CHAPTER XIII

Nosy

He stopped in his tracks as he waited for her, and when she was finally beside him, he grabbed on the hem of her jacket as to not lose her in the crowds.

Baekhyun was planning to take her out to a nice restaurant he frequented down town. There were seldom any people, despite the good food and good service, so he thought it was best to bring her there. But as luck would have it, the rain suddenly poured, making the two of them take shelter on a nearby convenience store. 

"Sorry, I didn't check the weather," Baekhyun whispered as Mari stood beside her, just standing there and looking at the street. She didn't really respond and it was difficult to tell what she was thinking. 

After a few minutes of silence and drying themselves off, Mari walked to the inside of the convenience store. Baekhyun followed her closely and saw her picking up cup ramen, dumplings, dried squid, cheese, egg — practically the whole convenience store. Once her basket got heavy enough, Baekhyun offered to hold it for her. 

They took the basket to the cashier without a word and Mari suddenly took out her wallet. But just as when she was about to pay, Baekhyun had already paid for all the items. 

The duo took the food to the hot water vending machines and sat down on one of the inside tables that was unoccupied. The smell of spicy ramen wafted through the air as the two opened their cups. 

"Sorry," was all Baekhyun could mutter as he just stared on his food while Mari gulped down her own. 

"Mild ramen with rice is a good combination," she suddenly stated out of the blue. Baekhyun could not tell if she was mad after tonight of anything at all, but he decided to play along. 

"Spicy ramen with cheese is the best, though," he countered back, as he finally took his chopsticks to eat. 

Mari just rolled her eyes. "Ramen from Japan's better than any of this ," she cursed under her breath, which visibly made him flinch. 

"Have you been to Japan before?" he asked inquisitively. 

Mari was held a back. "No."

"Where have you been to, to have tasted ramen from Japan before, then?" 

"I've never been outside of Seoul." 

This, surprised him. Considering the wealth her family had and the fact that her parents have always been away, it is impossible to believe that she has never left Seoul before. 

"Not even in Jeju?" 

"Not even in Jeju," she sternly but shyly repeated. 

"Why not?" 

He couldn't help himself but to ask. Today, he felt a little more involved in her life and a