Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Terrifying Downpour
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"Ughhhh~"
It had been about three days since Seuli and I had a blast at the movie theater.
I still remembered that day vividly.
The day filled with Seuli's beaming smiles, even in the sweltering heat.
And today was unmistakably nothing like that day.
-Rumble...
An ominous sound echoed from the sky, and the atmosphere felt heavier than usual.
Outside the window, the sky wasn't the clear summer blue I remembered—it was shrouded in thick, dark clouds, thick with the promise of a downpour any second.
Indeed, the rainy season was starting today, so we were in for a week of torrential rain, no doubt.
Even so, the world had to keep turning. And the people who kept it turning were the working adults.
That meant Seuli's mom and dad were heading to work today as well.
Her dad had already left, and her mom was finishing up getting ready, slipping on her shoes.
I headed to the entrance, trying to look as neat as possible.
"Have a safe trip."
"Thanks~ Haneul, you're up even though Seuli isn't?"
"She must be really tired."
"Yeah, you're right."
Even during break, Seuli had been surprisingly diligent.
She woke up before 8:30 almost every day, and no later than 9 at the latest.
But today, it was past 9, and she still hadn't gotten up. Why? Had she been that exhausted?
As I pondered about Seuli, her mom's voice called out.
"Hey, Haneul."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Today... um... Seuli's probably going to be really scared."
The moment I heard that, I instantly knew what she meant.
A few months back, the day Seuli suddenly came over to our house to sleep together.
The second she heard thunder, she'd come running to me, saying it was scary, trying to cling on.
Given today's weather, massive thunder was a sure thing, and Seuli would be trembling in fear.
"Haneul, take good care of Seuli."
"Don't worry, go ahead."
"Alright, thanks."
With that, her mom left the house, and I decided to prepare breakfast for Seuli first.
Honestly, there wasn't much to prepare. Just heat up and plate what her mom had prepped.
I knocked lightly on Seuli's door.
"Seuli, you up?"
No response to my question. She must still be asleep.
I figured as much and quietly headed to the kitchen.
Skilled by now, I portioned out rice for Seuli and me, set out spoons and chopsticks, and brought out sides including pork kimchi stew, plating them all for breakfast.
Finally, I poured water and was about to call her when her door creaked open quietly.
-Creak...
"Seuli?"
The moment I called her, a voice from her room called back.
"Haneuuul..."
Her voice was trembling badly, so I went to her. Sure enough, she looked way more down than usual.
"Seuli?"
"Haneuuul..."
Clutching Teddy Bear in one hand, Seuli approached me slowly.
By the time I snapped out of it, the sound of rain was already pounding outside.
Pouring relentlessly, like something out of a disaster flick, and hearing it, I understood why she was shaking.
"It's okay, I'm right here."
"Uuung..."
"Wanna eat first? Food'll make you feel better."
"Ung..."
Seuli nodded slowly and headed to the bathroom. I couldn't use the same one, so I washed my hands at the sink.
After that, we finished breakfast together and stacked the dishes in the sink.
Everything was fine up to there...
...except Seuli was glued right behind me.
"Seuli?"
"...Yeah?"
"...Never mind."
At first, I thought about prying her off, but decided to leave her be.
No one was watching, and it was obvious she was scared—pulling her away would make me the bad guy.
"...Wanna watch a movie today?"
"Yeah..."
Normally, when hanging with Seuli, we'd play light games or read books together.
But gaming wasn't an option without my PC, and reading seemed too harsh with the rain terrifying her.
So, a movie it was.
The sound would drown out the rain, and it could distract her completely.
That was the plan, and luckily, she agreed.
I turned on the living room TV right away and looked for an animated movie she'd like.
What I picked for her was a romance flick.
Horror felt wrong in this mood, and no animations jumped out as fun enough, so romance it was.
But as I went to select it, I wondered, 'Maybe something funnier?'
Romance can be quiet and static, might not grab her attention or block the rain noise well.
So I asked her again.
"Hey, Seuli."
"Ung..."
"Wanna watch a variety show instead?"
"...Variety sounds good too."
With her okay, I put on an old super-funny variety show.
Celebrities abroad doing missions, getting punishments based on results.
Luckily, it hit the spot—Seuli, who'd been stiff as a board, started smiling little by little.
Nice, perfect choice.
I nodded, pleased with my genius pick...
-Flash!
A flash I wished never to see lit up outside.
If you see lightning through the rain, thunder follows.
-Rumble!!!
The roar I dreaded boomed, and I checked Seuli's face immediately.
Her smile vanished; she looked terrified again and scooted right over to me.
"Haneuuuuul..."
Seeing her on the verge of tears, I was honestly thrown.
Last time, months ago, I hadn't predicted it, so I powered through. This time, I saw it coming, which made it worse.
I hadn't realized she was this scared of thunder.
Middle schooler scared of thunder? But she's just a first-year, super sweet and gentle kid.
Even flustered, I did what I could.
-Squeeze
"Uwaaaaaah..."
I hugged her and patted her back as she burrowed deeper into my arms.
Now fully in my embrace, she was still shivering.
She's small for her age, but this tiny? Made her scared self even more pitiful.
I ended up hugging her and gently covering her ears too.
Didn't want her hearing the scary sounds.
-Rumble...
Thunder rumbled again despite my efforts, but luckily, she didn't seem to hear it.
Helping her out, but honestly... she was kinda cute like this.
Watches horror movies fine but freaks over thunder? Kinda unbalanced.
Thinking back, maybe the horror movie scared her too...
Point was, she was petrified now.
I kept covering her ears and soothing her. When I came to, it was already noon.
Nearly an hour of comforting her.
Good thing she'd calmed down. She'd been shaking like a leaf when it started, but now seemed fine.
The issue...
-Drip drip drip drip
Was that she followed me everywhere that day, Teddy Bear in hand.
A mix of nice and burdensome, but mostly nice.
Having your tiny, cute childhood friend trailing you? Definitely happy.