The convenience store was buzzing under its yellow lights.
Fluorescent, too bright. A little too cold. But familiar. The kind of place that smelled like microwaved dumplings, floor cleaner, and a thousand unspoken conversations.
Sera stood in front of the instant noodle section like she was choosing a weapon. Her fingers hovered over jjajangmyeon, then seafood ramyun, then paused on the extra spicy kind.
Behind her, Jisoo was already holding a can of cold coffee.
"What's taking you so long?" he asked, monotone.
"I'm making a life decision," she muttered.
He blinked. "It's noodles."
"It's dinner."
He raised a brow. "It's 900 won."
Sera turned, holding up two options. "Which one's more emotionally satisfying?"
"…They're carbs."
"Pick one, ramen snob."
He pointed to the spicy one. "Pain builds character."
She grinned. "So says the guy with a bleeding forehead."
They paid and moved to the back where the tiny metal tables were tucked near the windows, across from a row of vending machines. A few students were eating, but no one paid them much attention.
The noodles took three minutes.
Long enough to feel like forever when you're sitting across from someone you're not supposed to like.
Steam curled from the cup between them.
Sera stirred hers carefully, trying not to glance up too often.
Jisoo, surprisingly, didn't speak.
Not in a cold way.
More like… he didn't know how.
She broke the silence first.
"So… are you really okay?"
He didn't answer right away.
Then: "I'm fine."
She gave him a look. "You say that a lot. You ever mean it?"
He took a long sip of his coffee.
"Sometimes."
They ate in silence for a while.
The kind of silence that wasn't uncomfortable — just heavy with things neither of them were ready to say.
Then, gently, Sera asked, "You and your brother… is it just you two?"
He didn't look up. "Yeah."
A pause.
"Does he cook?"
"Not unless you count burning eggs."
Sera laughed. "That's tragic."
"He's trying."
Her smile softened. "You care about him a lot."
Jisoo nodded.
"He saved me," he said simply.
And suddenly, the air shifted.
Not dramatically.
But just enough.
Sera didn't pry. Just nudged her noodles and whispered, "Still not a fan of cafeteria food?"
He gave the faintest smile. "Still not a fan of people."
She leaned her cheek into her palm. "You're tolerating me pretty well."
Jisoo didn't answer.
But he looked at her.
And for the first time since they met—
he didn't look away.