Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Lake's Heart (2)
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"Our young lady had thoughts like that?"
"That's right, Marie."
I scoop up my little sister, who's pouting her lips.
And pat her back.
"It'll be okay. Because the lake has lots of friends now, right?"
"Fwends lots made?"
"Of course! We're circling around the lake like this, staying together. And look over there at the walking path."
The promenade surrounding the lake.
Lots of people are strolling along with gentle smiles.
In family groups.
Or with friends.
Or as couples.
This path, hugged by the lake, bustles with countless people.
So.
"With so many people around like this, it can't feel lonely at all."
"Hmm... But Yunseul-i still worried lots. What if the lake misses the sea and feels empty?"
"You're right. Our Yunseul-i makes a good point."
My little sister sinks into serious contemplation.
How can we make sure the lake doesn't feel lonely.
She seems lost in those thoughts.
Even at five years old, her empathy runs so deep.
Impossible not to adore her.
And the reason her thoughts reach that far.
Isn't it because she already knows what loneliness is.
That realization makes me want to resolve her worries.
So I relay the concern to Teacher Mi-jeong and Yu-min, sitting a bit away.
- Oh, the emotional worries of our five-year-old. It tugs at my heart.
- I'll think about it too! Yunseul-i.
"Yeah, thanks!"
And so the four of us huddle together, heads close.
Plotting a strategy.
To reunite the separated lake and sea.
Two estranged family members.
- But in my opinion, Yunseul-i doesn't need to worry quite so much.
"Hmm? Why?"
Teacher Mi-jeong speaks first.
- This lake is huge, right? If you go beyond where we are, there's a path leading to the wetlands. And from those wetlands, there's a waterway connecting to the sea. So the lake and sea aren't truly parted forever.
A valid point.
With a waterway linking the sea and lake.
If they're holding hands through that, doesn't it ease the loneliness a bit.
At least that's how I see it, but Yunseul-i feels differently.
"But the lake still can't touch the sea directly. With water separating them, they must feel lonely."
- Hmm... Maybe so.
She thinks that won't soothe their loneliness. Even if connected somewhere, it doesn't mean they're not separated.
Just like how Yunseul-i's steps grew heavy leaving Grandma's house.
Knowing she could meet again.
Knowing she could hear her voice on phone calls.
Still, parting from her beloved Grandma always leaves regret.
Yunseul-i can't express it outright, but she's probably thinking something similar.
- I have an idea too.
Now Yu-min shoots his hand up.
- Bring seawater to the lake and pour it in. Then the sea and lake can meet... What do you think?
- Hmm, Mom's gonna object a little.
- Huh...
- My son's idea is super cute and smart, but I don't like pouring seawater into the lake.
- Why?
- Seawater might be saltier than lake water. The fish in the lake would get shocked and swim away. Like how you'd be shocked if Mom suddenly got good at cooking?
- Ahh... Then I'd really be shocked!
- Ooh, is that so?
- Urk.
Teacher Mi-jeong's trap question lands perfectly.
Yu-min spills his true feelings.
And in real time, his cheeks are being pinched.
His face looks soft and chewy, like doughy bread.
Yu-min's approach is fresh and clever.
Pour a bit of the sea directly into the lake.
That means they'll mix together.
Of course, a waterway versus mixing water directly.
How different are those two.
I'd boldly say very different!
But hard to argue that outright.
Still, I'm convinced it would change how Yunseul-i feels.
When Yu-min shared his idea, Yunseul-i's eyebrows twitched in response.
The key is how Yunseul-i perceives the lake and sea. That's the point.
So approaching it differently could work too.
"Yunseul-i, how about this?"
"What is it?"
"There's sand from the beach, right."
"Yeah... This is it."
"Load it onto leaf boats and send them drifting across the lake."
"Leaf boats?"
"Yeah, Oppa knows how to make boats from leaves. Scoop up a handful of sand, put it on the boat, and float it. It'll drift on the lake for a long time."
"Hmm... Right."
"Then the sea and lake share the same sand. Like how you and Oppa cook and eat together. The lake and sea hold the same sand."
"Ooh...! That'd be great!"
My suggestion luckily hits the mark for Yunseul-i.
She glances back and forth between Yu-min and Teacher Mi-jeong.
They nod and give thumbs up.
Next destination decided.
**
We arrive at Gyeongpo Beach.
Memories of our first night at the resort flood back.
Even more crowded than then.
The day we played had fewer people, it seems.
Those in the water hesitate, glancing around, not splashing freely.
Common at summer beaches.
Amid that, we diligently collect sand.
To strangers, it looks foolish, but we're dead serious.
Especially my little sister.
"Yunseul-i gonna make them meet... the sea... and the lake..."
The sun-warmed sand is hot but bearable if handled carefully.
We fill our prepared plastic bottles with bits of sand.
A handful carrying the sea's heart.
**
Back to the lake.
Bikes meant no need for the car—better that way.
Beach crowds made nearby traffic brutal.
At the lake, we spend time hunting suitable leaves. Bigger, sturdier ones over pretty.
Easier to shape into boats.
- But you can make boats from leaves too?
"Of course."
Teacher Mi-jeong pauses her leaf hunt to ask.
- Ooh, kinda romantic? Practicing to impress someone?
"Nah. If anything, I learned it while helping someone practice to woo their crush."
- Huh? What's that about.
Never thought leaf boats would dredge up the past while foraging.
The one who taught me was Uncle Kang.
Around when our relationship warmed up. During small talk, he made the request.
'Hey, Joo-hyun. Wanna fold leaf boats with me?'
'Suddenly?'
'Cause the day after tomorrow's our wedding anniversary with Young-hyun.'
'Gonna fold leaf boats as an anniversary gift?'
Too innocent for a middle-aged gift.
Wanted to dissuade him.
'No, not that. Together... over there. In the tub. Float it on the water... and...'
The unusually stammering uncle lingers in memory.
What followed was 19+ rated, so omitted.
Never imagined hearing middle-aged anniversary antics like that. Felt like my future spoiled.
Anyway, key point: Uncle wanted to float a necklace inside the leaf boat to set the mood.
Meaning, my leaf boats can carry light loads too.
- Hmm... Really? That uncle's so sweet.
"Yeah, good guy."
He knows how to cherish his wife.
That's one thing I want to emulate.
- So the event succeeded?
"Nope. Total failure."
- Huh? Even after practicing with you?
"Yeah, the leaf boat sank under the necklace's weight."
- Oof, blind spot.
"But the mood was great, he said."
- Bet it was.
Pat pat—
Meanwhile, the two kids return with armfuls of leaves.
Lucky ones usable. Folding boats doesn't take long.
"Ooh! Real boat. Oppa made it. How'd you do it...!"
Watched the whole time, yet amazed.
Yunseul-i peeks around, inspecting the leaf boat.
"I'll make you another next time."
"Really... Our Oppa makes everything so well."
Her fussing is cute too.
Boat done, one task left.
Float it on the lake and send it off.
I hand Yunseul-i the plastic bottle with sand.
"Put just a little in the boat."
"Yeah... Got it."
Yunseul-i sprinkles sand sparingly into the boat.
A modest amount spreads across the leaf boat.
To the lakeside, boat in her hands.
I nod to my sister.
Gently place it on the lake's surface.
Float—
Push it softly, like nudging a butt.
Swish...
The boat drifts away.
Drifts away.
Far, far.
Drifts away.
"Oppa, it won't tip over, right?"
"It won't. Oppa made it super sturdy."
"Yeah, Yunseul-i twusts Oppa."
My sister clasps her small hands in prayer.
I can guess the content.
May this boat not drift too far, but stay floating long on the lake.
Become proof that sea and lake are one family.
That's what Yunseul-i hopes.
As the fragile leaf boat shrinks to a dot and vanishes from sight, dusk falls.
Evening arrives.
We head back to the resort for our last night in Gangneung.
"Didn't need Teacher and Yu-min to help."
- It's fine. We had fun too. When else get such innocent experiences? Vacation ends, back to work. And look at Yu-min.
Yu-min and Yunseul-i.
Each holds a leaf boat I folded extra, chattering happily.
Beaming smiles like the intense sun all vacation.
- My shy boy rarely smiles like that or plays around. Few friends at kindergarten. But seeing him vacationing, having fun with peers... That's enough for me.
She pulls pranks like a peer sometimes.
But Kim Mi-jeong Teacher is a mom too.
"Yunseul-i sees Yu-min as her bestie too. Visit the shop often when we reopen."
- Planning to. My son doesn't trust my cooking.
Mi-jeong Teacher rolls her eyes from the driver's seat, adding,
- In that spirit, why not just marry them off?
The word "marriage" from Teacher makes Yu-min flinch and blush.
Intense rage unlike any before!
....
Next day, check out and straight to Seoul.
Home to recover from trip fatigue—rushed the last day home.
Yunseul-i demands video call with Grandma upon arrival, eager to see her face. One surprising point mid-call.
- What! Yunseul-i? Safe at home?
The grandpa from Jumunjin fishing and our Grandma—several gathered, drinking makgeolli.
Confirms they're longtime acquaintances.
Grandma's apartment and Jumunjin are pretty far, though.
How far does our grandma's network span in Gangneung.
Suddenly curious.