Alpha Culinary Love

I began with the freshest ingredients. For the main dish, I chose to make a classic Korean breakfast: soybean paste stew (doenjang jjigae). I sautéed the garlic and onions in a pot until they turned golden, their aroma filling the kitchen. Next, I added cubes of tofu and zucchini, followed by a generous spoonful of rich, fermented soybean paste. As the stew simmered, I thinly sliced green chilies and scallions, adding them to the pot to enhance the flavors.

While the stew was cooking, I prepared side dishes: steamed eggs (gyeran jjim), fluffy and light, with a hint of sesame oil, and a plate of seasoned spinach (sigeumchi namul), lightly blanched and mixed with garlic, sesame seeds, and soy sauce. I arranged everything neatly on the table, placing a bowl of warm, sticky rice next to each plate.

Just as I finished setting the table, Yura appeared with a suitcase in her hand. Her presence always brought a smile to my face, but today, she looked a bit different. She approached me, wrapping her arms around me in a warm hug before kissing me gently. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Jiyeon," she said, her voice soft. "I have to leave for a business trip for a few days. I really wish I could stay."

I felt a pang of disappointment but tried to hide it. "It's okay, Yura. I understand. We'll see each other soon."

We sat down and enjoyed the breakfast together, savoring the moment despite the looming separation. Yura's appreciation for the meal I had prepared made me feel warm inside. When we finished, she gave me one last kiss and a lingering hug before heading out the door. Watching her leave, I felt a mixture of sadness and anticipation for her return.

With Yura gone and the day stretching out before me, I decided to make the most of my free time. It was Saturday, and I didn't need to work at the restaurant. I returned to my room, suddenly remembering something I had been neglecting.

"System," I called out, feeling a bit sheepish.

[Finally, you remember me, host. You've been so relaxed with Yura that you forgot all about me.]

I smiled at the familiar voice in my head. This system had been with me through thick and thin, guiding me to become a better chef. Recently, it had awarded me a special feature I hadn't yet explored: the System Shop.

"Let's check out the System Shop" I said eagerly.

A virtual interface appeared before me, displaying a wide array of items and upgrades related to cooking. From rare ingredients to advanced cooking tools, the options were endless. My eyes lit up with excitement as I browsed through the selections. One item, in particular, caught my attention: the Perfect Knife Set, a collection of precision knives designed to make every cut flawless. Without hesitation, I redeemed my points and felt a surge of satisfaction as the new knives appeared in my kitchen.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of culinary experiments and discoveries. I lost myself in the joy of cooking, testing new recipes and perfecting old ones. The new knife set made a noticeable difference, enhancing the precision and quality of my dishes.

As evening approached, I decided to head to my restaurant to check on things. It was nearly closing time, and I wanted to see how the day had gone. When I arrived, the staff was already cleaning up and preparing to leave. After exchanging a few words and checking the day's earnings, I realized I had a bit of time to myself. The restaurant had made a solid $2,500 today – a good number for a weekend.

The staff bid their goodbyes, leaving me alone in the quiet, dimly lit restaurant. I decided to work on a new dish I had been thinking about. The stillness of the empty kitchen allowed me to focus completely. Hours slipped by unnoticed as I became absorbed in the creative process.

Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my dish, I felt a presence behind me. I turned to see Seo Yoojin standing in the doorway, her eyes gleaming with a predatory look. Yoojin was an omega, like Yura, but unlike Yura, she exuded a dangerous, manipulative aura.

"Hello, Jiyeon," she purred, stepping closer. "I heard you were here alone."

I stiffened, immediately on guard. "Yoojin, what are you doing here?"

She smiled, a sultry look in her eyes. "I just wanted to see you. You know, you're quite impressive – an alpha with such talent."

My heart raced as she moved closer, her scent – sweet and heady – beginning to fill the room. I knew she was using her pheromones to influence me, but the effects of my recent estrus still lingered, making me more susceptible.

"Yoojin, this isn't appropriate," I said, trying to sound firm despite the growing haze in my mind.

She ignored my words, her fingers lightly tracing my arm. "Oh, come on, Jiyeon. Don't be so uptight. We could have a lot of fun together."

I stepped back, but she followed, her proximity overwhelming. The room seemed to spin as her scent intensified, clouding my thoughts.

"Stop it," I managed to say, my voice shaky.

But Yoojin's smile only widened. "Why resist, Jiyeon? You and I both know you want this."

As she leaned in closer, her lips almost touching mine, I felt a surge of panic. I needed to get away, but my body refused to move. Just when I thought I would succumb to her influence, a sharp knock on the door shattered the tension.

"Jiyeon, are you in there?" It was Chef Kang's voice, strong and grounding.

Yoojin pulled back, her expression turning into a mask of irritation. "We'll continue this another time," she whispered before slipping out the back door.

I stood there, trying to regain my composure as Chef Kang entered the kitchen. "Jiyeon, are you alright? I thought I heard voices."

"I'm fine," I said, taking a deep breath. "Just a bit of a scare, that's all."

Chef Kang looked at me with concern but didn't press further. "Well, it's late. You should head home and get some rest."

Nodding, I quickly gathered my things and left the restaurant. As I stepped outside into the cool night air, my thoughts raced. I needed to tell Yura about Yoojin's visit, but I didn't want to worry her while she was away.

For now, I focused on getting home, eager to leave the unsettling encounter behind. Despite the unease, I knew I had to stay strong – for myself and for Yura. We had built something beautiful together, and I wouldn't let anyone, especially not someone like Yoojin, come between us.

When I finally reached home, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. I headed to my room, determined to get some sleep and face whatever came next with a clear mind.

As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but think about Yura. Her absence left a void, but the memories of our time together filled me with warmth and strength. Closing my eyes, I vowed to protect what we had and to stand firm against any challenges that might come our way.

Tomorrow was a new day, and I would be ready for it.