"Now, put yourself in pairs. Mind that you can't be in a pair with your friend!" The voice of their teacher, Mr Taehyun, boomed across the small lecture theatre.
It was just some minutes after 10am, and they were well into their second class, introduction to cultural cuisine.
Girls had deliberately flocked around Seo Minho, who carried a scowl like a second face.
He sat directly behind Haeun, and her heart rate was right off the roof.
Did he recognize her?
What if he did?
What if he was taunting her?
Haeun just wanted to go to university, take care of her and her brother, and live well. She had successfully stayed under the radar during her first year, and last semester too.
She stayed away from parties and gatherings.
Kept her movements between Daehan, the restaurant, and home, while sometimes taking home deliveries.
The last thing she wanted was to catch the attention of the crown prince.
Naturally, her fellow female students clamored to have Seo Minho as their partner.
"I choose Seo Minho!"
"No, I choose him!"
"Kang Mirae is Seo Minho's partner!"
Haeun rose to her feet, glancing around for who seemed at least tolerable, since pairing with Yuna was off the table.
From the corner of her eyes, Haeun noticed as a bashful guy edged closer, his gaze darting toward them.
Haeun recognized him as Kim Minjae, a fellow student Yuna had a crush on in their first year. Apparently, she didn't have that crush anymore, but Haeun didn't believe Yuna.
Haeun smirked as he asked Yuna if they could be a pair, noticing how the tips of her ears went red.
Yuna shyly said yes, and Haeun giggled.
It was time to look for hers.
"You."
A quiet voice echoed, and Haeun froze.
It came from behind her, just where Minho sat.
She slowly turned her face around, shocked to see Minho staring intensely at her. His hood was over his head, and he leaned forward, his arms folded.
"Will you be my partner?"
Gasps erupted from the students, and Haeun felt like the ground had dropped from beneath her. The glares of multiple girls were razor sharp, and she felt the weight pressing her down.
From the crazed look in their eyes, Haeun could decipher what they were screaming internally.
She had stolen what they all wanted. His attention.
Her throat went dry, and she wasn't sure of what to say.
She wanted to say no. Desperately.
But could she actually refuse him in front of everyone?
Wouldn't that only draw more attention to her?
Wait. She was screwed either way.
If she said yes, she was done for.
If she said no, she was still done for.
Her lips parted, hesitation flooding her face.
"I… I—"
"We already decided to be partners."
Someone's voice rang out, and Haeun snapped her head in its direction. Standing a few steps away was Lee Jisoo.
She knew him. They weren't friends, not even close.
He was quiet, one of those types who always turned in assignments on time, barely noticeable in the background.
But he was no stranger to her.
Seo Minho's sharp gaze flicked to Jisoo, his nostrils flaring. He gave him a glare, icy.
Haeun's heart pounded, but relief flooded her veins.
"Y-yeah," she said quickly, nodding in agreement, seizing the lifeline Jisoo had thrown her. "We already agreed."
For a long second, Minho didn't move.
Then, slowly, he leaned back, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"Okay."
The word was casual, but something in his tone wasn't. Without sparing Haeun another glance, he tilted his chin toward the crowd.
"You," he said, pointing to one of the girls still vying for his attention.
She practically leapt out of her seat in excitement, rushing to his side as if she had won the lottery.
The girls who had been glaring at Haeun shifted their focus instantly, crowding around Seo Minho again.
And Haeun exhaled, her chest loosening just a little.
"Okay, that was dramatic." Mr Taehyun chuckled. "Have we all decided?"
Jisoo slipped to Haeun's side, taking his seat.
"Thanks." She whispered into his ear, and he nodded. "No problem."
"I'll take your silence as a yes. Now, we leave for the kitchen!"
~
The kitchen smelled faintly of detergent and metal, voices colliding in a chorus of chatter as students moved about.
They were now in Daehan University's kitchen.
Before Haeun could even tie an apron, Yuna caught her by the wrist and dragged her to the corner like a woman on a mission.
"Haeun," Yuna whispered. "Seo Minho asked you to be his partner!"
Haeun's heart did an uncomfortable flip.
"It's not—he—no—" She stumbled over her words, waving her hands frantically.
Yuna narrowed her eyes, staring with an intensity that made Haeun think she was trying to peer into her soul. "Did something happen between you two?"
"No!" Haeun blurted, a little too loudly. The kitchen fell quiet for a second, heads turning.
From across the room, Mr. Taehyun raised his brows. "Unless you two are giving birth to quadruplets, keep it down!" His voice came.
Students burst into laughter, and Haeun's cheeks burned.
"Hmm." Yuna was suspicious, but she released Haeun. "You better not be lying to me." She threatened her.
Haeun smiled awkwardly and ducked towards her actual partner.
"Listen up! You will be choosing any Korean dish to prepare, and at the end of the cooking, I will get some teachers to rate you. Did you get that?!"
"Yes sir!"
Haeun's face beamed.
She loved to cook with a passion that rivaled her brother's tendency to be a nuisance.
"Let's pick something simple," Jisoo said, looking at Haeun.
Haeun thought for a while. It was just the first day of school, and there would be no harm in taking things easy.
"Alright. Let's do that."
They settled on tteokbokki. Easy. Spicy. Foolproof.
While other groups argued over fancy dishes, Jisoo chopped away, and Haeun stirred the bubbling sauce.
They worked in perfect harmony, and after some time, their dish was ready.
Mr Taehyun clapped his hands, his voice carrying across the kitchen.
"Alright, everyone. Hands off your spoons. It is time for the taste test."
Haeun straightened her apron, confidence bubbling in her chest.
Cooking was her thing.
Her happy place. She didn't just expect to do well, she knew she would win.
Jisoo had been a good sport too.
There were 12 pairs, so 24 students.
There were usually only a few students in the Culinary Arts, and in the second year, they were just 22 in number.
They waited as Mr Taehyun went out to get some judges. They were mostly assistant teachers.
They sampled the tteokbokki first. One murmured an approving, "Mm, good balance of spice." Haeun tried not to blush but her cheeks heated anyway.
One group after another brought up their dishes: bibimbap, kimchi pancakes, japchae. Some were burnt, some bland, but nothing came close to the glossy red shine of Haeun's tteokbokki.
Or so she thought.
"Last group. Seo Minho's team."
Haeun turned her head. She hadn't even noticed what he was making, too busy reveling in her own dish.
He placed down a plate of golden, steaming gyeran-mari, rolled omelette, sliced perfectly, each piece neat and uniform like something out of a cooking show.
The teachers dug in. One laughed in delight.
"Ah, simple but flawless. Light seasoning, soft texture, not a hint of overcooking. This is excellent."
When the final rankings were read, Haeun nearly dropped her chopsticks.
"First place, Han Jihyo and Seo Minho's team. Second place, Park Haeun and Lee Jisoo's team."