Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Ownerless Fierce Gaze (2)
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Uncle Kang, who had been listening to me, let out a hearty laugh and staggered to his feet.
He left.
I thought that was the end of it.
Like grabbing a quick bite at a fast-food joint and bouncing, just a fleeting encounter.
"Who the hell opens a used bookstore in our neighborhood?"
Today, while wandering the area like usual, I spotted that drunkard uncle setting up a new used bookstore.
The moment our eyes met, both guys froze in place.
He must've been pretty wasted back then, but he seemed to remember me.
'Hey, the high school kid who isn't in high school.'
'The high school kid who isn't?'
'Yeah, you said you're not in high school. So, not-high-school-kid.'
'???'
Racking my memory, Uncle Kang had been dropping these lame jokes ever since.
He dragged me inside and suddenly stripped off his shirt.
I quickly pulled up 112 on my smartphone, but he stopped me.
'I'm not trying to do anything perverted.'
'You're stripping—that's perverted enough.'
Who'd wanna see some uncle's naked body anyway?
Under his half-lifted shirt, he showed off his back. Only then did I get why he'd bother taking off his shirt.
Red handprint welts were plastered across it like maple leaves.
Bruises.
'You got properly chewed out by your wife, huh.'
'Felt like I was back to being a private in the army. She beat the crap outta me.'
'Still, did you really need to take off your shirt?'
'Just us guys—what's the big deal.'
For a guy who'd been a corporate drone at a big company until recently, it was a folksy answer.
'But how's she got that much strength? Bruises like that? You said you're sick.'
'I was a pro volleyball player in the first division back in my youth.'
I fell silent in respect.
He survived a beating like that from a woman like her—he had every right to brag.
It was fUnnieer than his dumb jokes.
'But that means you're still pretty spry, huh?'
'You bet, I don't show the pain much.'
'Hm? Then why'd you quit the company? I thought you left to take care of your wife.'
'Nah, that's part of it, but I figured slaving away at the company forever, I'd never even notice if she was sick—living like an idiot.
So I quit and opened this bookstore. Figured it'd give me more freedom with my time than a job.'
'You must really love your wife.'
'Why else get married?'
I wasn't going to school anyway, and back then I wasn't working part-time yet, so I had nothing better to do.
Ended up chatting with the uncle some more.
Turns out, the used bookstore was a dream he'd had for after retiring—rUnnieng it together with his wife someday.
A couple with big dreams, I thought.
Especially, he hoped kids would come as customers a lot.
They'd struggled with infertility, no kids even pushing fifty.
'Joo-hyun, drop by often.'
'You were talking about kids—why me all of a sudden? I'm basically grown.'
'You don't go to school anyway, right? When you're bored, swing by the bookstore, read a few lines, and go.'
'I can't afford to borrow books.'
'You? Free. On the house till you grow up.'
'Then I'll stay a kid a bit longer.'
That was how I started visiting the used bookstore.
These days, I still bring Yoon-seul along sometimes.
Not sure if he still treats me like a kid, but Uncle Kang never charges me rental fees.
"Snore... snore..."
Yoon-seul, lying on my lap, seemed to have fallen asleep.
....
Not really.
"Snore... snore..."
"Oh dear... looks like our Yoon-seul's asleep?"
"Yoon-seul sleeping now."
She insists in a tiny voice that she's asleep.
And her snoring? Not nasal—straight-up mouthing the word honestly.
"If Yoon-seul's asleep, what should we do? Leave her here and go...?"
"...? Snore... snore..."
"Was gonna hit the used bookstore, but guess I'll leave Yoon-seul here. Then I can hog all Uncle's chocolates myself."
"Mm!"
Only then does she snap her eyes wide open.
Still using my lap as a pillow, she whips her head around to glare at me.
Sleepy-eyed glare.
"Oppa..."
"Hm? Yoon-seul's awake?"
"Yoon-seul all heard."
"What'd you hear?"
"Oppa going to chocolate uncle alone. All heard!"
"Busted, huh?"
"Then Yoon-seul sad..."
"Sad? Aigoo, Yoon-seul, I was just teasing—fooled ya?"
"Even joke, going alone makes sad!"
Yoon-seul sticks out her lower lip.
She looks genuinely hurt, so I scoop her up like a baby in my arms to soothe her.
But she won't un-pout.
"Special treat: how 'bout five chocolates today? Oppa's fault. Forgive me if I do?"
"Mm... special forgive."
That's how I got forgiven, but after that exchange, Yoon-seul muttered softly once more.
"Heehee... plan worked. Gotta ask uncle for lots."
Just how far ahead does my little sister plan?
Don't wanna overthink it.
Pretend I didn't hear.
With that, we hopped back on the bike and headed to the used bookstore.
But what do you know?
When we got there, the shutter was down.
Rare sight.
In all the years I've been going, he'd never closed without warning.
"What? Bookstore's closed today?"
"Nooo!!!"
Yoon-seul's extra disappointed wail came from behind me.
Nothing for it—aim for tomorrow, pedaled aimlessly, and headed home.
But the next day, and the day after, the shutter stayed down. No word from the uncle either.
Never happened once in my memory.
**
"Customer... we're out of the shrimp we prepped for today. Can't add three more servings. Sorry."
- We'll switch to pork stir-fry, three servings.
"Uh, yes, sure..."
"Wow, that Unniee eats so much."
Whether Uncle Kang opened shop or not, my business had to keep going.
It bugged me, but no calls back, and even Hyung-nim Ho-yeon didn't know the deal.
Worrying wouldn't help—just stress me out.
Wednesday evening, two days later.
Yesterday, and again today, a monster customer showed up.
Around my age, and just ordered three pork stir-fries—making it her eighth serving.
Started with five shrimp fried rice.
I'd brought in shrimp today, pushed it as a test menu a few times, but she ordered so much she cleared it out.
Saved me from leftovers.
"Who knew she'd go for pork too."
I mutter while rolling the wok on the burner.
Last I checked, she downed four servings yesterday before leaving.
First time seeing someone eat that much solo—and today she's gUnnieng for eight.
Or not gUnnieng—maybe that's normal for her.
The big eater at the bar table.
I pile three servings of pork into our biggest plate and serve it up.
Normally goes out one serving at a time, but solo three? Had to.
"Pork stir-fry, three servings."
- Yes.
Taciturn.
A curt nod, then she eats quietly.
Only customer right now.
Not a total bust today—just late hour.
Thirty minutes to closing.
"Unniee eat more?"
Nod nod—
"How much."
- Five bowls more.
"Woooah! Yoon-seul full after one!"
Yoon-seul keeps chattering next to the eating customer.
Hard to see a big eater like this, so I get the fascination.
Did the same yesterday, so I shushed her once—didn't wanna disturb.
But the customer shook her head and patted Yoon-seul's hair.
- It's fine.
Since she said so, I'm letting it slide now.
Clear perk to this customer coming.
[Path of Cooking (LV. 3) - Proficiency 87%]
[Reach 100% proficiency to level up to the next stage.]
One customer ordering heaps helps proficiency grind.
Subtle difference in chef sense between one serving and three.
Rarely had to pump out multi-person bowls in one go.
That unique experience boosts proficiency more, it seems.
"Unniee, more?"
- Mm...
In a blink, the big eater polished off the bowl.
Fifteen minutes since serving?
Our eyes meet from the kitchen.
She blinks big round eyes.
Just like Yoon-seul when she wants something.
"Still hungry?"
- Yes.
"Then order more."
- But time...
Ten minutes to official close.
She seems mindful.
"No one else here anyway. Order up. If it was packed, it'd be awkward, but today? We're good."
Her face lights up.
I'm the boss—my call.
No part-timer either.
- Pork stir-fry, three servings.
She beams, holding up three fingers like a kid. Looks my age, but awkward at chit-chat.
"Unniee like our Oppa's food?"
- Mm... yeah.
Hesitates, then answers.
- Best, best restaurant around here.
Longest sentence this big eater's said since coming here.
In the end, she scraped the second three pork clean, paid up, and left.
Bowing deep on the way out—kinda reminded me of Yoon-seul's belly-bow greetings.
[Path of Cooking (LV. 3) - Proficiency 88%]
"Thanks to her, proficiency up another percent."
Closing ran ten minutes late, but solid outcome. Made bank too.
"Oppa, that Unniee ate tons."
"Yeah, she packed it away. Yoon-seul, eat like that to grow tall?"
"Eeeh? But Unniee not that tall. Oppa way taller."
"She's pretty tall, though."
Watched her go till the end—something familiar.
Red hair, roots dark like freshly dyed. About 165 cm.
Familiar moves as she mounted her bike and rode off.
Too dark to see clear, but sounded like a Harley— that distinctive putt-putt exhaust.
"Super unique customer, huh?"
"Yeah, Unniee come tomorrow too?"
Yoon-seul took a shine to her, keeps calling her 'Unniee.'
Something different from Su-young, Ji-ah, or the newlywed wife.
Maybe the bike?
"Dunno. If she liked the food, probably."
"Then she'll come again. Oppa cooking best, she said."
Ordering that much? Satisfaction must've spiked.
No need to check—obvious.
Closed up, hurried home.
Dragging the bike, sister on back, pedaling past Seongbuk Stream last— in the alley beside it, Yoon-seul piped up.
"Oppa, look, dada."
"Hm? Where?"
"Chocolate uncle."
I'd been quietly worrying about the bookstore even while open, so I couldn't not stop.
Looked where Yoon-seul pointed.
There, slumped on a Seongbuk Stream bench like a bandit with his beard, was a man.
Uncle Kang.
Under the dim night lights, even from afar, his face looked gAuntie.