Ramyeon ✓

Chapter 5

Iseul couldn’t help but notice that Junseo seemed different tonight. He wasn’t smiling like he used to, and his usual easygoing demeanor was replaced with a tense, distracted expression. He barely spoke as he paid for his ramyeon and water, giving her only a nod in acknowledgment.

Concerned, Iseul decided to take a chance. The store was empty, and she didn’t want to leave him alone with whatever was bothering him. She quickly grabbed a cup of ramyeon and joined him at his usual seat by the window.

“Mind if I join you?” she asked, trying to sound playful to lighten the mood.

Junseo looked up, surprised but not unwelcoming. “Sure.”

As she opened her ramyeon, Iseul glanced at him, noting the deep furrow in his brow. “So, why the long face? You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Junseo sighed, stirring his noodles absently. “Are you allowed to eat during your shift?”

Iseul grinned, hoping to cheer him up. “Well, technically no, but I figured the boss wouldn’t mind if it’s for a good cause.”

Junseo chuckled weakly, but the tension in his face didn’t fully disappear. “I had a huge argument with my dad today,” he confessed, his voice heavy. “He wants me to stick with engineering, but I’m really thinking about shifting to something else. I just don’t know if I’m making the right choice.”

Iseul nodded, listening intently. “What is it that you’re thinking about shifting to?”

“Photography,” Junseo admitted, looking somewhat embarrassed. “I’ve always loved it, but my dad thinks it’s impractical.”

Iseul put her chopsticks down and looked at him seriously. “Well, if that’s what makes you happy, then you should go for it. Life’s too short to spend it doing something you don’t love.”

Junseo sighed, his expression softening slightly. “But what if he’s right? What if I fail?”

“Failure is a part of life,” Iseul said gently. “But so is success. You’ll never know unless you try. And besides, you have a talent for seeing things differently, capturing moments. That’s a gift.”

Junseo looked at her, his eyes searching for reassurance. “You really think so?”

“I do,” Iseul said firmly. “And I believe you have what it takes to make it. Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith.”

They ate in silence for a while, Junseo’s expression gradually easing as Iseul’s words sank in. After they finished their ramyeon, Iseul got up and went to the freezer, pulling out two mochi ice creams.

“Here,” she said, handing him one with a smile. “On the house.”

Junseo looked at her, a genuine smile spreading across his face for the first time that night. “Thanks, Iseul. I really appreciate what you’ve done for me.”

They sat together, enjoying their ice cream, the weight of Junseo’s worries seeming a little lighter.