Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: It Tasted Pink! (3)
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As soon as they reached the walking path around Seokchon Lake, Yoon-seul's expression brightened up again.
It was because there were so many things to spark her curiosity now that they were close to the lake.
The well-maintained ecosystem featured geese wandering near the wildflowers, and unnamed butterflies fluttering about.
Bird nests were visible right in the middle of the lake.
Cherry blossom petals drifting over them only deepened the romantic atmosphere.
"Gahk gahk—"
Spotting the geese, Yoon-seul stuck her butt out behind her and made a beak with her hand, as if imitating them.
She even tried mimicking their calls.
Because of her small size, she looked more like a duck than a goose.
"You're imitating the geese?"
"Yeah! Oppa big goose."
"Yoon-seul the little goose over there?"
"No. Oppa bigger."
I followed my little sister's lead, sticking my butt out and making a beak with my hand.
"Gwahk—!"
I'm twenty-five years old.
My sister is five.
I'd gotten too immersed in the role and forgotten we were in public. Eyes were turning our way.
I wanted to destroy the Earth.
Straightening up, I put on a serious face.
"Yoon-seul-ah, that goose over there looks bigger. How about we move a bit? Please."
"Um... Okay."
"Thanks."
As we strolled along the path, Yoon-seul's attention shifted to the cherry blossom petals. They looked so pretty fluttering down.
Whenever one fell, she'd stretch both arms up to the sky like she wanted to catch one, starting her game of catch.
Catching falling cherry blossom petals wasn't easy.
Clap— clap— clap—
Even when a petal landed in her hand, it slipped away like a mosquito or fly, leaving her with nothing but empty claps.
"Hng... Hard to catch."
"Want Oppa to catch one for you?"
"No, Yoon-seul can do it."
And so Yoon-seul kept clapping away fruitlessly until they'd circled half the lake, finally giving up.
When I offered to help, she said, 'Yoon-seul do it myself! That's best!' so I just cheered her on from the side.
"How about we eat some kimbap first and try again? You must be tired—time to recharge."
"Yeah... Tired."
No wonder she was worn out.
We headed toward some wooden steps nearby.
People were sitting there chatting, drinking coffee, or eating street food.
"We can eat the kimbap we brought over there, Yoon-seul-ah."
"Kimbap!"
The moment she heard "kimbap," she let go of my hand and dashed ahead. She found a spot at a polite distance from others and beckoned me over.
She patted the seat next to her. "Oppa, here!"
Hearing that, the people already sitting there smiled warmly.
- That kid's too cute. Total puppy vibes.
- Wish I had a daughter like that... Sigh, mine just lies around glued to her smartphone all day.
- Honey, maybe it's time we start our own family farm?
Various reactions.
Before drawing too much attention, I hurried over with quick steps and sat beside Yoon-seul.
"My little sis gets all the attention wherever she goes."
"Oppa sis gets attention too."
I set the lunchbox between us as we sat.
As always, it was the one with the race car design.
It looked high-end for a kids' lunchbox, with such realistic details it could pass for promo merch.
It was a choice that matched our siblings' tastes perfectly.
Opening the lid revealed kimbap rolls shining in yellow and orange, neatly packed away.
The savory scent of sesame oil tickled my nose.
"Looks delicious."
"Hang on—Yoon-seul needs to wipe her hands first."
"Yeah! Oppa wipe best."
I pulled out a wet wipe, and she proudly stuck out her hands.
Without a word, I wiped every corner clean.
They say washing hands well prevents colds, so I make sure to handle this.
Speaking of, she'd insisted on catching those petals herself with all that fumbling, but now she wanted me to wipe her hands. Guess she has her own standards for things she wants to do herself.
"Today, Oppa first."
"Oppa eats first?"
"Yoon-seul feed you."
The second her hands were clean, she picked up a piece of kimbap and held it to my mouth. I'd been about to grab the wooden chopsticks, but with it right at my lips, I couldn't resist and went ahh—chomp.
I felt like teasing her.
"Eek! Oppa ate Yoon-seul's hand too!"
"Ahmumum—your hand's even tastier?"
"Wahh..."
"Whoa, Yoon-seul crying?"
"No cry."
Fooled ya.
It hit me—if I pulled this on a grown-up, it'd be kinda embarrassing.
But with a five-year-old sister, it felt acceptable.
The kimbap was solid. Different charm from franchise stuff.
The egg filling was fluffy and chewy, packed full. The stir-fried fish cake was savory and nutty.
That's the appeal of kimbap—it stays tasty even after time passes.
"Yum! So good!"
Yoon-seul happily grabbed pieces with her hands. Her little legs kicked happily—she seemed thrilled.
"Tastes better eating out like this, right?"
"Yeah. But good at home too."
Glad she likes it. Honestly, I'd packed kimbap because I worried about bothering others.
If we went to a restaurant with Yoon-seul, I could already picture the chaos. A picnic lunch avoids impacting the economy unnecessarily.
Or so I thought.
What the heck.
Yoon-seul ate a petal.
"Yoon-seul-ah, hold on."
"Ahm... Hm?"
The folks already on the steps glanced over as we ate our kimbap.
- Kid's devouring that kimbap. Shoulda packed some.
- Yeah, now I kinda crave kimbap too.
That was the vibe, so I didn't mind. Normal reaction to a cute kid.
The problem? Right as Yoon-seul went to eat her kimbap, a falling petal landed on it.
She popped the whole thing in her mouth.
Seeing that chilled me, so I scanned around.
"Phew... Safe."
No one else seemed about to eat petals. Probably only I, right nearby, clocked Yoon-seul munching cherry blossoms.
"Oppa why?"
"Nothing."
All good if nothing happened.
Might be overthinking. Petals aren't exactly food anyway.
No way anyone seeing her would wanna try it.
Not food.
- Kim, want us to grab you some kimbap on the way in?
- Sure, here's my card.
- Who said I wanted you to buy? ...Thanks.
By the time our lunchbox was empty, folks around us were pulling out their own food or heading to buy some.
Lunchtime helped, but Yoon-seul's charm played a part too.
"This much should be fine. Not hurting anyone."
After finishing, Yoon-seul patted her belly contentedly. So cute I patted mine too.
Thump thump—
Sounded like the gut-check game from elementary school.
Now she came over and patted mine.
Slap—
"Huh, Oppa belly no fat."
"Yoon-seul's got barely any either?"
"Yoon-seul belly pudgy. Oppa belly not pudgy."
"You don't know why."
"Dunno."
"When Yoon-seul sleeps? Oppa sneaks fat over from his belly to yours."
"Eek..!"
She freaked, grabbing at her belly. It was just full from lunch—no real pudge. Grunting, she shoved her belly at me.
"Yoon-seul take this? No lose."
"Yeah, take it. Gotta have some pudgy to grow tall."
"Tall as Oppa?"
"Taller than Oppa."
"Ooh! Super tall."
Guess my height looks huge to Yoon-seul. I'm a bit over 180—not short.
If she surpasses me, she'll be tall.
Time to walk off digestion.
As we strolled, we spotted parents with kids, and one group caught Yoon-seul's eye.
Vroooom—
- Having fun, son?
- Yeah! Fun. Daddy faster!
- Too fast and you'll bump folks? No no.
I'd heard of them but never seen one up close: kids' electric cars.
Modeled after B-brand cars, a kid Yoon-seul's age was loving it.
She stared blankly, then tugged my hand, like let's go quick.
Reminded me of a month ago, first toy-buying day. She'd hesitated but never asked for a car.
Same today.
My sister, Jang Yoon-seul, never straight-up asks for stuff.
Even demands have invisible lines.
Decision made.
For her birthday next month, that electric car as a gift. Kids' toy—won't cost much.
"Yoon-seul tummy not bloated?"
"Bloated?"
"Any burps?"
"No. Fine."
A bit of walking, and the kimbap was digested.
Planning dinner out too.
Worried about drawing crowds? Got a plan.
Pick a restaurant with walls, not glass, so Yoon-seul's hidden.
"Seoul's full of eateries anyway."
Less impact that way.
Picnic lunch and dinner out since we're out.
"Hm? What's up, Yoon-seul?"
She stopped dead, staring at a tree, gripping my hand tight. Short cherry tree, weird shape. Trunk dark reddish-brown, scarred.
"Th-this tree! Monster..!"
"Monster? Oh, that's what you meant earlier? Yeah, looks monstrous."
Kids have wild imaginations—natural reaction.
But she poked my pant leg, wanting something.
"Oppa, Yoon-seul thirsty."
"Huh? Here?"
"Yeah. Just once please."
Hot damn..!
Her eyes sparkled, words so perfectly cute. Me, certified sis-con Song Joo-hyun, couldn't brush off that aegyo request.
"Up you go."
Ignoring stares, I piggybacked her. Five-year-old—who'd judge? But her line was wild.
"Heehee revenge eat, you monster."
Couldn't see atop my head, but—snap—something tore off.
"No way..?!"
I set her down quick. Yoon-seul held a petal, munching.
Adorable but startling.
"Y-Yoon-seul-ah? Why eat that?"
"Munch munch... Revenge. It ate me first."
"It ate you?"
Weird dream maybe.
Best leave it. One petal won't kill her.
But reactions around were odd.
Like early spring at Dongdaemun, chillier day.
- Why suddenly crave cherry blossoms?
- Should I try one?