Ch.35Chapter 35. Delicious Dinner (2)

“Oh, you’re early?”

“……”

Saying I’m early, what nonsense.

What is this crazy woman doing messing around in someone else’s kitchen?

“Why are you feeding garbage to the child?”

“It’s not garbage…!”

“What is it then?”

“P-pasta.”

Son of a bitch.

It looks like leftover pasta soaking in water waiting to be washed.

How the hell is that pasta?

It’s more like soggy ramen.

“How… what… how could you even…”

I was so dumbfounded I could barely speak.

What kind of thought process leads to cooking like this?

If you don’t know how to cook, just don’t do it. Why make such a mess?

“Well… it was too salty so I added some water…”

“Who adds water to adjust the seasoning of pasta? You should have added cream or milk to make it rose sauce.”

“Oh! I didn’t think of that!”

“……”

I couldn’t help but smack my forehead.

This woman is hopeless.

“Don’t even think about cooking in my house ever again.”

“What? Why?!”

“The food is sh— Ugh. Never mind.”

“You were about to curse, weren’t you? Right?”

“Yes. I was going to say you cook like shit.”

“Waaah!”

Why ask if you already know?

Knowing full well you’ll get cursed at.

This time I couldn’t hold back.

How can I not curse when someone does something so curse-worthy?

“Cuss. You shouldn’t learn words like that.”

“Okay.”

“That’s right.”

I gave her some manners education while I was at it.

I really am an excellent father.

“I’ll buy some instant food and stock the fridge, so just make those for her. Don’t try to get creative by adding weird ingredients—just follow the instructions.”

“Okay…”

“Someone who can’t even handle the basics has no business trying to cook…”

“……”

I poured the quasi-pasta broth down the sink and threw all the bloated noodles into the food waste bin.

Behind me, Juliane was fidgeting uncomfortably.

What the hell. Feeling sorry for the waste?

Then eat it yourself.

“Aren’t you leaving now?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m here now, so you don’t need to look after Cuss anymore.”

“Ah… It’s okay. I’ll watch her while you cook and then leave.”

That sounded like she was determined to stay for dinner.

This seems like a losing situation for me.

It feels like I’ve gained another mouth to feed.

At least she had the decency to quietly clean the induction stove and floor.

“Oh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

I almost patted Juliane’s head out of appreciation.

I’m so used to doing that with Cuss…

I need to be careful about that.

Is this how all parents end up?

“I’ll play with Cuss!”

“No, just watching her is fine…”

“I brought a deck of cards!”

“She probably doesn’t know how to play cards.”

“That’s why I need to teach her!”

Juliane seemed strangely enthusiastic.

I guess she’s trying to earn her dinner.

Well, I welcome her teaching card games.

If Cuss shows talent, maybe I’ll have her gamble.

“Hey Cuss, want to play cards together?”

“No.”

“Whyyy?!”

After finally sending Juliane to the living room, I prepared to make dinner.

Today I’m making Korean food for a change.

I don’t usually make it, but Cuss should experience the soul of being Korean.

Even if she’s not my biological child, as long as she lives under my roof, her identity is essentially Korean.

Therefore, tonight’s menu is the soul food of Koreans with its immeasurable history—Budae Jjigae.

“Hnng!”

I pulled out the pressure cooker I’d been keeping in storage.

First, wash the rice and set it in the cooker.

While the rice cooks, I’ll prepare the Budae Jjigae.

I took out various ingredients from the refrigerator and pantry.

Green onions, baked beans, ground meat, corn king sausages, Tulip ham, and so on.

Except for the green onions, everything seems unhealthy.

Still, it’s healthier than American food.

I prepared all the ingredients and dumped appropriate amounts into the pot.

Now for the sauce… I can’t quite remember.

How did I make it before?

Since I’m not sure, I’ll just adjust the taste as I go.

I added gochujang, soup soy sauce, minced garlic, sugar, doenjang, and red pepper powder as my hands guided me.

Then just add water, mix, and bring to a boil.

“Hmm. Not bad.”

I got lucky.

It tastes pretty good on the first try.

Considering it will reduce, I adjusted the seasoning slightly.

Now that I have some time, let’s peek at what’s happening in the living room.

“So I win, right?”

“I don’t know. This is annoying.”

“Oh no! I’m sorry! I’ll let you win next time!”

“I don’t want that either.”

“Waaah…”

For some reason, Juliane was clinging to Cuss’s skirt as she tried to leave, whining.

What’s going on?

With Cuss’s personality, once she loses, she’ll keep trying until she wins.

She must be in a bad mood today.

Clank clank…

The weight on the pressure cooker started shaking vigorously.

The heat must have been too high, and it cooked faster than expected.

I gradually reduced the heat to low.

When the steam seems to have escaped, I’ll tilt the weight to release the remaining pressure.

Then let it sit for 10 minutes to finish steaming.

I’ve heard there are electric rice cookers that do this whole process automatically.

I’ve thought about buying such futuristic appliances, but I’m more used to pressure cookers…

While the rice is steaming, let me check on the Budae Jjigae.

“Hmm. Looks good.”

It was bubbling nicely and looked quite appetizing.

I tasted it, and the seasoning was perfect.

Time to call them to eat.

“Cuss, Juliane. Dinner’s rea—”

“Cuss, please play one more round with me. Please?”

“……”

The scene in the living room was quite bizarre.

Juliane was clinging to Cuss’s skirt as she stood with her back turned.

Either Cuss was in a really bad mood today, or Juliane had somehow greatly offended her.

“What is this?”

“Budae Jjigae.”

“Army stew? What kind of name is that?”

“That’s… never mind. You don’t need to know.”

“Even you, Jinsoo! Why is everyone being so cold to me today?!”

I started to explain the origin of Budae Jjigae but gave up because it was too much trouble.

Cuss sat properly at the table, her eyes sparkling.

“Sniff sniff. It smells good!”

“Of course. Who do you think made it?”

“Looks delici—”

“You should say ‘thank you for the meal’ before eating.”

“Thank you for the meal!”

This kid.

Cuss grabbed her spoon after rushing through her thanks.

Meanwhile, Juliane was quietly saying grace.

Should I send Cuss to church too?

It might make her easier to tame.

No, I should let her choose such things herself.

Of course, if she tries to join some cult like Om Truth Church, I’ll beat some sense into her.

“Is it good?”

“Slurp… slurrrp…”

Cuss nodded vigorously while stuffing her mouth with ham and sausage.

Nothing makes a cook happier than seeing someone eat so enthusiastically.

“It looks like a hodgepodge, but… it’s surprisingly delicious!”

“Juliane, you can omit the first few words.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Juliane looked slightly surprised before acknowledging it.

I knew she’d like it.

From now on, I’ll gradually increase the Korean food ratio until both of them can’t live without it.

“Eat some rice too.”

“Okay!”

Only now realizing there was rice, Cuss hurriedly scooped some up.

Without anyone teaching her, she was already mixing the rice with the broth.

Smart kid.

“Aren’t you eating, Jinsoo?”

“Ah. Yes, I should.”

I always thought “just watching makes me full” was nonsense.

But experiencing it now, it was a strange feeling.

“That was delicious, Jinsoo.”

“Good. Now please go home.”

“What?”

“How long are you planning to stay?”

“B-but I haven’t heard about the incident from ten years ago yet…”

“I’m slowly recalling and writing it down. I’ll give it to you when I’m done. Now, goodbye.”

“J-Jinsoo? Why such a rush…”

I pushed Juliane toward the door.

I was worried she might resist, but fortunately, she didn’t put up much of a fight.

“Bye, Juliane.”

“Oh! Yes! Take care, Cuss!”

Even as I pushed her out, Juliane and Cuss exchanged waves.

Cuss just waved her hand briefly before burying her face back in her plate.

I was proud that she followed my instructions to always greet properly.

“Thank you for looking after her today.”

“Is this how a grateful person acts?”

“Being grateful and this are separate issues.”

“How can someone be so cold? We’ll be seeing each other for a long time, can’t you be a little warmer?”

“Why would you want to be close to me? It’s a fake relationship anyway.”

“Even fake relationships can become real if you keep at them.”

“……”

“Oh!”

Juliane covered her mouth and blushed deeply, seemingly just realizing what she’d said.

“Ah… hahaha… Well, I’ll be going now!”

“Yes. Good work.”

Juliane left almost like she was running away, and I slammed the door shut, lost in thought for a moment.

Even fake relationships can become real if you keep at them…

“Jinsoo! Is there more rice?”

“Yeah, there’s more. Wait a bit.”

As if that could happen.

I shook my head and headed to the kitchen.

“Eat slowly, kid. You’ll get indigestion.”

“Mmm…”

I patted Cuss’s head and started washing the dishes.

I covered the leftover Budae Jjigae to cool before putting it in the refrigerator.

Tomorrow morning, I can add some ramen noodles and reheat it.

She sure eats a lot.

She’d already cleaned out two bowls of rice.

With this appetite, she’ll gain weight quickly.

Hurry up and get plump so you can become a curvy beauty in a bikini, just my type.

Then I’ll have my way with her.

For real.

“Jinsoo.”

“What?”

“I want a cell phone.”

“Suddenly?”

“I want to call Alice.”

Alice?

That girl must have put ideas in Cuss’s head.

Come to think of it, getting her a phone wouldn’t be a bad idea.

When she’s at school, we’re essentially out of contact.

She could call if something happens.

“Okay. I’ll buy you one.”

Definitely not one of those implanted in the ear.

Nowadays they have ones you wear on your wrist like a watch.

The problem is that the money for a few generations of those could buy a used car.

It’s unreasonably expensive.

Cuss would probably break the latest model quickly, so that’s out of the question.

Maybe I’ll ask Bob to find a cheap older model.

“You should say thank you.”

“Ugh. Thank you.”

“That’s right.”

“Jinsoo.”

“What?”

“My stomach hurts a little.”

“That’s probably because you ate too quickly. Eat slowly, kid.”

“It’s not that. It’s not that feeling.”

“Go to bed early tonight. You’ll feel better after a good sleep.”

Just in case, I placed my hand on Cuss’s forehead.

It wasn’t particularly hot.

If it might be a cold, I should make sure to cover her with a blanket when she falls asleep.

Cuss always kicks off her blanket in her sleep.

“Oh right. From now on, use the other room.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Your own bed arrived. I put it in that room, so sleep there from now on.”

“……”

Cuss’s mouth fell open.

Was she surprised?

I was prepared for her to whine about not wanting to or insisting on sleeping with me.

“Hmm… Okay.”

“……”

Surprisingly, she accepted it without protest.

From now on, I can have my room to myself and sleep comfortably.

That should be the case, but…

Why do I feel so disappointed?

“Oh. I forgot something.”

“What is it?”

“Tentacles. They touched someone else over my skirt.”

“What? When? Why? Who?”

“T-today. Just by accident… I don’t know the name. Someone bigger than me.”

“Ah… shit…”

Looks like she hadn’t met her daily quota of causing trouble.

I thought it was strange that Juliane was making a fuss while Cuss was being quiet.

Of course. Damn it.

“Hey, kid. There are other things you could forget, you know?”

“Gack!”

I immediately put Cuss in a shoulder throw and knocked her down.

This calls for drastic measures.

Time to ride the motorcycle.

I grabbed both her ankles, lifted them up, and pushed my foot between her legs.

“Take this motorcycle ride! Vroom vroom!”

“Aaaaarrrggghhhh!”

A satisfying scream echoed through the room.

I hope the neighbors don’t report this as child abuse.

Well, if they were going to report something like this, they would have done it already.