Sawdust Stories and Maximus's Daring Dive
Preparatory stretches done thoroughly—whiiing!—sawdust flew into the air with a metallic whine. The flying particles got sucked straight into the vacuum I'd set up beforehand. In Kim Seontae's hands, the grinder smoothed the wood's surface flawlessly. I was assisting right beside him.
Whoa... this is on a whole different level.
My little DIY fixes during camping trips were nothing compared to this scale. He measured with machine-like precision, cut the wood without hesitation. Every rough log that passed through his hands took on a more refined shape. He respected the wood's grain, rounded the edges with delicate precision. It wasn't just skill—it was art.
"...Impressive."
The words slipped out in admiration before I knew it. Kim Seontae paused his work, lifted his safety goggles, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a good-natured smile.
"Haha, it's nothing. Just habit."
"When did you start doing this stuff? Crafts or DIY, I mean."
He chewed his lip thoughtfully at my question, lost in memories for a moment.
"It was a family trade."
"Family trade?"
"Yeah. My grandfather ran a carpentry shop, my dad took it over after him. I grew up breathing sawdust."
Oh... a family trade. Rare these days.
"I inherited the shop and ran it at first. But... as you know, factory furniture dominates now. Hard to make a living off a workshop alone."
Bitter undertones laced his voice. The reality where craftsmanship alone couldn't cut it. I nodded instinctively.
"That's when I started taking DIY commissions. Furniture refinishing, interior props—whatever came my way."
"Ah..."
"Then I met this one client. Someone who brought in an old vanity to fix."
A soft smile spread across his face.
"That's my wife now."
"Oh..."
"Chatting while I fixed it, we got close... and before I knew it, we were married. Haha."
He caressed the half-finished toy on the workbench with affection.
"Even starting YouTube was her idea. She said to film my process. I was skeptical at first... never dreamed so many people would love it."
A successful nerd with a romance origin story. Perfect narrative. I nodded warmly.
The childhood sweethearts from Geoje-do. Rika and Dohyuk from Japan. And now this DIY family who bonded over furniture repair. Why were all these sweet love stories surrounding me?
Pure love really is the best.
A warm glow filled my chest. Not that I was thinking about dating myself—other people's romances were always fun to hear about.
Kim Seontae donned his goggles again and resumed work. Whiiing. The machine noise filled the yard once more. Soon, the solid wood toy frame for Maximus was complete. It looked like a rocking horse shaped like a puppy.
"Whoa... so cute."
"Still needs finishing. Oil and drying will take time. Can't play with it right away."
"No worries. Maximus knows how to wait."
Imagining him rocking on it already had my lips curving up.
"Think we've got enough footage now to wrap up the video."
"Cool. I'll check on Maximus. Where'd he go?"
I'd wondered where the fluffball vanished to during the work. Scanning the yard—no white puffball in sight.
Where are you? Off wandering?
Glancing around, I peered through the living room glass door. And there he was.
"...Huh?"
Beyond the glass, in the living room. Little Areum in her swimsuit, hugging Maximus tight. He stared blankly outside from her arms, eyes pleading like 'Owner, save me.'
I hurried inside. Choi Miyeon was tidying up in the living room. She gave an awkward smile at my entrance.
"Oh, Areum. You're back?"
"Yeah. But Little Areum's in her swimsuit..."
"Hehe, she's dying to hit the pool. Been singing about it since morning."
Little Areum wore a pink frilly swimsuit, one hand clutching a tube, the other hugging Maximus, beaming happily.
"Unnie! Pool time!"
"Uh... yeah. Pool..."
Right, there was a heated basement pool. Looked big in photos, but I hadn't checked it out yet.
"Shall we head down?"
We descended the basement stairs. Humid, warm air hit us. Opening the door, my jaw dropped.
"......"
This was...
"They really built a full pool...?"
A massive rectangular pool, easily 10 meters long. Matched an outdoor one in size. Warm steam rose from the water. One side had a shallow kiddie pool and lounge beds.
"Wow! It's a pool!"
Little Areum cheered and dashed forward. Maximus, excited too, wagged his tail and followed.
"Water's nice and warm. Good to jump in."
Perfect temp for fun. As I was about to tell her it was okay, she grabbed my hand. Her tiny palm's warmth spread.
"Unnie come too!"
"...Me too?"
"Yeah! Play together! Alone is boring."
She gazed up with sparkling eyes. Irresistible puppy-dog plea. But I had zero plans to swim. Just planned to dip my feet and watch...
I shot Choi Miyeon a troubled look. She smiled back with a 'can't help it' expression.
Sigh. No choice.
Honestly... I'd packed one. You never know. Rash guards were a godsend—modest swimwear. No big deal to play with the kid.
"...Okay. Unnie'll change and be right back. Wait a sec."
"Yay! So exciting!"
Little Areum bounced in joy. Back in the room, I rummaged my bag. Pulled out the buried rash guard. Changed quickly and checked the mirror.
The clingy material showed my figure, but better than a bikini. Twirled to inspect.
"Hmm. This'll do."
Perfect. Flat stomach, sporty, functional. All girls here—safe enough.
Grabbed a towel and headed back down. The pool echoed with Little Areum's laughter already. Splash! Splash! She'd jumped in. Depth hit adult waists. At my 170cm-minus-a-bit height, about a meter? Deep for her first-grader self—up to her neck.
Isn't that dangerous?
Shwoooong. What was that? A torpedo?
"...Whoa."
My jaw dropped again. She swam better than me? Choi Miyeon smiled proudly nearby.
"She's been swimming since toddler days. Loves the water."
"Ah... makes sense. Her form's pro-level."
Early education power is scary. No worries needed. If anything, I might be the concern.
"Unnie! Hurry in!"
Little Areum splashed, calling me.
"Coming!"
Quick stretches, then in. Warm water enveloped me—bliss.
"Yah!"
Splashed a handful at her. She fired back. Water fight on. Splashes and giggles filled the pool.
Fun at first. Felt like a kid again, body loosening up. But...
"Huff... huff..."
Ten minutes in? My breaths grew ragged. Limbs weighed a ton. Swimming this hard?
Little Areum showed no fatigue—zipping laps excitedly.
"Unnie! Tag! I'll be it!"
"Uh... sure..."
Needed to flee, but legs wouldn't budge. Water resistance felt tenfold.
Mistake.
Underestimated kid stamina. Lifetime swimmer vs. treadmill-10-min-jelly-me. No chance.
"Wait... unnie needs a break..."
Surrender. Stumbled to the corner's doggy shallow pool. Ankle-deep. Plopped down.
"Haa... haa..."
Panting, stared at the ceiling blankly. Stamina boost urgent. For real.
Then, plip plop—Maximus approached, sniffing the pool edge.
"Maximus? Wanna come in?"
He feared water. Bath time? Trembly cuddlebug. Just sniffing curiously, no closer.
But his eyes now held resolve.
He crept to the steps linking shallows to deep end.
No way...?
Suddenly recalled yesterday's internet warning.
[Don't force or throw dogs into pools.]
Who'd throw this cutie? Insane!
But here he was, approaching on his own. Tapped the surface with a paw. Backed off, then forward. Hesitation vs. curiosity.
"Huff... Maximus's epic steps...!"
Fist clenched instinctively. Revolutionary words slipped out, but whatever—our boy was brave!
He flared his nostrils like a deep breath, tensed hind legs.
And—splash!
White fluffball soared into the water.
"...!"
Plop! He vanished. One second. Two. No surfacing.
Eh?!
Heart dropped. Sinking? Too young for swimming?
Bolted up in panic.
"Maximus!"
Save him. Quick! Lurched toward deep end.
Then—zzzt! Calf muscle twisted in agony. Cold water, fatigue buildup, sudden move—cramp city.
"Gaaahhh!"
Scream echoed. Leg locked. Toppled into water, gulpedfuls down.
"Pffft! Cough! Cough!"
Clutched aching leg, surfaced. Maximus?! Scanned—no sign.
No...!
Despair hit. Then, far off—something glided serenely. White speck. Head-only above water: Maximus.
Utterly calm. Paddling busily yet gracefully. Seal-like? No, more elegant. A white swan...
Even his expression chill.
...What.
Clinging my cramped leg, stared blankly.
"...You had talent."
Deflated laugh. Relief melted tension.
Zzzzt! Cramp round two struck.
"Kyaaah!"
Sank again, bubbles rising.
From afar, Little Areum's innocent voice.
"Unnie! Dive game? Me too!"
...Not it. Help.