The Shadow Of A Trainee | Bang Chan ?

Chan's P.O.V

The soft crunch of sand beneath our feet and the rhythmic sound of the waves were the only things I could hear as Mirae and I began our search for seashells. She had insisted we find the most beautiful and unique ones, and she was already scouring the shoreline with a bright smile that never seemed to leave her face.

"Chan," she said suddenly, turning toward me with a determined look, "I'm not just looking for us. I'm going to collect seashells for everyone. When we get back, I'll give each of them a shell that fits them perfectly."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her excitement. "Everyone, huh? That's ambitious."

She nodded vigorously, crouching down to pick up a shell and inspecting it closely. "Of course! They all deserve something special."

"Alright, then," I said, grinning as I bent down to search beside her. "Let's see who can find the best ones."

Mirae was completely focused, her eyes scanning the sand with laser precision. Every now and then, she'd pick up a shell and hold it up, speaking to herself as though she were assigning them their new owners.

"This one's for Halmeoni," She said with a giggle. "It's so elegant and delicate, just like her."

I paused, watching her as she twirled the shell in her hand and placed it in her small pile. The way the sunlight reflected in her hair and the pure joy radiating from her expression made my heart ache in the best way.

"This one," she continued, holding up another shell. "For Lee Know. It's sharp and mysterious—just like him." She laughed at her own words before adding to her pile.

I pretended to search for shells too, but my eyes kept drifting to her. How could someone be this beautiful, this full of life?

She kept talking as she worked. "Ah, this one's for Han! It's small but funny-looking—totally his vibe." Her laughter echoed across the beach.

Then, she held up another shell and paused. Her voice softened. "This one..." She trailed off, staring at it for a moment before continuing quietly, "This one's for Hyungwon."

My heart clenched. Hearing his name brought a sharp pang of guilt. I hadn't even told him Mirae had woken up. He was her best friend, the one who stayed by her side when I couldn't, and I'd failed to let him know she was okay.

I straightened up, the smile fading from my face. My gaze dropped to the sand as flashes of the past came rushing back—the accident, the hospital, the unbearable weight of seeing Mirae unconscious.

I blinked hard, but the memories wouldn't leave. I could still see the car, the impact, the way everything in me shattered at the sight of her lying motionless on the ground.

"Chan?" Her voice pulled me back.

I looked up to see her walking toward me, her hands full of seashells and a radiant smile lighting up her face. Her happiness should've been enough to ground me, but my heart felt heavy.

When she reached me, she knelt down to place the shells on the blanket we'd laid out earlier. "Look!" she said excitedly, pointing at the collection she'd made. "Aren't they beautiful?"

I nodded, trying to focus on her words, but my mind was elsewhere. She noticed.

"Chan?" She stood up and stepped closer, her smile fading as she took my face in her hands. "What happened? Why are you crying? Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself or something?"

I hadn't realized I was crying until she wiped a tear from my cheek. Her touch was so gentle, and the worry in her eyes made my chest ache even more.

I stared at her, trying to ground myself in her presence, trying to remind myself that she was here—alive, smiling, and mine.

"Mirae," I started, my voice cracking. "Do you... do you really still love me after everything? After what happened, after the way I didn't trust you? After I didn't even try to find out the truth?"

Her brows furrowed slightly, but then she smoothed them out and smiled softly. She cupped my cheeks with both hands, her thumbs brushing away my tears. "Yes, Chan. I still love you. I'll never fall out of love with you."

Her words hit me like a tidal wave. I closed my eyes, letting them sink in, but the guilt still lingered.

"Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why do you love me? I've spent so long struggling to love myself. My flaws, my looks, my mistakes... I've hurt you without meaning to, and even when I knew better, I still managed to hurt you. How could you love someone like me?"

I turned away, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "And now I've ruined our first real date," I muttered, hitting my forehead lightly with my palm.

Before I could spiral further, Mirae grabbed my hands, pulling me close until there was no space left between us. Her brown eyes locked onto mine, full of warmth and determination.

"Chan," she said softly, "you haven't ruined anything. And if you want to know why I love you, I'll tell you."

She smiled, her hands moving to hold my face again. "I love your kind heart—the way you always put others before yourself, even when it's hard. I love how responsible you are, how you take care of everyone like it's your personal mission."

"I love your eyes," she continued, her thumbs brushing under them. "The way they crinkle when you smile, and how I can always see your love for me in them, even when you're upset. I love your dimples, your hands, the way your fingertips feel against my skin."

"I love your nose," she added with a soft laugh, "even though you say it's too big. I love your hugs—they make me feel safe, like nothing in the world could hurt me when I'm in your arms."

"I love the way you say my name, the way you take care of me, and even the way you came to see me every day when I was in a coma. Even when you didn't trust me, Chan, I could see in your eyes that you loved me. That's why I never doubted you, not even for a second."

Her words left me speechless. I stared at her, tears streaming down my face as I tried to process everything she'd just said.

"Mirae," I finally managed, my voice trembling. "I... I don't even know what to say. You... you're everything I never knew I needed. I don't deserve you, but I'll spend the rest of my life trying to."

Tears filled her eyes as she smiled at me, and I pulled her into my arms, holding her as tightly as I could.

Then, without thinking, I leaned down and kissed her. It wasn't just a kiss—it was everything I felt for her poured into one moment. The waves crashed gently behind us, the sunlight danced on the water, and the wind swept through her hair as our lips moved together.

When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathless, her hands still tangled in my shirt.

"I love you," I whispered, resting my forehead against hers.

"I love you too," she replied, her voice just as soft.

And in that moment, with the ocean as our witness, I knew I'd found my forever.

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A/N:

Hello?!! 20.5K reads?!!

Thank you so much literally, from the bottom of my heart.

I just want to thank each one of you for taking your time and read my book. The beginning of a dream just came true.

Here's an update as a gift from me to you.

ଓ༉‧.⭒ֶָ֢⋆.