The success of the concerts hadn't calmed Alara's heart; it had only made her more daring. By July 2022, the "StarryCaravan" fan meeting tour was in full swing. Alara knew this was her chance to stand inches away from him, not just watch him from the rafters.
She chose the Seoul finale on September 3, 2022. This time, she didn't just want to be a face in the crowd. She wanted to look into his eyes and see if he remembered.
Alara wore a soft, elegant abaya that complemented her Midnight Blue theme, with a delicate silk scarf styled perfectly. Her signature black mask was in place, leaving only her large, soul-searching eyes visible. As she stood in the "Hi-Touch" line, her palms were sweating. The golden chalk had brought her here, but her own courage had to take the final step.
The line moved quickly. The scent of expensive cologne and the sound of Lucian's polite laughter grew louder. Then, it was her turn.
As she stepped forward, the bright lights of the hall seemed to fade, leaving only him in focus. Lucian (Su-ho) was dressed in a white linen shirt, looking like a prince from an ancient tale. He was smiling at the fan before her, but as Alara stepped into his view, his smile flickered for a fraction of a second.
He froze. Those eyes. He had seen them months ago at the Jamsil Arena and others concerts,and they had haunted his dreams ever since.
"Hello," he whispered, his voice deep and melodic. Instead of a quick high-five, he lingered, his hand hovering near hers.
Alara felt the world tilt. "Hello, Lucian," she replied, her voice trembling but clear.
His dark, sparkling eyes searched hers, trying to pierce through the mystery of the mask. He noticed the slight curve of her lashes and the way her eyes crinkled with a mix of sadness and adoration. For a moment, the security guards and the thousands of screaming fans didn't exist.
"Have we... met before?" he asked softly, ignoring the staff trying to move the line along.
Alara's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't tell him the truth. She couldn't tell him she lived a world away and traveled through walls to see him.
"In my dreams, every night," she whispered.
Before he could respond, the staff nudged her forward. As she walked away, she felt his gaze burning into her back. Lucian didn't look at the next fan immediately; he watched the girl with the Midnight Eyes disappear into the crowd, knowing that this was no ordinary encounter.