Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: 5-Year-Old Shoots Romance (1)
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"Mmm! This menu is so good today."
A clear, high-toned voice drifts in from the dining area.
I don't even need to look to know who it is.
She comes so often that we've even exchanged names lately.
It's Shin Hye-won, the always cheerful customer who somehow ditched her husband today. Secretly, I'd been hoping it'd be her husband, Yeon-woo-ssi, instead.
Last time, Yoon-seul accidentally leaned on his leg, and things got awkward between them.
I was a little curious what faces they'd make if they ran into each other again.
"Is the donburi any good?"
"Yeah! This on top is pork collar, right?"
"Pork collar."
"Wow, the soy sauce is so sweet—it goes perfectly with it!"
"Our Oppa's great at cooking. The best, right?"
"Yeah, Yoon-seul's Oppa is the best!"
Yoon-seul beamed with pride at the compliment from the newlywed Shin Hye-won.
"Yoon-seul knows too~"
She stuck out her chin and struck a smug pose.
"Why are all the siblings in this family so busy bragging about each other? My brother and I fight all the time."
"If Oppa cooks for you, it'd be great. Then you'd get along too, Unniee."
"Ugh, you think every brother in the world is like you, Ju-hyeon-ssi? The only thing my brother can cook is instant ramen."
"Huh? Really?"
"Totally."
Before I knew it, Yoon-seul had roped Hye-won-ssi into a conversation about fooling her brother.
Today's special was a huge hit.
Soy-glazed pork collar donburi.
Lunch rush was still in full swing, and we'd already sold twenty bowls.
It had stolen some thunder from the pork stir-fry.
Using [Chef's Intuition] to push through the tickle, I'd confirmed it.
Today's palate craved sweetness.
'Hmm, looks like sweet flavors are popular today.'
'Then we should sell chocolate rice bowls.'
'No way.'
'Why not?'
'Yoon-seul likes chocolate, but she doesn't eat it with rice, right?'
'If you make it for her, she would.'
We'd had that exchange, and for a moment, I seriously considered topping rice with chocolate.
As I pondered standalone sweet menu items, pork came to mind.
Pork pairs especially well with sweetness among meats. So much so that in Mexico, they slather pineapple salsa on pork steak. Not sure if that's accurate.
I decided to go with collar.
Last time, making trigger food for Ho-yeon Hyung, I'd used collar, and it seemed like it'd hold up even lightly braised in sauce.
It's such a flavorful cut that the texture and aroma stay locked in the meat even after braising.
That's how it delivers a premium taste despite being seasoned pork.
"It's a bit pricier per serving, but it sells well."
I'd portioned the collar generously, pricing it at ten thousand won. Cost ratio stayed the same.
Customers seemed satisfied overall.
Shin Hye-won ate quietly, then said,
"This is red onion, right? It's so tiny, but it goes amazingly with the pork collar."
"Oh, that's not red onion—it's shallot."
"Shallot? Like the spider?"
"No, that's the Charlotte from the movie. This is a vegetable."
It's a small, purple-tinged onion-like veggie, sweeter than regular onion.
That let me cut back on sugar, boosting the donburi's overall quality.
I'd snagged a cheap bulk box online. Normally, red onion would make more sense cost-wise, but luck favored shallots this time.
Not just Hye-won-ssi—other customers eyed the shallots curiously, faces puzzled as they tasted them.
Most ended up swallowing with honeyed bliss and soft smiles.
"So, where's Yeon-woo-ssi today? You two always come together."
"That guy's back home visiting friends."
For a split second, Hye-won-ssi's face turned fighter-in-the-ring fierce.
I didn't feel like prying further.
Mentioning her husband made Yoon-seul next to me look guilty for no reason.
She clearly remembered the incident. It was kinda funny.
She glanced around, then focused back on her picture book.
She was trying to read it herself.
Borrowed from the used bookstore the other day.
"Goo... Gool-mi? Ma... Malg... Malg..."
She was working hard at it.
At her age, was that level slow or fast development? Hard to say.
Right on cue, Hye-won-ssi reacted.
"Huh? What's this? Yoon-seul reading a book?"
"Uh-huh, Yoon-seul likes picture books."
"Five years old is super early to be reading Hangul, but she's getting words already? Impressive!"
"Really? Like that?"
She played coy with a prim "Is it?", but her lips twitched up—she was thrilled inside.
"My brother's kid is the same age as Yoon-seul. But he can't read Hangul yet. Can't read as well as her."
"Kids grow at different paces."
I downplayed it first.
But hearing our Yoon-seul was ahead of her peers? Pure joy.
Excellent Yoon-seul.
Excellent little sister.
Ahh.
"Excellent" hit me right in the feels.
I was starting to get why academic fever runs so hot in our country.
"Ju-hyeon-ssi, do you usually read to Yoon-seul?"
"Mostly during break times. Or days off at home."
"So many good things out these days."
"Like what?"
"Uh... I'm no parent, so I don't know details—just glimpsed some at my brother's. Stuff like free cartoons for kids with a subscription. Or programs that read books aloud."
I'd heard of them.
But since I hadn't been raising Yoon-seul long, I wasn't up on the details.
"Yoon-seul, wanna check this out?"
"Uh?"
Hye-won-ssi pulled out her phone and showed the screen. An animated character grinned back.
Famous one I'd seen flipping TV channels. Subway trains personified—IP sold overseas, huge hit. Big marts stock tons of merch.
"Yoon-seul doesn't like this stuff?"
"Not really."
Firm no.
She whipped her head away, back to her picture book.
"Eh? Yoon-seul doesn't like it? Maybe magical girl types more?"
"Yoon-seul doesn't like mana much."
Tastes set in stone.
"Cartoons no good? What does Yoon-seul like then?"
"Yoon-seul likes Oppa."
"Not Oppa."
"Uh... cars."
"Cars are all over there. Anything else?"
"Uh... chocolate."
"Uwaa."
Hye-won-ssi stuck out her tongue.
Our Yoon-seul's character was one-of-a-kind.
Fueled by challenge, she shoved the phone at Yoon-seul again, cycling characters.
Cute ones any kid might love.
But.
"Not really."
Yoon-seul spread her tiny, cute hands in flat refusal, matching the screen's charm.
Finally, Hye-won-ssi gave up drawing her attention.
"Yoon-seul, you don't like these?"
"Yeah, not really."
"Books better?"
"Yoon-seul likes picture books."
"Why not these?"
Her bluntness sparked persistence.
Then Yoon-seul's answer caught me off guard.
"Mana has no nang-mang."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"Cartoons got no romance."
Hearing my translation, nearby customers chuckled mid-bite.
Hye-won-ssi looked enlightened.
"Yeah... no romance, huh. Can't argue with that."
Amazed a 5-year-old chased romance, she neatly surrendered.
Her voice sounded drained.
Given Yoon-seul's usual vibe, it made perfect sense to me.
"Next time, I'll think of something to really grab Yoon-seul's interest."
With renewed resolve, Hye-won-ssi paid and headed home. Seemed pretty hooked on her.
And the next day.
Just ten minutes after opening, still quiet. A man shuffles in awkwardly.
"Huh?"
"Ha... hi."
Young guy, sheepish grin as he approaches.
Yeon-woo-ssi.
"Ah..."
Yoon-seul spots him entering and deliberately looks away. Same from him—face stiffens at the sight.
"Did you fight with my little sister or something?"
"N-no, nothing like that. Just... y'know."
Squirming like that with a five-year-old? Shy guy confirmed.
Yoon-seul was usually bright, but his awkwardness was contagious.
"Have a seat first."
I guide him to the counter.
He pulls out a stool and sits.
Yoon-seul was at the counter too, one seat apart.
The awkward distance bugged me.
"No Hye-won-ssi today? Just you?"
"I messed up a bit."
"She said you went home to see friends?"
"Ah! Hye-won already told you?"
"Not the full story—just that much."
Ahh, I see.
He muttered to himself, peeked at the menu, licked his lips.
"What can I get you?"
"Uh... the daily special, please."
"Pork collar donburi?"
"Yes."
First time repeating the daily two days straight. We'd reused dishes before, but never consecutively.
Yesterday's rave reviews made it worth trying.
[Chef's Intuition] said sweet was hot today too—no reason to hesitate.
Plenty of shallots left.
As I set the pan on the burner, Yoon-seul glances over and slips into the kitchen.
Plops on the stool by the sink.
"Yoon-seul, why there?"
"Yoon-seul stay here."
"You're staying?"
"Yeah..."
Ah.
Being one seat away from Yeon-woo-ssi must've felt weird.
He noticed, got more flustered, lips curling inward in a weird face.
Space felt suffocating for the first time.
Never an issue chatting with customers before.
This guy's tough!
"I'll make your donburi delicious!"
"Ah, y-yes... yes!"
Yeon-woo-ssi even squeaked.
Because Hye-won-ssi wasn't here?
Seemed fine conversing with her beside him.
Even chatted well with Yoon-seul then—her absence was the issue.
Focus on cooking.
The acclaimed pork collar donburi would ease this tension.
I believed food had that power.
Reaching for the marinated collar in the fridge, Yeon-woo-ssi spoke first.
"Y-Yoon-seul!"
"Mmph...?"
Huh? turned to mmph...—I caught the subtle shift.
Rare narrowed eyes on him, then her face lit up?
Eyes sparkled wide, mouth agape.
Wondering why, I glanced back.
Then it clicked.
In Yeon-woo-ssi's hand.
Romance dangled.