Realization (1)
Serena led Seong Hyun-jin to a restaurant that was quite famous even within the academy city of Terastial Academy. The place, Étoile d'Amour, wasn't hard to reserve a table at, but there was a good reason for its popularity.
"Welcome! Do you have a reservation?"
"No."
"Ah, got it! Right this way~!"
This restaurant had only couple's booths—no other seating. It was the go-to spot for academy couples on dates. True to its name, meaning "Star of Love," it was a space designed exclusively for lovers. Every dining area was a private room for two, intimate enough for discreet personal moments. Overtly crossing the line was forbidden, of course, but the real draw was being able to spend time with your partner without prying eyes. That was why Étoile d'Amour was so renowned among couples.
Seong Hyun-jin, blissfully unaware of all this, stared at the booth meant for just two people and remarked in wonder.
"What, every seat here's a private room?"
"Yes. Nice, right?"
"Yeah, definitely comfy."
His first thought wasn't anything romantic—it was just how nice it was to eat without worrying about stares from others. Serena, accustomed to his straightforward reactions, sat down casually.
"Sit."
"Uh, do we need to pick from a menu here?"
"It's all a fixed course."
"Oh?"
The second reason Étoile d'Amour was famous among couples was its menu.
"They say the food's great, so no need to worry about it tasting bad."
"Gotcha."
As Serena said, the food was delicious—but every dish was...
"...?"
...tailor-made for couples.
The first course was an aperitif drink in a single glass with two heart-shaped straws.
"???"
As question marks practically formed on Seong Hyun-jin's face, Serena spoke nonchalantly.
"Why look so flustered?"
"Not getting flustered would be weirder, don't you think...?"
"It's just the concept here. Don't sweat it."
With that, Serena snatched the glass, put her lips to one straw, and slurped away.
"Tastes good."
"Uh..."
Seeing her so unfazed made Seong Hyun-jin awkwardly scratch his head. He took the glass she offered, sipped from the opposite straw, and nodded.
"...Yeah, it is tasty."
Serena nodded back in response.
Next came more dishes.
"Enjoy your meal~!"
"...Sure."
The appetizer salad had dressing drizzled in a perfect heart shape on top. Unfamiliar with this cutesy vibe, Seong Hyun-jin eyed Serena awkwardly. But she mixed the dressing and veggies with a completely straight face.
"Not eating?"
"Oh, yeah... I am."
Am I the only one feeling weird? Wondering that, he calmed himself, mixed his salad properly, and took a bite.
"How is it?"
"Tasty..."
The salad was just plain good. The quirky presentation threw him off, but the food quality was undeniably top-notch.
The next dish let him breathe a sigh of relief.
"Enjoy~!"
"Oh, thanks."
It was a perfectly ordinary omurice. High-end ingredients befitting the price, sure, but visually no different from any other. Finally, something normal, he thought, reaching for his spoon—only to catch a lingering gaze and turn.
"Why aren't you leaving?"
The server wasn't going. When Seong Hyun-jin stared quizzically, she pointed at the ketchup bottle.
"You have to draw ketchup hearts for each other! Show your love to your partner!"
"..."
Stunned by the absurdity, he glanced at Serena, but she looked utterly unfazed.
"I told you, that's the concept here."
"Even so, this feels too much like forcing it..."
"Come on, do it!"
The server kept urging them, as if refusing to leave without a heart drawn in ketchup.
"No choice—close your eyes and do it. I don't wanna get kicked out mid-meal."
"...We'd actually get kicked out?"
Seong Hyun-jin shot her and the server incredulous looks before asking the latter.
"...A heart?"
"A heart!"
The server beamed, repeating his words cheerily. You can't spit on a smiling face, as they say. He stared helplessly at the ketchup bottle. Seeing this, Serena reached out and grabbed it first.
"If you're that embarrassed, I'll go first."
"Won't that make it even more embarrassing?"
"It's not about embarrassment..."
"Too chatty."
Serena pulled his omurice plate closer and began drawing...
Squiiiirt.
...a heart on top.
Seong Hyun-jin watched in bewilderment, but she didn't stop. Her cheeks flushed with unavoidable shyness, yet she pressed on.
He thought to himself in mild panic, ...She really wanted the food here that bad?
From her words and the server's behavior, this seemed like a couples-only spot. Serena must've craved the food and brought him—the only guy she was close to at the academy. Good thing I didn't drag Ciela into this, he figured.
Finally, Serena handed him the bottle.
"Done."
"...Uh-huh."
The heart she'd drawn looked appetizingly perfect on his omurice—not crooked at all. A stray drip nearby even resembled a tiny heart. He shook his head.
"Now the boyfriend too!"
"..."
He wanted to deny it, but it wouldn't fly. Resigned, Seong Hyun-jin took the bottle and drew a heart on her omurice, just like she'd done.
...This is way more embarrassing than I thought.
The humiliation hit hard. Even he, who never had shaky hands, trembled now. His heart came out a bit wonky compared to hers, but Serena's expression wasn't bad.
Actually, she was hiding it, but...
The heart Hyun-jin drew for me...
In truth, she loved it. Deep down, Serena was thoroughly enjoying this. Her cool facade was all an act—the "just here for the food" excuse was a front. Really, she just wanted to be alone with Seong Hyun-jin like this.
It hadn't started that way. At first, offering to tutor him wasn't about this. But when Ciela openly showed her affection, Serena realized she couldn't wait any longer.
That sparked it—anxiety mixed with jealousy, possessiveness, and tender feelings all tangled up. The emotion felt alien then and still did now, but she was starting to understand it.
What it was called.
"Enjoy~!"
The server left once Seong Hyun-jin managed his heart. Drained, he muttered in disbelief.
"What's with this restaurant's whole vibe...?"
"...Hyun-jin."
Serena scooped a big bite of omurice and held it out to him with a slightly trembling hand.
"Try it."
"...I have my own."
A bit thrown by her gesture, he stated the obvious. It was so logical there was no arguing it.
But instead of logic, Serena persuaded him differently.
"Don't... wanna?"
"...!"
Her slightly coquettish tone and action left him staring blankly between her and the spoon. Dazed, he asked.
"...You really want me to?"
Serena nodded faintly. He swallowed hard.
Unable to resist the honest urge, he parted his lips and leaned in. She slid the spoon in.
"Ahh~."
"..."
He chomped down and ate the omurice. Serena smiled lightly, propping her chin.
"Good?"
"...Yeah."
Not because the omurice was amazing—he just said it. It was fine, sure, but he wasn't focused on that now.
This is for real...
Seong Hyun-jin was reeling, newly grasping the meaning behind Serena Eldark's actions and expressions.
Serena...?
He'd suspected, but dismissed it. Karin's indifference, his own unmanly flaws—he figured women wouldn't go for him. But this? Ignoring her feelings was impossible now.
He decided to test his hunch for certainty. Though he didn't really need more proof, it was too unbelievable—he craved 100% truth.
Seong Hyun-jin scooped omurice just like she had.
And.
"You eat too."
"..."
Like she'd done, he held the spoon out to her.
# Seong Hyun-jin thought he'd played it smart. If she truly liked him, she'd accept. If not, she'd blush furiously or react accordingly. Worst case, he could play it off as returning the favor.
Tense, he awaited her response.
It startled him badly.
Nom.
Serena engulfed his spoon in one go. No hesitation.
Biting it, she glanced up at him playfully. Their eyes met, and he froze.
"..."
"..."
The stare lasted until she pulled back. As her lips parted, a thin strand of saliva stretched between them and the spoon.
Just spit on a spoon—why did it look so suggestive? While he gawked, Serena wiped it daintily with a finger.
"Finish eating?"
She turned to her meal. He nodded faintly and followed suit.
But Seong Hyun-jin barely registered the taste—mouth or nose, who knew?
The spoons hadn't switched. The one she was using now was the one he'd eaten from...
"..."
And his was the one her lips had touched.
She didn't care at all.
One truth shone clear.
No more confusion for Seong Hyun-jin.
Serena Eldark—the stunning, accomplished girl other guys dreamed of just talking to...
...likes me? Is this a dream?
He'd realized it. She liked him.