Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Little Sister Rolls In (3)
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She pokes the ramen on the plate with a fork, rolls it up neatly, and pops it straight into her mouth.
Nom nom.
But that's not the end of it.
With the noodles still in her mouth, she lifts the plate and slurps down the broth—glug glug!
The thick, sagol-based ramen broth slides down Yoon-seul's tiny lips.
"It's still hot, though?"
She's fanning her mouth and hands frantically to cool it off as she orders more food, but she doesn't stop chewing.
Do five-year-olds normally eat this well?
And then the line she spits out next is something else.
Gulp—
"Ahh... so refreshing..!"
"Refreshing?!"
To think she could express herself in Korean like that.
Ramen is definitely hot food, after all.
It was boiling away just moments ago, steam rising like it was from some sulfur spring.
Yet calling it "refreshing" means she's internalized that subtle temperature sensation on an instinctive level.
I'm doubly surprised that she nailed the exact flavor I was aiming for.
Too salty or spicy for a kid's palate would've been a problem, so I'd gone easy on the seasoning powder.
To make up for it, I'd added some sagol broth and the fresh bite of green onions. Feeling refreshed like when you sip plain sagol broth? Not weird at all.
"You've picked up all sorts of expressions living with Grandma, huh, Yoon-seul?"
"Nom nom... Grandma?"
"Nah, just eat up. It's tasty."
"Yeah, nom~."
What am I supposed to do when a kid this young eats so well?
It's great to watch, but it means I'll need to stock up on all kinds of food at home from now on.
I'm almost sorry I didn't prepare more than this.
Slurp!
Before I knew it, Yoon-seul had grabbed the pot—which had cooled a bit but still held some warmth—with both hands and was chugging the broth.
It's starting to dribble down her chin, but I'll let it slide. I can wipe her up later.
I'd cut back on the seasoning powder to lower the sodium, so even this much should be fine.
She's growing like crazy right now, after all.
Just silently watching her eat is somehow filling me up too.
I rest my hand on her fluffy hair and give it a gentle stroke.
"Our Yoon-seul sure can pack it away."
Watching my little sister has me reminiscing about my own childhood. The day my Grandma first rescued me from that witch of a biological mom.
I think Grandma made me ramen that day too.
It was pretty bland.
Didn't think it was all that tasty back then, but now I have a pretty good idea why it was like that.
Even though Grandma's actually a great cook.
Yoon-seul.
My half-sister.
Honestly, she still doesn't quite feel like family yet.
Just a sweet, gentle, adorable little kid.
That's the vibe, but for some reason, I feel this strong urge to take care of her.
I don't want to make Grandma work any harder.
More than anything, my heart's convincing me it'd be nice to have at least one family member living with me.
I'm just gazing at her eat in silence when suddenly Yoon-seul taps the hand resting on her head.
"Hm?"
"I'm eating well, Oppa."
"Heh... yeah, you really are."
I can't help but chuckle.
Grandma must've drilled proper greetings into her.
But seeing how voraciously she's eating right in front of me, it doesn't feel like empty flattery—more like a simple statement of fact.
When I go to clear the pot, it's scraped clean. Not a scrap of topping left behind. Part of it must be hunger, but this kid just has a bottomless appetite.
Burp—
Finally looking full, she lets out a little belch and rubs her tummy.
Seeing that fills me with pride.
"Looks like you're satisfied."
I think I read it in some book once.
Family starts at the table.
They say even back in ancient times, the line between family was drawn by who shared the food.
Maybe this is where Yoon-seul and I start becoming family—with this sagol ramen.
The bland ramen must've been the point where Grandma and I became family.
If this one meal brought us closer, then boiling ramen tonight was the right call.
Especially picturing my sister devouring it so happily—it warms my heart.
Deep down, while working in the food industry, I dream of becoming a "cook" who makes delicious food. Scenes like this with her are exactly what I want to cherish.
"All done, Yoon-seul? Time to wash up and hit the hay?"
"Yeah, let's."
"Can you wash by yourself?"
"Yes!"
She answers with surprising confidence.
I do need to do the dishes before bed, but since it's her first night, I should probably watch her once.
I head to the bathroom with Yoon-seul.
Then I run into an unexpected problem.
She's too short to rest her arms on the sink.
Her chin barely reaches it, so washing alone's gonna be tough.
I glance down, and she's pouting.
She wanted to show off washing by herself, huh.
"Yoon-seul, I'll buy a stool for the bathroom tomorrow, so just tonight—wanna wash together?"
"Just tonight."
"Yeah, yeah, just tonight. But starting tomorrow, you show me you can do it solo, okay?"
"Yes, sir."
Our Jang Yoon-seul-ssi, mixing polite and casual speech.
Looks like she's got a strong independent streak.
I turn the shower to lukewarm and help her wash her face.
No choice but to use my cleanser tonight, but I think she picked some up while I was working.
Gotta get kid stuff separately.
I'll set aside bathroom stuff just for Yoon-seul too. And probably all sorts of other things.
Once we're done washing up, Yoon-seul finally starts nodding off.
The clock shows no mercy, racing toward midnight.
"Dishes can wait till morning."
"Yawn..."
"Yoon-seul, wanna sleep in the bed with Oppa tonight? No extra blankets."
"With Oppa..?"
"Yeah. If you don't like it, Oppa can crash on the floor?"
"I like it. Grandma always says it's too hot and kicks me out."
"I see."
Independent, but likes sleeping together, huh.
Thinking back, I was the same at that age.
Scared of the dark, wanting the light on.
Or if not, just someone beside me.
Back when Dad was still alive, I think that's how I felt.
Faint memory now.
I lie down first, and Yoon-seul snuggles in below me.
It's a single bed, but she's so small, two of us should fit fine.
Wonder how long we can keep living in a place like this. Time to move?
Lying here to sleep, random thoughts start creeping in. Stuff I'll have to think about eventually, but even this short day has given me plenty to chew on.
Gotta buy food to stock up.
Toothbrush, bathroom stool too.
Pillow and blanket for her. And probably tons more I haven't noticed yet.
Looks like I've got my stop figured out before work tomorrow.
"Gotta hit the mart for groceries tomorrow."
Zzz—
My sister was out like a light, not a peep.
Probably crashed fast from exhaustion.
"Thought she'd have trouble adjusting on her first night here, but she's handling it better than expected."
Does she vaguely sense we're blood?
Or has her tough life forced her to adapt anywhere?
I just met her today, so who knows.
But one thing's for sure—taking care of her doesn't feel like a chore.
Planning to shop with her before heading to the meat place tomorrow, and it doesn't feel tiring at all.
Family.
That common, sacred word seems to be shifting how I think. Normally before work, I'd be rolling around in bed scrolling my phone.
I wonder if Yoon-seul sees me that way too.
**
Beep— beep—
Deep into the night.
The siblings are fast asleep.
A suspicious mechanical beep echoes intermittently.
But both are in deep REM sleep, faces slack and muscles relaxed.
No sign of waking.
Snore— snore—
Song Joo-hyun's smartphone screen glows bluish.
[Congratulations. The sun and moon siblings cheer on the new family bond.]
[Granting talent.]
[......]
[Congratulations. Among the siblings, Oppa acknowledges your ramen skills!]
[You acquire the talent 'Path of Cooking.']
[......]
[Congratulations. Among the siblings, little sister is amazed by Jang Yoon-seul's appetite!]
[Jang Yoon-seul acquires the talent 'Food God.']
Messages flicker by the second.
Song Joo-hyun doesn't stir once in his sleep, missing it all.
In the end, the phone blinks for hours until it dies.
Only in the morning does he frantically charge the dead phone and wake Jang Yoon-seul.
**
"Oppa, where we going?"
"To the mart."
"Mart? Buy what?"
"Stuff for Yoon-seul to eat~ stuff for Yoon-seul to wash with~ chocolate Yoon-seul likes~ anyway, stuff for you?"
"Huh? Nothing for Oppa?"
"I've got mine all at home already, so today it's all Yoon-seul stuff, right?"
"Ooh...!"
Yoon-seul looks subtly impressed.
It's not even noon yet, so the big mart isn't too crowded.
More than the streets, sure, but at least no worries about losing her.
Soon as we arrive, I notice the difference.
When I shopped alone before, I'd just grab essentials and immediate eats, tossing them quick into the basket.
Now, I'm exchanging glances with moms with kids in tow.
Some smile and greet me, so I sheepishly smile and bow back.
Is this the camaraderie of parents?
"Yoon-seul, anything you wanna eat?"
"Grandma says Yoon-seul eats everything well, praises me."
"Really seems like it. Impressive."
"Impressive?"
"Yeah, not being picky is huge."
Praised, she blushes and tugs at my pant leg, crumpling the fabric.
Shy about the compliments.
Meanwhile, a mom with a kid nearby in the veggie aisle must've overheard us.
- Look, Dong-gun! Even that tiny kid doesn't pick. Guess you can't skip carrots anymore?
- Yeah, nooo~ I don't eat carrots~ They don't taste good~
- Ugh, this kid!
Unbelievable. Future big shot in the making.
Looks older than Yoon-seul at a glance.
Boy about to start elementary school.
Watches too much internet stuff, mangling his speech to mess with Mom.
Our Yoon-seul? No pickiness, no weird talk.
"Besides eating, Yoon-seul, anything else you like?"
"Um... um, I like books."
"Picture books?"
"Yeah, Grandma reads to me."
Yeah, five's early for full Korean reading.
She can probably read some, but not fluently.
But then what about kindergarten?
Don't they learn letters there?
"Yoon-seul, did you go to kindergarten with Grandma?"
".... Yeah."
Suddenly, Yoon-seul clams up.
Worst expression I've seen yet.