Love Next Door
The Arrival
The sharp chime of the seatbelt sign turning off signaled the end of their long journey. Ji Ah exhaled softly, stretching her stiff arms as the passengers around her began rustling with excitement, reaching for their overhead bags. The air inside the plane was thick with exhaustion, but outside the small, oval window, the lights of Seoul twinkled like scattered diamonds in the night
Kim jin- young
"Finally!" Jin-young groaned dramatically, throwing his arms up. "I thought we’d never get here. I was about to start a mutiny back there!"
Kim Ji ah
Ji Ah rolled her eyes. "You watched movies and ate snacks the entire flight. What are you complaining about?"
Kim jin- young
That’s what I’m saying!" he grinned, poking her arm. "They ran out of ice cream before I could get a second round. Do you know how traumatic that was for me?"
Kim Ji ah
Yeah, yeah. You’re scarred for life." Ji Ah swatted his hand away and turned to their younger sister, Min Ji, who had been curled up in her seat, clutching her stuffed bunny to her chest. "Min Ji, we’re here."
Min Ji blinked up at her, her large eyes filled with sleep. She didn’t say anything, just nodded and reached out her tiny hand. Ji Ah took it without hesitation, letting the little girl press into her side as they waited to leave the plane.
Their father, Kim Hyun-joong, was already up, pulling their bags from the overhead compartment with practiced ease
Kim hyun- joong
Come on, kids. Let’s not hold up the line."
The moment they stepped off the plane, the chill of the Seoul night hit them. It was different from what Ji Ah remembered—the air was crisper, carrying the scent of something familiar yet distant. It had been years since they left Korea, and now, stepping onto this ground again, it felt both foreign and like home all at once.
As they entered the bustling airport terminal, Jin-young practically vibrated with energy.
Kim jin- young
"Okay, so what’s the plan? First stop, food? No, wait! Do we meet Grandma first? Wait, what if—"
Kim Ji ah
Jin-young," Ji Ah interrupted, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It’s midnight. The plan is to get home and sleep.
Their father chuckled, ruffling Jin-young’s hair
Kim hyun- joong
Your sister’s right. Let’s get our luggage and head to your grandmother’s house. We have plenty of time to explore later."
Jin-young groaned dramatically but didn’t argue. Min Ji, still silent, tightened her grip on Ji Ah’s hand as they made their way through the crowd.
Ji Ah couldn’t shake the feeling bubbling in her chest. This was supposed to be a fresh start—a new beginning in a place that held so many memories. But as she walked through the airport, surrounded by the hum of travelers and the unfamiliarity of her old home, she wondered if it was possible to truly start over.
Something told her that Seoul had its own plans for her.
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