Chapter 16
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Kimchi Stew and Rolled Omelet
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1.
"...Hayul, can't you give me just five minutes? Just five?"
My sister had been pleading with me the whole way to her officetel. What on earth was the state of the house that she was this desperate?
"When you beg like that..."
"Yeah, yeah."
"...it just makes me even more curious to see how messy it really is with my own eyes."
"Ah, please, Hayul!"
I crossed my arms and shook my head firmly.
"Open it up quick."
"Then just one minute. Please? One minute?"
My sister kept begging without giving up. In the end, I had to take drastic measures.
I punched in the old password on the door lock. With a 'beep-beep-beep' sound, the door swung open.
"Huh?"
My sister stared at me with a dumbfounded look, as if wondering how I knew it. Seeing her trembling eyes, I grinned.
"It's the same as the old password we used. It's even the same as the one on my apartment door."
"Ah..."
My sister plopped down right there on the spot. She'd realized there was no stopping me now.
"Come on, no need to overreact. Let's head in."
I pulled the handle and opened the door. Stale air rushed out, carrying a damp, dusty smell. There was a faint hint of mold too.
'At least it's not at stench level. That's a relief.'
I took off my shoes and stepped inside. Surprisingly, the place was fairly tidy.
You know those houses where trash and delivery containers pile up on the floor, reeking of cigarettes?
'Not that bad.'
I let out a sigh of relief as I looked around.
Laundry still hung on the drying rack. Unwashed dishes sat in the sink, and boxes from deliveries were stacked in the corner of the room.
"Hey, aren't these the cup and utensils I used? Even the chopsticks are still here?"
"Yeah. I just couldn't bring myself to throw them out. So I kept them. Haven't used them, though."
I probably would've done the same. I checked out the kitchen thoroughly, then the living room.
"Hmm."
"W-what do you think?"
"It's cleaner inside than I expected. I thought it'd be a total pigsty, but you've at least done some cleaning."
"R-really? That's good."
"Are these the meds you're taking?"
A bag of pills on the dining table. The labels showed they were all sleep-related.
"Yeah, that's right. Falling asleep at night is the hardest part. So I got them prescribed."
"Good job."
I'd checked the living room area, so now it was time for the capsule room. I headed that way.
"This one's dirtier, though..."
Clothes and underwear scattered everywhere, delivery containers and bags left on the table and chairs.
"...I'd eat here before streaming, or if I got hungry in the middle, I'd scarf something down quick."
"That makes sense."
Still, it was within acceptable limits. Not at a level that screamed health crisis.
"That's the bedroom, right?"
"Yeah."
I checked the bedroom last. Unlike the rest, it felt barren. Just a bed and a single dresser, with a photo frame on top.
"This..."
"Right. The first and last family photo we took at that studio."
Next to it were a worn pouch and hair ties—all birthday gifts from me.
"You really kept everything."
"Yeah. Whenever things got tough, I'd look at these and push through."
I gave my sister a light hug and patted her back. She really had held on strong.
"Sis, you still need to clean up a bit, though. Agree?"
"U-uh, yeah..."
It wasn't a trash heap, but it wasn't normal either.
"Then let's clean together."
"Got it."
I went back to the living room and summoned my magic power.
"Move."
The clothes and trash on the floor flew to their proper places.
"Hot water."
Water poured over the piled-up dishes in the kitchen. A sponge coated in dish soap floated up and started scrubbing them clean.
"Purify."
The dust floating in the air turned into beams of light and vanished. The grime on the floors and walls did the same. Even the invisible mold was probably eradicated.
"Wow!"
My sister looked at me with sparkling eyes. Seeing real magic up close must've been amazing.
"I'll handle the kitchen and living room, but you clean the capsule room yourself. Got it?"
"...Yeah."
She must've thought she'd get to sit back and watch. No such luck. If I kept cleaning for her, it'd get messy again for sure.
"Sis, what do you want for lunch? Order some jjajangmyeon?"
"Can't you make it?"
I finished cleaning the bathroom and bedroom too, then came out. Leaning against the doorframe, I peeked into the capsule room—it still looked like it had a ways to go.
"Me?"
"Yeah. You used to make it all the time after work. Especially craving kimchi stew and rolled omelet. Think you could?"
"If that's what you want, sure. I'll make it. Gotta toss the trash anyway—I'll pick up groceries on the way back."
I'd checked the fridge earlier; nothing but booze and water. Time to stock it up.
"Be right back."
"Okay. Be safe!"
My body now could shrug off a car crash with minor injuries, so what was she worried about? I was more concerned about her.
I incinerated the food waste with magic. The rest I had to sort and haul to the recycling bin.
"Heave-ho."
After sorting and dumping everything, I pulled out my phone and headed to the nearest mart.
'Pork shoulder from the butcher last. Kimchi... garlic, green onions... green chilies, tofu...'
I loaded the cart with essentials. The kitchen cabinets were bare on seasonings too, so I grabbed those.
'Oh, sis's favorite chocolate.'
I bought her snacks too, got the pork, and headed home.
"Making good progress on cleaning?"
The capsule room was coming along—my sister was sprawled on the floor, panting and sweating buckets. Already wiped out.
"...Back?"
She barely lifted her head, waving weakly.
"What, tired already after that little bit?"
"Always ordering delivery, gaming, sleeping... my stamina's total trash now..."
"Sigh."
Lifestyle, sleep, diet—all wrecked. At least she hadn't gained weight.
'Being underweight has its own issues, though...'
I shook my head and went to the kitchen. Unloaded the groceries, washed a knife clean, and set it on the cutting board.
Chop-chop-chop-chop—
Minced garlic fine, sliced green onions on the bias. Added green chilies for spice.
Prep done. Kimchi stew's not complicated.
Sizzle—
Fire on, pan heating up. Once hot, in went the pork shoulder.
Sizzle—
When fat started rendering, I tossed in the minced garlic, chili powder, and store-bought kimchi.
"Smells so good! This alone would be perfect with rice!"
Sis appeared beside me, eyes sparkling. I smiled and asked,
"...Sis. Room done?"
"........."
"Finish it. No stew if it's not done by the time cooking's ready."
"...Yes, ma'am."
She slunk back to the capsule room. I chuckled and focused on the food.
Soy sauce, sugar, a splash of kimchi brine. Stir-fry that, add bone broth, done.
'Might be a bit bland?'
Taste-test midway through simmering.
'Now rolled omelet.'
Cracked eggs into a bowl, added sugar and salt, mixed in some finely chopped green onions.
Oil in the hot pan, swirl around. Pour egg, spread thin.
'Fire's a bit high.'
Fire control is key for rolled omelet.
Low heat, let it set a bit. Once the bottom firmed, chopsticks to fold. Pour, roll, repeat.
'Perfect.'
Done. Gently plated. Looked delicious.
Slurp...
Taste of the stew: spicy, refreshing, spot on. Could serve now, but more to add.
Green onions, chilies, tofu chunks. Simmer a minute, finished.
Microwaved some instant rice. Washed hands, checked capsule room.
"Oh."
My threat worked—the room was clean. Sis clung to the capsule, catching her breath.
"Managed to finish, huh?"
"Thought it'd... be quick..."
Microwave dinged right on time.
"Lunch's ready. Come eat."
"Yay!"
Sis hopped in place. I smirked and went to the kitchen.
Sliced the omelet onto the table. No trivet, so grabbed a cookbook from the shelf.
"Wow..."
Sis followed, amazed. Sat right down, so I opened instant rice for her.
"Water first."
"Okay."
She downed the water I handed her and dug in.
"Thanks for the food!"
Straight to the omelet.
"Good?"
"Yeah!"
Sis beamed, tears in her eyes. That happy, huh.
"Try the kimchi stew too."
Ladled some into a bowl. She scooped a big bite of meat and kimchi.
"Wow... so good... even better than when you made it before?"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Nothing like delivery food."
"Glad to hear it."
Was worried it'd suck. False alarm.
Sis scarfed it down; I watched contentedly. Watching her eat filled me up too.
"Ah, ate well..."
Finished her rice, patted her belly happily. Leaning back, totally satisfied.
"Sis, how much time left on your officetel lease?"
"Almost up. Why?"
"Just... if you're okay with it, move into my apartment. Live together?"
Leaving her alone worried me.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Of course! That's what I've been hoping for! You'll clean and cook too."
"Probably."
"Great. Let's live together."
Her bright smile made me regret it a tad. Hope she doesn't get spoiled...
Ding—
I ate late, did dishes. Cleaning done, sat next to sis on the sofa, eyes closed.
"Ah, feels good..."
"Yeah..."
Warm sunlight streaming in. Cool breeze. Lazy afternoon.
Peaceful daily life didn't even last an hour.
"...Hayul. People are trying to report you to the cops?"
"What?"
It was because an unexpected incident had blown up.