Side Story (Part 1)

“In a large pot, about three spoonfuls of miso paste should be enough. After it boils, taste it and adjust it to your liking.”

Jiwook nodded at Ms. Kim’s words, the cooking instructor. He scooped out a generous spoonful with a wooden spoon, and Ms. Kim handed him a small plate.

“Just dip it in water to dissolve the miso paste. Like this, slowly.”

Ms. Kim demonstrated and explained. Watching attentively, Jiwook began to dissolve the miso paste in his hand.

I can’t believe it’s so much trouble to make miso stew.

Jiwook thought to himself, slightly furrowing his brows. When Seowoo mentioned that she wanted to make miso stew like her father used to make, he booked a cooking class without her knowing.

Of course, it wouldn’t taste the same as Yongjae’s stew, but Jiwook believed it would be better than buying it from a restaurant.

“Now that the miso paste is dissolved, you need to chop the ingredients.”

On the chopping board lay the vegetables he had prepared earlier. Potatoes, onions, mushrooms, tofu, and the clams he’d shucked. He deliberately chose seafood ingredients because Seowoo preferred them over meat.

“Cut them into bite-sized pieces. Square or diagonal cuts are both fine, depending on your preference.”

“Okay.”

Jiwook hesitated as he held the potato. If he had known it would be like this, he would have just had a meal at Yongjae’s house. All he had done was eat out with Seowoo under the pretext of treating her, so he had no information about Yongjae’s miso stew.

“Just go with the regular square cuts, that’s fine.”

Seeing him hesitate, Ms. Kim chimed in with an explanation.

Following Ms. Kim’s example, Jiwook slowly chopped the ingredients. It was his first time handling ingredients and using a knife to prepare something. Seowoo had laughed and asked if he had ever stood in front of a gas stove before. Suddenly, her smiling face came to Jiwook’s mind, and a faint smile formed on his lips.

“Your wife will surely like it. She’ll appreciate you cooking for her.”

“I don’t know if it’ll taste good. I’ve never wandered around the kitchen at home.”

“You’re doing well for a beginner. Besides, miso stew is a relatively easy dish. As long as the miso paste is tasty, it’ll be fine.”

Jiwook had gone as far as to ask around and source the miso paste himself for the delicious stew. He even went to a famous miso paste artisan in Sunchang to get it. The miso itself is famously delicious, so according to Ms. Kim, the taste was guaranteed.

“When the water starts boiling, add the potatoes first. Then add the ingredients that take the longest to cook. The tofu and scallions go in at the end.”

He was confident he could do it properly at home. Being good at remembering, he was sure he wouldn’t forget the order, but he was a little worried since it was not his area of expertise.

Under Ms. Kim’s guidance, the miso stew was quickly completed. Only then did a relieved smile spread across Jiwook’s face at the reasonably convincing appearance.

“It feels a bit lacking to just make one miso stew.”

“How about learning one more next time? When do you plan to do it?”

“Well, I’d like to make it before the birth, if possible.”

“Then let’s go for something easier. Try learning two more. I’ll show you a few things, and you can choose from them.”

“Sounds good.”

Jiwook nodded lightly. Ms. Kim handed him a small dish.

“Try it once. See how it tastes.”

Jiwook received the dish and tasted the ingredients and broth. The stew was quite tasty. It was true that as long as the miso paste was good, everything would be fine. Even after he made it, he spooned up another bite, marveling at its convincing taste.

“When will the next lesson be possible?”

“Tomorrow works too. I happen to have one time slot open.”

“Then I’ll come tomorrow.”

He couldn’t wait to feed her his homemade food. He hopes this stew will make her feel better.

Thinking about it, Jiwook organized his schedule in his head, saying that he should visit Yong-jae and Yoon-rim this weekend.

***

“You’re early.”

Seowoo widened her eyes and came to greet him at the entrance. He had returned home a little earlier than usual because he had only learned cooking and went straight home afterward.

“Oh. I had a meeting. I finished and came straight home.”

Jiwook held Seowoo’s hand and walked into the living room.

She was already 20 weeks pregnant. Her belly was noticeably growing day by day. Maybe because they were twins. Seeing the bulging belly on her otherwise slender body was breathtaking.

“What were you doing?”

“Oh – just a moment.”

Smiling, Seowoo quickly walked to the dressing room.

“You’re going to fall if you walk that fast.”

Jiwook watched from behind, his eyes filled with worry. Seowoo emerged a moment later with two small hats in her hands.

She holds them up in front of Jiwook’s nose with a proud expression.

“Aren’t they cute?”

Jiwook smiled a little and took them. It looked like she’d gotten back to her sewing and made it herself today. It was crooked and full of clumsy stitches, but even so, it was adorable.

“Nice work. It’s pretty good.”

“Well, the quality is not great, to be honest. I know that too.”

“I mean it. Even if I wanted to make it, I don’t think I could.”

“But I guess it gets better the more I make it. One is a little better than the other. Maybe because it’s the second time I’ve made it?”

At her words, he looked at the hats, and one of the hats did seem a bit better. Jiwook looked down at her with loving eyes and cupped her cheek.

“You did well. It will look really pretty on our daughters’ heads.”

He decided to express himself more. He didn’t want misunderstandings to build up. So that even if something happened, his sincerity would reach her. 

Although it still felt awkward and embarrassing, seeing Seowoo’s face light up every time he expressed something made him regret not doing it sooner. It was nothing much, but he felt like he had caused her unnecessary heartache.

Her face blossomed into a satisfied smile at his words.

“Have you been busy?”

“Well, just about the usual.”

Eventually, Jiwook wrapped up everything and resigned from Group K. Hyeong-gyeong strongly advised against it, but Jiwook didn’t change his mind.

The consequences of working for the company were so disastrous that he no longer had any regrets or greed, and he was in the process of setting up the business he had been preparing for.

Thanks to Jiwook’s background since birth, he didn’t start from the very bottom, but still, what he had gained from his hard work at Group K over the past few years was his.

“Maybe I should have rested a little longer.”

“No.”

Seowoo adjusted his lapel with her head down.

“I like seeing you in this suit, you know…”

Blushing slightly, Seowoo fixed her gaze on his lapel and continued speaking.

“It’s nice to see you going to work.”

“I can wear it at home too, you know.”

“That’s not the point. It means you look impressive at work. And anyway, you said you’d rest after the babies are born. So, earn money diligently until then.”

“Even if I don’t, we’ll still be able to feed them.”

Seowoo smirked at his comment. Since leaving the company, Hyeong-gyeong has contacted her countless times. 

‘Please, please help me change Jiwook’s mind again.’

But Jiwook cut them all off in the middle. Seowoo was upset that he was turning his back on the family, but she decided to respect his wishes.

“Oh right. I got a shoot scheduled for tomorrow.”

As Jiwook took off his jacket, Seowoo spoke up. Loosening his tie, Jiwook looked at her.

“What for?”

“Baby lotion.”

She undid his tie, then unbuttoned his shirt one by one. Jiwook wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a hug, watching her for a moment.

They couldn’t hug perfectly because of the twins, but even her round belly was cute against his, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Don’t overexert yourself, okay?”

“I’ve been feeling pretty good lately, though, so I think I can do it.”

“I’ll have to send you off and pick you up.”

“My manager is coming tomorrow, so you don’t have to.”

“Just in case, let me know every time you move.”

Seowoo nodded her head. As she spoke, she unbuttoned his shirt,  and before she knew it, his front was open.

“I’m grateful for your help.”

He frowned, brushing the end of his eyebrow with his index finger, wearing a troubled expression. Unintentionally, he was in a state of celibacy due to her pregnancy. Seowoo smiled awkwardly, knowing why Jiwook was reacting this way. Although they entered the stable period and the obstetrician said it was okay, Jiwook never touched her, not even with a fingertip.

“No, I… I’m sorry.”

Seowoo apologized. Jiwook pulled her waist tighter around him and whispered.

“Then a kiss. Just give me a kiss.”

After a moment of hesitation, she tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning in, she gently pressed her lips to his. Jiwook responded by capturing her lips in a deeper kiss, his mouth curving into a smile.