Minji
‘Min, breakfast is ready.’ Yun yells from the kitchen. I finish buttoning up my shirt as I hurry to the kitchen where Yun is serving breakfast. The smell of food fills the room and I can’t help but smile as I inhale the scent. I always believed that home-made cooking makes a house feel like home. Yun, who is my roommate looks at me as she breaks into a smile. ‘I made a vegetable omelet, some rice and radish kimchi.’ She says proudly.
‘Ahh it smells amazing Yun.’ I say as I sit down. She brings the food and sits down opposite me as we begin to eat. ‘This is really good Yun.’ I say as I begin to stuff my face with food. Yun has always been such a great cook and she has always had a passion for food.
‘Thanks Min. Is Dong Min coming to pick you up today?’ She says, referring to our neighbor and friend.
‘Yeah but I’ll take the bus to come to work.’ I explain as I gulp down my mouthful of rice. I see Yun roll her eyes at me followed by a judgmental look. 'What?' I ask.
‘You always were such a pig when it comes to food.’ She says, shaking her head from side to side. Although Yun and I are the same age, she has always been the more mature one out of the two of us. Well, in terms of etiquette and manners at least.
‘Correction, when it comes to your food.’ I say. She scoffs and raises one eyebrow as if to challenge me and I sigh. ‘Fine, you’re right. What can I do? I love to eat.’ I say and she laughs. We continue to eat before we hear the doorbell ringing. Yun stands up before I can and goes to open the door.
‘Good morning Oppa.’ She says as Dong-Min walks in. He waves at me as I stand up.
‘Morning Yun, morning Minji.’ He greets. ‘Are you ready to go?’ He asks and I nod.
‘Yeah, I just need to grab my bag from my room. I’ll be right with you in a second.’ I say with a giggle as I run to my room. I grab my school bag and sling it over my shoulder. I grab my laptop and put it in my case and switch off the lights as I hurry back to where Dong-Min is waiting for me. ‘We’re off Yun. I’ll see you for work later.’ I say.
‘Yeah, yeah. Take care of yourself and you drive safely Oppa.’ She says, pointing her finger at Dong-Min which makes me giggle. Dong-Min offers her a smile as he crosses his heart. I wave at my best friend as we leave the apartment. We get into Dong-Min’s car as he begins to drive me to University.
Dong-Min lives right above Yun and I. He was actually living there before us but we quickly became friends. He’s an interior designer and works with a company called DFY – Designs for You. The office is just a few minutes away from University so when I have the morning lectures, he usually gives me a lift. He looks out for Yun and I and he really does act like an Oppa for us.
‘So how did your date go last night?’ I ask and I hear him scoff as he rolls his eyes.
‘Couldn’t have gone worse. He came late and didn’t even apologize. Then he spent the whole date checking his phone. I had to pay for the whole dinner and then I asked him to go for a walk but he said he’s meeting some other guy for drinks.’ He rants and I stare at him. Dong-Min is actually gay and practically is the stereotypical gay friend – fashionable, overly dramatic, neat but also kind, loving and loyal.
‘Awh I’m so sorry to hear that Oppa. You deserve better.’ I say as I tap on his shoulder.
‘Of course I do.’ He says, making me giggle. ‘How is it going for you? I mean Uni and doing Masters?’ He asks.
‘Quite good. I mean the schedule is pretty tight and the workload seems intense but I’m enjoying it so far.’ I say.
‘I’m glad.’ He replies as he comes to a stop. ‘Well, here you are.’ He says.
‘Thank you Oppa.’ I say as I get out of the car. I grab my bag and laptop and hurry towards the lecture hall. As usual, I am the first one here. I find my place, somewhere around the middle of the hall and set up my laptop as I continue to reading the paper on Autism.
I look up when I hear footsteps and I see Byung-Hoon – a classmate of mine but let’s say, we don’t really see eye to eye. ‘Hello Minji.’ He says as he comes to sit down next to me. ‘Are you studying already? What a nerd.’ He says while snickering.
‘If I am a nerd, perhaps you should then leave me alone.’ I say, giving him a glare. ‘Honestly, I really cannot see you as a teacher.’ I say as I cross my hands across my chest but he just starts to chuckle as he gets more comfortable in his seat.
‘Why? Because I look too cool or is it because I am rich? Or maybe I'm too handsome? For your information, I go very well with kids but you – I can’t imagine you with that bad temper of yours.’ He says, smirking. Byung Hoon and I have only known each other for a few weeks but somehow he seems to have targeted me to * off. He doesn’t bully me but he does tease me a lot. I guess he enjoys it because I always have an answer ready for him.
‘HA! My bad temper is only for people who * me off, people like you.’ I reply and he scoffs.
‘So, what are you reading?’ He asks, not caring about anything else that just happened. I stare at him for a moment but he just leans in closer to look. ‘Oh you’re reading on Autism. That’s cool.’ He says.
‘What happened to being a nerd?’ I ask as I turn slightly to look at him and for the first time in the weeks I have known him, I see him smiling genuinely and not smirking. I look at his face – the sharp outlines of his jaw, his rounded nose and his messy black hair.
‘Shut up for a moment, will ya?’ He asks and I stare at him, wanting to respond back but finding myself tongue tied. He's chuckling to himself but it doesn't feel like he is mocking me. As usual, he is simply teasing me and enjoying me getting angry. We hear the door opening as more students come in. He stands up, quickly moving away from me and I let out a sigh of relief. He’s gone – good riddance.
The rest of the day flies by quickly and I grab my things as I walk out of my last lecture. I walk out of Uni just as I see the bus passing. ‘Aish.’ I mutter as I break into a run. My bag rattles on my back as I continue to run. Someone sees me and he must have told the driver to wait because as soon as I get on, he gives me an annoyed look. I place my card on place and go to sit down. I put my headphones on as I start to play Fake Love by BTS while I hum along. I've been a fan of this group ever since their debut but I've even managed to watch them once but I've never had the opportunity to go for a fan-meet yet.
I finally arrive at my stop and I get off. I jog to the cafeteria where Yun and I work. Yun is studying nutrition and like me, she is doing her Masters at the same university. Today, she only had lectures after me but she still finished before me so we didn’t really meet up. I push open the door, causing the wind chimes to jingle.
‘Oh hey Min.’ Yun greets from behind the counter. I give her a quick wave as I hurry to the backroom where I change into my uniform. I go back outside and behind the counter just as a woman comes to place her order.
‘One latte please and a red velvet cupcake for take out.’ She says and I nod and smile as I punch in the order. Yun makes the coffee while I take the cupcake from the display and put it in a paper bag for her. We give her the order and she pays before she leaves.
‘So, how was your day?’ Yun asks and I frown.
‘Tiring. Mondays are always so long and it’s the day with the most lectures and today we even had the tutorial. We were talking about racism in education and how it effects the students’ performance. Also, this morning Byung Hoon came to bother me again. He just sat down next to me and start talking and well you know me, I didn’t exactly keep back but he told me to shut up but it wasn’t mean. I don’t know why he enjoys teasing me so much.’ I say with a pout.
‘Because you’re cute when you let them get to you and you’re easy to * off. Your reactions are often funny and cute.’ Yun says and I glare at her. ‘Don’t glare, it’s the truth Min.’ She says.
‘He’s just so annoying.’ I whine, sounding like a kid myself as I place my head against the counter and I hear her chuckle.
‘Who’s annoying?’ A familiar male voice asks. I look up and I stare for a second as I see Byung Hoon there.
‘What are you doing here?’ I ask, trying not to raise my voice.
‘I came to buy coffee, what else? Don’t worry, I didn’t stalk you. Had I known you work here, I would have gone somewhere else. Now, are you going to take my order or not?’ He asks.
‘What do you want?’ I ask. I see Yun looking at me, her arms across her chest, an amused look on her face. Great – I am glad you find this so amusing!
‘An espresso.’ He says and I nod. He goes to sit down in the corner, away from everyone. I see him open up his laptop and put on his headphones. I work on making his espresso while Yun comes to stand next to me.
‘Is that the famous Byung Hoon? The annoying guy from class?’ She asks and I nod. ‘You forgot to mention he’s pretty hot looking.’ She says as she looks at him and I roll my eyes. I finish doing his espresso and take it to him. I realize the look of concern on his face as I place it down on the table.
‘Here’s your order.’ I say but I don’t get a response from him so I begin to walk away before I turn around. ‘Are you okay?’ I ask. He looks up and offers me a small smile.
‘Yeah just something at home.’ He says and I nod as I walk away from him. I go back behind the counter, ready to get back to work. I try not to pay attention to Byung Hoon as I keep taking and making orders before he finally comes to the counter to pay.
‘That would be four thousand won.’ I say. He nods as he takes out the money and hands them to me. I give him the change and I see him put in quite a significant amount in the glass for tips. ‘Thank you.’ I say.
‘Yeah, sure and Minji – thanks for asking.’ He says but before I can say anything else, he leaves. Aish why do you have to be so damned confusing?
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So, for now the chapters will probably be shorter than you're used to and we're getting to know the characters, little by little. I hope you like this chapter and let me know what you think. I always enjoy reading what you think and interacting with you. Also, I am so overwhelmed by the support you've already show and the belief you have in me. Thank you. - Tae's Misfit
Please check out my other BTS Story
Wings of Innocence (BTS)