Areum’s POV

It takes us one hour to finish shopping and only when we had filled two baskets with groceries was I satisfied with our trip. We approach the cash register together as the cashier’s eyes widen at our groceries. I clutch my wallet in my hands and watch as she scans the items to checkout. I pull out my card when Kai places a hand over mine and pushes me aside. I scowl as I watch him pay with his card.

Just as I was about to complain, a familiar mess of hair catches my eye from one of the aisles. I stretch my neck over to get a better look, but the figure disappears.

Strange, is that Baek-

“Areum, let’s go.” Kai calls for me.

I turn to see him holding all the groceries with ease. I follow after him as he leaves the store and turn my head slightly in curiosity.

Baekhyun would’ve came over and said “hi,” that must’ve been someone else.

When we return to his apartment, it’s nearly 6pm. I lay out some of the things we bought and lean on the counter, letting my eyes wander around his empty kitchen.

“Do you even have a cutting board?” I raise my eyebrows and open a cupboard, which is filled with empty containers.

“What’s a cutting board?” He retorts sarcastically and joins me in the kitchen.

I heave a sigh and start unpackaging the meats. “I’ll do the cooking, you go back to the assignment.”

I feel him inch his hand closer to mine on the counter but I don’t look at him.

“It’s my place Ari.” He says a matter factly. “I’m not going to make you cook for me when you’re not even my girlfriend.”

I flush bright red and duck my head to hide my face from view. He smirks at my reaction and takes a step back, away from me, to give me some space.

After several attempts of looking for his utensils, he finally shows me where they are. He stands on his chair and pulls down the box of cup noodles, revealing a full set of shining pots, pans, and other cooking utensils. He smirks at me as I pass him the box of noodles for him to put back.

“What is it,” His eyes smile down at me in amusement. “You’re looking at me funny.”

“Do you eat like this everyday?” I ask bluntly, still finding it hard to believe.

“Now that you’re here, I guess I don’t anymore.” He gets down carefully and disappears to put back the chair.

I run a hand in my hair and pull it into a ponytail, staring at the ingredients on the counter. Now that I’m here huh? Does he want me to cook for him everyday?

With the lemongrass and water boiling in a pot, I start cutting the vegetables. Kai leans on the counter next to me and watches in amazement. Feeling slightly self conscious, I put down the knife and motion for him to take over.

“You wanna try?”

He looks at me as if I had given him the moon. Without a moment's hesitation, he moves over and takes the knife.

“What do I do?” He blinks, surveying the ingredients before he rests his eyes on me.

I shrug and make a cutting motion with my hands. “Cut the vegetables.”

His shaking hands move the knife to the cutting board and I immediately jump to his side. I place my hand over his in worry and help him cut the vegetables slowly.

“I don’t get it, you do work at a diner.” I remind him. “How can you be this incapable.”

It takes me a while to realise what I was doing. I jump back and pull my hand from his, shaking them slightly to make my escape less awkward. I look at Kai’s focused eyes on the cutting board, his cheeks flushing slightly, just as mine is.

He slowly and precisely cuts the cilantro into perfect proportions as I return to the meats. His eyes are wide and wary and he is hunching over the cutting board carefully. His curious figure reminds me of the first time I was taught to cook and I can’t help but feel a smile creep up on my lips.

When was the last time he cooked a real meal? He looks lonely though it’s probably because he lives alone.

I stand there, staring at his composure.

I live alone. So, does that make me lonely?

Kai bites his lip as he moves on to cutting the onions. He gives me a look of uncertainty, and when I don’t say anything, he proceeds. Gently, he puts pressure onto the knife to slice the onion in chunks. Unfortunately, he isn’t aware that onions can make you cry.

“Yah, yah, yah, why are my eyes stinging.” He whines.

He drops the knife and covers his eyes with his sleeves. I smirk and walk over to him with a tissue.

“Lemme see.” I say, gently lowering his arms slowly.

He looks at me with a frown. His eyes are red and uncontrollable tears streams down and around his cheeks.

“It hurts.” He mutters blinking profusely.

I laugh and wipe his tears, letting my hands linger on his cheeks. He blinks one last time and our eyes lock into a long stare. His prominent cheeks gradually change to a bright red as our eyes burn into each others. We we’re close, almost too close.

I pull my hand away, realising just how close his lips are to mine.

“S-sorry.” I look down, my face burning. “Wash your hands, the stinging should go away soon.”

I’m too embarrassed to look at him in the eye as I return to cooking. He goes to the kitchen sink without a word and washes his hands. When he returns to my side, I bite my lip and pretend I don’t notice him. My heart is racing.

Why are you acting like this Areum? Don’t let him get to you, don’t get hurt again.

Once dinner is ready, he sets the table as I bring the soup and side dishes. We sit across from each other in silence.

“Thank you for the meal.” Kai smiles at me warmly. “I haven’t eaten dinner like this since…”

He breaks our eye contact the looks at the floor. He spaces out for a second and I clear my throat.

“Don’t worry.” I say, attempting to clear up the mood. “I haven’t had a dinner like this since I left the countryside. I live alone around here too, you’re not the only one.”

He looks up at me and the corner of my lips point upward. A smile of relief and understanding.

“I’ll eat well.” He nods enthusiastically and digs in.

I twirl my spoon in my hand, watching and waiting for his response to the soup.

“Ahhh, it’s delicious Ari.” He smiles widely. “Whoa. Daebak, jinja.”

“I’m glad you like it.” I say with a sigh of relief, feeling quite proud of myself.

“We should do this more often.” Kai suggests, pointing at the food with his spoon. “Every time we have a work day off together, let’s make dinner like this.”

He is lonely. Really lonely.

“I don’t see why not,” I shrug. “And if it means you eating better, I’d be more than happy to.”

“Call.”

We talk about common interests while we eat. Eventually, we get to the topic of my transfer.

“If you lived in the country, how did you get here?” Kai asks.

I lick my lips and wipe my mouth with a napkin.

“I wouldn’t be here without my grades. Surprisingly, a sponsor noticed me and brought me here.” I slouch a little. “I’m glad I’m here though, it’s different. I like it.”

“Me too.” Kai tilts his head grinning.

“What about you? How’d you end up… here?” I ask, notioning the apartment. “I mean, it looks like you have the money with all this, and your car.”

He moves his lips to one side of his face.

Am I being nosy? Did I say something wrong…?

“My parents are on a business trip, I’m sure they’ll be back soon. I mean, I hope they’ll be back soon.” He catches himself and looks up at me with a forced smile.

I nod, expecting more.

“I work at the diner so I don’t die of boredom here. That’s all. The boys there keep me company.” Kai explains. He pauses and fiddles with his rice. “Let’s talk about something else.”

His eyes are so, sad. I want to know more but, I guess now is not the time.

“Sure.” I purse my lips.

“Your dialect is getting better. I guess you’re getting used to how things work around here.”

“Ah… yes.” I shrug. “It’s not like I have a choice anyways. Seoul is much more different, in a good way. I’m open to more possibilities here. In the country, all I do is cook, cook, cook. For my mother’s restaurant I mean. It’s the best in town and everyone from everywhere comes just to try our meals. It was hard for me to work for my mother and study, but I managed to-”

I stop talking and gulp, fixing my eyes on my plate.

You’re rambling Areum! I mentally slap myself. Don’t be like this again, you are NOT the same Areum who rambled all the time to mother, to father, to Chanyeo-

I look up at Kai. He rests his head on his hand, elbow on the table. He stares at my features and smiles, amused.

Well isn’t he happy.

I frown and shake my head, continuing to eat.

He laughs. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but stare.”

I shrug in response.

“Speaking of cooking…” He says mid bite. “How come you didn’t cry when I was cutting the onions. I’d be nice to see you all teary eyed like me.”

I laugh a little.

“A simple onion can’t make me cry.” I mutter with a bland smile. “Not after what I experienced. There are worst things.”

I finish my soup as Kai just stares at me.

Is it just me, or has he been like this all evening? Staring at me when we were at the market, cooking and now, eating. I’m not that fascinating.

After dinner, Kai helps me wash the dishes. When he returns to the living room, I pack leftovers and place them in fridge. The fridge used to be empty, but since we’ve gone shopping, it looks normal and full. I nod my head, satisfied and close the fridge.

I walk into the living room only to find Kai sleeping on the couch. The lights are dimmed.

“Wow, what a host he is.” I sigh.

I silently pack up my belongings and search for my jacket. My eyes rest on Kai.

Of all places you could’ve slept, it had to be on my jacket.

I scratch my head, a little hesitant as I walk closer to him. He looks innocent, but I assume he’s been through a lot. At dinner… we only talked about me. How selfish can I get.

Slowly, I reach my hand out towards him. I pinch my jacket behind him and tug gently. He shifts a little, making me pull my hand back.

Ah. He can return my jacket tomorrow at school. Not a big deal.

I turn to grab my bag, but he counters my actions by holding my arm. I turn back facing him, looking at his hand.

“Ka-kajima. (Don’t go.)” He mumbles with his eyes still closed. “Not again.”

My free hand slowly moves up to pull his hand away. His grip is hard. What was he dreaming about to grab onto me like this?

“Don’t leave me again.” His voice fades out, and my expression soften. My will to leave is gone, all that is important right now is to keep him company.

“Arraseo.” I bite my lip.

Could he have been dreaming about his parents?

It’s as if he had heard me. I feel his grip on my hands loosen and I sit on the floor in front of the couch.

I move to grab a blanket, but am startle by his sudden movement. He pulls me down to lay next to him and wraps his arms around my waist, tight. I hold my breath.

“You’re warm.” His hot breath whispers on my collarbone.

His unconscious body is heavy on mine. I feel the warmth of his breath on my neck and a small shiver shoots up my spine. My heart is racing so fast that I can barely breath.

What am I doing, what would my parents think if they saw me now.

The more I think about it, the more of a bad idea it is. My mind tosses and turns at the situation, leaving me in a mess of confusion. What am I doing here next to Kai? Why am I okay with this?

Just one night. Never again.

-----

Kai’s POV

Her presence wakes me up. The smell of her hair is intoxicating and I feel like surrendering myself to her completely. Although the light in the room is dim, I can still see the redness in her ear as I hold her close to my body.

I smile as I imagine her embarrassed expression. It’s a rare thing to see her blush, but when she does, it’s as if the world lightens up around her.

There is something about her that’s different than the girls I’m used to. Something attractive about her that I can’t put my finger on.

I feel her breathing calm down beside me, signalling that she’s fallen asleep. I reposition myself and close my eyes.

For the first time, in a long time. I’m happy being here.

-----

Baekhyun’s POV

I think we made eye contact. We made eye contact right? I can’t stop thinking about what happened earlier at the grocery store. I understand they are working together on a school project but grocery shopping isn’t a part of the assignment, is it?

Why wasn’t I able to go and say something to them as I usually did? What was it about them that made them so unapproachable?

I remember the look on Areum’s face as they shopped. Her beautiful smile and her bright eyes. The smile I was only able to see once or twice.

My hands slip and the plate I was holding falls to the ground. Kai made her smile this time, not me.

Not me.

I clean the broken pieces quickly and, in the process, cut myself on a piece of glass. I stare at the blood that drips from the small shallow wound.

How are Areum’s hands? They must’ve healed right?

I stare at the broken pieces on the ground and bite my lips.

Why is she on my mind all of the time?

I haven’t thought about anything else but Areum, since I left the market. It’s the first time I’ve had a girl on my mind this long.

Notes

Yooooooo~

Happyyyy MONDAYYYYY~ *sighs* yeah that's all I gotta say. Sorry for a late timing (6:57 pm) usually I'd update earlier but Nancy be busy with FINALS. College like is so stressful... at least that's how I see it from her complaints LOL. But yeah, just finished writing and editing. Hope you enjoyed it.

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See you next Monday~!

-Alexis Thao

(Your favorite author muahahhahahahahahahhah)