(This was a collaboration between myself and [@baphomini]! )
[color=cff0cc]”My… real world..?”[/color]
That… that was DEFINITELY some kind of really weird hallucination. It couldn’t have been real. How could it be? Tohato was in the void, signing some weird paper, and one second later he’s where he normally is. He didn’t want to bring this up to a therapist, or to his dad, or to his uncle… it was a one-time thing so far! So… yeah. 
He smiled to the customer. [color=cff0cc]”Of course! What kind of stuffing? Steamed or fried? We have chicken, pork, vegetable, and we also have sweeter versions of dumplings I also find really good!”[/color] 
That customer, unlike the strange masked man, took off their shoes at the entrance of this historic building. A lot politer than that masked man! It made Tohato smile. 
“I’d love some fried chicken dumplings, please!” The customer responded. 
Tohato nodded with his usual sweet smile, and he looked over to his dad, Ha-Neul, cooking just a few meters away from him. 
[color=cff0cc]“Appa!”[/color]He called, [color=cff0cc]We need an order of fried chicken dumplings!”[/color]
"deur-ryeo-yo!" Ha-Neul called back. The man always defaulted to their first language of Korean when they were focused on a task like cooking. 'I hear you,' as they had said, was also a very common response, not just from Ha-Neul, but among their little family in general. It held many meanings among them. From the obvious meaning of assuring one that they were heard, to letting another know that they were understood not just comprehensively, but emotionally. 'I hear you,' was often said in response to one sharing about a rough day, letting them known that their troubles and pains were not just heard, but felt. It was their secret little language in a way.
It wasn't long before Ha-Neul was sliding out the order, calling out the name in Korean as they usually did. As the lunch rush dwindled down, Ha-Neul soon joined Tohato at the front behind the counter, wiping off their hands on a cloth hanging from their apron. They greeted him with their iconic warm smile, "Busy day," they commented, laughing lightly, "Are you well?"
Tohato, still standing behind the counter to greet customers, smiled at his dad. He hesitated, his smile a little forced, his brows furrowed, but his cherry-red eyes bright. 
[color=cff0cc]“I’m fine, appa, just a little flustered… how are you?”[/color] 
The kitchen was hot, especially during this time of the year…. [color=cff0cc]”Appa, do you want some water..?[/color] Tohato offered, almost like he avoided trying to talk about that weird… experience? He just had.
"I'm fine, snowbird, thank you, I'll get myself some water on my way back to the kitchen," they told him almost dismissively then asked, "Have you had a chance to eat yet? I could make you something while there is time."
[color=cff0cc]”Are there any leftover noodles? I’d love those![/color] Tohato chirped as he made his way back to the kitchen. He’ll be back to the counter by the time the dinner rush came through, but there were some regulars that came by in these in-between times and challenged him and his dad to mahjong. 
Tohato paused, and looked back to his dad. [color=cff0cc]“Do you know where uncle went? We should make some food for him, too, when he’s back.”[/color]
He still prepared a glass of cold water for his dad while he was in the kitchen, and then took out a nice iced can of jasmine tea for himself.
His father nodded to his question, leading the way back to the kitchen as they made way to prepare two bowls of noodles for themself and Tohato, garnishing them with some seaweed and other things laying about, left overs from other orders. They never let anything go to waste. Anything they personally didn't eat was either composted, or collected into slop for pigs belonging to close friends, who in turn provided them with prime pork.
As Ha-Neul handed Tohato their bowl, they told him, "Ah, Hyeon-Ju took Mandu to see the vet. He was worried with the way she's been lately, and wants to be safe. He should be returning in time for the dinner rush, I'm sure."
Tohato smiled at the thought of the sweet little flock of Easter-egger chickens living in the backyard. All of them except one were sweet, even the territorial rooster, Kong, loved being cuddled. He did notice Mandu had been breathing a little off lately— he was glad his uncle took her to the vet. Hopefully it’s nothing— maybe she’s just tired! She isn’t the brightest chicken, no, but she produces a lot or eggs. If something happened with her lungs… they’d have to send everyone to the vet, just in case.
Oh, how Tohato loved sitting there with all the chickens. They had soft feathers, and they were all rescues— kind of like him! They were all so kind to him, he saw them as family, too. 
[color=cff0cc]”Oh, didn’t Bogsu get broody again? We might have to keep her out of the coop for a day…”[/color] Tohato asked, looking up from the bowl he had a few inches away from his face. 
Another customer came in— Tohato quickly put his food down, wiped his face with a napkin, and rushed over to the counter again after quickly thanking his dad.