Seoul Kitchen: Chapter 17

Tis a Silly Place

The street and car ahead of her were a blur as Rebecca’s bloody ride weaved and slipped through the traffic. For such a massive car, it handled like a dream, able to turn on a dime and accelerate like it was no one’s business.

To be on the driver seat of such a beast should have been something to enjoy but she hated every second she sat there. The longer she was here, the longer she was away from her man. What use was this car if it couldn’t get there in time?

After a grueling stretch from Santo Domingo to Heywood, her destination was finally in sight as Jig Jig Street came into view. Rounding the corner, she felt her heart lighten as Cherry Blossom Market was just a stone’s throw away but it quickly gave way to dread at what she arrived to.

There, parked across the street were pimped out cars decked in gold while a sea of cross and tattoos marked the skin of the people lounging around the entrance to the market; right out side the path leading to her input’s store.

A cold heavy weight quickly settled on her stomach as she heard gunshots rang in the air while the sound of whooping and shouts fill the air. Her man was in deep trouble but she was here. Time to fuck some people up.

Slamming her foot against the pedal, she felt her ride respond as it engine roared out and the hood lifting up to the air. “Get the fuck out of my way!” She shouted horns blaring which sent the Valentino’s running.

Plowing through some empty stalls, she then came to a screeching stop outside the store. With gun in hand, she kicked the door of her car open before she burst out screaming, “Chef!” She could feel her blood singing as she brandished her gun at the surprised face of Campo Orto… who had his hands around Chef’s shoulder.

She came not a fight but rather a celebration as now, without the haze of urgency, she could see that Campo Ordo and his men did not wield guns but rather that of bottles of boozes and sodas. In fact, it was Chef holding the gun as he had it raised in the air.

There were tables with food spread out while booze and drinks were served in ice buckets. This wasn’t a fight, this was a party with people just having a good time. They even had a pig slowly spinning a spit over a makeshift fire pit.

Blinking at the bewildering sight, she let out a confused whisper, “Wha…?” She expected a bloody scene, a fight already brewing and not this! “What the fuck!” She exclaimed as she deflated. She came running all the way from the other side of town for this? “And what’s with the bloody pig!” She was simply far too confused to be angry at this point.

“Get your freshly cut limes straight from the fridge!” A familiar voice shouted as a blonde bomb shell came out of the kitchen. Pausing, the girl then smiled at her as she greeted her, “Oh hey Peach Boy, your Input’s here. She’s just in time for the party!”

“Peach Boy!?” She took it back, she was now angry again. Glaring at her man demanding an explanation, he only stared back at her in confusion which only served as fuel to the fire. She had to holster one of her guns to pinch the bridge of her nose else she answer the urge of her trigger finger.

Thankfully, it seems the man who led the Valentino’s had some sense in him as he cuffed Chef on the back of the head and scolded him, “Your girl asked you a question, answer Mijo.”

“Thank you,” She thanked the man as she holstered her other gun and crossed her arms across her chest. Tapping her feet as her man stammered, she hissed out, “Well? I’m waiting Chef. You better have a good explanation what’s going on and why she’s here.” Before glaring at the blonde… who then gave her that same look Chef had earlier. These two were testing her, she swore.

Breathing in, Chef raised his hands appeasingly as he started explaining, “Well it started if with Yang over here coming to repay me for the peach I gave her.”

“And a god damn good peach that one was,” Yang, the now identified blonde, pipped in.

“But I don’t want her repaying,” He added which had her snorting. Off course he’s the type that was going to casually give someone a fruit, “Which caused a bit of banter before that led to her working part time for me for the day. There’s also a deal about me supplying some Soda for her community but that’s a different story.”

The blonde nodded in agreement, “While I’d love to chat, I have some limes to give around so if you’ll excuse me!” She then excused herself, leaving her with the Elderly Orto and her Input.

She let out a sigh. “Why does this make so much sense?” She groaned out as she felt her anger and frustration just melt away into a pile of annoyance, “Ok, it’s just Chef being Chef but that doesn’t explain them here.” She then pointed at Campo Orto who paused midway of demolishing some soft tacos.

“Oh? Them, they just dropped by for some food but then they started calling some friends over and just one thing led to another so here we are,” He shrugged as he handed the gun over to the elder Orto.

“No, keep it as payment for the troubles we might have caused you,” The man replied. Eyeing the gun, she found no fault about it aside from how gaudy it looked. How can there be so much gold in one gun. “Afterall, how can I ever repay you for giving us such a wonderful meal for such a cheap price?”

Turning to her, the elderly gentleman then said, “You are a very lucky girl mija for your man has the hands of angel. His cooking reminds me so much of my La Suegra’s cooking.” Sighing, he then added, “I swear I could still hear her from here.”

“I’m still alive, puta!” An elderly woman’s voice rang out as a lovely woman tried to calm down an apoplectic granny.

“Indeed, rest in peace La Suegra!” The man hollered to the sky making the younger Orto have to deal with the mess he made. Turning back to them, the older man pat her on the shoulder as he then said, “Well, best not to keep you from your beloved any longer. Have fun and have Cinqo de Mayo!” Before he retreated to his cheering men.

Shaking her head, Rebecca then said, “So they just wanted to party huh? I can respect that,” With her shoulder sagging, she then said, “Damn it, I thought you got yourself into some mess.”

“You know, I probably should have called you,” He replied as he grabbed her a plate, “I mean, it’s not everyday that the Valentino’s come to party in the Cherry Blossom Market,” he mused as he stared at some Valentino’s and Tyger Claws having some chat over some food, “Definitely would cause a scene with all the people and guns.”

Rebecca pouted, feeling a bit silly about it all. Smiling at her, Chef then offered her, “Say, want to have the first bite of the pig? Tried to make it like how it’s done back home but I had to make due with what I had.”

Looking over the roasting pig and how the people around them watched in anticipation, she felt her mood lighten. Chuckling, she smiled back towards Chef and nodded, “Give me the best cut!”

Chef grinned back at her as he lifted her up to his shoulder before shouting, “Off course! Which cheek do you want? I haven’t eaten the tongue but hey, some people love those!”

“Chef!” She laughed as she playfully swatted him. As she sat there at his shoulder, she was quickly reminded that Night City can have its silly moments as well; It just takes someone being silly enough to make people here smile.