Snack Break and Scorching Heat Kick Off Together
If I had to nitpick, the heatwave hit first, peaking right around when summer break started. But who cares about the details.
The important thing is…
"It's so hoooot…."
It was insanely hot.
"AC… ACcoooool…."
I rummaged for the AC remote and hit the button. The air conditioner in my room hummed to life.
-Whiiirrr…!
-Shhhhhaaaaa…
As the cool air kicked in, I let out a deep sigh, savoring the chill.
"Haaaah… damn, this thing is freezing nice…."
But even as I said it, something felt off. This coolness wasn't cutting it—there was still this inner heat that needed dealing with.
And there was only one way to fix that.
"Ice cream… gotta go get some ice cream…."
I had to eat ice cream. That was my verdict.
I staggered to my feet and headed for the front door. Had to go outside to buy it, after all.
But… was it worth it? Leaving the AC's sweet embrace, even for a bit, just for ice cream?
I pondered that for a second, but honestly, I hadn't even had the AC on long. I'd come back to a nicely cooled room.
…Hell, it might even be a net gain.
Convinced it was a wise call, I grabbed my wallet and phone and headed out.
"Bringing back ice cream~!"
I called out as I stepped outside, mentally listing Mom's and Oppa's favorites.
When the youngest son heads out, it's only natural to bring some back for them.
I made my way to the unmanned ice cream stand about three minutes from our apartment, browsing for the family's picks.
"Mom likes the marble one… Oppa wants mint choco… sigh, why the hell does he like mint choco? I just don't get it."
Grumbling my non-complaint about Oppa, I started picking out mine.
Then…
"…Huh?"
"Huh."
…My eyes met those of someone who'd just walked in. Someone I hadn't expected at all, but who I'd been bumping into a ton lately.
"…Im Lua, hi."
"……."
"…Lua, hi."
"Jinwoo, hi."
She ignored her full name but smiled and greeted back when I used just her name.
Man, I don't get it. Does she hate it when guys use her full name or something?
"Here for ice cream?"
Oblivious to my confusion, Im Lua sidled up and asked.
I nodded right away and showed her my selections.
"Yeah, these."
"……Mint choco?"
"Oppa's. I hate mint choco."
"Gotcha."
She nodded, then voiced an opinion miles from mine.
"I don't mind mint choco, though."
"…You wouldn't go out of your way to buy it."
She giggled and nodded slightly at that.
"True enough."
With that, Im Lua started eyeing the ice creams, like she was mulling over her choice.
Reading her vibe, I casually suggested,
"Any you wanna try?"
"Something I want?"
"I'll get you one."
She shook her head no immediately.
"Nah, I'm good. Got money."
"I wanna treat you. You gave me those snacks before."
"Oh…."
She looked flustered for a sec, then bowed her head and mumbled,
"…Fine, just one then."
"Sure thing."
I don't get why she's acting like that over some snacks, but whatever—that wasn't the point.
"Still, one ice cream feels like a bad deal, doesn't it?"
"Huh?"
"You gave me eight boxes. Each one's 3,000 won easy. That's 24,000 won worth."
"Oh…."
She finally got it, judging by her reaction.
I couldn't help but nag a little.
"…You don't blow money like that too often, do you?"
"Not really, it's just…"
"Just?"
"…Nothing."
She shook her head again, clamming up.
I sighed and pressed on.
"…Take the ice cream at least. Pay back the rest slowly."
"One ice cream's plenty…"
"Nah, you gotta make it up to me more. I found what I was looking for in those snacks."
"What you were looking for?"
"Yeah."
"…Phew, good."
She nodded and pulled a chocolate ice cream from the case.
"I'll have this."
"Choco? That work?"
She handed it to me like it was obvious.
"It's plenty. More'd give me a tummyache."
Her wording cracked me up—I chuckled as I grabbed the same one for myself.
"Guess I'll match you."
"Yeah, it's super tasty."
I paid, bought an extra bag, loaded it with everything except hers, and handed hers over.
"Here."
"Thanks, I'll dig in."
Grinning ear to ear, she unwrapped her cone-shaped ice cream and started licking away.
"Mmmmmm~ so goooood…."
"That good?"
"Yep! This rich chocolate is right up my alley!"
"Still a choco fan, huh."
She grumbled playfully at that.
"Yeah, still love it. You liked chocolate too, though. That's why I got mostly choco flavors—saved one vanilla."
Right. The collab snacks came in choco and vanilla, and she'd brought all but one in choco.
Not coincidence—pure Im Lua remembering my tastes.
"Thanks, they were delicious. Still got some left in the fridge."
"Glad to hear."
"How'd you snag 'em anyway? They were crazy popular."
She hesitated, then dropped a bombshell secret.
"…Ran to the mart the next day and grabbed 'em."
"Wait… for real?"
"Yeah, luckily they had a bunch…"
"You didn't need to buy that many."
She shot that down quick.
"Nah, wanted to bring as much as possible."
"Why?"
"…Figured you'd love it?"
Half-joking, half-serious, I spilled on my snack tastes.
"I actually prefer salty ones over sweets now."
"For real…?"
"Yup."
Her eyes darted around like she was scrambling for an excuse.
Why go to such lengths? I patted her shoulder.
"Still like choco snacks, though."
"Really?"
"Really."
Only then did she exhale in relief.
It was kinda cute… and tempting to tease her more.
"Why so tense? You brought the snacks—I should be thanking you."
"Ahaha… but then, why'd you want those snacks…?"
Her cautious question confirmed it: she knew exactly what they were.
No escaping now—I had to come clean.
"……The characters on the packaging?"
"Huh? Oh… yeah, succubus? Succubus, witch, and… sheep beastkin or something?"
"They're from that VTuber group… streamers. They feature those characters… anyway, I'm a fan."
"I… see…."
Nodding, she hit me with a totally unexpected follow-up.
"So… which was your favorite? Out of the three…"
Caught off guard, I rolled my eyes but had only one answer.
"……The silver-haired one."
"Succubus?"
I didn't elaborate. Telling your female childhood friend you like a succubus character as a teenage guy? Way too embarrassing.
Im Lua seemed to get it, falling silent as we walked side by side.
We didn't speak again until it was time to part.
"See ya… later…."
"Yeah… later…"
With that awkward goodbye, I headed into the apartment, drowning in embarrassment and blanking out till I got home.
Once I'd calmed down inside, something felt off about our chat.
Like it mismatched in one spot… but clicked perfectly in another.
Shaking off the weird vibe, I just handed the ice cream to Oppa and Mom.