Moving On With You, Jinjoo

8: Hotpots & Libraries

"Who has free coupons for hotpot?"

Yujin sat opposite the latter. "I used to eat here a lot. I probably spent most of my allowance here." She scrolls through the menu tablet at the side of the table.

"Do you like it that much?"

"Nothing ever goes wrong with a hotpot when everything goes into a hotpot."

"They give coupons here?" Minju never really comes here unless there's an event that calls for it.

Yujin nods. "You'll have to come here an absurd amount of time to get it. Do you eat prawns?" She lifts her gaze off the tablet. "Seafood or just meat?"

"Anything."

"Both then." Yujin places the orders. "Rice or noodles? Or both?"

"Are you a big eater?"

"If I want to be. So both?"

Minju nods as the aroma of assorted soups slowly makes her hunger rise. She remembers coming here during winter. Bubbling hot seafood broth warming up her body, boiled down ingredients that always manage to hit the spot.

However, she only ever comes here with one girl and no one else. This whole place reminds Minju of her.

"Do you dip your meat in raw eggs or sauce?" Yujin caught her dazing before her gaze met hers. "I have a special recipe for a sauce. I've had it tested by people and they said it's good so you don't have to worry. Do you want to try it?"

"You have a special sauce?"

Yujin nods excitedly just thinking about it. "I'll go make it." She stands up.

"I'll follow you." Minju points at her cast to remind her. The younger girl totally forgot as they went to the condiments cart.

Yujin blows out a small breath, looking at all the ingredients. "We'll need a little bit of everything. Almost everything."

Minju grabs a small bowl as Yujin scoops in some minced garlic. "A bit of these." She pours in red chilis, green onions, chilli flakes and some sesame seeds. She inches towards the liquid condiments. "This." She drizzles some spicy oil, black vinegar and peanut sauce.

"Lastly." She sprinkles some cilantro for fragrance. Looking at Minju, she smiles. "Done."

"What is this called?"

"What's it called?" Yujin tilts her head. "I've never really thought of a name. I just call it special sauce." They went back to the table that was already filled with their orders.

Sitting down, Yujin takes two pairs of chopsticks.

"You should give it a name," Minju said.

The latter wipes down the chopsticks, passing a pair to her. "You try it and tell me what it feels like." She shifts the sauce and the plate of meat to Minju.

The brunette briefly swirls a thin slice of beef in the soup for a few seconds and dips it into the sauce. Yujin watched her try it, looking out for her reaction.

And the first came–a long hum. Then it came with a set of slightly widened eyes.

"It's good, right?"

Minju couldn't help but nod at the combination. She covers her mouth while chewing. She gave one thumbs up, changing it to two.

"That good?" Yujin chuckles, seeing her nod frantically. "I should call it thumbs-up sauce. I didn't get one but two thumbs up." She pours the prawns and other ingredients in, letting it cook while the brunette helps her.