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“What in the world is that?!”
Ten-year-old Namjoon looked up. Standing next to the table where he was seated was a boy roughly his age, probably a little older. As typical of Sheikah men, he had long white hair tied up in an elegant bun, sturdy beige garments secured by a navy blue sash, and an intimidating saber at his side. But unlike the other Kakariko residents, this boy had the most disgusted expression on his face, complete with a hand on his hip and a pointed, accusatory finger.
“It’s my lunch,” Namjoon replied. Why was he looking at him like that? He was about to enjoy his meal in peace, but now he was being disrupted by this stranger. He wished he could simply ignore him, but Symin said he had to be polite to the Kakariko villagers who valued respect and hospitality above all else.
“That’s your lunch?!”
“Yeah?”
“Those are rocks!” the young Sheikah cried.
Namjoon glanced at his plate. Sure, it didn’t look like gourmet food that you would present to the royal family, but it was his first time trying this recipe. When Purah and Symin had taken him to Goron City a few months ago, he was amazed by the sheer power the Gorons wielded as they swung heavy sledgehammers into the ore deposits. He had begged one of them to tell him the secret to their strength, to which the Goron heartily replied, “By eating rock roasts for every meal!”
Apparently, this boy thought otherwise.
“You’re going to break your teeth!”
“Purah said it’s normal for your teeth to fall out at this age!”
The Sheikah cried in exasperation before promptly grabbing Namjoon’s plate and dumping its contents into the trash.
“Hey!” Namjoon marched up to his face. He puffed up his chest to appear intimidating, but with his head tilted upwards to meet the taller Sheikah’s eyes, he was hardly a serious threat. “You’re being really mean! I worked very hard on this!” This was getting frustrating. How could he be polite to someone who destroyed his work? And now he was hungry with no prospect of lunch.
Despite his bravado, Namjoon was forcibly pushed back down into his seat, surprised at the other boy’s strength. Where did his power come from, if not from rock roasts?
“I’m going to cook you some real food. Stay here.”
Namjoon sighed in resignation, internally grumbling about stupid, pushy Sheikah boys. But he was hungry, so he stayed put and decided to document the cooking process since he had nothing better to do. His writing hand flew across his notepad as the Sheikah swiftly minced raw meat into small pieces before frying them in oil. Water, spices, and diced vegetables were gradually mixed in according to his intuition (which mildly irked Namjoon because how could he recreate dishes without knowing the exact quantities?). A delicious, meaty aroma filled the air as the Sheikah boy carved out a fortified pumpkin, scooping out the seeds and pulp until the inner walls were smooth. Finally, he carefully poured the pot’s contents into the hollowed pumpkin, setting it down in front of Namjoon with a flourish and a proud smirk.
Namjoon had to admit, the resulting meat-stuffed pumpkin looked way more appetizing than his rock roast. Not that he would ever tell the Sheikah. Nevertheless, he put away his notepad and quickly dug into the meal.
“How does it taste?”
“It’s…” the most delicious thing Namjoon had ever eaten, “… good, I guess.”
The boy pouted, clearly expecting more than lackluster praise, but at least Namjoon was now eating healthy, flavorful food. “… You’re welcome.”
Namjoon thought he would leave now, but instead, he sat down and quietly watched him eat. Namjoon didn’t mind; he was much more tolerable with his mouth shut.
A few minutes passed by in comfortable silence when suddenly, the Sheikah jumped up in alarm. “Ah! I’m supposed to be training right now! I have to go, but finish your meal!”
“Bye.” Once the boy ran out of sight, Namjoon dropped his annoyed demeanor. He freely enjoyed the rest of the food, sighing happily at the warm feeling in his stomach.
The next time Namjoon visited Kakariko was three months later. Purah was currently bonding with her sister Impa (or so she claimed), so he waited by the outdoor tables. As he unpacked his lunch of grilled crickets and wet rice, he hoped that no one would bother him today.
But no, of course the universe wouldn’t let him exist in peace.
“You again!”
It was the same Sheikah boy, with the same hairstyle, same clothes, and the same dirty grimace.
“What do you want?” Namjoon groaned, not even bothering with formalities.
“I can’t believe this! Crickets?!”
“They’re a good source of protein!” he quickly defended. “How is it different from any other meat?”
“Excuse me, they are very different. They’re insects! Bugs! Things that don’t belong in food!”
Namjoon sighed. “Can you please leave me alone so I can eat?”
“Absolutely not.” The Sheikah then proceeded to dispose of the ‘meal’ once again. “It’s my lunchtime anyway, so I’ll cook something for the both of us.”
“Fine. Go ahead,” Namjoon grumbled. The Sheikah boiled some water and prepped the ingredients, slowly adding them to the pot. As the savory smell wafted towards his direction, Namjoon felt his irritation dissipate into the air. “Well, since this is the second time you’re cooking for me, we should probably introduce ourselves. What’s your name?”
“My name is Seokjin, but everyone calls me Jin. What about you?”
“I’m Namjoon, and, well, everyone calls me Namjoon.” He paused. Why did everyone call him Namjoon? Even Purah with her six-year-old countenance called him by his real name (probably at Symin’s insistence). Wouldn’t it be cool to have a nickname? He’ll think more about it later. “I live in Hateno with Purah and Symin, but we visit here often because Purah and Impa are sisters.”
“Then… why are you here?” Jin asked while pouring in a bottle of milk. “Shouldn’t you be in Lady Impa’s house?”
“No, Purah said I should go exploring so that I can be a great researcher someday.” Namjoon started speaking faster with excitement. “I’ve already learned how to use bladed rhino beetles to make elixirs that boost your strength, but I want to see if I can find ingredients that create stronger potions!”
“And these elixirs work?”
“Yes. Why? Do you not believe me?” Namjoon accused.
“Your cooking sucks,” Jin bluntly stated, stirring in pumpkin pieces. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up poisoning somebody.”
“Hey!”
“Here you go.” He handed him a bowl of creamy pumpkin stew before Namjoon could retaliate.
They sat down at the table and started eating. Namjoon marveled at how the soft pumpkin melted in his mouth. It warmed his heart and soul, particularly during this chilly autumn day.
“Jin, this is really yummy. Thanks for cooking for me,” he said genuinely. Jin was taken aback, surprised that Namjoon actually complimented him this time. But then he grinned so brightly, Namjoon couldn’t help but smile as well.
During his next trip to Kakariko, Namjoon fully expected Jin to stomp over the moment he opened his bag. He was even looking forward to it, which was weird to say, because Namjoon generally did not like being reprimanded. But once he endured it, he would get to eat Jin’s delicious cooking, which made it all worth it. Namjoon giddily swung his legs under the table, sniggering at the thought of the Sheikah ranting until his face turned red and steam came out of his ears.
Especially since this time, he deliberately created the abomination that could get the biggest reaction out of Jin yet.
It really was an abomination. There was absolutely zero justification for this dubious food.
Namjoon eagerly waited, humming a happy tune to himself. He started singing out loud after ten minutes. At twenty minutes, he watched a school of sanke carp swim in the lake. But thirty minutes had passed, and Jin still wasn’t here. The peace and solitude he craved for months ago didn’t feel very fun anymore.
He was bored.
Well, he didn’t want to eat his (admittedly terrible) snack alone. So Namjoon decided to go look for Jin himself.
After weaving in and out of stores, walking up and down the paths, stumbling upon a field of plum trees, running away from the old lady chasing him with a wooden slipper, and apologizing to said old lady for standing too close to her plum trees, he finally found Jin and an older Sheikah man at the gate in front of Impa’s house, each wielding an impressive-looking saber.
“Hi Jin!” Namjoon waved as he ran up close.
“Hi Namjoon,” Jin greeted calmly, unfazed by the excitable Hylian in front of him. “I’m on guard duty now.”
“Oh okay.” Namjoon awkwardly stood there for a few seconds before turning towards the elder guard. “Mister, am I allowed to talk to Jin?”
“Ten feet back, please,” the man lightly commanded. “But yes, you may talk with Jin.”
Namjoon counted his steps, making sure he was exactly the correct distance away before kicking up a conversation, speaking a little louder than normal to make sure his voice was heard.
“I didn’t know you were a guard! When did this happen?”
“I’m not officially a guard yet, but I’ve been training since I was ten.”
“So you actually know how to use that thing?” Namjoon pointed at Jin’s side.
Jin huffed at the disrespect. “That ‘thing’ is my eightfold blade. And yes, of course I know how to use it.”
“Whoaaa… that’s so cool! Do you think you can teach me someday?”
“Namjoon, I don’t trust you with basic food. How can I possibly trust you with a weapon?”
“That’s irrelevant!” He was about to retort more, but Jin’s words made him remember why he was here in the first place. “Oh, that reminds me, wanna see the snack I brought today?”
Before Jin could answer something along the lines of sweet holy Hylia no but in nicer terms, he was presented with a lumpy granola bar that possessed a distinct smell.
“W-what is that?” he asked warily as the funky odor reached his nose.
“My granola bar,” Namjoon mumbled with his mouth full. “You wanna know what’s in it?”
“N-no…” It was obvious he was summoning all of his training and discipline to maintain a neutral expression.
“I’ll tell you anyway! It’s made of acorns, chickaloo tree nuts, rock salt, cane sugar,” he listed the more innocuous ingredients first, “and then I added korok seeds!”
“Namjoooon,” Jin whined as he visibly shuddered, while the older guard expertly kept his face passive, pointedly looking in the other direction.
“The korok seed really ties it all in. It’s just the right amount of chewy to balance out the crunchiness of the nuts.”
“That’s so gross…” Jin looked very uncomfortable now, pursing his lips tightly as tears started forming in his eyes.
After Namjoon took a particularly large bite of korok poop, the elder Sheikah decided to put Jin out of his misery. “Jin, you can take a break now.”
“But Dorian, I’m supposed to stand guard for the next hour.”
“Cado can take your place. It’s about time someone pulled him away from his crazy cucco obsession…” Dorian muttered.
“If you say so…” Jin still looked hesitant.
“Jin, it’s an honor to show hospitality to our guests.” The young Sheikah nodded in understanding, finally stepping away from his post and making his way to Cado’s home. He was back soon enough, dragging Cado by the ear away from his beloved cuccos, chastising him for prioritizing mere chickens over the duty of protecting the village. Namjoon laughed, happy to not be on the receiving end of Jin’s lectures.
“So what do you want to do?” Namjoon asked excitedly as they walked around Kakariko.
“First,” Jin said as he yanked the abomination out of Namjoon’s hands. “You are no longer going to eat this disgusting garbage you call ‘food’. Second, you are going to wash out your mouth for sixty seconds. And third, I’m going to make a proper dessert.”
Namjoon grinned, enthusiastically complying with Jin’s demands, knowing that the reward was soon to come. He even went above and beyond, cleaning his mouth for two minutes.
It was all worth it. Putting up with Jin’s nagging and eating literal crap (which he was never going to do again) was nothing compared to the glorious honeyed apple that Jin prepared, just for him.
“For the love of Hylia, don’t even bother showing me whatever nasty thing is in your bag.”
“Huh? But you don’t know what it is.”
“I don’t even want to know. Trash,” Jin commanded with a pointed finger.
“Aw, come on,” Namjoon whined playfully, but he quickly obeyed, disposing of his failed attempt at making edible chuchu jelly. “Are you really going to starve this poor Hylian boy?” he teased.
Jin laughed. “I would never let my poor Hylian boyfriend starve.”
“That’s reassuring.” He then wrapped his arms around Jin’s waist, hugging him from behind. “So you’re going to cook for me?”
“Joonie, I’ve been cooking for you ever since we met. Of course I will.”
“Just making sure. It has been seven years after all.” Seven wonderful years of friendship that only recently blossomed into a romantic relationship.
Jin sighed fondly, turning around to face Namjoon. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll gladly cook for you for the next seven years.” He pressed a gentle kiss on his lips. “And the next seven.” Another kiss. “And the next. You get the idea.”
Namjoon smiled. Nothing tasted sweeter. “And I’ll love you for the next seven years. And the next.”
Forever.