Wonderwall • ℍ𝕒𝕖𝕤𝕠𝕠

𝟚𝟠

As the evening sun stretched its long shadows across the ground, the slanting rays of the setting sun painted the sky with a warm orange hue. It was already half past six, and Haein was feeling utterly drained after driving non-stop for seven hours. The exhaustion weighed heavily on him, urging him to seek rest and nourishment. His stomach growled incessantly, a sound that made Jisoo chuckle from time to time.

"Please, let me drive! I know you're worried about my sprained wrist, but I promise it won't be an issue!" Jisoo pleaded once again, her words becoming a familiar refrain throughout the journey. Haein couldn't help but smirk at her persistence, dismissing her offer to take the wheel without a second thought.

"No way! Can't you just relax and enjoy the ride to Rochester without pestering me about this over and over again?" Haein retorted, a smile playing on his lips as he teased her about her persistent requests. Jisoo let out an exasperated sigh at his response, crossing her arms defensively across her chest.

"Then let's at least grab something to eat! I'm starving," Jisoo muttered, casting a side-eye at Haein as they both felt the pangs of hunger from the rumbling in their stomachs.

"Yeah, I'll give you that one, Miss Kim! Don't worry, I've already spotted a restaurant not too far ahead. We're almost there!" Haein reassured her. Jisoo's cheeks flushed with a smile at his words, enjoying his company. Throughout their journey through the countryside, he had been engaging her with explanations about the landscapes, even though she had always lived in rural areas herself, finding it oddly endearing.

"Oh, there it is!" Jisoo exclaimed with excitement as she spotted the two storage house on the left side of the road, the only visible dwelling in sight. Haein couldn't help but feel a sense of joy seeing her face light up with a smile.

"Yeah, I see it too!" He replied. As they arrived, they noticed only two cars parked outside. Jisoo glanced back at Haein as she stepped out of the car.

"Are you sure this is a restaurant? It seems like someone actually lives here," Jisoo remarked skeptically, her eyes reflecting her doubt at the isolated appearance of the place. Haein tilted his head, surveying the surroundings with the same reservations as Jisoo. However, the GPS confirmed that this was indeed the restaurant he had been searching for.

"It is the right place! This area is probably quiet because we're in the countryside. These places don't usually see a lot of foot traffic," Haein reassured her, trying to alleviate her concerns about the location.

"Come on, let's go!" Haein urged, extending his hand for Jisoo to take. She hesitated for a moment, furrowing her brow slightly before dismissing the thought and accepting his hand. Together, they ascended the stairs in sync, approaching the entrance of the solitary house.

As they pushed the door open, Jisoo's eyes widened in surprise at the sight before her. The interior was adorned with twinkling, crystal-clear bulbs that illuminated the space, creating a festive atmosphere reminiscent of Christmas in the midst of summer.

"What is this place?" Jisoo whispered in awe, her eyes glistening with amusement. Haein too was taken aback by the radiant interior, finding everything so luminous and beautiful. At first glance, he thought it was a very cozy and inviting place.

"Hello there, welcome to the Little Shine Inn! How can I help you?" A woman with light gray hair suddenly appeared, catching them both off guard.

Haein pondered the term "inn" silently before addressing the woman. "Oh, we...we were wondering if this was actually a restaurant?" he inquired, studying the woman's face intently. The woman smiled and nodded in response.

"Indeed! It's an inn that offers accommodation, food, and drinks for travelers," she confirmed. Jisoo raised an eyebrow in astonishment, finding it hard to believe that the quaint place could be considered an inn.