Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: First Day of the Holiday (2)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The cooking was nearing its end.
The clams had cooked to perfection, releasing their rich broth, filling the kitchen with a fragrant clam aroma.
The best thing about clam pasta is how it bursts with umami even without much seasoning.
So, I simply ground some salt and pepper to season it, then tossed in chopped garlic and al dente pasta.
Now, adding a bit of pasta water would thicken the sauce, turning it into the perfect unified dish.
The savory clam essence, the salty bite from the salt, the aroma of wine and pepper. The nutty flavor of the pasta.
This alone made for a fantastic dish.
But my favorite part came right after.
The fresh zing.
How you add that freshness determines the quality...
And I had a great idea.
'Let's use basil leaves today.'
The pleasant spring weather had coaxed palm-sized leaves from the basil in the balcony pots.
Filling the freshness with the season's first basil sounded perfect.
I turned toward the balcony, but my eyes met Park Dahye's.
I'd told her it wouldn't take long.
Why was she still standing there instead of sitting?
Yet her slightly parted lips and nodding head were brimming with anticipation.
Come to think of it, I'd just said to let me know if she needed anything.
Maybe...
That expression wasn't just excitement for delicious food. She might be hoping to help with something.
Yeah, when I first learned to cook, I'd perk up my ears, waiting for any chance to assist.
It's a hundred times better to do some chore and get praised than to sit around feeling useless.
Her wide eyes staring into mine were so adorable, I wanted to fulfill that expectation.
Alright, time for a quest.
"Dahye, kitchen assistant."
"Yes, chef!"
"Could you go to the balcony and pick some basil leaves?"
"Basil?"
"It's a special quest. Look for the plant with round, plump leaves—they have a faint lemon scent, so it'll be easy to spot. Pick ten and bring them to me."
"Whoa, got it!"
Her parted lips now curved up at the corners.
Look at her dash off excitedly.
She even sniffed around the pots like she was hunting for quest items.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A spring breeze carrying the scent of cherry blossoms wafted in as Park Dahye opened the balcony door.
Warm sunlight followed.
And beneath that sunlight, there she was—crouched down, buried in the green flowerbed.
'A beauty sitting in the woods.'
It reminded me of the Rosanne illustration she'd drawn.
Watching her like that made my lips twitch upward pathetically.
For the record, our place usually didn't have this vibe.
Just white walls and minimalist furniture for show.
A drab bachelor pad meant only for sleeping, devoid of any personal touch.
Yet today, this shabby room felt inexplicably lively.
And the reason? Only one.
The girl who bounced around whenever I did something.
That expectant look on her face, hoping I'd give her a task.
She'd added something to this house.
Just one more person, and it felt completely different.
I forgot all about cooking, lost in the picturesque illustration her silhouette created.
"Seonghyeon, is this it?"
Soon, Park Dahye returned, hands neatly cupped together.
Perfectly, basil leaves peeked out from her palms.
In a real game, it'd be something like [Basil Leaves Grown by Kwon Seonghyeon x10].
"Whoa, you found them quick."
"The leaves were plump just like you said. Did I do good?"
"Excellent adventurer. Sit down and enjoy this dish with me."
"What's my reward?"
"Huh?"
"You said it was a quest. I completed it, so pay up. Come on, chef."
I'd just done it as gamer bait, forgetting she'd take it literally.
Should I toss her a coin or something?
But while I spaced out, her head inched closer cautiously.
Why's she leaning in?
No way. Is the reward what I think it is?
"Uh... good job, kitchen assistant Dahye."
I patted her head twice, and she finally thrust up a thumbs-up.
If that was the only reward, it'd get labeled a crap quest no one would touch.
Yet Park Dahye looked 200% satisfied.
What a weirdo.
"So, what do we do with these leaves?"
"Eat them, obviously."
"Huh? We eat them?"
"That's why I grow them all in the flowerbed."
"For real? Even that bushy one?"
"Yeah, that's rosemary. Great aroma for steak."
"Whoa, Kwon Seonghyeon knows so many cool things."
Plenty to be amazed by.
"Buying veggies alone is tough—they spoil before you finish them. Easier to grow my own."
"Oh, I see... I've never even bought veggies."
"You're young now, but living off lunchboxes will bite you later."
"Really... I wish I knew how to cook."
"You'll learn eventually if you want to survive."
I finely chopped the quest items she'd brought and scattered them over the pasta.
The clam broth mingled with the fresh basil scent.
Yes, this is it. Now it's a real dish.
I plated it nicely and set it on the table.
Cooking done.
Park Dahye clapped enthusiastically, like she'd watched an epic match.
"Wow... You can make this at home? I only know fried rice."
"Difficulty's about the same as fried rice."
"But you grow your own plants and use clams... Feels way fancier. And that fire earlier? So cool."
"You're embarrassing me—stop praising and eat."
"Hehe, got it. Thanks for the meal, Seonghyeon."
She clumsily twirled pasta onto her fork and shoveled it in.
Chewing away happily.
And then...
Mm. Yeah, there it is.
Mmm~!
The reaction exploded.
Yesterday, that reaction had me wanting to take her everywhere, feeding her everything.
My wish came true too soon.
Witnessing it right in my living room.
I don't usually ask this, but with Park Dahye, I couldn't help it.
"Tasty?"
"I'm dying... So good, Seonghyeon. Is pasta always like this, or are you just a great cook? I thought it was just chewy stuff."
That's just regular spaghetti noodles.
Hearing that suddenly made me pity her.
She's probably thinking of school lunch spaghetti or convenience store trays.
Never had real pasta from an Italian place.
And not just that.
What seems ordinary to others might've been off-limits in her life.
"It's extra special today."
"Right? Must be a perfect batch. Hehehe, I'd live off this forever."
But no pity party.
I won't show it.
At least today would be happy for her.
The happiness I'd shared yesterday was carrying over luckily.
So, I'll smile too.
As much as she is.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The bowl was nearly scraped clean.
Pasta gone first, then I toasted bread for the sauce, and she devoured that too.
Good appetite.
I patted her head again, and up went the thumbs-up.
Though her flushed face was a bit different this time.
Whatever—her shyness doesn't match my common sense anymore. I ignore it.
"Thanks for the meal! Chef!"
"I'm grateful you enjoyed it."
"Really? I should've eaten even better... Um, Seonghyeon."
"Yeah?"
"It's past noon now..."
"Yeah, so?"
"What... are we doing next?"
Her eyes sparkled, head tilted at 45 degrees.
That look—pure expectation again.
Too cute; I couldn't hide my grin.
Her legs fidgeting, eyes darting to the clock.
She's been obvious for a while.
Her goal? Gaming.
"I'm planning to game till I collapse. Care to join me?"
"Gladly...! I'll follow the hero anywhere."
She delivered the line in a buttery voice, then giggled.
One of Rosanne's scenario lines—she even nailed the voice.
Gamer Kim Pokttal hadn't played in over 24 hours; withdrawal was setting in.
Fed her now for the real treat she craves.
Back in her old gositel room, I'd seen her gaming setup.
A palm-sized work laptop and promo mini-mouse.
Embarrassing to call it a system, yet she'd gamed on it somehow.
Now, time to show her a proper setup.
Brace yourself, Park Dahye.
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