As we walked out, one of the staff whispered loudly, "See? I told you he's not heartless! He even shops now!"
I pretended I didn't hear it, but Ivy giggled all the way to the exit.
***
We stepped out of the clothing store, Ivy was still hugging her Smol blob bear plush, then my stomach betrayed me.
It growled.
Loudly.
Ivy blinked up at me. "Ahjussi… was that your tummy?"
I paused. "…No. It was the floor."
She grinned. "Liar. You're hungry."
I sighed, looking around. "Fine. Food court. Let's go before I starve to death."
***
THE FOOD COURT!
The food court in this mall was practically a mini-world on its own, neon signs stacked like digital totems, kiosks shouting promotions, and speakers looping the same three K-pop songs as if Seoul demanded a soundtrack. The smell hit first— fried chicken, tteokbokki steam, grilled meat, tangy kimchi, pork ribs stew, bbq, and too many perfumes from too many people.
Ivy's eyes went wide as we entered the food court. "It smells so good!"
She spun slowly, overwhelmed by all the stalls and glowing signs. "What's that one??"
"That's… chicken," I said, pointing at the stall with a cartoon drumstick mascot.
She dramatically gasped. "Chicken…?"
"You eat it."
She tugged at my sleeve immediately. "I want that one! Ahjussi!"
I was in the mood for jokbal but.
I sighed, ordered two plates, one spicy, one not, and found a table in the corner.
We sat down, the big sunfish sitting proudly on the empty chair beside us like a third guest.
***
A moment later, the waiter approached with a steady step, placing the sizzling chicken that I had ordered onto the table. He offered a polite nod, then slipped away, leaving the aroma of fried chicken around us.
Ivy stared at the food for one second, hesitant.
Then took a bite.
And froze.
Her eyes sparkled. "It's… crunchy! And warm! And—"
I watched her struggle for words as she chewed like her life depended on it. "Slow down. You'll choke."
"But it's so good!" she said between bites, already reaching for another ONE piece. "It's the best thing ever!"
I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed. "Glad to know fried chicken changed your life."
She pushed her plate toward me, while there's grease on her cheeks. "You should try it too!"
"I've had chicken before, Ivy."
"Not like this!," she took a bite, mouth full. "Itsh difherent"
I sighed, pushed her plate back at her and took a bite from my own plate and okay… Okay, fine. It was good.
Maybe.
For a while, neither of us said anything, just the sound of munching, chatter, and distant sound of thye arcade.
Then Ivy looked up, her voice was soft, softer than before. "Ahjussi… this is my favorite day."
I froze mid-bite and looked at her. "Because of the chicken— Right?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
She smiled, shook her head. "Because you're here."
I stared at her for a second. Then I looked away. "You've got sauce on your face," I muttered.
She laughed. "Then clean it, Dad."
"Don't push it."
But this time, I didn't sigh.
***
I leaned back, finishing the last piece while Ivy was still half way through hers, crumbs on her sleeves and happiness all over her face.
"Drink?" I asked, glancing at the menu board.
She nodded eagerly. "Yes! The bubbly one!"
"You mean soda."
"Yeah! That!" she said, holding her cup of water then taking a sip. "Make it the red one!"
"Cherry? You sure, that stuff tastes like medicine."
"I like medicine!" she said proudly.
"Of course you do."
I went to the counter, ordered two drinks, and returned with two sodas.
I put one down beside her.
She took one sip and her face lit up like a street light. "It's fizzy! And sweet! And my tongue's dancing!"
"Congratulations," I said dryly, sipping mine. "You've discovered sugar."
She giggled. "Can I have yours too?"
"No."
"Half?"
"No."
"Quarter?"
I stared at her. She grinned.
"…Fine," I said, handing her the cup.
"Yay!" She cheered and took her victory sip.
***
A few minutes passed in peace just us, food, noise, and the faint glow of the mall lights.
I looked at her.
Ivy was still nibbling on her last piece when I noticed her eyes shine with that same spark she'd had all day.
She licked her fingers, sighing happily. "Ahjussi… chicken is the best."
I leaned, chin on my hand. "That's just the basic kind."
Her head shot up. "There's more???"
"Yeah," I said, smirking. "You haven't even tried Korean fried chicken yet."
She gasped. "There's… another kind of chicken?"
"There's a better kind of chicken."
Her jaw dropped like I just revealed a hidden realm. Honestly, Korea does treat food like a religion, so fair enough.
"Where!?" She said loudly.
I pointed toward the far end of the food court, where a sign read— Seoul Bite— Authentic Korean Fried Chicken.
"Wanna try?" I asked.
She didn't even answer. She was already halfway to the stall, the Small bear plush bouncing under her arm.
I sighed, grabbing the massive sunfish and tucking it on my arm, following behind. "One day she'll sprint into another dimension for food…"
When we got there, the smell from the stall hit us like a punch— sweet soy, garlic, gochujang strong enough to hurt someone emotionally.
Ivy stood on her toes to peek at the display. "Ahjussi! They're shiny!"
"That's the glaze," I said. "You'll see."
We ordered a small mix box.
Ivy took one, and bit into one, froze, then—
"Ahjussi… it's—"
"Crunchy?"
"Heavenly!!! crunchy and sweet AND SPICY!!!" she yelled, cheeks puffed as she kept chewing.
Heads turned at us immediately. People at nearby tables looked up, some startled, others smiling, a few even chuckling.
And—
I didn't care. Just leaned back, sipping my drink.
She kept chewing oblivious of the stares.
"Congratulations," I said, smirking. "You've achieved chicken enlightenment."
She pointed her drumsticks at me, puffed cheeks and all. "If I ever get rich, I'll buy this every day!"
"Hope your wallet's made of gold."
She giggled— bright, full, and carefree like the whole food court softened to hear her.
For a moment, everything was perfect. Almost too perfect.
Then ivy slowed down mid-bite. Her smile faltered.
"…Ahjussi."
I looked at her. "What's wrong? Did you burn your tongue?"
She shook her head. Her lip trembled a little. "No… it's just…"
Her hands gripped the edge of the table. "Thank you."
"...For what?"
"For… for picking me up yesterday." Her voice cracked. "It was so cold there. I thought no one would find me."
She sniffled, then wiped her face with her sleeve.
"And now there's chicken. And some tasty drinks. And this massive place with lights… and you."
Before I could say anything, she slid off her chair and ran around the table, her arms wrapping around me, hugging me tight.
Her head buried into my shirt, her voice muffled. "Thank you, Ahjussi…"
I froze. "…You're getting grease on my shirt," I whispered.
She laughed through her tears, clinging even tighter. "Don't care."
I sighed. and let my hand rest on her head.
"…Eat before it gets cold,"
Her muffled voice came back, shaky but happy. "Yes, Dad."
I didn't correct her this time
***
We left the food court after Ivy calmed down, her eyes a bit red but her smile back again.
Outside, the mall had shifted into early evening, cooler air, dimmer lights, the sky now washed in Seoul's hazy orange gray. You could always tell the time of day by the color of the lights reflections on the mall windows. Seoul never really slept; it just changed.
Ivy hummed quietly beside me, hugging her bear plush against her chest. Meanwhile the sunfish swung from my arm like a tired companion.
For once, everything felt… peaceful.
We walked past a few blocks. Storefronts buzzed. A delivery drone zipped past overhead— standard in Seoul these days. Electric taxis lined the road, headlights reflecting off the pavement.
Then I saw it.
A CU convenience store, sign buzzing faint purple-green.
And standing in front of it—
A woman in a flowing white dress, the fabric catching the streetlight like mist. A wide ribbon hat shaded her face, and a disposable mask covered the rest.
But the way she stood slightly off balance, like she wasn't fully here or there— was unmistakable.
I stopped walking.
Ivy tugged my sleeves and looked up at me. "Ahjussi?"
But I didn't hear her.
My gaze stayed fixed on the woman by the store, who now turned ever so slightly enough for the light to hit her eyes.
Cold. Familiar. Beautiful…?
My throat tightened.
"…Vesper?"
The name slipped.
Her head tilted, slow, Deliberate.
And for a second, I could swear she smiled beneath that mask.
————
(A/N. I— NEED— STONES!!! PRETTY PLEASE UwU... Okay that's cringe.