The morning of orientation day buzzed with a promise Ha Woori could almost taste. Freedom had a scent, and today it smelled like her cheap-but-delightful strawberry body wash and the crisp, new cotton of her simple white blouse and navy-blue pleated skirt. After a long, contemplative bath, she stood before the mirror, adjusting the collar. Perfect. She looked… normal. She looked like a Sogang student.

A sharp, familiar knock rattled her door.

“This is Park Hoseok…” a voice announced, followed by a long-suffering sigh. “…coming here for your breakfast. Yah! Open it! I need breakfast too!”

A grin spread across Woori’s face. She pulled the door open to find him standing there, and her smile widened. He was dressed for orientation day, just like her, but where she had chosen a soft blouse and skirt, he wore a crisp, light-blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled precisely to his elbows and dark trousers. It was sharp, simple, and a world away from the graphic tees she'd seen on other guys moving in. He was also carrying a bag of groceries. Her heart did a little flip. He really is a new student too!

"Let's cook!" she declared, her voice bright with excitement.

She followed him into her small kitchen, watching as he moved with an efficiency that was almost startling. He washed his hands, laid out the ingredients—eggs, scallions, rice—and began prepping with sharp, precise motions.

As he started cracking eggs into a bowl with one hand, he let out a low "Tch..." and muttered, almost to himself, "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm only doing this because it's faster than cooking twice. Why would I cook in my place and then come here? It's inefficient."

Woori watched him, a slow, understanding smile gracing her lips. Ah, she thought, her "tsundere" theory solidifying. He's using logic to hide his kindness.

Seizing the moment, she clasped her hands behind her back and leaned in slightly. "Since you're already here being efficient, Park Hoseok-ssi, you should also teach me. That was part of the promise, remember? You cook and you teach."

His chopping motion stuttered for a fraction of a second. He didn't look up from the scallions. "...What?"

"So I can learn! It's the most efficient way, right?" she pressed, her voice bright and logical. "That way, I won't almost burn the building down again and disturb you."

He let out a deep, resigned sigh that seemed to come from his very soul. "Fine," he grumbled, the word sharp with irritation. He pointed his knife at the cutting board. "Watch. The scallions need to be uniform. Inconsistent pieces cook at different rates. It's amateurish."

Woori nodded eagerly, her eyes fixed on his hands. "Uniform. Got it!" As he demonstrated the proper grip, a practical thought cut through her excitement. Wait, Woori, what if he's not? This place is close to Sogang, but also to other colleges... that was too fast!

"Park Hoseok-ssi," she began, trying to sound casual. "Are you a student too? I just assumed since this area is so close to Sogang..."

"Yes. Sogang," he confirmed, his attention still locked on the pan as he tested its temperature with a few drops of water. "New student."

Woori's heart did a little victory dance. So it's right! "Me too!" she chirped, her smile returning in full force.

He continued to grumble under his breath about "basic knife skills" and "wasted good ingredients," but he also began narrating his actions in a curt, clipped tone. "The pan is at the right temperature when water droplets sizzle. Not before. Now, pour the eggs like this—evenly."

Minutes later, a simple but perfect breakfast was on her table: fluffy rice, a steaming rolled omelette (gyeran mari) flecked with those uniformly cut scallions, and a small side of kimchi.

"Again, thank you, Park Hoseok-ssi!" Woori beamed, clapping her hands together. "And thank you for the first lesson!"

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, already sitting on the floor across the low table with a portion of food he'd made for himself. "Don't expect a curriculum."

After they finished eating, he stood without a word and carried his empty dishes to her sink. In one fluid motion, he rolled his sleeves up higher on his forearms, turned on the tap, and instantly began scrubbing.

He glanced over his shoulder at her, his expression unreadable. "Yours."

Woori, a little startled by his efficiency, hurried over and handed him her dirty dishes. "I... I can clean them, you know. Later."

Hoseok didn't pause his scrubbing. "......and risk grime cracking and hardening? No chance," he stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's better to clean it right after you've finished eating."

Woori watched, fascinated by his brisk, methodical movements. "Then I will observe you," she declared, leaning against the counter.

Hoseok didn't even look up from the suds. "Whatever."

He finished quickly, placing the spotless dishes on the drying rack with a quiet finality. Without another word, he headed for the door. "I'm going back to my place to get my bag."

"Okay!" Woori chirped. As he reappeared in the hallway, slinging a backpack over one shoulder, she bounded out of her apartment, locking the door behind her.

"As fellow students and both new, let's walk together, Park Hoseok-ssi!" she announced, beaming up at him.

He looked down at her, his sharp features etched with pure annoyance. He let out a short, exasperated breath.

"Don't slow me down," he grumbled, already turning to stride down the hallway.

Woori hurried to fall into step beside him, her smile unwavering. "I won't!"

And as they stepped out of the building into the morning sun, heading for the university, Woori was sure of it. This was going to be the best adventure ever.