Chapter 20
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Sugar Milk Bread and French Toast
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1.
The countless chats that had cluttered our screen vanished like a mirage.
『Broadcast has ended.』
"Hoo..."
I shook my head at the message floating before my eyes and let out a long sigh. It felt like I'd barely overcome a major hurdle.
"Sis. You okay?"
I turned my gaze to her. Seeing her sitting there blankly made me start to worry.
"Yeah."
She looked my way. Her face was much more relaxed now, which put my mind at ease too.
"Actually, I feel better now. All the misunderstandings are cleared up, right? And now I can proudly say you're my little sibling."
My worries had been unfounded after all. Of course, my sister was a tough one.
"You must have been tense though. You look wiped out. Want to go grab something to eat?"
"Yeah. Let's do that. What do you want?"
"Sis, I'd love some of Hayul's cooking. Think we can make that happen?"
"No problem at all. Shall we swing by the store on the way home?"
"Sounds good."
We logged out of virtual reality right away. As we climbed out of the capsules, I saw my sister staggering.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
I rushed over to support her. She was always like this coming out of the capsule. It must mean her condition wasn't great.
We operated the tablet on the wall to end our session. Even as we put on our shoes and headed out, I kept glancing at her.
'She must be pretty worn out.'
Her unsteady steps suggested her mental energy was seriously depleted.
"Hayul!"
As we passed the counter, the Boss waved.
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah. Sis... I mean, my big sis is tired, so we're heading out early today."
"That's a shame. I added a bunch of bonus time. Come back again soon."
The Boss looked disappointed but smiled warmly. I returned a bright greeting and led my sister out. Fresh air brushed our skin as we stepped outside. Since we'd left early, the sky was still bright.
"Ughhh..."
My sister stretched long on the street, then slumped as if all strength had left her body.
"You sure you're really okay?"
"Yeah. Just a little dizzy. Probably from all the tension."
She forced a smile. Her steps looked heavy. I naturally took her wrist and wrapped it around my arm.
"Don't force yourself. Lean on me."
"...Okay."
She hesitated for a moment before leaning lightly on my shoulder. We walked slowly, taking in the bustling street.
"Where should we shop?"
"Didn't you say there's a market near your place? Let's go there."
"You're staying at my place tonight?"
I tilted my head.
"Yeah. We're supposed to live together, right? I'll check out the place and stay over tonight. Gotta see how much stuff I can bring too."
"You can probably bring everything. The place is huge. Almost too big—it's a bit of a hassle."
"That big?"
"That big. You know those fancy apartments you see from the Han River? It's one of those."
My sister's eyes went wide. Anyone living in Korea dreams of a Han River view apartment.
"Whoa, the place must cost a fortune. You got it for free? Hayul, you've made it big."
"Not free. I got it as a reward for defeating the Demon King in that other world."
"...When you put it that way, it does feel kinda cheap. Isn't that a total scam?"
"The biggest scam ever."
We chatted away, badmouthing the goddess. Then my sister glanced up at the sky and shot me a wary look.
"We won't get divine punishment for this, right?"
"Nah, shouldn't. The Saintess said gods don't interfere easily in the mortal world. They probably don't even care."
To gods, human words were like ant chatter to us. We don't pay attention if ants badmouth us, and neither do they.
"More importantly, what should we cook? Anything you're craving?"
"Hmm. I want some sugar milk bread. Been a while."
Sugar milk bread was something we ate occasionally as kids. Super simple ingredients, so we could make it even when money was tight.
"Just that?"
"Yeah. Whenever I was feeling down, you'd always make me sugar milk bread. I want that now."
"Got it."
I headed to the market with her. We already had sugar and butter at home, so we just needed bread.
"Just making that feels a bit lacking, so I'll throw in some French toast too. Ever had French toast?"
"Nope? Those brunch cafes charge over ten thousand won for three slices. Why would I pay for that? I'm not some bourgeois."
"Kinda pricey, yeah. But takeout's similar, right? Even alio olio is over eight thousand."
"...Shut up."
"Yes, ma'am."
I zipped it at her glare.
"But can you really make French toast? The name sounds complicated."
"The 'French' just makes it sound fancy. Ingredients and process are both simple."
Of course, you could make it fancy—add cream cheese or nuts, herbs, berries.
'Endless variations possible.'
But that'd be too much work for now. Next time.
"So what do we need to buy?"
"Follow me."
We arrived at the market near home. I grabbed a basket and started picking up what we needed.
Milk bread, milk, and vanilla extract—then straight to checkout. Eggs, butter, and sugar were at home.
"This all?"
"Yeah. Rest is at home."
"What's this bread? Says brioche. Looks different from our usual."
"Brioche is traditional French bread. Lots of butter, eggs, and sugar—nutty with a subtle sweetness."
"Looks gourmet."
My sister poked the bread with her finger. It sank in softly, then slowly bounced back.
"A bit pricier than regular. But it'll taste way better for cooking. Trust me, it's delicious."
Higher calories too, but deliciousness is king.
'Calories are battle power for flavor.'
After checkout, we headed home. My sister froze when we reached the apartment.
"...It's really a Han River view."
"Told you."
We took the elevator up. At the door, I punched in the code, and it opened.
"...Spotless."
"You think I'd live like a slob like you?"
"Slob? It's clean now!"
"Only 'cause I cleaned it."
Ignoring me, she dashed to the sofa and flopped down like it was her own place.
"Hang on a sec. I'll whip it up quick."
"Okay~"
I washed my hands at the sink, then pulled eggs and butter from the fridge. Sliced the butter into a bowl, added sugar, and mixed.
Smooth, smooth—
I spread the sugar butter softly on one side of the milk bread with a butter knife. Prep done.
'Too easy.'
Just pan-fry it, and it'd be the sugar milk bread from our childhood.
"Sis. French toast too? Or sugar milk bread first?"
"Sugar milk bread first!"
She shot her hand up from the sofa. I chuckled and said sure.
I lit the gas stove, placing the buttered side down on the pan.
Sizzle—
The nutty butter aroma hit first, whetting appetites. Then the soft caramel scent spread. Finally, the toasty bread smell.
"Ah..."
Yeah. This was it.
"...Smells amazing."
"Right?"
She'd snuck up beside me at some point, chin propped, watching.
"Here."
I plated the bread, golden on both sides, and handed it over.
"Thanks for the food."
She took a sip of milk first, then picked up a fork. Scraping the surface, the thin sugar crust crackled and crumbled.
Gulp—
She tore off a piece and popped it in. A bright smile lit her face. Just like back then.
"How is it?"
"This. This taste... Ah, feels so unhealthy... Exactly."
"Tasty, huh?"
"Yeah. Mine never tasted like this. Why's yours so good?"
"Dunno?"
I didn't know either. Such a simple dish, yet the difference.
"Must be the touch."
"Fair. There is something to that."
"Keep eating the sugar bread. I'll make French toast."
"Okay."
I cracked eggs into a wide bowl, added milk and sugar, whisked until no yolks visible.
A few drops of vanilla extract, whisk smooth again. Soaked both sides of the bread thoroughly.
'All set.'
Prep done. Time to cook.
Butter melted in the pan, releasing a soft aroma. Wet bread on top—sizzle, sweet scent filling the kitchen. Flipped, nutty smell intensifying.
Stacked the perfectly cooked slices, drizzled with plenty of maple syrup.
"Here, French toast."
I passed it to her—she'd finished the sugar bread and was eyeing this.
"Whoa. Looks just like at those brunch cafes."
"Told ya."
I grabbed a fork too. Wanted some myself.
Poking the French toast, it tore softly. Ate a piece—crisp outside, moist and fluffy inside.
Nutty butter, smooth sweetness filling my mouth. Subtle maple aftertaste lingering.
Warm, sweet bread warming my heart too.
"W-Wow... This is insanely good, Siwoo..."
She ate with eyes wide.
"This is basic. Add whipped cream, cream cheese, nuts, fruit—lots of ways."
"That'd be amazing too!"
She devoured it grinning. Eating like that would spike her blood sugar later.
'She'll be fine.'
Not an everyday thing, and she could use some weight anyway.
"Ah, that hit the spot..."
She polished off both. Her satisfied milk sip made me chuckle.
Ding!
As we relaxed, her phone buzzed. She checked the screen.
"Who is it?"
"Elena. Says she watched our stream, had no idea about our situation. Wishes us happiness and says to ask for help anytime."
"She's so nice. We were the ones causing trouble..."
"Yeah. Still feel kinda bad. How can we repay her?"
"Even if we want to... Does she even need anything? She's already a big corp."
"Oh, true..."
She groaned, faceplanted on the table. I gave her time to think, quietly starting dishes.
Clink clink—
Could use magic, but that lacked soul. Plus, I kinda liked washing up. Total focus on the now.
"Got a great idea!"
As I finished, she bolted upright, face lit like she'd figured it out.
"What?"
I hung the gloves on the sink rack and asked.
"Invite Elena over and cook for her!"