Who's Under Your World

Chapter 5

"Your face is all red," Ji Hoon remarked, his hand brushing Sang Hyun's forehead. The warmth under his touch was more than he anticipated.

"Do demons even get sick?"

Sang Hyun avoided eye contact, his lips forming a straight line. A few minutes had already passed. Was it normal to still feel flushed after thinking about Woo Jin? Was the professor so irritating to Sang Hyun that his emotions refused to settle down? Without glancing at the mirror, he could still sense the warmth on his cheeks.

Ji Hoon pulled back his hand. "Hungry or sleepy?"

At that simple question, Sang Hyun's stoic expression melted into a smile. Words weren't necessary because Ji Hoon read the answer in his friend's face.

"Teach me how to make your special egg-fried rice," said Sang Hyun. If gaming won't help him forget about the professor, maybe a nice meal surely will.

For this limited time, he will set aside his goal of becoming a well-known professional e-sports player and focus on becoming the world's greatest
masterchef, or at least the best at making fried rice.

They both entered the cozy kitchen, and Ji Hoon handed Sang Hyun a bowl of fresh eggs. "You can beat the eggs. I'll take care of the rest."
Sang Hyun nodded with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Ji Hoon started to prepare the ingredients. The fragrance of the leftover rice, cold from the fridge, was not aromatic like freshly cooked rice. He poured oil into the pan, the sizzle of the cold rice meeting the heated surface and filling the kitchen with a familiar sound.

As the aroma of the cooking dish wafted through the air, Sang Hyun couldn't hide his excitement. "This is going to be the best egg-fried rice ever!"

Sang Hyun's enthusiasm in the kitchen translated into a chaotic dance of ingredients. Eggshells were scattered on the counter, and the once neatly beaten eggs now adorned Sang Hyun's fingers and even his face. Ji Hoon couldn't help but chuckle at the messy spectacle.

"Eggcellent work, Chef Sang Hyun," Ji Hoon teased, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

Sang Hyun looked at his egg-covered hands and then at Ji Hoon with an innocent smile. "I might need a bit more practice."

Ji Hoon handed him a towel. "Well, it's not a true cooking experience unless there's a bit of mess, right?"

As they continued with the cooking, Sang Hyun's attempts at handling the ingredients were a mix of hilarity and messiness. He spilled soy sauce, and the spring onions seemed to have a mind of their own as they rolled off the chopping board. The Demon Prince laughed, relieved that Ji Hoon wasn't scolding him for the culinary chaos.

Finally, as they sat down to enjoy the imperfectly perfect egg fried rice, Sang Hyun's exhaustion mingled with the satisfaction of their joint creation.

"This is the first dish you learned in the human world," said Ji Hoon while taking a photo of it and Sang Hyun on his smartphone.

"I figure it's a basic survival skill, you know?"

Their conversation abruptly ended with a knock at the door. As Ji Hoon rose to his feet and opened the door, a figure towered over him. The man wore a long-sleeved black shirt, leaving the top two buttons undone. His slacks were well-tailored, accentuating his stature, and paired with polished black leather shoes. On his wrist, the familiar glint of a luxury Lolex watch caught Ji Hoon's eye. His outfit radiated a blend of formality and a laid-back demeanor.

"President Kang," Ji Hoon acknowledged.

Min Seo responded by extending his arm and offering a paper bag. "Sang Hyun likes this, right?" His words hung in the air, a question suspended in anticipation.