Be Mine

Their Stories

Weeks flash by with Sungjae trying to become closer with Sooyoung.

He makes sure to take the evening shift every Saturday so he could send Sooyoung home.

At university, he intentionally visits the social sciences faculty to meet up with his friends, "accidentally" bumping into Sooyoung.

Hi and bye's turn into passing conversations, passing conversations into laughter and inside jokes. Yet every time it seemed like Sungjae was breaking down her walls, Sooyoung reverted back to her guarded self the next day.

Sooyoung liked her conversations with Sungjae, she revelled in his company. It made her feel warm on the inside, slightly nervous on the outside and he completely compelled her to spend more time with him. Yet the other half of her mind was focused on ignoring these feelings - she couldn't get attached, she wouldn't let herself be. She was fine on her own, her life was on the planned track, and so she didn't need anything or anyone coming in to wreck it.

——

"Sooyoung-ah, why'd you take so long? I've been here for 15 minutes!" Sungjae exclaimed when he saw Sooyoung exiting the research room.

Sooyoung jumped at his voice. How did he even manage to find me?

"How'd you know I was here?" She questioned.

"I asked Irene," he brought up the food container he was holding and jiggled it, "I wanted you to try what I made during lab today, although it's probably cold now," he pouted.

Sooyoung felt a tinge of guilt and suspicion. Guilt because Sungjae looked extremely excited for her to try his concoction but suspicion towards Irene not telling her Sungjae was looking for her.

As they settled into a table at the cafeteria, Sungjae set the chopsticks and spoon out for Sooyoung and opened the food container.

"It's scrambled eggs infused with salmon bits and truffle oil," his ears reddened slightly from being shy, "sajangnim changes everything you order with eggs into scrambled eggs so I kinda guessed you like them."

Sooyoung smiled in appreciation as the aromatic truffle oil wafted into the air. "It smells delicious!"

While chewing a bite of the scrambled eggs, Sungjae peered at her in anticipation of her review. She noticed Sungjae waving hi to many people, and many students coming up to say hi to him. But his attention would always quickly revert back to Sooyoung.

"Sooo how's my creation?"

Sooyoung sensed his nervousness and decided to play along.

"It's...passable," she nonchalantly replied, noticing his automatic crestfallen expression. Her heart clenched at his downcast eyes. Sooyoung didn't expect him to be so affected by her food judgement.

"I'm kidding," she laughed, "it's amazing! If only sajangnim would allow you to put it on the menu!" She chuckled when Sungjae's head perked up, his pout changing into a grin as he watched her scoop another huge bite into her mouth.

Sooyoung was unaware that people were staring at the two of them. They knew Sungjae from his involvement in the student unions, camps and other school activities. But Park Sooyoung having lunch with a guy? Alone? Now that was big news. With her height and looks, many seniors had tried to scout her into the various school events only to be rejected, and many juniors went to lengths to find out who she was. But Sooyoung remained ever so loyal to her 4 girl friends. She had male acquaintances but she would never eat with a male friend alone.

"Are they together?" "Sooyoung sunbae never eats alone with another guy!" "Sungjae sunbae came all the way here to let her try his food?"

Whispers floated along the cafeteria, secretly delighting Sungjae.