Chapter 123

Stories need a theme.

It doesn’t have to be something grand. It doesn’t need to be original or groundbreaking. It can be outdated, trivial, or utterly predictable; it doesn’t even have to be apparent at first glance.

The important thing is whether it exists.

In fact, it’s not even necessary to set a theme. A living story holds meaning even without intention. If history can be so, then a story goes without saying.

Love? That’s sufficient. Friendship? Sounds plausible. Courage? As much as you need.

Once you start writing, that text is already alive.

We are all like that. We are born without any particular purpose. The meaning of birth or life is mere nonsense. We were just born, and we just live on. That’s enough.

Thus, a story must have a purpose.

To release hatred, to satisfy desires, to earn money, to comfort sorrow. To become happy.

Anything is fine.

Anything is perfect.

That’s why, a piece of writing that has no particular purpose could never be born, nor could it ever be written.

I was like that now.

~

It’s the end of the year.

While everyone else is busy, I find myself with time to spare. It’s not the first or second day that I’ve been lounging around at home, but thanks to that, I’ve really felt everyone’s contacts decline.

Well, everyone isn’t a child. Adults always have various schedules. Except for me.

Is that why my house has suddenly become a hangout for high school girls?

Seo Eun-a is one thing, but Im Mi-ra too.

Honestly, it’s not something I should be saying.

Don’t you guys have any friends?

“I don’t.”

“What about that time you went out to meet a friend?”

“I cut ties with them then.”

That was undoubtedly a lie.

“It’s just a bit awkward facing others right now.”

On the other hand, the relatively sociable Im Mi-ra made that excuse. It didn’t sound like a lie. If such a thing happened, it was awkward to face friends for no reason. Even so, it was typical of Seo Eun-a to not say anything until the end, wondering if she would notice.

“I did say you could stay as you like, but don’t you think you should know how to politely decline?”

“Anyway, there’s nothing much to do at home. We should be thankful that we can hang out with you.”

“Look at your lack of conscience.”

I’m not sure if I’m misinterpreting this, but that line was from Im Mi-ra. Seo Eun-a countered her.

“Aren’t you the same?”

“I’m fine because I earned my rights by legitimately rescuing my older brother.”

“I’m fairly receiving for clothes.”

Crazy girls.

“Don’t your family say anything about going out all the time?”

“My dad and mom both know I’m here. They told me to have fun, even my dad said to eat well.”

The man who wouldn’t have let me go if I’d been my old self casually says to take advantage of and come here. I don’t remember having been a graduate student.

“Our family is dual income and both come back late, so it’s fine. They wouldn’t say anything, and this place isn’t particularly dangerous, so I don’t think they’d stop me. As for school… I’ve made my attendance.”

“Wouldn’t they stop you if they knew you were visiting the home of a 27-year-old adult male?”

“I doubt it looks that way.”

Damn it.

“I’ve calmed down a lot, and my dad keeps asking why he hasn’t kicked me out yet.”

“I’m in the process of kicking you out, but you’re not leaving.”

“Let’s leave it at that.”

Seo Eun-a flashed a smug smile. Her lying around on a blanket instead of a carpet was quite infuriating.

“But, are you going to have delivery again today for lunch?”

“I can’t cook.”

“Still, if you eat that every day, it’s not good for your health.”

Just so you know, they usually stay during lunch hours. Although they usually eat beforehand, when they didn’t, we moderately ordered delivery together. I, as the elder, paid for the meals.

Im Mi-ra’s concerns were valid. It might be fine when young, but such eating habits won’t be good as time passes. I’d be thirty soon. I should start being more mindful….

“If I’ve changed like this, isn’t it a reset?”

“…Is it?”

“That’s fraud, totally.”

Seo Eun-a murmuringly spoke with an ambiguous tone, unsure if she really believed that. Maybe this illness I caught might even be a blessing in disguise for someone when it comes to regaining youth. Seeing her reaction, that thought didn’t seem entirely wrong.

“Still, this body isn’t particularly healthy.”

“You do have a somewhat pale complexion, which gives that impression. Sickly cute girl?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

While I was having this pointless conversation with Seo Eun-a, Im Mi-ra suddenly made a suggestion.

“Anyway, let’s eat something different today. Something healthy.”

Seo Eun-a picked at Im Mi-ra’s suggestion with pointless nitpicking.

“How about saying you have a problem with what you’re getting for free?”

“I’m not a pig like you.”

“A capitalist pig?”

“Just a pig.”

It was a relief to realize that Im Mi-ra didn’t know about Seo Eun-a’s tastes.

“Why don’t you try learning to cook?”

“Men don’t belong in the kitchen.”

“Well, it’s time to change that.”

“It wouldn’t matter anyway.”

Why does it seem like they only get along when they’re making fun of me?

“Then I’ll try making something, so let’s not order out.”

“You can cook?”

“Since I live alone, I had to learn a bit. I know the basics.”

After saying that, Im Mi-ra put on an apron she found somewhere and began rummaging through the fridge. But did I have an apron like that at home? Turning my gaze from the preparing Im Mi-ra to Seo Eun-a, there was indeed a lazy pig lying there.

Seo Eun-a isn’t particularly overweight, more on the thin side, yet when I see her acting like that in someone else’s house every day, it’s not wrong to call her a pig.

“Seo Eun-a, what can’t you do?”

“I’m a bit precious, you know.”

“Utterly useless pig.”

Seo Eun-a laughed and scoffed. Meanwhile, Im Mi-ra, who was digging through the fridge, said with a serious look.

“There’s really nothing in the fridge.”

“There’s eggs, alcohol, cola, kimchi, as well as salt and pepper.”

“Why would you put salt and pepper in the fridge?”

“Isn’t that where they go?”

Im Mi-ra looked at me as if she found me very pathetic. Even Seo Eun-a shot me a look as if she was regarding me as a fool, which felt unjust. Is it really unnecessary to keep salt and pepper in the fridge? What if it goes bad?

Seo Eun-a asked me.

“Didn’t you live on your own for a long time? Before your debut, you didn’t have much money; how did you survive?”

“I knew how to boil ramen. I could fry eggs and make soy sauce rice, and I could bake bread too. It was a survival method for the poor, you know.”

“That’s not poor; that’s dumb.”

But no one had ever told me that you don’t put salt and pepper in the fridge.

“But why do you have alcohol? Can you even drink with that body?”

Im Mi-ra said while pulling out a beer she had stuck in the fridge. Of course, I couldn’t drink it. I had enough bad memories that I didn’t want to now. That wasn’t something I had bought.

“A friend left it here.”

Suddenly, Seo Eun-a asked me.

“A male friend?”

“Uh? Yeah.”

“Boyfriend?”

“You crazy girl.”

“Just kidding.”

Although it was clear she was joking, it was a somewhat unpleasant question. Seo Eun-a didn’t know, but since it was Hwa-won, I would’ve hit her if she knew. Still, I felt like if I showed any signs of irritation, they would just tease me more, so I chose not to say anything.

Anyway, there wasn’t anything particularly grand in the fridge. Ultimately, Im Mi-ra chose to make simple kimchi fried rice topped with fried eggs. It was seasoned just right and tasted pretty good, but there were points of disappointment.

“It’s tasty, but there’s no ham or any meat in the fried rice.”

“If you wanted ham, you should have bought some to keep in the fridge. Don’t complain and just eat nicely.”

It was a valid point, so I quietly ate my meal as suggested by Im Mi-ra.

Still, it definitely tasted good. Even Seo Eun-a, who would’ve immediately complained if it was bad, didn’t have any complaints.

As I was quietly eating, suddenly a phone rang. It was Hwa-won. I paused my meal for a moment and answered the call.

[Hello.]

[Hey, I’m going to stop by for a bit at your place. You home now?]

[Sudden, isn’t it?]

I sneaked a glance at the two high school girls who were eating without a care.

…It’s a bit awkward now.

[I won’t stay long, and I’ll be quick. I came nearby for something, and I got a bunch of year-end gifts. I don’t need them, so I figured I’d give them to you.]

[What is it?]

[Things like meat and gift sets, but we don’t really need them at our place.]

If it’s that, then I suppose it can’t be helped.

[When are you coming?]

[It’s nearby, driving won’t take long.]

[Are you kidding? Alright. But is anyone at home right now?]

[Who?]

[…Um, high school girls.]

[What? Oh, I’ll hang up for now. I’m driving.]

Hwa-won hastily hung up the phone. No sooner than that, Seo Eun-a and Im Mi-ra started asking me about it. It seemed they had been listening all along even though they pretended not to care when I stole a glance earlier.

“Who is it?”

“A friend. He said he’s bringing gifts.”

“A guy?”

I wouldn’t need to clarify who asked that question.

“Why do you care so much about their gender?”

“I’m just curious.”

“He said he’d stop by briefly, so if it’s a hassle for both of you to show your faces, at least go to your room.”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m okay too.”

It seemed that neither Seo Eun-a nor Im Mi-ra had any particularly negative thoughts about it.

Anyway, it’s not like he’s coming immediately. I finished my meal, and the three plates were set in the sink. It wasn’t much, but there’s a bit of dishwashing to do.

“Since Mira cooked, you wash the dishes.”

“I’m kind of precious, you know.”

“Just don’t come over tomorrow, alright?”

“…Just today.”

Despite her words, Seo Eun-a willingly put on rubber gloves. Although she said she was raised to be precious, she definitely knew how to wash dishes, and she went about it quite naturally.

As soon as she finished washing the dishes, the doorbell rang before Seo Eun-a could lie back down on the floor. When I opened the door, Hwa-won was standing there with several large boxes.

“Hey, move aside. This is a bit big.”

“Uh, um, okay. Do you need help?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I really didn’t think I had the strength to help him with that. Hwa-won brought the boxes inside and moved them to the kitchen, and only then could he finally look around. And then he discovered the two high school girls.

“…Who are they?”

Surprised, Hwa-won looked at me, and I turned to point them out. And in that moment, both Im Mi-ra and Seo Eun-a paused, lost for words.

…Why are you suddenly so prim and proper?