Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Coincidental Jeju Trip
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They said they were going on a trip.
Exactly on the day we were heading to Jeju Island.
How could such a coincidence even happen?
The timing was just uncanny.
Clink.
The director took a sip of her warm tea and spoke.
"So, Erina said she was grateful and invited us to join you in Jeju?"
"Yes. Daeun had been wanting to ride a plane anyway, so we figured we'd kill two birds with one stone."
At my explanation, Painter Oh, who was eating a slice of cake beside me, chuckled.
"Wow, what a coincidence."
"Right? I was really surprised when you mentioned going to Jeju this week. I had no idea the dates would match up."
Who could have predicted it?
That we'd all be heading to the same place on the same day.
Swish.
"It's really amazing."
"Yeah."
"It's super amazing!"
Hmm... the atmosphere felt a bit off.
Both the director and Painter Oh.
They kept fiddling with their teacups and poking at their cake with forks, like they had something to say.
'Could they not want us to come along?'
It would be great if we went together, but...
They might prefer to go separately. After all, this trip was meant to help tear down the walls between the two of them after years apart.
If we tagged along, it might make things awkward for them.
'I should suggest we go separately.'
They probably found it hard to bring it up first.
That's why they were just exchanging glances without saying anything.
Swish.
Not wanting to intrude on their trip, I spoke up.
"Um, Director."
"Kanghyeok."
"Yes?"
"Yeah."
We spoke at the exact same moment, missing the timing to continue.
"Go ahead."
"No, you first, Kanghyeok."
"No, Director, please..."
"No, go ahead and say it."
She insisted so much that I couldn't dodge it anymore. I gave an awkward smile and asked her.
"What if it's about your trip, the two of you..."
Swish.
As expected, bringing it up darkened their expressions.
"I'd love to go with you and Painter Oh, of course, but if you'd prefer to go just the two of you, then we..."
"Yeah."
"Yes."
Why did their faces suddenly brighten?
What had I just said?
I was puzzled about what could have made them so happy when the director spoke.
"We didn't want to seem too clingy, so we held back, but if us coming along wouldn't be a bother..."
"A bother?"
Had they thought they would be intruding on our trip?
"No way."
"How could it be? We're not strangers. Trips are more fun with everyone together. Ah, of course, I'd have to check with Erina, but she'll probably be fine with it. Right, Daeun?"
At my question, Daeun beamed and shouted.
"Yeah! And Daeun wants to go with Director and Uncle!"
"See? Daeun's on board too."
If they'd thought that from the start, they should have just asked.
If we hadn't cleared it up, there could have been a huge misunderstanding.
Seeing our reactions, Painter Oh lit up and asked.
"Really? We won't ruin the trip by tagging along like a couple of old folks, making it less fun? We'd feel so bad."
I grinned at that.
"It'll probably be even more fun."
"Yeah."
"Yes."
Why did their reactions to every word of mine feel so endearing?
Wanting to see more, instead of answering, I turned to Daeun.
"Right, Daeun?"
Daeun answered brightly.
"Yeah! It'll be super fun!"
"Ah, yes. I'll be in touch."
As I hung up the phone, I saw two people—no, three—looking at me with serious expressions.
Director Go was pretending not to care, sipping her coffee, but she kept glancing over, clearly dying to know.
"So, how'd it go?"
"Daddy, tell us quick!"
At their urging, I smiled.
"Of course she said we could all go together."
"Woo-hoo! I'm so excited!"
"Oh! Thank you so much. Now we can all head to Jeju together."
Director Go didn't react outwardly, but she celebrated in her own way.
"I'll cover all the Jeju expenses, so tell Erina that too."
"All of them?"
"Yeah. And I'll book the best hotel on Jeju, so no worries."
Who else but Director Go?
Her generosity was as impressive as ever.
Then Painter Oh clapped her hands and said.
"Oh, are you busy today by any chance?"
"Today?"
I had no special plans.
Painting until the solo exhibition was my entire schedule anyway. And our "schedule" consisted solely of assignments from Director Go.
"No, nothing in particular."
"Oh, then would you like to hit the big supermarket with us?"
"The supermarket?"
"Yeah. We need some things now that we're back in Seoul, and stuff for the Jeju trip. Since we're all going together, it'd be great if Daeun came too."
Swish.
Then Painter Oh turned to Director Go beside her.
"That okay?"
"Sure, whatever. We can pick up anything you need while we're there."
Things to buy... We needed snacks for Daeun on the way and basic supplies for the trip anyway.
Since we were going anyway, and Director Go had the car.
"Shall we go together then?"
"Yay! Daddy, are we going to the mart?"
"Yeah, Daeun loves going to the mart."
I hadn't expected Daeun to be this thrilled.
"Yeah! Daeun loves the mart!"
"Really?"
Had she gone often with Hyorin?
If so, it made sense why she was so excited.
"Mart! Mart!"
Scrape.
Seeing Daeun so overjoyed at the mention of the mart, the director downed the rest of her tea in one go and stood up.
Painter Oh looked at her half-eaten cake and said.
"I haven't finished mine yet."
"You have."
"Yeah, no, I haven't..."
"Too much whipped cream is bad for your health."
"No, but..."
Thud.
The director grabbed Painter Oh's fork with her hand.
"All done?"
Painter Oh gave an awkward smile and made her choice.
The choice to survive, that is.
"Haha, yep, all done. Whew, whipped cream gets old fast anyway. S-so, shall we go?"
She set down her fork and stood up.
Finally satisfied, Director Go turned to Daeun.
"Ready to hit the mart?"
"Yes! Love it!"
And so, we dragged Painter Oh—who still eyed the leftover cake—and headed to the supermarket.
'Is this Daeun's first time at a big supermarket?'
We arrived at the supermarket in Director Go's car.
Come to think of it, I'd never brought Daeun to one before.
We went to the corner store near home often, but without a car, getting to a big mart required a long taxi ride.
So naturally, it hadn't crossed my mind.
Whirr-!
After parking and entering, Painter Oh asked the director.
"Groceries later—let's get daily necessities first. I need a toothbrush and cleansing foam."
"You got luggage?"
"Nope. Now that I think about it, I don't have anything. I really came to Seoul empty-handed."
She'd lived in Daegu for so long that it'd be weirder if she still had old stuff.
Painter Oh looked a bit down, but the director said toughly.
"Now we fill it up."
Fill it up...
Only Director Go could comfort like that.
"Still, I'm glad I didn't wait any longer."
"Yeah, fair point."
Painter Oh's expression brightened a little.
"Then let's start on the second floor for necessities, then head to the basement for food."
She turned to Daeun.
"That sound good?"
"Yes! Daeun loves looking around!"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes! Daeun can follow real good! Holding Daddy's hand tight!"
Worried I'd forget, Daeun grabbed my hand firmly.
I smiled at her and said.
"You've got a lot to buy, so shall we hurry a bit?"
Nod.
"Then straight to the second floor."
"Yes."
We decided to start by buying Painter Oh's essentials for life in Seoul.
The supermarket was bustling with people during the day, but the most eye-catching were the kids.
"Mommy! I want the game!"
"Hey, no! I said no games today!"
"But I wanna! I wanna play! Let me!"
"Hey! You again!"
Hearing a kid throwing a tantrum for a game and the mom scolding, I naturally looked around.
'Is there a game machine here?'
All I saw were shelves of daily goods. Maybe there's one tucked in a corner? As I scanned around.
'Huh.'
Something caught my eye.
A spot no kid could pass without stopping.
[Toy Land!]
The toy section.
Swish.
Wondering if Daeun might be interested, I glanced down.
'Hadn't noticed?'
Daeun was just dutifully following Painter Oh.
We passed the toy area without incident and reached the shelves for Painter Oh's items.
"Hmm, toothbrush and toothpaste first..."
Did she really have nothing at home? She started buying from the basics one by one.
Toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, rinse—bathroom stuff first, then bedding like blankets.
'Had she thrown out her old stuff?'
It wasn't exactly a move. After years alone, it was time for new ones anyway. Might as well.
When the cart was filled with Painter Oh's necessities.
She looked apologetic and said.
"Sorry about this. Way more than I thought."
"No, it's fine. That's why we're here."
Still feeling bad, maybe.
"Or you guys could browse around. I'll shop quick and meet you there."
That sounded good.
Just trailing behind empty-handed would burden her more.
I nodded.
"We'll look around then. Take your time."
"Yes. We'll be over that way. Daeun, let's go."
"Yeah!"
I took Daeun and moved away from them.
'Okay, where to?'
I'd told them to shop easy, but hadn't picked a spot.
Maybe grab snacks for Daeun now? But we'd hit groceries soon anyway.
No need to go down yet.
So, where for us?
'That place, obviously.'
I planned to take her to the toy section I'd seen on the way.
If she wanted something, I'd buy it for her.
Smiling at Daeun, who kept looking around, I asked.
"Daeun, I saw a toy section on the way. Wanna check it out together?"
Daeun answered firmly.
"No, don't wanna. Daeun doesn't need toys."