ETP Ch 25

Even as he was leaving the house, Yoohyun had to struggle to shake off Sunjung, who insisted on tagging along.

After such a challenging preparation for going out, he finally arrived in front of Bokseung’s house.

“Hello, Sunbae!”

Yoohyun nodded at Bokseung’s energetic greeting.

Not expecting a warm response, Seongyeon went straight to the point. Quick and decisive.

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

“No.”

Yoohyun answered Bokseung’s question with a natural “no.” He wasn’t usually that interested in food to have strong preferences.

“Then can I eat what I want?”

“Sure.”

As soon as Yoohyun answered, Bokseung started walking briskly.

“It’s faster to walk from here! There’s nowhere to park up ahead!”

Bokseung’s back, clad in a sky-blue sweatshirt, swayed excitedly. Following that excited figure, Yoohyun’s lips curved upwards slightly.

He became a little curious about what Bokseung wanted to eat.

“Here it is!”

After about a ten-minute walk, Bokseung stopped in front of a restaurant.

Yoohyun tried to read the sign, which had most of its letters missing, but it was beyond decipherable.

Looking closely at the remaining glue marks… wait, sundaeguk…?

Yoohyun looked at Bokseung with a sense of disbelief, but the boy had already entered the restaurant.

“Welcome!”

Inside, a friendly-looking middle-aged woman walked around the tables, greeting the incoming customers.

“Auntie, one more bowl of rice here!”

“Coming right up!”

People called out to the middle-aged woman as “Auntie” from all directions. They couldn’t all be her actual nieces and nephews. Yoohyun, who had never been to such a lively restaurant, looked slightly puzzled.

“Sunbae!”

Bokseung, already seated inside, waved his right arm and called out to Yoohyun.

“The broth here is amazing! I’ve been craving it so much lately, I even dream about it!”

As Yoohyun hesitantly approached and sat down, Bokseung, clutching a spoon in his right hand, spoke with his shoulders shaking in excitement.

He didn’t know when a 20-year-old learned to appreciate amazing broth, but Yoohyun silently watched Bokseung order.

“Auntie! Two special sundaeguk here, and a plate of boiled meat! Half fatty, half lean!”

“Alright, just a minute.”

“Yes! Oh, and could you please give us the spicy sauce separately?”

Seeing him order so smoothly, it seemed he came here often.

Less than three minutes after ordering, two bowls of bubbling sundaeguk were placed in front of them.

“That was fast.”

Yoohyun let out a genuine exclamation.

Steaming hot food served in just three minutes after ordering? It was a speed that defied his understanding of cooking times.

Seeing Yoohyun’s surprised yet expressionless face, Seongyeon explained.

“Try a spoonful of the broth first, and if you like it spicy, add this sauce. Oh! And adjust the saltiness with this salted shrimp, and don’t eat the sundae now, you’ll burn your mouth. Put it on the rice lid to cool down first.”

Following Bokseung’s instructions, Yoohyun took a spoonful of the broth.

There were so many ingredients—sundae, innards, and meat—that he could only scoop up the broth from the edges of the bowl.

Unlike Yoohyun, who was hesitant as he tried the unfamiliar dish for the first time, Bokseung was already savoring a mouthful.

“Mmm!”

Seongyeon’s whole body melted at the savory flavor, rich broth, and chewy texture of the ingredients.

Initially, he had considered taking Yoohyun to a trendy pasta or Japanese restaurant. But somehow, he felt that Yoohyun wouldn’t complain even if he brought him here.

And his prediction was spot on.

Unexpectedly, Yoohyun tasted the sundaeguk without a word, adjusting the seasoning according to Bokseung’s recommendations.

Seongyeon looked at Yoohyun with approval and blew on his spoonful of broth before taking a sip.

He had missed it so much, having not eaten it for months since his last meal as Lee Seongyeon.

Ah, soju would be perfect with this!

Unfortunately, beer was the limit for Bokseung.

Seongyeon smacked his lips in regret and then began to mix his rice into the broth, devouring it.

Yoohyun, sitting across from him, started cautiously but gradually increased his speed, seemingly enjoying the dish.

“Here’s the boiled meat! Enjoy!”

“Thank you!”

When they were halfway through their sundaeguk, a steaming plate of boiled meat was placed in the center of the table.

Bokseung’s eyes lit up again at the sight of the meat.

“Sunbae, try this! It’s so tender and doesn’t have any porky smell, it’s amazing!”

Bokseung placed three slices of meat on Yoohyun’s spoon—one piece with fat and two lean pieces. A perfect ratio. It was sure to be a true melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Normally, he would have been satisfied with just a bowl of sundaeguk without the meat, but Seongyeon was feeling very generous today. Confidence overflowed from his bank account. He could order another plate of meat if Yoohyun wanted.

“How is it? Delicious, right?”

“Yeah.”

Yoohyun honestly nodded.

He had considered taking Bokseung to a restaurant he knew when they were standing in front of the sundaeguk place. But the food was surprisingly good, so he was quite satisfied.

Even though the smell of sundaeguk and meat had permeated his carefully chosen knit shirt.

🍑‧₊ ⋆˙

“Auntie! Check, please!”

Seongyeon confidently called out to the owner as he stood at the counter. Today, he intended to swipe his debit card with style.

However.

“Huh? I already took care of that table.”

“Huh…?”

Surprised by the owner’s words, Seongyeon turned around.

Oblivious to Seongyeon’s gaze, Hwang Yoohyun was intently examining a diamond-shaped mint candy the owner had given him as dessert.

This looks a little scary to eat.

He brought the candy to his nose and sniffed it. It smelled minty, but he hesitated to put it in his mouth.

“Sunbae!”

While Yoohyun was still hesitating, Bokseung’s face suddenly popped up between the mint and Yoohyun. Startled by the sudden appearance of the round face, Yoohyun instinctively stepped back.

Following Yoohyun’s retreat, Bokseung took a large step forward, closing the distance.

“No, I said I’m paying for today! Why did you pay?!”

“Oh.”

“It’s not ‘Oh’! Tell me your account number!”

Bokseung thrust his phone forward, fuming.

Overwhelmed by the boy’s energy, Yoohyun took the phone. And he saw the account balance displayed on the screen. It wasn’t intentional; it was just there.

[Transferable Amount: 1,642,350 won]

“Ha.”

A short chuckle escaped Yoohyun’s lips.

Hearing Yoohyun’s laughter, Seongyeon felt a surge of annoyance. Instead of entering his account number, why was he laughing like that?

Seongyeon tapped the screen, urging him to hurry up.

But Yoohyun turned off the screen and returned the phone.

“Hey, I’m seriously going to pay.”

“It’s fine.”

Yoohyun ruffled Bokseung’s fluffy hair and walked out of the restaurant. He felt Bokseung still fussing about paying beside him, but he ignored him completely.

He wasn’t so desperate that he’d take a free meal from someone with only 1.6 million won in their account, even if it was their paycheck.

Meanwhile, Seongyeon was very upset at missing the chance to pay.

Before, he had to save and accept free meals because he was truly broke! But now he had money, and he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t allowed to use it!

The beagle trio and this guy seemed to think of Bokseung as a poor, unfortunate boy supporting his family, but he was a smart kid who worked hard for his money and was good at his studies!

Seongyeon, unable to express his frustration to the beagle trio due to image management, grumbled at Yoohyun.

“Sunbae Hwang Yoohyun, you’re going to get into big trouble spending money so freely.”

“Don’t worry, I’m rich enough to support three generations even if I go bankrupt.”

Ugh, so annoying!

Seongyeon glared at the young, rich Hwang Yoohyun, who came from a family that owned a baseball team. He had no comeback.

Still, it was embarrassing to be treated every time they met.

Perhaps his feelings showed on his face, because Yoohyun looked at Bokseung and said abruptly,

“If you want to do something for me that badly, invite me to your place for a cup of coffee.”

Needless to say, Bokseung’s expression crumpled even further. Hadn’t Yoohyun come over for coffee before and left immediately after confirming it was instant coffee?!

“I only have instant coffee at my place.”

“So?”

“You don’t drink instant coffee.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know?”

Because I saw it with my own eyes! Honestly, anyone would think the Hwang Yoohyun who came over last time was a different person.

But regardless of what Seongyeon thought, Hwang Yoohyun strode towards Bokseung’s house.

He suddenly wanted to smell the sweet, comforting aroma that would erase the sundaeguk smell.

Just like craving a sweet dessert after a savory meal.