“…let me buy one of these.”
After checking the cookies that Min Soyeon was carrying, I shook my head and said firmly.
“no. You already bought three cookies.”
“…you didn’t buy this flavor.”
Min So-yeon has also been appealing for the necessity of sweets without losing.
“Originally, we decided to buy just one, but we got three houses. You can eat what you have at home and buy it. yes?”
After several haggling, in the end, she gave up.
The way she was forced to walk with her lips sticking out, as if she had been pouting, was like seeing her when she was young, and a smile was drawn involuntarily.
After she returned from leaving the cookies, I pulled the cart again, soothing Min So-yeon, who was upset.
“Are you going to give me something more delicious than sweets?”
“···I don’t know.”
It looks like it’s been twisted tight.
We passed the processed food and stopped at the fresh food section.
Tonight’s menu is white rice, kimchi stew, and stir-fried sausage vegetables.
This is a very classic menu.
I wanted to make more delicious food, but the basic ingredients were too scarce, and I bought them at once, so I decided to buy only the necessary ingredients from time to time.
I stopped by the refrigerated section with Min So-yeon, and searched through the many sausages to find Min So-yeon’s favorite product.
They say that’s what sausages are all about, but isn’t that what parents want to eat their daughter’s favorite?
“found.”
After picking up the found product and putting it in the cart, I called Min So-yeon, who was looking at other items.
“Soyeon-ah. let’s go.”
Then she came up to me, glanced at the product I put in, and whispered to her.
“…Did you buy something delicious?”
“Then, will you like it too?”
She turned her gaze away, as if she liked it, and moved forward.
So, after buying a few more things we needed, we headed home.
The original plan was to even talk about Dorando with Min So-yeon, but she had no choice but to take a taxi and return home after nagging about what she bought so much.
*
after returning home.
I immediately started moving in a hurry and clearing out the things I bought.
After taking out as many materials as needed, I organized the rest and explained to Min So-yeon…
“Soyeon-ah, I put the vegetables in the refrigerator, and the sweets and seasonings…”
“···yes.”
She didn’t seem very interested.
…Yeah, I don’t think you’ll eat it just because you know.
In the end, I left a message that I would take care of it, arranged it according to my standards, and started preparing dinner.
The first thing you need to do is cook the rice.
I took the rice I bought, washed an appropriate amount, and placed it on the rice cooker I saw earlier.
Maybe we can fix it by tomorrow morning.
Next, kimchi stew.
It’s actually the main menu, so I decided to try making it a little harder.
In the pot I had taken out beforehand, I poured the pork for stew I bought at the mart.
After turning on the induction power as it is, spread it evenly so that the meat is well cooked.
I cut the kimchi I bought at the supermarket into suitable sizes while listening to the sizzling sound of the meat.
It is best to boil it with well-aged kimchi, but you have no choice but to substitute it.
While the green onion to be added at the end was chopped up, the smell of roasting pork began to spread through the kitchen.
Sitting at the table, Min So-yeon, who was fiddling with her cell phone, smelled and looked at the induction side.
And then, wouldn’t he reach out with the sweets he bought?
“Soyeon-ah, I’ll make it right away, so eat some sweets later.”
Min So-yeon, startled, slowly put her hand away and spoke as if making an excuse.
“Oh, it’s not…”
It looked so cute that his face was blushing as if something embarrassing had been discovered.
Cook again.
I added some cooking oil to the pot and then poured in the pre-cut kimchi.
Then, the kimchi sizzled in the heated pot and a squeaking sound was heard.
After quickly mixing the kimchi and pork back and forth, it already started to smell delicious.
After turning the heat down slightly so that the kimchi is fully cooked, I started to stir-fry the sausage vegetables.
Slice and stir-fry sausages and vegetables and you’re done. Is there any easier and tastier recipe than this?
I cut the sausages and vegetables I bought at the mart into sizes that Min Soyeon could eat comfortably, and then poured them all together in the round pan I had prepared.
The kimchi stew isn’t over yet, so it needs to be done slowly.
After setting the induction temperature to low, I concentrated on kimchi stew again.
Kimchi and pork are well-fried.
Immediately after pouring water, the temperature was strongly pulled.
From my long experience, three livers of kimchi stew are enough.
Red pepper powder, MSG, and anchovy stock.
I added the prepared red pepper powder and a little seasoning, and finally, the anchovy broth capsule.
As long as it boils like this, kimchi stew is finished.
All that’s left is the stir-fried sausage and vegetables.
I immediately turned on the induction fire and started frying the vegetables.
It was already hot and the vegetables quickly gave off a delicious smell.
profit- profit-
When the onion is somewhat cooked.
I threw out the seasonings I had taken out one by one.
Ketchup and sugar as a base, plus a little pepper and MSG.
When the seasonings and vegetables were mixed together, and the delicious scent lingered on the tip of your nose.
“…are you done?”
Min So-yeon urged me with an impatient voice.
When I turned around, Min So-yeon was looking at me, swallowing her saliva.
It seems to have passed in terms of smell to re-apply.
If so, how does it taste?
I picked up the sausage and onion and poked it at Min So-yeon.
“Would you like to see the liver?”
As if waiting, she took the sausage I gave her and ate it, her eyes twinkling, and she spoke of her feelings.
“When are we eating…?”
The taste was also acceptable.
I ended up leaving a message to eat a little early.
After finishing the stir-frying of the sausage and vegetables, the kimchi stew was finished with chopped green onions.
While I was taking out the side dishes I bought at the mart, the rice was already cooked, so I asked Min So-yeon to turn it over.
She looked at the ripe rice and urged her to eat quickly.
Looking at the time, it was a bit early to eat dinner, but it was also an ambiguous time to wait.
“…then do you want to eat?”
With Min So-yeon’s strong consent, they started setting up the table.
*
Ripe white rice.
Kimchi stew with a nostalgic taste.
And even the stir-fried sausage and vegetables that are perfect for my taste.
nothing was lacking.
I quietly put down the spoon and glanced at Yoo Ji-hwan, who was sitting opposite me.
No, how do you cook well?
Despite being treated so badly, he always talked to me, and now he even serves me food.
There is a degree of kindness, it is clear that he is expecting something from me.
How am I supposed to treat you like this because you are hoping for something big?
mother’s name? money? Otherwise….
“···what’s the matter?”
oh
Maybe he was staring at me so blatantly that he noticed my gaze.
“···Nope. nothing”
I frowned moderately, averted my gaze, and picked up the spoon again.
One bite of rice, one bite of kimchi stew.
I don’t know when was the last time I ate such a delicious home-cooked meal.
I moved the cutlery hard with the thought of eating it first.
“…Soyeon-ah, eat slowly.”
It looked like he was eating in a hurry, so he spoke with a soft smile.
Again again.
That habitual smile is the problem.
I continued eating with my head down so he couldn’t see my face.
It’s never because I’m shy.
So after eating.
Yoo Ji-hwan even came out to do the dishes.
Would you like to do the shopping together, cook for me, and even wash the dishes?
This makes me look like a woman with no conscience.
“Oh, no! If I leave it there…”
“It’s okay if you do, but then you don’t know where you put what.”
“···uh?”
I was a little confused by his words.
It sounds like you’re coming next time…
Yoo Ji-hwan said, leaving me behind in embarrassment and putting the apron around his neck.
“I’ll call you when you’re done, so eat some sweets and take a break.”
I didn’t do anything, so what the hell do you mean to rest?
I said that I would help, thinking that I should at least help.
“I’ll help you.”
“yes? Fine···.”
“I want to help.”
Maybe it was because of his tenacity, he seemed to ponder for a moment, and then whispered to me.
“Well···. Then, can you just wipe the water off the dishes and put them on?”
Just wiping off the water, that’s enough.
“···yes.”
Washing the dishes started, and I waited for work while holding a dry cloth.
After taking the tableware he gave you, wiping it dry, and putting it in the cupboard.
It wasn’t anything special, but I felt relieved at the thought that something was helpful.
That was when I was in the middle of cleaning my spoon and chopsticks.
“You have to wipe it thoroughly so that it doesn’t leave marks.”
Yoo Ji-hwan spoke softly.
“····.”
As soon as I heard his words, I felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
A dishcloth in his right hand and a spoon in the other.
And the figure of him suffering in the low sink with his apron on.
It was a feeling that somehow permeated into my chest.
what is this feeling
As his hands stopped, Yoo Ji-hwan, who was handing over the last tableware, came to speak.
“···what’s the matter?”
I finally woke up to Yoo Ji-hwan’s voice that was piercing my ear, and I moved my hand again, saying it was nothing.
Watching Yoo Ji-hwan’s back to organize the dishes I had cleaned in the cupboard, I was able to feel an unknown feeling of dizziness again.
After everything was sorted out, Yoo Ji-hwan naturally went home.
He left with a message of seeing you tomorrow, and I don’t know if it’s a cliché or if he really wants to come tomorrow.
home alone.
I picked up the sweets I bought at the mart and headed to the living room.
After sitting on the sofa, turning on the TV, I opened a channel and ate a cookie.
Crispy- A cookie that crumbles in your mouth.
The salty and savory taste is exactly what I like.
But why
For some reason, those delicious sweets didn’t taste as good today.
Are you hungry?
In the end, I threw away all the sweets I barely ate.
“····.”
I felt an unknown loneliness.
Is it because I haven’t tasted the warmth of a person for so long?
Overwhelmed by the sudden surge of loneliness, I finally chose to run away.
… let’s play a game.
After all, the only thing that can soothe my bitter heart is the game.