Chapter 19: Yuri Gallery Cooking Competition (2)

I’ve been thinking this since yesterday, but this world surpasses my understanding.

Given that yuri is mainstream, I shouldn’t expect anything to make sense. I remember reading a post explaining why yuri was seen more favorably than male homosexuality.

It was in response to a question about the difference in public perception.

Back then, I’d thought it was fine since I didn’t like gay men. But now, it seems utterly insane.

Why am I bringing this up? Because I’m witnessing something that defies logic.

When Hyeseol announced the cooking competition, I worried that even as an assistant mod, posting it without warning would attract little attention.

The competition details were vague and poorly planned; the prize money was small, and the first prize was a joke.

When she mentioned “wife” in the group chat, I assumed she was joking. I hadn’t known her long, but she seemed playful.

Then, she actually posted it on the community, shocking me. Then, the positive reaction shocked me even more.

Of course, it could’ve been sarcastic comments mocking the competition. But that thought vanished when I saw the main page.

[Cooking Competition) A proper wife makes jeyuk (spicy pork).][12]

[Cooking Competition) Don’t underestimate dorm cooking.][7]

[Cooking Competition) The best food made hastily after seeing the notice.][15]

[Everyone’s crazy for money; posting so fast lol][3]

[Aren’t those posting now cheating?][13]

Despite my worries, several posts with “Cooking Competition” appeared. Are they serious? I clicked on a post.

[[Competition] Title: Cooking Competition) A proper wife makes jeyuk (spicy pork).][12]

[Author: PureLoveLez]

Another refreshing morning, starting with warm tea. I must work hard to become an ideal wife.

Then, a notice appeared from an assistant mod, seeking a new wife. I hastily prepared something with the ingredients I had at home.

Jeyuk bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) is essential for a loved wife. So, today’s dish is jeyuk bokkeum.

(Image of ingredients)

Now, sprinkle some sesame seeds.

(Image of completed jeyuk bokkeum)

Ta-da! It’s done.

I’m confident this is worthy of a first-place prize.

Thank you for reading.

[Likes: 12 / Dislikes: 16]

[All Comments]

00: Too much oil?

00: lol It’ll be greasy.

Loo: The plating is sloppy.

PureLoveLez: If you don’t like it, make your own.

Doye: This person’s gimmick fell apart lol

Loo: They can’t cook, but they’re being argumentative.

00: This person is out.

00: Wouldn’t it be better to do something productive instead of trying to become a wife?

00: They’re doing this because they can’t do anything productive.

[[Competition] Title: Cooking Competition) Don’t underestimate dorm cooking.][7]

[Author: 00]

I can’t cook fancy dishes, but familiar flavors are unbeatable.

Everyone’s had bibimbap with soy sauce and egg, right? It’s easy and delicious; it’s the best!

I’ll show you a method that requires no gas stove and no washing up.

First, open the rice only halfway and make a hole in the center with a spoon.

Crack an egg into the hole and add a single packet of butter.

Microwave it, and…

(Image of a ruined microwave from an explosion)

f*ck, make sure you break the yolk.

[Likes: 43 / Dislikes: 2]

[All Comments]

00: lolololololololololololololololololololololololololol

L00;lololololololololololololololololololololololololol

Loo: That’s going to be a pain to clean; this isn’t funny;

L00: I don’t care.

00: Why did it explode?

Loo: You microwaved a raw egg.

Loo: Isn’t that only for hard-boiled eggs?

LOO: Raw eggs explode if you don’t break the yolk before microwaving them.

00: Thanks! Why do you know so much about this?

Loo: I didn’t want to know…

00: They deserve a special prize.

00: I need to break a refrigerator now to get a special prize.

The posts were surprisingly serious. They included detailed instructions and pictures. But, in my opinion, they weren’t very good.

My only skill as a man was cooking. Before becoming a hikikomori, I’d learned it to beat my sister.

I wasn’t a bad cook. I was good enough to work as a chef.

But no one cared that I was a better cook than my sister. And she’d succeeded, while I was just a guy who cooked.

So I quit. I’d enjoyed the compliments, but couldn’t handle the judgmental stares. Even after moving out, I avoided cooking.

-Slap!

I slapped my cheeks to stop the negative thoughts. In my opinion, none of them were good.

Ow. I slapped myself too hard. Rubbing my cheeks, I found a post answering my question.

[[Question] Title: Why are people so enthusiastic about this competition?][5]

[Author: 00]

The prize is only around 50,000 won, and the first prize is some weird “date” thing. Why are people so passionate?

It feels like the world’s secretly filming me. What’s the big deal?

[Likes: 0 / Dislikes: 2]

[All Comments]

00: That’s…

roo: I’ve explained it.

00: You’re out, troll.

Loo: ?? What’s a troll?

Loo: Don’t worry about that; just leave.

00: It’s a troll who doesn’t participate in the Yuri Gallery.

00: Is it wrong to not know something?

Doye: Instead of asking, read the gallery.

L00: How can I read everything?

OnlyVirginMTF: You’ll be better for it.

Loo: You won’t explain it?

OnlyVirginMTF: No, but it’s beneficial, so join.

My questions only multiplied. The comments were full of insults instead of answers.

I was glad I didn’t post that question.

The Yuri Gallery was still ablaze with the cooking competition. I checked a few more posts; their skills were comparable to mine.

Should I enter? Just as I thought that, my phone buzzed; it was the moderators’ group chat.

[Hwajuyeon: A week would be good, right?]

[Cho Hyeseol: Isn’t a week too short?]

[Hwajuyeon: Nah, after a week, the winner is obvious.]

[Cho Hyeseol: That’s true, but I need time to prepare.]

[Hwajuyeon: How about two weeks?]

[Hwajuyeon: That’s plenty of time.]

[Cho Hyeseol: Okay, that’s fine.]

[Baek Hwayeon: I agree.]

They were chatting normally; they clearly knew what the first prize was. Preparing? What are they planning?

[What exactly IS the first prize??]

[Hwajuyeon: lolololololololol]

[Hwajuyeon: Jia is so cute.]

[Cho Hyeseol: It’s a secret. Want to know? Participate.]

[Baek Hwayeon: It’s nothing special, but my Unnie’s looks are unreal.]

[Baek Hwayeon: Hyeseol unnie, let’s scale it down this time. Are we that rich?]

[Cho Hyeseol: You’re right.]

[Hwajuyeon: Even if Unnie’s broke, I’m not!]

[Baek Hwayeon: So manipulative…]

[…Is the first prize amazing?]

[Cho Hyeseol: Secret!]

This woman is a master at annoying people. I was slightly angry. I hadn’t planned to, but I changed my mind.

I’m going for first place.