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Lee Soo Hyuk trudged into the living room, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the day's battles. His usually sharp eyes were dulled by exhaustion, and he dropped heavily onto the couch, running a hand through his tousled hair.
Kim Rok Soo, observing from the doorway, noted the weariness etched on Lee Soo Hyuk's face. Without a word, he turned and headed to the kitchen. He knew what Lee Soo Hyuk needed a hearty meal, something warm and comforting to soothe his friend's fatigue.
The kitchen soon filled with the sounds of chopping vegetables and the simmering of broth. Kim Rok Soo moved with practised efficiency, his hands deftly handling the knife as he sliced through radishes, carrots, and green onions. The rich aroma of beef bulgogi began to fill the air, mingling with the scent of garlic and sesame oil.
"Rok Soo, what are you doing?" Lee Soo Hyuk's voice, though tired, carried a note of curiosity.
"Just making dinner," Kim Rok Soo replied, glancing over his shoulder. "You look like you need a good meal."
Lee Soo Hyuk attempted a weak smile, but it barely reached his eyes. "You don’t have to, you know."
Kim Rok Soo turned back to his task, stirring the marinade with a wooden spoon. "I want to. You need to rest."
Lee Soo Hyuk watched him for a moment before settling back into the couch, the tension in his body slowly easing as the comforting smell of the meal wafted through the room. Minutes ticked by, punctuated by the occasional clatter of pots and the soft sizzling of beef in the pan.
As the bulgogi cooked, Kim Rok Soo moved on to prepare a side dish of kimchi and a pot of steaming rice. He worked quickly but with care, ensuring everything was perfectly seasoned.
Finally, Kim Rok Soo plated the meal: a generous serving of beef bulgogi, a side of kimchi, and a bowl of fluffy white rice. He carried it over to Lee Soo Hyuk, setting the dishes on the table in front of him. The steam rose in gentle curls, carrying with it the promise of warmth and comfort.
Lee Soo Hyuk picked up his chopsticks, taking a bite of the bulgogi. His eyes widened slightly as the rich flavours hit his tongue, the warmth spreading through him, chasing away the lingering chill of exhaustion.
"Smells good," Lee Soo Hyuk murmured, taking another bite.
"It’ll be ready soon. Just relax," Kim Rok Soo said, leaning against the counter, watching as Lee Soo Hyuk slowly began to unwind.
For a few moments, they sat in companionable silence. The only sounds the quiet clinking of chopsticks against the plate and the occasional sigh from Lee Soo Hyuk as the tension melted from his body It was a rare moment of peace, a quiet acknowledgement of the bond between them.
"Thank you, Rok Soo," Lee Soo Hyuk said softly, his voice carrying a depth of gratitude that words alone couldn't convey.
Kim Rok Soo nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Anytime."
Choi Jung Soo sat slumped on the couch, arms crossed, and a pout on his face. His usual boundless energy was noticeably absent, replaced by an air of irritation. He glanced toward the kitchen where Kim Rok Soo was busy preparing dinner.
"Hey, Rok Soo, why don't you ever cook for me like that?" Choi Jung Soo grumbled, his voice tinged with jealousy. "You always cook for Soo Hyuk hyung, but never for me."
Kim Rok Soo paused for a moment, then resumed chopping vegetables. "You never asked," he replied nonchalantly.
Choi Jung Soo huffed, unfolding his arms and sitting up straighter. "Well, I'm asking now. Make something special for me, too. And call me hyung while you're at it."
Kim Rok Soo turned to look at him, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm not calling you hyung. We were born on the same day."
"Still, I'm your hyung," Choi Jung Soo insisted, his tone more playful now. "Come on, just once."
Kim Rok Soo rolled his eyes and shook his head, continuing his preparations. "Not happening."
With a dramatic sigh, Choi Jung Soo got up and wandered into the kitchen, watching as Kim Rok Soo worked. He couldn't help but feel a bit envious seeing how skillfully Kim Rok Soo prepared meals for their team leader, Lee Soo Hyuk. But tonight, it seemed, Kim Rok Soo was finally going to make something just for him.
"Fine, but it better be good," Choi Jung Soo said, trying to hide his excitement.
Kim Rok Soo smirked, grabbing a pan and heating it on the stove. "Don't worry. You'll love it."
He decided to make a classic meal that he knew Choi Jung Soo would enjoy: samgyeopsal, grilled pork belly, served with a variety of banchan, side dishes, and ssamjang, a spicy dipping sauce. He started by slicing the pork belly into thick, even pieces and placing them on the sizzling hot pan.
The kitchen soon filled with the mouth-watering aroma of grilling meat. Kim Rok Soo expertly flipped the pork, ensuring it was perfectly cooked and crispy on the edges. Meanwhile, he arranged plates of kimchi, pickled radishes, seasoned spinach, and steamed rice.
Choi Jung Soo hovered nearby, the tantalizing smell making his stomach growl. "That smells amazing, Rok Soo."
Kim Rok Soo glanced at him, a hint of a smile on his face. "Told you. Now get the lettuce leaves ready."
Choi Jung Soo eagerly complied, setting up the table with fresh lettuce and perilla leaves for wrapping the pork. When everything was ready, they sat down together at the table.
Kim Rok Soo placed a piece of grilled pork belly into a lettuce leaf, added a dab of ssamjang, a slice of garlic, and some kimchi before wrapping it all up and handing it to Choi Jung Soo. "Here, try this."
Choi Jung Soo took the wrap and bit into it, the flavours exploding in his mouth. The savoury pork, spicy ssamjang, and crunchy vegetables blended perfectly, creating delicious harmony.
"Wow, this is really good," Choi Jung Soo said, his jealousy forgotten as he savoured the meal.
Kim Rok Soo nodded, satisfied. "Glad you like it."
They ate together, the kitchen filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation. Despite the initial teasing and the playful rivalry, the shared meal brought them closer. It was a simple reminder of their bond, strengthened by the time they spent together.
As they finished eating, Choi Jung Soo leaned back in his chair, a contented smile on his face. "Thanks, Rok Soo. Even if you won't call me hyung, this was great."
Kim Rok Soo shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Anytime, Jung Soo."
It was well past midnight, the world outside cloaked in darkness. Inside their shared apartment, Kim Rok Soo, Lee Soo Hyuk, and Choi Jung Soo were all still awake, unable to find sleep. The quiet hum of the night filled the air, punctuated by the occasional rustle of paper.
Lee Soo Hyuk stretched, breaking the silence. "Can’t sleep?"
Kim Rok Soo shook his head. "Nope. How about a snack?"
Choi Jung Soo perked up, a grin spreading across his face. "I’m in. What are we making?"
"Let’s go with some snacks and beer," Kim Rok Soo suggested, heading toward the kitchen. "I could use a little anju."
"Sounds perfect," Lee Soo Hyuk agreed, following him.
The three friends gathered in the kitchen, the familiar space becoming a hub of late-night activity. They decided on a variety of popular Korean snacks: tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), kimchi jeon (kimchi pancakes), and fried chicken. They also grabbed a few bottles of cold beer from the fridge.
Kim Rok Soo took the lead, assigning tasks with a practised ease. "Team leader, you handle the chicken. Choi Jung Soo, you make the kimchi jeon. I'll do the tteokbokki."
Lee Soo Hyuk picked up the chicken, a smirk on his face. "You know, I’m not much of a cook."
Choi Jung Soo laughed, grabbing the kimchi and flour. "Me neither. But I can handle pancakes."
Kim Rok Soo got to work on the tteokbokki, heating up a pan and adding rice cakes, fish cakes, and green onions. He poured in a sauce made from gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic, letting it simmer until everything was coated in a thick, spicy glaze.
Meanwhile, Lee Soo Hyuk prepped the chicken, dipping the pieces in a batter of flour and seasoning before frying them to a golden crisp. The aroma of frying chicken soon filled the kitchen, mingling with the spicy scent of the tteokbokki.
Choi Jung Soo on the other hand, mixed the kimchi into a batter with flour, eggs, and green onions. He poured the mixture onto a hot pan, spreading it out into a large pancake. But as the kimchi jeon began to sizzle, he got distracted by the banter between Kim Rok Soo and their team leader.
"Hey, Rok Soo, do you remember that time you burned the rice?" Choi Jung Soo teased, laughing at the memory.
Kim Rok Soo rolled his eyes, stirring the tteokbokki. "That was once, Jung Soo. And you were the one who distracted me, I'm not a hopeless chef like you."
Lee Soo Hyuk chuckled, flipping the chicken in the fryer. "He’s got a point."
Lost in the conversation, Choi Jung Soo didn’t notice the edges of the pancake turning from golden brown to dark brown to black. The smell of burning kimchi jeon quickly overpowered the pleasant aromas of the other dishes.
"Jung Soo, the pancake!" Kim Rok Soo called out, eyes widening as he saw smoke rising from the pan.
Choi Jung Soo spun around, panicking. "Oh no!" He grabbed the spatula and tried to flip the pancake, but it was too late. The once-promising kimchi jeon was now a charred mess, stuck to the bottom of the pan.
Lee Soo Hyuk couldn't help but laugh. "Nice job, chef."
Choi Jung Soo groaned, scraping the burnt pancake off the pan with a sheepish smile. "I got distracted. Sorry, guys."
Kim Rok Soo shook his head, though he couldn't suppress a smile. "It’s fine. Just try again, and this time, pay attention."
Determined to redeem himself, Choi Jung Soo mixed another batch of batter, this time focusing intently on the task at hand. He poured the mixture onto the pan and watched it like a hawk, flipping it just in time to achieve a perfect golden brown.
"There you go," Kim Rok Soo said, giving him an encouraging nod. "Much better."
With the crisis averted, they quickly finished preparing the rest of the meal. When everything was ready, they gathered around the table, each setting down their contributions. The spread looked mouth-watering spicy, chewy tteokbokki, crispy, savoury kimchi jeon, and perfectly fried chicken. They opened a few bottles of beer, the cold drinks a perfect complement to the hot, flavorful food.
Lee Soo Hyuk raised his bottle, a small smile on his face. "To late-night snacks and good company with my dongsaengs~."
"Cheers!" Choi Jung Soo and Kim Rok Soo echoed, clinking their bottles together.
They dug in, the kitchen filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and satisfied hums. The spicy tteokbokki provided a kick of heat that was quickly cooled by the refreshing beer. The kimchi jeon, now perfectly cooked, was savoury and slightly tangy, each bite bursting with flavour. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, a comforting classic.
"This is great," Choi Jung Soo said between bites, his earlier mishap forgotten as he savoured the meal. "We should do this more often."
Lee Soo Hyuk nodded, a rare, relaxed smile on his face. "Agreed. It’s a nice break from everything."
Kim Rok Soo leaned back, savouring the moment. "It’s the little things, right?"
They continued eating and drinking, the conversation flowing easily as the night wore on. The combination of good food, cold beer, and close friends created a sense of warmth that made the late hour feel like a special, private celebration.
As the last of the snacks disappeared and the bottles emptied, they sat back in their chairs, content, and relaxed. The late-night snack had been a perfect way to unwind, a reminder of the simple joys that came from sharing good food and good times with friends.
"Thanks for this, guys," Lee Soo Hyuk said, his voice soft but sincere.
"Anytime, team leader-nim," Kim Rok Soo replied, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Let’s make it a tradition," Choi Jung Soo suggested, already looking forward to the next time.
And so, in the quiet of the early morning, they made a pact to keep this tradition alive, knowing that these moments of shared laughter and delicious food were what truly strengthened their bond.
Kim Rok Soo sat at his desk, surrounded by papers and a glowing computer screen. He rubbed his tired eyes, the strain of the day weighing heavily on him. From the kitchen, he could hear the unmistakable sounds of cooking—pans clattering, oil sizzling, and occasional bursts of laughter. Curious, he got up to investigate.
In the kitchen, Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo were engaged in a chaotic dance of culinary attempts. Lee Soo Hyuk was chopping vegetables with surprising precision, while Choi Jung Soo manned the stove, a look of intense concentration on his face.
“What’s going on here?” Kim Rok Soo asked, leaning against the doorway.
“Dinner,” Lee Soo Hyuk replied without looking up, his knife moving swiftly through a carrot.
“For you, dongsaeng!” Choi Jung Soo added with a grin, turning to face Kim Rok Soo with a spatula in hand. “We thought you could use a break.”
Kim Rok Soo raised an eyebrow. “Dongsaeng? You know I’m not calling you hyung, right? We’re the same age.”
Choi Jung Soo waved a dismissive hand. “Details, details. Just sit back and enjoy the food.”
Kim Rok Soo shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Alright, but don’t burn anything.”
As if on cue, a flame flared up from the pan Choi Jung Soo was tending, sending a cloud of smoke billowing into the air. “Oh no!” he yelped, frantically waving a dish towel at the smoke.
Lee Soo Hyuk glanced over, his calm demeanour unaffected. “You’re about to burn the stir-fry, Jung Soo.”
“I know, I know!” Choi Jung Soo replied, quickly turning down the heat and stirring the pan with renewed focus. “Crisis averted.”
Kim Rok Soo watched in amusement as his two friends worked together, their banter and camaraderie a soothing background noise. Despite the occasional mishap, the kitchen was filled with the comforting aroma of home-cooked food.
“Rok Soo, grab some plates, will you?” Lee Soo Hyuk called out, setting aside the chopped vegetables.
Kim Rok Soo complied, pulling plates from the cabinet and setting them on the table. “What’s on the menu?”
“Bulgogi, stir-fried vegetables, and some banchan,” Lee Soo Hyuk replied, his voice calm and steady as he moved to help Choi Jung Soo with the cooking. “Nothing too fancy, but we put in the effort.”
“Sounds good,” Kim Rok Soo said, genuinely touched by their effort.
As they finished up, Choi Jung Soo almost had another close call, but Lee Soo Hyuk was there to steady the pan and save the food from another potential disaster. Finally, they plated the meal: perfectly marinated and cooked bulgogi, a mix of colourful stir-fried vegetables, and an array of banchan that included kimchi, seasoned spinach, and pickled radishes.
“Dinner is served!” Choi Jung Soo announced proudly, carrying the last dish to the table.
They all sat down, Kim Rok Soo in the middle with Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo on either side. The table was a feast of vibrant colors and enticing aromas, a testament to their combined efforts.
“Not bad,” Kim Rok Soo teased, taking a bite of the bulgogi. The meat was tender and flavorful, the marinade perfectly balanced.
Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo exchanged a satisfied look. “Glad you like it, dongsaeng-ah,” Lee Soo Hyuk said, raising his glass of water.
Kim Rok Soo rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. “You guys did good. Really.”
They dug into the meal, the conversation flowing easily. The near-mishaps in the kitchen were soon forgotten, replaced by laughter and stories from their day. Despite the playful bickering, there was a deep sense of camaraderie and mutual respect that underscored their interactions.
“So, we survived the cooking adventure,” Choi Jung Soo said with a grin, finishing his plate.
“Barely,” Lee Soo Hyuk added, a tired smile gracing his features.
Kim Rok Soo looked at them both, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the food. “Thanks, guys. This means a lot.”
“Anytime,” they chorused, clinking their glasses together.
In that moment, surrounded by good food and great friends, Kim Rok Soo felt a profound sense of belonging. They might not acknowledge them as his hyungs, but in every other way that mattered, they were his family. And that was enough for him.
The apartment was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the once bustling hub of activity it used to be. Kim Rok Soo stood in the kitchen, staring at the ingredients laid out before him. Cooking had always been a source of comfort, a way to unwind and connect with his friends. But now, those friends were gone, and he was left with only memories.
With a heavy heart, Kim Rok Soo began preparing a simple meal for himself. He chose to make some of their favourite dishes—dishes that held the weight of countless shared moments. As he chopped vegetables and marinated meat, his mind wandered back to the times when the kitchen was alive with laughter and camaraderie.
He could almost hear Choi Jung Soo’s playful teasing. “Rok Soo, don’t forget the garlic! You know how much I love garlic.”
And Lee Soo Hyuk’s calm, steady presence. “You’re doing great, Rok Soo. Just don’t burn the rice this time.”
Kim Rok Soo smiled faintly at the memories, but the smile quickly faded as reality set in. They weren’t here anymore. He was alone.
As he stirred the pot of bubbling stew, the familiar scent brought back a flood of memories. He could almost see Choi Jung Soo standing next to him, joking about his cooking skills, while Lee Soo Hyuk watched over them with his usual quiet confidence.
“You’re really getting the hang of this, Rok Soo,” Lee Soo Hyuk’s voice echoed in his mind. “Maybe you should be our team’s official chef.”
Kim Rok Soo blinked, shaking his head to dispel the vision, but it persisted. The room seemed to shimmer, the boundaries between reality and memory blurring. His ability, ‘Record,’ often did this to him—pulled him into the past so vividly that it was hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t.
He tried to focus on the task at hand, but the more he cooked, the more the memories enveloped him. The kitchen was filled with the ghostly presence of his teammates. Choi Jung Soo was there, laughing and teasing as always, while Lee Soo Hyuk offered his steady support.
“Hey, Rok Soo,” Choi Jung Soo said, leaning over to taste the stew. “This needs more salt.”
Kim Rok Soo reached for the salt, almost on autopilot, before catching himself. The salt shaker slipped from his grasp and clattered to the floor, jolting him back to reality. He stared at the empty space where Choi Jung Soo had stood moments before, his heart aching with the loss.
He sank to the floor, his back against the cabinets, the weight of his grief pressing down on him. The memories were so vivid, so real, but they were just that—memories. His friends were gone, and no amount of reliving the past would bring them back.
In the oppressive silence, he could almost hear their responses, but he could almost feel their comforting presence. But when he opened his eyes, he was still alone.
Forcing himself to his feet, he returned to the stove, determined to finish the meal. It was a small way to honour their memory, to keep them close in the only way he knew how. As he plated the food, he imagined setting the table for all of them, just like old times.
He set the table with meticulous care. Each plate was placed with purpose, as if by setting them correctly, he could somehow bring back the presence of those who had once shared these meals with him. He placed a plate in front of Choi Jung Soo’s empty chair, followed by another in front of Lee Soo Hyuk’s. The sight of the empty chairs, now adorned with plates of carefully prepared food, brought a pang to his heart.
Kim Rok Soo stood back and surveyed the table. The food looked delicious, each dish a testament to the countless meals they had shared. He could almost hear their laughter, see their smiles, and feel their presence. But the chairs remained empty, and the silence was a constant, aching reminder of their absence.
He moved to the stove, serving the bulgogi onto the plates. The sizzling meat and vegetables were as tender and flavorful as ever, but they brought him no comfort. With a heavy sigh, he spooned generous portions of the spicy kimchi and seasoned rice onto the plates next to the bulgogi. Each serving was a small tribute, a way to keep the memory of his friends alive.
“Dinner’s ready,” he said softly, though the room was empty except for him and the empty chairs. He placed the food carefully, as though the act of setting the table could make up for the void left by their absence.
Sitting down at his own place, Kim Rok Soo took a deep breath and looked at the two plates opposite him. He could almost see Choi Jung Soo leaning in with his usual eagerness, asking for more of the spicy kimchi, and Lee Soo Hyuk sitting calmly, his appreciation conveyed through a quiet nod.
With a trembling hand, Kim Rok Soo reached for his chopsticks and began to serve himself. Each bite was a bittersweet reminder of the times they had shared, a mixture of flavors and memories that left him feeling both comforted and hollow.
He paused to pour a drink into the empty glasses at the table, as if offering a toast to his absent friends. “To old times,” he murmured, raising his glass slightly in their direction.
As he ate, he spoke to the empty chairs, sharing small anecdotes about his day, just as he would have if they were there. The conversation was one-sided, but it was a way to feel connected, to make the loneliness a little less unbearable.
“Choi Jung Soo,” he said with a small smile, imagining his friend’s playful teasing, “you would’ve loved this bulgogi. I think it’s even better than the last time we had it.”
He turned to the other chair, his voice softening. “And Team leader, I could really use your steady presence right now. I keep thinking you’d be here, making sure I don’t overcook the rice.”
The silence that followed was profound, filled with the echoes of laughter and the unspoken words that would never again be shared. Kim Rok Soo finished his meal with a heavy heart, the food serving as both a comfort and a reminder of the empty space that could never truly be filled.
After he finished eating, he cleared the table, carefully lifting the plates and glasses. As he washed the dishes, he glanced at the empty chairs one last time, a wave of sadness washing over him.
“Goodnight,” he said softly to the empty room. “I’ll see you in my dreams.”
The kitchen fell silent once more, and Kim Rok Soo retreated to his room, leaving the plates and glasses on the table, a small tribute to the friends he missed so dearly. In the quiet of the night, the presence of the empty chairs lingered, a poignant reminder of the bond that death could not sever, and the memories that would always remain.
He knew that he had to keep going, to keep living for their sake. But in that moment, all he could feel was the crushing weight of their absence and the haunting presence of memories that felt too real.
As he turned off the lights and headed to bed, he whispered into the darkness, “I’m tired."
And in the quiet of the night, the echo of his words lingered, a testament to the enduring bond of friendship that even death could not sever.