Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: The Future Me and the Past Me Are Separate People
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"Hmm."
What should I do about this? I'm sitting here with my hand on my chin, completely at a loss.
My field of vision is filled with countless mannequins and clothes. Kids' outfits, adult sizes—it's the full chaotic scene of a well-stocked clothing store.
By now, it's obvious why I'm panicking.
It's because—
"Oppa!! What do you think of this?!"
[Unnie. This one's prettier.]
"Really? What do you think, Oppa?!"
—of the little kids holding up two outfits and chattering away. And I mean this with zero exaggeration: I have no clue about clothes.
I always just wore whatever my parents bought me, and honestly, I'd rather dress up game characters than myself.
In other words, I'm terrible at picking clothes. Just look at my usual wardrobe—white dress shirts are all I've got. That says it all.
Still.
"Levatein. How about that purple hoodie over there instead—"
"Shut up. You stay right there and don't move."
"That's too much. I know how to pick clothes too."
"Don't. Even if you do know, just don't."
I can pick better than that pouty-lipped blonde sitting over on that chair. If she's the one choosing, I'd rather just stick the kids in plain white dresses and call it a day.
If my kids' cuteness gets buried under that blonde's fashion sense, it'd be a national tragedy. Cultural heritage destruction, that's what it is.
"Hmm... not great..."
"No, it's cute. Let's look a bit more. We're buying several anyway."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Like five outfits? Pajamas too."
"Okay!!"
Sion put the clothes back where they belonged and toddled over to me as I crouched down, responding to my words.
She leaned in close to my ear, perfectly at her height, and whispered.
"Thanks. Oppa."
She grinned bashfully. I have no idea what she's thanking me for, but since she did, I patted her head.
Apparently embarrassed, Sion scratched her cheek and ran off to look at more clothes.
[Cute nya.]
"Right? The kids are cute."
[Didn't you say kids are a hassle before nya?]
That must've been my imagination. If I said that, it was probably past me. Past me and current me are different people.
Anyway.
With that in mind, I watched Sion waddle away with a proud dad smile—until a voice piped up from beside me.
A small, cute voice. One that never gets old no matter how many times I hear it. I turned my head and—
[Daddy.]
Levatein was walking over with her arms outstretched. I naturally scooped her up and stood.
Looking down at Levatein in my arms, she gazed up at me with a slightly sulky expression.
"What."
[I want clothes too.]
"Clothes?"
What is this? Levatein doesn't need to buy clothes. With her skill 「Shape-Shift」, she can just mimic outfits—
[I want them.]
She said it so firmly. Wondering how to handle this, I glanced at Raphael.
She just shrugged.
"Buy them for her. She's asking you to."
"No, but still."
It's unnecessary spending. We're not exactly rolling in cash. Sure, there are plenty of ways to make money.
But they're not instant. Even if I grind now, it'll take until next month, and then the pool tab—
[Can't I?]
Levatein looked up, cutting through my thoughts. I closed my eyes.
"Levatein."
[Yeah.]
"Buy whatever you want."
[Really?!]
"Yeah. All of it."
Money can be earned. Hit a dungeon or whatever.
"Wow. If I'd asked, you'd have gotten annoyed first, right?"
Why ask the obvious?
[If I'd asked, you'd have smacked me first nya.]
Quiet.
I ignored the two mocking idiots and started shopping with Levatein.
Honestly, mimicking is basically stealing, right?
I can't teach her that.
[Your existence is the real harm nya.]
So noisy.
After buying clothes, we stopped at a nearby café. We're all seated around the table. Haven't gone for a proper meal yet.
Raphael said she was thirsty, so we popped in for a bit.
Levatein is on the damn blonde's lap, and Sion's next to me.
Both are in such great moods they're beaming ear to ear, grins so wide they could touch their ears.
In stark contrast, the adults weren't thrilled.
"Seong-hoon. How much did you spend?"
"A bit."
"You okay? I'm swearing off pool from now on."
"Pool what? You've been stuffing yourself silly until the day before yesterday."
"That was fever time. Ever heard of a peak? Once you hit it, it's all downhill. My peak was the day before yesterday. That fish I ate!!"
"You don't even know what your peak is? Want me to make your current spot the new peak? This is all because you sided with the kids and told me to buy it."
"So you weren't gonna buy it?!"
Of course not—wait, no, that's not it. As I lost my words, Raphael's face turned smug, like she'd won.
Infuriating expression. I pushed her face back to her seat. Then I returned to my spot from our whispering huddle.
Ignored the blonde mouthing, 'I win, Levatein!!'
What greeted me upon return was Sion, completely ignoring our antics.
She didn't care what we were doing—just stared at the dessert in front of her.
Not eating it—what's she doing? I called her, no response, so I propped my chin and watched.
"Looks... delicious."
"Can I eat it?"
"Oh, no, I can't?!"
She mumbled to herself, drool dripping down. How does she always conclude she can't?
The two blondes in front had already licked the cake plate clean.
"Have I ever made Sion read the room?"
[Nope nya.]
Then why won't she eat? I'd never say anything.
She looked nowhere near ready, so I scooped some cake with the spare spoon. Only then did Sion glance at me.
Her black eyes followed the cake. Drool trailed from her mouth. Her black twin tails swayed with her head.
Like a puppy waiting for food—I couldn't help but smile.
"Want some?"
Nod nod.
I held out the spoon. It was impulse from feeding Levatein out of habit.
Oh crap. Sion can eat by herself—would this hurt her feelings?
Contrary to my worries, the startled Sion squeezed her eyes shut and took the bite.
Guess she thought she couldn't eat unless fed.
Hunger beats pride. Impressive! Go, Sion!
You've earned your spot in our family idiot trio.
"Seong-hoon. Let's order more."
Speak of the devil. I snorted at Raphael, who'd already finished her cake.
"Not eating dinner?"
"We are. But that's that, this is this. More please."
Is it? Separate dessert stomach? No way. Café cake's too pricey.
Absolutely not. Live within your means. We'll eat at a restaurant later—
"Levatein wants more."
"Excuse me!! One more slice of cake please!!"
"This woman's hilarious!! For real!!"
Protesting's pointless—Raphael wanting it versus Levatein is different.
As I geared up to snap at the stomping Raphael—
Someone tugged my arm. Looking down, Sion was pulling me with her head bowed.
"What."
Like answering, she opened her mouth and tapped her lips.
This feels familiar. Someone did it in Maldives.
"She wants you to feed her?"
For real? She knows her stuff. I scooped cake and fed Sion.
"Sion. Seems like there's a misunderstanding."
She ate it right up. Same sensation as before—like a mother bird. But different from Levatein or Raphael.
What is it? Feels good when she eats it properly? Unlike the two who take it for granted, she's shy about it.
Anyway, different or not, I had to clarify.
"You can eat by yourself. I won't say a word."
Flinch.
Sion froze mid-blissful bite, as if chewing over my words.
Her face heated up and—
"Tell me that sooner!!"
She snapped. Did I mess up?
[Daddy's fault.]
Why exactly.
To apologize to the angry Sion, I had to buy more cake. Eating cake like this and then dinner too?
Are my family's stomachs rubber bands? They stretch endlessly.
[Daddy.]
"Yeah yeah."
I can't comprehend it, but that's non-humans for you. I fed Levatein cake while blankly staring at the table.
Beside me, Sion savored hers like it was precious. Raphael had devoured tons and vanished to the bathroom.
So here I am, unexpectedly minding two kids at once.
"Tasty?"
"Yeah!!"
[Yeah!!]
As long as they look happy, it's fine. Who cares how much we spend at a café? Kids happy—that's what matters.
"Lachesis."
[Nya.]
"Get ready for a dungeon."
[....]
Don't play dead. I pinched the silent cat's cheek, then planned the rest of the day.
Eat dinner, go home, chill. Done.
What a perfect schedule. The ultimate vacation plan.
Vacation rocks. Home rocks. Sure, Shin Ga-yeon's place in a week, but that's future me's problem.
Current me and future me are different people.
No need for me to take responsibility.
"Good luck, future me."
[Future me?]
"Too advanced for kids."
"Yeah. Too hard for Levatein!"
You too. I pressed down on Sion's triumphant head and pondered home activities.
Play some games Raphael likes, do a puzzle with Levatein maybe.
As I mulled it over, someone sat in the front seat. Figured it was the blonde, so I looked up.
"Hey. Once we're back, let's start with the fighting game—"
Words caught in my throat. Couldn't continue. No blonde where there should be—instead, another woman sat there.
"Hi."
Silver hair. Red eyes. Smiling brightly.
But a little scary.
"New face, huh?"