taejun is ecstatic. although he’s also a little homesick at the same time. his grandparents had shipped out a whole box of tangerines to him and it arrived that morning. he had spent extra time putting them away and making sure they were stored in a place where they wouldn’t ripen or rot too soon. of course, when you live in a world of magic, it just makes it all that easier to keep sweet fruit fresh for longer.
he’s more than aware that the great hall will have an abundance of food that taste just as good as the tangerines from the farm, yet, the flavor and feeling is always different. he knows it’s the sentiment that comes with the fruit and it’s exactly that reason that he carries two with him on his way to dinner. one for before to prep him for a fantastic feast, and one after to wash down everything he can manage to eat.
when taejun finally enters the great hall he easily spots his group of friends already seated and digging into their own plates full of food. he’s about to make his way towards them when he suddenly sees someone sitting by themself off to the side. growing up, it’s always been part of his nature to do his best in including anyone who seemed left out, so he’s inclined to make his way over. he’s trying to figure out what he would say upon approaching them when he realizes that the student is none other than his very own friend’s twin sister. kim hyewon.
he feels a little bit better at the thought of approaching someone he knows, but can’t shake the feeling that just maybe… she doesn’t like him. there were plenty of times that he saw her whenever he was with jaewon and she seemed to always be a little aloof. or he thought. for some reason he could never really tell with her and it was honestly the only reason why he never really interacted with her, thinking she’d like to be left alone. however, this time when he was looking at her… she looked lonely. maybe even a little sad… whether if it was just his own thoughts or not though, it was enough to send him towards her without hesitation.
of course things never go as smoothly as taejun plans in his head. just as he’s reaching the table, he stumbles into the bench ungracefully, startling hyewon. he’s also sure that his face is starting to turn red from embarrassment but he pretends like he doesn’t notice it and quickly pulls out a tangerine from the pocket of his robe, placing it in front of her.
when he sees her gaze drop to the orange fruit in front of her, he rambles off the first thing he can think of. “they remind me of home and make me feel better when i’m sad.”
realizing that it doesn’t really explain his sudden appearance, taejun beings to slowly introduce himself like he’s making it up as he goes. which he is. but, he’s sure that at that point there’s really not any other way that he could embarrass himself anymore than he already has. “i’m noh taejun. you might not recognize me but i’m good friends with your brother jaewon.”
following with a big smile, he sets himself back on track with a deep breath before stating what he’s really there for. “let’s be friends too.”
her lunchtimes do tend to be more on the quiet side if jaewon, nick, and cora are all busy with their own things. she doesn’t expect any of them to invite her to lunch all the time (and really, she should probably get some courage to go and ask them if she can join, instead of waiting for an invitation at all times), as they all have their own lives and friends, but she’s also not comfortable with just approaching others, even her own housemates, to spend time together.
so honestly? she’s pretty distracted by her own thoughts when there’s a sudden jolt that makes her jump. someone’s stumble into the bench causes her to startle out of her reverie, wide eyes turning towards the other. she’s surprised when she sees the face, recognizing him, and she’s kind of surprised that he’s there in front of her. isn’t he jaewon’s friend?
to her confusion and bewilderment, the boy plops a tangerine down in front of her, and she glances down at the orange fruit, her expression puzzled. perhaps he can sense her confusion, because an explanation follows almost immediately. biting on her lower lip, hyewon can’t help but feel oddly touched by the gesture. here’s one of her brother’s friends, offering her a tangerine that made him happy, presumably because she looked sad.
picking up the tangerine and seeing it for what it is — an offering, an hand held out in offer — hyewon can’t help but offer the male a shy little smile. “i recognize you,” she tells the other quietly, her voice soft but her face much transformed with the small smile on it, glancing down at the tangerine contemplatively before returning her gaze to the other student. “friends,” she echoes with eyes that widen in surprise. of all the things for taejon to say, that somehow hadn’t been one that she had anticipated at all. “you want to be friends... with me?” to already be friends with jaewon and still want to be friends with her? the thought baffles her. “if you really mean it...” she mumbles, definitely wanting that more than she wants to admit. she’s so lonely... she just wants friends.