Ramyeon ✓

Chapter 1

Iseul sighed as she leaned against the counter, rubbing her eyes. It was her first shift at the convenience store, and the hours were dragging by. The neon lights flickered slightly, casting a sterile glow over the rows of snacks and drinks. She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. 10PM. She sighed tiredly as she looked back at the window. One more hour until she could lock up and head home.

Stifling another yawn, she decided to straighten up the items in the aisles. The store was empty, and she figured a bit of activity might help her stay awake. She moved to the ramyeon section, aligning the cups neatly and making sure the labels faced forward.

The familiar chime of the door opening made her head perk up. She quickly returned to the counter, her footsteps echoing in the quiet store. A ramyeon and bottled water were placed on the countertop. Iseul raised a brow as she scanned the items.

"Who eats ramen at this hour?" she thought to herself.

She looked up with a smile, intending to see the customer. The boy standing in front of her was around her age, with thick eyebrows and hazelnut eyes that seemed to hold a quiet intensity. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his jawline was sharp, giving him a striking appearance.

He paid for the items without a word, his gaze briefly meeting hers before he took the change from her hand. He walked over to the small seating area near the window and began to eat his ramyeon quietly, the steam from the cup swirling around his face.

Iseul found herself watching him from behind the counter, intrigued by his presence. There was something natural in the way he ate, as if this late-night snack was a regular part of his routine. She was curious and wanted to have a small talk with him, but he remained silent, focused on his meal.

As the minutes ticked by, Iseul couldn’t shake the feeling that this wouldn't be their only encounter. She continued to quietly observe him, her curiosity growing with each passing moment. When he finally finished, he disposed of his trash, gave her a slight nod, and left the store.

The door chimed again as it closed behind him, leaving Iseul alone once more. She glanced at the clock. 10:45 PM. Fifteen more minutes. She smiled to herself, shaking her head. Maybe this job wouldn’t be as boring as she initially thought.