Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Field Trip (4)
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After that, I had an absolute blast playing with Seol-i. We had so much fun it was hard to imagine having more.
Even without riding the intense attractions, it was pure joy. Just hanging out at the amusement park with my favorite friend made it impossible not to have a great time.
Thankfully, Seol-i seemed to be enjoying it just as much as I was.
"Hehe, heeheehee."
That smile never left her face, so I took it that way.
Of course, she might not have meant it deep down, so I cautiously asked her.
"Seol-i, did you have fun today?"
"Yep! It was super fun!"
Seeing how thrilled she was, I started thinking maybe I'd misjudged her all this time.
I'd always seen her as such a quiet, good girl that I figured she'd prefer staying home reading a book or watching TV over something like this. But nope—she loved this stuff too.
From now on, I need to make more time to play with her like this.
Anyway, it was already nearing 4 p.m., and time to head home was closing in.
Seol-i must've been a little reluctant to leave because she kept staring at the pamphlet over and over.
For her sake—and also for Dasom, who was probably waiting eagerly for me at home—I decided to hit the gift shop.
"Hey, Seol-i."
"Yeah...?"
"Wanna check out the gift shop over there?"
"The gift shop?"
"Yeah, I'll buy you something. A souvenir."
Her eyes sparkled for a second, but then she shook her head firmly.
"You don't get much allowance, Haneul. How could you buy me something?"
I nodded. I really wanted to.
She appreciated it but didn't want to burden me, so she kept mulling it over.
Whether to go in and get the gift or not.
In the end, I made the call.
"Let's go."
I took her hand and led her toward the gift shop. She hesitated at first but followed along.
There was still some reluctance in her steps, but I kept pulling her forward.
Because I genuinely wanted to buy her something.
*
-Ding-a-ling~
The pleasant bell chime rang out as the door opened.
"Welcome~"
The gift shop clerk greeted us, and Seol-i bowed politely in return.
She was always so well-mannered. A quick nod would've been fine.
That said, I headed inside to pick out a gift for her.
The shop was packed with all sorts of stuff.
From toy devil tridents to fake swords, magic wands aimed at younger kids, and then stationery, decorations, keychains—items for all ages.
I decided to start with the gift for Dasom, as I'd planned.
Last time on her birthday, I hadn't given her anything. I'd wanted to, but my parents stopped me, saying she didn't need it yet.
But souvenirs from here? They wouldn't mind that.
"Hmm... Seol-i, what kind of plushie do you think Dasom would like?"
"For Dasom? Hmmmmm..."
She started pondering seriously beside me.
After some intense thought, her little finger pointed to one plushie.
"How about this one?"
It was a cute tiger plush—the symbol of Dreamland, basically.
"That's pretty good."
"Right? Isn't it?"
Definitely good.
This shop had two types of items.
Dreamland souvenirs and affiliate brand merch.
You could buy the affiliate stuff outside, but real Dreamland exclusives? Only here.
So her pick was spot on.
Plus, its quirky cuteness seemed perfect for Dasom.
A few minutes later, another item caught my eye.
It was a collab product between Dreamland and a popular SNS brand: their mascot cat dressed in Dreamland's outfit.
Pricey as a collab, but I had a feeling Dasom might like this one more.
I debated which she'd prefer and just asked Seol-i straight up.
"Seol-i, that other plush over there kinda appeals to me too. Which one's better?"
"For giving to Dasom?"
I nodded, and she dove back into thought.
Sorry for dragging her into it, but I was grateful she was helping.
I'd never really had plushies myself— the keychain from her was pretty much it—so judging gifts like this wasn't my strong suit.
Seol-i, on the other hand? Total plushie lover with a house full of them. She could give solid advice.
After what felt like both a short and long deliberation, she gave me great input.
"I think the first one you picked is better."
"Why?"
"The one you chose would definitely make her happy... but, um, for something she'll get attached to, it needs to be easy to care for. And the one you picked..."
"It'd be a hassle to maintain, huh."
She nodded in agreement.
She was right. That collab one had all sorts of attachments and removable clothes—high maintenance.
The tiger? Plain design, easy to clean.
Okay, decided.
Tiger plush it was.
As I picked it up, Seol-i gave a soft smile.
"Dasom will love it. For sure. It's a gift from her big brother Haneul."
Big brother Haneul... Hearing her say it felt weird.
When Dasom calls me oppa, she skips the name and it's all cuteness overload.
But Seol-i's "oppa"... hmm...
...Familiar, but kinda heart-fluttering too.
Probably because it's coming from a friend.
And not just any friend—the second-cutest person I know after Dasom. No one her age even compares in adorableness.
Can't help but feel a flutter.
I nodded, lost in those thoughts, then strode over.
To the collab section.
I picked out a cat plush I figured she'd like—simple outfit, but wearing a tiny Dreamland fedora that made it extra cute.
Seol-i eyed it and asked.
"Haneul, no way that's..."
"I can't just ask all your opinions and give nothing back."
"I really don't need anything...!"
"Just take it this once?"
"I seriously don't... You don't get much allowance...!"
Kinda rude to say, but my allowance isn't that small.
Not huge, but enough for me to spend comfortably each month.
And I barely spend it—mostly save it up. No real places to blow it.
Except separate hangouts with Seol-i, I rarely buy snacks outside. Maybe once a week if I lose a bet with friends and have to cover drinks or chips.
So yeah, plenty saved for gifts like this.
I brushed off her protests, headed to the counter, and paid quick.
About 40,000 won... fitting for park prices, but whatever.
"Here, Seol-i. Gift wrapping... eh, you saw it already, no need. Too much hassle."
"I really don't need it..."
She said that, but her eyes were glued to the plush.
I slipped it into her arms as she kept verbally denying, and she hugged it tight right away.
"...I'll treasure this one. Right after Teddy Bear."
I couldn't help but smile at that.
"Right after Teddy Bear" meant the first gift from me—Teddy—was still her most precious.
"Yeah, thanks. Take good care of it."
With that, we left the shop and headed to the meetup spot. We took the bus home.
Of course, I dropped Seol-i off first, then caught another bus back.
Got home late, around 8 p.m., but no big deal.
"Dasom, check this out. Ta-da~"
-Pop!
"Eeeeeek! Again! Do it again! Pleeease!"
"Again? Yah!"
-Pop!!
Showing her the folding magic wand was fun...
"Wuv it so much!! Heeheehee..."
And seeing her hug the plush while thanking me? Pure bliss.
But the best part was something else.
A photo from Seol-i.
Teddy Bear and the new cat plush were snuggled right up together in it.
The pic alone showed how much she treasured my gifts.
How could I not be happy?