Challenge #372: Loaf — For Two

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Title: For Two (Ao3 link)
Fandom: Squid Game (TV 2021)
Characters/Pairings: Kang Daeho (Player 388) & Kim Junhee (Player 222)
Word Count: 400
Rating: General Audiences
Summary: Dae-Ho shares his gimbap when he notices 222 has finished hers.

The lights flickered as Dae-Ho sat cross-legged on the cold floor, his back pressed against a metal bed-frame. He unwrapped his gimbap roll carefully, and the smell of sesame oil was a small comfort.

He picked up a slice of the roll with his fingers, studying its ingredients: bright orange carrots, a strip of golden egg, tuna, and the pale yellow of the pickled radish. That was probably the highlight of his day.

The first bite was a burst of textures and contrasts, and it took away the first slice. He could easily have eaten the whole loaf in two bites by how hungry he was. The tuna melted with the rice, and the crunch of the danmuji left a lingering sweetness on his tongue. It left a nutty aftertaste, and the smell of the sesame oil lingered everywhere. For a moment, Dae-Ho allowed himself to savour it, shutting his eyes and pretending he was anywhere else but here.

As he reached for another piece, he glanced around the room. Most players had already finished their meals, feeling unsatisfied, and others had set them aside, consumed by exhaustion of the day. Finally, he looked at the players sitting near him, and his gaze landed on 222, who was sitting one level lower from him.

Jun-Hee was her name, he had to remember it. Dae-Ho had never been good with names.

She had her back to him, but her movements were clear —she was in a hurry, focused on finishing her meal. Her unsteady hands brought the last of her slices to her lips before her eyes darted down to the empty tray wrap on her lap.

Dae-Ho hesitated, glancing back at his own meal. He still had half of his roll, but it didn’t feel quite right.

“Hey,” Dae-Ho said softly, his voice low to avoid drawing attention.

222 turned to him, with a cautious but curious expression.

“You finished already?” he asked just to check. Some of the players were saving half of their meals in their pockets for later, but Dae-Ho also knew 222 was eating for two.

She gave a small nod, and without thinking, Dae-Ho closed his wrap and handed it to her.

“Here,” he said with a close-up smile.

Her brow furrowed. “You haven’t finished it.”

“It’s fine,” he replied, shaking the wrapped roll lightly in the air. “I’ve had enough. You need it more.”