Chapter 87
Was it too much…?
He could have just bought breakfast for the day. But a sparrow can’t just pass by a mill.
Not knowing when he’d be able to visit a convenience store again, Eun-hwi planned to return to Wolhwa Island with as much food as he could carry. Excited by Yeo Moon-beom’s permission to take as much as he wanted, he couldn’t restrain his greed.
“I won’t take this…”
The half-dokkaebi held up the My Chew jelly he had last put in the basket, his face crestfallen.
Contrary to his words, his fingers fidgeted on the long pink stick, reluctant to let go. His feet seemed glued to the floor, unwilling to return it to its place.
“We’ll take this too, please.”
Yeo Moon-beom put the jelly from Eun-hwi’s hand back on the counter. Then he handed something smaller than his palm, flat and square, to the clerk.
“What’s that?”
“A credit card.”
“Cre…dit card?”
“You see, dokk… Ah. Young master,” Dr. Hong started to explain but hesitated due to the title. Yeo Moon-beom quickly responded:
“With this, you can buy things without cash.”
“Ah…”
So that’s why he came here without his magic bag. Because he had this credit card thing.
“Please take your card first, sir.”
The clerk returned a black card to Yeo Moon-beom along with a long paper full of writing.
Come to think of it, whenever Gabi visited taverns, instead of paying cash, he would show a detailed bill and use that to settle the lodging fees. Though different in form, it seemed a similar method was still in use. Realizing this, Eun-hwi finally felt the weight lift from his chest.
“Phew… That’s a relief. I was wondering what to do since I didn’t bring any money.”
It was just as Dr. Hong had said – he was richer than he looked, so there was nothing to worry about. Eun-hwi’s eyes, which had been darting around helplessly, settled back in place.
“I told you it’d be fine even if you took a hundred.”
Yeo Moon-beom smiled lightly, as if to say he doesn’t boast without reason. As Eun-hwi scratched his head, suddenly embarrassed by his own ignorance, his eyes met those of the clerk who was bagging their items in thin, durable plastic bags.
The clerk, who had seemed uninterested in everything, suddenly snorted and his eyes sparkled.
‘Man-eating dokkaebi monster!’
For a moment, the hateful cries of the villagers flashed through Eun-hwi’s mind.
Though his horns were hidden by the hat, his bright yellow eyes and pointy ears were still different from others, making his heart pound like a pestle.
Not everyone in the world could be as kind to him as Yeo Moon-beom and Dr. Hong.
Suddenly overcome by fear, the half-dokkaebi unconsciously pulled his hat down low and quickly hid behind Yeo Moon-beom.
“You must be mixed-race, right?”
Huh?
How did he know he was half-human, half-dokkaebi?
“Your eyes are really pretty. Like Eri-chan from Love Nice Ani. Sparkle sparkle, twinkle twinkle.”
…A-ani? Eri-chan?
Surprised by the clerk’s bold expression of admiration, Eun-hwi tried to peek out to check his expression. However, he was stopped by Yeo Moon-beom’s hand blocking him from moving.
“One minute.”
A cold voice without intonation rang out.
“…Pardon?”
“We’re in a hurry, so please bag everything within one minute.”
“Ah, yes! Yes! Understood!”
Startled by the near-command, the clerk’s hands moved busily between the items and the bags.
Eun-hwi wanted to ask who Eri-chan was, and if he knew of other half-dokkaebis like himself. But feeling the pressure of an atmosphere where he shouldn’t say a word, he just watched Yeo Moon-beom’s reaction.
For some reason, Dr. Hong’s face, trying to hold back laughter with a hand over his mouth, came into view under the brim of his hat.
“Let’s eat in the car.”
Yeo Moon-beom, his hands full with at least ten bags, nodded towards the exit.
The cowed clerk called out a loud farewell and waved his hands side to side at Eun-hwi.
“Have a nice day! Eri-kun!”
The mainland Mr. Kims are nicer than they look.
Grateful, Eun-hwi tried to wave back but was immediately stopped. Unable to even return the clerk’s greeting, the half-dokkaebi turned and headed towards Yeo Moon-beom’s car parked outside, passing through the mostly empty food court.
“Yeo Moon-beom.”
“What?”
“…Are you angry because I chose too many things?”
He must be anxious because of the time wasted due to him when they had a long way to go. Even now in the driver’s seat, the straight line between his brows hadn’t disappeared.
“In my opinion, Dokkaebi-nim, Manager Yeo was jealous of that part-timer…”
“Dr. Hong-salgwi. You look thirsty, how about some vodka? Considering Dokkaebi-nim’s effort in choosing items, shouldn’t you empty at least half the bottle?”
Yeo Moon-beom took out a bottle covered in raspberry pictures and squiggly writing from one of the bags and handed it to Dr. Hong in the back seat, his sharply raised eyebrows softening.
Then, turning away from the horrified Dr. Hong, he answered Eun-hwi’s question in a gentle tone.
“I’m just disappointed I couldn’t buy you more expensive and delicious things. I’m not angry.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. Why would I get pissed over something like this? I only get pissed when ignorant bastards run their mouths without knowing their place.”
Glancing once more at the back seat, Yeo Moon-beom opened the bags full of instant foods on both sides and asked, showing the contents:
“What do you want to eat first?”
“Hmm… This?”
A white hand floating in the air pulled out a triangular kimbap. The product name “Tuna Mayo” was written on the surface.
“Nngh…”
Though he had boldly chosen it curious about the identity of this food meant to “not hold back,” he felt at a loss looking at the tightly wrapped packaging. He was flustered, not knowing how to eat it.
“You open it like this, tearing from here downwards and peeling both sides.”
As Eun-hwi struggled with the end, Yeo Moon-beom grabbed the part marked “Pull” and peeled off the packaging split in two.
“So that’s how you open it. Amazing…”
“Here. Try it.”
Yeo Moon-beom handed over the kimbap, rewrapping one end with the packaging to keep hands clean.
Sniffing at the savory smell he had never encountered before, Eun-hwi soon bit into the pointy end of the triangle. The thick end of the kimbap disappeared between his small parted lips.
Despite being chilled in the refrigerator, the taste of fluffy rice grains and lightly seasoned seaweed spread on his tongue.
Just as he was wondering why there wasn’t any special taste for something with such a grand name as “Don’t hold back,” the soft, mashed fish flesh created a rich, savory flavor.
“It’s delicious!”
It was an amazing food that gained more flavor the more he chewed, despite not using many ingredients.
It truly was a taste that couldn’t be held back.
“You eat so cutely. Like a baby.”
Yeo Moon-beom, who had been watching him eat with a soft smile, finally took out a boxed meal with several side dishes from the bag and gave it to Dr. Hong.
“Wow, it’s a Kang Hye-ja lunchbox. As expected of Dokkaebi-nim. How did you choose only such delicious things? Your sense is extraordinary.”
“But I didn’t choose that, Yeo Moon-beom did?”
“Ah, i-is that so…? I’ll eat well then, Manager Yeo.”
Dr. Hong, who had been sticking his head out, sheepishly pulled back and started eating. He seemed used to eating in the car, looking natural.
In contrast, Eun-hwi, who had quickly finished one triangle kimbap despite it being his first time in a car, took out the second food he was curious about. It was something called “Chubby Cream Chewy Roll” with a rabbit picture on it.
“Yeo Moon-beom. Let’s share this.”
This time, he unwrapped it himself and cut it in half, offering it to Yeo Moon-beom who was just watching him with his elbow on the window.
“This is even more delicious than the ‘Don’t hold back’!”
The chewy, fluffy texture along with the strawberry flavor spread throughout his mouth. It was so sweet and refreshing, it was as invigorating as chocolate milk.
“Try it quickly, Yeo Moon-beom. It’ll make you feel good!”
Eun-hwi licked the pink cream smeared on his lips while eagerly observing the unfamiliar scenery through the car window.
There was no neatly set table as usual, but that made it an even more special breakfast. The sun that had risen in the sky was now brilliantly illuminating the human world.
* * *
They were only able to reach Seoul by midday. The half-dokkaebi, who couldn’t take his eyes off the amazing sights through the car window, finally put his hat back on as the car came to a stop.
“Manager Yeo. Why did we come here?”
“Why? Is there any hotel in Seoul as safe and well-equipped as this one?”
“Still, the chairman here is that Woo Shin Group’s Yoon Dae-ho…”
“Just get ready to get out.”
Dismissing the unnecessary talk with a single word, Yeo Moon-beom got out of the car. Just as Eun-hwi was nervously unfastening his seatbelt and reaching for the door handle, wary of the foreigners visible here and there,
“Welcome, sir.”
A stylishly dressed Mr. Kim opened the door first and greeted Eun-hwi. He was so polite, he was like a courtier addressing a king.
“I’ll be going now, dokk… Young master.”
“You’re leaving already?”
“I need to go to the university for some research materials.”
“Take care, Dr. Hong-salgwi. Let’s meet again.”
“Yes, young master. You must be tired from traveling so much, so don’t overdo it and rest well today. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
Dr. Hong, who had been glancing anxiously at the building entrance, left for another destination in a car guided by Mr. Kim.
“Are you tired? Let’s go inside.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Passing through the revolving glass doors, they entered the building to find a reception room with very high ceilings.
The flower scent emanating from all directions and the awe-inspiring grand scale made Eun-hwi feel nervous somehow. He pulled his hat down firmly and just followed closely behind Yeo Moon-beom.
“What brings Jang Gitae’s son here?”
Suddenly, along with a constricting pressure in his chest, an overwhelmingly strong scent filled the air. Yeo Moon-beom’s steps, which had been moving forward without hesitation, came to an abrupt halt.
Unconsciously raising his head, Eun-hwi looked up at a large man with grizzled white hair reminiscent of a white tiger. With sharp, intense eyes incomparable even to Eodukseoni’s, he was glaring at Yeo Moon-beom as if he might bite his neck at any moment.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
