Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Just the Two of Us at Home
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Time passed more quickly than I'd expected during those boring days.
Going to school with Seol-i, picking up our report cards and bringing them home to our parents, spending time taking care of the adorable Dasomi—before I knew it, it was the end of December.
And at the end of that December—specifically, on Christmas Eve, December 24th—came Seol-i's birthday, of all things.
I decided to devote that entire day to her, and I let my parents know ahead of time.
"Um, on Christmas Eve, I'll be with Seol-i. All day."
"You're still coming home, right?"
I knew exactly what she meant, so I shook my head right away.
"I'll be back by evening."
Seol-i and I were just barely fourteen, middle schoolers.
Middle school friends hanging out all day would meet up in the morning and part ways in the evening at most, so there was no need for us to stay together any longer than that.
To be honest, I'd love to spend even more time with her. Time with Seol-i was genuinely so much fun.
But staying together nonstop would only worry both sets of parents.
Besides, that transition into Christmas was a time I wanted to spend with family.
Of course, until then, I'd focus all my attention on Seol-i. I'd use every moment for her.
She was my most precious friend, after all, so this much was only natural.
Anyway, Christmas Eve arrived...
"Haneullll~"
Seol-i and I met up on Sunday morning.
The meeting spot... was a place that was truly, really unexpected.
"...Seol-i."
"Yeah?"
"...You sure this is okay?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Seol-i tilted her head and looked at me.
She had no idea what I was really asking.
I had no choice but to spell it out for her, since she didn't seem to grasp my intention at all.
"...This is my house. Our house. The one you come to every day."
Right now, Seol-i was standing in front of our apartment door.
She'd been teasing me the day before with "Where we're going is a secret!" so I'd figured maybe an amusement park or something.
But out of nowhere, she showed up at my house, called out to me, and suggested we head inside right away.
How could I not be flustered?
Seol-i nodded as if she'd known I'd react this way.
That only made me more frustrated. It was her birthday! Shouldn't birthdays involve somewhere special, or at least a place she hadn't been before?
Just as my head was starting to ache trying to make sense of Seol-i's inexplicable choices, she explained her reasoning in a very simple, gentle voice.
"Haneul, I love your house. There's Dasomi, and Auntie, and Uncle, and you. It's so nice, and it makes me feel so at ease. That's why I want to be here."
Maybe it was because she said it so softly, pouring her heart into every word.
I couldn't argue with her at all. I just nodded.
"I'll head home by evening, so don't worry... So, can we go in...?"
Seol-i looked up at me slightly as she spoke, asking if we could please go inside.
With an expression like that and words like those, there was no way I could say no.
"...Okay. But if you change your mind and want to go somewhere else, tell me right away. Got it?"
"Hehe... Got it!"
Seol-i grinned from ear to ear and headed upstairs first. I watched her go and let out a deep sigh.
Her pure kindness was almost bewildering, and her modest wishes made me worry for her.
Still, I knew that was one of Seol-i's strengths—her charm.
I gazed warmly at her back and stepped into the elevator with her.
By the time we got back upstairs, Mom was the first to look surprised.
"Huh? Why are you two back up here?"
"Hehe... Auntie! Can I stay here today?"
"Of course you can~ But don't you two want to go somewhere else?"
"I like it here! Is Dasomi sleeping?"
"She is~ Want to go see her?"
"Hehe, yeah!"
"Oh, right, Seol-i. Happy birthday~"
"Thank you~"
Seol-i chatted warmly and sweetly with Mom as they headed into the master bedroom.
To see Dasomi sleeping soundly.
Meanwhile, I noticed Dad wearing an expression like he regretted seeing what he had.
I get it, Dad. I have no clue why I'm here or why Seol-i's here either.
But what could we do? Seol-i wanted to be at our house. We couldn't just shove her out. We had to accept it.
Seol-i beamed at the peacefully sleeping Dasomi, while Mom smiled alternately at Dasomi and Seol-i.
"Oh yeah, Seol-i. Have you eaten?"
"I had breakfast before coming."
"Then Auntie will make you something delicious for lunch."
"Really?"
"Of course~ It's Seol-i's birthday—Auntie has to make it!"
"Hehe... Thank you. But it's okay. I planned to grab lunch with Haneul."
"Oh? Well, then you two go eat something yummy."
Mom pulled some money from her wallet and placed it in Seol-i's hand.
Seol-i stared at it in surprise and tried to refuse, but naturally, Mom wouldn't hear of it.
"This is Auntie's birthday present to you."
"...Thank you. Really."
Watching Seol-i bow her head deeply made me feel even warmer and happier.
No matter what, Seol-i saw our home as a place she wanted to be even on her birthday, and she was such a polite, good kid to my mom.
Dad watched Mom and Seol-i for a moment, then suddenly headed into the dressing room.
A short time later, he emerged wearing a winter sweater and jeans.
"Honey."
"Oh? Honey? What's with the sudden outfit change?"
"You should change too."
"Huh?"
"Wouldn't it be best if the third wheels cleared out?"
"Aha~"
Mom grinned slyly, while I blinked, struggling to keep up with what was happening.
Seol-i, oblivious, kept smiling at Dasomi.
"...Dad?"
"Son, don't worry—Dad and Mom will get out of your hair."
"Wait, uh, okay?"
"Sometimes parents want to spend time just the three of us with our daughter instead of our son, you know? That's how it'll be."
"What??"
Dad flashed a thumbs-up, and Mom chuckled before chiming in.
"I'll go change and be right out~"
In a flash, Mom slipped into the bathroom for a quick shower, then changed into her outfit and reemerged dressed for going out.
"Alright~ Let's take Dasomi too~"
Mom scooped up the giggling Dasomi and turned to Seol-i, who had been watching her.
"Seol-i, today Auntie, Uncle, and Dasomi have to go somewhere, okay? So have fun with Haneul~ Got it?"
"Uh... um... Yes! Thank you...!"
Seol-i bowed deeply to Mom, and in the midst of this whirlwind, Dad spoke to me.
"Haneul. Dad trusts you. You know that, right?"
"...Huh?"
"Don't do anything dangerous. Just have fun together. We'll be back around evening."
"......What??"
"We're off~"
"Haneul, Seol-i. Have fun, okay?"
The two of them took the still-sleeping Dasomi and headed out the door. Before I knew it, Seol-i and I were left alone in the house.
It took about three minutes for me to realize what Mom and Dad were up to.
No matter what Seol-i said, today was about me celebrating her birthday.
They were treating it like a date of sorts.
So they cleared out to give us time alone.
...Looks like Mom and Dad didn't quite get Seol-i.
She'd come to our house because she wanted to spend time with me and Dasomi, Mom, and Dad.
I turned to Seol-i and asked.
"...Dasomi and my parents are gone. You okay with that?"
"Hm? Uhmm..."
Seol-i pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah, it's fine. I do want to spend time with Dasomi, Auntie, and Uncle, but..."
She looked at me and gave a small smile as she continued.
"I'm happy spending time just with you too."
......What a good kid. My Seol-i.
How could such an angel exist?
Mom and Dad had nearly ruined her birthday, but she said it was fine. She really was an angel.
For a girl like this, I'd make today truly happy for her, no matter what.
That was the one thing I could do for my sweet Seol-i.
So first... um...
...What should I do?
This is embarrassing to admit, but since Seol-i had insisted on picking the spot, I hadn't even thought about what we'd do today.
What should we do?
I was lost in thought.