17. Department Store
Yoona, with her nose and cheeks flushed red from the cold, was truly adorable.
We'd originally planned to take the bus to the department store, but I was worried she'd catch a cold just walking to the stop.
So I flagged down a taxi passing by.
"Dad, is the department store far?"
"Nah, it'll be quick. Like ten minutes?"
Yoona, snuggled right up against me with her head buried in my shoulder, peeked up at my face and grinned heehee.
Maybe it was the warm heater, but she sniffled cutely.
"...Whatcha gonna do after we buy clothes?"
I stroked her hair.
"Hmm... Grab something yummy to eat?"
Yoona's eyes went wide.
"Something yummy?"
They sell food at department stores too? she added.
She'd apparently never been to one before.
I wondered if most families didn't go at least once—but then I remembered I was her family now, and brushed the thought aside.
"Yep. Tons of delicious stuff."
"R-Really...?"
Yoona nodded, her big shiny eyes sparkling.
Then she burrowed into my side again and went quiet.
It was warm and kinda ticklish—not bad at all.
She stayed like that all the way to the department store.
Not the biggest in Seoul, but still a famous, massive department store.
"It's huge..."
Yoona didn't seem all that shocked anymore—probably because she'd seen that fancy wedding hall yesterday.
I took her hand and headed for the entrance.
Lined with luxury brand shops.
"Stick close."
"Ung."
The entrance had revolving doors, so I carefully guided her inside.
A wave of warm air and perfume hit us.
First floors are always cosmetics and fragrance counters, everywhere you go.
"..."
Yoona's face scrunched up.
Didn't like the strong makeup smell, huh.
Well, she'd probably get used to it once she was old enough to wear makeup herself.
I chuckled at myself for worrying about the future of a kid I'd be parting from in a few days.
"Children's clothing is..."
I checked the floor map on the wall.
"Fourth floor."
I led Yoona to the escalator.
She hesitated right in front of it, but as soon as I stepped on...
"Eek."
She landed beside me with a little puff of breath.
Maybe escalators were awkward—she let out a relieved sigh, then looked up at me with a proud smile.
I gave her a thumbs-up.
They say first grade is hell for elementary kids or something.
Yoona followed me everywhere without a hitch—I was impressed.
We switched a couple times and made it to the fourth floor.
Silly as it sounded, I hoped one day she'd navigate this place on her own.
Even the same kids' clothing store looks fancier in a department store.
Right off the escalator, we faced a mannequin striking a cool pose—one hand on its hip, weight on one leg.
"..."
Yoona stared at it for a second, then scurried in front of me.
"Dad, look at me!"
She struck the exact same pose.
And beamed up at me, all proud.
Her sudden cuteness cracked me up.
Yoona, looking satisfied, grabbed my hand again.
I led her into the store.
"Pick out a winter coat you like."
Yoona just glanced around, not moving much.
Makes sense—she probably didn't know where to start.
Honestly, neither did I.
Whenever Mom dragged me here, I'd just stand blankly in the corner.
"How 'bout this?"
I grabbed a stylish fur-lined jacket that caught my eye.
Beige, I think they call this color.
Yoona stared at it.
More precisely, at the price tag dangling from the sleeve.
"Dad, this is s-sixteen... one hundred sixty thousand won."
I was surprised it was pricier than expected.
But I didn't show it.
If I acted like it was too much after picking it out, my dad cred would be ruined.
"I know, kiddo."
We came here to spend money today, after all.
Well, not my money—her mom's.
...Actually, it kinda was mine.
She told me to take as much as I wanted.
"Told ya, Dad's got plenty."
"..."
I threw out some pointless bravado again.
Yoona still glanced back and forth between the jacket and me.
A saleswoman noticed and came over.
"Want to try it on your daughter? I can check the size."
"Sure."
I didn't correct her. No need to.
The saleswoman took Yoona to the fitting room.
I stood there, idly looking around.
Soon, Yoona emerged from the fitting room in the beige jacket.
"Looks great on you."
Yoona stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself.
Front, then twisting to see the side.
"Whaddya think? Like it?"
Instead of answering, she looked at my reflection.
Her eyes seemed a little anxious.
"To me, you look super pretty. Like a princess."
"R-Really?"
She loves being called princess-like. Hit rate's perfect so far.
I wanted to buy her a few more, but my wad was already down to less than half.
"This one's it."
"Great. Wear it out?"
As the saleswoman went to bag Yoona's old pink jacket...
"...W-Wait a sec."
Yoona snatched it up quick.
And hugged it tight to her chest.
"...I-I'll carry this one."
Yoona, in her cool new jacket, clutching that ugly old pink one.
"..."
It was pretty hilarious.
Probably cherished 'cause Mom bought it.
I could tell without asking.
"Okay. You carry it, Yoona."
I patted her head and headed to the register.
One hundred sixty thousand won.
Paid in cash—no card.
Saleswoman didn't bat an eye.
Thick one, thick one.
I'll give you a new jacket—hand over the old one.
"Heehee."
Won't give either.
Yoona, new jacket on, old one hugged tight.
She kept checking herself in every store window and mirror.
"Like it?"
"Ung! I'm gonna wear this everywhere from now on!"
Perfect reaction—makes spending fun.
Yoona bounced happily and asked,
"Dad, where to now?"
I recalled the floor map.
Bookstore on five, I think.
"Wanna hit the bookstore? You like books, Yoona?"
"Yeah, I love the library!"
Bookstores and libraries aren't exactly the same...
But I still had enough for three or four books easy.
I took her hand and back to the escalator.
This time, she hopped on without hesitation.
Already getting the hang of it after a few tries.
Suddenly struck me how well the new jacket suited her.
The department store bookstore was spacious and quiet.
Faint paper scent and soft music relaxed the mind.
No bestsellers or philosophy for Yoona—I took her straight to the kids' section.
"...!"
She spotted the colorful shelves and yanked me along.
Naturally, she stopped at the magical girl books.
This morning she'd been meh about the doll—thought maybe her interest waned.
But no: picture books, comics, even encyclopedias.
She squatted and ran her finger over each spine.
Searching for something specific.
"..."
This'll take a while.
I leaned against a pillar nearby to watch.
"..."
Then I felt eyes on me.
What the?
I turned.
A couple shelves away, half-hidden at the corner—a face staring right at me.
Middle-school girl in uniform and long padding jacket.
"...!"
Our eyes met; she flinched and ducked behind the shelf.
What the heck.
Something behind me?
I checked.
Oh—trendy romance manga poster of the male lead on my pillar.
"..."
Feeling awkward, I stepped away.
Probably ruined her view.
Glanced back.
She peeked out again.
Even after I moved, her gaze followed me, not the pillar.
Upside-down workbook in her hand.
What is it, seriously.
I half-jokingly wondered if something was on my face, like in manga.
But no.
Whatever—people are weird.
I shrugged it off and looked back at Yoona.
"Dad, Dad!"
Perfect timing—she ran over hugging a book, whispering like a pro.
"This one."
It was a magical girl picture book.
Familiar art style.
"Sequel to the one at home."
That's why she scanned every spine.
Probably the one we read together—the one where she teared up a bit.
The magical girl crying at her lover's grave.
But the cover showed that pink magical girl smiling bright. Hope it's happier than volume one.
"Just this? You can pick a few more."
"Nope, just this."
She hugged it tight and shook her head.
One book's enough?
Kid's got no greed.
Heading to check out, I glanced at that shelf.
Girl was gone.
Just her workbook jammed in upside-down.
And that night, at dawn, I'd run into her again. A tale a few hours away—and I had no clue back then.