Magpie Tower: 1-5 Is that a Date?

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Ha-jun proposes to resign and invites Ha-yeon to the park at the same time. It's truly confusing and puzzling...

Info

Style: No dress-up component Event Logs: Maillard reaction Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1

Dialogue Choices

There are no dialogue choices in this stage.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• I try making the oyster and tofu stew a few more times with Seon-woo’s shrimp paste.
• It works wonders. The paste adds a dash of flavor and elevates the stew to the next level.
• I call Mi-ok and invite her for a meal again.

• I place the dishes and cutlery, setting the table. Mi-ok seats herself down, looking intently at the dishes.

• An Mi-ok: I-I’ll start now.

• She carefully spoons a mouthful of broth, before sampling the piping-hot oyster and tofu.
• Ha-jun is completely calm, but I clench my fist beside him, stomach churning.
• I swallow nervously when Mi-ok puts down her spoon.

• You: How-how is it this time? Is the stew to your liking?

• An Mi-ok: This oyster-oyster tofus stew…

• An Mi-ok: Brings me back-back to when I used to live in G County.

• You: You’re right. I added a shrimp paste from G County this time.

• An Mi-ok: Thank-thank you so much, Ha-yeon.

• An Mi-ok: There’s more-more than just the flavors here. I-I taste the memory of my past.

• I grin at Ha-jun, who gives me a reassuring smile.

• Lee Ha-jun: You did it, Chef Yoon! You made yet another dish that satisfied your customers!

• An Mi-ok: How-how much is the stew?

• You: We’ll charge you just for the ingredients this time.

• An Mi-ok: See-see you next time.

• Mi-ok pats the back of my hand gently. She smiles at Ha-jun on her way out, nodding.

• An Mi-ok: See… See you next time, Ha-jun.

• Lee Ha-jun: Take care, Mi-ok. See you next time.

• You: See you next time, Mi-ok.

• Mi-ok pays the bill and leaves, smiling to herself.

• You: That was awesome, Ha-jun! I’m so happy I could eat a cow right now!

• You: Okay, maybe just some fried chicken. Let’s see, a plate of original fried chicken, sweet and spicy fried chicken, and a plate of honey chicken wings?

• Lee Ha-jun: Sounds good. Let me help you.

• Mix tapioca flour and wheat flour in a 1:1 ratio. Beat the egg mixture and set aside.
• The chicken has fully absorbed the flavors and aroma of the secret marinade.
• Dip the chicken in an egg mixture and coat it with flour. Put it in 60% hot oil and fry until the surface of the chicken turns golden before removing it from the heat.
• Then, heat the oil to 80% and fry the chicken again.
• This is how your chicken will be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It’s now ready to be served!

• You: Mouth-watering fried chicken incoming!

• Lee Ha-jun: Do you want a drink? Coke? Lemon tea?

• You: A beer, please. One so cold that a gulp will send shivers down my body.

• Lee Ha-jun: I’ll get you a bottle right at the back of the fridge.

• Ha-jun brings me a bottle of beer and pours it into a glass.
• I gaze at the translucent amber beer that rapidly fills the glass, creating a layer of dense white foam at the top.

• You: Cheers!

• Lee Ha-jun: Cheers.

• I raise my glass and toast Ha-jun, before taking a huge gulp.

• You: Let’s start! Fried chicken will lose its crispiness if it’s left outside for too long.

• I hand Ha-jun a wing before digging in.

• You: There’s nothing in the world that cannot be solved after having some fried chicken.

• You: Why, if one piece doesn’t cut it, then two! Or even the whole plate!

• Lee Ha-jun: And if one plate doesn’t cut it?

• You: Then we get another plate of fries and another glass of cold beer! Cheers!

• I toast Ha-jun again, grinning.

• Lee Ha-jun: Do you know why people get so happy eating fried chicken?

• You: Of course. It’s delicious.

• Lee Ha-jun: Biology tells us that humans have a natural preference for fried food.

• Lee Ha-jun: Consuming foods with high fat and high calories stimulates the brain to release dopamine, which creates happiness for people.

• Lee Ha-jun: Fried food also goes through the Maillard reaction, which gives it its crispy fried crust.

• Lee Ha-jun: Chomping down on food and hearing the sound of crunching doubles the pleasure.

• You: Well, I won’t deny what you said makes a lot of sense.

• You: But from the simpler perspective of a diner, the food smells delicious and tastes even better.

• You: When you can indulge yourself, you’d be satisfied and happy too.

• Ha-jun nods, smiling slightly.

• Lee Ha-jun: I defer to your professional opinion, Chef Yoon.

• My heart skips a beat and I lower my gaze, suddenly afraid of seeing Ha-jun’s eyes, which I know are twinkling with humor.

• After polishing three plates of fried chicken and beer, Ha-jun gets up and washes the dishes.
• I lean against the kitchen door, watching Ha-jun busy himself at the stainless steel sink.

• You: (There’s a similar plot line in Magpie Song.)

• You: (Kka-chi transforms into a handsome man to take care of the female protagonist, who is ill. He cooks for her and even cleans up her messy house.)

• You: (Is Ha-jun the Kka-chi?)

• Lee Ha-jun: I need to tell you something, Ha-yeon.

• I snap back to attention. Ha-jun has already cleaned everything up and he’s looking at me.

• You: Yes? What about?

• Lee Ha-jun: I’m handing in my resignation.

• I freeze.
• Unable to believe my ears, I confirm this with him again.

• You: Resignation?

• You: You’re doing well. Is there a reason why?

• You: Perhaps this work arrangement is unreasonable? Or - or something I did make you uncomfortable?

• Lee Ha-jun: Of course not. You’re one of the kindest and most empathetic people I know.

• Lee Ha-jun: The reasons behind my resignation are purely personal.

• Melancholy washes over me.

• You: It’s… It’s a pity.

• You: Ha-jun was a great help.

• I hide my disappointment and shrug, feigning nonchalance.

• You: Of course. I respect your decision. The employee is selecting the employer, and vice versa. That’s what the probation period is for, anyway.

• You: Jin-joo will be back to help soon, so don’t feel guilty about leaving me in the lurch.

• You: Remember to come back if you feel like having some fried chicken!

• Lee Ha-jun: I think I’ll have many more chances in future to sample your excellent cooking.

• Lee Ha-jun: Ha-yeon?

• You: Yes?

• Lee Ha-jun: Remember the story I told you last time about the Magpie Tower?

• You: Yes. The one where you forgot the ending.

• Lee Ha-jun: Come to the park at two in the afternoon tomorrow, if you’re free. I’ll tell you the ending there.

• You: (Strange. Is Ha-jun asking me out?)

• You: (What’s going on? Why would he resign and then ask me out to the park?)

• Lee Ha-jun: Do you have plans tomorrow?

• You: No, not at present.

• Lee Ha-jun: Perfect. See you tomorrow.

• Ha-jun smiles at me and gives me a slight bow before taking his leave.
• I stare at his retreating back in confusion.

• You: What are you playing at, Ha-jun?

• I'm taken aback by Ha-jun's sudden resignation even if I pretend otherwise.
• Nevertheless, I manage to hide my emotions like I always do. I greet my customers with enthusiasm.

• You: A whole chicken for you as usual, Officer Park?

• Officer Park: Nope. I intend to blend in with the youngsters today. Give me one serving of the latest craze: the extremely spicy wings!

• You: And what about you, Na-na?

• Na-na: Cheese chicken nuggets, please.

• Officer Park: Hmm? I don't see that handsome young man here. You know, the one who looks like me when I was in my prime.

• You: He resigned. I don't think this job suited him.

• Officer Park: Oh, what a pity. Our Na-na hasn't had a chance to take a good look at him.

• Na-na: Shh! For goodness sake, Officer Park, I'm trying to study.

• Na-na frowns at Officer Park, who chuckles and makes a zipping motion.
• I smile, warmth suffusing me as I see my regulars chatting and enjoying themselves. Nothing seems to have changed.

• You: Got it, one serving of extremely spicy wings, and one cheese nuggets. Coming right up!

• Ga-eun finally shows up when we're about to close. Her footsteps are slow and heavy as she drags herself into the store, exhausted. She usually shows up late after a day of intense work.

• Song Ga-eun: A bottle of soju and two servings of extremely spicy wings, Ha-yeon! Make it extra, extra spicy.

• You: What's up, Ga-eun? Hard day at work?

• Song Ga-eun: I'm fine. Just a bit tired, but I'm fine. The marketing I've been working on for two months is finally completed.

• As usual, she takes out wet wipes and alcohol to sanitize the tables and chairs. I take out Ga-eun's special utensils from her disinfection cabinet.

• Song Ga-eun: I'm just an orange being placed in a juice maker that is my job. It squeezes me dry until there's not a drop of life left in me.

• You: You're burning the candle at both ends, Ga-eun. It's not sustainable. I don't think you should be eating so much spice, after all.

• Song Ga-eun: Nonsense.

• Song Ga-eun: I work tirelessly just so I can buy whatever I want, whenever I want. You wouldn't deny me that, would you?

• Song Ga-eun: Now off you go, Ha-yeon. My stomach is growling.

• You: Alright, alright. Give me five minutes.

• Ga-eun's eyes shine when I place two plates of extremely spicy wings before her.

• Song Ga-eun: My absolute favorite.

• She wears a pair of disposable gloves before digging in.
• Seeing as Ga-eun is the only customer left, I pull out a chair at the next table and sit.

• You: My, my. What a sight.

• You: Our beautiful, capable manager Song Ga-eun, who drives a cool sports car, loves fried chicken!

• Song Ga-eun: Yes, and no. I only love fried chicken from Yummy Fried Chicken.

• Song Ga-eun: I don't see Ha-jun around. Is he skiving?

• You: He... He resigned this afternoon.

• Song Ga-eun: Threw in the towel after a few days, huh? What a weakling.

• You: That's not it. This job just isn't suitable for him.

• You: He's free to go for opportunities that suit him more. Employment is a two-way selection process, especially during probation.

• Song Ga-eun: Don't worry. If you post a job advertisement, I'm sure you'll find someone.

• I nod, pouring a glass of soju for Ga-eun.

• You: Can I ask you something?

• Song Ga-eun: Go on, I'm listening.

• You: Ha-jun resigned, but he asked me to meet him at the park tomorrow.

• You: If he still wants to hang out, it shows he doesn't hate me, right? So why did he resign?

• You: If he was uncomfortable with working with me, he wouldn't ask me to the park.

• You: What's going on?

• Ga-eun removes her gloves and downs the soju in her glass.

• Song Ga-eun: Be very careful dealing with that Lee Ha-jun.

• Song Ga-eun: I don't have a good feeling about him. Seems like he's stringing you along.

• You: What? I don't think so. He doesn't seem like that kind of person.

• Song Ga-eun: A handsome man like him? Come on. I bet he has no lack of suitors. Goodness knows how many unseen rivals you have.

• Song Ga-eun: It's not only the handsome men you have to be wary of. Be extra careful when dealing with gentle, soft-spoken men, because you don't know if they're hiding something hideous behind that.

• Song Ga-eun: A sweet-talker is the worst. Who knows? He may have said the same sweet nothings to ten other women.

• You: What kind of man would you consider as reliable, Ga-eun?

• Song Ga-eun: None. Men are just unreliable creatures.

• Song Ga-eun: You know what's the best way to stay happy? Staying away from men.

• Song Ga-eun: Anyway, if you decide to meet Ha-jun tomorrow, bring some pepper spray. You can never be too cautious.

• Ga-eun downs more drinks than usual tonight and is exceptionally chatty.
• I suddenly realize Ga-eun has never been on dates in all the time we've known each other. She's never mentioned her past relationships to me, either.
• Why is she so guarded and pessimistic about relationships?
• I call a driver for a tipsy Ga-eun before preparing to close. I'm just in time to take the last bus home.

• Ha-jun resigned abruptly, but he also asked me out. Does he have feelings for me?
• If he does, is tomorrow's meeting actually a date?
• I toss and turn the entire night, my imagination in overdrive. It's almost dawn when I finally fall into an uneasy slumber with a comic book covering my face.