Morning Fuel

As Joon-ho strolled across the campus, the early morning sun casting a golden glow over the deserted pathways, he made his way towards the cafeteria section. The tranquillity of the morning lent a serene atmosphere to the usually bustling area, with only a few early risers milling about, their footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floors.

Entering the cafeteria, Joon-ho found himself pleasantly surprised by the calmness that greeted him. Unlike the usual chaotic rush of students during peak hours, the space was remarkably empty, with only a handful of individuals scattered throughout, enjoying their breakfast in quiet solitude.

Despite the limited crowd, the cafeteria buzzed with activity. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air, mingling with the tantalising scent of sizzling bacon and eggs. Display cases brimming with an assortment of pastries, their golden crusts glistening under the warm glow of the overhead lights.

Taking advantage of the peaceful ambience, Joon-ho leisurely perused the offerings at each food station, his stomach rumbling in anticipation as he considered his options. From crispy croissants to fluffy pancakes, the cafeteria seemed to offer an array of delectable treats just waiting to be savoured.

However, amidst the tempting array of cuisines, only one stall was open—the Korean stall. Its shelves were stocked with traditional dishes, from steaming bowls of kimchi jjigae to savoury bulgogi wraps. The tantalising aroma of Korean spices wafted through the air, drawing Joon-ho towards the stall with eager anticipation.

With no lines to contend with, Joon-ho took his time exploring the offerings at the Korean stall, sampling a bit of this and that as he went along. He made mental notes of his favourite dishes, resolving to return to them once he had a chance to accompany Soo-jin to breakfast.

As Joon-ho selected his meal from the Korean stall, his appetite whetted by the savoury aromas wafting from the dishes, he turned to the attendant behind the counter with a polite smile.

"Excuse me, how do I pay for this?" he inquired, reaching for his wallet.

The attendant, a friendly woman with a warm smile, shook her head.

"Oh, don't worry about payment for now," she replied. "Until classes officially start next week, all food is complimentary."

Joon-ho's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Really? That's unexpected," he remarked, a hint of gratitude creeping into his voice.

"Yes, it's part of our welcome package for new students," the attendant explained, gesturing towards a sign that outlined the university's policy. "You'll receive your NCK points once classes begin, but until then, enjoy your meal on us."

Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a surge of appreciation for the university's generosity. It was a thoughtful gesture that eased the burden of settling into a new environment. With a nod of thanks, he accepted his meal and made his way to a nearby table, eager to savour the flavours of his breakfast without the worry of payment weighing on his mind.

As Joon-ho scanned the cafeteria for a suitable spot to enjoy his meal, his eyes landed on a table near the window. It offered a picturesque view of the campus grounds, bathed in the soft morning light streaming through the glass panes. With a decisive nod, he began to make his way towards it, already envisioning himself enjoying his breakfast in peaceful solitude.

However, as he approached the table, his steps faltered as he noticed someone already seated there. It was Sang-hee, her presence unexpected but not unwelcome. Her bright smile and welcoming demeanour beckoned him to join her, and Joon-ho found himself drawn to her warmth.

Setting his tray down opposite Sang-hee, Joon-ho greeted her with a friendly smile.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, already pulling out a chair and settling in without waiting for her response.

Sang-hee's eyes lit up with delight as she nodded eagerly.

"Of course, Joon-ho! I never thought I saw you here this morning," she replied, gesturing for him to sit.

As they began to eat, their conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared anecdotes. Despite the initial awkwardness of their first meeting, Joon-ho found himself enjoying Sang-hee's company more than he had anticipated.

With each passing minute, the cafeteria grew busier as more students filtered in, their voices blending into a pleasant background chatter. Lost in conversation, Joon-ho and Sang-hee lingered over their breakfast, savouring the moment of connection amidst the bustling atmosphere of the university cafeteria.

As they dug into their breakfast, Joon-ho couldn't help but comment on the delicious aroma wafting from their plates.

"The food here is surprisingly good, don't you think?" he remarked, taking a bite of his steaming bowl of bibimbap.

Sang-hee nodded enthusiastically, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.

"Definitely! I've been coming here every morning since I arrived, and I haven't been disappointed yet," she replied, her chopsticks deftly navigating her bowl of kimchi fried rice.

As they continued to chat about their favourite dishes on the menu, Joon-ho's phone buzzed with a message from Soo-jin.

"Speak of the devil," he chuckled, glancing at the screen. "Soo-jin should be arriving any minute now."

"Ah, yes. I saw her diligently preparing herself earlier. I woke up a bit earlier, so I was ready and decided to grab breakfast first. It's always nice to start the day with a good meal," Sang-hee, Soo-jin's roommate, nodded in understanding.

The conversation flowed effortlessly between them, transitioning from food to more personal topics. They delved into their experiences at NexaCorp Korea University, sharing anecdotes about the challenges and excitement of adapting to the new environment. Joon-ho found Sang-hee's insights valuable, and her easygoing nature made him feel more at ease in the bustling cafeteria.

As Joon-ho and Sang-hee continued their conversation, the cafeteria door swung open, and Soo-jin stepped in, a bright smile lighting up her face as she spotted them.

"Hey, sorry I'm late!" she exclaimed, joining them at the table.

"No worries, Soo-jin. We were just discussing the amazing pastries here," Joon-ho replied, gesturing to the assortment of food on the table.

"Oh, I've been looking forward to trying these pastries! They look delicious," Soo-jin's eyes lit up with excitement as she surveyed the offerings.

As they dug into their breakfast, the conversation flowed effortlessly between them, covering a range of topics from their experiences at NexaCorp Korea University to their plans for the day ahead.

"So, have you guys figured out how this NCK points system works?" Sang-hee asked, furrowing her brow in confusion. "I read all about it, the importance of it yet I couldn't figure it out."

"Yeah, I'm still a bit confused about it too. Apparently, it's not in use until classes officially start next week. I guess we'll have to wait until then to familiarize ourselves with it," Joon-ho shook his head in agreement.

"That makes sense. It'll be interesting to see how it works once we start using it for everything," Soo-jin nodded, her expression thoughtful.

As they finished their breakfast and prepared to head to their respective classes, the three friends felt a sense of camaraderie and excitement for the adventures that lay ahead. Despite the challenges of navigating a new environment, they knew they had each other for support, and that made all the difference.

With their bellies full and laughter ringing in the air, Joon-ho, Soo-jin, and Sang-hee gathered their belongings and prepared to part ways. As they bid each other farewell, there was a sense of anticipation lingering in the air, a feeling of excitement for the journey that lay ahead.

As Joon-ho made his way to explore more of the campus, he couldn't help but feel a surge of optimism coursing through him. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that awaited him, he knew that he was ready to face them head-on, armed with the support of his newfound friends.

Navigating through the quaint corridors of NexaCorp Korea University, Joon-ho marvelled at the energy and vitality of the campus. This was his new home, a place where he would forge lifelong friendships and embark on exciting adventures.

As he strolled along the pathways, Joon-ho felt a sense of belonging wash over him. The campus buzzed with activity, with students going about their day with purpose and determination. It was a reminder that he was part of something bigger than himself, a vibrant community of scholars and dreamers.

With each step, Joon-ho felt a growing sense of excitement for the journey that lay ahead. Endless possibilities were waiting to be discovered, and he was eager to explore them all.

As the day unfolded, Joon-ho embraced the challenges and opportunities that came his way, knowing that with hard work and determination, anything was possible. And as the sun began to set on another day, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the incredible adventure that lay ahead.

With the day drawing to a close, Joon-ho found himself filled with a sense of gratitude for the connections he had made and the experiences that awaited him. As he returned to his dormitory, he reflected on the day's events with a smile, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the journey ahead.

With each passing moment, he grew more confident in his ability to navigate the challenges of university life, knowing that he had the support of his friends and the strength of his determination. As he settled into bed, he drifted off to sleep with a sense of anticipation for the adventures that tomorrow would bring.