Hyebin got off the bus and trudged listlessly toward home. Along the way, she kicked aside the small pebbles blocking her path, each swing of her foot filled with irritation.
To be honest, the girl's mood had been completely ruined by what Hyunseok had done on campus earlier. The unexpected confrontation, her ex-boyfriend's absurd confession of love, and her decision to forget the project promise she'd made with Jeongmin kept spinning through her mind.
"Hyebin-ah!" Eunho crossed the yard, jogging over to Hyebin just as she was about to enter her house. "You're home early today?" he asked, looking at his little sister's gloomy face. "Didn't you say you had class until this afternoon?"
Hyebin nodded, hiding a sigh. "Yeah, my last class ended early. What about you, Oppa? Didn't you go to the restaurant?"
Eunho furrowed his brow and stared at Hyebin in confusion. As far as he knew, he hadn't had a chance to tell her about his job yet.
"Wait a second... how did you know I work at a restaurant?" Eunho asked suspiciously. "Have you been secretly stalking my social media account?"
"Don't flatter yourself!" Hyebin rolled her eyes and let out a small chuckle. "I heard it from Samchon this morning when you were running around the neighborhood."
"Ah... Appa really can't keep a secret." Eunho laughed brightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, it's true. I'm just about to head to the restaurant to get ready for the evening shift. Want to come with me? I'll make you some special dishes there if you'd like."
As Hyebin weighed the offer, she felt something soft and furry brush against her ankle. She glanced down to see Cherish leaning sweetly against her leg, tilting her head up for attention.
A faint smile finally appeared on Hyebin's face. She bent down and gathered the thick-furred cat into her arms, gently stroking its soft fur as she studied her pet's adorable face. The emotional weight in her chest slowly lifted a little.
"Well?" Eunho asked again, still patiently waiting for her answer as he tilted his head.
Hyebin hesitated briefly, then looked at Eunho and smiled when she realized how kind her childhood neighbor's offer was. A delicious meal made by a professional chef might be the best cure for her wrecked mood.
"Sure... But give me a minute, okay?" Hyebin said, pointing at the cloth tote bag and two thick library books in her hands. "I need to put my bag and these books in my room first."
"All right, I'll wait here. You can leave Cherish outside with me. She can keep me company while you get ready."
"Okay! Don't tease my Cherish, all right?" She handed Cherish to Eunho. "Go play with Oppa, okay?"
The cat looked perfectly calm in Eunho's arms. Hyebin then turned and hurried inside to put her things away. It didn't take her long to change into something more comfortable and come back downstairs. The two of them then headed toward the downtown area in Eunho's car.
📍 Lucille Restaurant
Eunho's car stopped in front of a building accented with dark wood and an elegant sign bearing the name Lucille. They had just arrived at the restaurant, but the inside looked incredibly quiet and empty. The silence made Hyebin wonder where all the employees and other chefs who worked at such a stylish place had gone.
Eunho glanced at Hyebin as she walked beside him, looking around the room in confusion. "What is it? Surprised it's so empty?" he teased as he unlocked the main glass door.
"Yeah," Hyebin admitted honestly. "It's already five in the afternoon. I mean, aren't restaurants usually packed during dinner?"
"Actually, we're officially open to the public from 5:30 p.m. until late at night," Eunho explained as he led Hyebin inside. "The servers and assistant chefs usually arrive in another fifteen minutes for the briefing. That's why no one else is here yet besides me."
Eunho walked to the employee locker area beside the open kitchen, took out his dark brown cloth apron, and deftly put it on, tying the strings behind his waist.
Hyebin nodded in understanding. Then she approached the edge of the kitchen pantry area and watched Eunho begin taking several fresh ingredients from a large refrigerator.
"Your restaurant is really beautiful," Hyebin praised sincerely. Her eyes swept over the warm pendant lights, exposed brick walls, and classic wooden furniture. "It has a vintage style, doesn't it? The layout is so aesthetically pleasing."
Eunho looked around his restaurant as he ran a hand over the granite kitchen counter, then smiled faintly. "Yeah, you're right. I designed the concept this way on purpose."
"Why?" she asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"Because someone likes it," Eunho replied with a restrained smile as he took out a wooden cutting board.
"Ah..." Hyebin nodded as if she understood. She leaned against the counter, propping her chin up with both hands. "Do you need any help, Oppa? I could wash the vegetables or chop the seasonings."
Eunho glanced at Hyebin from behind the kitchen counter before gently shaking his head. "I don't think so."
"Really?" Hyebin tilted her head slightly and looked at Eunho with mock suspicion. "It's not because you don't trust my skills in the kitchen, is it?"
"Can you even cook?" Eunho teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course I can! But... well, I'm not as skilled as you are after all that special training," Hyebin squeaked defensively. "Are you worried I'll ruin these expensive ingredients?"
"Of course not, Hyebin-ah. I just don't want you to get tired on our first outing together. You just got back from campus." The man picked up a chef's knife and began slicing a cut of premium Wagyu beef with fluid movements. "Besides... isn't it much nicer to sit back and watch a professional cook than to get your hands dirty with oil?"
Hyebin smiled a little, feeling pampered. "All right, I'll watch you cook from here," she said, folding her arms.
The man began cooking with several advanced culinary techniques he'd mastered during years of studying abroad. When Eunho flambéed the meat in the pan to lock in its moisture, Hyebin occasionally burst into enthusiastic applause, thoroughly impressed.
After a while, the savory aroma of grilled meat and sweet sauce filled the entire room. The meal was ready. Hyebin was already sitting primly at the most comfortable corner table, where a Wagyu steak and a side of incredibly smooth mashed potatoes had been served.
Eunho approached the table carrying two tall glasses of a chilled reddish-purple drink garnished with mint leaves and pieces of berries. Hyebin beamed, eager to try the food and drink Eunho had made.
"Wow! Is this a special menu item?" Hyebin asked excitedly after Eunho sat down in the chair across from her and set the refreshing drink on the table.
"Berry Holic Choco Mocktail. It's a secret recipe I made myself for next month's new menu. You're the first person outside the staff to try it."
"Really? I feel so honored!"
Hyebin picked up the tall glass and sipped through the straw. The moment the sweet, refreshing berry flavor burst across her tongue and melded with a hint of chocolate, her eyes widened.
"Well?" Eunho asked, waiting for her reaction.
"It's so good!!" Hyebin exclaimed without hesitation. "The berries taste so fresh, and then there's that chocolate flavor at the end! You really are an amazing chef, Oppa!"
"Thank you for your honest praise, Princess."
They began enjoying dinner together. Every time a piece of the incredibly tender Wagyu melted in her mouth, Hyebin let out a pleased little "Mmm!" She didn't stop praising Eunho's impressive cooking techniques.
Between bites, they chatted about all sorts of things, paying no attention to the staff who came in and began their work. Meanwhile, the restaurant's boss enjoyed a meal with the beautiful girl across from him, completely unbothered by his employees' teasing looks.
"So..." Eunho set down his fork and looked at Hyebin, who was scraping the remaining sauce from her plate. "When I came to your house earlier, you looked really upset. Is something wrong on campus?"
Hyebin's hand stopped moving. "Hmm..."
"Is it your classes? Or..." Eunho tilted his head, his eyes probing. "...is it a guy?"
Hyebin glanced at Eunho uncertainly, then sighed in resignation. "Both. My grades last semester were terrible, and my high school ex-boyfriend suddenly showed up again today and ruined my whole day."
"An ex-boyfriend?" Eunho leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious and protective. "I didn't know you had an ex. Aunt Jin-hee never told me anything."
"Ah... I secretly dated him back then." Hyebin bit her lower lip. "Please don't tell Mommy."
"Is that so?" Eunho tried to understand. "All right, then. If that guy bothers you again, tell me. I'll come to your campus and teach him a lesson myself."
"Thanks, Oppa. But I can handle it myself." Before she knew it, it was already after six in the evening. "Oppa, I'm going to head home now. You're probably going to be swamped with work after this," Hyebin said as she gathered her bag.
Eunho rose from his chair and accompanied Hyebin toward the restaurant's front door. "Are you sure you don't want to wait? I can make time to drive you home later."
"It's okay, Oppa. Your restaurant just opened, and it would be awful for the staff if their chef left," Hyebin refused with a smile. "I can take a rideshare. It'll only take fifteen minutes to get home."
Eunho sighed but finally gave in. He walked along the sidewalk with Hyebin until the taxi he'd ordered stopped at the curb in front of the restaurant. With utmost courtesy, Eunho opened the taxi door for her.
"Be careful on the way home," he said attentively as Hyebin climbed into the back seat. "Text me as soon as you get home."
Hyebin smiled warmly from inside the car, feeling deeply grateful to have someone like Eunho in her life—a big brother and a friend all in one. She waved cheerfully through the half-open car window.
"Yes, Chef! Thanks so much for the food and drinks today! The meat was delicious!"
Eunho chuckled softly. "You're welcome, Hyebin-ah!"
The taxi slowly pulled away down the city streets, now illuminated by streetlights, carrying Hyebin home feeling much calmer, full, and happy.