FALLING SLOWLY.

Kang Daeho had admitted his love for Eden a long time ago, only he didn't realized how hard he had fell for her until he saw her that day in the hospital. He remembered the sudden mix of emotions, he felt relieved, he felt guilty, he felt upset and angry.

But then all of those emotions were gone when she woke up, she replaced them with a warmth sensation as soon as she smiled at him.

It had been five days since they left the hospital. The same day they left the hospital, Gi-hun and Daeho helped Eden take the chip off of her, it resulted in her fainting in Jun-ho's arm, who was still annoyed by her un-paid ticket.

"Wow, hold on. What is the knife for?" Eden asked with raised arms.

The three men stared at her blankly, causing her to shrug. "I'm sorry, do I need to remind you that I got killed with a freaking butter knife?" She announced for the third time.

"No, you told us countless of times already." Jun-ho annonyingly responded as turned to Gi-hun. "Just do it, for the love of God."

"I can tell you don't like me." Eden blurted out casually as she turned side ways so the others could help her, "Do you have friends that aren't your coworkers?" She asked, making him forrow his eyebrows. "I'm asking because in the shows I've watched, it seems like police people only befriend their co-workers, it's kind of sad, to be honest. I'm sure you're no different, you look like your work is your life."

Before she could say anything else, she felt a sting behind her ear, making her dizzy.

"Okay, this might've hurt more than the stab." She said dizzily, "And I'm out."

Five days later, she lied back on the bed she hadn't slept in for a long time. Eden's aunt had made no appearence at all, she expected she would since she had been missing for a while.

How she ended up back in her apartment was Jun-ho's doing, he basically seached her information and gave the directions to her home. Daeho wanted to stay with her but Gi-hun insisted he would, since he knew he hadn't rest for a long time.

"Can I tell you something?"

The old man's head tilted upwards as the brunette stepped out of her room with a cup of tea in hand.

Gi-hun expected her apartment to be a mess. But it wasn't, it was really nice. Eden then explained how she separated her money from the money her parent's owed. How she managed money all these years before her parents even died. The apartment was cozy, there were two rooms. She said the second room was a guest one for when her parents would stay when they'd visited. Gi-hun was the first person she let stay in that room.

"You can tell me anything."

The woman sat on the chair in front of him, placing her cup of tea on her tight as she sighed, "You remind me a lot of my dad." She confessed.

Gi-hun's eyes softened as he chuckled, looking down. "I'm hoping it's a good thing?"

Eden let out a small laugh as she nodded, "He was a very closed off person in public but when— when he was with me, It felt like he was a complete different person." She spoke, tapping her fingers on the cup. "He always acted like I was still a baby, you know? Like I was the only one that mattered. I guess you remind me of my dad because you were protective and attentive of me throughout the games." She gave him a sad smile, "I don't know what I would have done if you didn't make it out." She frowned uncosciously.

The man's eyes teared away from Eden's, scrunching his face in sentiment. It had been three years since he last saw his daughter, and it felt like a part of her was in Eden. Like as if she were the grown up version.

"Anyway, I don't really want to get sentimental, it makes me cringe sometimes." Eden spoke after a minute, causing the man to sigh in disbelief. "Do you know who BTS is?" She asked out of nowhere, but before he could respond, she cut him off. "They're a very famous band, and I heard they're making a comeback in 2025 but I know the tickets are going to be freaking expensive." She pouted,"Do you think I'll be able to get a pit ticket with the money I won from the games?" 

Gi-hun stared at her blankly, making Eden pursed her lips as she looked away awkwardly.

"I heard it's gonna rain today." She said after a moment of awkward silence from Gi-hun's part, "That's fun, isn't it? I love the rain, it's peaceful. But only when it's cold rain, you know? If it's warm and weird rain then I don't like it because then I feel very weird and sticky after." She shrugged with calmness.

"We don't really have to force a conversation."

She rolled her eyes at him with shock, "Well if you were gonna act so rude towards me then I could've just ask the policeman to keep a watch on me instead."

"I'm sorry, I'm still in shock with everything." He admitted.

Eden shrugged, "It's alright, I was kind of expecting more enthiusasm, though—seeing as I came back from the dead and everything."

Gi-hun snorted, looking away. Before they could talk more, a sudden knock caught both of their attention. Their heads snapped towards the door, Eden quickly grabbed the baseball bat that was hanging from the wall and signaled Gi-hun to go behind her, making him side eye her as he mvoed her aside and went in front of her to open the door. As he unlocked the door, Eden held the bat in front of her protectively. The door bursted open, making the person in front of them scream.

"Why do you have a bat?!" The man covered his face with the flowers being gripped tightly.

Eden then looked behind the bat to find Daeho with horror in his eyes. "I thought you were a killer!"

Gi-hun just sighed and walked back to the guest room.

"A killer—what— nevermind, I get it." He exhaled in disbelief as he took the bat away from Eden. She chuckled awkwardly as she fixed her hair, "Can I come in?"

She nodded instantly, making space for him to enter. He took his shoes off and smiled at her.

"Hey, bangs."

She smiled at him, "Hi, what are you doing here?" She asked, closing the door behind her, "Not that I don't want you here, don't take it the wrong way. I just—you know, I didn't expect you to be here, do you want something to drink? I don't have much since I haven't gone to the shop yet. But I can make you some tea or maybe water?"

Daeho chuckled as he shook his head as he outstretched his arm and gestured the flowers in front of him, "This are for you."

Eden's eyes flicked back and forth then exhaled a laugh, "They are?"

He nodded, "I thought I'd bring you a small something." He said, "i hope you're not allergic?"

She quickly shook her head, "I'm not sure what I'm allergic to but I do know I can't eat—"

"—Gimbap, I know." He cut her off, making her chuckle with a nod. "I believe we agreed to go on a karaoke date after we got out of the games." He mentioned smoothly with a teasing smile.

Eden's eyes widened in realization as she she clapped, "You're so right! I can't believe I forgot..maybe I got some parts of my memories erased becaue of me dying!"

Daeho tilted his head as he stared at her, making her smile awkwardly, "I'll try not to pull the "death" card anymore..sorry, I guess."

He snorted, shaking his head, he put the flowers on the table. "Come on, I'm kidnapping you."

"That's a nice way of asking someone out!" She joked with a smile, making him roll his eyes playfully as he grabbed her hand.

$$$

"I used to go here all the time!" Eden exclaimed as she walked into the karaoke bar with a huge smile on her face, she turned to Daeho and tilted her head. "How did you know?"

He shyly shrugged, "You mentioned it one night."

"I did?" He nodded, "Huh...maybe I did get amensia..."  The man side eyed her which made her smile, "Anywho! I love this place! Thanks for bringing me here." She said as she threw herself on Daeho and wrapped her arms around him.

He stood frozen before breathing out a chuckle and hugging her back. She pulled away after a second with a smile as she gestured to the bathroom, "I'm going to go the bathroom really quick." She said.

Daeho nodded. Eden walked away, making him look at her with an admiring expression. She was was wearing a white sweater with a mid brown skirt, paired with a brown leather jacket and brown boots. Her hair seemed longer than before, her bangs had grown. He smiled at the sight as he walked further into the bar, then finding himself watching at a wall with pictures of people. He noticed a girl looking strangely familiar to Eden. Only her face was more noticeable, her face wasn't covered by the bangs. She had a huge smile on her face, making him chuckle.

"Costumer of the month."

"Watcha looking at? Oh—"

Daeho turned around and saw Eden with pursed lips, "you sing here?" He asked with a soft chuckle.

"Maybe..maybe no?" She responded with hesitation, making him tilt his head. "It's just..I happen to be very stressed sometimes that after work I would come here and let it all out with some songs."

"But you said you don't like to sing!"

Eden hit his arm, "correction—I said I don't know how to sing, not that I don't like to sing! I love singing, I'm just not very good at it."

"Well, now I have to hear you sing." He told her teasingly.

"Nah ah, you first." Eden countered, "you owe me a song."

Daeho nodded, "why don't we just sing together? Hmm?" He suggested, making her smile shyly, "come on, I bet you sing well."

"It's not that I'm worried about," she rolled her eyes. "I'm just worried you might feel bad afterwards when you realize I'm a better singer than you." She fake pouted.

He scoffed a laugh, "What if we sing together?" He suggested with a raise of eyebrows.

Eden stared at him for a second before exhaling a laugh, "Okay, I lied. I'm not confident in my singing. I think they just put me in costumer of the month because I'm the only one that sings here in front of very drunk people." She confessed.

"That's why I'll sing with you." He told her, outstretching his hand for her to take. "Come on, I have a song in mind."

Eden followed him further into the bar then he told her to wait as he ordered them some drinks and the song. Eden nervously fidgeted with the end of her shirt.

Normally, she would sing in front of people with no hesitation. She had a few drinks herself and the audience wasn't at all sober, so she didn't mind the crowd. Today was full, there wasn't any tables empty as they were all being used by single people or double dates going on.

She was hoping Daeho at least chose a song she could actually sing, he didn't know that much of her taste in music so she was afraid.

"And here comes next, Seung-Hyun Eden and Kang Dae-ho!"

Eden's eyes widened at the announcement as everyone began to clap. Daeho grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd to the stage. It was a small stage. Only two people could completely fit. Daeho had taken a seat as he put the guitar they lend you there around him. He signaled her to go over to the mic stand which made Eden sigh and did as he told.

(Play falling slowly by Glen Hansard I beg you)

The soft hum of a guitar filled the dimly lit karaoke room, and the chatter of friends faded into anticipation. Daeho sat on a stool at the center, his fingers expertly plucking the opening chords of Falling Slowly. His eyes, dark and thoughtful, flicked up to Eden as he strummed, catching the way her lips parted in surprise. 

She knew this song. 

She loved this song. 

It was a coincidence—at least, that's what Daeho would claim later. But as he sat there, his hands moving instinctively over the strings, he knew this choice wasn't random. Something in him had reached for this melody, for these words, because they reminded him of her. 

He leaned into the microphone, voice quiet but rich as he began to sing. 

"I don't know you, but I want you.

All the more for that..."

His voice carried through the room, and as he sang, he didn't look at the lyrics on the screen—he looked at her. Eden stood on the stool across from him, watching him with wide eyes, her lips slightly parted as if the words had stolen her breath. Daeho's gaze was steady, unwavering, as if through this song, he was telling her something he couldn't quite say with just words. 

"Words fall through me and always fool me 

And I can't react..."

The warmth of his voice wrapped around her like a memory. Eden's fingers curled around the microphone in her hand, her heart pounding in a way that felt too much, too soon. But it wasn't soon at all. It had been too long since she'd been able to look at him like this. Since she'd been able to be here, beside him. 

Her part was coming. She swallowed, shifting her gaze away just as he reached the chorus. 

"Take this sinking boat and point it home 

We've still got time..."

Daeho's eyes softened as she looked away, as if he understood exactly why. His gaze traced the curve of her cheek, the way her lashes fluttered as she prepared to sing. His fingers never faltered on the strings, but something in his chest tightened. 

Then, her voice joined his, soft and aching. 

"Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice 

You've made it now..."

The sound of her voice—so delicate, yet so strong—made his breath catch. She was looking down, but he couldn't take his eyes off her. His hands moved effortlessly over the guitar, but his entire focus was on her.

Eden had grown up with this song. She knew every note, every rise and fall, but tonight, it felt different. The way Daeho played it, the way he looked at her as if she was the only thing that existed—it changed everything. 

They sang together now, their voices weaving into something intimate, something unspoken. 

"Falling slowly, eyes that know me 

And I can't go back..."

Eden finally looked up, and this time, Daeho was the one who exhaled. Their voices melted into the final notes, his guitar fading into silence as the last words lingered in the air. 

The room erupted into cheers. Laughter rippled through the space, but Eden wasn't paying attention anymore. 

She was already moving. 

Before Daeho could set his guitar down, she was there, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug. He barely had time to react before she buried her face in his shoulder, her voice a whisper against his ear. 

"I love you."

Daeho stilled. The words hit him like a punch to the ribs—unexpected, staggering. He had spent so long waiting to hear them again. His hands tightened around her, fingers pressing into her back as he let out a deep, shaking breath. 

He turned his head just enough to murmur into her hair, "and I love you."  

A soft chuckle left Eden's mouth as she pulled away from the hug and grabbed his cheeks, planting a soft yet passionate kiss to his lips. Daeho melted right away, a sensitive smile vibrating through their lips.

$$$

It was today that she realized she was actually falling in love with someone.

No one in Eden's life had filled her heart with so much joy in such a horrible situation. She had met Daeho in a crisis, yet, he fell in love with her as if she were just someone outside.

They had been walking for over one hour after singing a few songs in the karaoke bar. Eden had dedicated Daeho a song she wrote when she was only fourteen years old, naming it Love, maybe. She confessed she would only dedicate that song to the man she'd fell in love with.

"Ah, that makes me the luckiest man, then."

Eden softly chuckled as her arm unconsciously hooked around his, leaning her head on his shoulder as they kept walking. "Where did you learn how to sing?" She asked him out of nowhere.

"My sisters." He mumbled, "they taught me everything. That's actually how I learned how to put my hair in a bun." He joked. She snorted, covering her mouth.

The rain was cold, just how Eden liked it. Daeho had brought an umbrella, saying how it's always to be safe than wet.

"Your sisters really sound great," Eden said. "It must be fun to have them."

"It is," Daeho responded, looking down to her for a second. "They'd like you, you know?"

"You think?"

He nodded, "I know so." He chuckled, making the woman smile shyly. "Erm—I contacted them a few weeks ago, and told them about you. But that was when I thought you were.. you know..."

"Dead, yeah." She responded for him. "It's weird being out here so casually, after everything." She said.

"Yeah..."

Eden continued waking next to him in silence, "I asked the police man if he could help me find Myunggi and Jun-hee. How did you get his contact anyway?" She asked him.

"Jun-ho helped." He said, making her nod. "But I'm sure we'll find him, okay?" He reassured.

She frowned, "do you think he thinks I'm dead?" She asked.

Daeho shrugged, "we all thought you were. after the guards came in, we all practically fainted and then woke up in our homes, or at least we did." He explained, referring to him and Gi-hun, "but nothing happened to Myunggi or Jun-hee, they were hidden pretty well." He assured. "You don't need to worry."

"Do you thinks she had the baby already?" She asked worriedly, "or do they talked about everything and agreed to be there for the baby, I genuinely need to find them." She cried out loud. Daeho wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.

"We'll find them, bangs. I promise you." He told her, "let's give this moment for us, okay?"

She nodded as she pulled away from him and relaxed her body onto the railing, looking up as the rain dropped on her, her eyes blinking as she stared at the stars.

"The stars are beautiful tonight."

She breathed out with a soft smile, making Daeho turn to her and nod, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her.

"Yeah...they are."

Martina speaks: homeboy was NOT talking about the stars.

If there are any mistakes, no there aren't!! You delusional baby😇😇 also im pretty sure this was the longest chapter so be grateful

I'm genuinely sorry I didn't update for literally almost a week, I started school and were already handing assignments? So I had to lock in this week which is why I didn't update! Hopefully you liked this😣

I'm very bad at describing songs and blah blah so I hope you can imagine the way Daeho was singing basically TO her (Kang Haneul singing falling slowly is the death of me).

I don't know when I will be updating next but hoping it soon! Keep yourself attentive tho! Just in case💝💝

DID WE LIKE THIS CHAPTER?? YES RIGHT?