Chapter Text
Sohee peeled back the flimsy layer of plastic, paying no mind as it flew to the side of the steaming paper bowl. She let the slim cheddar slice sink into the noodles, the cheese seeping through the wheat noodles. Its bright yellow body melting into the kimchi flavour.
Picking up the chopsticks out of its paper case, the wooden sticks slid out with ease. Her hands struggled to separate the eating utensils. Just after she managed to split them, she caught a prominent whiff of high end cologne. After it passed by her, the rare scent lingered.
That smells familiar…
An eyebrow disappeared into her bangs as she glanced around the deserted convenience store. Only the older employee and the drizzle outside accompanied her. Who could it have been? She wondered. Until, her eyes landed on an oddly familiar adult.
He had just plopped down beside her, splitting his own chopsticks and stirring his noodles despite the long row of chairs open.
Sohee paused, chopsticks inches away from her bowl. Her gaze scanned his, racking through her mind.
The toque swallowed his hair, only leaving a few dark ash brown strands to stick out. The puffer jacket distorted his figure, she could only distinguish by his familiar face. However, a side profile wasn't enough.
Her gaze subconsciously lingered, head turned too far to be unnoticed.
Just as the man was about to shove a pile of spicy chicken ramen into his mouth, he paused and caught her gaze.
Sohee immediately glanced elsewhere, the wall beside her suddenly interesting.
An amused smile took over his lips, a small chuckle escaping from his mouth. He dropped his chopsticks into the bowl. Twirling on his chair, his arm leaned on the thick counter holding condiments and cases of complimentary chopsticks.
"Do I have something on my face?" He asked, his dark sleeve beneath his jacket rubbed around his lips.
Sohee reluctantly let her eyes dart back, though she stared at his bowl. "Uh, no...you're..." she swallowed nervously, studying the curl of his noodles. "...familiar"
His face faded into a contemplating look, gaze studying her intensely and tongue poking through his cheek. "Now that you mention it..." He leaned in, head tilting to study her features.
She leaned back, eyes widening at the sudden close proximity. However, she felt the heat creep onto her cheeks. Get it together, Sohee.
He leaned back.
"My bad...but, I do think I know you. Sungkyunkwan University? Last year's member training? you're the one who got wasted after a few drinks." He asked. An eyebrow raising, studying Sohee's pastel pink cut.
Her cheeks flushed deeper, eyes darting away again. "Not how I'd like to be known as..."
"Ah!" The corners of his eyes crinkled as his lips curled into a delighted grin. "So it is you, uh..." He paused, eyes glancing elsewhere while browsing through his mind. "So...so...hee? Sohee? Is that
your name?" His eyes quickly darted back.
Sohee paused. Blinking while dipping her chin. "Yeah, that's me. You're...Yoonho?" She posed with a tilt of the head. He knows me…
"mhm" Yoonho nodded, smile calming down. He leaned against the counter beside him. Bangs slanting to the side."I like your hair, by the way. it somehow looks more natural than your brunette colour."
Her lips curled into a rare, yet barely visible smile. "Oh, thank you. I just did it"
"Yourself?" Yoonho asked with wide eyes. "Damn, that's impressive. It looks perfect, no patches or fried pieces." he added.
"Took a few days to perfect it...and a few rounds of bleach." her hands threading through her silky locks. "thanks again"
"Yeah..." He shoved a pile of noodles into his lips. The conversation started to fade, so he started. "Excited for university?"
Sohee mixed her own noodles, the cheese swirling with the curly noodles. "I guess"
Yoonho chuckled softly, hand reaching to pick out an angel blue thread tangled in the strands. "I can tell, you are already starting a new project?" The thread coiled around his finger. He wiped
the string off with his jeans.
"Oh-" Sohee pushed a group of noodles into her mouth. She took a second to swallow. "Yeah, I've been making small pieces to prepare."
"Yeah, I get that," he said before swallowing another stack. "What have you been making recently? I've only seen a few designs on your instagram. You're insanely talented" He remarked.
"Just small things" she shrugged. "Like hats, scarves, small clothing alterations." She spun her chopsticks in the bowl. "And thanks"
"It's nothing," Yoonho nodded. "You say thanks a lot," he added with a soft chuckle.
He opened his mouth to speak, though was cut off by a grumpy worker gathering his items at the register.
"Hey! You kids need to leave!" His voice echoed through the vacant store, cutting through the heavy rain.
Sohee watched as the man slung his coat on, locking the register and grabbing his keys. She rolled her eyes subtly.
Yoonho whipped around, hands on the back of his seat. "Huh? What did we do?" He asked.
"It's Sunday, it closes at 12!" the agitated elder grunted.
The duo froze, both bowls still had too many noodles swimming compared to the time they'd been at the store, focusing on their conversation instead of eating. Yoonho began slurping quickly, while Sohee lifted her bowl to her lips. Sucking down on excess broth.
Yoonho finished at a surprising speed, hopping off his chair and pushing it into place with his shoe.
"We gotta go now, Sohee. You can just eat outside." His thumb gestured to the man struggling with the keys.
Sohee glanced up, bowl to her lips. She placed it down, and got up. A cup of broth rested in the bowl. She picked it back up, and riskily tossed it into a nearby trashcan. Yoonho followed suit.
"Eat outside? Do you not see the downpour?" She asked. Nudging a finger at the glass door that the man finally managed to open.
Yoonho sighed, unwrapping his umbrella. "Oh, though it would've stopped by now..." His voice barely sliced through the heavy sounds of pattering raindrops as the door nearby opened.
His gaze darted to Sohee, then her empty hands and the way she pulled her hood over her pastel locks. "Hey.." he started.
His hand clutched the umbrella, biting his lip in contemplation before reluctantly holding his umbrella out for her reach. "You, you can have it. Your hair looks freshly dyed, wouldn't want it staining your jacket."
She paused. Almost freezing in time. But snapped out of her pause when the grumpy man yelled again.
With hesitance, her hand brushed against his as she slid the umbrella from his hands. "Really? That's so kind of you..."
Yoonho nodded, pulling his own hood over his black toque. "Yeah of course." He gestured towards the door, before heading over. Tugging his hood down lower to conceal his wool hat.
In strides, he exited through the glass doors the employee held open for them. Sohee followed behind, unwrapping the gifted umbrella and letting it puff out. As the three stood under the short roof that offered little to no shelter, Sohee clicked her umbrella open. The umbrella popped open above her. She offered Yoonho a short sense of safety by lifting the umbrella over his head.
"Did you drive here?" Sohee asked, her voice hardly cutting through the heavy drumming rain and jingling keys as the worker harshly locked the door with trouble.
Yoonho glanced down, and shook his head. "No, my house isn't too far from here".
"Oh, okay. Well, I guess I'll see you in a few weeks at member training." Sohee said her farewells with a rare, warm smile despite the cold rain awaiting.
Yoonho copied her smile, only warmer. His top row of teeth flashed, retainer glistening under the soft moonlight. "Yeah. see you then."
"I'll make sure to give the umbrella back. Thanks again."
"Oh no," Yoonho waved his hands in dismissal. "No need to thank me, you can keep it, actually."
Sohee's eyebrows shot up, "seriously?"
"It's whatever." A hand slid into his pocket, clutching his phone. "I already have a few" Yoonho was about to speak again, until Sohee cut him off.
"But really, thanks. I'll see you later." She lifted the umbrella from Yoonho's head, and walked into the harsh rain. Droplets slid off the waterproof shield, though some beads made their way onto Sohee's jacket and jeans.
She flicked her gaze down at the wet bottoms of her jeans, sighing in annoyance. Knowing her brand new cream shoes would be stained by the time she arrived home. Although, complaining would be a selfish act since this umbrella wasn't hers.
𑣲 to be continued . . .