Grandma's Snack Bar is Really Delicious!
“It's Hero Na! You're the soccer player Hero Na, right, mister!?”
“Yeah, that's me. But I'm not a mister.”
The boys eating cup tteokbokki outside the shop spotted me inside and shouted. About ten elementary school kids in soccer uniforms came rushing in, surrounding me.
“Whoa! It's really Hero Na! I've only seen you online—this is so cool!”
“Do you eat tteokbokki too, mister?”
“When are you going back to England? How long are you staying in Korea? Will you play in the World Cup later?”
“Alright, alright. Calm down. This is a restaurant, so we gotta keep order. There are hot griddles—it's dangerous. I'll sign autographs or take photos, but behave yourselves. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
I quickly settled the excited kids down in one go. Then I gave them some fan service. I signed their Pikachu donkatsu sauce-stained notebooks and took selfies with their phones.
After the noisy commotion finally died down and I sent the kids off, catching my breath, that girl looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
“Customer, you're famous, huh? I overheard—you're a soccer player in England...”
“Yeah, pro soccer player. Wasn't trying to hide it, but it just happened. Haha.”
“Could I get an autograph too?”
“Of course. I'll take a photo with you too.”
“Really!? Wow! This is exciting!”
She jumped for joy. She had the looks to play hard-to-get with guys, but she just showed her happiness outright, no games.
“What's your name?”
“Yang Hyunji.”
“Pretty name.”
“...”
To Yang Hyunji.
Grandma's snack bar is really delicious!
Become a big star~!
Hero Na
I wrote her name on the autograph, and her face flushed bright red. It was adorable. Finally, we took a selfie together.
“Okay, smile. No closing your eyes.”
Our cheeks nearly touched. Click—that thrilling moment ended all too soon.
“Send me the photo too.”
“Should I?”
“Give me your phone. I'll put in my number.”
I took her phone and entered my number. Just like that, I naturally got her digits.
The rundown snack bar with its harsh fluorescent lights had no atmosphere to speak of, but to me, it felt more romantic than any movie. Maybe I felt like the protagonist from that Hong Kong film Chungking Express. Was it because this was the kind of place I worked at every day in my past life?
“Hyunji, how old are you?”
“Seventeen.”
“Ooh, so I'm your oppa then. You can drop the formalities, right?”
“Ah... sure. O... oppa.”
“I'm close with your grandma, so you and I aren't total strangers. Relax.”
“...I see.”
“Let's get along from now on, Hyunji.”
“...Yes, oppa.”
Hyunji seemed to shrink a bit. Had I come on too strong for a first meeting? I didn't have much time. I wanted to get as close to her as possible before heading back to England.
But after I switched to casual speech, Hyunji couldn't keep the conversation going properly. She wouldn't look me in the eye and seemed awkward.
“I'll head out today. You'll be at the shop tomorrow, right?”
“Probably.”
“See you tomorrow, Hyunji.”
“Yes, oppa.”
In the end, I said goodbye to Hyunji and headed home.
Did I push too hard on the first meeting? Should I have just introduced myself properly tomorrow? Is 'oppa' too much?
Lying in bed at home, I couldn't sleep. Thoughts spiraled endlessly. Hyunji's change in demeanor bothered me. She was so bright and easygoing as shopkeeper and customer, but the moment I asked her to call me oppa, she got uncomfortable.
“You idiot. Too rushed.”
I scolded myself and finally fell asleep late. I'd smooth things over with her tomorrow, I resolved. It was my last chance before leaving the day after.
“Huh.”
But things didn't go as planned.
The next morning, I rushed to Grandma's snack bar in Cheonho-dong, but Hyunji was nowhere in sight.
“Grandma, is Hyunji not working today?”
“And who might you be, looking for my granddaughter?”
Grandma eyed me sharply while stirring tteokbokki sauce on the griddle. Now that I looked, their delicate features were similar. Was that why I'd felt an instant connection with Hyunji?
“Hello. I'm Hyunji's friend.”
“Boyfriend~~?”
“Ah... not dating or anything. We just got close recently. More like oppa-little sister for now...”
“Hmph.”
Grandma glared at me like a tough detective.
“Hyunji's home sick today, resting. She takes after me—always has these little ailments...”
“I see.”
“Eaten yet? Come in, sit. Have some tteokbokki before you go.”
“Ah, sure.”
I went inside and sat. Same setup as yesterday, just a different person at the griddle. I fiddled with my phone, debating whether to call Hyunji, when Grandma spoke up.
“Still, it's a relief. Hyunji has a reliable friend like you, still in school. What sport do you play?”
“Haha, decent build, right? Pretty strong too.”
“I can tell you overheard—Hyunji had a tough time with kids at school. Where'd you two meet? GED academy?”
“Pardon?”
“Not from school, obviously. It's an all-girls high school.”
“...”
“You haven't heard anything from her?”
Grandma looked at me in surprise.
“No, we've only known each other a short time. Haven't heard personal stuff. What happened to Hyunji?”
Grandma's story left me stunned. Hyunji had no parents. Her alcoholic dad died in middle school, and her mom abandoned her in elementary school—still no word. Living alone with Grandma, Hyunji stayed bright, but trouble hit at her new high school.
Girls who found out about her family targeted her with relentless bullying. After incidents piled up, she dropped out and was now at a GED academy.
“She was always so upbeat despite everything... how tough it must've been...”
Grandma choked up thinking of her granddaughter. I wanted to storm that school and smash those bitches' heads, but I held back. Not the effective way to get revenge.
“Grandma, don't worry anymore. I'll protect Hyunji.”
“You, a student?”
“Let me introduce myself properly. I'm pro soccer player Hero Na. That's my autograph on the wall.”
I pointed to my signed photo. I honestly recounted yesterday's meeting and our connection. Grandma was a bit skeptical but relaxed once she heard I was famous enough for autographs.
I asked for their home address and called Hyunji. It rang and rang—no answer, as expected. So I texted.
I sat on a park bench in front of the snack bar, waiting for a reply. None came after a long while. It felt like someone was squeezing my heart. I wanted to see her so bad, I could've screamed at the sky. Was this love? I'd dated plenty in my past life, but never felt this.
“Oppa...”
“Whoa!?”
Lost in thought, her voice came from behind. I jumped up, startled. There she was.
She wore tracksuit pants, face pale.
“No reply—I thought something was wrong.”
“Figured it'd be better to talk in person.”
“Good call. How's your body?”
“Fine.”
We sat side by side on the park bench. Grandma watched us from the griddle (?).
“Heard from Grandma. Must've been rough.”
“All in the past. Used to this life now. Finish school faster, enter society sooner, make money ahead of others.”
“True. Could be an opportunity.”
She looked surprised at my agreement. She'd probably heard stuff like Go to school normally, make friends, build memories.
“If you know what you want, regular school is a waste. I dropped out in middle school 2nd year, went all-in on soccer—best decision. Got more time for what I love, better results.”
“...I see.”
“What do you want to do, Hyunji?”
“...Me?”
Her face darkened.
“Dunno. That's my problem. Nothing I'm good at... nothing I really want...”
Pat—I patted her bowed back.
“Not a problem. Normal. Haven't tried anything—how would you know?”
“...”
“Try whatever sparks curiosity. Better than overthinking. Trial and error—that's how you find what you truly want.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. And you? You'd be welcomed anywhere.”
“Me?”
Her eyes widened.
“Duh. Great with people—polite, bright, kind. Works everywhere.”
“That's a skill?”
“Obviously. Can't buy it.”
“...”
She hesitated long, then spoke.
“Sorry. No siblings—calling a stranger oppa felt weird and awkward. Wanted to avoid it. But you came anyway, said nice things... thank you, oppa.”
Her voice trembled.
“Hyunji, let's do this: stay in touch by email. Share daily life, interests, be easy confidants. No siblings or close friends for me either. Be my friend?”
“...Okay.”
She smiled brightly, face relaxed. And so, Hyunji and I became friends.
Though I had no intention of stopping there.
The next morning, before heading to Incheon Airport, I stopped by the Cheonho-dong snack bar again. Arms full of gift bags.