Chapter 256
Chapter 256
That was a ranked game."
Gong Tae-min awkwardly hid his embarrassment and quietly took a seat next to his mother. The TV adorning one wall of the living room was broadcasting a show that was now familiar to both of them. In one corner, the words "Song Woo-yeon's Alley Secrets" were written.
"How long has it been on?"
"30 minutes."
"Ah, half's already gone. No interesting people this time?"
"They're all the same. Business isn't easy, after all."
His mother grumbled but couldn't tear her eyes from the TV. Just then, Song Woo-yeon was providing solutions to the featured vendor and teaching a food recipe.
"That young lady is amazing. So young, yet such an expert at everything. Nothing like my son."
"Ah, why the nagging."
"It's not nagging! Just talking to myself."
Though it felt like undeserved scolding, Gong Tae-min didn't add anything more. He already knew from experience that it wouldn't even break even. He shut his mouth tight and turned back to the TV. Song Woo-yeon filled the screen.
"Mom. I told you before, right? That time with the spicy chicken feet challenge right around here—that MC was Song Woo-yeon."
Back then, since Song Woo-yeon hadn't debuted on TV yet, he'd just thought he was a part-timer or something. He'd been so shocked when he spotted him later on the show.
"Of course I know. If you mention it one more time, it'll drill into my ears."
"No~. It's just amazing. Meeting someone by chance and them becoming this famous."
"I hear that Song Woo-yeon still shows up near the chicken feet place sometimes."
"Really? You saw him too?"
"I didn't!"
"If you see him next time, get his autograph for me."
"I don't have one either, you rascal."
The two giggled over their trivial chit-chat. Sitting side by side like this, watching a TV program together, was one of their few joys. -Ugh! At that moment, Song Woo-yeon on the screen dry-heaved.
"Oh dear. The sushi must not taste good."
"It did look unappetizing."
Then the camera close-up showed Do-kyung's face, who still hadn't eaten the mackerel sushi. Her trembling eyes were perfectly captured.
"That, that girl. She really has no luck. Why does she always end up with stuff like that?"
"Right?"
Even as they agreed, smiles crept onto their lips. That scene was obviously going to be screenshotted and turned into memes online. 'Ah, wonder what people's reactions are.' Gong Tae-min pulled out his phone and went online. Whenever Alley Secrets aired, there was a community where everyone gathered to share real-time reactions. Sure enough. The top post he saw upon entering was about Do-kyung's expression.
Forum Post
[Today's Do-kyung Suffering.jpg](Do-kyung broadcast meme)Lmaoooo is she nuts lolololol→Poor kid→Today too 😭😭→???: Making money is hard
Forum Post
[Breaking! Do-kyung Escapes Food Hell Today](Song Woo-yeon meme saying it's okay not to eat)Choi Choi→Glutton→That's what's funny lololol
Forum Post
[Live: Song Woo-yeon Pissed AF](Song Woo-yeon broadcast meme)Eyes rolling!!→Go away~~~! !
→So annoying~~ 'I don't post or anything. Just lurking is fun enough.' Gong Tae-min chuckled as he skimmed a few more posts. Meanwhile, on TV, Song Woo-yeon was unleashing harsh criticism on the sushi shop owner, Lee Hyung-bae.
“Have you ever properly learned how to grip sushi?”
Lee Hyung-bae stammered that he'd learned in a crash course over two weeks and then opened the shop. From beside him came his mother's tsk-tsking.
"Ugh. I knew it. People like that need to fail to come to their senses. Food business isn't a joke. Opening up after two weeks?"
A thick curse was about to spill out. It was a bit extreme, but Gong Tae-min somewhat agreed with his mother. 'No sympathy if it flops.' The community's reactions were similar.
Forum Post
[Sushi Master in 2 Weeks Possible?][3 Months Part-Timing at Sushi Joint—Can I Open Mine Now?][CSAT is a 100-Day Miracle, Here It's a 14-Day Miracle LOL WTF] The mockery posts were pouring in. The mood flipped in the very next moment.
“... My wife really loved it.” Lee Hyung-bae began sharing his sad backstory with a bitter smile. Along with small text saying "Provided by the owner," photos offering glimpses of their happy married life flashed by in sequence. From their young 20s, to her beaming while pregnant and eating sushi. They say photos capture the photographer's gaze. The profound love for his wife was obvious at a glance.
“The moment I heard our baby's mom... had cancer, it felt like the world collapsed.” "Oh my, oh my." His mother was now deeply immersed, clucking her tongue. The following photos showed her pale and ill, unlike before. She'd shaved her long hair, wearing a knitted cap on her bald head. Her face was pallid, her smile stiff. Even with the nasal cannula, the woman didn't erase her faint smile.
“That's when our kid said, 'Why don't we try opening a sushi shop like the one Mom loved? Then in heaven, she'll be happy seeing Dad's sushi...' ” Sniffle. Hearing the sound nearby, Gong Tae-min's eyes widened.
"Mom. Crying?"
"Crying what."
"You're crying."
"I said I'm not!"
His mother snapped irritably but dabbed her eyes with tissue anyway. 'Who knew there was a story like this.' He'd never dreamed. He'd assumed it was just like other villains from past episodes—opening a shop on a whim. Knowing the backstory now made blindly cursing feel awkward. Glancing at his phone, the community was reacting similarly.
Forum Post
[Lmaooo 2-Week Sushi Master is BS Lololol]Bang!(Broadcast Capture)Next.→Those saying no, come out→This is a cheat code lolololol]
Forum Post
[Story Flip is Insane]What kind of plot twist ;;→Fr→What are we now→→Now we're the trash lolol]
Forum Post
[Ah;; Okay Okay, Stop Bashing Already]So where's the sushi shop address? Tears coming, need to order some sushi]
Forum Post
[Hot Take: 2 Weeks is Still BS]Agree→Hot Take: Your Opinion Doesn't Matter→So principled lol]
Forum Post
[My Dad Was Ill Long-Term Before Passing—Kinda Get the Feeling]Know it's pointlessBut gotta do it to ease my mindWrote cuz lots saying what does sushi have to do with shamanism→Kids who can't understand this are context-blind fr?→Basement dwellers just bash whatever lolol] Regardless of the community flipping out, the broadcast continued.
“Owner. You want to keep running the sushi shop, right?” When Lee Hyung-bae nodded, Song Woo-yeon asked if he could follow with some conditions. A minimum of 6 hours practice a day, no less. Focusing on one thing for 6 hours wasn't easy in itself. Lee Hyung-bae seemed to hesitate, then stared wide-eyed and answered.
“I'll do it.”
That resolve seemed to transmit to the viewers. Gong Tae-min felt a lump in his chest too. 'What am I doing? Just talking about studying for certifications every day.' Reflecting on himself brought shame. A vow to work harder took root in his heart.
"Aw. Yeah. Gotta help people like this. Those trying something at least."
His mother nodded repeatedly, clapping.
"Good. Yeah. Where is it? Wanna go check it out."
Stories have the power to move people, they say. With the narrative hitting emotionally, even his mother—who'd never done such a thing—wanted to visit in person.
"Shall we look it up?"
"Yeah. If it's not far, let's go."
"Bet it'll be crowded."
"Still. Gotta buy something there to show support."
"Got it. One sec."
Gong Tae-min opened the map app and searched for the sushi shop. He'd caught a glimpse of the name during the broadcast. 'Where is it? Here maybe....... Huh?' Gong Tae-min blinked. But the text remained the same.
"Mom. It says temporarily closed right now?"
"What? They should be busy selling after the broadcast. What's up with that?"
"Right? No idea why."
Don't paddle when the tide's in—that's basic business, right? Yet temporarily closed? As he tilted his head in confusion— The TV screen, which had been showing the next episode preview, suddenly went dark. On the black screen, white text appeared.
⚙ Broadcast Overlay ⚙
[A Phone Call to the Production Team at That Moment.] The background music turned gravely serious.
⚙ Audio Recording ⚙
[-Hello? (Beeeep) Owner, what's wrong....... Yes?] Perhaps not proper footage, a fuzzy audio recording of the call played. One crew member casually answered, then suddenly straightened up. Rustling sounds and commotion around ensued, and the footage cut off abruptly.
⚙ Broadcast Overlay ⚙
[Everyone Was Shocked by the Sudden Incident.] The text vanished, replaced by another call recording. Click. The call connected.
⚙ Audio Recording ⚙
[-Hello?-Song CEO. I won't know details till I get to the hospital, but for now......-Yes? What do you mean.] Song Woo-yeon's voice rang out, thick with bewilderment.
⚙ Audio Recording ⚙