Chapter 20: Sugar Toast and French Dreams

1.

The chaotic flood of chat messages that had overwhelmed us vanished like a mirage.

『Stream has ended.』

“Phew.”

Seeing those words, I shook my head and let out a long sigh.

It felt like we’d barely cleared a hurdle.

“Noona, you okay?”

I turned to look at her. She was sitting there, staring blankly, and I started to worry.

“Yeah.”

She glanced at me, her face noticeably more relaxed, which eased my own tension.

“I actually feel better now. All the misunderstandings are cleared up, and I can proudly say you’re my sibling.”

My worries were unfounded. Of course, Noona was strong.

“Still, you must’ve been nervous. You look drained. Wanna grab something to eat?”

“Sure. What do you want?”

“I’m craving something our Hayul makes. Can you?”

“No problem. Wanna stop by the store on the way home?”

“Let’s do it.”

We exited the virtual reality.

As we stepped out of the capsules, I saw Noona wobbling.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.”

I rushed to support her.

She always got like this after leaving the capsule—her body must be in rough shape.

We tapped the wall-mounted tablet to end our session.

As we put on our shoes, I kept glancing at her.

‘She must be really worn out.’

Her unsteady steps showed how much the ordeal had taken out of her.

“Hayul!”

The owner waved as we passed the counter.

“Leaving already?”

“Yeah, my sister’s tired, so we’re heading out early.”

“That’s a shame. I added extra time for you. Come back soon!”

He smiled warmly despite his disappointment.

I returned a bright nod and led Noona out.

The fresh breeze brushed our skin, and the sky was still bright.

“Ughhh…!”

Noona stretched dramatically on the street, then slumped as if all her energy drained.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, just a bit dizzy. Probably from the nerves.”

She forced a smile, her steps heavy.

I gently grabbed her wrist and looped her arm through mine.

“Don’t strain yourself. Lean on me.”

“…Okay.”

After a brief hesitation, she rested lightly on my shoulder.

We walked slowly, taking in the lively street.

“Where should we shop?”

“Didn’t you say there’s a mart near your place? Let’s go there.”

“You staying over tonight?”

“Yeah. You said we’d live together, right? I’ll check out your place and see how much of my stuff I can bring.”

“Probably all of it. My place is huge—almost too big.”

“Really?”

“Yup. You know those fancy Han River-view apartments? It’s one of those.”

Her eyes widened. Everyone in Korea dreams of a Han River-view place.

“Wow, that’s gotta be pricey. You got it for free? Our Hayul’s made it big.”

“Not free. I earned it for defeating the Demon King.”

“…Sounds like you got scammed.”

“Totally ripped off.”

We playfully grumbled about the goddess. Then Noona glanced at the sky nervously.

“We won’t get divine punishment for this, right?”

“Nah. The saintess said gods can’t easily meddle in this world. They probably don’t even care.”

To a god, human complaints were like ants’ chatter—beneath notice.

“Forget that. What should I cook? Got anything in mind?”

“Hmm, sugar toast.”

Sugar toast was something we ate as kids when money was tight. Simple ingredients made it easy.

“That’s it?”

“Yeah. On bad days, you always made sugar toast. I’m craving it now.”

“Got it.”

We headed to the mart. I already had sugar and butter at home, so we only needed bread.

“Just this feels a bit basic, so I’ll make French toast too. Ever had it?”

“Nope. Brunch cafés charge over ten thousand won for three slices. Who pays that? I’m not some bourgeois.”

“It’s pricey, yeah. But takeout’s not much better—aglio e olio’s like eight thousand.”

“…Shut up.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I zipped it at her glare.

“But can you actually make French toast? Sounds fancy.”

“The ‘French’ part just makes it sound fancy. It’s simple to make.”

You could complicate it—add cream cheese, nuts, herbs, or berries.

‘It’s super versatile.’

But that was too much hassle for now.

“What do we need?”

“Follow me.”

At the mart near my place, I grabbed a basket and picked up ingredients.

Bread, milk, vanilla extract, then straight to checkout.

Eggs, butter, and sugar were already at home.

“This it?”

“Yup. Got the rest at home.”

“What’s this bread? Brioche? Looks different from our usual.”

“Brioche is a French bread. Lots of butter, eggs, and sugar make it rich and slightly sweet.”

“Looks fancy.”

Noona poked the bread, which dented and slowly sprang back.

“It’s pricier than regular bread, but it’ll taste amazing. Trust me.”

It was higher in calories, but flavor’s worth it.

‘Calories are flavor’s firepower.’

We paid and headed home. Noona froze upon seeing my apartment.

“…It’s really a Han River-view place.”

“Told you.”

We took the elevator up. I punched in the code, and the door opened.

“…It’s spotless.”

“What, thought I’d live like you?”

“Hey, my place is clean now!”

“Because I cleaned it.”

Ignoring me, she ran to the sofa and flopped down, looking right at home.

“Wait a sec. I’ll whip it up quick.”

“Okay~”

I washed my hands at the sink, grabbed eggs and butter from the fridge, and cut butter into a bowl, mixing in sugar.

Swish, swish—

I spread the sugar-butter mix on one side of the bread with a butter knife. Prep done.

‘Too easy.’

Just fry it, and it’s the sugar toast we loved as kids.

“Noona, French toast too, or sugar toast first?”

“Sugar toast!”

She raised her hand from the sofa, shouting. I chuckled and said okay.

I lit the stove and placed the buttered side down on the pan.

Sizzle—

The rich butter aroma hit first, followed by soft caramel notes, then the toasty bread smell.

“Ah…”

This was it.

“…Smells amazing.”

“Right?”

Noona, now beside me, propped her chin up, watching.

“Here.”

I plated the toast, golden on both sides, and handed it to her.

“Let’s eat.”

She sipped milk first, then picked up a fork. Scraping the surface, the thin sugar crust crunched.

Gulp—

She tore off a piece and popped it in her mouth.

A bright smile spread across her face, just like back then.

“How is it?”

“This is it. This taste… It’s so bad for you, but so good…”

“But it’s good, right?”

“Yeah. When I made it, it never tasted like this. Why’s yours so good?”

“No clue.”

It’s such a simple dish, yet there’s a difference.

“Must be my magic touch.”

“Fair. There’s definitely something to that.”

“Eat your sugar toast. I’ll make French toast.”

“Okay.”

I cracked eggs into a wide bowl, added milk and sugar, and whisked until the yolks vanished.

A few drops of vanilla extract, another stir, then I soaked the bread on both sides.

‘Done.’

Prep complete—just fry it now.

Butter melted in the pan, spreading a soft aroma.

I placed the soaked bread down, and a sweet scent filled the kitchen with a sizzle.

Each flip deepened the rich aroma.

I stacked the golden slices on a plate and drizzled maple syrup generously.

“Here’s your French toast.”

Noona, who’d finished her sugar toast, took the plate.

“Wow, it looks like something from a brunch café!”

“Right?”

I grabbed a fork too. I wanted some.

Pressing the fork, the toast tore softly.

I took a bite—crisp outside, moist and fluffy inside.

The buttery richness and gentle sweetness spread, followed by the maple syrup’s subtle aroma.

The warm, sweet bread warmed my heart too.

“Wow… This is unreal, Siwoo…”

Noona ate with wide eyes.

“This is the basic version. You can add whipped cream, cream cheese, nuts, or fruit.”

“That’d be amazing!”

She devoured it with a huge smile. Eating like that might spike her blood sugar.

‘It’ll be fine.’

It’s not frequent, and she could use some weight anyway.

“Ah, so good…”

Ding!

As we relaxed, Noona’s phone pinged. She checked the screen.

“Who is it?”

“Elena-nim. She watched our stream, had no idea about our situation, wishes us happiness, and says to reach out if we need help.”

“She’s so kind. We’re the ones who caused her trouble…”

“Right. I still feel bad. Any way we can repay her?”

“Honestly… what could we offer? She’s with a big agency; she doesn’t need anything.”

“True…”

Noona slumped on the table, groaning.

I started washing dishes to give her time to think.

Clink clank—

I could’ve used magic, but that lacks charm.

Plus, I liked doing dishes—it kept me grounded in the moment.

“I’ve got it!”

As I finished, Noona shot up, her face lit with an idea.

“What?”

I hung up the rubber gloves and asked.

“We invite Elena-nim over and cook for her!”