Chapter 49: Salmon

 

As soon as Hyun-joo noona arrived home, she immediately set up a table with Eun-ha.

 

When salmon rice bowl and salmon sushi were laid on the table, Hyun-joo noona exclaimed in amazement.

 

“Wow- What is this? Did the two of you make this?”

 

“Ah- I just assisted. Eun-ha did most of it.”

 

“No, no. Han-gyeol helped out a lot too. It’s not just assisting, we made it together.”

 

Eun-ha said, snuggling up next to me.

 

After the hug, we had become a bit closer.

 

“This quality is so good that it’s laughable. If Han-gyeol stays with us, can we eat like this every day?”

 

Eunwoo Hyung had the same reaction.

 

“You going to talk nonsense again? Next time, just eat cold rice and seaweed.”

 

“Isn’t that too harsh? Han-gyeol, come to our house often. Then, it feels like we can eat this every day.”

 

“Yes. Let’s do that. Should we start eating now? It’s not good if it stays out for too long.”

 

“Okay. Hyun-joo, you’re going to drink beer, right?”

 

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll get it.”

 

Hyun-joo noona brought out two cans of beer she had stored in the fridge.

 

The cracking sound was pleasing to the ears, but I couldn’t drink under the circumstances.

 

Becoming younger had its perks, but there were moments like this that felt regretful.

 

“Do you two want a drink?”

 

For a moment, a natural smile formed on my face, but Eun-ha immediately intervened.

 

“Unnie! We’re still students, we shouldn’t drink.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes, yes. We’re students... and exam-takers...”

 

‘Goodbye, beer.’

 

It was only for a moment, but it was pleasant.

 

‘Let’s meet again next year.’

 

“Han-gyeol seems really regretful, doesn’t he?”

 

“Not at all…”

 

“It’s okay. Anyway, you’ll be able to drink next year, so just hang in there a bit longer.”

 

“Hey, there’s no time to talk. Let’s eat quickly. I’m drooling like crazy.”

 

“Right, right. Let’s eat. Thank you for this food.”

 

Eunwoo Hyung and Hyun-joo noona immediately took a bite of the salmon rice bowl.

 

Eun-ha and I tensely watched their reactions, anxious since we both had a hand in preparing the dish.

 

The two, who initially showed no reaction, carefully set down their spoons as if in sync.

 

Ah- This was a chance to score points. Was it a failure?

 

“Why, what’s wrong? Does it taste strange?”

 

“How is it?”

 

Hyun-joo noona and Eunwoo Hyung quietly alternated their gaze between Eun-ha and me. They then locked eyes with each other and suddenly jumped up from their chairs.

 

“Wow-! What is this? Why is it so delicious? I need to take a photo.”

 

“Han-gyeol Hyung. Seriously, please stay with us. I want to eat food like this.”

 

Hyun-joo noona quickly pulled out her phone to snap a picture, and Eunwoo Hyung enthusiastically grasped my hand.

 

“I’m glad it’s delicious.”

 

“My younger sister may be lacking, but please continue our family bond with generous affection.”

 

“Yes, yes. Please keep eating. There’s sushi too, so enjoy.”

 

“Hey, Hyun-joo, let’s toast.”

 

“Mmhm! This is really good.”

 

The two sat back down and clinked their beer cans together. After taking a bite of the salmon sushi, they wore blissful smiles.

 

“Eun-ha, they say it’s delicious.”

 

“..Well, I made it with Han-gyeol, so of course.”

 

Eun-ha replied in a soft voice, but her lips curled up in joy.

 

“Should we eat too?”

 

“Mmhm.”

 

After Eun-ha and I took a bite of the salmon rice bowl, we exchanged glances. With a twinkle in our eyes, we quickly emptied our bowls.

 

Our first collaborative dish was a success.

 

“Han-gyeol, there’s something I want to ask.”

 

“Yes? What is it?”

 

In the middle of our meal, Hyun-joo Noona suddenly asked, her lips curling up in a mischievous manner that left me slightly uneasy.

 

“Did nothing happen while you two were in the kitchen, wearing aprons?”

 

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

 

It was a baffling moment.

 

Eun-ha paused in her eating, her ears perking up in attention, clearly contemplating the right response.

 

“You know, like in the kitchen, sometimes there’s a spontaneous back hug or something like that? Like a scene from a movie~?”

 

To say nothing happened would negate the special back hug Eun-ha and I shared.

 

Being honest might make me feel embarrassed, but lying could possibly hurt her feelings.

 

As I hesitated, searching for words, Eun-ha delicately set her spoon down and spoke on my behalf.

 

“Yeah, we just had a normal back hug.”

 

She seemed to think that if she answered confidently, we could move past it. But it backfired. Despite her nonchalant response, Eun-ha’s face slowly began to blush.

 

“Eun-ha, are you feeling shy~? I mean, as a couple, that’s pretty standard. Right, Han-gyeol?”

 

Since Eun-ha’s face was already beet-red with embarrassment, I figured I should step up and be assertive.

 

“Yes, it’s an entirely ordinary thing.”

 

“But then, why is your face also turning red, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Oh, come on...”

 

In the end, my face turned as red as Eun-ha’s.

 

“Ah- Seriously! Unnie, stop teasing us!”

 

“Ahaha! You two are so cute! Should I take a picture of you both now?”

 

Hyun-joo Noona sneakily raised her phone, but upon seeing this, Eun-ha and I shouted in unison.

 

“Absolutely not!”

 

“Absolutely not!”

 

***

 

Just as Eun-ha and I were about to start cleaning up after our meal, Hyun-joo noona spoke as I began to gather the empty dishes.

 

“You two can relax in the living room; Eunwoo and I will handle the cleanup.”

 

“Yeah, it’s okay. You’ve been so kind to us with the meal, so we should at least handle the cleaning.”

 

“We feel bad about earlier. Look, Eunwoo’s already willing to help.”

 

“Yeah, Han-gyeol, you should rest. We got this! Just promise to cook for us again next time.”

 

“Let’s take a break, Han-gyeol.”

 

Since Eun-ha chimed in, I eventually agreed.

 

“Alright, thank you.”

 

“Han-gyeol, would you like some ice cream?”

 

“Mhm, I’ll have whatever Eun-ha’s having.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Eun-ha and I happily took an ice cream each and settled down on the sofa.

 

“If you two are going to show affection, feel free to go ahead~ We won’t peek in the living room.”

 

“Unnie! We’ll...we’ll decide on that ourselves...”

 

“Alright, alright~ Eunwoo and I will mind our own business! We promise not to look~”

 

The laughter in Hyun-joo Noona’s voice from the kitchen caused our faces to redden once more.

 

The way Eun-ha said ‘We’ll decide on that ourselves’ gave off a rather bulldozer-like impression.

 

It was as if now that we were officially dating, there was no need for any more brakes.

 

Hyun-joo Noona and Eunwoo Hyung said they wouldn’t pay attention, but we couldn’t exactly indulge in overt displays of affection.

 

I cautiously held Eun-ha’s hand tightly with my left hand. Eun-ha promptly grasped mine in return.

 

“Han-gyeol, did you like the salmon rice bowl?”

 

“Yeah, it was absolutely delicious. Let’s make it again sometime.”

 

“We should. When should we eat it next?”

 

“If we eat it too often, we might get sick of it. Maybe once a month?”

 

“Sounds perfect. Tomorrow, we’re having tteokbokki, right?”

 

“Yep, I’ll make it for you. Does Eun-ha prefer wheat rice cakes or regular rice cakes?”

 

When I asked, Eun-ha pondered for a moment before replying.

 

“I prefer the regular rice cakes. What about you, Han-gyeol?”

 

“I’m on team regular rice cake as well. How spicy do you want it?”

 

“I like it moderately spicy.”

 

“Moderation is always the hardest part when cooking.”

 

“Maybe half as spicy as the tteokbokki we ate last time?”

 

“Ah, should I try to replicate that? Do you think there’s a recipe online?”

 

“Ah- We can probably find one on YouTube?”

 

“Is it connected to the TV?”

 

“Mhm. Here’s the remote.”

 

Eun-ha briefly let go of my hand to hand me the remote. I immediately navigated to YouTube on the television.

 

After a brief loading screen, the display came into view and we both momentarily paused.

 

Eun-ha and I had the exact same reaction. The YouTube homepage was filled with videos of salmon.

 

Real-life tips for handling salmon!

 

Discover how to buy the best salmon at the supermarket, just like those strong salmon swimming upstream.

 

DIY Salmon sushi mukbang. Ft. Salmon rice bowl.

 

“Uh...? Why are these the only videos showing up? How weird...!”

 

“Ah, how much salmon content did you watch for the algorithm to recommend only salmon?”

 

“Ugh! Stop teasing and let’s find that tteokbokki recipe!”

 

“Oh, you’re so cute.”

 

Unable to resist, I pinched Eun-ha’s cheek lightly.

 

“Hey, let go! It’s embarrassing.”

 

“Why do you always act so adorably?”

 

“I’m not cute at all.”

 

“Ah, I could die from how cute you are.”

 

“Ugh! I told you I’m not cute!”

 

Every time I saw Eun-ha getting flustered, I wanted to tease her more.

 

I wished I could proudly show off Eun-ha, who was playfully punching my arm.

 

Unable to contain my laughter, I yelled towards the kitchen.

 

“Hyun-joo Noona! Eunwoo Hyung! Isn’t Eun-ha the cutest?”

 

“Hey! What are you saying?”

 

I continued laughing and bragging about Eun-ha.

 

“Eun-ha’s YouTube algorithm is filled with only salmon videos~”

 

“Hey! No! It’s not...! I said it’s not!”

 

As Eun-ha tried to cover my mouth, I abruptly stood up from the sofa.

 

“Eun-ha, what’s the issue? Is it weird for a boyfriend to find his girlfriend cute?”

 

“It’s your mouth that’s the issue, Han-gyeol! It’s embarrassing, so stop it! Just stop!”

 

“Ah, this is so fun. Eunwoo Hyung! I might just live here as you said!”

 

“Heyyyy!”

 

Eun-ha hurriedly tried to grab me, but I swiftly jumped over the table in front of the sofa.

 

With the table between us, our expressions were polar opposites: Eun-ha, looking like she was about to explode, and me, laughing uncontrollably.

 

“Han-gyeol, if I catch you, you’re dead.”

 

“But then we wouldn’t be able to eat salmon together.”

 

“Ugh, seriously! Come here! Come here now!”

 

This was way too much fun.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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