high flying love ¦ lee jeno

ch ; 21

·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆ 20 ·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆
His Place

The warm aroma of steaming ramen filled the air, mingling with the murmur of conversation as Yura and Jeno settled into a cozy booth at the ramen shop. It was a small, family-run establishment tucked away on a quiet side street, a stark contrast to the bustling heart of the city, it was on the other side of Yura's cafe.

Steaming bowls of ramen sat before them, the rich aroma filling the air. Yura took a tentative sip, the savory broth warming her from the inside out.

Gazing at Jeno across the table, a realization dawned on Yura. Despite their growing friendship, she knew surprisingly little about Jeno. Their conversations over the past few weeks had been consists around pastries, coffees, and lighthearted topics.

Jeno, noticing her contemplative gaze, raises his brows with a smile. "Something on your mind, Yura?" he asked.

Yura took a hesitant sip of her ramen, the spicy broth warming her from the inside out. "Just thinking," she admitted, "that we haven't really talked much about ourselves."

Jeno let out a light-hearted chuckle, he stirs his bowl of ramen. " Ask away, then. What would you like to know?"

Yura pondered for a moment. "Well," she began, "how old are you, for starters?"

Jeno raised an eyebrow playfully. "That's the burning question, huh?" He grinned. "Twenty-eight."

Yura's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You're older than me."

"Ah, I'm older than you?"

Yura nodded her head. "I'm twenty-six. Somehow, you seem younger."

Jeno grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Maybe it's this youthful spirit."

Yura couldn't help but laugh. "Or maybe it's the pilot uniform that makes everyone seem like a superhero." Deciding to delve deeper, she asked, "Tell me about your family. What are they like?"

Jeno set down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look settling on his face. "There are three of us – my parents and me. My sister's a few years older. We're a close-knit bunch, but they understand the importance of independence. They let us live our own lives, chase our dreams. Which I appreciate."

Yura found herself captivated by his quiet intensity. This openness, this willingness to share, fostered a sense of trust between them.

"What about you, Yura?" he asked, his voice gentle. "How about yours?" His voice was soft, hesitant even. His eyes, Yura caught a glimpse of curiosity in them.

The question hung in the air, a stark invitation to a place Yura rarely ventured. Her upbringing wasn't exactly a picture-perfect Hallmark movie. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.

"It's… well, a family, I guess." she began slowly, choosing her words carefully. "I wouldn't say it was the most traditional family life."

Jeno leaned forward, his gaze filled with genuine concern. "Would you like to talk about it?"

Yura hesitated, torn between the urge to open up and the fierce protectiveness she held for her past. Then, a strange sense of trust welled up within her. Here, with Jeno, there was a sense of safety, a judgement-free space.

"Maybe… a little," she admitted. And so, she began to tell her story, her voice a quiet murmur against the soft hum of conversation in the restaurant.