Achromatic Neuroticism [Global Examination]

Chapter 5: Warmth

922 lingered in the kitchen, watching 154 eat. He couldn't help but be worried, watching as 154's eating pace slowed... and he wasn't even halfway done with his steak...

154 let out a small grunt, putting down his utensils, "I'm full."

"..." 922 glanced at his plate, then back at 154, "You sure?"

"Yeah... I..." 154 unconsciously fiddled with his ring, his eyes darting up to meet 922, before looking back down at his unfinished meal, "I'm sorry. Your cooking is good. Really good... I just... can't..."

"I get it." 922 sighed, taking 154's plate, "Don't worry about it. If you're not used to eating regularly... I'm not surprised your appetite is so small..."

Normally, 922 would get upset when people didn't finish their food, especially when it was food that he himself had personally cooked; he was quite proud of his cooking skills, and even if he wasn't the best cook, 922 thought that his culinary skills were, at least, way above average.

The examinees didn't have the luxury of eating whenever they wanted to, especially during exams... and all the invigilators had gone through those exams themselves...

Everyone should understand the feeling of not having enough to eat, and should always try their best to finish whatever food they had taken, to keep their strength up. And that meant not taking more food than they could finish, so they didn't contaminate the food for others who might also be starving and needed something to eat.

But 154 looked so disappointed in himself for being unable to finish his meal... and 922 could not bring himself to get upset at his colleague. He could tell that 154 had tried his best, and really, it had been 922's fault for giving him too big a portion.

154 may have a very impressive poker face... but his eyes always gave him away. There was still some lingering fear within 154... and while 922 didn't know what it was about, considering where they were trapped in... it wasn't too hard to guess.

It wasn't 154's fault he had a frightening small appetite; the poor guy was just stressed out over everything, even if he tried his best not to show it.

Maybe it was just because there was too much paperwork... hopefully, 154's appetite hadn't always been this bad...

922 made up his mind to try and give 154 smaller portions, let him get used to eating (and to stop neglecting his health over paperwork) and then work on getting 154's appetite up to a healthier level.

There was some awkward silence between them. Neither 922 nor 154 knew what to say, besides glancing at each other occasionally...

Eventually, 922 couldn't stand the silence. He pointed to the waist length coat that hung around 154's shoulders, "Why are you still wearing that? It's not that cold... is it?"

...

He felt it was a stupid question. 922 had shaken hands with 154 before... and he already knew from then that 154's hands were startling cold. 

If his hands were already that cold...

922 couldn't help but wonder if it was due to his poor appetite; 154 didn't eat a lot, his body just didn't have enough energy to keep himself warm... not to mention he spends all his time and effort on all that paperwork, and consequently, gets so stressed that he loses his appetite...

It was a just an unhealthy, vicious cycle... and 922 feared that 154 would burn himself out if he continued on for much longer.

154 tugged his coat tighter around his smaller frame, "You've been cooking for quite a while now. It's not surprising that you aren't cold."