Cheat day

The Debate (2)

Baek Woo-jin laid his head on the table.

He sensed his defeat.

“Ah, I suppose this is it.”

“Yes, it seems there’s no way out.”

As Ju Ji-seung and Cha Ji-chan signaled that the debate had come to an end, PD Park Sang-chul continued with the proceedings.

“Now, we will have the production team of 30 raise their hands to decide the winner. Before that, I’ll give both of you one last chance to appeal. Chan-yong, you go first.”

I stood up and bowed my head towards the production team.

“Do you understand the value of a bowl of udon?”

I poured my heart into my words.

“On the last night of the year, during a harshly cold evening with snow falling. A family went to an udon shop. The mother brought her two young sons and ordered a bowl of udon. The three of them shared that one bowl. The following year and the year after, they continued to share a bowl of udon. The owner of the udon shop, feeling sympathy for the family, offered an extra bowl, but the husband, fearing that the mother might feel embarrassed, instead suggested adding more noodles to the existing bowl.”

It was a story one might have heard at least once in their childhood.

“Then one year, the family stopped visiting the udon shop. Yet, each New Year’s Eve, the owner would still leave the seat empty for them. Years passed, and one New Year’s Eve, two robust men arrived at the udon shop with their families. They ordered one bowl of udon for each person, reminiscing about the udon they had eaten long ago. The son, who had held his mother’s hand back then, had come back as an adult.”

I wiped away my tears as I spoke.

“That’s the great value of a bowl of udon. I hope you keep that in mind. That’s all.”

Ju Ji-seung, Cha Ji-chan, and several members of the production team applauded.

It was a successful appeal.

“Now, Baek Woo-jin.”

Baek Woo-jin slowly raised his head.

“…The temporal background of the novel A Bowl of Udon is set in the 1970s. The price of udon mentioned in the story—originally, soba was 150 yen per bowl. Considering the cost of living back then, that amount could buy three instant soba packs. If you bought the noodles and tsuyu separately, it was enough to get you through several meals.”

Baek Woo-jin raised his voice.

“Moreover, the author of A Bowl of Udon, Kuri Ryohei, impersonated a doctor to extort money for medicine, borrowed money from the soba shop owner he stayed with without repaying, and even got imprisoned for fraud after pocketing investment funds under the pretense of turning his novel into a film!”

I hadn’t known this.

“Thus, A Bowl of Udon is nothing more than the unfortunate pornographic work of a criminal who committed fraud, impersonation, forgery of education credentials, and infidelity!”

Although I was caught off guard by this unexpected information, it wasn’t enough to change the tide.

“On the other hand! Something very real happened in Korea!”

His voice grew earnest.

“Three years ago, a high school student named Kim was struggling to live with his younger brother. He was a diligent and admirable student, working a part-time job unloading cargo while still in high school. One day, his brother said he wanted to eat chicken, but Kim only had 5,000 won. He searched for a place that sold chicken for 5,000 won but couldn’t find anyone willing to accept that request from Mangwon Market to Hongdae. Then, the owner of Cheol-in No. 7 in Hongdae, Park Jae-hwi, spotted Kim and generously gave him the most popular item on the menu without charging him!”

I had heard this story before.

It was a big topic at the time, as the owner had helped Kim even while facing difficulties due to the pandemic impacting his business. People across the country placed orders at that restaurant, saying they would eat the food virtually.

It was an emotional story that inspired many to rally and support the owner.

“Everyone, don’t be fooled by the wicked tongue of this man who brings up false stories! The feelings of warmth and happiness come not from udon but from the kindness of owner Park Jae-hwi, who willingly fried chicken for Kim! Udon is just udon!”

This was a brilliant counterargument to my claim that udon is an emotional food.

Of course, several sentences came to mind to refute that claim.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say them.

I didn’t want to add anything to the inspiring story of owner Park Jae-hwi, who willingly helped children in difficult circumstances.

This debate was coming to an end.

PD Park Sang-chul gave the production team time to think, and when he called my name, only six people raised their hands.

When Baek Woo-jin’s name was called, however, 24 hands went up.

“Uaaah!”

Baek Woo-jin roared.

“Hey, why are you just sitting there? I haven’t eaten anything today!”

Cha Ji-chan grabbed my collar and shook me.

“There’s nothing you can do. Woo-jin won.”

“But I can still do it! A filthy and petty guy like you wouldn’t give up here!”

“…”

“If I lose muscle, what will happen to me? Who’s going to take responsibility for my muscle loss?”

“Hyung, just accept it.”

“Chan-yong, we can’t eat anything today. Are you really not regretting it?”

Even the monk showed regret, but there was nothing to be done.

“Yeah. I don’t regret it.”

***

I regret it.

“Mm~ delicious~”

Baek Woo-jin teased us while holding two hot bars in his hands.

“Why are you just watching? You guys should buy some too.”

My stomach growled.

“Oh. You lost the debate, so you don’t have a single won, huh?”

“This guy…”

Cha Ji-chan stood up, sighed heavily, and turned back around. He seemed to not want to even look at Baek Woo-jin’s annoying face.

“What are you laughing about!”

Cha Ji-chan, who had just sat down, vented his frustration at PD Park Sang-chul. Seeing his grinning face made me irritated too.

“Are we really not going to eat anything?”

“We gave you pocket money. It’s the result of your game, so you need to accept it.”

“See? I told you not to trust that guy! Why did you foolishly fall for it and end up not even able to eat a hot bar?”

Baek Woo-jin leaned in, teasing us.

“Woo-jin.”

The monk called Baek Woo-jin in a dignified tone, seeming to want to say something as the eldest among us.

“Just one bite.”

“……”

I never imagined he would beg before me.

“I don’t want to.”

“I haven’t eaten anything today. I’ll just have a taste.”

“Hmm… no. You laughed at me before, and now you want something? No, I won’t give it to you.”

Baek Woo-jin finished one of the hot bars and lowered his hand, but Cha Ji-chan placed his hand on top of it.

“What are you doing?”

“Ahem.”

When Baek Woo-jin asked, Cha Ji-chan awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Just buy me two packs of chicken breast from the convenience store. This isn’t right.”

“What’s not right? If I had lost, wouldn’t you guys have bought me something?”

“Of course. I can’t stand seeing my little brother starve.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“I wouldn’t. I won’t buy you anything.”

Cha Ji-chan wrinkled his brows and slowly grabbed Baek Woo-jin’s remaining hand.

Baek Woo-jin blinked and tried to eat the hot bar, but he couldn’t move at all.

“Let go of this.”

“Why? Let’s enjoy some time together for a change.”

“I’m going to eat the hot bar.”

“Hm. You can’t eat it.”

“Let go of this. Hyung Sang-chul! Look at him! He won’t let me eat with his strength!”

As we all turned our heads, PD Park Sang-chul shouted.

“Resolve it among yourselves! We’ve given you money!”

Baek Woo-jin’s face turned pale.

“What is this! I’m going to eat! I didn’t have breakfast either!”

“Go ahead.”

“I can’t eat unless you let go of my hand!”

“I’m not letting go.”

Cha Ji-chan grinned. It was a despicable smile that I enjoyed, knowing he was going to make Baek Woo-jin starve too.

“You two look great together like this.”

I stepped in.

“Hyung!”

Baek Woo-jin looked at me with a pleading expression, but it didn’t matter.

“You two have been bickering the whole time, but now you’re holding hands so nicely, doesn’t it look good?”

I asked the monk, and he nodded.

“Yeah. It’s so nice not to fight.”

“Not nice at all! Let go!”

“No.”

Cha Ji-chan repeated Baek Woo-jin’s words from earlier.

“Mine.”

Baek Woo-jin bent down, took a bite of the hot bar, and lifted his head.

“You didn’t know this, did you? No matter how much you interfere, it’ll only be tough for you guys!”

“Really?”

Cha Ji-chan loosened his grip.

“You should’ve done this earlier.”

Baek Woo-jin, intoxicated by victory, tried to eat the remaining hot bar again, but this time he got caught from behind.

Cha Ji-chan slipped both hands under Baek Woo-jin’s armpits. Locking his fingers at the back of Baek Woo-jin’s neck, he rendered him completely immobile.

“Ah! Seriously! This is violence! It’s a broadcast that promotes school violence! Everyone! Cha Ji-chan is originally this kind of person! He’s trash!”

As Baek Woo-jin shouted, Cha Ji-chan began to mess with his upper body.

“Violence, my foot. I just thought your back and shoulders looked uncomfortable, so I’m giving you a massage. Be grateful.”

“I don’t need it!”

“You know I’m good at this, right? I’ll make it feel nice.”

“I told you I don’t need it! Ah!”

“Woo-jin is lucky. Ji-chan’s massages really feel good.”

“Really?”

I noticed the monk react to my words.

“Yeah. It feels amazing. I have a reservation fully booked for two weeks. I’ve only had it done once myself, you know?”

I felt like I was going to die after just one session, so I ran away.

“Really? I want to try it too.”

“Right? It seems Ji-chan really cherishes Woo-jin. He doesn’t do it for just anyone, and he doesn’t have the time either.”

“How long does it usually take?”

“Shorter sessions are about six hours, but longer ones can last for a day or two.”

“Don’t joke! Where can you get a massage like that? Ah! Aah!”

“It’s right here. Is it refreshing, dear member?”

“I’m not a member!”

Baek Woo-jin stomped his feet as Cha Ji-chan massaged his scapula. I wondered how good it could possibly be.

“Wait! Okay! Time out!”

It seemed that Baek Woo-jin, moved by Cha Ji-chan’s dedication, finally changed his mind.

“Ugh.”

“Huh? Are you not relaxed yet?”

“No? I’m completely relaxed. Yeah, totally relaxed.”

When Cha Ji-chan tried to approach him again, Baek Woo-jin shook his head frantically. It seemed the effects were indeed good.

“Okay. Since it’s 300,000 won, and you guys earned that money, I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Oh my, our Woo-jin is so kind.”

“But there’s a condition.”

“What condition?”

“Today, I’m the oldest.”

“…….”

“Call me ‘hyung’ (older brother).”

Baek Woo-jin placed his hands on his hips and raised his chin.

“Come on.”

Cha Ji-chan scoffed in disbelief.

“Do you think I’m the kind of person who would throw away my pride over a meal or two?”

“Say it, or don’t.”

“Hyung?”

We both turned our heads at the same time.

Baek Woo-jin leaned in closer and asked again.

“What did you say?”

“Did you really think I would? Hyung!”

“Ah~ I misunderstood. Okay. What does our Ji-chan want to eat?”

“Chicken breast.”

“Oooh, did you want chicken breast?”

“Yeah. Hyung.”

“Then how about we go eat high-protein chicken breast hot bars?”

Cha Ji-chan quickly nodded his head and entered the convenience store with Baek Woo-jin.

I and the monk were left speechless, watching them before hastily moving to catch up.

“Woo-jin hyung!”

“Woo-jin! No, hyung!”