The Correct Answer
I slipped my phone back into my pocket at Yuna's call and opened the door.
Just as I'd expected, the table held several side dishes with a pot of doenjang jjigae sitting proudly in the center. Two bowls of neatly mounded rice waited beside it. The sight of a proper home-cooked feast made my mouth water. When had she managed to prepare all this? It didn't feel like much time had passed at all.
"It's doenjang jjigae, like I thought."
"You knew?"
"The smell was filling the whole room. How could I not?"
"Ah... I guess so. That was pretty shortsighted of me."
Had she really tried to hide it? Was this what people called airheaded charm? Or was it just because she didn't cook often? Either way, even this side of Yuna seemed adorable to me.
"Anyway, never mind that. It should taste good, right? Even I think it turned out well."
"Yeah. Not bad at all."
Yuna puffed her chest out a little as she spoke, clearly proud of herself. Surprisingly, the dish looked much better than I'd anticipated. Stews were harder to ruin, of course, but I'd still been worried. What would I say if it didn't taste good? I'd even practiced my reaction while I was alone in the room.
"You told me you like this, oppa. That's why I made it special for you."
"Ah, I see."
It seemed Yuna had remembered what I'd said and chosen this menu on purpose. Maybe she'd invited me over today specifically to make it. And it wasn't even regular doenjang jjigae—tender pieces of beef were beautifully arranged on top, making my mouth water even more.
No matter how simple the dish was, there was no way a household that only ordered delivery would have ingredients like that in the fridge. The thought made my heart flutter for no reason. Yuna had prepared this meal just for me.
"Then I'll enjoy it."
"Yes. Eat up."
We sat across from each other at the table again. Yuna watched me with sparkling, expectant eyes. It felt like she was determined not to miss a single movement of my spoon. The intense focus reminded me of how she looked when she was last-hitting cannon minions, and it made me strangely nervous.
I lifted my spoon and took a scoop of the stew first, then poured it over the white rice and took a bite.
"How is it? How is it?"
Yuna started checking for my reaction before I'd even tasted it. Hey, I haven't even chewed yet. Her impatient personality was exactly the same whether she was streaming or in real life. If she rushed me like this, even food that normally wouldn't cause indigestion might.
I tried to savor the flavor in my mouth as much as possible. That way I'd actually have something to say about it.
Hmm. It was just a normal doenjang jjigae. Honestly, it wasn't amazingly delicious. It had a deep, heavy flavor rather than the light taste you get at barbecue restaurants. My preference was definitely the three-thousand-won stew from those places.
Still, I chewed thoroughly and swallowed.
"Mmm..."
"Why? Is it bad?"
"No... it's not that..."
How should I put this? It wasn't bad, but it wasn't quite my taste. If I said that, I had a feeling Yuna would be hurt and never cook again. But I did want to eat her cooking.
Yuna scooped some for herself and tried it.
"Mmm. It's pretty good? I followed the recipe my mom gave me exactly."
Ah. It was her mother's recipe?
The sudden attack left me dazed. ...Hey, you should've led with that!
Any option about it not tasting good or not suiting my palate had already vanished.
"Ah~! No wonder it tasted so good. I was genuinely surprised at how delicious it is."
"Oppa, your expression earlier didn't look like that though..."
Yuna's suspicious gaze made cold sweat break out on my back. Was it the hot weather?
"No, really. When something's too delicious, I lose track of everything else."
"Really? Then that's a relief. Eat a lot."
Seeing her eyes curve into perfect arcs at my words made me feel better no matter what. It felt like I could eat only this for the rest of my life.
Yeah. Yuna. As long as you're happy, that's enough.
I took another spoonful of the stew and thought to myself.
. . . . . .
"That was faster than I expected."
"They say people eat faster when they're eating alone."
"That makes sense. There's no conversation, after all."
The meal didn't take long to finish. We both had the habit of eating alone, so neither of us ate particularly slowly.
"Now that we've eaten, shall we move on to the presentation ceremony?"
"Presentation ceremony? What kind?"
"Just follow me, oppa."
I trailed after Yuna, full of questions. She went into her room, opened her wardrobe, and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box. The wrapping paper and pretty ribbon completely hid what was inside. It was medium-sized—not too small, not too big.
...But why give it to me?
What was the reason for giving me such a carefully wrapped gift today? Was today a special day? While I was wondering—
"Oppa. Happy birthday. This is your present."
"...Ah..."
Only then did I understand why Yuna had been doing all this. I opened my phone and checked the date. It said June 9th.
...Today was my birthday.
It had been so long since anyone celebrated it with me that I'd completely forgotten the feeling. And I wasn't the type to make a big deal of anniversaries myself.
"You really didn't know? I had a feeling that might be the case."
"Yeah. I only realized when you told me just now."
"No way. Who lives without even knowing their own birthday~."
Yuna pushed the gift toward me, giggling.
"So when are you going to take it? My arms are about to fall off."
"Ah. Sorry."
I took the gift from her in a daze. I still couldn't quite believe it. How long had it been since someone wished me a happy birthday? The tip of my nose tingled, and a warm feeling spread through my chest.
"Did you cook for this reason too?"
"Of course. Obviously."
No wonder she'd cooked something she didn't even like. It had all been part of the birthday gift.
"...Are you touched?"
Yuna looked at me with eyes full of anticipation, sparkling brighter than I'd ever seen. The planner always gets more excited than the recipient.
I nodded at her question.
"Yeah. Extremely."
"Hmm. It doesn't really show on your face though."
"It's more touching than the day you cleared Black Soul."
It was the highest praise I could give. That day, every single Uniz had cried along with Yuna. That week-long journey had been absolute hell. It made me want to beg Yuni never to play another souls-like game again.
The way she'd started out so terrible but gradually improved, and the emotion of defeating the final boss... Even remembering it now brought tears to my eyes.
"That was touching, but... ugh... that's not what I meant."
My answer didn't seem to satisfy her. You'd cried too back then. You can't do that. Where could you find a more sincere response than this?
So what was this about?
I was curious what gift Yuna had prepared for me. Honestly, anything would make me happy.
"So what is it?"
I gently shook the wrapped box. From the weight, it seemed the item inside wasn't very large despite the big packaging.
"It's a gaming mouse. The one you're using now looks really worn out, so I wanted to get you a new one."
"Ah... yeah, I've had it for a long time."
"Right. I saw it when I visited your place last time. It was in terrible condition."
It was quite an old mouse. It was a gaming mouse, but I'd bought it almost two years ago—before I went to the military. It really had been a while.
"And the color stands out too much on its own... Why is it red?"
"I got tricked too. When I saw it online, it was definitely supposed to be dark red."
"There wasn't any black at all..."
All my computer peripherals were in black to match. But that mouse was bright red. Being old and red made it stand out even more. I'd bought it thinking it was burgundy, but when it arrived it was completely scarlet. I kept using it because returning it was too much hassle.
"Anyway, thank you. I'll use it well."
"Good. And?"
And? Was there more? She wasn't going to make me pay her back or something, right?
"...Is that it?"
"What more am I supposed to do?"
Yuna looked at me with clear dissatisfaction. She sighed as she watched me flustered by her gaze.
"Never mind. As long as you're happy, oppa. I'll go clean up the table."
She headed for the door as if she'd given up.
...Had I done something wrong?
I couldn't understand it, but I replayed what had just happened. What was it? What exactly hadn't she liked?
Then an idea flashed through my mind like lightning.
...Ah!
She wouldn't say it directly, but Yuna looked somehow bothered. Every time she'd reacted like this before, it had been for the same reason: my lack of expression and attention.
Based on all those experiences, I realized my reaction had been insufficient. Just saying thank you probably wasn't enough. Especially not between us.
Watching her walk away dejectedly, I came up with a good idea.
...Honestly, it wasn't something I'd normally do. But on a day like today, it should be okay.
I walked quickly toward her retreating figure.
It's fine. I can do this.
I suppressed my pounding heart and picked up my pace.
- Grab.
I caught Yuna around the waist just as she was turning the doorknob, pulling her into my arms.
The sensation of a warm, small creature being drawn against me.
"...Oppa?"
This was it. Just as I'd thought.
Yuna's trembling voice told me that my action had been the correct answer.