As the final lecture of the morning wrapped up, Kim's stomach growled faintly—a quiet reminder that he'd skipped breakfast in his rush to leave. The idea of food tempted him as he and Seo-joon stepped out of the classroom. Seo turned to Kim, fishing out his cafeteria card.
“Hey, grab something for me from the cafeteria, will you? I’ll catch up later,” Seo said, handing him the card without hesitation.
Kim nodded, accepting the card with a faint smile. He wasn’t used to such casual generosity but appreciated the trust Seo placed in him.
The cafeteria was a hub of activity, buzzing with students of all social tiers. As Kim entered, the aroma of freshly prepared dishes overwhelmed his senses. Long counters displayed an array of food options: steaming bowls of ramen, gourmet sandwiches, freshly baked pastries, and even sushi platters. Each item looked more delicious than the last, and for a brief moment, Kim considered indulging.
He walked over to the digital menu board, studying the prices. The realization hit him like a cold splash of water—most of the options were far beyond what he’d typically consider spending. Though Seo’s card would easily cover anything he wanted, Kim felt a pang of guilt at the thought of using someone else’s money for himself.
Seo’s order was simple—an egg sandwich and a bottle of green tea. Kim picked up the items and moved to the checkout counter. The cashier swiped Seo’s card, and Kim pocketed the receipt along with the change.
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As he glanced back at the display, his hunger gnawed at him. A simple snack would suffice—a small rice ball or perhaps a cup of coffee. His hand hesitated over his wallet, but then his mother’s words echoed in his mind: “Every penny counts when you’re trying to build a future.”
Kim clenched his wallet shut, forcing himself to walk away from the temptation. He carried Seo’s order back to the classroom, his stomach protesting faintly as he climbed the stairs.
When he reached their seats, Seo looked up from his notebook. “Thanks, man! Did you get something for yourself?”
Kim hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “Yeah, I grabbed a quick bite there.”
Seo seemed satisfied with the answer, opening his sandwich as Kim sat down. The lie weighed lightly on Kim’s conscience, but he reassured himself that it was necessary. His hunger wasn’t as important as the larger picture—every small sacrifice brought him one step closer to his goal.
As Seo devoured his snack, Kim pulled out his notebook and flipped through his notes. The hunger was manageable, and the sense of pride in his decision filled the void. Kim understood the importance of every small decision he made, and this was no exception.
He resolved to plan his meals more carefully moving forward, ensuring he could sustain himself without overspending. For now, the pride of knowing he had chosen his family’s future over momentary comfort was enough to keep him going. As the next class began, Kim’s focus returned to the lessons ahead, his hunger forgotten in the face of his unyielding determination.