When she came out of the bathroom with her hair wrapped in a towel, the smell of doenjang-guk tickled her nose. The smell was quite fainter than what her mother made. On the table were side dishes neatly placed in individual bowls. Kimchi, stir-fried garlic stalk, bean sprouts, and finally stir-fried anchovies. She picked up a shiny-looking piece of almond and put it in her mouth.

“Did you fry this with honey?”

“I put it in honey and oligosaccharide and then fried it.”

“It’s good. I should try this at home.”

“I have some left, so you can take it.”

“Then I want the stir-fried garlic stalks and kimchi as well.”

“Fine, take them all.”

Maru, who was tasting the soup in front of the pot, smiled in satisfaction before turning off the stove.

“Where’s the rice? I’ll get it ready.”

“The rice cooker is right next to the microwave.”

The rice cooker was next to the door leading to the veranda which was next to the kitchen. She picked up the rice scooper and opened the lid.

“It’s multi-grain rice.”

“That’s what’s good for health, so yeah.”

“You’re quite attentive when it comes to things like this.”

She scooped some rice and put it in a bowl.

“Is this much okay for you?” she asked as she held out the rice bowl in front of him.

He replied that it...