Chocolate Milk and Lottery Dreams
Han Yeoreum scratched her cheek and looked down at me and Levi Nas. Her expression was just like that of an adult gazing at clueless kids. It was frustrating to be lumped in with what she saw as 'kids who don't know the first thing about money,' but I decided to stay quiet for now. After all, I had acted exactly like one. Any excuses now would probably fall on deaf ears.
"Gyeowol's actually pretty good at managing money. She just got tricked this time because the amount was so huge, right?"
"Y-Yeah..."
The only cash I usually handled was 1,000-won or 10,000-won bills. It was more than enough reason for her to assume I was clueless about big money.
"Hmm... did someone maybe buy mushrooms with this 100-million-won bill?"
"Yes, but they also gave us 10,000 won separately..."
"Oh, they did? Whew."
Thank goodness. Han Yeoreum let out a relieved sigh, murmuring to herself as she patted her chest. She seemed genuinely eased that we hadn't been scammed.
"Th-This 100 million... can't we use it?"
Levi Nas held out the bill with a dejected look. It was heartbreaking to see her usually spirited shoulders slumped like that. Han Yeoreum must have felt the same, because she crossed her arms and pondered for a long moment.
"Hmm... it's not completely unusable, I think?"
"R-Really? Can we buy stuff with this?"
"Yeah. We can."
Was Han Yeoreum going to do something nice for Levi Nas? I couldn't help but feel hopeful, wanting Levi Nas not to be disappointed. My tail, which had been drooping, started swishing lightly.
"Look at the little ones getting all excited."
"They're just too cute."
Whispers from the people around us reached my ears, even though they'd spoken softly. Did they think we were thrilled because we could finally spend money? Why did these misunderstandings keep piling up? Just as I started to wonder, Han Yeoreum crouched down beside us.
"Levi Nas, is there anything you want?"
"Yeah! Levi Nas's dying wish is to try chocolate milk before she kicks the bucket! It's super tasty chocolate mixed with super tasty milk! Isn't that amazing?!"
"Ah, yeah. We can definitely afford chocolate milk."
"Gasp! For real?! Levi Nas thought she'd never get to taste something that fancy in her lifetime...!"
Chocolate milk, huh. If she'd just told me, I could've bought it for her anytime. Had she held back because she'd seen me struggle with money so much? A pang of guilt hit me, and I stared down at the ground.
"What about you, Gyeowol? Anything you wanna buy?"
"I'm good."
"R-Really? You don't want chocolate milk? I could buy it for you..."
"No, really, it's fine. I've got money too. I can buy what I need myself."
I shook the pouch of coins at Han Yeoreum. It barely jingled with just a few inside—and that was all the personal spending money I had.
"...Yeah. Got it."
Right then, as Han Yeoreum's face fell into a sad expression, Levi Nas bounced up from her spot.
"Levi Nas wants chocolate milk now!"
"Uh, yeah—wanna go grab some at the convenience store and drink it?"
"Yes!"
Levi Nas had perked up from her disappointment, so that was a win. I quietly followed behind them to the convenience store.
* * *
"Welcome."
As we entered the convenience store, a familiar man greeted us. I didn't know his name, but he was always kind and bought our empty bottles.
"Chocolate milk!"
Levi Nas snatched a carton of chocolate milk from the display. Watching her, I picked up one too. I wasn't particularly craving it, but it was my first time in this life. For old times' sake, I figured I'd join her.
"...That's 2,000 won."
"Here you go."
After Levi Nas paid, it was my turn. I'd turned down Han Yeoreum's repeated offers to cover it and pulled out my coin pouch. Jingle— Two 500-won coins. Seven 100-won coins. Twelve 10-won coins. Total: 1,820 won. Way short for chocolate milk.
I had more money, of course, but that wasn't for personal whims. I had debts to pay, and I needed to buy nice houses for Sophia and Levi Nas.
"Hmm..."
"N-Not enough? Want me to spot you some?"
"No, it's fine."
Oh well, chocolate milk could wait. As I glanced at the clerk and reached to put the carton back, the man at the counter grabbed it first.
"Ahem. This is a buy-one-get-one-free deal."
"Huh?"
There hadn't been any sign when I checked. As I tilted my head, Levi Nas voiced her confusion from beside me.
"What's buy-one-get-one?"
"Buy one, get another free."
"Whoa...! Then the king should have one! The king can't be greedy, remember?!"
Levi Nas shoved a chocolate milk into my hands. I wanted to refuse, but it was hard to ignore her kind gesture of sharing. After all, I was the one who'd taught her that greed kept friends away.
"Uh, yeah. Thanks..."
"Heehee!"
She seemed thrilled that I'd accepted, hopping in place. It felt weird getting something for free without strings attached— I wasn't sure I could even finish it.
* * *
I clutched my chocolate milk in both hands as we headed to the guild building. I wanted to ask Yu Sang-ah, who handled the guild's finances, about something.
"Um, excuse me..."
Knock knock—
I tapped on Yu Sang-ah's desk. Her blank face lit up the moment she saw me—or rather, Han Yeoreum behind me.
"Gyeowol's back again."
"Yeah. Sorry for bothering you so much."
"No need to apologize. It's my job. So, did you sell all the mushrooms?"
"Not yet."
That's why I'd left Levi Nas behind. Recharged with chocolate milk, she was invincible—at least, that's what she claimed. I decided to trust her on that.
"Gotcha. Hope you sell out."
Yu Sang-ah clenched her fist like she was cheering for a complete sell-out. Her support was touching.
"So, what brings you here this time?"
"Ah, well, um..."
I hesitated at her question. I knew full well how weird what I was about to say would sound.
"It's okay. Just tell me."
"I, uh... I wanna buy a house..."
"A house?"
Yu Sang-ah and Han Yeoreum reacted in unison. No wonder—it must've seemed bizarre for broke me to buy property.
"Yeah, but I don't have enough money yet..."
"Ah, I see."
"So, um... could I maybe buy just three matches...?"
I held up three fingers toward Yu Sang-ah. My odd request made her mouth drop open. Gauging her reaction, I reluctantly added a fourth finger. Maybe asking for four matches would get approved easier than three.
"Hehe, Gyeowol—three is three fingers."
"......"
Did she think I couldn't count? I'd just upgraded to four because three felt too short. Feeling wronged, I sheepishly folded one back down.
"Come on, don't underestimate Gyeowol like that. She knows her numbers."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. She was probably debating four matches."
"Y-Yeah..."
At least Han Yeoreum didn't see me as a total idiot. Relief washed over me.
"Hmm... but what to do. Staying overnight would be pricier..."
Yu Sang-ah trailed off, glancing behind me—right where Han Yeoreum stood. Their eyes met briefly.
"...Ah, my bad. Overnight stays are way cheaper."
"R-Really?"
Wasn't lodging usually more expensive? They seemed to exchange some kind of look. Puzzled, I turned around, but Han Yeoreum just wore her usual gentle smile.
"What's up, Gyeowol?"
"Nothing."
Just my imagination, then. Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my neck. Han Yeoreum cleared her throat and tapped the desk.
"Guild staff get lodging benefits, right?"
"O-Of course. Tons of them."
"Hear that, Gyeowol? It's not free—it's guild welfare. No refusing."
"Y-Yeah..."
As expected from the top guild. The perks were impressive. If even I got this much, what did real members get? I felt a twinge of envy.
"A real house is still the best, though, right?"
"Yeah. Sophia and Levi Nas were singing about it."
"Ah... Sophia and Levi Nas...?"
"Yep."
Had I said something weird? Han Yeoreum's face darkened.
"Taking care of others is great and all, but I'd rather you looked after yourself first..."
"Me first?"
"Yeah. I've never seen you do anything just for you."
That's because you're not always watching. Contrary to her worry, I did plenty for myself.
"I mixed five spoonfuls of corn starch in water yesterday and chugged it."
"...Weren't you done with that corn water stuff?"
"I've been losing weight lately. Starting again. And five spoonfuls at once is seriously impressive."
"Ah, uh..."
Wasn't five spoonfuls a big deal? Why that face? Feeling self-conscious, I pulled my water bottle from my pouch. Han Yeoreum's eyes widened at the sight. Maybe she was shocked at how thick the corn water was. Or perhaps surprised that poor little me was splurging like this.