Sizzling Hot Ramen Business: Day 6
Spicy hot ramen sales hit day six. The crowd today dwarfed yesterday's—people surging in like waves crashing on the shore.
"Is this what they call exponential growth?" Hura muttered as he stirred a pot of ramen.
A shout came immediately from behind him. "Hey, Hura! Less chit-chat, more ramen!"
"I'm talking while cooking, aren't I?"
"Oh yeah? Fair enough."
"Hey, Jeil Hura. Why don't you cook quietly like that Jay Hura over there?"
"He's got Dark Chef activated."
As more customers poured in, the expanded kitchen spun even faster. The place had turned into a ramen factory, thick with the steam of boiling pots.
Three Huras sweated bullets over the stoves: the first clone dubbed Jeil Hura, the second Jay Hura. Hura's body could only summon one clone normally, but by tapping into the Dark Chef skill—which boosted other cooking abilities—he'd managed two. With the caveat that the second clone had to keep Dark Chef running nonstop.
"...Shut up."
"Jay Hura says shut up."
"I was talking to you."
Then, urgent footsteps approached.
"Boss!" It was Geum Taeyang.
"Boss, we have guests."
""What?"" All three Huras whipped around.
The real Hura addressed his clones. "You two keep cooking, clones."
"Ah, right, I'm a clone."
"...Tch."
Come to think of it, she'd said she was coming today. Must be Molrangkau's guest. Hura quickly sorted his thoughts and told Geum Taeyang, "Bring them here."
"Yes, sir."
But Geum Taeyang didn't budge.
"What? Something wrong?"
"Yes. There's one more."
"Hm? Who?"
"Well..." Geum Taeyang hesitated, uncharacteristically. "I'm not sure, but they know the master's true identity."
"Huh?"
"And even about Master Sulis."
"What?"
Hura couldn't believe his ears. Someone who knew Sulis? There were barely any: his sister, Molrangkau, Baek Bal Baek Jung. Cheon-gong? No way.
"They're holding off on answering for now. What should I do?"
Geum Taeyang asked. Clones could share thoughts, so the one handling customers had called in another to check with Hura.
"...Bring them anyway."
"Yes, sir. Understood."
* * *
Seo Eunmi and Dahyun stared blankly at the waiter in front of them. He'd said he'd check with the boss, then just closed his eyes and stood there—like he was sending telepathy or something.
Finally, he opened his eyes. "This way."
"...? You just asked now?"
"Yes. The boss approved."
Seo Eunmi puckered her lips in wonder. The waiter eyed Dahyun warily. "Just follow me."
"Sure thing~ Lead on~"
"......"
Geum Taeyang walked slowly ahead, Seo Eunmi and Dahyun trailing close behind.
Crunch.Crunch.
Geum Taeyang glanced back at Dahyun as they crossed the sparse, snow-dusted woods.
"Huh? What?"
He turned forward again, stepping deliberately. "If I may ask, who might you be?"
"Told you. Friend of your master."
"The master didn't seem to know."
"It's a surprise visit. Duh."
"Please reveal your identity. It would ease my mind."
"Hmm... What to do~"
"......"
Dahyun grinned cheekily. Geum Taeyang furrowed his brow, displeased.
Crunch.Crunch.
Dahyun mulled it over, then spoke to his back. "Just know me as a former fairy."
Geum Taeyang froze mid-step. He turned, stunned. "Fairy...? How could a fairy..."
But Dahyun waved him off—no explanations. "Too complicated. Don't ask more."
"...Yes, sir."
Crunch.Crunch.
Geum Taeyang hurried on, soon reaching a small clearing with a ramshackle wooden shack. It looked hastily built, barely windproof.
"Please wait here."
He left the two and approached. "Boss. Guests have arrived."
The three inside turned simultaneously.
""What?""
One stood. "You two keep cooking, clones."
"Must be nice not being a clone."
"...Tch."
Geum Taeyang guided the guests to the front. "This way."
The chef emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. He extended one with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you. You're the doctor Molrangkau mentioned, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Geum Taeyang! Fetch Molrangkau. Tell her the doctor's here."
"Already on it."
"Good man."
Seo Eunmi shook his hand, eyeing him anew. She'd assumed he'd be young like Jihyun, but he looked older—surprisingly so.
This is the chef!
Nearly buzz-cut short hair. Short but sturdy build. A strong jaw that screamed resilience.
So warm.
Tears welled up again at his gentle grip.
"I hope the meal was to your liking?"
"...Yes."
Seo Eunmi clasped his hand tighter with both of hers, pouring her heart into each deliberate word. She wanted him to feel it fully.
"Your cooking... it was delicious. Truly."
"Haha, glad to hear it."
"Thank you... so much."
Plip.Drop.
Tears fell onto their clasped hands.
"...No need for thanks. I'm the grateful one for you enjoying it."
Seo Eunmi wiped her eyes and smiled. What a warm soul.
She couldn't just ugly-cry in front of this good connection. Brightening up, she introduced herself. "Sorry, got carried away. I'm Jihyun's... um, how to put it? Her main doctor, but not just that stiff doctor-patient thing. It's more like..."
She fumbled for the right term for her bond with Seo Jihyun.
Hura smiled and finished for her. "A friend of Jihyun's?"
"...Yes. A close friend."
Seo Eunmi smiled back. Who melted our icy Jihyun like winter's end? Spring was right here.
Wisdom shone from his lived life. Age gap? So what. They're each other's irreplaceable support.
His words let her embrace not just her own tie to Jihyun, but Jihyun and Hura's too.
"Nice to meet you. Seo Eunmi."
"Likewise. Hura."
"Heard a lot from Jihyun. You look just as upstanding as described."
"Haha, thanks."
As they chatted, rapid footsteps pattered from behind.
"Doctor!"
"Jihyun!"
Jihyun, meeting Seo Eunmi in Pangwol, lit up like an excited kid.
"You really came? How?"
"Teleport spell. Used that."
"Whoa, those are pricey."
"Don't worry. Doctor's loaded."
The pair chattered happily. Hura watched with fond eyes.
Then, the quiet figure stepped forward boldly.
"Hm?"
Hura's gaze shifted to her naturally.
"...Huh?"
His eyes widened. "Dahyun?"
At the name from Hura's lips, Molrangkau—who'd been sweetly chatting with Seo Eunmi—snapped her head around. Her eyes bulged as wide as Hura's at the surprise guest.
Dahyun stared at Hura's bear apron. "...Customer-nim, right?"
"Ah, yeah. That's me."
Her eyes traveled from apron to face. He spoke like Hura, but looked nothing like him.
Whatever. Hura beamed. "You made a character!"
"Yeah. Pretty recent."
"Should've said you were coming."
Geum Taeyang, who'd been inwardly worried, relaxed at Hura's bright smile. And marveled—he rarely saw his master grin like that.
"...What? Something on my face?"
Hura asked the staring Dahyun.
"No. Just impressed by the disguise magic."
"Oh, right. I was disguised."
Realizing late, Hura called out. "Molrangkau!"
"Huh?"
"Drop the disguise magic for a sec."
"Sure."
Snap.
Whoosh.
A soft blue glow enveloped Hura. His shrunken height shot up, short hair lengthened to his shoulders. Broad jaw sharpened, round eyes slanted keenly.
"...Gasp."
Seo Eunmi inhaled sharply in shock.
"Ahh... much better."
Hura rolled his shoulders, muttering.
Seo Eunmi covered her gaping mouth, whispering to Molrangkau. "OMG... that was magic?"
"Yeah. Hiding his identity, so I disguised him."
"How old?"
"Same age as me."
"...!"
He truly looked Jihyun's peer. Seo Eunmi was awed. Such depth in one so young.
She gazed at Hura, then whispered to Jihyun. "You're into faces, huh?"
"...Not like that."
Meanwhile, Dahyun eyed the restored Hura without much joy.
"Dahyun, how was the ramen?"
"...Good. Delicious."
Even to Hura's cheerful question, Dahyun pouted.
Huh? Did I mess up?
Seemed he was the only excited one at the reunion. As Hura opened his mouth to ask—
"Who's she?"
Dahyun nodded curtly at Molrangkau, displeased.
"Oh, didn't mention? She's—"
"I know. Seo Jihyun, right? The girl from the snack bar? The workout buddy?"
"Huh? How'd you..."
"And Seo Jihyun is Molrangkau?"
"...!"
Hura gaped in shock, but Dahyun had been glaring daggers since Seo Eunmi said "Jihyun."
Step.
Molrangkau stepped forward too. Dahyun turned to face her.
"......"
"......"
No words, just stares—sparks flying in the air between them.
Hura panicked, glancing between them. "H-Hey? Dahyun, what's up?"
"......"
"Molrangkau, what about you?"
"......"
Some watched with popcorn-munching interest.
"Popcorn?"
"Hand it over."
"Fascinating."
Tteoksoon-i and Bes had joined Geum Taeyang, munching as they spectated.
"Wh-Why are you both like this?"
Only Hura fidgeted anxiously.
"Dahyun."
"What."
"Did she do something? It wasn't on purpose. I told you last time—must be a misunderstanding—"
"Hmph. Sweet? My ass."
"...Pardon?"
"Total vixen. Customer-nim's getting played."
Hura blinked in confusion at the outburst. Then another hook flew in.
"Hey, Hura."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Why assume I screwed up?"
"Uh? Well..."
Hura floundered between them. Bes, enjoying the show, pointed at Dahyun and asked Geum Taeyang, "Who's that one?"
"Not entirely sure."
"Doesn't have to be precise. Spill."
"Said she was a former fairy earlier."
"What? Fairy?"
Princess Bes jolted.
"What's that about?"
"You fool. Nothing rings a bell with 'fairy'?"
Geum Taeyang watched the growling glares between Molrangkau and Dahyun—then it clicked.
"...Ah! No way, is she..."
Bes nodded gravely. "Yeah. Probably."
"What? What're you talking about?"
Tteoksoon-i asked innocently, crunching popcorn.
Geum Taeyang replied solemnly. "She's Molrangkau's rival."
"Ehhh?!"