Chapter 8 Part 2

Just as Chaeheon said, people were lining up one by one. Lee Jun tried to choose quickly but fell into an unexpected dilemma. Thinking of the cafeteria food he’d eaten a few times, which was mostly bad except for a specific menu item, he had no choice but to choose carefully. Moreover, the menu item he thought was decent had disappeared, making the choice even more difficult.

Should I go with bibimbap? He figured if he chewed the rice and some suitable vegetables, and the gochujang gave it flavor, it wouldn’t be the worst option. Just as he selected bibimbap and was about to press payment, a hand shot out over his shoulder.

“The bibimbap here is terrible. It’s like they mix cheonggukjang into the gochujang sauce.”

Long, straight fingers pressed “cancel payment” and then arbitrarily selected a menu item. Immediately after selecting his own meal, he inserted a card into the self-service machine.

“Senior, eat the pork cutlet.”

Chaeheon, having taken the receipt, pulled Lee Jun’s arm. Lee Jun would have followed even if Chaeheon had just spoken, but Chaeheon didn’t let go of Lee Jun’s arm, as if leading a child. Following Chaeheon, who was looking around, Lee Jun also subtly glanced around. There were empty seats here and there, but they were too far inside, and there wasn’t a suitable spot to eat away from other people.

“Chaeheon!”

It was Chaeheon who was called, but Lee Jun was startled as if he had been called himself. He turned his head towards the source of the voice and saw a man named Kim Gyeong-hun waving his arms enthusiastically. It was obvious he was going to ask them to eat together, so Lee Jun let out a weak groan. Sure enough, Kim Gyeong-hun pulled out the chair next to him.

“Tsk.”

Seeing that, Chaeheon pulled Lee Jun’s arm. As they were heading straight towards Kim Gyeong-hun, Lee Jun unconsciously put more force into his steps. He had agreed to come eat, but he didn’t want to mix with others and eat with them.

“Come over here, next to me.”

As they approached Kim Gyeong-hun, he greeted them cheerfully. Others, apparently sharing Kim Gyeong-hun’s sentiment, were also looking at Chaeheon. And even Lee Jun, standing next to Chaeheon, received curious glances.

“You guys eat by yourselves.”

“Huh?”

“Enjoy your meal.”

Chaeheon walked past Kim Gyeong-hun and headed further inside. Lee Jun, who was behind him, simply followed without a word.

Lee Jun pretended not to notice the gazes of others watching him and didn’t turn his eyes in their direction. Though he didn’t feel a sense of camaraderie, being constantly swayed wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

“Sit down.”

Chaeheon left Lee Jun, holding the paper with the order number, and headed to the pickup counter.

Left alone, Lee Jun took out his phone. As he was sending a reply that he was eating and would be back, a tray was suddenly placed in front of him.

“Should I get you water too?”

At the words spoken above his head, Lee Jun quietly stared at the pork cutlet. Something felt odd. He had a feeling he was being served, but was that right?

“Does it look unappetizing? You used to like pork cutlets.”

As Lee Jun only looked at the pork cutlet, Chaeheon, interpreting it differently, frowned.

“No.”

Lee Jun awkwardly picked up the knife. He cut a piece from the edge of the pork cutlet, which was steaming as if freshly fried, and put it in his mouth.

…

The breading was crispy, and the meat was tender. It tasted better than he expected, so Lee Jun chewed thoughtfully and looked at Chaeheon. Chaeheon, who had ordered the same menu, was only cutting his pork cutlet, not eating it. Lee Jun, who had been waiting for him to eat, wondering if he intended to cut it all first, turned his attention back to his own meal.

If it’s this good, maybe he could come and eat here often?