Lunchtime for Just the Two of Us
The morning after the entrance ceremony. I stuffed my bag full of textbooks and reference books, preparing to head to school. Now that I'd gotten acquainted with my classmates, it was time to focus on my duties as a student—studying.
"Oppa~ You forgot your lunch~"
"Ah, thanks."
I took the lunchbox from my little sister and made my way to the subway station. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the packed interior of the train, just as always. Another suffocating commute, I thought as I boarded. That's when I spotted a familiar face amid the crowd.
Yoo Soeun. The genius who snatched the top spot right out from under me, and now my seatmate. Just like the first time I'd seen her, she was deeply engrossed in a book despite the throng of people, paying no attention whatsoever to her surroundings.
What's she gonna do if some creep takes advantage of her like that? Feeling anxious as her classmate, I pushed through the crowd and greeted her directly.
"Reading again, huh."
"……."
Her gaze flicked toward me at my greeting. Her face was still as inscrutable as ever. I glanced at the book in her hand and asked,
"From the first time I saw you, it seems like you really love reading."
Not some fantasy novel or comic that kids our age fall for easily, but classic literature. A hobby truly befitting the top student. Finally, she parted her inexpressive lips and spoke to me.
"You…… can read books?"
"……Hey, I'm the second-place student. Isn't treating me like I'm illiterate a bit much?"
Well, I knew she didn't mean it dismissively.
"I read classics now and then to build some culture. Lately, I've done Moby-Dick and The Stranger……."
I kept chatting, trying to show off a little, when her eyes drifted downward. They landed on the cover of her book—a title I recognized well.
"The complete Shakespeare, huh. Not a bad choice."
"Like it?"
"Hate it or like it? Definitely like. He's a literary giant whose name echoes through world history, after all."
Though his works are play scripts rather than novels, so they're short—that's a minor flaw. On the flip side, that brevity packs an explosive influence that resonates even today. Whether it's a comedy that makes you laugh or a tragedy that leaves a profound aftertaste…….
I, too, dreamed of making my mark later in life, so I couldn't help but admire such a figure.
"If you like Shakespeare, want some other recommendations? My personal favorites are……."
Maybe it was the shared interest, but my words flowed easily, opening up a conversation. She listened quietly, without a hint of annoyance. Sure, it was mostly me talking one-sidedly, but for high schoolers our age, just sharing a hobby was something to be grateful for.
—The doors are opening.
I hoped the chat would continue, but after a few stops, the crowd swelled. The cramped space started pressing in on us uncomfortably.
"You okay?"
"……Ugh."
She seemed stifled too. Unable to focus on talking or reading amid the press of bodies, I pulled her out and guided her toward the relatively open spot by the wall.
"Come over here."
I positioned her with her back to the wall, blocking the incoming crowd with my body…… Yeah, that way, at least she'd be free from the pressure. Of course, I'd have to bear most of the weight, but between a growing teenage boy and a frail girl, who could endure better was obvious.
"This way, you won't get squished."
"……."
Yoo Soeun stared at me silently. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, but before I could ask what was on her mind, the train lurched with a loud clunk!, tilting my body sharply.
Damn, she'll get crushed like this.
—Thud!
I thrust both hands out to brace against the wall on either side of her head. I barely kept from crushing her, but her eyes went wide with shock at my sudden move.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little wobble."
Was I some adult who couldn't handle this? Bracing with all my might against the surging weight, I forced a smile to calm her startled look.
"It'll take a while to get there, so keep reading. I can at least give you that much space."
"Uh, okay."
She nodded, opening her book and turning back to the pages. With nowhere else to look, my eyes naturally drifted there too, catching the chapter title: A Midsummer Night's Dream. One of Shakespeare's five great comedies, about three couples' tangled romances.
"……."
Her face seemed unusually flushed—probably the lingering shock from the jolt. Yeah, that must be it. Still, I inwardly hoped this awkward situation would end soon.
*****
After arriving at school, classes began in earnest. For now, though, it was mostly introductions to teachers and subjects—no real review material yet.
Naturally, students prioritized bonding over studying. Break times were filled with chatter and pranks among new friends. Groups started forming in the classroom, including one of four centered around me.
"You see yesterday's soccer game? It was 2-2, super tense, then our team nailed the reversal shot—pure catharsis!"
"Jiho, you're always on about soccer during breaks. How about mixing it up sometimes?"
"Yeah, yeah~ Instead of just kicking balls around, we need variety. Speaking of, I catch every new anime season!"
"……Comics are fine, but you're actually studying, right?"
The upbeat athlete Shin Jiho, the surprisingly mature Jin Seohyun, and the otaku girl Lee Nari, who's not your typical high schooler. They were all sociable and lively, making me feel more and more part of the class group.
Yeah, if these friendships lasted, my school life would go smoothly. But what about my seatmate?
I glanced toward her, and there she was, keeping to herself amid a cluster of girls—just like yesterday. They seemed polished, total "in-crowd" types. I worried if the quiet, timid girl fit in, but I decided not to meddle. School was a microcosm of society; interfering between factions wasn't ideal.
"Ugh, lunch time! First school lunch—wonder what it's like."
"Heard it's buffet-style. Pricey, though……."
"Whatever. It's all on our parents' dime—no sweat for us."
Lunchtime arrived amid excited chatter—this was our first at Hyoeun High. Shin Jiho turned to me expectantly.
"You're eating with us, right, Manbung?"
"Sorry, I brought a lunchbox. Looks like you'll have to go without me."
"What, Kim Manbung? Picky eater at your age?"
"The plight of the poor commoner—mark it well."
Private schools meant families footed most of the cafeteria bill.
"Ahem, fine then. But hit the field after eating?"
"Got it—prep the soccer ball."
Shin Jiho and the others left for their game plans. The classroom fell silent, leaving me alone. Lonely lunches from now on? Bringing a bento saved allowance, but…… it felt pretty isolating.
"Um, ex……."
That bitter thought was interrupted by a soft voice. I realized someone else was there and turned toward it.
It was Yoo Soeun, pulling a wrapped bundle from her bag.
"Can I…… eat?"
Her hesitant question left me blankly repeating,
"……Eat?"
"Lunchbox…… next to you……."
Even in her group, she had a bento too? Guess everyone had their struggles. As I vaguely surmised, she stood to leave.
"If it's a bother…… I'll go somewhere else. Bathroom or……."
"Hey, who eats in the bathroom? Ruins the appetite."
And mine would suffer too. Resigned, I quietly shifted my desk to face hers.
"Might as well eat together. Okay to move the desk?"
"……Even so…… okay?"
"What's to refuse? Just a meal."
She hesitated, then nodded and sat across. We unpacked our lunches, showing them off. Hers was homely, brimming with care. Mine was a jumbo love-packed portion that rivaled the buffet…….
"So much…… food."
"……Gotta eat it. My loving little sister made it."
"Little…… sis?"
"Yeah. I planned to prep it mornings, but she got confident in cooking and insisted on handling lunches from now on. Not sure if it's admirable or overzealous……."
Either way, gratefully made by my sister—I'd savor it. As we ate, she stared and asked softly,
"Good at…… cooking…… like?"
"Huh?"
"Someone good at…… cooking…… like?"
I like it. Coming from an opposite-sex classmate, it could mean something—but a bit of thought showed it didn't. We'd only met days ago; no way.
"I do. Good cooks won't starve, and they're prime wife material."
In that sense, my sister just needed minor tweaks to be top-tier. Whoever marries her, I'll vet strictly.
Continuing my meal, I noticed her face growing serious.
"Good…… wife……."
My words bugging her? Whatever, daydreaming instead of eating wasn't great.
"Hey, you've barely touched yours. Lunch'll end…… okay?"
Mid-sentence, I sensed someone at the door. Glancing over, I saw a girl from another class glaring in—blonde twintails impossible for a typical Korean, a peer I knew all too well…….
"……."
Uh oh. How long has Mary been lurking there?