Chapter 89
Chapter 89
“Bom. From now on, as I pour the batter, please drop these octopus pieces in one by one. Timing is everything when it comes to takoyaki, in my opinion.”
Since he said it was urgent, I had no choice but to pick up the glass bowl filled with prepared octopus legs. As soon as he poured the batter, I quickly tossed the pieces in one by one. It wasn't much, but it required a surprising amount of focus.
“Wow, you’re good. Much better than me. Han-gyeol, while we flip these, could you go make the udon?”
“I’ll make Kimchi Udon. Teacher, do you eat Kimchi Udon?”
“Yes. I like it.”
With his back to the dining table, Han-gyeol started boiling the udon while the two of us waited for the takoyaki to cook.
Once they turned a golden brown, Jae-gyu handed me a pair of skewers. Putting our heads together, we began rolling the takoyaki as they cooked into round spheres.
“I’m starting to smell that spicy kick. Aren't you?”
“I am.”
“Wow, my nose is already clearing up. That’s the real deal.”
Jae-gyu, who had been focused on flipping the takoyaki, kept marveling at the scent of the Kimchi Udon. Then, as if something had suddenly occurred to him, he called out to Han-gyeol.
“Oh, right. Seon Han-gyeol.”
“Yeah, what? You want it extra spicy?”
“No. Do you remember the first Father’s Day gift you ever gave me?”
At the sudden question, Han-gyeol paused for a moment while stirring the udon noodles.
“Let’s see, what was it?”
“The very thing you’re making now. When you were no bigger than a little rabbit, you broke your piggy bank to buy the ingredients and made it for me. Don't you remember?”
“Uncle, you remember that?”
Jae-gyu’s gaze was fixed on the batter, but his eyes wavered, submerged in old memories.
“I’ve been to famous restaurants all over the country, but I’ve never had Kimchi Udon as delicious as that.”
“Really?”
Han-gyeol replied in a calm tone, adding that he’d have to make sure this batch turned out especially well today.
“Whoops, almost burnt them. Goodness!”
Jae-gyu busily rolled the takoyaki that had become crispy on the outside from overcooking. I decided they were mostly done and prepared the plates.
“Han-gyeol, the takoyaki is finished. Hurry up and sit down.”
We finished the takoyaki by drizzling sauce and sprinkling bonito flakes on top. Jae-gyu popped one into my mouth before tasting one himself.
He used good ingredients.
To be honest, the taste was better than what you’d get at a food truck. But now wasn't the time to be judging the flavor. I stole a glance at Han-gyeol.
The udon seemed finished, as Han-gyeol turned off the induction stove. He then transferred the udon into three deep bowls he’d taken from the cupboard, set them on the table, and sat down.
It was a cozy dinner table for the three of us. Yet, an indefinable tension hung in the air.
While eating the Kimchi Udon and takoyaki, Jae-gyu kept bringing up trivial topics.
“Do you see this scrape on my forearm? That pint-sized truck driver scratched me with his fingernails like a coward. I’m so upset my silky skin is ruined.”
He went on for a long time about a fight he’d had today with a dump truck driver who had parked illegally in the company’s front yard. Then, he prattled on for a while longer about things like a new franchise rice cake shop opening in town.
“Speaking of rice cakes, do you know what’s easier than eating rice cakes while lying down? You try to guess too, Han-gyeol.”
He even threw out a random riddle. It was Han-gyeol who finally silenced him.
“Uncle.”
“Yeah, what? Do you know the answer? If you get it right, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”
Jae-gyu was desperately trying to act unconcerned. Han-gyeol, who had only served himself a small portion to begin with, had already finished his meal.
“Uncle, I saw Mom today.”
I looked at Jae-gyu in surprise at Han-gyeol’s direct mention of her. Jae-gyu pretended not to hear and slurped his udon noodles.
Han-gyeol spoke calmly.
“I knew as soon as I saw her. I knew that woman was my mother.”
I had also caught a glimpse of the tablet screen earlier. The Lee Hee-yeon on the screen bore a strong resemblance to Han-gyeol. It was the moment the pieces of Han-gyeol’s face—a subtle blend of the Seon family blood and her features—finally clicked into place.
“She still looks young and very beautiful.”
“Is that so?”
There was a limit to how long he could pretend not to hear, so Jae-gyu gave that half-hearted response and continued eating. As Han-gyeol watched him, his voice grew stiff.
“But Uncle.”
“Yeah.”
“Why did you keep it from me all this time?”
Jae-gyu’s chopsticks froze in his bowl. Instead of answering, he chose silence, keeping his mouth tightly shut.
“You knew where Mom was, didn't you, Uncle? Why didn't you tell me?”
“Han-gyeol, that’s because...”
It was Jae-gyu who stopped me from trying to explain on his behalf. His gesture—squeezing my hand tightly under the table—said as much. But why?
Tell him. Don't swallow it all yourself.
He did it because he was afraid you’d be hurt. He did it because he thought you’d feel even lonelier if you knew the mother who gave birth to you had abandoned you and was pretending you didn't exist. My lips trembled, wanting to say it for him.
“...Han-gyeol, I’m sorry.”
Jae-gyu forced out the apology in a low, heavy voice.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
After saying that, Han-gyeol immediately cleared his place. Only the sound of him calmly tidying the dishes filled the kitchen.
“I’m going to my room. Teacher, please take your time before you leave.”
Having finished cleaning up, Han-gyeol quietly left the kitchen. Soon, the sound of him walking up the stairs and a door closing followed.
Once I confirmed he was in his room, I stood up from my chair and wrapped my arms around Jae-gyu’s broad shoulders.
“Are you okay, Jae-gyu?”
“Sigh...”
Jae-gyu covered his face with his hands and rubbed his eyes tiredly. His complicated emotions were written all over his face.
“The truth is, you want to hold onto Han-gyeol, don't you? I’m right. Be honest with me. You can’t fool me.”
It was heartbreaking to see Jae-gyu, who was so uncannily perceptive of others' feelings yet couldn't understand his own. But I knew.
Why else would he have brought up that Father’s Day memory? The reason he finished every last drop of the udon Han-gyeol made wasn't just because it was delicious. When I went to a street udon stall with Jae-gyu once before, he had told me something.
[Strangely enough, I can never finish a whole bowl of udon. I’m not full, but I just can’t seem to keep eating it.]
Jae-gyu wasn't particularly fond of udon. However, because he loved the taste of the heart Han-gyeol had gifted him, he was able to clear this bowl of Kimchi Udon completely.
“How could I have the nerve to hold him back? I’m the one who caused this mess by lying and saying his mother had vanished and couldn't be found.”
Just as he had blamed himself thousands of times when talking about his father, Jae-gyu was doing the same thing now.
“It’s all my fault.”
“Don't say that. You’re the best guardian I know, Jae-gyu.”
Jae-gyu’s hands, which were usually so warm, had turned lukewarm. I squeezed his hand tightly.
Let’s try to do something.
⋆★⋆
The next day, I was woken up by the sound of Bom-sik scratching at my door. Startled, I immediately checked the time.
“Phew, that gave me a scare...”
Fortunately, it was still early morning. I climbed straight out of bed and headed for the bathroom. I was already feeling rushed.
I planned to head into town as soon as I was ready. Today was the day Han-gyeol was supposed to meet the PD, the writer, and the rest of the broadcasting staff in town.
From what I saw yesterday, the broadcasting people seemed like snakes—pretending to be nice on the outside while trying to manipulate Han-gyeol to suit their own tastes.
[You should only believe half of what people from the broadcasting station say. Especially the PDs and writers—cut that half in half again.]
That was something my mother, who had been burned by them before, used to say to herself often since I was a child. Yes, I might not know about others, but I couldn't trust those people from yesterday.
After showering, I hurried to get ready to go out.
I intended to go to the filming site as a guardian in Jae-gyu’s place to make sure they weren't being too provocative or manipulative. Plus, I had an unexpected helper.
[They said they rented out the entire Pipi House cafe on the west side of the Rodeo for an hour. They said the time is ten o'clock.]
Se-jin’s message had just arrived. I searched for Pipi House on a map app and memorized the location. Although it was in a somewhat secluded alley, it wasn't a place where I’d get lost.
“Bom-sik, Mommy is going to be Han-gyeol’s daily guardian today. Watch the house. You’ll be okay for a day, right?”
Even though he couldn't understand me, Bom-sik barked resolutely. I gave him a little pat and then headed outside.
As I set off on Hin-suni, I thought once again how lucky I was to have a car. I was grateful for Jae-gyu’s thoughtful consideration.
I wonder what Jae-gyu is doing.
I had exchanged many messages with Jae-gyu late into the night. Normally he would have called, but he seemed worried that Han-gyeol might overhear.
[My mind hasn't changed. If Han-gyeol wants to go, he goes. I can’t bring up the subject of Hee-yeon.]
[Still, I feel much less sad because you’re comforting me, Bom.]
That was the last message I received. I arrived in town in no time.
After parking in the public parking lot, I set out to find Pipi House. I went to the center of the Rodeo and headed west as Se-jin had said, and a cafe on the first floor of an old building came into view.
Is it a retro concept? I wondered for a moment before shaking my head. It wasn't a concept; it was just a truly old cafe. My eyes widened as I opened the weathered wooden door and stepped inside.
Unlike yesterday when there were only the PD and the writer, there were so many people. I had heard that the filming crew who usually worked together would be coming, but I hadn't expected this many staff members to be mobilized.
Even at a glance, professional cameras, lighting, and other equipment stood with an imposing presence. I saw several writers as well.
They said that QBS Broadcasting Station had been sharpening its blades for the launch of ‘I Am a K-Trot Singer,’ and it seemed those words were true.
Hiding my flustered expression, I was walking around looking for the PD when a familiar face appeared. As soon as his eyes met mine, his mouth fell open like a monkfish.
“Oh! You’re... Yoon Bom?”