The salty sea breeze and seagulls form a new part of your everyday life as a waitress at a seafood restaurant located at the port in Busan.

The awful noise of the birds is toned down by the walls and double glass windows luckily, but replaced by the clatter of plates and cutlery in combination with the clinking of glasses. There are worse sounds in the world, is something you tell yourself every day.

One day a boy with orange hair walks in. He is perhaps a bit older than you, has full lips, dark yet friendly eyes and his black V-neck shirt shows his muscled arms.

He takes a seat by the windowpane that looks out over the sea and is the only one without ships concealing the scenery.

Menu card in hand, you walk over to the stranger. 'Good afternoon, would you like something to drink?' you ask with your notepad at the ready.

A beautiful smile graces his lips as he answers. 'A glass of sparkling water, please.'

'Want something to eat as well? Or just a drink?'

'My friends told me the food here is great, so why not.' His grin transfers to his eyes, causing you to beam too.

'Word travels around, I see,' you say and give him the menu.

'Prepared, were you?' he jokes as he accepts the card.

'Always.' You chuckle as you note down his order. 'Okay, I'll be right back.'

He nods and begins studying the variety of dishes as you turn around to get the refreshment.

***

When you return a bit later with a glass in your hand and a bottle of bubbling water in the other, he has made his decision.

'What may I get you?'

'The Haemultang sounds really good,' he answers.

'A fine choice. It's one of my favourites,' you say as you write the name of the dish on the notepad. Your mouth almost begins to water already at the memory of the spicy seafood soup.

'It must be good if you like it.' He gives you the card back, which you accept with a slightly trembling hand. This boy is smooth with his words.

'I shall hand the order in.' You feel your cheeks warm up and quickly head for the kitchen before you turn as red as a lobster.

Glancing over you shoulder, you see he has buried his face in his hands, but not enough to conceal the blush on his cheeks.

Apparently you are both in a worsening shape because of each other.

***

The delicious smell of the Haemultang does nothing to distract your thoughts from the customer who had ordered it.

The stranger's eyes focuses on you when he notices the food in your hands, but rather than looking at the food, he mostly looks at you.

As you serve the steaming bowl, he does not shift his gaze. Your eyes meet for a split second, merely to look another way afterwards before it starts to cross the boundary of staring.

'Thank you,' he stutters. Afraid to stumble over your words, you simply nod and rush to help other clients.

***

Trying to focus on your work proves to be hard, because you find yourself casting a glimpse in his direction every now and then.

The guy piques your interest like no one has ever done before. However, you cannot tell exactly why.

'How was the food?' you ask when it is time to pay the bill.

One of your colleagues cleaned his table and put the request for the bill through, for which you are very thankful, because if it was you, it would not have gone as smooth as always.

'Delicious, you were absolutely right,' the guy answers, his dark eyes shining as brightly as the stars during a clear night. He hands you the owed amount and turns around to leave. Nevertheless he stops in his tracks and faces you. 'Before I go, what is your name?'

'It's y/n,' you respond with a sweet smile.

'Y/n,' he repeats as if to engrave your name in his mind. Your heart skips a beat when you hear him say it. 'I'll see you next time, y/n,' he says as a goodbye before leaving for real this time.

Wait, he knows my name, but I don't know his, you think as you realize this minor detail. You make a mental note not to let him leave before asking him his name.

***

A couple of days after the last time you saw him, the guy returns, even asking after you. Happily you serve him. He places the same order, the seafood soup and a glass of sparkling water.

By the time he is about to leave once again, you ask the question you should have asked then.

'Jimin,' the orange-haired boy answers amused.

'Well, Jimin, I'll see you next time,' you say teasingly.

He shakes his head as he laughs. 'You will.'

That fills you with hope and leaves you excited, but also impatiently awaiting his next visit.

***

He visits more frequently after the exchange of names and always requests the same food and drink.

During one of them you happen to be on break. Although normally the staff spends their time off in the kitchen, your boss encourages you to join him. She has been spying on you and Jimin and been probably shipping you ever since it started.

'Come on, y/n, get that guy,' she muses as she pushes you out the kitchen doors.

'But- how about lunch?' you stutter. Your homemade meal is in your bag, which in turn is in your locker. Would she really send you away to take ten without something to eat?

'The two of you get it on the house,' she says before disappearing into the kitchen with a big grin on her face.

You sigh and head for Jimin's table, where you take a seat on the chair across from him.

'Shouldn't you eat something? You have been working so hard?' he asks, surprised to see you sitting there without anything to replenish your energy.

'My boss did not let me even go to my locker. However, she said she did take care of it and we will get a lunch on her expense.'

'Thank goodness. I don't want you to collapse.' Relieved he leans back.

Soon afterwards all sorts of side dishes and Haemultang are served.

'Enjoy,' your fellow waitress chimes as she walks away after the last dish is put on the table.

Jimin's eyes widen at the sight of all the food. His eyes do not yet pop out of their sockets. 'Wow, this is all for us?'

You are taken aback as well. 'Apparently. My boss is not the kind of woman to do things half handedly,' you answer.

Making all sorts of small talk, you eat together. All sense of time is lost. It is just him and you, nothing else matters.

A little while later you boss approaches you. Has she been eyeing you again? Who can say.

'Y/n,' she begins, but you cut her off as you look at your watch.

'I am so sorry, miss. I'll get back to work immediately,' you furiously apologize. Looking at Jimin apologetically, you say: 'I'm sorry.'

'It's alright,' he says understanding. 'I'll wait for you. When are you done?'

He is too sweet and it makes you feel a bit better that he is willing to adjust to your busy schedule, though you wish he did not have to. You do not want to bother him after all and make him sacrifice precious time, of which one already has so little.

'Actually,' your boss edges in, 'that is what I came to talk about. Y/n, your shift for today is over. No buts. Go do something fun with this fine young man. Like a walk around the port.' She puts her hands on her sides and has a slightly stern look in her grey eyes. Arguing will be of no use.

Jimin begins to shift uncomfortably as the woman's words. A pink flush colours his cheeks. 'In that case,' he speaks up shyly, 'will you go out with me, y/n?'

Your eyes go from your boss to the handsome boy. When you realize you have not answered, you directly open your mouth: 'Yes, I'd like that. I'll get changed and then we can get going.' It is difficult to conceal the overflowing happiness you feel from your voice. You turn to the older woman. 'Thank you so much, ma'am.'

'Just promise me you make it work, because you are cute together,' she whispers so that only you can hear it.

She gives you a wink and a pat on the back when you look at her in astonishment. Just as fast as she came, she vanished. That woman is full of surprises.

***

You rapidly change clothes and join Jimin, who has been waiting for you in front of the entrance.

'There you are,' he greets you as you walk over to him. He holds out his hand. 'Shall we go?'

Intending on keeping your word, you place your hand in his. 'I am. Let's go.'

Holding hands, you head for the harbour.

Only the sea breeze and seagulls know how this love develops. What is certain though, is that it is deeper than the ocean.