Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 36: Tteokbokki

⋆˚ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

On Sunday, Narae felt her spirits lift as she spotted Jungwoo's familiar figure waiting at their usual meeting spot outside the subway station. He stood tall and lean, a black baseball cap pulled low over his eyes, the slight tilt of his head suggesting he was lost in thought. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his jacket, and a small cloud of his breath puffed out in the crisp morning air.

"Hey, stranger," Narae called, waving as she approached.

Jungwoo looked up, his face breaking into a wide smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. "Narae! There you are! I thought you'd stand me up for a moment."

"As if I'd miss out on a tteokbokki feast," Narae scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I've been looking forward to this all week."

Jungwoo laughed, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they started walking toward the line of food stalls near the park. "You and your love for street food. I swear, I'm just an excuse for you to eat your weight in rice cakes."

Narae smiled. "You're more than an excuse, Jungwoo. You're my tteokbokki enabler."

"Guilty as charged," he admitted, steering them toward the first stall. The smell of spicy sauce and frying dough wafted over them, making both their stomachs growl in anticipation. They ordered a couple of plates, the vendor piling on generous helpings of chewy rice cakes coated in a vibrant red sauce that shimmered in the midday sun.

"Here, try this," Jungwoo said, holding out a rice cake on a toothpick to Narae's mouth. She leaned forward, taking a bite, the sauce immediately hitting her taste buds with a sweet, spicy tang.

"Delicious," she mumbled around her mouthful, grabbing her own toothpick to poke at another piece. "I swear, no matter how many times I eat tteokbokki, it never gets old."

Jungwoo nodded in agreement, his own cheeks bulging as he chewed. "There's just something about it. I could eat it every day and be happy."

They continued their stroll, stopping at every other stall to sample different flavors—some with cheese, others with fish cakes, and even one with a hint of pineapple that made Jungwoo scrunch up his nose.

"I don't know about this one," he said, holding the offending piece at arm's length. "Pineapple should stay in the realm of pizzas and fruit salads, not rice cakes."

Narae laughed, snatching the piece from him. "You're so dramatic. It's not that bad."

Jungwoo shrugged, taking a cautious bite of another flavor. "I guess. But some things are better off staying classic. Like this," he said, holding up a piece covered in the traditional gochujang sauce. "Why mess with perfection?"

They found a spot on a low wall to sit and eat, watching the hustle and bustle of the street market around them. The noise was a comforting backdrop—children laughing, vendors calling out their wares, the sizzle of food cooking. Narae closed her eyes for a moment, soaking it all in.

"This is nice," she said softly, taking another bite. "I've missed this. Just hanging out, eating, not worrying about anything."

Jungwoo nudged her with his shoulder. "I missed it too. How have you been lately? Everything okay?"

Narae hesitated, looking down at her plate. "Yeah, just... school and stuff. You know how it is. And some drama that I'd rather not think about."

Jungwoo's expression softened. "You know you can always talk to me, right? I'm not just your tteokbokki buddy. I'm your best friend. Your brother-from-another-mother."

She smiled, feeling the knot in her chest loosen a little. "I know, Jungwoo. I'll be okay. I just needed some time to figure things out."

He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, but don't keep everything bottled up. We're a team, remember? No secrets, no hiding. Unless it's my stash of limited-edition snacks, in which case, those are mine and mine alone."

Narae chuckled, the heaviness that had been lingering in the back of her mind lifting. "I'll keep that in mind. And I promise not to steal your snacks. Much."

After they finished eating, they wandered toward the shopping district, passing by stores displaying their latest spring collections. Bright pastels and floral patterns adorned the windows, a stark contrast to the dark and muted colors of winter.

"Look at those shirts," Narae said, stopping in front of a boutique. "They're so pretty. I can't wait to ditch my winter coat and actually enjoy wearing something light."

Jungwoo followed her gaze, eyeing the display with a critical look. "They are nice, but I'm more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. Comfort over fashion, you know?"

"You always say that," Narae teased, pulling him toward the entrance. "But every time we go shopping, you end up buying more clothes than I do."

"Hey, it's not my fault if I have great taste," Jungwoo defended, raising his hands. "I just know a good deal when I see one."

They spent the next hour drifting from store to store, trying on different outfits and occasionally posing for silly selfies in the dressing room mirrors. Narae found a light blue sundress that twirled beautifully when she spun, making her feel like a character in a storybook. Jungwoo, after much convincing, tried on a floral shirt that made him look like he was ready for a beach vacation.

"See? You look amazing," Narae said, laughing as he posed with exaggerated swagger. "Like a K-pop star on his day off."

Jungwoo smirked, adjusting the collar of his shirt. "Maybe I'll start a trend. Everyone will be wearing these by next week."

They continued their spree, picking out clothes that matched the upcoming season. Narae couldn't help but feel excited about the change in weather, the promise of longer days and warmer nights. She bought a couple of cute tops and a pair of shorts, while Jungwoo found a light jacket that suited him perfectly.

As they headed back toward the subway station, their bags filled with new purchases, Jungwoo looked over at her. "You know, today was fun. Just like old times."

Narae nodded, her heart light. "Yeah, it was. We should do this more often. I've missed hanging out with you."

"Same here," Jungwoo agreed. He hesitated for a moment, then added, "And remember, if you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here. We're family, Narae. I've got your back, always."

She smiled up at him, feeling a surge of gratitude. "I know. Thanks, Jungwoo. I really appreciate it."

They reached the station, pausing at the entrance. Jungwoo pulled her into a quick hug, his arms warm and reassuring. "Take care of yourself, okay? And don't be a stranger."

Narae hugged him back, the familiar comfort of his presence making her feel at home. "I won't. See you soon, Jungwoo."

As they parted ways, Narae felt a renewed sense of peace. The day had been perfect, filled with laughter, food, and the easy companionship that only came from years of friendship. Whatever the future held, she knew she could face it as long as she had people like Jungwoo by her side.

────୨ৎ────

1157 words