Tock. Tock. Tock.
The rhythmic sound of metal tapping against metal echoed through the quiet hallway as Jihoon worked on replacing a broken light fixture. He paused for a moment, exhaling softly, before adjusting his grip on the hammer.
Balancing on a ladder, he carefully worked on the ceiling, repairing the spot where the old bulb had once been. It was a small but necessary fix that had been neglected for far too long.
He had just returned from work, still wearing the same clothes from the morning, with the faint scent of coffee and flour clinging to the fabric. His bag rested against the nearby wall at an angle, placed carelessly in his rush.
Just as he was twisting a screw into place, the door beside him creaked open.
A frail elderly woman stepped out, wrapped in a worn but neatly pressed cardigan, her gray hair tied back in a bun.
"How's everything going?" she asked, peering up at him.
Jihoon adjusted his stance before replying.
"The cover's completely broken, and the light itself seems to be having some wiring issues," he explained. "But it should be done soon."
The old woman clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tsk. That useless husband of mine! I've been complaining about this for months! Every time I bring it up, he just nods and says, 'I'lldoit,' but look! Nothing!"
Jihoon smiled patiently, listening to her rant as he continued his work.
"Last week, I asked again. And do you know what he said? The exact same thing! Just a lukewarm response and then silence. I might as well be talking to a wall."
She huffed, shaking her head, before letting out a tired sigh.
"Ah, right! I need to check on the tea I'm brewing," she suddenly said, straightening up. "I'll leave you be."
With that, she shuffled back inside, the door shutting behind her.
Jihoon exhaled softly, climbing down the ladder with careful steps. He picked up the new bulb from the floor and began his ascent again.
The ladder creaked under his weight, slightly unstable without anyone holding it in place. He made a mental note to be extra careful.
Once he reached the top, Jihoon stretched his neck, trying to get a clear view of the socket. The subdued hallway lighting did not make it any easier.
Narrowing his eyes, he worked methodically, but the strain was starting to get to him. The muscles in his shoulders burned from holding his hands up for too long, yet he forced himself to focus on the task at hand.
His concentration was so intensely locked on securing the bulb that he failed to notice the slight trembling in his legs.
Then, without warning, the ladder lurched beneath him.
Jihoon's breath caught in his throat as he lost balance, his fingers instinctively grasping at empty air. His footing slipped, and in that split second, his heart felt like it leapt out of his chest as gravity took hold.
Bracing himself for the impact, he shut his eyes, already anticipating the hard ground.
But instead of crashing down, he found himself caught in a firm embrace.
A fresh scent of soap mixed with something warm and earthy, like cedarwood, washed over him.
It was strangely calming, but the stark contrast between the expected pain and the solid warmth holding him made his head spin.
His eyes, squeezed shut in reflex, slowly fluttered open.
Dark strands of hair partially obscured a chiseled face, further shadowed by the muted light of the corridor. Jihoon's breath hitched as he processed what had just happened.
The stranger carefully lowered him back onto his feet as Jihoon instinctively grasped the man's broad shoulders to steady himself, feeling the solid warmth beneath his palms before he hastily let go.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"T-thank you," Jihoon stammered, quickly stepping back and bowing deeply. His ears burned with embarrassment.
The man regarded him with a neutral tone as he picked up the box he had just dropped. "Be careful next time. You could break a bone."
Jihoon swallowed and nodded. "I will. I'll be more careful from now on." He bowed again, this time lower, to properly show his gratitude.
The man gave a small nod before turning away, his long strides carrying him down the path to his own unit.
'His hair is all over his face again.'
Jihoon watched the retreating figure, still feeling the fading warmth.
Before he could dwell on it further, the elderly woman poked her head out as the door creaked open, her eyes darting around in concern. "What was all that noise?"
Jihoon quickly shook his hands in reassurance. "Ah, it was nothing," he said with a sheepish smile.
"Oh? Is it already in place?" she asked, her attention shifting upward.
Relief washed over Jihoon when he saw the bulb securely fitted. At least the work had been completed before he fell.
"Should we test it?" he suggested.
The old woman hobbled over to the light switch and flicked it on.
A white glow flooded the hallway, illuminating the once-shadowed space and driving away the dull gloom that had settled there for months.
"Ah, finally! It's like the sun came inside!"
The old woman's face lit up as she clasped her hands together.
Jihoon chuckled. "Now it matches the others."
She nodded approvingly before turning to him. "Come inside for some tea. You've worked hard."
Jihoon shook his head politely. "I'd love to, but my little brother is waiting at home."
The woman sighed. "Hah! Alright, wait here."
He stood there awkwardly as she disappeared into her unit.
A few minutes later, she returned, holding a large container wrapped in a cloth.
"Here, take this. Some side dishes for you and your brother. You're both too skinny."
Jihoon's eyes widened in surprise before he smiled, taking the container with both hands. "Thank you so much, grandma Min. Haneul will be really happy."
The old woman patted his arm. "Go on now. Eat well."
Jihoon bowed one last time before heading off with his bag, the container tucked securely under his arm and the warm glow of the overhead lights trailing behind him.