𝗦𝗨𝗡 & 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗡 | ᴬᶰ ˢᵒᵒᴴᵒ 『English Version』

Chapter 20

"Do you want kimchi?"

"We had that last time. Wouldn't you rather I cook something?"

"Isn't that a lot of work?"

"Yah, remember I don't have anyone to cook for now." Hyeori started, swinging her hand, her fingers laced with Sieun's as they walked toward the bus stop. "Sooho always made me keep my fridge full."

"Don't you have food now?"

"Of course I do, but I mean I miss cooking for someone." She murmured, lowering her gaze a little. "It's not the same cooking for yourself as it is for people you really care about."

"Last time it gave me a stomachache."

"Yah." The brunette complained, nudging him with her shoulder. "That was your fault, I told you the soy sauce would give you heartburn and you didn't listen to me."

Hyeori and Sieun were on their way home-she'd invited him to stay over that night just because she wasn't going to the gym or out for a run, and she didn't want to be alone. Sieun agreed; he didn't like being alone for long either, and somehow, being with her distracted him enough.

Now they were figuring out what to eat, though Sieun knew he'd end up eating whatever she made, because even after all this time, her food still had that special touch. After a few times, he understood why Sooho always wanted her to cook for him.

Just then, a small voice called out, and Hyeori turned to see Juntae running toward them with a bag in his hands. "Oh, Juntae-ah."

"Hi, nonna..." He gave a little bow, a bit embarrassed, pulling something out of his jacket. "This is yours. I washed it with some liquid soap from the bathroom, but here you go. Thank you so much."

She looked at the handkerchief in his trembling hands, smiling softly as she took it, running her fingers over the fabric.

"Oh, and... I noticed you didn't finish your lunch, so... It's a milk bun and some fruit juice." Hyeori blinked, glancing at Sieun as if she needed his permission to take the bag.

He just looked back at her, not understanding why she was looking at him. Hyeori pressed her lips together and reached out to take what Juntae was offering. "Thank you... But you didn't have to, Juntae-ah..."

"But... You skipped your lunch to help me... I hope you like it." The brunette didn't really know what to say, so she just thanked him again as she peeked inside the bag. "Oh, and here... There's lutein and magnesium..." Hyeori looked at Juntae again as he handed the bag to Sieun, explaining what each thing was for, while Sieun didn't even say a word.

Hyeori reached out and took the things for him, since he just stood there like a statue, staring at the younger boy with a blank face.

"Thanks for today... Uh... Bye, see you tomorrow."

Hyeori waved as Juntae ran off, watching him disappear down the street. She turned back to Sieun, who was looking at the bags with a grimace. "You're supposed to say thank you."

"I didn't ask for it."

"Even so," she said, turning him around and opening his backpack while he just stood there like a scolded kid. "When someone gives you something that could help, you say thank you..." She patted the closed backpack and stood beside him. "It's just manners, baby."

"But I didn't ask for it..."

"Ah, you're so stubborn... And I always defended you when Sooho called you that."

* * *

"And you said you weren't hungry, liar."

"You were going to throw it away if I didn't eat it."