Somehow, I Ended Up Graduating Early
To perfect Hansung Cheongmyeon, I needed help from a lot of people. Dr. Lee was a given, of course. And Kim Bokhyeon, the president of Hwanggeum Noodle Factory, would be essential for the noodle dough and aging process.
"So, in short, this is a whole new kind of ramen that doesn't exist in this era?"
"Yes. And this is the hint for that ramen."
The two of us, including me, stared intently at the small cylindrical container.
"This little thing is the key to the next soybean paste ramen? You really think just this one container can do it?"
"I figured you'd say that. Try it first."
I pulled out a small spoon and scooped up a bit of the seasoning that Ando Momofuku had handed over, bringing it to my lips.
"How is it?"
I didn't answer and just passed the spoon to him. Kim Bokhyeon took it from me and lightly slipped the mysterious soybean paste seasoning into his mouth.
"What do you think?"
"Hah!"
"Tasty, right?"
"Kuhaha, kuhaha, whoa! Th-this is?"
"It's soybean paste, but it doesn't taste like soybean paste, does it?"
"H-how is this possible…."
"That's why I have to develop a new product. That soybean paste is truly an absurd result."
Not every Korean loves soybean paste. Just like people have different personalities and tastes. Even among Koreans, some hate kimchi or soybean paste. The world is full of all sorts of people.
But the soybean paste Ando Momofuku had given me transcended the very concept of likes and dislikes. It had the power to show at a glance what a truly miraculous flavor was.
"The nutrition is pure soybean paste. But it doesn't taste like it. Which means…."
"Even people who hate soybean paste itself can enjoy it."
"Exactly. If we focus on this seasoning, I think we'll find the answer. Of course, whether we can develop it in time is another question. Hehe~"
"You think it'll be okay? The soybean paste ramen you already developed was good."
"True. But as a researcher in this field, don't I have to push for even better results? Honestly, if it weren't for this soybean paste, I wouldn't have even dreamed of it."
Even now, a voice in my head was telling me to just stick with the recipe I already knew. But I kept my eyes fixed on the soybean paste in that small container.
If it succeeded, it could birth a soybean paste ramen far more varied than Ansimtangmyeon.
How could I resist that….
I'm a ramen researcher. A ramen developer. If there's a chance to create something even tastier, more perfect, I can't back down just because of the risk. My heart pounded fiercely instead.
It felt like standing at a crossroads where this soybean paste ramen's outcome could change our entire future direction.
"Let's get started right away. We need to recreate this soybean paste seasoning first."
The fate of victory or defeat hinged on the soybean paste Ando Momofuku had passed along.
The day after returning from Japan, I finally went back to Saetbyeol Kindergarten after a long time. Sure enough, Jeong Haewon from the Seongbukdong Mansion was waiting for me at the entrance.
"Seoyeooon!"
"Ah, Haewon unnie, have you been well?"
"Hmph! So, where's my present?"
"…Pardon?"
Oh no…. I'd completely forgotten about Jeong Haewon's souvenir. At the news that there was no gift airlifted straight from Japan, her shoulders slumped.
"I see. You must've eaten delicious food in Japan and had tons of fun with your favorite grandpa… You didn't think of your unnie at all, huh."
"N-no, that's not…."
"Well, I get it. You probably had a blast even without someone like me…."
Jeong Haewon muttered in a voice just loud enough to hear.
"I was stuck here staring holes into the kindergarten entrance like some abandoned husband waiting for his runaway wife until you came back… But you…."
"Eek!"
And just like that, tears started plopping from Jeong Haewon's eyes. Was she expecting the gift that much?
No choice. Time for the ultimate move.
"L-let's play at my house!"
And then.
"Really!?"
Her tears vanished like a lie. The sniffling face from moments ago was gone; her eyes sparkled as she grabbed my hand.
"So we can go to Bukchangdong today? Promise?"
Huh?
I nodded along with her momentum before I knew it.
"Y-yes! L-let's go together today…."
"Yay!"
Was it really that great? Just going to Bukchangdong. All there was in the mansion were books. And yet, at the news of spending time with me, Jeong Haewon broke into a grandfather-style Arirang dance she'd picked up somewhere.
"Fine. I forgive you even without a present!"
No way. Jeong Haewon's real goal wasn't the gift. It was coming over to my house. Or more precisely, spending time with me.
"Wow! So this is the Hansung family home, Bukchangdong, right?"
"Yes. You're the first friend I've ever brought here, Haewon unnie."
The meeting of the Hansung granddaughter and the Seongbukdong granddaughter threw Bukchangdong into chaos. The servants scurried everywhere like their soles were on fire. They dusted furniture and decorations nonstop. Anywhere slippery got plush carpets.
"Ooh, so this is your room, Seoyeon. So many books?"
"Yeah. I usually just read."
"Hmph! M-my room has a ton of books too."
No, it didn't. Forget books—hers were stuffed with dolls and game consoles. But I kept that thought locked away. One wrong word, and her pride would crumble.
Jeong Haewon plopped down in the middle of the room, snack in one hand, book in the other.
Ah, come to think of it.
"Haewon unnie, you're graduating kindergarten this time, right?"
"Yeah. Gotta start national school soon."
"Which national school are you thinking of?"
"Munch munch… Why? You wanna go to the same one as me?"
"Bukchangdong and Seongbukdong are basically neighbors. If it's nearby…."
There was only one option.
Jeong Haewon, crumbs on her lips, licked her fingers and shrugged casually.
"What else? It's gotta be there…."
"Ahh~"
The national school all the other chaebol kids attended. Yeonhwa Elementary School or whatever. Rumor had it they quietly grouped the heirs into the same classes. On the surface, just a normal school, but the connections formed inside could sway the world later. Classic Korea—tied by school, region, blood.
"But what's that?"
"Oh, this?"
I showed Jeong Haewon the small container from Ando Momofuku. Of course, I'd only transferred a little since Dr. Lee needed to research it.
"It's soybean paste."
"Soybean paste? Why carry that around?"
"It's a new kind. Wanna try?"
"Really? Is it okay?"
"Sure~"
Suddenly, as I offered it unconsciously, I froze. Jeong Haewon was infamous at Saetbyeol Kindergarten for hating soybean paste. But after tasting the Japanese import, her eyes went wide.
C-could it be an allergy? Sh-should I call an ambulance?
"D-delicious!"
"Pardon?"
"Is this really soybean paste? It doesn't taste like it! Truth is, I hate soybean paste."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Bad memories from when I was little…."
Good lord. Jeong Haewon, rumored to be soybean paste's mortal enemy, was praising it. If even she liked it, calling this soybean paste divine wasn't hyperbole.
A mysterious paste that conquered even a child's palate in one bite. If I could make it my own, I could create ramen far tastier than Ansimtangmyeon.
"Whew, now let's do homework."
"Homework?"
Out of nowhere, Jeong Haewon pulled a thick workbook from her bag. Then she glanced at me slyly.
"…?"
Blushing, she averted her eyes and nudged the workbook toward me.
"…You'll do it with me, right?"
She played it cool, but her voice dripped with expectation.
No way?
This unnie must've been looking for someone to help with the tough workbook. Counting on the so-called genius—me.
"Haewon unnie… Is that why you wanted to come to my house?"
"H-hmph! I c-can do it alone, but I thought you'd get bored…."
"…?"
"I-I mean, this is playing together. It's middle school level, even? Y-you'll go to middle school someday too, right? J-just practice ahead…."
I looked closer: graphs of direct and inverse proportions.
"Y-you'll do it with me, right?"
Her eyes welled up hugely. If I refused, she'd wail.
"…Let's do it together."
"Really? Yay!"
I shook my head. It felt like the word "innocence" shattered inside me.
February crept in before I knew it. The tail end of winter loosening, sunlight softening. During Saetbyeol Kindergarten's graduation ceremony, I witnessed something absurd.
I was graduating kindergarten with Jeong Haewon.
"Kuhahaha~"
Grandpa boomed with laughter and said to me,
"My granddaughter can breeze into national school, right? Isn't that so, Woo Shijang?"
"Absolutely right, sir. At the young miss's current knowledge level, high school wouldn't be out of reach."
"Hahaha, of course! She's my granddaughter, after all."
I early-graduated from kindergarten. All thanks to Grandpa, the chairman of Korea's major conglomerate, Hansung Group.
He pushed early elementary admission as the natural next step.
Well, in my past life, I graduated top from Korea's top university. That year, perfect SAT scores were rarer than three people, and I was one. Top of Korea University? Elementary was nothing.
"Wh-wh-what are y-you?"
Jeong Haewon looked utterly shocked. She'd thought she'd be my senior, but now we were same grade. No wonder.
"Yeah, somehow Haewon unnie and I ended up in the same year. Hehe~"
"Wh-what?!"
Foam leaked from the stunned Jeong Haewon's lips.