The utility vehicle cut through the drenched gravel track, its tires splashing through shallow puddles made by Eun-sol’s departing car earlier, the hum of its electric motor a quiet drone against the furious drumming of the rain. Seo-jin drove forward, her gaze fixed and unwavering, the windshield wipers struggling against the relentless downpour, blurring the world beyond the glass.

Then, far ahead, barely visible in the flickering headlights, she saw it: his motorbike. It was parked in front of a smaller, half-finished building, scaffolding standing stark and skeletal against the storm.

She slowed, pulling the utility vehicle up beside the motorcycle. A beat of quiet relief settled over her as she exhaled. She stepped out, the heavy rain immediately plastering her hair to her face and soaking into the jacket.

Rain poured down her shoulders as she moved toward the darkened entrance of the structure. She pushed through the partially open door, stepping into the dim interior, and then she saw him. A wave of profound relief washed over her, momentarily stealing her breath.

Hyun-woo. He was standing inside, his sleeves rolled up, his hands steady as he tightened a panel over the rear windows. The storm pounded against the structure, a wild, echoing roar, but he barely glanced up, focused, his hands sure as he secured the loose frame.

Seo-jin stepped fully inside, rain running from her hair and clothes, forming a small puddle on the concrete floor. 

He heard someone enter and finally turned his attention to her. It was just a glance, really. His brows creased slightly as he took in her appearance: her jacket drenched, soaked through. He stopped what he was doing, the panel left unfinished.

"You’re soaking," Hyun-woo stated, his voice calm, devoid of judgment. He moved towards her, talking as he did. "You’ll get cold."

Now in front of her, he reached out, his fingers grazing the edge of her hood as he unzipped the soaked jacket. She didn't stop him, didn't flinch away. He slid the heavy fabric off her shoulders, setting it near a small, old gas heater, adjusting it carefully before switching the heater on with a soft click.

Then he shrugged off his own jacket, a dark, dry layer, and extended it to her. No words were exchanged. Just action.

She took it, sliding it on slowly. The fabric was warm, carrying his scent, a sudden comfort in the chill. A pause hung between them, thick with unspoken emotion.

Hyun-woo exhaled lightly, his eyes lingering on her for a fraction too long, a subtle, unreadable depth in his gaze. Then he turned back to the window, his focus returning to the storm and the task at hand.

Seo-jin remained where she was, wrapped in his warmth. Quiet. Letting him work.

Outside, the rain pounded harder, a relentless torrent. The small electric utility vehicle sat alone in the downpour, barely visible through the misted glass of the building, but it's headlights glowed, a silent vigil.

Inside, a quiet warmth began to build against the silence, a fragile solace against the storm.