It's so high school at Hanil Foreign Language High School with a new addition in the middle of the semester. Baek Hyun Woo, a Year 3 transfer student in his final year of high school meets Hong Hae-in, a Year 2 student who is the future heiress of Q...
It has been a week since Hyun Woo began to join Hae-in for recess whenever their breaks coincided, and two since he became her secret Gimbap deliverer. And to the love-struck boy, he certainly took his identity as her secret, not-so-secret admirer very seriously.
Already, Hyun Woo had to wake up much earlier than his peers to make that long commute from Yongdu-ri to Seoul. But ever since he took on this new identity, he has been rising even before the crack of dawn to craft the perfect Gimbap for Hae-in's lunches.
Each day began with a short brainstorming session – what flavour combinations would tantalise her taste buds today? Kimchi for a spicy kick, or the comforting sweetness of bulgogi? Does she need more protein? Or should he add a little twist to surprise her?
That morning, he decided on a classic combination of kimchi, shredded carrots, and grilled chicken – with a subtle twist, mint.
And before you judge the poor boy, consider his intentions.
Truthfully, this wasn't a culinary experiment; it was a strategic manoeuvre. Hae-in had been practically glued to her textbooks lately, her brow perpetually furrowed in concentration as the first weighted assessment loomed. The stress had taken a toll on her appetite, and Hyun Woo couldn't help but worry for her. As such, he was determined to remedy that with something more refreshing to stimulate her appetite.
Mint was pretty refreshing...right?
Grinning widely to himself, Hyun Woo jotted down the ingredients in his notebook, adding to the entries from before. This was his way of keeping track of what he had made her so far, as well as her likes and dislikes.
With that, he began to chop the ingredients. His movements were light and precise, a cheerful hum escaping his lips as he danced around the kitchen, the rhythmic chopping echoing his hope to bring a smile to Hae-in's face.
Ah, this boy was in love.
Hyun Woo's newfound habits certainly didn't escape the watchful eye of his mother, Jeon Bong Ae. To the mother who was always up before dawn to whip up breakfast for the family, she certainly found her youngest's sudden Gimbap obsession quite peculiar.
What she found even more baffling was Hyun Woo's energy and dedication to preparing his lunch as she worked on breakfast. After all, Bong Ae has gone through the high school years twice with his siblings; Hyeon Tae and Mi Seon. Back in the day, dragging them out of bed was a daily battle. Eventually, both children perfected the art of the last-minute scramble, emerging from their rooms just as breakfast was served.
Though many Yongdu-ri folks have been saying Hyun Woo was the odd member in their family since he was a child, Hyun Woo's new routine still confused Bong Ae greatly.
For someone who valued sleep as much as Hyun Woo, his self-imposed wake-up calls defied logic.
Besides, the focus he displayed while meticulously rolling the Gimbap every morning was akin to his focus whenever he had to study for a major test. There was a new air to Hyun Woo. Even now, as she observed him, a faint smile played on his lips, a smile that blossomed into a full-fledged grin when he deemed his creation a success.
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