shin exclaimed, laughing as he dodged her playful attack. The two of them were soon caught up in a lighthearted chase around the waterfall, their laughter echoing through the night.

As they played, Shin realized how different everything felt with her by his side. The dreamworld had always been a solitary place, but now it pulsed with life and energy.

But as they laughed and splashed, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered a question he couldn’t ignore: What would happen when he had to wake up?

He pushed the thought away and focused on the moment, on Hayoung’s laughter and the warmth of her presence. Here, in this dream, he felt alive. Together, they were weaving new memories, and the dreamworld had never felt so vibrant.

But in the back of his mind, a lingering worry remained. He didn’t want this to end. The dream was everything he had wished for, and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing it—or her.

---

The lush island was alive with colors and sounds, and Shin felt a surge of exhilaration as he and Hayoung stepped onto the vibrant grass, which felt like soft velvet beneath their feet. “So, what do you want to do first?” he asked, glancing at her with anticipation.

“Let’s check out those glowing flowers!” Hayoung pointed to a cluster of luminescent petals swaying gently in the breeze. “They look magical!”

As they approached the flowers, Shin noticed how the light danced on Hayoung’s face, illuminating her features with a soft glow. She knelt down to examine them closely, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals. “They’re beautiful,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with wonder. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“They bloom only in this dreamworld,” Shin said, his heart swelling with pride. “I like to think of them as reminders that beauty can thrive in the most unexpected places.”

Hayoung looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. “You’ve created a whole world filled with beauty, Shin. I can’t imagine how it feels to be able to shape everything around you.”

“It can be lonely,” he admitted, a shadow passing over his face. “I used to think that creating alone was enough, but now…” He hesitated, trying to find the right words. “Now, it feels different. Better.”

She smiled softly, and he felt warmth spread through him at her gaze. “I’m glad I’m here with you.”

They lingered near the flowers for a moment longer before Shin suggested, “How about we explore that forest over there?” He pointed toward a dense grove of trees that seemed to whisper secrets as the wind rustled through their leaves.

“Lead the way!” Hayoung replied, her enthusiasm infectious.

As they ventured into the forest, the atmosphere changed. The trees stood tall and majestic, their branches reaching out like welcoming arms. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a patchwork of light and shadow on the forest floor. Shin felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over him.

“What’s your favorite thing to create in this world?” Hayoung asked as they walked, her voice breaking the serene silence.

Shin thought for a moment. “I love creating places where I can escape. Like the waterfall we saw earlier, or that bridge. But I also enjoy crafting stories. There’s something magical about weaving characters and adventures into existence.”

“Do you have a favorite story?” she asked, her curiosity evident.

He paused, a smile creeping onto his face. “There’s one about a boy who learns to fly. He starts out afraid and unsure but discovers that the only limits are the ones he places on himself. It’s about believing in your dreams.”

Hayoung’s eyes sparkled with interest. “That sounds amazing. I’d love to hear it sometime.”

Shin felt a warmth spread in his chest at her enthusiasm. “I’d be happy to share it. It’s my way of reminding myself that anything is possible.”

As they continued deeper into the forest, the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and rich earth. Suddenly, they stumbled upon a clearing, and Shin’s breath caught in his throat. In the center stood an ancient tree, its trunk wide and gnarled, with roots that twisted and turned like stories waiting to be told.

“Wow,” Hayoung breathed, stepping forward to touch the tree’s bark. “It’s incredible. It feels… alive.”

“It is,” Shin replied, stepping beside her. “This tree holds the memories of the dreamworld. Every wish, every dream that’s ever been created is woven into its roots.”

“What if we leave a memory of our own?” Hayoung suggested, a spark of mischief in her eyes.

Shin chuckled. “How do you propose we do that?”

She picked up a small stone from the ground and held it up. “Let’s carve our names into the bark. That way, we’ll always be a part of this place.”

A grin spread across Shin’s face. “I love that idea.”

Together, they found a small piece of wood, and with Hayoung’s guidance, Shin carefully carved their names into the trunk of the ancient tree. As they finished, he stepped back to admire their handiwork.

“There,” Hayoung said triumphantly, wiping her hands on her jeans. “Now, we’re part of this dreamworld forever.”

Shin felt a surge of emotion as he looked at their names. It was more than just a mark on a tree; it was a connection, a moment frozen in time. In that instant, he realized how important this dream, this friendship, and this budding relationship were to him.

“Thank you for being here,” he said softly, turning to her. “You’ve made this place feel more alive than I ever imagined.”

Hayoung met his gaze, her expression sincere. “And thank you for sharing it with me. I feel like I’ve discovered a part of myself here.”

As they stood together, the gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying with it the promise of new adventures and shared dreams. Shin couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.

---