The Universe of Flavor Explodes
Im Nana had no choice but to slip on the ranch gloves, led by my hand as if it were inevitable.
"Come on, nothing to be shy about. This is how you eat at camp."
I demonstrated first. I tore off a thick piece of trout flesh and popped it into my mouth.
"Mmm, it's perfectly delicious. Give it a try."
I urged her with my eyes to hurry up and eat.
Grrrrowl~.
At that moment, a cute rumble echoed from Im Nana's stomach.
"Pfft, eat before you starve."
Even after watching my demo, Im Nana hesitated for a long while.
Finally unable to resist her hunger, she squeezed her eyes shut and snatched a piece of trout.
The instant she put the thick chunk of trout in her mouth and started chewing, she began trembling all over with her eyes still closed.
In that moment, a new universe was being born inside Im Nana's mouth.
The moment the mild yet fatty trout flesh touched her tongue, a massive explosion of light triggered the Big Bang of flavor. The smoky charcoal scent streaked across the night sky like a galaxy, while the fresh lemon infused with herbs rained down like shooting stars. She couldn't come to her senses. Far off, beyond the nebula formed from the savory aroma of doenjang jjigae, a massive dragon roared as it surged upward. Each scale on the dragon was engraved with the word "umami."
Drip~.
What the heck?
I stared blankly at the scene before me.
She'd only put a single piece of fish in her mouth, yet here she was, eyes closed, trembling without a twitch, tears streaming down her face. What on earth was this woman?
A monster created by YouTube...!
"Gasp...! Th-the universe of flavor is exploding in my mouth...!"
Suddenly, Im Nana's eyes snapped open. They were filled with ecstasy, as if she'd just witnessed the cosmos itself.
"It's so delicious! The mild trout flesh wrapped in herbal notes, with the charcoal smoke embracing everything... this taste!"
...?
What was that? A flying dragon? She could've made it big as a mukbang YouTuber.
Watching her silly reaction, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Ahaha, right? Camping food is just inevitably delicious."
Snapping out of her reverie, Im Nana blushed in embarrassment.
But soon she scooped up a spoonful of the charred doenjang jjigae and let out another exclamation.
"Th-this is insanely good too! It's on a whole other level from the doenjang jjigae at home!"
"Anything you boil outside tastes better. Ramen too."
She seemed to hang on my every word, then scooped up more food. Another gasp of delight, and she launched into a full-on battle mukbang.
Chomp chomp, slurp.
Seeing her eat so heartily made me feel a warm satisfaction, like she'd truly grasped the charm of camping.
After dinner, I pulled a small portable brazier out of my tent.
"What's that for?"
Curious about the unfamiliar camping gear, Im Nana asked.
"This is a portable mini brazier. At auto campgrounds like this—not near big waterways— you're usually not allowed to build a bonfire directly on the ground."
"Oh, so that's why you need a brazier?"
"Exactly. It's made of fire-resistant material, and elevated off the ground, so some sites allow bonfires if you use one. This place too."
"Ahh... every campground has its own rules, huh..."
I split some firewood from the car with my hand axe and loaded it onto the brazier.
As I chopped, I heard occasional gasps of admiration from beside me.
Turning my head, I saw Im Nana staring at me wordlessly, her face an indescribable mix of awe.
What was it? Like a loyal dog gazing up at its owner, eyes brimming with absolute trust.
...kinda overwhelming.
Feeling awkwardly flustered, I averted my gaze and lit the brazier.
The crackling of the burning wood brought a sentimental look back to Im Nana's face.
"Staring at the fire like this... it really feels healing..."
"That's the point of camping—rest and relaxation."
"...Yeah. Lately, things have been tough. Moving by the script every day, forcing praise for products I've never seen... Even though it's my channel, it didn't feel like mine. Like a flickering flame, barely hanging on after burning out..."
Her voice trembled faintly, like the fire itself.
What should I say?
I didn't want to give empty platitudes like "Hang in there" or "It'll be fine."
I knew how hollow those could ring.
Like when I quit my job, exhausted from office life, seeking true healing.
Or staring at my failed YouTube channel before bed, drowning in regret.
Probably felt similar.
Instead of words, I quietly picked up a log beside me and shoved it into the brazier.
Crackle. The dying embers, meeting fresh fuel, roared back to life.
She stared blankly at it, then looked up at me.
Her face had seemed on the verge of tears moments ago.
But now a faint smile bloomed across it.
Seeing that eased my heart too.
No more sadness like before.
Instead, gazing at the blazing flames, her face seemed to kindle with new hope or resolve.
...She's feeling better.
As I took a sip of coffee with that thought, she suddenly called out.
"Areum-unnie!"
"Pfft! Y-yes?"
Startled by her sudden burst of energy, I spat out my coffee.
Was this the same downcast girl? Her mood swings were wild...
"Areum-unnie! Um... could I post the dinner and our chat on my channel? No, please let me! Keeping your awesome self to myself is a crime!"
"A-awesome...? Crime?"
"Yes! Oh, right! Let's collab instead! My subscribers will love you for sure!"
I thought for a moment.
She was extra nice because of her 1.8 million subs, sure...
But exploiting someone just getting into camping—maybe a future camping buddy? That felt wrong.
In one corner of my mind, a materialistic devil waved a flag, shouting.
Do it now! Butter her up and squeeze every drop of juice!
But on the other side, a tiny angel named conscience teared up in protest.
No! How can you exploit someone so pure, just starting camping! You'll get karma!Karma my ass! She got struck by lightning—that's karma for life!
Gasp... r-really?
Darn it, angel, why are you so spineless?
While the angel was getting convinced by the devil in my head, Im Nana continued gazing at me with sparkling eyes.
"Areum-unnie, no pressure. I was getting bored with solo content anyway and wanted to collab with others. Just think of it as camping with me one more time? Please?"
She trailed off softly, looking up with damp-puppy eyes.
Sigh... those eyes were against the rules.
The angel and devil in my head declared a simultaneous truce.
How could anyone say no to that?
Of course, the 1.8 million subs were the real decider.
I cheered inwardly while sighing outwardly like it was a huge concession.
"Sigh... if you put it that way, how can I refuse? Alright, looking forward to working with you."
By the time the bonfire's last embers died down, the night air had grown much colder.
"Brr, cold..."
Im Nana huddled instinctively, rubbing her arms.
Seeing that, I couldn't just tell her to crash in her rain-soaked tent.
...No choice.
I stood up.
"Nana, sleep in my tent with me."
"Huh? No, no! I'd just inconvenience you. I'll sleep in the car..."
"You'll wake up with a stiff jaw. You already got soaked today—your condition's bad enough."
I handed her a spare sleeping bag from the trunk.
"My tent's family-sized; two girls won't feel cramped. No weird thoughts—just come in and sleep."
With a firm tone, she finally stopped protesting and followed me hesitantly.
Leading her, I unzipped our shelter for the night.
"Come on in. Not many bugs 'cause it's cold, but way comfier than the car."
"O-okay then. Ex, excuse me."
With a tense expression, Im Nana ducked carefully into my tent.
And at that moment, a soft gasp escaped her.
"Whoa~..."
Unlike her tent, mine had a small lantern hanging from the ceiling, casting a cozy orange glow that warmed the space.
Silver insulating sheets lined the walls, blocking the outer chill.
"Um... can I open this?"
She pointed to a small zipper on one side. I nodded, and she carefully unzipped it.
Through the tiny window, a starry drizzle-kissed night sky framed a full moon like a painting.
"Wow... this is amazing..."
She gently touched the insulating sheet, fiddled with the lantern brightness, grinning in wonder.
She looked just like a kid on her first picnic.
...That impressive, huh.
Suppressing a smile, I rummaged in my backpack for hand warmers. I ripped the packets and shook them vigorously; warmth bloomed quickly.
"Here, another camping essential."
I placed the heated ones in her hands.
"Nights get cold—put them in your sleeping bag."
"These?"
"Not full winter yet, but mornings can drop to single digits. Tuck two by your feet, one by your back and neck."
"Ah, thank you!"
Im Nana stuffed them into her sleeping bag.
"I'd have been in real trouble without you."
"...?"
"Never even thought of hand warmers!"
...! This woman...! I'd noticed, but she was even more unprepared than I thought!
No hand warmers in this weather? Perfect recipe for a stiff jaw at dawn.
I stared at her a moment, then rubbed the goosebumps on my arms.
"...Anyway, time to sleep. You must be exhausted."
"Yeah, thank you so much for today."
And then, soft raindrops pattered on the tarp above.
Silence settled in the tent.
Soon, cute snores started from beside me.
Im Nana glanced once at Areum's sleeping face.
She's such a mysterious person. Doesn't look that much older, but knows so much...
And... above all.
So, so cool...
Her speech was always laced with consideration.
I was a frustrating newbie to a veteran, yet she never showed annoyance at me interrupting her rest.
A voice that made listeners happy, an inexplicable charisma that commanded attention, pro-level knowledge from at least a decade of camping, beauty that could pass for an actress.
Im Nana had never met anyone like Han Areum.
That's why she'd boldly proposed a collab—something she wouldn't normally do.
She wanted to know more about this Han Areum.
With YouTube as a common ground, it was easy to suggest.
She gazed at the sleeping Han Areum for a long while.
Then, overcome by fatigue, Im Nana's eyes slowly closed.
Just before drifting off, a soft whisper escaped her lips.
"So... pretty..."
And in the tent, only the two women's gentle breathing echoed quietly.