Chapter 2 - 1: Inn and the Stranger
"Stir slower," Yeon Haerin said from behind the wooden counter, arms folded, her expression as unreadable as ever. "You’re splashing it."
"I’m not," Jinmu replied, eyes fixed on the pot. "The broth’s just too eager."
She didn’t laugh, of course. His mother was not the type to be moved by cheap wordplay. But he saw the way her mouth twitched slightly before she turned back to folding the napkins. That was enough to call it a win.
"You never used to help in the kitchen," she said. "Last year, you nearly burned down the storage room trying to light a candle."
"Maybe I grew up," he said, adjusting the ladle’s angle and lowering the flame beneath the pot. "Maybe I realized the stew pot doesn’t stir itself."
Yeon Haerin paused. Her eyes scanned his profile in silence, the way only a mother could look at a child and see through years of nonsense in an instant. "Or maybe you hit your head when you fainted three days ago and forgot who you were."
"That’s possible," Jinmu replied casually. "Honestly? Doesn’t sound like a bad trade."
He heard her sigh. The kind of sigh mothers let out when they’re trying not to smile but don’t want to encourage whatever’s making them feel that way.
"I’ll bring in the laundry," she said, walking away. "Try not to poison our guests while I’m gone."
"No promises," he called after her.
The stew bubbled gently as he stirred.
It feels strange, how easily I fit here. Like this has always been home.