— dining area

@☆ i. jaebum her own response was three awkward seconds of silence, merely blinking down at the latter as if trying to figure out if he was genuinely asking a question or if it was rhetorical. what else would she bring? naeun was practically renown for eating home pack lunches (usually different versions of salads) — anything that was not threatening to increase her body’s cholesterol and blood pressure levels. “not that, that’s for sure.” she glances at the ramen bowl pointedly, before pushing it from beneath his possession to the other side of the table.

“how have you not suffered a heart attack—” it was mostly mumbled to herself, but the lady made sure it was audible enough for her to voice her concern. as if it was only natural for the two of them to be seen eating together, she adjusted the seat as her fingers occupied themselves with wriggling the containers out of the paper bag. “salad. i don’t know if you’re vegan or pescatarian— but i added chicken in yours. if you are, you can take mine.” as her rambles continues on the ingredients that’s been placed inside, she places his share in the vacant spot where his ramen once was before shifting her gaze up to peer at him. “uh... eat well? is that what people say when you eat together...”

@⍟ s. naeun jaebum is minding his own business. this means swallowing unhealthy amounts of sodium and scrolling through endless canvases that he has yet to submit. his lunch hour began not too long ago, and he has consumed most of the time by going over his rejections. his results only ends in furrowed eyebrows because everything he does simply irks him, but as he goes over the sketches, there seems to be nothing particular wrong. he releases a small sigh and slurps a long noodle.

as he proceeds to click exit out of a browser, a loud 'thud' shakes the table. he slowly looks towards the culprit, raising an eyebrow as the newcomer catches his slight attention. naeun? in this day and time? in front of him? in a cafeteria? now that's odd. he gives a small smile and takes a loud sip of his broth before settling the half-finished cup on the surface. his eyes wander up and down, observing every inch until he notices the large paper bag. "eat what?" he questions and his lips as an reaction.

@☆ i. jaebum naeun has no clear recollection of how this came to be. of how it went from chastising the latter due to his drool stains upon her paperwork, to her hauling a paper lunch bag to work with two containers of salad within. son naeun doesn’t even know who she is anymore. it felt as if the lady she’s built herself to be in the past year has been scraped back down to that girl in her freshman uni years.

how’d she know jaebum would be in the dining area out of many? probably because by now she’s noticed the unhealthy amount of times he’s spent consuming some msg infused broth. and sure enough, there he was, seated around one of the tables, head ducked with slurping being the only sound you’d hear. she catches herself from emitting a loud sigh and instead, with exaggerated clicking clacking of her heels, strode over to take a seat before him, placing the paper bag atop the table with a thump.

“eat this instead.”