Work Text:
"Some roads don't lead somewhere. They lead to someone."
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Travel has always been my greatest passion for as long as I can remember. I was constantly on the move, always craving new experiences to discover. There were some places I gladly returned to more than once, because every visit felt just as magical as the first. I was genuinely happy—up to a certain point, when I realized something was missing. I felt lonely. I longed for a companion. Someone to talk with, take photos with, dance with, play board games with, or simply enjoy the journey together.
I was home in Seoul at the time, visiting my parents. It was late at night, and I was still staring at the ceiling of my childhood bedroom. I guess that's the curse of not sticking to one time zone for too long.
I reached toward my nightstand to grab my phone. As soon as I picked it up to distract myself, I started scrolling through social media.
As usual, the app popped up with another ad. I almost reflexively tapped the X, but when I saw the icon of the promoted app, my hand froze mid-air.
It was a small pushpin in the middle of Asia, with dashed lines leading off in different directions.
I lowered my finger to get a better look at the ad.
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✈️ Need a new destination? Try a new companion.
Tired of solo travels?
You're one click away from meeting someone who sees the world like you do.
No names. No photos. Just the journey.
🌍 Find your road partner. Travel anonymously. Connect genuinely.
Download DriftMate — and let the world introduce you.
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Without hesitation, I tapped on the ad and let my phone download the app. This is a sign, right? That I won't be alone anymore, that I'll finally have someone to share my journeys with. It has to be a sign!
As soon as the download finished, I opened the app and clicked the register button. I could only use a nickname—real names were strictly prohibited.
Once I successfully signed up, I began customizing my profile.
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Nickname: Wanderbean
Bio: Always on the road—currently home for a visit in Seoul. I love taking pictures, listening to music while I travel, and stopping in random places just because the sky or the scenery looks beautiful. I'm down for any kind of trip, just message me and we'll figure it out. :)
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Once I finished setting up my profile, I started liking the users that seemed interesting. I spent an hour or two doing this before I slowly began to feel sleepy. I glanced at my phone and realized it was almost five in the morning. That's when I decided it was time to stop and try to sleep instead.
Days passed, and I found myself on the app day and night, hopeful. But that hope slowly faded when no one matched with me. Not a single notification. From anyone.
I was sipping my afternoon coffee on our balcony when my phone lit up on the table: a new notification. At first, I thought it was another reminder or a clothing sale. But when I glanced again, my eyes widened—and a small, involuntary smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
DriftMate
14:28
Mochi_on_the_road has sent you a friend request.
I immediately tapped the notification and checked out this "Mochi" person's profile.
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Nickname: Mochi_on_the_road
Bio: I've got two weeks off and no plans to spend them at home. I'll be traveling by car and ferry—no fixed itinerary, but here's the rough idea: Seoul → Fukuoka → Okinawa → maybe Taiwan, then back to Jeju. If you're the "we'll figure it out along the way" type, we'll get along great. Music is a must, and yes—I'm totally willing to dance at random gas stations if the rhythm's good. I'm a coffee lover, and I believe the best conversations happen when there's no signal. It's okay if you're not loud. It's okay if you just want to stare out the window in silence sometimes. I'm like that too.
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They seemed really likeable based on the bio, so within milliseconds I accepted the request. Not even half a minute passed before another notification popped up.
14:30
Mochi_on_the_road: So, would you be up for my trip too, Wanderbean? :D
14:31
Why not? Two weeks, right? :Wanderbean
14:32
Mochi_on_the_road: Yep. What if we leave tomorrow?
14:32
:Wanderbean
Perfect. I have a five-seater car, would that work?
14:35
Mochi_on_the_road: Don't worry, I'll bring a seven-seater. You can pack as much as you want—plenty of space.
14:36
You sure? :Wanderbean
14:37
Mochi_on_the_road: I'm sure.
14:38
:Wanderbean
Where and when do we meet tomorrow?
14:39
Mochi_on_the_road: Be in front of the Hangang riverside park, exactly at 5 AM.
Hope the early start doesn't bother you.
14:40
:Wanderbean
Not at all, I'll manage. See you tomorrow, Mochi! C:
14:40
Mochi_on_the_road: See you tomorrow, Wanderbean! ;)
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I could barely fall asleep from the excitement, but somehow I managed to knock myself out. Even though I woke up way before my alarm, I felt fully rested—despite not sleeping much at all. But how could I not be excited? I get to do what I love most, and I've found someone to do it with.
That's how I ended up standing in front of the Hangang park at 4:45 AM, just in case Mochi arrived earlier than expected.
Thanks to the early hour, not a soul was around. I waited in silence, lost in thought.
How did I imagine Mochi? Someone around my age, maybe slightly older—a girl with brown hair and sparkling eyes. Confident, determined, but spontaneous. Loves to sing and dance, just like me.
Maybe we'll have coffee together in the mornings. Maybe she'll become the best best-friend-of-my-dreams ever.
The sound of tires swishing over the pavement pulled me out of my daydream. A black seven-seater with tinted windows slowed down and pulled over.
I immediately looked up, waiting for my imaginary ideal to step out of the car. Boom. Image shattered.
A man stepped out of the vehicle, wearing a baseball cap that barely revealed his brown hair. Half of his face was covered by a mask. Not on purpose, but my smile faded. I froze. I was sure I had set my profile to look for women only. Apparently not.
The man approached me cautiously, pulling down the mask resting on his face—revealing his full, plush lips.
"Wanderbean?" he asked after clearing his throat.
"M-Mochi?" I replied a bit awkwardly.
"Nice to meet you," he said, curling his lips into a gentle smile as he reached out his hand toward me. Since I just stood there like a fool for a few seconds, completely frozen, he spoke again. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no. Everything's perfectly fine." I replied as I suddenly shook his hand a bit too eagerly. "I'm glad to meet you too."
After a few awkward seconds, I let go of his hand, and he dropped his back to his side.
"I've already booked our spot on the ferry. Shall we head off?" he asked.
"Sure," I answered.
Upon hearing my reply, he immediately grabbed my bags and suitcases, placing them in the trunk next to his own luggage. Meanwhile, I remained standing in the exact same spot, frozen. He looked at me, then gestured for me to follow. He opened the passenger door, waited for me to get in, and then gently closed it behind me.
Our first destination was Busan, where we'd catch the ferry. A few hours of driving lay ahead of us. My mind completely shut down—I couldn't speak. At least two hours passed in absolute silence. The worst part was that I couldn't decide whether the silence was comfortable... or just plain awkward.
After overthinking the quiet for way too long, I finally decided to break it.
"So... are we supposed to call each other by our usernames from the app, or should we share our real names?" I asked softly.
The boy hesitated. He glanced at me quickly, then turned his eyes back to the road.
"Maybe real names would be better, considering we'll spend two weeks together. I'm Jimin." He glanced at me again, as if waiting for my reaction.
"Nice to meet you, Jimin. I'm (Y/N)," I said with a smile.
From that point on, the silence felt a little less uncomfortable. Our next conversation didn't happen until we were already on the ferry.
"I wasn't able to book a cabin on board—I hope that's okay. We can sleep in the car. I brought a mattress, pillows, and blankets," he explained, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"That's totally fine. It's part of the experience, right?"
"So, would you prefer the backseat, or the trunk?God, that sounds so weird." He laughed softly after asking the question.
"Backseat for me," I chuckled at his laugh. "What do you say we get some cake or a drink on the ferry?" I asked.
Before replying, he checked his watch, then bit his lower lip.
"Maybe later? Or early in the morning? I'm not really a fan of crowds..." he said apologetically.
"Whatever you prefer."
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We quickly started to warm up to each other and began enjoying the experiences together. Although we always did things when there were the fewest people around, we usually left the car at dawn while on the ferry. Whenever we were around others, Jimin always wore his cap and mask—sometimes even sunglasses that completely hid his eyes. I never asked anything about it. I just figured he didn't like crowds.
I let him share what he wanted, just as he let me do the same.
We stayed two to three days at each place and made the most of the local attractions. In Fukuoka, we ate at the famous Yatai food stalls, went rowing in Ohori Park, walked around the lake, and admired the city lights from the observation deck. In Okinawa, we went diving, visited the Churaumi Aquarium, and watched a local dance performance. Then we headed to Taiwan, where we explored the stunning lantern-filled Jiufen village, shopped at the night market, and watched the sunset from the Taipei 101 observatory. In each location, we took a Polaroid photo to remember the moment.
Our final stop was Jeju. We rented horses, then had tea at a cozy little café. Now it's our last day before we head back to Seoul. Just the thought of it makes my chest ache—because we really found our rhythm. It felt like I'd found my soulmate.
Before returning to the car, we decided to take a walk along the beach during sunset. This time, Jimin joined me without his mask or cap. We walked in silence, side by side, the mood bittersweet.
Then I felt it—his hand brushing softly against mine. I looked at him. His large brown eyes met mine, almost as if silently asking for permission. I simply nodded. That was all he needed. He took my hand at once. I smiled without meaning to—like some kind of idiot.
We walked like that for a few minutes, until the moment was suddenly shattered by a voice.
"Jimin Oppa!!" A scream rang out, and we instinctively pulled apart.
Two teenage girls ran toward us excitedly, flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. They looked straight at Jimin, like their dreams had just come true. I just stood there, frozen, with no idea what was happening.
"You're like an angel in real life!" one of them gushed.
"Can we get an autograph?" asked the other.
Jimin took a picture with both of them, signed the notebook they handed him, and after a few kind words, the girls walked away—still dazed but overjoyed. And I just stood there, still frozen, still completely clueless.
We walked back to the car in silence, and by then, darkness had begun to fall. Jimin opened the sunroof, and we both climbed into the backseat to stargaze. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I melted into his embrace.
"Are you... famous?" I asked quietly, almost whispering. I didn't know if it was supposed to be a secret.
Jimin let out a soft sigh and nodded.
"Something like that, yeah. I'm a singer... and a dancer. Part of a group."
I just stared at him, and suddenly—everything made sense. The hat. The mask. The early departures. The avoided crowds.
"So that's why... all of it."
"Yeah. I just didn't want you to see me differently because of it." He looked at me honestly, almost pleading.
"Even if you had told me at the start, I wouldn't have seen you any differently," I said, meeting his eyes. "And I still don't."
"You know... we haven't known each other for very long. But somehow, it feels like you're the one," he said softly. Then, without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed me.
I kissed him back immediately, and once we pulled away, we just stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
"What if we both slept in the trunk tonight? Together. I can move our stuff to the backseats—it'll be comfy," he suggested.
"I like that idea," I replied.
We packed together, then made a bed in the trunk. Snuggled under the blankets, we curled up close. He pulled me into him as tightly as he could, his arm around my waist, and I rested my head against his chest.
"Goodnight," he whispered, pressing a kiss into my hair.
"Goodnight," I murmured, pressing a kiss to his jaw.
Who would've thought a car trunk could be this comfortable?
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"It wasn't just a journey across places, but hearts, painted in shades of lilac."
