Under One Sky {한 하늘 아래}

Chapter 2: The Same Seat Twice

Sejin wasn't used to compliments—not like that. Not playful. Not warm. Not from someone who looked like he belonged in a K-drama. He swallowed.

"Are you heading home?" Joo asked, slinging his bag over one shoulder.

"I've got one more class," Sejin said. "You?"

"Free until tomorrow," Joo replied. "Lucky me."

A pause.

Then, "Hey... You hungry?"

Sejin hesitated. "Um..."

"I mean—only if you want. I just figured..." Joo scratched the back of his neck, suddenly awkward. "I don't know anyone else here yet. Thought it'd be nice to have lunch with someone who doesn't hate me for showing up late."

That made Sejin laugh, quiet and soft. "Okay. I'm not really... used to eating with people, though."

"That's okay," Joo said, smiling. "I'm not people. I'm Joo."

Sejin shook his head, but he was smiling, too.

They walked to the student café together. The weather outside had warmed just slightly, and cherry blossoms were starting to peek out from the trees that lined the walkway. It made the air feel gentler, more forgiving.

The café was busy, but Joo didn't seem bothered. He stood in line beside Sejin, playfully nudging him when Sejin couldn't decide between the kimbap roll or the spicy ramen.

"Go with ramen," Joo said. "You look like you could use the warmth."

"I don't handle spice well," Sejin admitted.

"Don't worry. I'll trade with you if it's too much."

Sejin's chest fluttered again. Who was this guy?

They sat by the window, trays balanced on their laps. Sejin poked at his food while Joo inhaled his like he hadn't eaten in days.

"You really were hungry," Sejin said.

"I burn a lot of energy," Joo said with a wink. "All that carrying the weight of being devastatingly handsome."

Sejin choked on a piece of rice.

"I'm kidding," Joo laughed. "Kinda."

"You're... not what I expected," Sejin murmured, voice almost too soft to hear.

Joo tilted his head. "What'd you expect?"

"I dunno. On the train, I thought you'd be... cold. Like, standoffish."

"Yeah," Joo sighed dramatically. "I get that a lot. People think I'm this quiet bad boy, but really I'm just shy and full of dad jokes."

Sejin giggled despite himself.

"That's more like it," Joo said, grinning. "You've got a cute laugh."

That earned another blush.

Joo watched him for a moment, then leaned back in his chair and said, "You know, I'm glad I missed my usual train."

Sejin looked up.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you."

Their eyes met across the table.

And for a moment, the noise of the café faded into the background.

After lunch, they parted ways—reluctantly. Sejin still had class, and Joo had a vague plan to explore the campus. But they exchanged numbers before going.

"Text me," Joo said.

Sejin hesitated, thumbs hovering over his phone. "What would I say?"

"Anything. 'Hi.' Or 'You were right, the ramen was too spicy.' Or just send me a photo of your dog, if you have one."

"I don't," Sejin said.

"Then send me a picture of you. That's better."

Sejin nearly dropped his phone.

Joo winked and turned, walking away with his usual lazy confidence. His hoodie swayed as he disappeared into the stairwell, leaving Sejin standing there with his heart doing somersaults.

That night, Sejin lay in bed, phone glowing in the dark.

His thumb hovered over the message bar.

Eventually, he typed:

thanks for lunch. you were right. ramen was too spicy lol

He stared at it for a full minute before finally hitting send.

Three seconds later, the typing bubble appeared.

[Joo]: i knew it lol
[also: i forgot to say earlier but you looked really nice today]
[let's eat together again tomorrow?]

Sejin buried his face into his pillow.

What was happening?

Whatever it was...
He didn't want it to stop.