Jinwoo’s mother shook her head, dismissing her thoughts. She looked at her son. “The food’s good here, right, Jinwoo?”
“Yeah! The uncle was super nice to me,” Jinwoo said, nodding eagerly as he twirled his fork, wrapping Napolitan noodles and eating with gusto. He looked happy, content in a way only a child could be.
“Tasty?” she asked.
Jinwoo nodded without hesitation. “Yeah! Mom, try—” He scooped some Napolitan and held it out.
She took a bite, her eyes widening. The tofu steak at lunch was soft and savory, but this Napolitan… the tomato’s richness is incredible.
She glanced at Sihoo. “Oh, I should’ve ordered this,” she said.
Jinwoo pulled his plate closer, narrowing his eyes playfully. “No way. It’s too good to share.”
Her expression softened. Seeing this, Jinwoo grinned broadly. “Mom! Your eyes look all better!”
That evening, Sihoo and Hayoon sat together before closing 56804, as they used to with Kanghoon. On the table were a salad, fried snacks, and a can of beer.
Pour. Sihoo filled Hayoon’s glass, then his own, before speaking. “Wonder how Kanghoon hyung’s doing.”
“Huh? Oh, he’s probably fine,” Hayoon replied.
“Oh, right! Hyung, didn’t he say he’s working on a new project?” Sihoo said, eyes sparkling.
Hayoon scratched his head, sheepish. “Yeah, but it’s not set yet.”
Sihoo sensed something wasn’t going smoothly but didn’t press. Seeing his cautious look, Hayoon changed the subject. “By the way, wasn’t Jinwoo hilarious?”
“Jinwoo?” Sihoo asked.
“Yeah, when his mom asked for a bite, he yanked the plate away and even pushed it under his chin. So cute,” Hayoon chuckled.
“I was too busy to see, but I’m glad it worked out. I felt something off with his mom, but Bell’s palsy? Didn’t expect that,” Sihoo said.
“Yeah. Oh, it’s late—let’s close up. I’ve got plans tonight,” Hayoon said, heading to the changing room.
Sihoo cleared the table, scanning the dining area. Seeing people enjoy his food warmed his heart. Thinking of Jinwoo’s little episode, he smiled faintly.
The lights at 56804 dimmed as the two young men left. Watching them was Goo Sukyoung, owner of the neighboring Mom’s Place.
“Didn’t I tell them to change their menu? They’re ignoring me,” she muttered, arms crossed, fingers tapping irritably. Even when Yoon ran it, they were no help…
“Still open?” a couple asked, approaching.
Her scowl vanished, replaced by a bright smile. “Of course! Sit anywhere.”
The couple scanned the menu. “90604 always closes early. Let’s come earlier next time, oppa,” the woman said.
“Yeah,” the man replied absently, just wanting to eat and go home.
Sukyoung’s anger flared inwardly. What? They’re choosing us over 56804?
Calming herself, she approached with a sweet tone. “What’ll you have?”
“An aglio e olio for me, and oppa wants—”
“Seafood risotto,” he said.
“And two colas,” she added.
“Coming right up,” Sukyoung said, heading to the kitchen. The chef was missing. She rushed to the back door, finding him smoking. “Uncle! Smoking here? It’ll stink up the food!”
The chef frowned, flicked his cigarette, and stood. “Seafood risotto and aglio e olio,” Sukyoung said.
Without looking at her, he shuffled to the kitchen, washing his hands roughly with soap before starting. Sukyoung glared, annoyed, then returned to the dining area with two cold colas and ice.
Ugh, 56804, just wait till tomorrow.
Sihoo went straight to the field upon returning home, harvesting vegetables for the next day. The field’s air was warm, as always. Basket in hand, he savored the quiet, the soft breeze ruffling his hair.
Chirp, chirp. He looked up, startled. “Is that… a bird? Why’s it so big?”
Its wings were birdlike, but the face wasn’t. Despite the distance, its large form was clear. Chirp. It circled above him, then vanished toward the distant mountains.
Tilting his head, Sihoo muttered, “Is this place another world? Once the diner’s settled, I need to explore. It’s… vast.”
Talking to himself, he filled his basket with crops. Ugh. Heaving the heavy load into a sack, he left the field.
Back in the house, he glanced at a framed photo with his parents, then the clock. “Gotta sleep.”
Early the next morning, Sihoo pulled a handcart to 56804. As he unlocked the door, someone called, “Excuse me!”
He turned to see a lanky man, about 175 cm tall. “Yes? Calling me?” Sihoo pointed to himself.
The man nodded.
“What’s up? We don’t open for another hour,” Sihoo said.
The man sighed. “Can I get something to-go?”
“We don’t do takeout… Why do you ask?”
The man glanced at Mom’s Place. “Yesterday, I ate there, but my girlfriend said it was awful. She begged me to get something from here this morning. Sorry.”
He bowed, looking genuinely apologetic. Sihoo studied his pale face, thinking. Hayoon walked in. “Morning! Oh, a customer?”
The man bowed to Hayoon too.
“Hyung, any place nearby selling paper takeout containers?” Sihoo asked.
“For takeout?” Hayoon replied.
Sihoo nodded. Hayoon headed to a convenience store.
“Wait here, we’ll pack something when it’s ready,” Sihoo told the man.
The man bowed deeply, as if Sihoo were a lifesaver. “Thank you! You don’t know how much she nagged me this morning…”
“Just wait,” Sihoo said, entering the kitchen to prep ingredients.
Chop, chop, sizzle. The man, watching, was stunned. “So fast… like a machine?”
Jingle. Hayoon returned, asking, “What for takeout?”
“Spicy shrimp pasta and tofu steak,” the man said.
“Got it, one moment,” Hayoon replied, relaying the order to Sihoo.
“On it,” Sihoo said, glancing at the man before starting.
Grind, sizzle. Sounds of chopping and stir-frying filled the kitchen. The man, rubbing his stomach, seemed uneasy. Am I sick or just hungry?
He fiddled with his phone, texting, then headed to the bathroom, still rubbing his stomach.
Sihoo, glancing out, nodded to himself. He packed the spicy shrimp pasta and tofu steak into paper containers, sealing them. Maybe some dessert too? He added a fruit salad to a small container. Takeout could work…
Sealing the containers in a plastic bag Hayoon brought, Sihoo placed them on a tray with four lacquered bowls and carried it to the man’s table.
“Uh, what’s this? I didn’t order these…” the man said.
Sihoo smiled. “I noticed you kept clutching your stomach. Looked like you’ve been in pain since morning. I made some mild porridge, easy on the stomach and intestines. It’s also a thank-you for coming back so early.”
The man looked at the tray. A bowl of white porridge sat beside a small lacquered dish of soy sauce and another with water kimchi.
He glanced at Sihoo. He noticed my unconscious habit and guessed I’m unwell? Sharp guy.
His thoughts stopped as his stomach growled loudly. Sihoo gestured. “Eat before it cools.”
“Is it okay to eat now?” the man asked.
Sihoo nodded, smiling.
Slurp. The man’s eyes widened at the first spoonful. “Careful, it’s hot. Try it with the soy sauce,” Sihoo said.
Following Sihoo’s advice, the man took another bite. Wow, not just plain rice porridge. So smooth, so comforting.
Sihoo added, “Even if it goes down easy, chew slowly. Porridge can cause indigestion if you don’t.”
“Porridge can do that?” the man asked, surprised.
Sihoo nodded, explaining briefly before saying, “Enjoy.”
Back in the kitchen, Hayoon grinned. “Sihoo, I’ve got a question.”
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