The Deadly Family Dinner
Ha-yoon's illness...? Let's rewind time a bit. To before Park Ha-yoon came to our house. It definitely all started last night.
"Oppa! Come out and eat!"
I woke up to that voice. When I opened my eyes, Da-eun was in my room, shaking me awake. In a typical rom-com, she'd probably be sitting on the bed. Unfortunately, though, she was holding something ominous in her hand.
"What's that?"
"Can't you tell? It's a spray bottle."
Right. A spray bottle gripped in her hand. Inside the translucent tank, something sloshed around. Anyone could tell it was 100% water. Why the hell was she holding that thing? Was she planning to spritz my face?
While I quietly mulled that over, Da-eun fiddled with the spray bottle, looking disappointed.
"I was gonna use it if you slept in late."
She said it like she really meant it. Sensing the danger, I shot up like a coiled spring.
"So? What's up?"
"What do you mean? I'm waking you up for dinner."
Da-eun replied like I was an idiot. Come to think of it, we'd agreed to eat together once everyone was home. I stretched, shaking off the grogginess, and racked my brain to remember why I'd fallen asleep. And then—
"Who made dinner tonight?"
The most horrifying thought hit me. The last message I'd seen before passing out was this kid saying she was out shopping. Dad can't cook. Before remarrying, I was always the one handling meals. So unless they'd ordered delivery while I was out cold...
Cold sweat beaded down my back. Proving my sharp instincts right, Da-eun said casually,
"Mom and I did."
She dropped that bombshell without a care. And she kept going.
"Dad's probably eating already. Hurry up!"
One victim had already fallen. I got out of bed in silence.
"...Let's go."
"Why the suddenly grave tone?"
"Because it calls for it. Mental preparation is key."
Da-eun tilted her head at my words. Whatever. I took a deep breath and headed to the living room where dinner awaited.
. .. ...
I lost my memory. The only thing I remembered viscerally— I was in no shape to go to school the next day.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang. I dragged myself out of bed. I was home alone—family off at their jobs. That horrific dinner from last night? I'd definitely taken a bite, and it wiped my memory clean. A true poison dish. What else do you call food that erases your mind?
I left my room and headed for the door, deliberately ignoring the kitchen where that abomination surely lurked. Ding-dong! The bell rang again. Without thinking, I approached the door and opened it. Normally, I'd check the intercom. But I figured it was the delivery guy and swung it wide.
"...Huh?"
"Oh, hi?"
I froze at the sight of Park Ha-yoon. Dressed in her uniform, she stood at our doorstep, looking pleased to see me.
"Mind if I come in?"
She stepped quietly inside.
Handwritten Note
"Wow... It's cleaner than I expected."
Ha-yoon kicked off her shoes and glanced around naturally. No awkwardness, even though it was her first time here.
"What's with that reaction?"
"I dunno, I figured a guy's place living alone would be... messier."
"I don't live alone."
"Huh? You don't?"
Ha-yoon's eyes went wide in surprise. Why had she assumed that? Curious, I asked,
"Why'd you think I lived alone?"
"You bring lunch every day, and you just give off this mature vibe?"
"...You jumped to conclusions based on that?"
She'd apparently done some serious detective work in her head. Like, packed lunches to save money, mature vibe from living independently. She even mentioned the lack of shoes by the door as a clue. We always store ours in the cabinet, so it was an easy mistake.
I grabbed some orange juice and snacks from the kitchen.
"No way I'm living alone in a house this big."
"Fair. So who with?"
"Family, obviously. What were you expecting?"
I stared at her, incredulous. Some dramatic soap opera was probably playing in her mind. "Sit down already. Stop wandering."
I called out to her. She was poking around like she'd found a secret base. My room? Fine. But the living room had family stuff—breaking anything would be bad.
Ha-yoon plopped down, munched a snack, and eyed me openly.
"You look fine, though?"
"Why phrase it like a question?"
"Our homeroom teacher said you were sick and skipping school."
She opened her bag, revealing ion drinks and snacks. Classic sick-visit kit. Looked like she'd come because she was worried. But—
"How'd you find my house?"
"Huh? I asked Seol-ah, and she told me."
Ha-yoon answered brightly. So Seol-ah had sold me out.
"What's personal info mean to that girl..."
"Don't be too hard on her. She was gonna come too, originally."
Ha-yoon waved it off. Seol-ah had planned to come but had personal stuff. Only one reason came to mind for me.
'Payback for that time?'
I'd brought Seol-ah home once before. Soaked like a drowned puppy. Weird to call it "saving," but anyway.
"Seemed like she owed you one or something."
Ha-yoon tossed me a peach pudding as she spoke. I snatched it mid-air and spotted the post-it on top.
Get well soon! Let's hang out again later!
— Lee Seol-ah
Tiny, neat handwriting. Pure Lee Seol-ah. I peeled it off, stuck it carefully on the table, and tore open the pudding.
Ha-yoon watched.
"What? Hungry?"
"Yeah. Haven't eaten since yesterday."
"It's around 5 p.m. now... You've fasted almost a full day?"
"Fun fact: That's why I'm out today. Because of that dinner."
Dinner. Her eyes lit up at the word. Pure curiosity made physical.
"Dinner? That dinner?"
"Your voice sounds way too eager."
Ha-yoon nodded. Dying to know what dish had floored me. I eyed her cautiously.
"Wanna see it?"
"Yeah."
Permission granted. I headed straight to the fridge and pulled out it.
A glass dish container. Even sealed, it radiated menace. I carried it back to the living room. Ha-yoon tilted her head at it, wondering what could be so bad it kept me home.
"Opening it?"
I sighed and popped the lid.
That instant—
"......"
Ha-yoon's face went rigid.
"...Is this food?"
What she saw: Brown liquid sloshing around. Ramen noodles bloated and shapeless on top. Unidentified white oil globs floating. And— the smell. Sour vinegar assaulted the nose.
Two seconds flat. Her judgment was swift yet deliberate.
"Close it!!!"
She shrieked, scrambling back for distance.
"Close it quick! What the hell is that!!"
I wordlessly sealed it and took it to the sink. When I returned, she was glaring at me, nose pinched.
"Th-that... what is it?"
"Yesterday's dinner."
"People eat that?"
"That's what I thought."
Ha-yoon was speechless for a beat. Mouth opening and closing.
And then—
"How are you even alive? That's wild."
"Tell me about it."
Brief silence. She lowered her hand, steadying her breath.
"So that's why you skipped?"
"Yup."
"What was it, anyway?"
Still curious despite the horror. Pointing at the fridge, she pressed. Recalling yesterday, I answered.
"Soy sauce ramen broth, ramen noodles, chocolate ice cream, and anchovy sauce."
"......Does it have a name?"
"Think so? Nah, just biochemical terrorism."
FYI, Da-eun and Na-eun ate theirs fine. Dad... went to work in the same state as me. Regrettable.
"Got it. Yeah. Understood."
Ha-yoon nodded, looking anything but convinced. I brushed it off, but she quickly added,
"Hey, you check your messages?"
"Nah, been passed out till now."
"Figured. I'm here for Seol-ah too, but... this as well."
She pulled a paper from her bag. Seeing it jogged my memory.
"Cultural festival?"
"Our school's weird—holds it right after midterms."
"Oh yeah, midterms are soon..."
She fished out another sheet. Labeled "Theater Club." Club-related this time.
"This is from the club. For you."
A short play. Three minutes tops. A little one-act. And—
"This role's locked in?"
My name was there.
Script: Kang Sung-hoon, ..., ....
Cast: ..., Kang Sung-hoon (Reserve)
Listed side-by-side in script and cast.