"Can you write down everything that is needed for it?"
Before Rian could dash off again, Cheon Areum swiftly caught him, scooping him up and handing him his phone. With a pout but some restraint, Rian typed exactly three words — that was his limit before the squirming began. He was already shifting in place, too restless to sit still a second longer. Cheon Areum chuckled softly. With this boundless energy, Rian would probably make an excellent hunter one day — the kind who could tear through countless gates before anyone else had even drawn their weapon.
"Areum, do you need to add anything for the sandwich?"
Yoon Seoyul bought his phone toward him, the screen aglow with a list of groceries being ordered online. At first, Cheon Areum only glanced — until his eyes locked on the total at the bottom. His expression instantly twisted in disbelief, eyes widening as if he’d just seen his wanted poster.
"Are we feeding a guild or stocking for the apocalypse?"
"What are you getting for one million won??"
"That’s not that much...."
"Show me the cart."
Cheon Areum lunged for the phone, but Yoon Seoyul quickly raised his arm out of reach, evading him with a slight tilt of his body.
"Let me see!"
Cheon Areum huffed, stretching on his toes.
"Are you buying a farm along with the groceries?!"
Thinking Yoon Seoyul was finally about to hand over the phone, Cheon Areum instinctively paused — hands open, fingers curled slightly as he waited. The phone lowered toward him... only to slip through Yoon Seoyul’s fingers and fall flat on the floor with a dull thud.
".....?"
Cheon Areum blinked, dumbfounded, then slowly turned his gaze up with a question mark plastered on his face.
"You don’t remember what you need for the sandwich?"
"That’s not the problem right now... why would you drop it like that? Just give it to me like a normal person."
Cheon Areum was about to pick up the phone from the floor when Yoon Seoyul’s hands circled around his waist, pulling him in and pressing him against his body.
"I don’t want you to take anything out of the cart."
Yoon Seoyul stared down at him, speaking in a low voice.
"We don’t even have any space left for groceries in the refrigerator. Where will we store them...."
"Here, Hyung!"
Rian handed him Yoon Seoyul’s phone with sparkly eyes as if wanting to be appraised for his thoughtful actions. Cheon Areum patted his head gleefully.
"...."
Yoon Seoyul silently watched as Cheon Areum opened the cart and began scrolling through the seemingly endless list of items. There wasn’t a single luxurious or standout product — just an absurd collection of ordinary, everyday things. It was almost impressive how someone could rack up such a ridiculous total using nothing but the most miscellaneous items imaginable. Cheon Areum’s expression grew more unimpressed with every swipe. A ten-pack of dish sponges, three types of sugar, four brands of instant noodles in identical flavors, scented garbage bags, decorative toothpicks... Unable to look anymore, he emptied out the whole cart and gave the phone back to its original owner.
"Just order takeout."
"Okay."
Like a rained-on animal, Yoon Seoyul nodded with quiet resignation and sat down onto the couch, phone in hand, scrolling through restaurants with high ratings. His hair, still damp from the shower, clung to his forehead as he leaned back, eyes scanning the screen with vague detachment. The things he needed for the sandwich were all available already, so there was really no need for groceries. But the sandwich was questionable. Bread, cheese slices, and ketchup? What kind of sandwich was this?
"Rian, enough running around. Go and wash up if you still want to go and meet your friends at the daycare."
Cheon Areum spoke, getting the ingredients for the sandwich out on the counter.
"....."
Now what?
Stuck from the beginning, Cheon Areum searched for a cheese sandwich recipe online for instructions. Staring at the screen like it had betrayed him, Cheon Areum squinted at the ingredient list of the first cheese sandwich recipe that popped up.
"Freshly made butter... vintage cheddar cheese... sourdough bread aged under moonlight — seriously?"
He scrolled further, only to find even more absurd requirements: Himalayan pink salt, hand-picked basil leaves, and truffle oil. His expression soured. After reading through the entire thing once, he shut off the screen. Washing his hands at the sink, he turned on the electric stove and placed the frying pan neatly on top. Taking out two slices of bread from the bag, he laid them onto the heated pan, pressing them down slightly with his fingers. After toasting them just enough to feel warm, he picked the slices up barehanded and placed them carefully onto a plain white plate, crumbs scattering slightly over the surface.
Fully engrossed in crafting his humble sandwich masterpiece, Cheon Areum didn’t register the creeping touch at first. It was only when Yoon Seoyul’s forehead pressed gently against his right shoulder that he realized a pair of hands had slipped under the hem of his hoodie. The fingers, cold from being out of the kitchen’s warmth, splayed across his waist as if they belonged there. Cheon Areum flinched slightly, eyes flicking to the side.
"When will the food be here?"
He asked without turning his head. Resuming his work, he placed the slices of cheese on each piece of toasted bread, the soft edges beginning to melt from the residual heat. Then, combining them into a single sandwich, he gently pressed it down and placed it back onto the heated pan. He stood there quietly as the bread turned golden and crisp.
"It’ll take about 20 minutes... but is this all?"
Yoon Seoyul spoke, putting his chin on the shoulder. Cheon Areum added ketchup on the side of the plate with the sandwich.
"Yeah. Should I cut it in the middle?"
"Hm. It’ll be easier to eat. Cut it sideways with a knife....."
Yoon Seoyul hadn’t even finished speaking when Cheon Areum grabbed the sandwich and tore it into two without ceremony.