The cafeteria was already warm when they stepped in, the scent of toasted bread and broth-soaked herbs curling through the room like an invitation.
Jin took the first breath deep.
Echo was already seated, three slices of pan-seared rice cake vanishing into his mouth in rhythmic bites. Across from him, Hanuel had settled in with a plate he'd barely touched, still riding the high from their morning spar. Yujin slouched in one of the corner chairs, chin propped against a palm, looking like she'd woken up and regretted it immediately. Areum sat a little farther down, polishing one of her glasslike daggers with slow, practiced strokes.
At the center of it all was Seul.
Apron still on, sleeves rolled up, ladling hot soup into the last of the bowls. Steam rose around her like mist off a battlefield, and she didn't look up even when they walked in.
Jin took a seat beside her. Joon collapsed across from him with a satisfied grunt and grabbed a spoon without waiting for permission.
