Why do we keep meeting each other at the convenience store? He commented inwardly.
"Mind if I sit?" Damien asked, gesturing with one hand holding the steaming noodles.
Li Xingyuan swiftly moved his empty soda can and gestured to the chair across from him. "Go ahead. I was just... entertaining myself with this gourmet meal." He poked at his bento in mockingly, and Damien could see now that the food was mostly untouched. "Never thought I'd see you in a convenience store at night, though. Late-night cravings?" Li Xingyuan's tone turned teasing as the initial surprise wore off, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
Damien slid into the seat, placing his cup noodles on the table. "More like early dinner," he admitted with a rueful smile. "I realized too late that my fridge was empty. So here I am." He lifted his chopsticks and twirled some noodles, blowing gently on them. "What's your excuse?"
Li Xingyuan chuckled, running a hand through his hair. He'd forgone a cap and his hood, his striking features now on full display underneath the bright lights—bold, fox-like eyes and that curve to his mouth.
The red-haired teen explained, "Went to the dorms after practice and found out someone ate the dinner I stashed." He sighed dramatically. "By the time I got back, the cafeteria was closed, and I was starving. This," he pointed his chopsticks at the bento, "was the fastest option."
"From the looks of it, doesn't seem to be too enjoyable."
Li Xingyuan shrugged. "Gotta make do with what I got."
They ate in comfortable silence for a minute. Li XIngyuan took a few bites of his bento now with a bit more enthusiasm, likely encouraged by having company. Damien observed him from the corner of his eye. Li Xingyuan was usually brimming with radiant energy and had a knack for stirring up some mischief. Seeing him more grounded and relaxed was a rare sight.
"So..." Li Xingyuan spoke up, "did you at least get something food for your fridge? Or will you be surviving on instant noodles for the next few weeks?"
Damien laughed, gesturing to his grocery bags resting by his feet. "I did a proper grocery run. I was planning on cooking something tonight but my hunger got the best of me."
Li Xingyuan's brow rose. "You cook? Like, actual cooking?"
"Is it that surprising? I can handle a few recipes." Damien replied, slightly confused.
Was it not common to cook? Maybe most of the trainees just didn't have the time nor the budget to do so...
Damien looked at Li Xingyuan and saw the sparkle of curiosity in his eyes. Sure enough, Li Xingyuan asked another question.
"How'd you learn? From your parents? Or was it from one of those tutorials on WeTube?"
How should I explain this... Damien thought. It wasn't like he could tell Li Xingyuan that he learned how to cook in his family estate by a famous chef.
Damien began carefully. "Back at our family... house, I learned them from our... neighbour. I sort of forced him to teach me."
I mean, the staff quarters was located at a separate building nearby. So we would technically be considered neighbours, right?
"Force him to teach you? Damn, I guess you were really close with your neighbours."
Damien chuckled. "Yeah..." When he recounted the memory of him and head chef Ernesto, a smile formed on his face. "Well, imagine this six-year old kid, running to his neighbour all day begging the man to teach him how to bake." He shook his head at the memory. "He got what he wanted in the end, but not before having to endure numerous lessons about how to prepare food, what the proper kitchen utensils to use, and so on."
Li Xingyuan propped his chin on his hand, grinning. "Sounds like he was one strict guy. How'd you make him teach ya?"
"I absolutely wore him down." Damien replied with a smirk. "The breaking point was when I threatened to sneak in at midnight and cook by myself—potentially burning down his kitchen in the process. As someone who loved his kitchen, of course that prospect horrified him."
Li Xingyuan burst out laughing, earning a quick glance from other people in the convenience store. He lowered his voice, eyes lighting up with mirth. "I never knew you were a little devil. I can't picture it—our polite and quiet hyung resorting to blackmail over... pfft—cooking lessons."
Damien shrugged. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."
"I'm jealous. My cooking skills end at pressing the 'on' button for a rice cooker. Even that I managed to mess up once." Li Xingyuan rubbed the back of his neck. "Let's just say that half-cooked rice isn't very tasty."
"It's not hard once you get the hang of it. If you ever want to learn a few dishes, I could show you. I owe you for all the times you've helped me with dance practice, anyway."
For a split second, surprise flickered in Li Xingyuan's eyes, as if he hadn't anticipated Damien's willingness. Then, it melted into an expression of genuine warmth. "I might just take you up on that."
Feeling the atmosphere shift, Damien cleared his throat and glanced down at the remains of his noodles. It was now empty, save for a few lone strands and broth at the bottom. Outside the streetlights had come on, lighting up the city.
"It's gotten dark. We should probably head back before it gets too late."
Li Xingyuan nodded and began tidying his trash. The two of them disposed of their empty cups and containers, then grabbed their belongings. Damien hefted his grocery bags, while Li Xingyuan wore a cap and pulled his hoodie up. They stepped into the night, the store's automatic doors closing behind them.
They chatted amiably as they walked. Li Xingyuan told him about the advanced class and how they were faring. Damien listened with interest, chiming in to comment when he had something to say.
"I wanted to ask something, I was scrolling through Starnote and noticed that some users call you 'Seongwon'..."
Li Xingyuan laughed softly. "Ah, that... Li Xingyuan is my Chinese name. Lee Seongwon is my Korean name."
"So you're half Korean, half Chinese?" Damien nodded, piecing things together.
Li Xingyuan grinned, clearly pleased that Damien had asked. "Yeah. My dad's Chinese, my mom's Korean. I grew up speaking both at home, so switching to Korean when I moved here wasn't too hard. Barely even have an accent, right?"
"Not at all," Damien said. "Honestly, I wouldn't have guessed if I hadn't seen your name."
Xingyuan puffed his chest out in mock pride. "Flawless, I know."
Damien smiled. "So… would you rather be called Li Xingyuan or Lee Seongwon?"
Xingyuan shrugged. "Doesn't really matter. I'm used to Li Xingyuan, but you can call me anything—Xingyuan, Seongwon, Wonnie, Yuanyuan… your choice."
He caught Damien's amused expression and grinned wider.
"You know," he added, "I've been thinking. If I debut, I might go with Seongwon as my stage name. I've found that it's easier for most people to pronounce. Seongwon just… flows better, I guess."
His gaze was deep. Damien knew that something was off with his explanation, but decided not to pry.
Li Xingyuan tilted his head back, eyes on the night sky, and held out his hands as if catching the stars.
"I want my name to reach the world one day… I want it to mean something."
Damien let out a soft laugh. "Alright then… Seongwon. Let's work hard and make it happen."
The name left his lips naturally, and the red-haired teen blinked. His usual teasing smirk melted into a quiet, genuine smile. His eyes crinkled—not with mischief, but something warmer. Softer.
Damien caught himself staring.
There was a charm to Seongwon in that moment—one that made him pause.
But before the moment could stretch further, a pair of headlights swept by as a car passed by, reminding them of their surroundings. Damien glanced around; the streets were emptier now, the hour growing late. "We should get going. Don't you guys have curfew at the dorms soon?"
Seongwon made a face. "Technically, yes. They usually do a roll call at midnight on weekends. But it's only a brief check. If I'm not there, I can just text my roommate to cover for me. He's cool about that kind of thing."
Damien raised a brow, impressed by his audacity. Skipping dorm curfew wasn't exactly encouraged. Then again, Li Xingyuan—or rather Seongwon—was known for dancing around the rules. "Just don't get in trouble."
They paused at the intersection where they'd soon part ways. Damien adjusted the weight of his groceries and gave Li Xingyuan a final sincere smile. "It was nice running into you. Made my night more interesting, at least."
Li XIngyuan flashed a grin back. "Likewise. My gourmet bento dinner significantly improved with your company." He held his leftover bento in his hands and raised it up.
"Then, get back safe, Li Xingyuan. I'll see you next week."
"See you. Good night."
Then, the red-haired teen spun on his heel and started to walk off, footsteps light. Damien watched him go. Who knew a chance meeting could lift his mood so much? With a content sigh, he turned to head in the opposite direction, toward his own street.
It had been barely a minute when he heard the familiar voice of his system.
System: [Host, you might want to go back.]
"What? What do you mean?"
System: [Someone is trailing Li Xingyuan. It's his stalkers.]
Damien halted.
"What?"