Other possibly somewhat necessary explanations: This story most likely disregards Tomb It May Concern and the fact that Hottie becomes irrelevant during this.

In short, Ho and Hottie are now together and such.

POV is same as last chapter.

Yay! Enjoy.

-x-

That was when the disheartening realisation came over me. Ho was happy with his new girlfriend, but what about Linguini? Although, then again, did he really love Kua just as much as I did? I shouldn't be doubting him like this.

Kua embraced the atmosphere of the wide, open dining hall, lifting her arms up and twirling a couple of times, still energetic and playful. "Ah, yes, I remember this," she reminisced, "those dishes of yours - you know, they're still the best I've ever tasted".

I couldn't help but giggle at the compliment. She does deserve the best, I thought to myself.

We advanced over to the door of the kitchen and I opened it - gingerly - to see what was happening. Ho was being a pyromaniac - as per usual - and Linguini was baking. Strange. Even though he does specialise in pastas and pastries, I've never actually seen Linguini bake before. Unless it's for a particular task that involves it, like baking Pucca's birthday cakes, or baking Doga's welcome-to-the-neighbourhood cake.

I finally gave in and just opened the door the whole way. Upon seeing Kua, Ho backed off slightly awkwardly, towards the spice rack, and then preceded to pretend to add spices to… something. Linguini turned and was overcome with wonder. His eyes lit up.

I've got the feeling this might lead into some sibling rivalry.

"Kua?", the two said, in entranced unison.

"Thank you, Kua", Ho said, immediately afterwards, walking to her before continuing, in his gracious manner, "for helping us in our self-discovery".

"…You're welcome?", Kua replied, looking around and seeming slightly uncomfortable. Evidently, she wasn't that informed on our self-discovery. "Look, about that date I was invited on and all… you see, I'm not with Master Soo anymore".

"You're not?", they both queried, unified once again by their past experiences.

Kua continued as if they had never interrupted; "…and- you know I don't like telling you this, but- I chose to be with Uncle Dumpling". She hastily added, "Though, you both are also very nice".

"You need not worry, Kua", Ho had stated, once again in a tone which was grandiose without being pretentious - "I had fallen in love again while you were away".

"Really?". She was curious. Curious to see what kind of traits Hottie had which were so interesting to him.

I still remember the day when Hottie inexplicably arrived in the kitchen. I had absolutely no idea what had happened until Ho told me afterwards. I reprimanded him for choosing her romantic interests over Pucca's health and wellbeing. Then again, like I was thinking before, we all make mistakes. He is still pure of heart. He told me that meeting her was like amnesia to him anyway.

I turned to face Linguini. His smile fell, so I placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry", I mumbled. There wasn't really much else to say, anyway.

"No, it's okay", he chimed. "I gotta keep time with my own spirit. Not someone else's"

I laughed at his cheekiness, turned to Kua and asked, tentatively, "May I?", before putting an arm around her. Yes; now there is surely much more to be experienced in life than what can be gained from my passion for cooking. My brothers and I were just so absorbed in that love for cuisine that we never noticed, until Kua found us, the love for… well, love.

Then the kitchen door opened and a young girl entered. It was my niece, Pucca, returning home from her visit with Garu. I just remembered: Pucca was the one who had set us up on this date in the first place. I have so much to be thankful of her for.

Pucca raced in and hugged me tightly. Then she ran across and hugged Linguini and Ho with the same force. I always admired her presence, the way she was always so assertive, even in her actions, if not her words.

"Jajangmyeon?", I asked her, simply.

She gave me an enthusiastic nod. I thought - perhaps - we could set up a late lunch. That way I would be able to tell her about Kua in a relatively relaxed setting.

After this, Pucca had only just noticed that Kua was standing right near her. She staggered backwards, lost her balance for a moment, swiftly regained it and examined Kua as if she were one of Garu's lost ancestors.

Pucca gasped. It seemed, for her, that everything was falling into place now. At lightning speed, she ran to the benchtop on the other side of the kitchen and returned, holding what was now a memoir: the invite she had premeditatedly handmade for Kua, regarding the date which was made up impulsively