But as Eunchae approached their table with the steaming plates, Minho's voice cut through the chatter.
"Actually," he called out. His tone was polite but firm, "could the nose mask waitress serve us?
Haeun's veins burned with cold, her heart missing a beat before hammering wildly.
What?
Why?
Why did Minho want her specifically?
She watched helplessly as Eunchae turned back toward the kitchen, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"He specifically asked for you," Eunchae whispered, clearly delighted by this development. "I guess you can't hide now, Unni. My opinion? He's definitely into you."
Haeun groaned at Eunchae's antics, her hands trembling as she picked up the tray.
She tried to steady herself as she walked to the table, and each step felt like walking through quicksand.
Haeun whispered a quick prayer to whoever would hear her.
Please don't let them recognize me.
"Here you go," she managed, setting down the tteokbokki and dumplings with shaking fingers.
Yuna looked up at her, tilting her head with a curious smile. "You're so pretty! Even though I can only see your eyes. Also, you know what's funny?" she said to Dasom, but her eyes stayed fixed on Haeun. "You look exactly like my friend. Like, scary similar."
Dasom scanned the waitress, nodding her head in agreement.
"Indeed she does. What's her name again? Your friend from today?" Daerim said, spinning the basketball on his index finger.
"Park Haeun actually." Yuna responded, and from the happy look on her face, Haeun could tell she extremely excited she was talking to such "cool kids"
"Oh really?" Haeun forced out, feigning ignorance. "I get that a lot. Common face, I guess." She forced a laugh that sounded strangled.
"Why do you wear a nose mask and hat anyways? Do you by chance… have a disease?" Daerim's question threw Haeun off guard, especially with how similar it was to Minho's reaction to them as well.
"Exactly what I asked the first time." Minho chuckled, fist bumping Daerim before he returned his attention to Haeun.
"What's the deal with them, if you don't mind me asking?"
Minho's voice had lowered, all serious, and all eyes were on Haeun as she thought of an answer to provide.
"I… well… I have social anxiety. So I prefer to hide behind the hat and mask."
Phew. Smart one.
Dasom's eyes widened in sympathy and without warning, she reached for Haeun's hands, clasping hers around them.
"Dasom, she just said she has social anxiety, why are you touching—" Minho started but Dasom gave him a kick in the leg and he winced.
"I can't see your full face, but I know you're a very beautiful lady. You have nothing to fear. You're safe. Okay?"
Haeun quicky nodded, smiling nervously. She pulled her hands from Dasom's grip and bowed.
"Thank you. I really appreciate your kind words."
Who knew Dasom was such a sweetheart?
"Thank you too," Minho said, his voice lower than before. "For the service."
Heat crept up her neck as she nodded quickly and retreated to the safety of the counter.
The next hour crawled by in agonizing slow motion. She could feel Minho's eyes on her every time she moved through the dining area. .
When she laughed at something Garam said, she caught him tilting his head, like he was filing away the sound. When she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze followed the movement.
It was torture. Pure, excruciating torture.
Because she couldn't decipher why he kept looking at her.
By the time they finished eating, Haeun was ready to combust from the tension. She watched from behind the counter as they gathered their things, praying they would just leave without another word.
But of course, her prayers went unanswered.
Minho approached the counter alone, pulling out his wallet. "The meal was excellent as usual," he said, placing money on the surface. His fingers brushed hers as she reached for it, and she jerked her hand back like she'd been burned.
"I'm really sorry again," he continued, his voice sincere. "About yesterday, and I hope you like the perfume."
"It's beautiful," she whispered, not trusting her voice to stay steady. "Thank you."
He smiled, a real smile this time, not the cocky smirk from campus, and for a moment, her heart forgot how to beat properly.
Just then, Eunchae appeared beside them like a whirlwind of mischief. "You know," she said brightly, "she has mentioned she's scared of walking home alone at night. Would you mind walking her home, or at least to her neighbourhood?"
Haeun's eyes went wide with horror. She shot Eunchae a look that could have straight up melted gold, but the teenager just beamed innocently.
Minho hesitated, glancing between them.
Haeun desperately prayed he would say no.
"Well... yes, of course. If that would make you feel safer."
Damn it.
Eunchae!
Haeun felt her soul leaving her body. This was not happening. This could not be happening.
"You don't have to—" she started, but Eunchae cut her off.
"Don't be silly! It's getting late. It's almost nine PM. You shouldn't walk alone." She turned to Minho with a grateful smile. "Thank you so much for offering."
Minho nodded, then turned to say goodbye to his friends who were still waiting by the door for him.
"Daerim, Dasom, see you later. Yuna—" he grinned at her, "I think you're pretty cool."
Yuna practically vibrated with excitement, letting out a small squeal that made Dasom laugh.
"Alright then, Oppa." Dasom drawled, throwing a wink his way before dramatically shutting the restaurant door.
Minho sighed and covered his face with his palm, clearly embarrassed.
Dasom. She was bent on riling him up, and making the experience as entertaining as possible for her.
So far, her plan was working just well.
Eunchae patted Haeun's shoulder. "You can go ahead. I'll handle the cleanup since it's getting late."
Haeun cursed under her breath, imagining a thousand ways by which she could bring Eunchae's existence to an end.
"Unni? Steam is coming out of your ears." Eunchae winked, and Haeun nearly screamed.
She stomped to the store, threw off her apron and then grabbed her small bag in which she kept her phone and other essentials like her handkerchief, lip gloss, and sanitizer.
And then, somehow, impossibly, she found herself walking toward the door beside Seo Minho, her heart hammering so loud she was sure the entire neighborhood could hear it.
The cool night air hit her face as they stepped outside, and she realized with dawning horror that she was about to spend the next twenty minutes alone with the one person on campus she had been desperately trying to avoid.
Don't panic, Park Haeun. Just keep quiet. Everything will be oka—"
"What's your name?"
Or not.