Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Gift That Covers the Ears
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With just the two of us, what could we do? After some thought, we ended up...
-Crunch crunch!
"Tasty?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Eating popcorn while watching a movie on the living room TV.
Where'd the popcorn come from? Mom had bought some that pops right up in the microwave—said it was supposed to be delicious.
We'd opened just one bag.
She bought it for eating, so she wouldn't mind. Even if she did say something, it'd be to me, not Seol-i.
But it was her birthday— was plain popcorn enough? We'd eat lunch out or order in, but shouldn't we have cake too?
I glanced at Seol-i while mulling it over.
She was holding the popcorn bag in both hands, munching away happily.
Grinning ear to ear at the movie at the same time.
Seeing her like this, Seol-i really was still just a kid. An utterly adorable middle school girl.
Her level of cuteness was on another plane altogether, but let's skip that.
"Want anything else?"
"Something else to eat?"
"Yeah, we can order."
"Umm..."
Seol-i pondered it over, chewing her popcorn.
Yeah, no rush anyway—I was pushing too hard.
"Let's think about it after the movie."
The moment I said that, Seol-i shook her head vigorously.
"Haneul, I know what I want."
"What you want to eat? What is it?"
"Pizza."
"Pizza?"
The second I saw her nod, I locked "pizza" into my brain.
"Okay, pizza it is a bit later."
"Yay!!"
Seol-i replied with bubbly energy, then dumped more popcorn into her mouth.
She really liked the popcorn. Should grab a couple more bags before we go next time.
Along with the birthday present I'd prepared ahead of time.
I always got Seol-i a birthday gift every year, but this time it was tricky.
She was in middle school now—should I go for something more practical? Or pricier?
In the end, I thought I'd picked out something pretty good.
The movie we were watching was nearing its end. While Seol-i was absorbed, I snuck my phone out to order the pizza.
I had no idea what kind she liked, so I tried to ask subtly.
What do you want? Anything in mind?
But I couldn't find a way to bring it up. She was way too into the movie.
No choice—I'd pick for her.
Scrolling through the menu, one pizza's description really caught my eye.
"A harmony of sweet potato mousse that women love, salty bacon, and savory potato"—yeah, Seol-i would dig this one.
I ordered it right away, then quietly slipped toward my room.
Figured we'd eat the pizza and I'd give her the birthday gift then.
*
A bit of time passed, and the movie ended first.
The instant the credits rolled, I turned to Seol-i.
"Seol, wanna run out quick? Before the pizza gets here."
"Now? Why?"
"Gotta buy your cake."
Her eyes lit up at "cake."
"Okay...!"
She dashed into my room, threw on her puffy jacket, and bolted back out.
The thick padding on her tiny frame looked a little precarious. Probably 'cause she was so light and delicate.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah! Let's go!"
With her bright reply, we strolled leisurely to the cake shop nearby.
Lucky there was a cake specialty store close by.
Why? They sold slices, and with pizza on the menu too, slices would be just the right amount.
Seol-i and I slowly browsed the slice display, picking out what to get.
"Seol, what kind of cake do you want?"
"Umm..."
She eyed the cakes carefully.
Then stretched out her little hand, pointing at one.
"I want this cake."
It was a strawberry cake that looked super sweet.
"One strawberry slice and these number candles, please."
I paid for the slice and the two number candles I'd grabbed from the display, then we left with the boxed cake.
Meanwhile, Seol-i beamed up at me, grinning from ear to ear.
Was cake really that exciting?
Whatever made her happy was fine by me—I hoped it tasted great too.
Then I noticed Seol-i staring at my ears.
"...Haneul, you cold?"
"Huh? What brought that on?"
"Your ears are super red."
Ah, my ears were red.
I touched them with my free hand.
Definitely cold. My hands were chilly, but my ears were on another level.
"Guess my ears are weak to the cold."
"Yeah..."
Seol-i suddenly looked upset again.
She'd been all smiles moments ago—her mood drop worried me, but I was grateful too.
She was bummed because my ears suffered in the cold.
So sweet—worrying over something as small as cold ears. I'd lucked out with this childhood friend.
Still, I didn't like seeing her down, so I shifted the topic to cheer her up.
"Hey, Seol."
"Mm...?"
"Let's hurry back and eat cake and pizza. I'm starving."
"Oh... yeah! Let's go, quick!"
She picked up the pace at my words.
Her short legs hustling as fast as they could—it was unbearably cute.
I matched her stride and headed home together.
To our warm, joyful home.
Sure enough, when we got back, the pizza box was waiting at the door.
Side note: the bag had a hot pack too—nice touch to keep it warm in this weather.
Gotta order from this place from now on. That kind of thoughtfulness is gold.
*
We brought the pizza inside and headed to the dining table together.
Set out the pizza, placed the cake, stuck the candles in.
Finally—a bit risky, but I lit the candles with a match.
-Fwoosh!
The candles flickered to life, flames dancing atop the 1 and 4.
"Wooow...!"
Seol-i's eyes sparkled like stars.
I got it. The cake with lit candles looked way prettier and more appetizing than before.
To set the mood, I flicked off the lights. It was daytime, so still kinda bright, but dimmer now.
"Seol, here we go."
"Okay!"
With Seol-i grinning and clapping her hands, I started the classic birthday song.
"Happy birth~day to you~"
"Happy birth~day to you~"
"Dearest~ Seol-i of ours~"
"Happy birth~day to you~"
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap
We sang the short tune, and Seol-i giggled wildly, clapping like mad.
"Time to blow out the candles~"
"Got it~"
-Fooo~
A puff from her tiny lips snuffed them out in one go.
She squeezed her eyes shut, like she was making a wish.
What did Seol-i wish for? Curious, but I wouldn't ask.
Wishes might not come true if you spill them.
"Seol, hang on a sec."
I excused myself and dashed to my room, grabbing the prepared gift for her.
"Seol, here's your present."
"This is..."
She unwrapped it, a huge smile spreading across her face.
The gift I'd gotten was pretty ordinary.
A plain ballpoint pen—but one I figured Seol-i would love and use a ton.
"It's... a bit pricey, but refillable with ink."
"Thank you... I'll treasure it..."
I knew she would. She cherished every physical gift I'd ever given her.
Like the snowflake hairpin in her hair right now, or her beloved Teddy Bear.
This pen would join that list.
Then, out of nowhere, Seol-i said something bewildering.
"Haneul, close your eyes for a sec?"
"My eyes?"
"Yeah, close 'em."
I did as she said.
Suddenly, I heard her scamper off somewhere.
What was she up to? I stayed put, eyes shut, wondering...
...Soon enough, she came running back.
When could I open them? I was getting antsy—
-Swish
-Press
Something soft enveloped my ears.
Startled, I opened my eyes. Seol-i was saying something.
But with the earmuffs she'd put on me—and her hands over her own ears—I couldn't make it out.
When she finally took them off, she grinned brightly.
"A little late, but happy birthday, Haneul. That's your belated birthday gift."
"...Thanks so much."
Guess that's why she'd asked about my ears earlier—she'd planned this gift.
Never worn these insulated earmuffs outside of winter training. But since it was from Seol-i, I'd rock them from now on. This was treasure now.
Still, what had she said while covering my ears?
A little curious, but I'd let it go.
There had to be a reason she plugged them while speaking.