Actually, tonight isn't different from any of the previous nights. Heejin is still busking by the fountain of the local park, she's still raising funds for the at-risk-of-closing dog shelter, and people are still passing her by. There's just a couple thousand Won in her guitar case but there's still enough time for optimism before guards chase her out.

 
Tonight is a little better; Heejin's diaphragm is holding up as she belts the notes to her favorite Ariana Grande song, and she nails the guitar solo she practiced over the weekend. The auntie who stops to listen once in a while asks if she had dinner, which is still wrapped in eco-friendly wax paper.

A middle-aged man tosses a half-used box of cigarettes into her case. Heejin sings a little louder. Not the worst thing thrown into her case; maybe she can sell them to Jeno for some extra funds.

 
Then someone sings along to Heejin's song.

 
Heejin's fingers fumble on the fret of her guitar. It dulls the sound of the strumming but Heejin's attention is focused on the easy lilt of the woman's voice. It's perfect harmonizing, notes easing into Heejin's rapidly slowing performance.

Her eyes meet the woman's: a stranger her age, dressed for the cool evening, in her hand a 5000 Won bill that she throws into Heejin's guitar case right before picking up the box of cigarettes. Which she then proceeds to crush in her fist.

Heejin's hands freeze over the strings of her guitar. "Uh."

 
"You're really good." The woman smiles, and it should be cute, but it's threatening when the cigarette box in her fist shrinks to the thickness of an apple pen. "Do you have a blog? Or a soundcloud?"

 
Heejin is also bad at stranger conversation. "Uh, no." Then she adds a little more because the woman in front of her looks like she's expecting a longer answer. "I'm just raising funds for the dog shelter in Gibong-ro"

"Wow, you're so kind! And pretty too." The woman glances over at the cigarette box. "But these are bad for your vocal cords and the environment--"

 
"Oh no," Heejin cuts. "I don't smoke. Someone just threw that in--"

"Threw it in? That's so weird!" The woman's exaggerates a frown, catching Heejin by surprise.

It makes her laugh. "It's not the weirdest thing my guitar case has seen." 

"Oh, I can only imagine." As easy as the woman frowns she laughs, loud and unapologetic. Endearing. She tucks the cigarette box into her pocket before extending a hand to Heejin. "I'm Jiwoo. I have a train to catch, but I'd really love to hear you sing again."

Heejin takes her hand. The bits of tobacco and the warmth of her palm add to the handshake experience. "I'm Heejin. You sang well."

Then she adds a little more, keeping Jiwoo's hand in hers. "I'll be here tomorrow, if you want to sing along again. It'll liven up my usual busking routine."

 
Jiwoo smiles, and it makes Heejin feel a little optimistic. "I'd love that."