School was finally over. "Ray!" Jin called out to me at the gate. "Don't go home yet. Come with me." "Why? Do you have a plan to embarrass yourself in the neighborhood too?" "Ha ha, very funny." He punched my shoulder lightly. "Mom and Dad went to visit Grandma in the countryside. The house is empty, and I have the newest game cartridge that just dropped yesterday. Plus, no one will yell at us if we scream or make a mess."
I couldn't refuse. Jin's house had always been my second sanctuary.
We arrived at his place. It was quiet, yet Jin's chaotic energy filled it with life. Clothes were strewn on the sofa, bags of chips scattered on the table. "I'm hungry," Jin announced, throwing himself onto the couch. "I'll cook us dinner."
I looked at him in sheer horror. "You? Cook? Last time you tried to make a grilled cheese sandwich, you almost burned the kitchen down." "My skills have evolved!" He leaped toward the kitchen. "I'm going to make you Ramyeon with Jin's secret blend."
I followed him to supervise the impending disaster. He was tossing ingredients into the pot with reckless abandon. Eggs, whole uncut vegetables, an insane amount of hot sauce, and even... chocolate? "Jin! Chocolate doesn't go in Ramyeon!" "Trust the chef!"
Ten minutes later... we sat in front of two bowls emitting a strange, purple steam. "Bon appétit," Jin said proudly. I tasted a single spoonful. Time stopped. I felt my tongue literally melting. "Jin..." I said, my eyes watering from the heat and the bizarre taste. "This... is a biological weapon."
Jin exploded with laughter as he ate greedily. "It's delicious! You just don't have a refined palate!"
We ate. We laughed until my stomach hurt. We played until our fingers grew numb. We talked about the future. "When we graduate..." Jin said, staring up at the ceiling. "I'm going to build a skyscraper. And I'll reserve the top floor just for you—as a clinic, an office... or whatever you decide to be."
I looked at him. "It's a deal," I said. "And I'll treat you for free when you eventually get food poisoning from your own cooking."
I left Jin's house late at night. The streets were quiet, the streetlights flickering lazily above. I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. My stomach was full (despite the slight ache), and my soul felt light.
I reached my home. The lights were still on in the living room. I opened the door quietly. "I'm back."
My dad was sitting in his favorite chair, reading a book with his reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose. My mom was folding laundry while watching a drama series at a low volume. Dad looked up and smiled. "Welcome home, night owl. How is Jin? Did he burn the house down yet?"
I laughed as I took off my shoes. "It was a close call, but we survived." Mom spoke without taking her eyes off the TV: "There's a plate of fruit in the fridge if you're still hungry. And don't stay up too late; you have school tomorrow."
"Okay, Mom." I kissed her head and shook Dad's hand. "Goodnight."
I entered my room. I threw myself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the tape of the day. Jin's flushed red face... Lina's laughter... the terrible taste of the Ramyeon... and the warmth of my home. "I'm lucky..." I whispered to myself. I closed my eyes, ready to sleep. Everything was perfect. Everything was peaceful.
But... the moment my consciousness began to fade... that "glitch" returned. In the darkness behind my eyelids, I saw a red number appear suddenly.
[Initiating Countdown...][10...]
I snapped my eyes open in panic. Nothing. The room was dark and still. "Just my imagination..." I went back to sleep... but fear lingered in my mind as I wondered...
What does that mean?