Chapter 2

Chapter 1

That day was truly enjoyable.

It was a rare day when both of them had a day off.

When the suggestion of a day trip came up, Sihu was excited from the morning.

Clank - Clank -

"What is our son doing?"

"Packing a lunch box."

"Lunch box?"

"Food eaten outdoors is delicious, right?"

Sihu, whistling a tune, bustled around the kitchen, and his mother looked at him with proud eyes.

Sihu prepared a small five-tiered lunch box.

The first tier was the common seaweed rice roll for picnics.

The second, third, and fourth tiers were a regular lunch box.

Sihu, whose heart had melted, tried to recreate his mother's side dishes as deliciously as he could.

There was a yellow egg roll, stir-fried kimchi, and a round lettuce leaf.

Inside the lettuce was a bite-sized ball of rice with braised pork and a piece of green chili, all wrapped in ssamjang, making it a one-bite "meat wrap."

Next to it, in a small foil, were potato stew and stir-fried anchovies.

Beside that was white rice.

In the middle of the rice, Sihu had layered a row of grilled beef ribs.

On top of the rice, he made a pattern with black sesame seeds.

This was Sihu's way of expressing his feelings to his parents.

He filled the lunch box with food to be enjoyed with his family.

Finally, he beautifully arranged fruits for the family to share.

Clack -

Stacking all the tiers, he wrapped the lunch box in a golden cloth.

Phew -

After a moment, he quickly finished the dishes.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

The family then headed to a certain amusement park in Gyeonggi Province.

It was the first time Sihu and his parents were going to an amusement park together.

They rode many rides and had a joyful time, which warmed Sihu's heart.

Before long, their stomachs started to rumble.

Rumble -

Sihu and his parents looked at each other and smiled.

They headed to a place where they could eat their lunch boxes.

Sihu's packed lunch and the drinks his father had bought were laid out.

Seeing the spread, his mother exclaimed in amazement.

"Wow—when did you prepare all this, son?"

"Try it."

Embarrassed, Sihu handed the chopsticks to his parents.

"Goodness—look at this lunch box, it looks so delicious."

"Dad—buy me that lunch box!"

"Mom, pack me a lunch box like that for my kindergarten picnic."

Passersby also murmured.

Hearing the comments about the lunch box, Sihu's parents proudly picked up the contents.

Munch - Munch -

After eating one of the rice rolls Sihu had made, his father's eyes widened.

"You, you! What did you do here?"

The praise, attention, and love from his parents were like medicine to Sihu's wounds.

After having fun with them and returning home, they were on their way back when—

Screech -

The sound of tires screeching was heard, and a heavy truck rushed towards them.

Boom -

...

"Ugh... Um..."

When he came to, he saw the white ceiling of a hospital.

Looking around, he didn't see his parents.

With the memories flooding back, Sihu, guided by a nurse, went to the morgue.

Despite the pain in his arm, his priority was to see his parents.

The moment he saw them, his legs gave out, and joyful memories flashed through his mind.

Forgetting the pain, he approached his parents.

"A, a... A, a... Ah..."

Unable to form words, he fell to the floor.

A sense of eternal isolation enveloped Sihu.

* * *

In a corner of the funeral parlor at a university hospital, a young student in a patient's gown sat in the position of the chief mourner.

His gaze was fixed on the memorial photo.

His expression was not just blank but cold.

Tap, tap, tap -

Someone's breathing was heard, but Sihu paid no attention.

"Kang Sihu!"

At the sound of someone calling his name, he only turned his head.

Sihu's expression remained unchanged upon seeing the two people.

Someone approached Kang Hoon and asked,

"Are you Mr. Yoon Kang Hoon?"

Kang Hoon nodded, and a woman introduced herself as Sihu's homeroom teacher and explained Sihu's situation.

Kang Hoon, hearing about Sihu's condition, thought of his own mother.

Phew -

The homeroom teacher sighed and continued,

"The doctor said he seems to have developed temporary aphasia due to the severe psychological shock."

Kang Hoon swallowed and looked around.

Whenever one or two of his parents' colleagues visited, Sihu, despite his discomfort, would get up and greet them.

"Does Sihu have any relatives?"

The homeroom teacher nodded and said,

"Both his parents were orphans, so the police told us he has no relatives."

"Hmm."

Kang Hoon looked at Sihu and sighed deeply.

"How... How can reality be more dramatic than a drama... Phew."

Ha Yun's muttering and sighing made Kang Hoon nod.

"What will happen to Sihu?"

"Since he's still a minor... he'll be sent to a youth protection center."

Kang Hoon and Ha Yun's eyes widened.

Ha Yun stammered,

"Does that mean he'll go to an orphanage?"

"I'm not sure..."

Kang Hoon thought about Sihu's birthday.

In four months, he would turn 18 and become an adult.

Thud -

After bowing twice in front of the altar, Kang Hoon approached Sihu and sat down.

Sihu's cold, expressionless face seemed out of place.

Kang Hoon couldn't forget Sihu's state that day.

His parents' colleagues had taken charge of the funeral in place of Sihu.

Only sympathetic gazes were left for Sihu.

To Kang Hoon and Ha Yun, Sihu's expressionless face seemed like that of an ice statue.

Around the New Year,

Sihu was discharged from the hospital.

"How's your arm?"

"..."

On the day of his discharge, Ha Yun, who had come to pick him up, tried to lighten the mood with a playful tone.

Without a word, Sihu rotated his arm slightly to show it was fine.

Ha Yun's eyes widened slightly.

Sihu, standing at 184 cm, looked extremely thin, weighing less than 50 kg, and his expressionless face added to the effect.

Ha Yun, looking at Sihu, said,

"Let's go. I'll take you home."

At that moment, Sihu saw a mother and child walking towards the hospital.

The child was holding a hot dog.

Seeing this, Sihu's pupils dilated, and he hunched his back like a shrimp.

"Ugh-"

Covering his mouth, he ran to a corner.

Tap, tap, tap -

"Ugh- Ugh- Ugh-"

Ha Yun's eyes widened in shock.

Phew -

Ha Yun sighed.

'He refused to take public transportation, saying he didn't want to... '

The doctor had warned that Sihu, due to his psychological trauma, might have severe reactions to 'eating' and 'transportation.'

Ha Yun sighed as he watched Sihu walk with heavy steps.

The occasional kind smile and the times Sihu would cook delicious meals for him were now gone, and Ha Yun felt a deep sense of loss.

'I heard he doesn't have any close friends at school. I need to be there for him when he's struggling.'

Sihu's walking posture gave the impression that he could collapse at any moment.

Passersby glanced at Sihu as they walked by.

Ha Yun, who had come to pick up Sihu, whistled when he saw where Sihu lived.

"What's with this top floor? It's tiring."

Muttering, he looked back.

Seeing Sihu slowly climbing the stairs, Ha Yun frowned in sympathy.

"Sihu, are we almost there?"

Sihu only nodded.

Finally, Sihu took out a key from his pocket, inserted it into the iron gate, and turned it.

Click -

Squeak -

The courtyard inside the gate, which hadn't been opened for months, looked like a wasteland.

Pushing Sihu, who was standing in a daze, Ha Yun tried to enter the house.

Shaking his head vigorously and stepping back, Sihu's appearance made Ha Yun feel sorry for him.

Gently comforting Sihu, Ha Yun entered the house.

"..."

After a moment, Sihu went into his room.

The cold air filled the entire house.

Ha Yun followed Sihu into his room.

Sihu's room, filled with cold air, had him sitting on the bed, staring at the floor.

"Hey, you'll catch a cold if you keep doing that."

Ha Yun looked around for the boiler switch.

"Ah! Found it. It's always cold in a single-family house..."

After turning on the boiler, Ha Yun rubbed his arms.

Hum -

After turning on the boiler, Ha Yun texted Kang Hoon to let him know he had arrived.

Buzz -

-Just a little more effort. I'll come up after I'm done.

Rustle -

A shadow fell over Ha Yun.

A piece of paper was brought to Ha Yun's eyes.

Seeing Sihu holding out the paper, Ha Yun sighed.

"Alright, you must be tired. Rest for now. I'll come back later."

As Ha Yun left the house, Sihu, now alone, stared blankly at the living room and kitchen from his room.

"Hey? Is my son here?"

"Sihu, we're out of soy sauce. Can you buy some?"

The images of his parents in the living room and kitchen appeared and disappeared like a mirage.

"Ah... Ah..."

Only a faint, incoherent sound came from Sihu's mouth.

No tears came.

Phew -

Sihu sighed and closed his eyes.

* * *

"Hey."

"Hey... Sihu."

Hearing a weak voice from somewhere, Sihu opened his eyes.

"Ah... Son, you're awake."

It was his mother's voice.

Her expression seemed to be holding back something.

"Ah... Son, listen carefully."

She glanced at his father.

Father, breathing heavily, turned to look at Sihu.

Blood dripped from his head into his mouth, but he struggled to speak.

"Sihu, I... I'm sorry... I can't be with you anymore..."

Feeling his mother's warm hand combing his hair and her labored breathing.

"Sihu, your mother and I were happiest when you came into our lives. Even if we can't be with you anymore, don't cry..."

Father's voice was barely audible.

"Son... Today's food was really delicious. Thank you..."

Father reached out to stroke Sihu's head one last time.

Sihu watched as the blood-stained hand rose above his head.

Sihu's body trembled.

"S... Sihu. Sihu."

Father's hand fell.

Mother's hand took over, touching Sihu's cheek.

Mother, struggling to breathe, slowly spoke.

Her eyes were filled with Sihu.

"S... Sihu, your mother and I are going far away. But we'll always watch over you. Thank you for the delicious food..."

The regret, worry, and sorrow in her eyes were evident to Sihu.

The two people who loved him the most and gave him warmth.

Sihu instinctively knew this was the end.

"Mom, Dad, I love you. Don't go... Don't go..."

Mother reached out to wipe away Sihu's tears.

"Son, don't cry... please."

Her hand slipped from his forehead as she lost strength, and Sihu grabbed it.

"Mom! Mom! Yes, I won't cry. Open your eyes, okay? Mom! Mom!"

At Sihu's call, mother managed to lift the corners of her mouth and spoke with great effort.

"S... Sihu. I... I'll always support you... from afar... your dreams... I'll always... love you..."

Her unfinished words and the weak fall of her hand.

Gasp -

Sihu, startled, looked around.

Drenched in cold sweat, he clutched the blanket tightly.

The emptiness and loss, the isolation surrounding Sihu before he became an adult, weighed heavily on him.

At that moment,

An unfamiliar sound broke the silence.

Ding - Dong -

A genius chef with this world's garden ingredients?!