The Pinky Promise
I felt the sunlight streaming through the car window when someone tapped me on the shoulder from the side.
“Seoyeon?”
The moment I opened my eyes, Ha-jun was there. I rubbed my eyes and asked in a slightly drowsy voice.
“Ah… I must have fallen asleep…”
Still half-dazed from waking up, I stared at Ha-jun’s face for a long moment.
“Uh… um…”
Ha-jun’s face flushed bright red, as if embarrassed by my steady gaze, and he turned his head away. Seeing him like that brought a small laugh to my lips.
“Hehe…”
The sound of my own laughter chased away the last traces of sleep. My previously hazy eyelids lifted fully, and my mind cleared.
“You seem more awake now.”
Ha-jun smiled, stealing a sideways glance at me. Embarrassed, I nodded and brushed my cheek with my hand.
“Yes… I only meant to close my eyes for a second, but I think I fell into a deep sleep.”
The car had already stopped and grown quiet. The silence felt awkward, so I glanced into the back seat. It looked like Ji-an had fallen asleep too.
“Ji-an must have been so startled earlier that she dozed off as well.”
“Yes, she fell asleep right after you did, Seoyeon.”
Watching Ji-an, her faintly rosy cheeks and the soft rhythm of her breathing were so adorable that a smile crept across my face. The sight of her tiny hand resting on her lap felt peaceful all on its own.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, a voice came from beside me.
“Seoyeon.”
I turned my head. Ha-jun kept his eyes forward, hesitating before he spoke carefully.
“Seoyeon… about the housekeeper position I mentioned last time… have you thought it over?”
Hearing those words, I looked at Ji-an through the rearview mirror and remembered the things my wife had said yesterday. The memory of her cold remarks about “money” echoed in my head, tightening my chest. When I unconsciously lifted a hand to my forehead, Ha-jun spoke in a worried voice.
“Seoyeon? I’m sorry. I must have rushed you.”
His tone was full of genuine remorse.
“Ah, no… I just had a slight headache.”
I gazed out the window and began sorting through my thoughts. If I stayed at home, I would spend every day watching my wife’s moods and enduring her indifference. But staying by Ji-an’s side made me feel, at least for a while, truly alive.
I drew a slow breath and looked at Ha-jun. He was watching me with anxious eyes.
“Seoyeon…”
He was about to continue cautiously, but I spoke first.
“I’ll do it.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll… give it a try.”
My voice came out firmer than I had expected. The car fell quiet again, filled only with the soft background of Ji-an’s breathing. Ha-jun looked at me for a moment, then offered a gentle smile.
“Thank you… truly.”
I nodded and awkwardly looked away.
“Not at all… I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
Once the words left my mouth, the tension drained from my shoulders.
[Gurgle—]
Now that the tension had eased, the growl from my stomach was much louder than before. Ha-jun and I looked at each other and both burst out laughing.
“Pfft…”
“Haha!”
The laughter that filled the car rang out louder than expected. Suddenly, a small voice drifted from the back seat.
“…Mmm… what’s going on…”
When I turned around, Ji-an was rubbing her eyes sleepily and lifting her head. Her face still looked drowsy, but the corners of her lips curved up slightly, driven by curiosity.
“Mom… Dad… why are you two having fun without me…”
Ha-jun smiled and spoke to her gently.
“I’ll tell you after we eat.”
“Really…?”
To wake the still-dozing Ji-an, we stepped out of the car and moved to the back seat.
“Come on, let’s go eat, my little girl.”
Ha-jun gently set Ji-an down on the ground, his voice soft. She spread both arms wide.
“Ji-an is tired… carry me.”
At her words, Ha-jun moved to pick her up as if he had no choice, but Ji-an shook her head.
“Not Daddy… Mommy, carry me.”
Startled by Ji-an’s request, I glanced at Ha-jun, but he was smiling sheepishly. With no other option, I lifted the child—arms still open—into my embrace.
The warmth radiating from her small body made my chest ache with emotion. It felt as if something I had forgotten long ago was stirring back to life.
“Hehe… warm…”
Ji-an mumbled quietly and buried her face against my shoulder. I tried to support her with one hand, but my strength had weakened and my posture kept slipping.
“Mom, is Ji-an heavy?…”
Ji-an squirmed, clearly uncomfortable.
“No, no, not at all. It’s just been so long…”
I answered with a smile. Reassured, Ji-an mumbled something softly before her breathing grew steady and even.
“She must have fallen asleep again…”
I murmured, gently stroking her hair. The child’s unique, cozy scent lingered at the tip of my nose. Ha-jun reached out as if to take her, but I shook my head with a smile.
“It’s all right, really.”
After a brief hesitation, Ha-jun began walking a little ahead. Like a real family, I naturally fell into step beside him.
A few minutes later, the restaurant sign appeared. Since it was still lunchtime, the place was packed and filled with the buzz of conversation.
“This is it. Will this be okay?”
Ha-jun stopped in front of the door and asked. I nodded while gently waking the sleeping Ji-an.
“Ji-an, we’re here to eat now. Time to wake up, sweetheart?”
The moment we opened the door, the rich aroma of tonkatsu filled the air. Ji-an must have smelled it too; she slowly lifted her head and wriggled in my arms.
“Mmm… smells delicious…”
With her eyes still half-closed, Ji-an mumbled and looked around. I smiled and gave her a gentle shake. Soon a staff member approached and guided us to our table. The small window-side table sat in a patch of warm sunlight and felt pleasantly quiet.
“You can sit here. Please place your order through the kiosk.”
I nodded, still holding Ji-an.
“Ji-an, you need to sit in the chair now.”
“Awwng…”
Ji-an whined, still reluctant to leave my arms. Her little arms clung tightly around my neck, as if she never wanted to let go.
“I want to sit next to Mommy…”
I smiled and soothed her.
“All right, all right. Let’s sit next to Mommy.”
Only then did Ji-an slide down and climb into her seat. Watching her, Ha-jun gave a small laugh and sat across from us, then said to Ji-an,
“What are you going to do if Seoyeon disappears if you keep acting like that?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Ji-an’s eyes widened and trembled. Not long after, she began to cry.
“Mom… where is Mom going?..”
Ha-jun had clearly meant it as a tease, but the child started sobbing immediately.
“Don’t go… Mommy… don’t gooo!”
Ji-an’s voice was loud enough to echo through the entire restaurant. At the sudden outburst, several nearby customers turned to look. Both Ha-jun and I panicked and rushed to calm her.
“Ji-Ji-an, Mommy isn’t going anywhere. I’m right here, see?”
I quickly took her small hand in mine and met her eyes. Tears welled up in Ji-an’s gaze, and her lips and hands were shaking.
“Uh… ugh… waaah!”
I pulled the child into my arms. Her tiny shoulders heaved, and her tears soaked into my clothes. I shot Ha-jun a sharp, reproachful look. He looked utterly flustered and spoke urgently.
“It… it was a lie, Ji-an. Where would Mommy go? Daddy was only joking.”
Even then, Ji-an kept sobbing and shaking her head.
“Nooo… Mommy…”
The restaurant, which had been filled with laughter moments ago, now rang only with a child’s cries. Some customers watched with pity, while others observed with open curiosity.
“Ji-an, Daddy was wrong. I’m sorry…”
“That’s right, Mommy is right here beside you. So stop crying, okay?”
“Really…?”
Sniffling, Ji-an looked up with desperate eyes.
“Of course! It’s true.”
“Then… promise you won’t go anywhere.”
Ji-an gradually swallowed her tears and held out her tiny pinky finger. I hesitated for a second, then, seeing the tears still clinging to her lashes, quickly hooked my finger with hers.
“O-okay, I promise!”
When Ji-an finally stopped crying and smiled, Ha-jun—who had been watching—scratched the back of his head and said,
“…I-I’m sorry… That was a thoughtless joke…”
I gave him a resentful look, sighed, and handed Ji-an a tissue. Once her tears had dried, the quiet restaurant slowly filled with sound again. Only then could we breathe easily and place our orders.
“What would you like to eat, Ji-an?”
“Cheese… tonkatsu, please…”
Though her eyes were still a little moist, Ji-an’s voice quickly regained its energy. I smiled in relief and nodded.
“Then I’ll have the regular tonkatsu.”
After we ordered, Ha-jun added udon for himself. When the kiosk screen displayed the confirmation, he cleared his throat and spoke.
Order Complete
“Ji-an, Daddy asked Seoyeon for a favor. Do you know what it is?”
“For Mommy?”
Ji-an narrowed her eyes at Ha-jun, still not fully over her earlier upset.
“Yes. Now Seoyeon can play with you even on weekdays.”
“R-really?”
A bright smile bloomed across Ji-an’s face, completely different from before. She turned to me, her eyes earnest, as if seeking confirmation. I smiled and nodded.
“Yes, it’s real.”