The day felt so long. Ever since I hurt my leg, I couldn’t walk properly, so all I could do was lie in bed all day. This felt way too much like being a jobless bum.
I wasn’t even in the mood for internet streams. With my leg hurting, everything felt like a hassle. As I was lying there, killing time, Haru opened the door and came in.
“Haru!”
I called out to her with a happy heart. Haru, as if it were the most natural thing, took off her shoes and came into my room. Then she checked on me, asking if there was anything uncomfortable, and patted my head.
As expected of Haru. I was being thoroughly cared for by her. From A to Z, if there was anything bothering me, Haru was there to help. But when Haru pulled something out, I started to get suspicious.
“Haru, you have to study today too, right?”
What Haru pulled out was an elementary school workbook. The idea of such boring studying made me pout as I said to her,
“Haru! My leg hurts, so I don’t think I can study!”
But my little act didn’t work. Haru gave me a firm look and said,
“No phone until you finish these today.”
Ugh.
She hit me where it hurt the most. Haru knew me too well. With no other choice, I picked up a pencil and sat on the bed to start studying. Luckily, it wasn’t Korean, and the problems unraveled like a roll of toilet paper.
After solving the problems, my head was throbbing. Even though I’m an adult, some of the elementary school questions were surprisingly tough. I don’t know why, though.
Haru was writing something on my cast. I turned my head to check, and it was a message of encouragement.
[Get well soon, Hana!]
Last time, Bora wrote something too, and the employees came one by one to write on my cast. Maybe that’s why my leg was healing so fast. In a few more days, I’d probably be able to walk without the cast.
Actually, I was already walking around on both legs. My right leg tingled with every step, but it was bearable.
Anyway, after solving the problems and overworking my brain, I got hungry. Haru was doing something on her laptop next to me. When I stared at her, she seemed to feel my gaze and turned to look at me. Our eyes met.
“Hana, what’s wrong?”
I held my growling stomach and said, “I’m hungry, Haru.”
“Oh…? It’s just about dinner time.”
Haru checked the clock, closed her laptop, and stood up. Seeing that, I spread my arms. It was time for the usual routine. Haru picked me up and carried me to the restaurant.
Haru’s arms were way better than any unused wheelchair. Warm and soft, they felt better than any fancy chair.
Feeling the warmth of Haru’s embrace, we arrived at the restaurant. It had changed the most.
When I first came here, the menu was simple, and the place wasn’t that big. But after a few renovations, it had become a restaurant that could rival any big corporation.
Maybe it was because I kept begging Bora for more delicious food. If they kept making food this good, I’d let them take my hair. I should tell Bora later to add desserts to the menu.
“Hana, what do you want to eat?”
I was deep in thought, trying to choose from the menu while still in Haru’s arms. There were three whole options. I wanted to eat all three, but my stomach wasn’t big enough for that.
“I’ll have the pork cutlet!”
I decided on the pork cutlet. It was always a safe choice. When in doubt, it was the best option.
“Hana, sit tight. I’ll go get it for you.”
Haru sat me down on a chair and went to get the food. I looked around out of boredom. At lunch, the restaurant was packed with employees, but in the evening, it was relatively quiet. Most people had already clocked out, so it made sense.
Being a good kid, I waited quietly for Haru to come back. Normally, I’d wander around, but with the cast on my leg, it was hard to move. As I was looking around, Haru came back from the distance.
“Sorry~ I’m a little late, right?”
Haru came over carrying two trays. She gave an awkward smile and said,
“The line was long… But Hana’s being good. It must’ve been hard waiting.”
“No! It wasn’t hard at all!”
I said that and took the tray Haru was holding. Seeing the tray full of meat side dishes, I couldn’t help but smile. Humans really need to eat meat.
“Eight!”
With my dazzling swordsmanship, I mercilessly slaughtered the Pork Cutlet soldier. Every time the knife moved in a flashy manner, the Pork Cutlet began to slowly disintegrate before its majesty. The crispy fried crumbs stimulated my appetite. And the sweet sauce smell was a bonus.
“Ah~”
There was nothing happier than putting a piece of Pork Cutlet in my mouth. I smiled brightly as I savored the Pork Cutlet in my mouth. Seeing me, Haru smiled contentedly and ate her rice.
—
When Kim Sehee signed the final approval, the team below moved like clockwork. To build the factory, they tirelessly went in and out of various government agencies, informing them of how to build it and the exact location.
Given that it was a factory investment worth billions, Paju City welcomed Starlight Food’s move. Since it wasn’t a hazardous facility like a nuclear power plant, there was no reason to oppose it.
Just receiving investment from Starlight Guild alone could lead to a significant boost in approval ratings. And Starlight Food was a promising company shaking up the South Korean market. Plus, they had strong backing.
“If there are any difficulties in the factory construction, please let us know. If there are any paperwork or other issues, please inform us. We will do our best to assist.”
Kim Sehee couldn’t help but laugh at the stiff civil servants bowing low. The treatment was different from when Starlight Food was just a small company. In a way, it was only natural.
The Starlight Food of the past, a small business worth a few hundred million, and the current Starlight Food with sales in the trillions, were not the same.
With the need to build a new factory for the first time, Kim Sehee had to spend her days busier than ever. Day after day, she personally led the charge, moving here and there.
Seeing everything progress smoothly, Kim Sehee felt a sense of pride welling up inside her. What started as just one factory… now they were building such a massive one… it almost brought tears to her eyes.
But this was just the beginning. Kim Sehee was looking at a broader horizon. This factory construction wasn’t the end. Later, they would need to build another factory in Daejeon to handle the local demand, and with more factories, it was time to create new products using a single strand of hair.
She had no intention of being satisfied with just Green Tea. Step by step, her goal was to expand and dominate the entire food market. She didn’t know when it would happen, but by taking one step at a time, she believed she could achieve her goal.
—
“Haru, my stomach is so full.”
I grabbed my bloated stomach and spoke to Haru. If I kept eating and sleeping like this, I might turn into a pig, but since I was in my growth period, it wasn’t a problem. Everything I ate would probably turn into height.
Haru looked at my bloated stomach and made a serious face.
“Hana, if you eat that much, who knows what will happen later?”
It seemed like Haru was trying to scare me.
“Hehe.”
But I wasn’t a naive child. My joy in life was eating delicious food until I was full and eating what I wanted until my stomach burst. Haru’s half-threats wouldn’t work on me.
However, Haru tried to lift me from the chair but then let go. She then said,
“Hana, you’re too heavy. I think we’ll have to stay here for the night.”
Hearing Haru’s words, my face turned pale. It really seemed like Haru was planning to abandon me here.
“You’re lying, right, Haru? I can’t sleep here!”
Watching Haru’s retreating figure, I could only call out her name in despair. It really seemed like she was going to leave me behind.
