[- Honestly, I’ve been a fan of Yoo Se-Ra since her debut, but this is just too much; how dare they mix her with Hero Kim Deok-Sung?!]
The chaos wasn’t just online.
Offline.
The reality of Korea was also going wild over the live broadcast of Kim Deok-Sung and his companions’ Kimjang experience.
[Hero Kim Deok-Sung Foundation’s Kimjang Event for Sharing]
Banners flapped and tents were set up in the previously empty Gwanghwamun Plaza.
Through a giant screen, the Kimjang experience broadcast featuring Kim Deok-Sung was aired.
Underneath it, a multitude of people were preparing kimchi near tables filled with vibrant red kimchi seasoning and pickled cabbage.
Countless volunteers filled the wide Gwanghwamun Plaza, voluntarily participating in the ‘Kimjang Event’ and mixing kimchi with Kim Deok-Sung.
It wasn’t just in Seoul.
Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, and more
Similar scenes were unfolding in provincial metropolitan cities and large cities.
An unprecedented summer large-scale kimjang event.
Even in front of Cheong Wa Dae’s Sangchunjae, the President and ministers gathered to make kimchi while watching the live Kimjang experience.
“Hahaha, it’s really nice to make kimchi after such a long time.”
Yoo Se-Ra.
At her direction as the chairperson of the Hero Kim Deok-Sung Foundation, simultaneous sharing kimjang events hosted by the foundation were held nationwide along with the broadcast.
The kimchi produced would be delivered to the socially marginalized.
If Kim Deok-Sung had seen this, he would be clutching his neck and fainting.
Flap.
The national flag was fluttering in Gwanghwamun Plaza.
*
Every building in Seoul had the national flag waving.
From outdoor billboards to bus stops, the sides and backs of buses, urban subway stations, and subway train wraps.
In the heart of the city completely covered by Kim Deok-Sung, a girl with a crimson side tail was waving.
Muramasa, a villain who occupied the First Seat of the New World League’s 13 Apostles.
“This country is out of its mind.”
A girl wearing a mask covering half her face, Muramasa’s red eyes were fixated on the outdoor electronic screen broadcasting the Kimjang experience featuring Kim Deok-Sung.
No matter how you looked at it, this country was insane.
From the citizens to the national leadership, everyone has lost their minds.
To be so excited over a mere rookie.
It was a scene Muramasa couldn’t comprehend.
“How can such a small country in the Far East grab the Master’s ankle…?”
The hulking man standing next to Muramasa, another one of the 13 Apostles, Manhunter, clicked his tongue, preparing for any eventuality as he was also dispatched to Korea.
Korea.
A small country he wouldn’t have even known of if not mentioned by the Master, Messiah.
How could such a country obstruct the great plans of the League and the Master?
It was something he couldn’t understand.
“Let’s cut off the chatter here, Manhunter.”
Muramasa spoke briefly.
“Because soon, we have to carry out the Master’s mission.”
“Got it, Miss Muramasa.”
As Manhunter replied, Muramasa’s red eyes sank heavily.
It was the moment the League’s sinister grasp began to stretch into Seoul.
Pork is essential for kimjang.
Finally, the kimjang was finished.
In front of me lay a basin containing five red kimchi wraps that I had made.
Maybe it was because of the hard work, but it looked pretty tasty.
It looks quite delicious.
[Huh, partner. You’ve worked hard.]
Honestly, the nationwide humiliation play of broadcasting the kimjang was much tougher than the kimjang itself.
I’m already scared about what the viewership ratings will be.
It seems like returning to Korea was a bad idea.
Once I go back to Japan, I’m planning to never set foot in this world’s Korea until I graduate, or no, until I return to my original world.
Anyway, the kimjang is all done.
Shall I take a taste?
I tear a piece of kimchi and put it in my mouth. I’m not sure if it’s that secret 400-year-old seasoning recipe or what, but it’s tasty.
Eating kimchi suddenly reminds me of my original world.
On kimjang days like this, we used to boil some boiled pork and eat it with freshly made kimchi. It was quite a delicacy.
After my mother collapsed, though, I started buying kimchi, so those days are long gone.
My appetite turns bitter for no good reason.
‘Isn’t there any boiled pork…?’
I try to erase negative memories from my mind.
In any case, boiled pork is essential for kimjang.
[Boiled pork? You mean the braised pork? Partner?]
In my head, the Black Prince asked a question that didn’t need to be asked at that moment.
“Here we go!”
Yoo Se-Ra, who had been one step removed from the kimjang experience, appears with Han Seo-Jin, bringing a large table.
It was a table piled high with steaming boiled pork.
“Se-Jin and I boiled some pork! Kim Deok-Sung! Enjoy your meal!”
Yoo Se-Ra beams with a bright smile.
Right, we can’t have a nationwide humiliation play without some boiled pork!
“Wow….”
Eri’s orange eyes sparkle.
“It looks delicious…”
Rin, who’s nearby, murmurs softly.
It’s lunchtime now.
It was about time for the boy and girl heroes—who say they can even chew rocks—to get hungry since all they did was kimjang.
“Of course, boiled pork is a must for kimjang! Hehe.”
Olivia giggles while covering her mouth.
‘What’s with her? I wonder where she learned all this?!’
It’s beyond ridiculous and into the realm of fascinating.
[Partner. That’s all because my sweet little sister learned Korean culture just for you. You should be grateful. Got it?]
The Black Prince rambles on in my head like a fool.
He’s good at everything else, but he goes off the rails whenever his sister is mentioned.
Clap.
Yoo Se-Ra claps her hands, grabbing everyone’s attention.
“Kimjang is finished! It’s time to taste the kimchi! Wrapping the boiled pork in kimchi makes it even more delicious!”
I guess because she’s from an entertainment background, she certainly has a knack for being a host or guide.
It’s nice not to have to deal with unnecessary hassles.
“Boiled pork in kimchi… It seems there’s such culture in Korea.”
“I had no idea. So, we eat kimchi and boiled pork together.”
“This is the traditional food of my lord’s country…”
“A dish that juniors love to eat…”
Rin, Eri, Makoto, and Senior Kasumi’s gazes turn toward the boiled pork and home-made kimchi.
Seeing that, Olivia lets out a snort.
“Seriously, your ignorance is just unbearable! You want to hang around him without even knowing anything about Korea! As your exclusive maid, zero points for all of you! Total failure! Out! Out!”
She dramatically puts her hand on her chest and then, with chopsticks, tears a piece of kimchi and wraps it around some boiled pork, presenting it to my lips.
“Now, say ah! This kimchi was personally made by Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte! Make sure to eat every last piece! Got it? Hmph!”
Olivia puffs up her cheeks.
Here we go again.
Just as I was about to sigh and accept the kimchi.
“Wait. Cutting in line is unfair. Bonaparte.”
I hear Rin’s urgent voice from beside me.
Suddenly.
Rin presents a piece of kimchi with her chopsticks right in front of me.
“T-This is the kimchi I made… I-I don’t know if it tastes good, but… I did my best to make it… I-I hope you like it, Deok-Sung. Please, eat it!”
“This is the kimchi I made… Well, I don’t know if it’s good, but… I did my best to make it… I hope you like it, Deok-Sung. You have to eat it!”
Rin stuttered with a shy expression.
There was a slight shadow over Rin’s face.
At the same time, it’s hard to just shove this in front of him.
Just as I was about to say something.
“Hmph. Cow. Do you really think your clumsy cooking can satisfy the Master? Master! This kimchi is hand-made by Eri! I’m the best at cooking, so eat it deliciously! Hehe.”
Eri offered her kimchi with a smile.
“Hmph… washboard…”
Just then, Rin bit her lip at Eri’s comment.
“Junior! I worked really hard making kimchi! You have to try mine too!”
“Master, try mine too…!!”
Kazumi and Makoto also shoved their kimchi forward.
In front of me were five pieces of kimchi and boiled pork.
Honestly, a bento battle during cherry blossom viewing would be better.
What kind of madness is this, battling with kimchi?
My mind was clouded.
“You…”
“…Deok-Sung.”
“Master!”
“Junior.”
“…Lord…”
Olivia, Rin, Eri, Kazumi, Makoto.
The five beautiful girls looked at me, applying silent pressure.
Having fallen into the light novel world for almost half a year now, I knew what they wanted just by closing my eyes.
They wanted me to choose whose kimchi was the best.
“Please choose whose kimchi is the best! Although, of course, it should be mine!”
Olivia said, her face turning red.
I thought this would happen.
“…Deok-Sung. I’m not very confident, but… my feelings for you won’t lose to anyone! I believe you will recognize the true value of my Shinozaki-style kimchi filled with love, future perfect wife material.”
Rin mumbled, her lips trembling.
Is kimchi now included in Shinozaki style?
Unbelievable.
“Master, I can’t lose when it comes to cooking. Just like you chose Eri’s soybean paste soup at Imgan School, you’ll choose kimchi made by me, right? I believe in you, Master. Because you’re kind.”
Eri puffed her cheeks.
“Junior, I really want to be chosen this time. I won’t lose to the other juniors! I practiced hard for that… Please choose my kimchi!”
Kazumi closed her eyes tightly, her face flushed.
“Lord… will you choose me this time? Jeeee…”
Makoto made weird sounds with her mouth.
[Partner, you’ll obviously choose the kimchi made by my lovely sister, right?]
Even the Black Prince urged me in my head to pick Olivia’s.
This was truly a total mess.
At this point, I couldn’t refuse to taste it anymore.
Sighing, I began to taste the kimchi in order.
Munch munch.
The colorful kimchi made by the five heroines disappeared into my stomach one after another.
If I purely judged just by taste, Eri’s kimchi was the best.
It wasn’t just a formality written in the setting book that she was good at cooking.
Olivia’s kimchi was reasonably okay, and Kazumi and Makoto’s were not bad.
Rin’s kimchi, well… if I had to say something, maybe it was because the seasoning wasn’t adequately spread, but it had a somewhat bland taste.
“…”
The five beautiful girls stared at me in silence.
No, it wasn’t just them.
Yoo Se-Ra, Han Seo-Jin, the kimchi master grandmother, and even Kim PD and the filming staff were all focused on me.
Except for Yuji and Ishihara, who were busy devouring the kimchi and boiled pork.
It felt a little unfair.
Why am I suffering while the protagonist is just enjoying the good life in Korea?
Why do I have to go through this suffering?
I want to escape this sh*tty light novel world.
[Partner. It’s decision time. Think carefully.]
In the unnecessarily heavy atmosphere, the Black Prince speaks with a serious tone.
This time, the Black Prince’s advice is right.
This damned kimchi catfight is probably being broadcast live across the country, so I must choose my words carefully.
And I had already decided on an answer.
Without saying a word, I wrapped the kimchi I made in boiled pork and popped it into my mouth.
This is the taste.
When I return to the original world, I definitely need to make kimchi myself and serve it with boiled pork to my mother.
Thinking that, I slowly laid out the answer I had prepared in front of the five heroines.
*
At a similar time.
Shuo Hero Academy, Chairman’s Room.
Inside the spacious office, which felt almost empty, there were two women.
A beautiful girl with black gothic-lolita dress and silvery hair, seated with her legs crossed on the reception sofa, Yoshizaki Seira, alongside her was the slender silver-haired girl, Student Council President Saionji Aris.
Both women’s eyes were glued to the large screen hanging on the wall of the chairman’s room.
The screen displayed a Korean public broadcast instead of Japanese.
Seira’s view captured Kim Deok-Sung and five girls laughing and chatting merrily while making kimchi.
“Ughhhh…”
Trembles.
Seira’s hands were shaking.
“I can’t stand it anymore. I must go to Korea right now!”
With a sudden burst, Seira stood up.
Her heart was a mix of envy and jealousy.
I also want to enjoy Korean culture with him!
That thought bubbled up in a corner of Seira’s mind.
Under normal circumstances, she would have suppressed her feelings, but ever since almost losing Kim Deok-Sung during summer school, controlling her emotions was getting increasingly difficult for Seira.
“…That’s not possible, Chairman.”
Aris cut Seira’s words sharply.
But Seira didn’t miss the slight tremor in her voice.
“Why can’t I? It seems like you’re even more desperate to go to Korea than I am.”
Seira’s eyes narrowed.
A playful smile appeared on her lips.
Aris’s silver eyes wavered.
“That’s… no. The reason Kim Deok-Sung went to Korea was strictly for club activities… I have no justification to interfere as Student Council President.”
Aris fidgeted with her Student Council armband, pouting her lips.
As President of Shuo Academy’s Student Council, Aris had the obligation to guarantee the autonomy of her peers’ club activities.
If it weren’t for that…
“Oh? Does that mean if you were given a justification, you’d leave for Korea anytime, A-chan?”
“That’s! Wh-what do you mean by that! That’s not true! Ugh!”
Aris’s dialect slipped out after being hit right in the feels.
Realizing her mistake too late, Aris covered her mouth.
Her snowy white face turned bright red.
Aris waved her hand fan while saying, “In any case, that’s not true…”
“Ha ha. Our A-chan’s dialect is so cute; it’s worth teasing.”
With a flourish, Seira opened her lace fan and laughed.
Seeing that, Aris said, “That’s not fair, Chairman.”
“Oh my, A-chan. You should call me ‘sister,’ not ‘Chairman.’”
“…Seira sister…”
Aris replied with a flushed face, and Seira grinned with satisfaction.
Her gaze fixed back on Kim Deok-Sung on the screen.
“Korea, huh…”
A low voice escaped Seira’s lips.
‘Although I couldn’t go this time, next time for sure…’
I want to be with him.
In Seira’s mind, the image of strolling hand in hand with Kim Deok-Sung on the streets of Korea surfaced.
Thump.
Her heart raced.
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