Garden Days

Silver Spoon

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"Is this right?"
Jin peered over Irene's shoulder, staring at the brown sauce now simmering in the pot. "Mh-hm. Could you check on the rice?" He watched her run to the steamer and lift the lid in caution, a tiny smile on her lips.
"I think it's done!"
"Okay, turn off the steamer and pour it into that bowl over there." Jin pointed with his whisk to the object on the opposite counter before setting the utensil down and watching his fiancée work on the set task. Soon, Irene brought it forth, expectant but unsure. "The vegetables are almost done, right?"
"What do you think I've been doing this whole time?" Seok-jin retorted, laughing lightly while returning to his own job.
"Watching me." Joo-hyun's answer almost threw him off and would have if he never had a reason to watch her in the first place.
"I... We don't want undercooked rice and burnt beef." He nodded in the direction of a neighboring pan with beef. "See how it's simmering?"
Irene set the bowl on the island counter and watched the beef, waiting for instruction. "That means it's...cooked." She guessed.
"Well, not exactly. Right now, the pieces are just frying in oils and fats. To know if they're done or not, you can cut into them like this," Jin picked up a fork off the counter and used it to cut into one of the several slices. "Or..." He jumbled through the drawers and pulled out a metal thermometer. "There's this." The instrument was tossed back into its drawer and he continued. "The center should be dark pink or brown and basing it off of that, I'd say we're almost done here."
Joo-hyun sighed and pulled her hair up. "Seok-jin, I think, after we're married, I'm going to let you do all the cooking."
"What, why?" Said man laughed.
"After experiencing the difficulties of a chef, I've realized I am on this earth to eat the food, not make it."
Jin couldn't help but stare, amused by her quick exhaustion and sad joke. "A chef? Is that a compliment?" He made the shape of an 'L' with his left thumb and forefinger and rested it below his chin, sending a small wink in Irene's direction.
Flustered, she gave him a light hit on the chest. "I was exaggerating-! Oh." Suddenly red, she turned back to the pan and switched the flames off. "I'll be in the dining room."
Confused, the young man watched her walk out of the kitchen before he put the finishing touches on their dinner.
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"So?"
"I guess it's good."
They were sitting next to each other at the dining room table, the candles placed to give them a good amount lighting.
"'Good'?" Jin questioned and playfully leaned on her shoulder and continued in a sing-song voice. "It'd be better if you did more than nibble on it."
Irene didn't respond to his reply; she had stiffened at his closeness, which was odd to him since they had touched many times that day already. "Are you okay? If it's the food, I can make you something-."
"No!" She protested quietly, still not looking at him. "I... Since we're eating, could you, maybe- just lean back a little?"
Jin hadn't thought of that and immediately did as asked, apologizing. "I'm sorry." He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
Joo-hyun slowly began shoveling rice and beef onto her spoon before looking at him, her face a light shade of pink. "I...was wondering how much you knew about me before we met."
"Oh?" Seok-jin swallowed. Was there something he should have known beforehand?
"Yes," She cleared her throat and placed the utensil on the table, jumping forward in a cute manner. "Simple things like my name and age or even my appearance."

Jin cracked a smile at her sudden display of affection. "I didn't but what I do know now is that you're extremely cute."
Irene returned to her normal sitting position, beet red again, and took a long sip of water. "I had fun,"
"How about you?"
"Today- what?"
Seok-jin laid a napkin on his lap. "Sorry. What did you know about me before we met?" He repeated the question at her 'what', picking up his chopsticks to eat. Joo-hyun stared at her plate in silence, as if in thought.
A hand came up to her cheek, tucking back the strands of hair that hid a tiny and embarrassed smile from view. "You like to play the guitar and, you're really good at it."
Jin froze and looked up from his plate to the young woman next to him. "Would you like me to play for you?"
"Could you?" She sounded so happy at the possibility, it made his heart flutter.
"It's at my parents'-."
"Let's go Tue-! Of course, I'll have to check with my dad but I'm sure he'll-."
He was amazed at her excitement over something so small yet so special; it made him feel worthy of being even just a friend.
"Irene," Joo-hyun stopped her frantic speech, ready to hear what Jin had to say. "Thank you...for today."
She picked up her spoon but it slipped from her fingers and dropped to the floor, prompting the couple to reach for it; they bumped heads. Light laughter pursued, which formed into small glances and happy smiles. "I wanted to make it up to you for, you know, not being able to make myself dinner." She paused. "I think we'll do well- you and I. It's funny; I just met you but it feels like I've known you forever."
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I tried cute and happy. I think I did okay haha We'll get to see Sehun again soon. I'm not 100% when