They Told Me to Build Good Karma by Selling Side Dishes - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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38. Group Lunch Boxes (3)

I opened the truck door and carefully transferred the lunch boxes to the passenger seat, securing them once more to ensure they wouldn’t shift during the drive.

“Mongshil. My dear Mongshil.”

This truck was the first place I’d spent the money I’d been saving since childhood. I’d reasoned that if I was moving to Seoul and living alone, I needed at least one vehicle.

I climbed into the driver’s seat and gripped the steering wheel lightly. The engine roared to life as I turned the key.

“Let’s do our best today too.”

The shop sign reflected dimly in the rearview mirror. I fastened my seatbelt and shifted into gear. Mongshil moved slowly, slipping out of the alley.

Heat that hadn’t yet dissipated from the asphalt, warmed throughout the day, rose subtly into the cabin.

“…It’s hot.”

I naturally turned on the air conditioning.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz—

Even as summer was nearly ending, the cicadas seemed determined to survive. Their thin, persistent cries continued unabated.

As I glanced around, I spotted a speed bump ahead and eased off the accelerator.

‘Ah. A speed bump.’

I gently rolled over the bump to keep the lunch boxes from jostling, and the aroma of fried chicken wafting from somewhere in the distance made me wet my lower lip.

“That smells delicious…”

So this was why my parents would bring home a whole chicken on their way back from work.

The moment the traffic light turned green, the School’s Main Gate came into view. Beneath a streetlamp beside the gate, I spotted Na Seon-han.

“Teacher!”
“Oh! Boss.”

I eased off the accelerator and pulled Mongsil to a stop beside the Main Gate. I killed the engine and stepped out of the vehicle.

“I hope you weren’t waiting long? I’m not late, am I?”
“Not at all! You arrived right on time.”
“I rushed over here thinking I was going to be late with the delivery.”

I moved toward the passenger seat and lifted the lunch box container that sat there.

“Can you handle this?”
“Of cour—”

Before Na Seon-han could even finish her response, she took the box and her body swayed slightly off balance.

“Teacher!”

I instinctively caught Na Seon-han in my arms.

“This is… quite heavy… haha.”

As the box tilted, a faint clattering sound emanated from within.

“Let me carry it.”
“No… then, that would be too much…”
“Let’s just go, shall we? We can’t have you getting scolded by your colleagues if you spill the lunch boxes.”
“…Very well.”

Na Seon-han nodded. I secured the box firmly in my arms and moved to walk beside her.

“Is this your first time at the school?”
“No.”

We passed through the Main Gate and walked into the quiet Schoolyard. The sun hadn’t fully set yet, so the lights on the athletic field weren’t on. Instead, fluorescent light from the classroom windows spilled out in rectangular patches into the evening air.

“So it’s not your first time?”
“It’s both my first time and not my first time?”

Na Seon-han asked as she watched me enter with such familiarity.

“I graduated high school from here.”

Na Seon-han covered her mouth in surprise.

“You’re an alumna?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s been a while since I graduated, but there should be teachers here who remember me.”
“Why, why? Could it be….”

I laughed briefly and shook my head.

“I wasn’t what you’d call a troublemaker.”
“Then what?”
“I was popular.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If you go to the alumni reunion, there are witnesses who can confirm it.”

I gave a light shrug.

“This is the Teacher’s Office.”

As I stood before the Teacher’s Office door, I heard murmuring from inside. Na Seon-han opened the door and announced.

“The lunch boxes are here!”

At her words, heads lifted in unison.

“Already? They’re here already?”
“Lunch boxes!”
“Na Seon-han is treating us, apparently.”

Several teachers were already rising from their seats, staring at the boxes. I stepped inside and set them on the table.

“Should I move them here, Na Seon-han?”
“Yes. Just leave them on this table.”

I immediately opened the box lids and began removing the lunch boxes one by one. Someone stepped closer to peer inside.

“The aroma is absolutely incredible!”
“This is Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop, right?”
“Yes, it is. It’s become quite famous among the students.”
“Famous only among students? The parents know about it too.”

One of the female teachers gazed down at the lunch box and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Her eyes slowly rose, and our gazes met.

“Teacher?”
“Ji-gu? The one who always came in first in the relay race at the sports festival!”
“Homeroom Teacher?! You’re teaching second year again this year?”
“That’s right!”

Despite all the time that had passed, the Homeroom Teacher’s sharp gaze remained unchanged.

“Your face hasn’t changed at all.”
“Have you changed?”
“I’ve been taking good care of my skin, you know?”

A soft laugh rippled through the Teacher’s Office.

“Are you working at your grandmother’s side dish shop?”
“Yes. I’m the owner.”
“So you finally overcame your grandmother’s wishes and became a chef?”

I rubbed the back of my neck with a smile.

“Well, sort of…”
“Alright, alright. Let’s see what you’ve made. I’m curious about your skills.”

The Homeroom Teacher waved her hand.

“Please try the lunch box. It should be delicious.”

The moment I set the box down on the floor, the teachers opened the lunch box lids. Since they were freshly prepared, warm steam rose gently upward.

“Oh… just smell that.”

The Homeroom Teacher picked up a piece of bulgogi.

“So I’m accepting this from my student.”
“Please taste it and give me an honest evaluation. It’s a lunch box my student made, after all.”

I winked and held it forward like I was offering a bribe.

“Ji-gu’s always been smooth-talking. An evaluation? It already feels like a pass to me.”

My heart fluttered as I watched the bulgogi enter the teachers’ mouths.

‘This feels like a final exam.’

The Homeroom Teacher picked up a piece of bulgogi and chewed it slowly. I clasped my hands behind my back, my gaze dropping to the floor before rising again.

“Ji-gu!”

The tone was unusual.

“What? Does it taste bad?”

The Homeroom Teacher shook her head.

“It’s delicious.”
“It’s decent, right?”
“I’m usually picky about food, but I like that the seasoning isn’t too strong. The vegetable aroma is nice too. Now I understand why it’s so popular among the students.”

Na Seon-han smiled with pride beside me.

“I didn’t ask for nothing, did I?”

The teachers nodded in agreement. Then the Homeroom Teacher set down her tumbler and spoke.

“You’re impressive.”
“I’m impressive, right?”
“Very much so.”

Well then….

“Ji-gu. Wait a moment!”

The Homeroom Teacher wiped the sauce from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand as she approached.

“Come here for a hug.”
“Pardon?”

The Homeroom Teacher looked me up and down, then opened her arms wide.

“You’ve been so thoughtful.”
“Really, Teacher, you too.”

I hesitated in surprise, but the Homeroom Teacher stepped forward and pulled me into an embrace, patting my back. It was quite an earnest hug.

“You’ve grown well. And helping your grandmother like this.”
“It’s no trouble.”
“That’s all that matters.”

Hearing her warm voice from above, I smiled softly. I patted her back in return before stepping away.

“See you next time, Teacher.”
“I’ll be visiting Hyang-suk’s often.”
“I’ll make sure to give you extra portions next time.”
“Look at you—you’re becoming quite the businesswoman.”

As I picked up the remaining lunch boxes to leave, Na Seon-han stood up from her seat and approached.

“The Twins will be dismissed soon. Should we go together?”
“No evening study session?”
“Not today. We’re not staying at school to study.”
“Then….”

Less than a minute remained until dismissal. I glanced toward the increasingly noisy hallway before adding:

“Would it be alright if I wait at the Twins’ classroom?”
“Of course. As long as you don’t cause any disruption.”

When Na Seon-han offered to accompany me, I politely declined.

“I’ll go alone. Since I’m an alumna of this school, I have the freedom to come and go.”
“That’s true, but….”
“Na Seon-han, eat quickly before it gets cold.”
“Then I’ll see you next time.”

I nodded and headed toward the classroom where the Twins were.

Ding—

The bell rang. At that sound, the classroom erupted into activity. Doors swung open one after another as students poured out.

‘The Twins….’

I was pressing myself against the wall when—

“Boss?”

The Twins spotted me in front of the classroom door, their eyes widening as they stood frozen in place.

“What are you doing here?”
“Lunch box delivery.”

I shook the box in my hand.

“…Did the teachers ask you to do this?”
“Yeah. They actually had me deliver lunch boxes.”

Song Ae-rim’s eyes sparkled infinitely.

“But why do you look so cool today?”
“You’re saying I don’t usually?”

I laughed, draping my arm around Song Ae-rim’s neck.

“…But how did you get in?”
“I’m an alumna of this school, so I came in.”

There was also the purpose of the delivery.

“Let’s go!”

I descended the stairs slowly, clutching the lunch box. Beyond the stairwell window, the sunset caught my eye.

“Boss, boss! Did the teachers say it was delicious?”
“Yeah, they said it was delicious.”
“We’ll definitely get more regular customers!”

I nodded while watching Song Ae-rim chatter away like a parrot. Once I stepped outside the school gates, there was Mongsil, parked where I’d left it earlier.

“Is this your car, boss?”
“…A truck?”

I patted Mongsil and asked.

“What, don’t you like it?”
“No way!”

Song Ae-rim pulled out her smartphone and began snapping photos in rapid succession.

“It’s so cool!”
“I’m glad it looks impressive. Get in.”

The Twins quickly climbed into the passenger seat and settled in. Ae-rim, as expected, took the middle seat.

“It’s cute, though.”

I placed the box in the back and slid into the driver’s seat. I started the engine and asked.

“Happy to ride in a car?”
“Yes! This is my first time! Someone’s giving me a ride!”

Song Ae-rim fastened her seatbelt excitedly and broke into a wide smile.

“…It’s my first time.”

Well, Grandmother Myeong-ja was always too busy with the shop to pick them up herself. Who knows what it was like in the past. I headed home and stopped at a red light.

I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel before speaking casually.

“Would you like me to give you a ride often when I pass by this way?”

The Twins looked up at me at the same time.

“Really!?”
“…Yes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at how adorable the Twins’ faces were.

‘Those eyes full of affection are so endearing.’

I turned the steering wheel lightly and gazed up at the sky where the sunset still lingered.

“Don’t come too often and complain about it.”
“We won’t! We won’t!”
“…Who would do that?”

As I entered the alley, the streetlights cast their glow low across the path. Evening had arrived. As I drove into the familiar neighborhood, Song Ae-rim spoke up.

“You can stop here!”
“Here?”
“Yes!”

I pressed the brake slowly and Mongshil came to a gentle stop. The Twins unfastened their seatbelts, their faces still flushed with excitement as they said goodbye.

“Please give us a ride next time too!”
“…Thank you for today.”

I waved my hand in farewell instead of responding.

***

After successfully completing the lunch box deliveries, I headed back to the shop and parked Mongshil in the parking lot.

I organized the boxes that had been loaded on the truck and stretched my arms toward the sky.

“…This kind of delivery work isn’t so bad.”

Busy as it is, if only someone could manage the shop for me.

“Huh? Lee Hae-ra…?”

Yet something felt odd. As I stepped into the shop, I noticed someone sitting beside Lee Hae-ra wearing sunglasses. Their face seemed strangely familiar.

‘Who is that?’

I’d seen this aura somewhere before. But I couldn’t place them.

“Oh, boss!”

Lee Hae-ra waved in greeting.

“A customer has arrived!”
“Uh… yes?”
“It’s Kang Seo-young!”

The middle-aged woman beside her lowered her sunglasses and smiled.

“This is Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop, right?”

I’d seen that face many times before. Of course! It was the actress Grandmother Hyang-suk watched religiously every weekend in her dramas—always playing the graceful protagonist.

“Yes. This is… Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop.”

My lips felt dry and stiff. Why would a famous actress visit a neighborhood side dish shop like this?

But then.

‘Are those nine tails I’m seeing?’

Had my eyes deceived me?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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