Page 278 of Scarbound

“You were annoying at thirteen.”

“I’m still annoying.”

“That too.”

Yujin laughed as Duri took the seat across from Noeul. “I learned how to make it years ago just to make him stop talking about it,” Noeul explained.

Duri looked at him, something softening in his expression. “You actually learned it?”

Noeul shrugged. “I had to protect my sanity somehow.”

Yujin took her first bite. Her eyes widened. “This is excellent.”

Noeul smiled. “Really?”

“Don’t look so surprised. You know it’s good.”

“I haven’t made it in years.”

Duri was already taking another bite. “It’s perfect.”

“Now you’re exaggerating.”

“I’m in love. I’m allowed.”

Noeul froze for half a second. Duri immediately noticed, and the teasing disappeared from his face. Noeul looked down at his plate. Then, unexpectedly, a faint smile appeared.

“You’re still annoying.”

Duri relaxed. Yujin looked between them and wisely concentrated on her food.

For several minutes, the table felt almost ordinary. They ate and talked about Duri’s day. Yujin complained about something she had ordered online arriving in the wrong color. Duri accused Noeul of conspiring with his mother against him. Noeul denied it badly.

For a while, the laughter came easily.

Then Duri noticed Noeul had stopped eating.

“Noeul,” Yujin asked gently, “didn’t you like it?”

Noeul looked down at his plate. “I think cooking tired me out.” He pushed the food away slightly. “I’ll save it for later. Maybe I’ll have some tea.”

Yujin nodded. “No problem.”

Noeul stood and carried his plate toward the kitchen. “Mrs. Kang… Duri.”

Something in his voice made them both look up. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.” He hesitated. “You already know, don’t you?”

Duri said nothing. Yujin looked down at her hands.

Noeul sighed. “It’s been more than three weeks since you found me.” The words still caught in his throat, but he forced himself to continue. “I think I need to leave.”

Duri went still. Yujin remained silent.

Noeul leaned one hand against the counter. “I don’t mean tonight.”

Duri’s shoulders relaxed by barely anything.

“And I don’t mean because I’m ungrateful.”