#13 Scenario: The Confused Pubescent Boy
It was like thinking, No way am I gonna win the lottery, right?
Sitting cross-legged, she flipped through the chapter some more.
"Hmmm."
There was a ton of stuff to pay attention to, but she didn't feel annoyed or reluctant in the slightest.
She remembered getting a lot of help herself back in her own awkward teen years.
"Can't even remember who helped me out anymore."
It was so long ago that her memories were fuzzy—nothing clear came to mind.
She passed the time reading until it was time to get ready and head out.
"Siu-ya~. Time to get up~. Gotta go to the department store with noona~."
"Ah, mm…. Yeah, noona. Yawn."
She approached Siu as he rubbed his eyes sleepily and yawned.
"Sleep well?"
"Mhm."
"Aigoo."
Maybe it was because he was still young, but how was he this cute? He seemed so stoic, but his habits were just like her husband's, which only made her fonder of him.
"Go wash up and get ready. Noona's gonna get ready too."
She headed into the master bedroom to do her makeup and pick out an outfit.
"Hmm, how about this one?"
She slipped on a purple turtleneck sweater, pairing it with tight white skinny jeans—the kind they called "pack pants."
"Urgh~. My butt gets stuck every time…."
She had to hop up and down a few times to pull them all the way up.
"Hup."
Sucking in her stomach, she fastened the button, then threw on a black long padded coat over top.
She considered a different coat but put it back because the color didn't match—her little secret.
Finally, she checked herself in the mirror, her wavy hair swishing.
"Perfect."
Her makeup looked great, and the outfit was casual enough that Siu wouldn't be embarrassed.
She draped the long coat over her arm and headed back to where Siu was.
"All dressed?"
"Yup."
He emerged from the room in a basic hoodie and jeans topped with a white fashion puffer—typical student style.
"Won't that puffer be cold?"
"Huh? Nah."
"Hmm~, don't complain to noona that you're cold, okay?"
She teased, but he stayed stoic as ever. How was he exactly like her husband, even down to the little letdowns?
Shaking her head, she slipped on her sneakers and they headed out.
They got into her car in the underground parking garage, and she glanced at Siu.
"Anything you wanna buy?"
"Um…."
"Alright, noona'll pick everything out. Let's go."
Knowing his personality, he wouldn't speak up, so she had to take the big-sister role and lead the way.
With soft music and the hum of the engine filling the car, they arrived at the department store in no time.
Even before lunch, the place was packed.
"Siu-ya~. Over here."
"Okay."
Seeing him trot along like an obedient puppy brought a warm smile to her face.
Maybe it was because she'd known him since he was little, but even with his grown-up build, to Woo Da-hee he was still her adorable little brother and treasured young master.
"What about this?"
"I already have that hoodie."
"Oh right. Buy. Let's get one for noona too while we're at it."
She started picking out clothes without hesitation, using her husband's card.
Of course, he'd given his permission, so she played dress-up with him like he was a doll.
"N-Noona, shouldn't we try them on first?"
"Huh? Large size should fit everything, right?"
"W-Well, yeah, but…."
Siu looked anxious as she grabbed items without even stepping into a fitting room.
With her acting experience and having seen him naked already, sizing him up by eye was a piece of cake.
"Need shoes too, right? Let's go."
Before he knew it, her hands were full of bags.
Clothes might not seem heavy, but with that many, they added up.
"Let's eat lunch here too."
They took a breather in a restaurant, had a light meal, then dove right back into shopping.
I figured picking out a few outfits would wrap things up.
My arms ached from the sheer volume of clothes, and all that walking had me sweating like it was pouring rain.
Meanwhile, Woo Da-hee was glowing with energy, bustling around like nothing.
Auntie's stamina is insane….
She ate normally without dieting and worked out every day, so her endurance was on another level.
I was exhausted just trying to keep up.
Thanks to her, we got a ton of clothes, but my feet were killing me.
"Noona…, I think this is plenty…."
She ignored me and declared firmly.
"Nope, we haven't looked at pants yet."
"Oh, right…."
My hands were loaded with enough clothes to last years.
After hours of walking, shopping was finally done—my back was soaked through.
"Isn't this too much? It's expensive too…."
I'd hoped to snag a few things, but not drop over a million won.
"It's fine."
Her fresh response made me think, Is this why they call her noona?
Of course, it was her husband's money.
That said, she wasn't broke herself. She'd supported and grown Choi Hyeok's business, which gave her all the confidence.
As we rode the escalator down after finishing, I spotted the electronics section ahead.
"……."
She noticed the display too and nodded toward it.
"Follow noona."
"……?"
I thought it was a joke at first, but as she headed for the electronics corner, I hurriedly stopped her.
"Noona! Really, it's okay."
"This isn't from your brother-in-law—think of it as noona's gift to her young master. Pick one."
"Whoa…. Noona, you're so cool."
I was seriously falling for her.
During sex, she was sexy yet innocently sweet as she held me, and now she was dropping pure girl crush vibes.
Impossible not to fall.
"How 'bout it? Cool noona, right?"
Woo Da-hee grinned at me.
I nodded like a pigeon, speechless.
"Pick anything."
"Uh…, um…. It's too pricey…."
Even the cheapest was tens of thousands of won at least, and I'd already gotten way more than expected.
"I said it's fine."
"……."
Well, if she insisted, I headed straight for the one I'd always wanted.
"Planning to get a camera?"
"Yeah, I'm into photography…."
I didn't even glance at the million-plus models.
Skipped entry-level and eyed the mid-range ones.
"Noona, how about this one?"
I picked a camera over two million won, and her eyes widened a bit.
"Y-Yeah, too much, right?"
"No, not that—why this one? What about that?"
She pointed to an even pricier one at the end.
"Can I really?"
Temptation to go full kit surged.
"Pfft, kidding. Even I'd hesitate at that price~."
"Right?"
I smiled too and grabbed the one I'd chosen.
"This was my dream camera."
"Ohh, really? Bring it—noona'll buy it for you."
Watching her casually grab a two-million-plus camera, I was moved to tears.
I even planned to kowtow to the scenario book later in thanks.
"Anything else?"
"Nah, this is good."
I already had the accessories.
She swiped it all in one lump-sum payment, leaving me in awe again.
In the elevator to the underground parking, my face pure, unfiltered emotion, I said,
"Noona, seriously, thank you so much. I love it! I love you!"
I forgot the concept entirely—my real expression and voice slipped out.
Seeing me so thrilled, she looked surprised at first, then stroked my cheek.
"Hehe~. If I'd known you'd be this happy, I'd have bought it ages ago."
"I'm just that excited. You've always looked out for me, but I never said it enough… sorry."
At that, her face softened with emotion.
"Ugh~. Say stuff like that more often. Before noona buys you things."
"I-It's just embarrassing normally…."
"Hehe, then make a promise with noona."
"……?"
She placed her hand on the camera case I was holding.
"Study photography hard and take pretty pictures of me. You know noona's job, right?"
"Uh, actress…."
"Yup~. Retired now, but you gotta make me look gooorgeous like an actress. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Before getting in the car, I blurted,
"Noona, want me to take your picture? We could go for a walk or something?"
It was impulsive. Normally I'd bail once home, but I couldn't wait to try the camera.
No setup, half-charged battery—didn't matter.
Any guy would wanna unbox and test it right away.
Leaning on the car door, she eyed me.
"Right now?"
"Yeah, I'll make noona look pretty."
"Hehe~."
She made a pleased hum.
"Where we shooting?"
"Um…."
"Weather's cold out~."
Was it the scenario? Her response was ambiguous.
As I pouted and loaded the bags, she covered her mouth, giggling softly.
"Kuku…, kidding. But it's really chilly outside, so how about the botanical garden?"
"Botanical garden?"
"Yeah, the place I went with your brother-in-law early in our dating days."
"Oh, sounds good. Let's go."
My face and tone were straight-up childish.
Grinning nonstop, she got in the car.
"Went there with oppa before, now with little bro~. Hehe~."
She laughed gleefully.
I ignored it and started unboxing in the car.
Woo Da-hee.
Men were men. Give 'em a shiny new toy, and they hyperfocused.
Sure, it stung a little, but simple guys were easy to handle.
"Wish you'd thank noona more~. Brag about it~."
"Noona, thank you so much."
"Thanks only? What about love~?"
Woo Da-hee shot him a sly smile.
"I really love you."
"More than anyone~."
"More than bro."
"Pfft, so cute, I'll spoil you rotten~."
This must be why people give gifts. Smiling contentedly, she drove toward the botanical garden.
It was on the outskirts, so a bit of a drive, but that just made it a nice road trip.
"Brings back memories~."
She parked at the botanical garden and looked around.
The cafe and entrance were just as she remembered.
She recalled how shy and cute Choi Hyeok had been back then.
"Shall we go in?"
"Sure."
By the drive over, he'd finished setting up and slung the camera strap around his neck, beaming.
"Today we'll hit all the spots you went on dates with bro. So you can relive the memories."
His words warmed her heart.
This was why she couldn't help but adore Siu.