A Domestic Date at The Mart
The scorching sunlight glinted off the sign of The Mart, blindingly bright. The parking lot was packed from the very entrance, mostly with families holding their children’s hands. Ihyeon stepped into the peaceful weekend scene, stopping at the entrance to look around, her nerves clearly visible.
Today was the date she had been waiting for—or rather, the grocery shopping trip—with Taegon. She had discarded seven different outfits on her floor before leaving and had checked her hair in the mirror at least five times. After all that fuss, the result was nothing more than a white blouse and jeans. Even though she had picked it out herself, she felt a nervous heat rising in her chest. She never cared much about clothes, but today, she had agonized over them.
'Is it too plain? What if he thinks I look tacky…?'
Just as she was twisting the strap of her bag with both hands, an familiar voice came from behind her.
"Ihyeon."
She turned to see Taegon walking toward her with long, confident strides. He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and beige cargo pants. When the wind blew, the sleeves of his shirt pulled taut against his biceps.
"Did you wait long?"
"Ah, no! I just got here!"
In truth, she had arrived thirty minutes early, but she didn't feel the need to mention that.
The two of them walked into The Mart side by side. As the automatic doors opened, a cool blast of air conditioning brushed against their faces. The spacious store was piled high with fruits and vegetables, and the calls of staff at the tasting booths echoed throughout.
With a metallic click, Taegon pulled out a yellow cart.
"I'll push the cart."
"Oh? No, it’s fine. I can do it—"
"You just focus on picking things out, Ihyeon. I'll handle this part."
Taegon gripped the handle with both hands and moved forward smoothly. His profile as he led the way looked infinitely dependable, making her heart race once again. The moment Ihyeon turned her head to hide her flushed cheeks, the surrounding scenery caught her eye. A man pushing a cart with a woman picking out fruit next to him. A husband holding his child while laughing with his wife. Couples holding hands and chatting away.
'…Don't we look just like that right now?'
Taegon leading the way with the cart, and me, following him with quick, small steps while fidgeting with my bag strap. To a third party, this picture was unmistakably that of a couple. Or perhaps…
'A newlywed couple!!!'
A deep, uncontrollable crimson flush spread across her cheeks.
'N-no, it’s not like that. We’re just shopping. But still… heh… hehe… hehehe.'
Ihyeon covered her mouth with both hands to stifle the giggle threatening to burst out. If Taegon caught this pathetic expression, she might faint on the spot. Fortunately, Taegon was only staring straight ahead, pushing the cart. Ihyeon let out a sigh of relief, stroking her chest.
But that was a misconception. In reality, Taegon hadn't missed her covering her mouth and giggling to herself. He was simply pretending not to notice because he didn't want to embarrass her. His poker face looked no different than usual, but a faint, irrepressible smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.
Their first destination was the vegetable section. Ihyeon, who had been stiff with tension, suddenly lit up as if she were in her element the moment she stood in front of the onion display.
"Doesn't this look good? The skin is shiny and firm."
"Is that the standard for picking good onions?"
"Yes, for onions, the heavier the better. It’s proof that they’re packed with moisture."
"Oh. I see."
Ihyeon tucked three onions into a bag, one by one. Perhaps because she was talking about something she knew, her voice was clearer than usual. Taegon leaned against the cart and nodded along.
Green onions, carrots, potatoes, zucchini. Every time Ihyeon’s hands moved busily, the cart filled up with colorful vegetables.
"Taegon, do you like mushrooms?"
"Yes. I don't have any particular preferences."
"Then I'll add some enoki and king oyster mushrooms. They make the broth taste refreshing when you put them in stew."
"Oh, really?"
At Taegon’s curious gaze, Ihyeon continued, looking excited.
"Yes, especially enoki mushrooms—you have to add them at the very end to keep the texture. If you put them in from the start, they get all mushy."
"I had no idea. That’s a real pro tip."
"It’s nothing special… I just picked it up from watching my mom cook."
Ihyeon smiled, feeling both shy and proud.
The next destination was the meat section. While Ihyeon was comparing the quality of the pork belly and pork shoulder, Taegon quietly disappeared. The moment she turned her head, wondering, 'Where did he go?', Ihyeon almost burst out laughing.
Over by the refrigerated section, Taegon was performing a circus act. Packs of chicken breast were being stacked on his arms with terrifying momentum. Five, six, seven…
When he stubbornly added the eighth pack, the tower of chicken breast, having lost its balance, wobbled violently from side to side.
"T-Taegon!"
Ihyeon hurriedly pushed the cart over to rescue the tower of chicken breast before it collapsed.
"Are you going to buy all of those?"
"Yes!"
"Chicken breast… eight packs of it?"
"Nine," Taegon corrected, picking up one more pack.
Ihyeon’s eyes went wide.
"Nine packs? Are you going to eat all that by yourself?"
"It’s for protein supplementation. On days I work out, I polish off two packs a day."
"Two packs a day…?"
"And I need them to eat as meals on regular days, too."
Taegon dumped the packs into the cart as if it were nothing. Watching him, Ihyeon crossed her arms and looked up at him.
"Taegon."
"Yes?"
"You need to make sure you eat your meals properly, even when you're alone."
Taegon tilted his head, looking confused.
"I’m eating well right now, though?"
"Eating well? You just swept up nine packs of chicken breast… I’m sure when I’m not around, you’re planning to just get by with one of these for every meal, right?"
"Well… it’s the most convenient way."
At Taegon’s nonchalant excuse, Ihyeon crossed her arms even tighter and shook her head vigorously.
"Convenience isn't everything! Do you think the human body is just a protein supplement? You need to eat carbohydrates and a balanced variety of vegetables, too!"
Ihyeon began to count on her fingers, pointing them at him and lecturing him point by point.
"Vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals. These are all things our bodies need."
"…Ihyeon, are you a nutritionist by any chance?"
"This is common sense, common sense!"
Ihyeon puffed out her cheeks like a balloon and glared at him playfully. Taegon was observing her while leaning on the cart handle. Her pouting lips, her eyes turned up in a sassy expression, her bangs fluttering in the wind, and the faint flush on her face added a sense of vitality to her.
Taegon couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment. An unknown vibration kept ringing in a corner of his heart, but he decided to ignore it for now.
"Understood. I’ll try to cut down on them, just like the nutritionist says."
"Don't compromise by just cutting down! You need to increase your vegetable intake!"
Ihyeon snatched a bag of carrots from the shelf and placed it on top of the chicken breast tower.
"Eat these together. It’s surprisingly delicious if you boil the carrots and eat them with the chicken breast."
"Carrots and chicken breast?"
"If you slice the carrots thinly and blanch them together, a subtle sweetness comes out. It also makes the characteristic dry texture much softer."
"That’s fascinating…"
"I’ll make it for you next time. So, don't skip meals because you're lazy when you're alone, and please, at least add some carrots."
Ihyeon said it as if to secure a promise. Taegon nodded obediently.
"I got it. I’ll try eating it just like you said."
"Is that a promise?"
"Yes, of course."
Only then did Ihyeon nod, looking satisfied. Taegon pushed the cart forward again. His gaze drifted into the cart. A bag of carrots resting on top of nine packs of chicken breast. Something kept tugging at his heart.
The shopping ended as they passed the checkout counter. Thanks to the delivery service, their hands were as light as when they had arrived. Just as they were walking toward the exit, the sound of something frying crisp and a savory aroma brushed against their noses.
Following the smell, their eyes landed on the food court. People carrying food between the shops looked busy. Ihyeon instinctively sniffed the air. Her mouth watered at the salty, savory flavor.
She shook her head, trying to regain her senses.
'That delicious smell… No, wait. We didn't come here to eat!'
She was about to turn her gaze away from the food court toward the exit when—
— Grumble, grumble, grumble!
Her stomach made a sound. And a pretty loud one at that. Loud enough for the person next to her to hear clearly, even amidst the noise of the mart. Ihyeon’s body stiffened. Reflexively, she crossed her arms to cover her stomach.
'W-what was that?! Why at this timing?!'
Her face burned red with shame. Ihyeon looked at Taegon cautiously.
"…Did you hear that?"
Taegon was looking up at the information sign hanging from the ceiling.
"Yes? Hear what?"
"Ah, nothing!"
"What are you talking about? I didn't hear anything."
Taegon tilted his head, feigning ignorance. Ihyeon stared at his face with suspicious eyes. It was a perfectly natural expression without a hint of wavering, but the corners of his mouth were twitching ever so slightly.
'Ugh… he definitely heard it…'
Ihyeon covered her face with both hands and hung her head low.
"Ah, so embarrassing…"
"What’s embarrassing? I told you, I didn't hear anything."
"Liar! You’re laughing right now!"
"I have a naturally smiling face."
"You don't usually look like that!"
Ihyeon protested in a tearful voice. Taegon couldn't hold it in and let out a soft laugh. It was an ambiguous laugh that neither admitted nor denied that he had been caught. Ihyeon felt even more embarrassed and stared only at the floor.
Taegon pointed to the food court with his chin.
"Shall we eat here before we go?"
"…Yes?"
"We’re done shopping, and I’m a bit hungry anyway. How about we eat here?"
Ihyeon slowly lifted her flushed face. There was no sign of annoyance or mean teasing on Taegon’s face. It was as if that shameful sound from a moment ago had never existed in the first place. A natural suggestion for a meal, offered calmly for the sake of the person feeling embarrassed. That consideration touched her heart.
Ihyeon nodded shyly.
"…Yes. That sounds good."
Taegon led the way to the food court. Ihyeon followed closely behind, stroking her stomach.
'This stomach clock of mine… I feel both resentful and grateful for it.'
The two found a seat in one corner of the food court. Ihyeon’s eyes scanned the menu quickly.
"Taegon, which do you prefer, cheese pork cutlet or regular pork cutlet?"
"Anything is fine for me."
"You're saying 'anything' again. You always just say 'anything'."
"It’s just that I’m not picky and I eat everything well."
"Being not picky and putting off making a choice are two different things, you know?"
Ihyeon narrowed her eyes and urged Taegon. He thought for a moment before pointing his finger at a spot on the menu.
"Then… the pork loin cutlet set."
"Oh! Good choice. Then I’ll have… the cheese pork cutlet!"
While waiting for their order, they sat facing each other and talked. They shared their trivial daily lives, and time seemed to fly by without them even noticing. Just as they were deep in conversation, the food arrived. The golden-fried pork cutlet was covered in plenty of sauce, and a heap of shredded cabbage was served on the side.
As she put a knife to the cheese pork cutlet, the golden cheese flowed out as if it had been waiting.
"Wow, this looks delicious!"
Ihyeon’s eyes sparkled as she put a piece in her mouth. The hot cheese stretched out from inside the crispy batter.
"Daebak… it’s much tastier than I thought!"
"That’s a relief."
Taegon also cut a piece of the loin cutlet and put it in his mouth. Juices burst out with every chew.
"How is it? Is it good?"
"Yes. Maybe it’s because the meat is thick, but it’s very juicy."
"See! I’m glad you didn't just say 'anything'!"
"…Actually, it’s basically like you chose it for me."
"Hey, in the end, you chose it."
"Since you took away the option of 'anything', this is entirely your credit."
"Oh my, if you put it that way, then nothing in this world would be to your credit, Taegon?"
"Then that would be a very comfortable life, wouldn't it? I wouldn't have to worry about making choices."
"What are you saying~ seriously…!"
Ihyeon burst into laughter. Taegon chuckled softly as well. The sound of cutting pork cutlets and the occasional burst of laughter passed between them. Ihyeon’s tension had melted away like snow.