Chapter 108
Chapter 108
Clatter, clatter.
‘Ha, just a little more...’
Bom stood on her tiptoes, stretching her arm as high as she could to reach the cupboard. The extra-large plate she needed for the fruit skewers was just barely out of reach.
“Oh!”
A large shadow loomed over her, and a hand reached out from behind to grab the plate she was looking for.
“Is this the one?”
At the sound of the familiar voice, Bom turned around with a radiant smile.
“Mr. Lee Jun! When did you get here? Yes, that’s the one. Please, give it to me.”
“I just arrived, but I didn’t see Seon Jae-gyu anywhere.”
Bom couldn't help but admire Lee Jun’s appearance; he was wearing a black turtleneck under a charcoal-colored casual jacket.
He was as neat and tidy as ever, but his style had become quite a bit more relaxed. She had already felt that his stiff personality had softened considerably since he opened his law firm, but seeing him outside the office made that change feel even more tangible.
“Ah, Jae-gyu went to the terrace to get the barbecue ready. He said he’s making French racks—lamb chops.”
“It’s not like it’s a wedding feast; why all this?”
Lee Jun let out a dry laugh as he looked at the food filling the long dining table behind the cupboard. Bom felt a bit sheepish. Even to her, it did seem like a lot.
Assorted pancakes, seafood stew, radish wraps, seasoned deodeok, japchae, fruit skewers...
Jae-gyu and Han-gyeol had been preparing all of this since early morning. Of course, Bom had come over to help as a kitchen assistant. Though, "assisting" mostly meant tasting the food while Jae-gyu and Han-gyeol did all the frying, seasoning, and boiling.
“He said since everyone is of different ages, their tastes would vary, so he tried a bit of everything. Doesn’t it look delicious?”
Because Jae-gyu was so meticulous with his cooking, every dish looked vibrant and appetizing. Bom felt a surge of pride for no reason.
“What is this?”
“Oh, rice cake skewers. Since the kids are coming too.”
“The rice cakes look like they’re screaming. I assume Seon Jae-gyu made these with his eyes closed.”
“These... I made these.”
Bom’s face turned beet red. She knew she hadn't made them perfectly, but she hadn't expected such a sudden diss.
“...The way the rice cakes are fried in such wiggly shapes is quite interesting.”
“....”
Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere didn't last long. It was thanks to Han-gyeol entering the kitchen at just the right moment.
“So this is where you were, Teacher. What are you doing?”
“I was just about to plate the fruit skewers.”
Han-gyeol, who seemed to have already greeted Lee Jun outside, gave him a brief nod before snatching the extra-large plate from Bom’s hands.
“Our dishes are heavy; it’s bad for your wrists to hold them. My uncle told you never to lift the dishes.”
“But I have to move these, and we need to take the finished food to the living room now...”
“I’ll do it, so please go on out, Teacher.”
As Bom hesitantly left the kitchen, she heard Han-gyeol asking Lee Jun to help carry the food behind her.
‘He’s pretty good at this.’
She had heard that Lee Jun was quite old-fashioned and wouldn't lift a finger for housework, but there he was, obediently putting on the apron Han-gyeol handed him. Seeing that, it seemed Han-gyeol really knew how to handle people.
“Um, hello everyone.”
The living room, bustling for the first time in a while, was noisy.
“Teacher Bom!”
“Ma’am!”
The people sitting around the rectangular low dining tables brightened up when they saw Bom, pulling over cushions to make a spot for her.
Some of them were people she saw every day, but gathering at Jae-gyu’s house on a weekend made her feel even more delighted to see them.
And it was only natural. Look at who these people were.
“Is that everyone, then?”
“I think so.”
The guests invited today included Vice Principal Seok Gwan-su and several other teachers from Shinsu High. Among the students were Oh Dong-pyo and Choi Se-jin.
Also present were Lee Jun and the staff from his law firm.
“Oh, but I don’t see the man of the house.”
“I think he’ll be here soon.”
Then there were the hosts, Jae-gyu and Han-gyeol, and finally, the guest of honor, Bom. Even Bom-sik had followed along, planting his bottom firmly right next to Seok Gwan-su.
The sight of so many people gathered in Jae-gyu’s spacious living room really did make it look like a feast, just as Lee Jun had said.
“Oh, here he comes.”
The front door opened and snapped shut before the cold air could rush in. Kicking off his slippers, Jae-gyu shouted.
“Ha, man. Hot, hot, hot, hot! Clear a spot in the middle for the grill! Hurry!”
Wearing cotton work gloves and carrying a grill with steam rising from it, Jae-gyu carefully made his way inside. He had insisted that the grilling was the most important part, and the golden-brown French racks, dripping with juices, looked and smelled absolutely mouth-watering.
“I seared them right on the grill, and I think the temperature is about five thousand degrees. Phew, I almost died.”
“...You worked hard. Hurry and sit down.”
Following him, Han-gyeol and Lee Jun busily carried out the rest of the food to fill the tables.
Once the food was set and everything seemed ready, Bom stood up in the middle of the living room. She felt she should say a few words so everyone could feel comfortable enough to start eating.
“Thank you all for coming. I didn't expect everyone to be able to make it.”
Worried she might be a burden, she had suggested that whoever was free should just gather for a quiet, delicious meal, so it was both surprising and touching that every single person had shown up.
“If you all hadn't been there when that incident happened, it would have been very difficult for me to overcome it.”
“Oh, come on. We didn't really do much.”
That incident, a major ordeal in Bom’s life, was still ongoing.
The commotion at the cafe in front of the QBS broadcasting station had been reported far and wide, and evidence that everything had been orchestrated by Yoon-cheong and the station had been leaked. Consequently, the netizens who had been attacking Bom vanished, and the plausible-sounding rumors that had been circulating gradually faded away.
Even though her name had been cleared, Bom didn't just let the matter drop. She wanted Yoon-cheong to receive the punishment he deserved for his crimes.
Suing her own brother hadn't been easy, but she had received immense help from Lee Jun’s office. Furthermore, whenever she needed help with various legal matters, large or small, the people she had invited here today were the ones who had stepped up without hesitation.
“Jae-gyu and Han-gyeol prepared all this food. I didn't make it myself, but please enjoy. Thank you so much, truly.”
After bowing deeply with all her heart, Bom sat down next to Jae-gyu amidst a round of applause.
“This is incredibly delicious. Better than restaurant food.”
“You made all of this yourselves?”
As they began their meal, everyone’s chopsticks moved busily. As countless compliments on the taste poured in, Jae-gyu looked proud and whispered subtly to Bom.
“Did you hear that? They say I’m top-tier husband material.”
Since everyone now knew they were dating, Jae-gyu had recently been making it very obvious with comments like this.
Bom caught his eye and gave him a silent signal to be quiet, but Jae-gyu didn't stop.
“Leave that shrimp alone. I’ll peel it for you.”
“It’s fine.”
“A-hey. You’ll stain those pretty hands.”
Does he not see Lee Jun staring right at us from across the table? Flustered, Bom’s eyes darted around until she made eye contact with Dong-pyo.
“Dong-pyo, you’re not eating much. Should I get you some rice?”
“No. Um, I think I’ll be eating noodles soon.”
Muttering something cryptic, Dong-pyo chewed on a radish wrap that Sejin had handed him.
When Bom had returned to Shinsu High the day after she had taken sick leave to go to Seoul, she had benefited greatly from Dong-pyo’s help. While her own students in Class 2 had declared they would be on her side, she couldn't help but be deeply worried about the students in other classes.
However, contrary to her expectations, the atmosphere among the entire student body was one of support. As it turned out, Dong-pyo, who had gone to spy on her classroom that day, had spoken up with great confidence.
[I just went to Class 2 and saw Teacher Yoon Bom talking to the kids. Just as the renowned behavioral psychologist Michael Boyce described, she showed the typical patterns of someone who has been framed.]
[What? So our teacher really was victimized by the broadcasting station’s tricks?]
[You guys know I can spot fake tears. The teacher is the real deal. I’ll bet my name on our club teacher’s innocence.]
[Oh! Then it’s for sure. Poor teacher, what are we going to do?]
Sure enough, once the counter-reports in Bom’s favor and the exposures regarding Yoon-cheong became hot topics, all suspicions were cleanly wiped away.
‘I feel like I’ve only been on the receiving end.’
It was thanks to everyone she had formed bonds with that she was able to sit here smiling today.
“Jae-gyu, isn't it time?”
“Yes. Shall we turn it on?”
There was another reason they had gathered somewhat late on a Sunday evening. It was because of Gu Philip, the JK Power Energy employee who had been as distressed as if it were his own problem and had run around personally collecting petitions.
“It would have been nice if young Philip could have come too.”
“I know, right? He’s missing out on all this delicious food.”
The guests expressed their regret that Philip couldn't be there.
“Oh, getting married is more important!”
“Who knows? Even after the program ends, we’ll have to wait and see for a while. That’s how ‘Soljjak’ is.”
“Uncle, I can turn it on now, right? I’ll do it.”
Han-gyeol slid back the sliding door on one wall of the large living room, revealing a 150-inch TV.
“This is the first time in my life I’ve seen a television that big, ahem!”
“It’s nice and clear. Oh! The commercials are ending!”
“It’s starting.”
The words ‘Transferring from Solo to Couple Season 3’ appeared on the screen.
“He’s on!”
“Oh my, he looks better in person! The camera didn't do him justice!”
Gu Philip, who had applied for this season of Soljjak, had been confirmed as a participant, and Jae-gyu, even more excited than Philip himself, had readily granted him a long-term leave. However, it came with the condition that Philip had to give him the full inside scoop on whether it was 100% real and if there was any chemistry off-camera.
Introduced as 'Mr. Gu,' Philip stuttered and acted shy, unlike the salesman he was, causing everyone watching to groan.
A man who was normally so proactive became a total pushover in front of women. Perhaps because of that, he had been edited down so much that he barely appeared on screen.
“He’s a total extra, that guy.”
Jae-gyu clicked his tongue, predicting that it would be difficult for any final matches to be made this season because the male participants' visuals were particularly lacking.
Judging by their far-below-average looks, he surmised they must have good jobs or some other hidden talents. He concluded his expert analysis by saying it was a shame because if Philip had just acted like his usual self in this situation, he could have stood out. Bom found herself agreeing, thinking he sounded like a professional commentator.
After Soljjak ended and they had finished their dessert, the guests left before it got too dark outside.
“Jae-gyu, where did Han-gyeol go?”
The living room, which the guests had all pitched in to tidy up, was as clean as if there hadn't been a huge party. Jae-gyu, who had finished cleaning the kitchen, sat Bom down on the sofa while she was trying to use the steam mop and started mopping the rest himself.
“He said he’s sleeping over at a friend’s house tonight. At Kim Jae-hyun’s—the one who ran the race with him during the sports festival.”
“Ah, Jae-hyun lives near here too. I see. We should have invited him as well.”
The house, which had been full, was now down to just the two of them.
After finishing the floor until it was spotless and emitting puffs of hot steam, Jae-gyu stood still in front of the sofa.
“...What is it?”
“Hold on.”
Then, he tucked his hands under Bom’s arms and hoisted her up like he was pulling a radish out of the ground.
“Eek, what are you doing!”
It was a bit funny and ticklish, so Bom playfully pounded Jae-gyu’s chest with her fists. Jae-gyu let out a mock groan and chuckled.
“Ouch, that hurts. You’re killing me.”
“Hehe, it tickles!”