Chapter 104: An Unexpected Formal Meeting
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: An Unexpected Formal Meeting
I never thought I’d be asked to cosplay by my friend's mother, especially since this was only the second time we’d ever met.
Just then, Rika, who was beside me, jumped in with a start.
"Mama! What are you talking about all of a sudden? You never said anything to me about this!"
"Oh my, isn't it fine since you've heard it now?"
Maria replied with a nonchalant expression, then looked at me.
"So, what do you think, Yoo-Sung?"
The question was suddenly directed at me, but unfortunately, my answer was already decided.
"I'm sorry, but I think that might be a bit difficult. I'm definitely interested in Comiket, but cosplay seems a little too high-level for me."
As I expressed my reluctance, Maria let out a heavy sigh of disappointment.
"Really? Well, I guess it can't be helped. If you helped out, I was going to ask my husband to give you one of his prized collector's items as a gift."
"...Could I perhaps hear a little more about that part?"
"Didn't you just say it would be difficult?"
"On second thought, I think trying cosplay at least once in my life wouldn't be a bad idea."
"Ryu-chan! Ryu-chan, you're being tricked by Mama right now! Snap out of it!"
"Hah!"
Thanks to Rika, I managed to regain the sense that had momentarily clouded over.
What was I about to do?
I was already swamped with too many commitments as it is; I couldn't possibly add another one.
Maria clicked her tongue in disappointment, but I beat a hasty retreat toward the counter.
*
A short while later, my mother came out with the food herself.
"Oh my, look who it is!"
My mother’s face lit up when she spotted Rika sitting at the table.
"Hello, Auntie!"
Rika waved with a vibrant smile.
My mother returned the smile brightly and placed the earthenware pot of Cheonggukjang [fermented soybean paste stew] in the center of the table.
"Did you come to eat with your sister?"
"Nope! This is my mama!"
"Hello."
As Maria gave a slight bow, Ms. Lee Mi-ja responded with a series of "Oh my's" and accepted the greeting.
"Your mother is quite the beauty. Which country are you from?"
Maria smiled pleasantly and answered.
"I'm from England."
"England! You've come from a wonderful place!"
Despite having just met, the two of them conversed as comfortably as if they had known each other for ages.
Is this that special brand of friendliness all aunties seem to have?
Seeing that their conversation was likely to go on for a while, I went to the kitchen and brought out the rest of the food my mother had been carrying.
A full spread of Korean dishes filled the table: Gimbap, Cheonggukjang, Yukgaejang [spicy beef soup], and Modeumjeon [assorted pan-fried delicacies].
Rika sniffed the air, her mouth watering as she remarked how delicious it all smelled.
Watching her, my mother spoke with a fond smile.
"Eat up, Rika. I'll bring more if you need it."
"Thank you!"
"Well then, please enjoy your meal."
After hearing Rika's thanks, my mother went back into the kitchen.
Only then did the two of them begin their meal in earnest.
It seemed to be true that Maria was used to eating Korean food; with practiced hands, she ladled some Cheonggukjang into her small bowl.
After taking a bite, her eyes widened.
"Oh my, this is delicious."
"Right?"
As Rika puffed out her chest with a proud expression, Maria looked at her fondly and took a few more spoonfuls.
Afterward, she tasted the Gimbap and Modeumjeon before finally trying the Yukgaejang.
It seemed like an odd combination of dishes, but the two of them devoured the food on the table with great enthusiasm.
"Phew! That was a great meal!"
Rika finally leaned back in her chair after finishing off the Yukgaejang, even mixing rice into the last of it.
It was clear that Maria was also quite satisfied.
Watching them from my seat at the counter, I took out the Sujeonggwa [cinnamon punch] from the refrigerator and brought it over.
"What's this?"
"It's on the house. It's called Sujeonggwa, a traditional Korean drink people usually have after a meal."
As I explained and poured the Sujeonggwa into their glasses, Maria swirled her glass with interest before taking a careful sip.
"Oh, this is tasty."
Seeing that, Rika followed suit and drank her Sujeonggwa.
"It's delicious!"
Like mother, like daughter, I guess. It seemed their tastes were similar, too.
I left the whole bottle of Sujeonggwa on the table so they could have as much as they wanted.
"Have some fruit~"
My mother, who had gone back to the kitchen, emerged with a plate piled high with fruit.
*
"The problem with my son is that he has no cute side to him~"
"Oh, come on~ But he's so reliable and wonderful, isn't he?~"
With the arrival of the fruit plate, the two mothers began to chat about their children.
I thought they were done earlier, but it turned out that was just the beginning.
For me, it was like sitting on pins and needles, but Rika herself had joined the two women's conversation.
Is this what they call loneliness in a crowd?
"Ever since he started high school, it's like he suddenly matured. He started working out and studying hard, things he never did before. I know it sounds like I'm complaining about something good, but I honestly think I liked his cute old self better."
"Ah! I think I saw a picture of him once! He was definitely cute!"
At Rika's agreement, my mother nodded and took out her smartphone.
"I have a picture right here. This was taken during his middle school play."
"Oh my, oh my."
"Wow! How adorable!"
That was their reaction after seeing the photo my mother showed them.
Honestly, as a guy, I wasn't sure how to take it.
Personally, I thought my current self was much better than my old self.
Then, as if it just occurred to her, Maria spoke to my mother.
"By the way, I heard that Yoo-Sung helped my daughter with her studies. Her grades improved a lot thanks to him, so I wanted to express my gratitude."
Ms. Lee Mi-ja laughed, "Ohoho," and said jokingly.
"My son did that? I thought all he did was exercise, but it seems he's taking care of business after all."
It was that classic way aunties have of steering the conversation.
But what was surprising was that Maria played along with the joke.
"Someone like Yoo-Sung would be a first-rate son-in-law. He's good at studying, good at sports, and he's a sincere person. If anything, it's our Rika who seems lacking, don't you think?"
Rika, who had been listening quietly, turned bright red and shrieked.
"Mama!"
"You'll burst my eardrums, child."
Maria chided Rika before turning to Ms. Lee Mi-ja with a proposal.
"Let me know if you're interested later. I'll make sure she gets proper bridal training."
"Ohoho, then should I start calling you my in-law?"
"In-law... I like the sound of that."
As their jokes escalated, I, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke up.
"You two, shouldn't you be getting ready to leave?"
Ms. Lee Mi-ja stood up with a slightly guilty look on her face.
"Oh, look at me. I have a pile of dishes to do, and I've just been sitting here chatting."
It was the same for Maria.
"Rika, let's go home now."
And just like that, the two women's talk session came to an end. Rika and I, both left in shambles, looked at each other and exchanged a glance that said, "We survived."
"That will be 3,000 yen, please."
"Thank you for the meal, Yoo-Sung."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
I took the cash Maria handed me and bowed my head in thanks.
"By the way, are you really not interested in cosplaying? I was so sure you'd say yes that I already had the costume made."
Looking into Maria's sparkling eyes, I couldn't bring myself to refuse outright.
"...Please give me a little more time to think about it."
At that, Maria pumped her fist and exclaimed, "Yes!"
"So you'll reconsider?"
"If I don't have any special plans."
If nothing else, as a fan, I honestly coveted Teacher Musashi's collector's item.
It was a rare treasure that money couldn't buy.
"Fufu, then I'll look forward to hearing from you, Yoo-Sung."
Maria said with a wink, then announced she was going to get the car and left the restaurant first.
"Aren't you going, Rika?"
"Ah, um, just a second."
She seemed to have something to say, so I asked the hesitating Rika, who timidly took something out of her handbag.
It was a promotional flyer.
"Ryu-chan, there's a festival at a nearby shrine this weekend. Do you want to go together?"
"This weekend?"
"Yeah. ...Is that a no?"
Rika looked up at me with an anxious expression.
Honestly, that look was cheating.
It held a magical power that made it impossible for anyone to say no.
So, after a moment's hesitation, I answered honestly.
"Uh, I have plans on Saturday, so I don't think I can."
Thinking it was a gentle rejection, Rika's shoulders slumped.
"Oh, really? I guess it can't be helped then..."
But you should always let a person finish.
"My Sunday is free, though. If you don't mind waiting until then, I can go with you."
Rika's face visibly brightened.
"Really?!"
If Rika had a tail, it would have been wagging furiously.
"Yeah, really."
"Then Sunday at 7 PM! I'll text you the meeting spot!"
Rika beamed, then glanced back just before leaving the restaurant.
"You have to be there!"
I nodded with a wry smile.