Mokpo's Big Shots
Seeing the whole pig barbecue right in front of me from Mokpo's big shots made my mind go blank. Well, this was a new experience too... Anyway, barbecue was barbecue, so first I had to introduce Im Nana, who couldn't stop chattering beside me, to Grandpa.
"Grandpa. This is Im Nana, she's been a huge help to me."
"Hello! I'm Im Nana!"
"Aigoo, welcome~"
"Ahh...! Just call me casually! Treat me like one of the family!"
Im Nana seemed uncomfortable with Grandpa using formal speech. She waved her hands in the air, begging him to drop it, but...
"No way, how could I treat a full-grown adult like that...? You're all grown-ups, gotta show some respect~"
"...Grandpa, what about me then?"
"Of course! You're still my little baby!"
...I was just kidding. Im Nana, listening in, looked amazed at how close Grandpa and I seemed—closer than most adults with their grandparents. It was a bit rare, sure, but not unheard of.
"Then just think of me as another granddaughter and treat me casually. Hehe."
"Well now... Alright then! Kekeke."
Watching Nana approach Grandpa with a smile bumped her up a notch in my book. People who treat your family well? You just wanna do that one extra thing for them. Might not show it, but suddenly you're piling on an extra side dish...
"Grandpa, how've you been?"
"You were just here not long ago—how could I not be fine in such a short time?"
Hm, yeah, only two weeks had passed. Alexander III, who lived in the yard house, was... look at that. Totally losing it over the smell of the roasting pig. Drool overflowing from his mouth, a total mess.
...Staring at him, he kinda reminded me of Nana?
"So, did yesterday's thing get sorted out okay? I freaked when I heard you got hurt."
"Don't even get me started. That old Jo guy from up the hill's built like a tank—said it was just a minor tweak~"
"The one who got hurt was Jo Grandpa from up the road? Fell off a ladder, and that's all? Lucky guy."
"Yeah, and he puts on this whole drama queen act, wailing 'Aigoo, I'm dying~' and kicking up a fuss, but I ended up taking him to the hospital anyway~"
Good thing the incident where Nana and I camped a day early yesterday had wrapped up fine.
"But this pig... Wait, more importantly, where'd you get a smoking machine that huge???"
"Hwang from down the road lent a hand~. When I said my baby girl was coming, he goes 'That princess of yours is already that grown up?' and happily loaned it over~"
Pri... princess. Well, yeah, back when I'd see him occasionally, he'd say "Here comes the prince!" and stuff me with snacks... Even if objectively and subjectively, I was no prince.
"The grandpa down the road? Shouldn't we go say hi?"
"Nah~ He's off visiting his son's family."
While chatting with Grandpa, Nana poked my elbow.
"Areum, who's this Hwang Grandpa?"
"Oh, he's Grandpa's friend down the road. Same age, like brothers. Runs a big hog farm. Pretty successful businessman in that field."
"Businessman? Does he run a company?"
"More like a big BBQ grill rental business. Imports rare kinds you don't see here... Bet that smoker's imported too."
"Whoa... Yeah, I've never seen a BBQ that huge. Way bigger than the one at some festival when I was a kid."
"His pork's amazing too. Whenever I crave it camping, I order from his online shop."
"Really? Tell me later! Gotta try it!"
Since Nana loved food, she'd definitely become a regular at Hwang Grandpa's pork.
Come to think of it, the grandpas around here... had some serious specs. My grandpa struck gold in real estate. Hwang Grandpa owned a hog farm with over 10,000 pigs and nailed the rental biz. And Jo Grandpa, who hurt his back yesterday? Ran dozens of pensions, from what I'd heard.
Whoa, this place was richer than I thought. Mokpo's big shots central...
"You girls must've had a rough time camping yesterday, huh? Bet you couldn't even wash up proper~ Go on in, unpack, and clean up~"
"Oh, right..."
"Yeah, I could really use a shower. Let's head in? Grandpa, I'll be quick."
"Take your time~"
We'd done a quick rinse at the public restroom that morning, but I still craved a real shower. Nana looked thrilled too—guess we were both grimy.
Thanked Grandpa, grabbed clothes and shower stuff from the car, and headed to the front door.
"I've never been in a rural house like this! But it's huge?"
"Heard it's about 100 pyeong. Hm... It's not what you picture as a rural house, though?"
"Psh, I know. I won't complain if it's rough!"
Uh... that's not what I meant... Well, she'd see soon enough.
Creeeak—the old rural door hinges creaked open. We slid open the little shoe closet door and stepped in...
"...?"
"Told you it'd be different."
"Areum... Did we take a plane? Is our destination Europe or something?"
"Haha, I thought all rural houses were like this as a kid too... cough, turns out not."
Grandpa's place looked rural outside, but inside? High-end hotel wouldn't even cover it—pure elegance. European-style interior, straight out of the Renaissance era. Looked like a plain two-story rural home from outside, but no stairs inside, just soaring ceilings. Massive chandelier, antique furniture with ornate decorations everywhere.
"Whoaaa. First time seeing a house like this."
"Everyone's reaction on their first visit."
"The sofa's so fancy! Feels like a palace!"
Nana's eyes wandering everywhere suddenly locked on one spot. A cotton ball huddled in the corner.
"...What's that cotton ball? Looks so fluffy. Part of the decor?"
"Haha, cotton ball? Hehe... Take a good look."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Maximus~ Who's a good boy~"
Hearing his name, fluffy ears perked up from the ball. Short legs popped out boing boing, he shook himself, and trotted over.
"Ang-!"
"Whooooaaa...."
"This is Maximus. Cute, right?"
Plop—Nana suddenly sat on the floor, hands outstretched, trembling.
Wh-what? Overwhelmed by Maximus's cuteness?
"Ma, Maximus..."
Hearing his name again, Maximus approached her. His head touched her fingertips.
Stroke—stroke—. Loving the gentle pets, he rubbed his head and body against her.
That killer cuteness conquered Nana.
"I could die happy right now."
"You'd never see Maximus again if you died now, though?"
"No way!"
"Ang-!"
Startled by the loud voice, he barked back. But seeing Nana melt over his adorableness, I was glad she came.
"Since we're here, lemme give you the tour. Gotta show you your room anyway."
"Yeah! This house is insane!"
Nana hugged Maximus tight and followed.
"First, the kitchen. Super sleek, right? G-shaped open kitchen, right on latest trends."
"Whoa-!"
"Next, your room for tonight. Queen bed, fancy canopy. There's a vanity, but no makeup, sorry."
"Whoa-!"
"Bathroom next. Super stylish, but so huge... Kinda unsettling for business. Wear the slippers, watch the rug doesn't get wet."
"Whoa-!"
...Her reactions were getting repetitive compared to food. Not a reaction machine or anything. Her eyes sparkled like lasers, but all that came out was "Whoa-!"
"Pro: this sink. Big enough for a three-year-old's bath. Soap's automatic—hand under the dispenser."
"Whoa-!"
"Pfft...lol"
Ugh, hearing it nonstop was hilarious... Laughing at this? Hurts my pride.
"Huh? Why're you laughing?"
"Nothing."
"No showerhead here? Where do you shower?"
"Hehe, been waiting for that."
Out of the bathroom, into the next room. A whole new world: massive tub with bubble machine, shower booth for three or four, and a compact sauna.
"Gasp."
"Grandpa loves saunas. Takes me an hour to wash up here... Shower, soak, 10-min sauna, rinse again..."
"Then?"
"He'd always have fruit sliced. Pure bliss."
"Whoooaaa!!!"
"Sweat it out in the sauna, then sweet, juicy fruit... Saw melons in the fridge earlier..."
Ah, that face. Already lounging post-sauna on the sofa, savoring melon.
"Quick, shower time, Areum!"
"Haha. You first. I'll help Grandpa."
"Huh? Like you said, it'd take two hours separate?? Let's just go together~"
"...Pardon?"
"What's wrong~? It's huge! C'mon!"
Nana started stripping without warning. Wait, what the—? We're not at that level yet, right? Save that for later...
"W-wait! Separate...!"
"I'll go ahead? Hurry up~"
......
How do I handle this...?