Chapter 15: Days Shared With Naru

It’s been three days since Naru came to my house.

The biggest change in those three days is that No-Rani has become much more energetic than before.

“Ajusshi, hurry up!”

“You’re going to get hurt running like that. Take it slow.”

“Quick, quick! Naru too!”

“Let’s go together.”

No-Rani dashed down the still-dark street where the sun hadn’t fully risen.

Naru and I followed behind at a slower pace.

No-Rani was overflowing with energy, and no matter how hard I tried to catch up, it was difficult.

It was the same for Naru.

Naru seemed to dislike physical exercise as well.

So, the two of us just followed behind like this.

Clatter.

“Iya!”

“Oh dear.”

I should’ve known something like this would happen, running so fast in the dark.

“Hing, it hurts…”

“No-Rani, are you alright?”

“Let me see your knee.”

When I reached No-Rani, I saw that her knee was badly scraped.

Anyone could see it was a proper wound.

It looked like it’d be hard for her to walk as is.

“No-Rani, just bear with it for a bit. We’ll treat you at the Chachip.”

There’s a first-aid kit at the Chachip.

I’m not sure how much a first-aid kit means to a Spirit, but it’s better than doing nothing.

Just as I was about to pick No-Rani up—

“Jae.”

“Yeah?”

“Wait a moment. Please look around.”

“Alright.”

After checking to make sure no one was nearby, Naru let out a slow breath.

“No-Rani, hold on for just a bit, okay?”

“Mm.”

No-Rani seemed to know what was about to happen, and didn’t protest as Naru touched her wounded knee.

A moment later—

“Oh.”

A greenish Healing Powder bloomed at Naru’s fingertips and flowed into No-Rani’s wound.

It was a different hue from No-Rani’s own, and the wound began to heal little by little.

Did she just speed up Natural Healing?

I don’t know the reason or the method, but it’s mysterious.

About two minutes passed.

Fresh skin formed over No-Rani’s wound.

Naru wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and smiled.

“All done.”

“Wow! It doesn’t hurt! Naru, you’re the best!”

No-Rani, delighted, jumped into Naru’s arms.

She hugged Naru so tightly that Naru nearly fell over backward.

If I hadn’t caught them, Naru’s head would’ve hit the ground.

I was prepared for this, knowing how No-Rani gets.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s a little tough.”

Naru’s faint smile was completely drained of energy.

She looked like a wet cotton ball, completely limp.

Seeing Naru like that, No-Rani began to worry.

“Naru, you can’t get tired.”

“I’ll be fine in a bit.”

“Alright then.”

“Yeah, but you still shouldn’t overdo it.”

I lightly pinched Naru’s nose.

“If you fix No-Rani and then collapse yourself, what should I do?”

“Jae.”

“Whether it’s No-Rani or Naru who’s hurt, Ajusshi gets worried all the same, understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good girl.”

I stroked Naru’s head and offered her my back.

“Naru, hop on.”

“… I’m fine. I’m heavy.”

“It’s okay. Come on, hurry.”

After a short hesitation, Naru climbed onto my back.

When I stood up, I could feel her weight right away.

She was heavier than No-Rani, but it was manageable.

I could still show a bit of adult strength.

“Ajusshi, it’s not too heavy…?”

“It’s not heavy at all. For Ajusshi, you’re light as a feather. You just need to eat more.”

“Uuu…”

How shy.

Even if she’s a Spirit, she’s still a girl after all.

To let her know it’s nothing to worry about, I patted her back and headed for the Chachip.

This time, I firmly held No-Rani’s hand to keep her from falling while running.

“…You two are impossible.”

I felt a real need to help build up their stamina.

Ding-a-ling.

“No-Rani, sit down for a moment. Naru, you too. I’ll make some Green Dawn right away.”

Green Dawn, tea prepared just for Naru.

Once she drank it, Naru would surely recover her strength.

I quickly gathered the tea leaves and boiled water, then began preparing tea for the Hyeon siblings as well.

“Here, Naru. Drink slowly.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I’ll feed you!”

No-Rani took the cup from my hand and clung to Naru.

I stepped back a little and watched the scene unfold.

“Say ahh.”

“Mm.”

“Don’t cry!”

No-Rani spooned tea to Naru’s mouth.

Sunyoung Halmeoni used to feed No-Rani yokan just like that sometimes. Looks like No-Rani’s copying her.

“…It seems like more goes on Naru’s chin than in her mouth, though.”

Well, as long as Naru enjoys it, that’s fine.

If it’s not enough, I can always brew more Green Dawn.

Just as I was watching the heartwarming scene, Hyeon Ung entered the Chachip.

“Good morning.”

“Morning.”

“What are they doing?”

Care Play.

“I see.”

Hyeon Ung watched the two kids play, smiling quietly.

“They’re adorable no matter when you look at them.”

“That sounded a bit criminal just now.”

“What did I say?”

“Should I call Hyeonseo and ask?”

“Why not just bring the Tiger over instead, so it can bite me?”

Hyeonseo would probably be more vicious than a Tiger.

While we bantered, the tea for the Hyeon siblings was ready.

I handed them thermoses with plenty of ice.

“Cheers, to another Mangmubando day.”

“Where’s Hyeonseo?”

“She’s in the car, napping in the passenger seat. She’s been working hard lately.”

“How’s the Watermelon coming along? Isn’t it almost finished?”

“Yeah. Just about two more weeks and we’ll be done. But… something’s strange.”

“What is?”

Hyeon Ung watched the children as he spoke.

“Over the past few days, Watermelon Quality has improved a lot. Work is easier, and efficiency is up.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Maybe it’s thanks to the tea?”

“Oh come on. You think drinking tea really makes things easier? That’s just the Plasebo Effect.”

“Then leave the tea behind.”

“Hey, I already gave it to you.”

We bickered a bit about the thermos, but in the end, he didn’t actually leave it behind.

Red Peppermint Tea is genuinely helping the Hyeon siblings.

I’m thinking of studying it further, maybe even refining the recipe to make it more effective.

“Just take the good with the good. If Watermelon Quality is up, that’s great.”

“I’m just wondering why things suddenly got better after years of exhaustion.”

“You two should thank me, you punks.”

I turned to look at No-Rani and Naru, who had recovered quite a bit by now.

A gentle yellow glow drifted from No-Rani’s hair and settled here and there on Hyeon Ung’s body.

He couldn’t see it, but I could.

“I’m not certain, but it’s probably having some effect.”

I can’t be sure that the yellow powder is directly affecting the Watermelon.

But it’s likely having some influence.

After all, No-Rani is special.

I patted Hyeon Ung’s back as he made a complicated face.

“Don’t worry too much. There’s no way things will get worse.”

“That would be great, really.”

“Of course. Hey, you’re going to be late. Go on now.”

“See you later.”

Hyeon Ung waved and left the Chachip.

Watching the Porter leave through the window, I smiled quietly.

“I’ll make sure your farming never fails.”

I’m not the one directly helping.

But as long as No-Rani stays happy at the Yangjibareun Tea House, the Hyeon siblings’ farm will only have good harvests.

“Naru, I’m okay now.”

“No, you’re not. Stop that!”

“That’s enough, you two.”

Time to stop getting lost in sentimentality.

I gently pulled the overly playful No-Rani away from Naru and set out breakfast for the two.

Maybe because they’d played so hard since waking up, the two kids devoured breakfast quickly.

“We’re heading out now!”

“We’ll be back for dinner.”

“Don’t get hurt. Be careful and have fun.”

After seeing the two kids off, I finished preparing the Chachip to open for the day.

I set out the popular teas and began making desserts.

Today, I tried making Mangmubando with Watermelon for the first time.

“Tastes good.”

It suits my taste perfectly.

It’s a crowd-pleaser, but I can’t help but worry a bit.

When Sunyoung Halmeoni comes, I’ll have her try it.

Ever since opening, Sunyoung Halmeoni has come by every day.

She always enjoyed the drinks I made as experiments, so she’ll probably like the Mangmubando I made today too.

Just thinking about it made me smile.

However.

Sunyoung Halmeoni didn’t come by.

***

“Tea House grandson, thanks for the tea.”

“Take care getting home.”

As the sun set, the last guest—Mr. Peddler—left.

I stood in the now-quiet Chachip, gazing at the window seat.

Sunyoung Halmeoni, who always sat there, didn’t show up today.

“Did something happen…?”

I’d heard that Sunyoung Halmeoni lived alone after losing her husband.

That made me worry even more.

Other elders said they hadn’t seen her today either.

“I’m worried.”

After all, Sunyoung Halmeoni is quite elderly.

As my thoughts chased each other in circles, I found I couldn’t sit still.

Not wanting to worry the children, I left a note and stepped out of the Chachip.

“Sunyoung Halmeoni’s house is…”

I dug through my memory, recalling a very old address.

Counting even my previous life, it’d been nearly forty years, so dragging up the memory was tough.

Luckily, my body remembered the way.

“From here, left, then straight.”

A house with a fence tangled in vines.

At a glance, it looked abandoned, but on closer inspection, it was a surprisingly neat country home.

This was where Sunyoung Halmeoni lived.

I peered over the fence, but sensed no sign of anyone inside.

“No way… Halmeoni!”

I called loudly enough to be heard inside, but got no response.

I knocked, but the tightly locked door wouldn’t budge.

“What should I do…?”

If something’s happened to Halmeoni…

I reached for the wall.

“I’ll apologize later.”

I’ll bring extra desserts as service, so please forgive the trespass. Just please be safe inside.

With that hope, I grabbed the wall, ready to climb over.

“Who’s there?”

A voice from behind stopped me in my tracks.

Turning around, I saw Sunyoung Halmeoni.

She was walking over, leaning on her cane.

“Changseong, is that you?”

“Halmeoni!”

I let go of the wall and rushed over.

Seeing her look so well, I felt a flood of relief.

“Thank goodness.”

“What brings you all the way here?”

“You didn’t come to the Chachip today. Since you come every day, I was worried.”

“Hoho, you worry about everything.”

She stroked my hair affectionately.

The warmth in her hand eased my heart.

“Oh, you sweet child. Sorry for making you worry.”

“It’s nothing. More importantly, where are you coming from?”

“Ah, I went to the hospital today.”

“The hospital?”

Only then did I notice the prescription bag in her hand.

She discreetly hid it and patted my back.

“Let’s go inside instead. Did you eat dinner yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“You need to eat well to work well. I’ll make dinner. Come on in.”

“It’s okay, I can eat when I get home.”

“Don’t make this old lady feel bad. Come inside.”

Unable to refuse her insistence, I entered the house.

Inside was even more sparsely furnished than it appeared from outside.

So bare that I felt a chill, despite it being early summer.

“Halmeoni, don’t you feel uncomfortable living like this? There’s barely anything here.”

“An old woman like me doesn’t need much. Any more would be bothersome.”

“Still…”

“Could you help me move this?”

“Of course.”

The tray Halmeoni offered had no less than eight side dishes.

On top of that, the rice was piled high, packed down so tightly it bulged.

Did she really expect me to eat all this…?

“Sorry there’s not much.”

“Halmeoni, how can you say there’s not much?”

“Hold on, I have a fish I bought earlier, too.”

“It’s fine, Halmeoni. Come eat with me.”

“No, you go ahead. I’ll grill it quickly.”

She grilled an entire fish, then brought out some marinated ribs she’d been saving, and grilled those too.

With her putting in so much effort, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

To do so now would be ungrateful and disrespectful.

So, I stuffed my mouth full until I felt like I would burst.

“Halmeoni, I’m really full.”

After finishing every last bite, I flopped onto my back.

Full didn’t even begin to cover it.

As I rubbed my obviously bulging belly, Sunyoung Halmeoni looked at me with a worried gaze.

“Eat well from now on, okay? You’re so scrawny.”

“Halmeoni, I’m not skinny at all.”

Not once in my life had anyone called me skinny.

Well, maybe my grandfather had, come to think of it.

Maybe all elders see us as skinny.

“Here, have some Sujeonggwa.”

“Thank you.”

Halmeoni’s Sujeonggwa was delicious.

If I tried to make something like that, it would take ages.

As I thought about it, I remembered why I’d come here.

I set down the Sujeonggwa and straightened up.

“Halmeoni.”

“Yes, child?”

“Are you unwell?”

At my question, Halmeoni…