MPK Ch 9

“That’s kickboxing, which I learned while working as a bodyguard. Ah, but I did learn taekwondo briefly. There was a huge martial arts boom when I was in elementary school, like taekwondo and kendo. Was there some big incident on the news back then? Anyway, I remember going to the dojang excitedly because it was packed with friends.”

“Hmm… wasn’t that like 15 years ago?”

“Oh, yes. I was in fifth grade, so it was exactly 15 years ago.”

“You said you’re the same age as Baekyeon, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then the whole country must have been in an uproar over the kidnapping case back then.”

“…Really?”

Even though it wasn’t about Chaerin and Chaeseong, the mention of kidnapping always made me flinch.

“Hmm? You didn’t know about it at all?”

“No. I guess I was too busy running around the playground and gym.”

“Aha… I see. You didn’t know. You two aren’t as close as I thought?”

“What? Me and the news? We’re still not close.”

“Oh, that’s good too.”

This uncle sometimes goes off on tangents like this. I quietly returned to the counter.

“Uncle, what would you like to order?”

“Something carbonated today. I’m in a good mood.”

“We have lemonade, grapefruit ade, green grape ade, and cherry ade.”

“A hot Americano.”

“But you said you wanted something carbonated.”

“On second thought, I don’t think it’s time to celebrate just yet. I have a long way to go.”

I don’t know what he means, so let’s just make the coffee. While waiting for the machine, I noticed dust all over my purple sweater. I must have inhaled all the dust in the air with my frantic movements earlier. It wouldn’t come off even after brushing it with my hand, so I picked off each speck one by one. I’m not usually careful with clothes, but I have to take good care of this one. With that resolve, I properly tied the apron strings over my shoulders instead of just tying it around my waist like usual.

“Hmm? I haven’t seen that sweater before.”

“Ah, yes. He bought it for me.”

Having Woo Baekyeon’s uncle as a regular at the cafe has this advantage. I have someone to share these small boasts with. The uncle gave me a warm smile.

“Are you getting along well with Baekyeon? Is that even a question, since you’re a Name couple?”

“We met as friends and got married, so we usually get along like close friends.”

This was originally a model answer provided by the PR team, but today, it held a bit of truth.

“You’re a newlywed, but you’re so dedicated to your work. Isn’t Baekyeon feeling neglected?”

“He’s not the type to feel that way…”

Hmm, come to think of it, Woo Baekyeon left at the crack of dawn today too. I wonder if he’ll leave work early like yesterday. If he comes home early, will I be able to see him?

“Maybe I should hire more people soon.”

“Oh? Why that sudden conclusion?”

“Well, sales aren’t bad, and my evening part-timer said he might be returning to his old job around March, so I have to find someone anyway, so I’m thinking of hiring one or two more people just in case.”

If I leave work earlier, I might have another encounter like yesterday.

“Really? Owner, how about me?”

What is this chaebol uncle saying?

“Uncle of Woo Baekyeon, I can only pay a little more than minimum wage, do you even know how much minimum wage is?”

“About… 100,000 won?”

“Just go, really. Sigh.”

My cafe would go bankrupt. The uncle burst into laughter.

“No, I’m not asking for a job, I’m saying I’ll give you allowance money to keep this old man entertained.”

“…Please stop saying strange things. I’m not taking that kind of money.”

“Oh, but I’m serious. These days, you and the cafe are the joy of my life.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll accept your kind words.”

Allowance? He’s saying things even more absurd than 100,000 won per hour. Still, reflecting on my overly sensitive reactions whenever Woo Baekyeon brought up money, I managed to let it slide without making a face, since he’s an elder.

As I was about to return to the counter, the door opened with a gust of winter wind.

“You actually achieved your cafe dream.”

“Hyung!”

“Oh…!”

Two familiar faces entered. It was the Song siblings, Chaerin and Chaeseong. Chaerin waved excitedly when she saw me, and Chaeseong rushed towards me and hugged my waist as soon as he came through the door. This kid has grown quite a bit.

“Hyung, how have you been?”

Chaeseong buried his face in my chest and looked up at me like a puppy. I instinctively patted his head.

“Hyung…”

The child, who grew up reading news articles more than fairy tales, instinctively knew how to grab my attention. His skills were as sharp as ever. Chaerin, who was approaching with measured steps while looking around, was the same.

“We came before opening hours, but there’s already a customer. Business is good, huh?”

“I’m chanting ‘It hurts because I’m the CEO!’ ten times a day. But how did you guys find this place? I’m so surprised.”

“I sent you a message ten minutes before we arrived, but you didn’t see it.”

“Ah, sorry. I don’t check my phone much when I’m here. I have to wash my hands again if I touch my phone.”

“It’s too late to send a congratulatory wreath now, should I get you pop-up ads on every Junghwa Ilbo news article?”

“Those ads that cover the screen? Wouldn’t people come here just to complain?”

Thud. Following the sound of the table shaking, I saw the uncle getting up with his belongings.

“It seems like you have other customers, so I’ll get out of your way. Talk comfortably.”

“Ah, thank you! Then I’ll bring your coffee to your table, Uncle.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it.”

He waved his hand and went to sit at a table further away. Chaerin lowered her voice and asked,

“Who was that? Did you have relatives you were in contact with?”

“Ah, not mine… Woo Baekyeon’s uncle.”

“His paternal uncle?”

“Uh… why?”

The coffee machine whirred at just the right time. Chaerin frowned and looked around before saying,

“He’s a direct descendant of Woosung Group, but there are people I don’t recognize.”

Chaerin glanced back, then lowered her head and her voice.

“Huh, so he’s a chaebol. His face kind of gave it away.”

“You’re about to go to the US, is it okay to believe in such things…”

“Physiognomy isn’t superstition, it’s statistics. Why do you think horoscopes are still printed in the corners of newspapers?”

I gave Chaerin, who was grinning at my speechless reaction, an exasperated smile and brought the steaming mug to the uncle.

“It might be a bit noisy here, would you like to use the study zone? I turned on the heater as soon as I came in.”

“No, I like the lively atmosphere. I come to cafes to hear young people talk.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Oh, and owner.”

“Yes?”

“The chairman has five children, and there’s a youngest son named Woo Jonghun who’s been working all over the country. Just so you know.”

“…..”

Unlike me, who was speechless, Chaerin calmly turned around, bowed her head, and said,

“You heard that, huh? I’m sorry.”

“No, I said I come here to hear young people talk. Just let me hear it. I couldn’t hear what you whispered earlier because of the machine noise.”

Since what he didn’t hear seemed to be about physiognomy, that was a relief…

After greeting him, I returned to Chaerin and Chaeseong’s table, and Chaerin shrugged nonchalantly. I’m glad she didn’t seem to mind. Chaeseong, on the other hand, was fidgeting and glancing back nervously. Then Chaerin showed me her phone screen, which she’d been looking at intently.

“Wow, oppa, your fortune is no joke. You have the white tiger zodiac sign, which makes you prone to accidents.”

“Really?”

“H, hyung?”

“White Tiger man. Strong inner strength, a tendency to bring about change. Also, a free-spirited and adventurous spirit, sometimes bordering on recklessness.”

“That’s totally hyung.”

“High probability of encountering incidents worthy of news coverage throughout life. With overflowing passion and drive, you will start your own business at a young age.”

“That’s exactly like hyung!”

“…..”

“No one knows whether this will lead to an explosive realization of your potential or harm you, but you never hesitate when it’s time to act.”

The more I listened, the more captivated I became. Chaerin, continuing her explanation, looked up at me.

“And…”

Both corners of her lips lifted.

“You will save the lives of two people.”

“…..”

“Touching, isn’t it? Ah, actually, the reason we came today is… while preparing to study abroad, I suddenly thought that if you hadn’t saved us from being kidnapped, this day might not have come. So we came to thank you before I leave.”

Uh, uh? I couldn’t keep up with the sudden change of topic, and a belated wave of emotion washed over me. No, but a delayed attack like that is cheating. How can she go from talking about fortunes to this?

“Is, is this how it feels to receive a crumpled carnation on Parents’ Day? Wait a minute. I’ll go cry in the back for a bit.”

I pretended to dramatically wipe my eyes, but seeing Chaerin safe and sound as an adult really brought tears to my eyes.

First Woo Baekyeon, and now Song Chaerin and Song Chaeseong. It seems like the world is planning to melt me with heartwarming moments for the end of the year.

“Ah, I barely held back because you’re in your twenties, but if Chaeseong came to visit me as an adult when I’m older, I would really break down and cry.”

“Hyung, I’ll keep in touch even when I’m 20, 30 years old. I’ll visit you even more often than now when I become an adult.”

“I’ll try my best to keep the cafe running until then.”

“You can’t let it fail. There’s already someone who’s addicted to your coffee.”

As if on cue, a mug was placed on the counter. The coffee was barely touched. The uncle was already wearing his coat and holding his belongings.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. Actually, I snuck out, but I thought I might get caught today since your customers are attracting attention.”

The uncle pointed outside. Two black sedans, which had arrived with Chaerin and Chaeseong, were parked imposingly.

But why…? He’s been saying cryptic things all day, but whatever, he’s leaving.

“It was fun, but I should give up now.”

…Ah, right. He witnessed my battle with the air this morning.

“We agreed to keep that a secret between us.”

“Right. Including that. The food was great, and you two have fun.”

The uncle greeted not only me but also Chaerin and Chaeseong. Chaerin returned the greeting with a smile, but Chaeseong, being shy, avoided eye contact when spoken to. The uncle patted the lucky stone as he left the cafe. As the door closed, Chaeseong’s shoulders slumped. Chaerin also crossed her arms and twisted her lips.

“There’s something strange about the Woosung Group people’s eyes. They seem to scrutinize you while pretending not to.”

“Ah… um… they are a bit unusual, but he’s not a completely strange person…”

“No!”

Chaeseong shouted, then flinched at his own loud voice and his expression turned gloomy.

“He’s really… not good. That person just now. He gives off a strange vibe.”

“Well, Song Chaeseong can count the number of people he’s had a good impression of on one hand, so don’t trust his feelings too much.”

“I’m not wrong!”

“Anyway, oppa, no matter who you meet through Director Woo Baekyeon, remember that they’re all much more calculating than you. You might get eaten alive if you’re not careful. Remember, people who smile all the time are the truly scary ones.”

“…Ah, okay. But if I have the white tiger sign, isn’t there a way to avoid accidents?”

“Since it’s a bloody fortune, you can artificially draw blood.”

“Huh?”

“Cook.”

“Ah.”

“So, make us the stir-fried ramen you used to make secretly for Mom and Dad.”

“Make it!”

Chaerin took out two cup ramen from her shoulder bag. An incongruous item in her glossy leather bag.

“It’s not difficult to make, but we have to eat it in the staff room. Is that okay?”

“Yes. Actually, my first goal is to film the cooking process so I can watch it when I have withdrawal symptoms in the US.”

Sharing my late-night snacks with them while working night shifts at First Guard led to this. I chuckled as I took the ramen, and the siblings looked at me with puzzled expressions.

“No, I just suddenly remembered that Woo Baekyeon also enjoyed tteokbokki. It’s also funny that you guys still like ramen.”

“You seem to be getting along well with Director Woo Baekyeon. I’m planning to ask you a lot about your married life.”

“We’re getting along well. It was awkward at first, but we’re getting used to each other now.”

“Oppa, Song Chaeseong is seething with jealousy because you’re speaking so sincerely.”

“N, no, I’m not!”

Then a small question popped into my head.

“But… isn’t coffee considered cooking?”

“Since it’s a black liquid, it might count…”

The knife I was using to chop the white part of the green onions paused. I’ll probably think of that every time I make coffee for a while. Should I start cooking as a hobby in the vast kitchen of Sky Castle?