READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 253
“No, there’s no way that would happen…”
Leaving behind a bewildered Gomteng, the next day.
After finishing class, I joined Ji-eun’s family shopping trip and headed to the large supermarket.
As soon as I opened the car door, the scorching heat enveloped my entire body, so I hurried inside the mart.
Only after stepping through the automatic doors did I slow down and move leisurely.
It felt like entering another world, with the cool air covering my exposed skin.
Except for the air-conditioned safe zone, it was like a sweltering sauna outside.
“Ugh, why is it so hot outside?”
Dae-han, who had just finished parking, joined us last.
Flapping a hand fan, he also stepped inside the automatic doors and vented a small complaint about the weather.
“It’s summer, after all.”
“It feels hotter than last year, right?”
“Every year, they say it’s the hottest on record.”
Walking ahead were Ji-eun, Juwon, and Siyeon, while I followed behind, chiming in with Dae-han as we continued our conversation.
Now, naturally pulling out a cart, Juwon climbed in and sat down.
In the toy section and other kid-friendly areas, dolphin balloons and large tubes dangled from the mart ceiling.
The mart seemed to be silently pressuring us with the idea of going to the beach, even though the sun was blazing.
To fully immerse us in the summer vibe, they even placed water guns on prominent display stands.
“Mom, I want a water gun!”
As expected, Juwon fell right into the mart’s trap.
In a more indulgent family, they might have said, “What should we buy?” and let Juwon choose.
But Ji-eun, being the frugal homemaker, wasn’t so easily swayed.
“We only said we’d buy a tube, and we already have a water gun at home.”
“But this one’s different…”
“No.”
Sticking to the original plan, Ji-eun logically explained why we wouldn’t buy the water gun.
Juwon tried to argue with kindergarten-level logic, but it didn’t work.
Glancing at the price tag of the water gun: 17,900 won, about the price of a small serving of sweet and sour pork.
Not exactly expensive.
Perhaps thinking the same, Dae-han, who had been eyeing the water gun, spoke up.
“Why not? Just buy it.”
Seemingly not too burdened by the expense, Dae-han looked ready to buy it.
Just when Ji-eun had quieted Juwon down, now Dae-han was causing trouble.
“You, be quiet.”
Unlike her earlier logical persuasion, Ji-eun shut him down with a simple, one-dimensional remark.
No need for further explanation.
If I offered to buy it, it would turn into chaos.
So, I kept my mouth shut and quietly pushed the cart toward the tube section.
If Juwon had been walking, it might have been different, but since he was sitting in the cart, it was easier to make him give up.
Perhaps sensing Ji-eun’s reluctance, Siyeon silently moved her hand to the cart handle…
And so, we arrived at the tube section with Juwon’s pouting mouth.
As if the earlier commotion never happened, Ji-eun spoke to Juwon.
“Which tube do you want?”
Naturally, our eyes followed the question.
There were classic round tubes, shark-shaped tubes, car-shaped tubes, and even neck tubes.
There were also boat-shaped tubes you could lie on.
Since I wasn’t usually interested in such playthings, it was oddly fun to browse.
“Water gun…”
Little Juwon, oblivious to the mood, was still fixated on the water gun he missed earlier, tears welling up.
With that one short remark, the mood instantly soured.
Finally, Ji-eun’s anger mode activated.
“Fine, we’re not going to the beach, then.”
“Ah, ahhh!”
Juwon, startled by the fake threat, turned his head sharply and let out a desperate scream mixed with a tantrum.
We had already submitted our field trip application to the school.
Realistically, we couldn’t back out now.
But Juwon, still too young to understand, fell for the bluff and started apologizing profusely to his mom.
“I won’t do it again, I promise!”
Watching this commotion from a few steps away, Siyeon and I found Juwon’s innocence endearing.
Leaning in close, Siyeon whispered.
“He’s so cute, right?”
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but agree in a different way.
The way he fell for the fake threat and started apologizing to his mom…
“You’re just like when you have to go to the dentist.”
“…No, I’m not!”
It reminded me so much of when she had to go to the dentist, and I blurted it out.
After a moment’s hesitation, Siyeon weakly protested.
She always says she doesn’t remember her younger days, but seeing Juwon, it felt like she was looking at herself.
To me, Juwon and Siyeon… they’re exactly the same.
Sniffling, Juwon finally chose a robot-themed character tube.
After loading Juwon’s summer gear into the cart, it was time for us to pick out swimsuits.
And so, we arrived at the swimwear section, ready for summer.
“Welcome, what are you looking for?”
The middle-aged lady at the counter didn’t even glance at us, instead approaching Ji-eun, who clearly looked like the one with the money.
“We’re looking for swimsuits for the kids.”
Whether Ji-eun was talking or not, we rummaged through the hangers, looking for swimsuits to wear at the beach.
As expected, the clothing racks were filled with skimpy outfits that were hard to take in all at once.
“Wow… is this a swimsuit or just leftover fabric from making clothes?”
I picked up one of the most outrageous swimsuits and showed it to Siyeon.
Some say underwear and swimsuits are different, but at this point, they might as well be the same.
“Ugh…”
Hearing Siyeon’s shocked gasp, I put the hanger back.
Wearing that? It’s too stimulating for a student.
The sound of hangers clacking as we kept browsing.
After a while, I spotted a purple, grandma-style swimsuit that Siyeon used to wear in elementary school.
It looked like something you’d find at a flea market.
Clicking it off the rack, I brought it over to Siyeon, who was looking at other swimsuits.
“Siyeon, remember this color?”
“Ew, that color’s weird.”
As soon as I showed her the swimsuit, Siyeon grimaced and leaned back.
Her reaction was so different from when she used to love it as a kid.
Wow, if you’re going to say that, I have a lot to say…
“It’s weird? You wouldn’t wear anything but this color in elementary school.”
“Ugh, really?”
“Really, I thought it was just your taste.”
Though slightly exaggerated, the situation back then was clear.
Even if there was some exaggeration, the fact that she loved this grandma-style swimsuit was undeniable.
For Siyeon, if she didn’t remember, it was over, but the memory was still vivid in my mind.
“Did you both pick swimsuits?”
While we were chatting, Ji-eun slowly approached.
Turning toward the voice, she saw the swimsuit in my hand and was horrified.
“Ew, what’s that swimsuit? Are you planning to wear that?”
Her expression clearly said, “No way.”
Behind her, Dae-han, anticipating that picking women’s clothes would take forever, was already sitting on a small chair near the counter, fiddling with his phone.
“Oh, no!”
Siyeon, realizing her old taste was quite tacky through my words, quickly denied it.
Embarrassed or not, she flailed the hanger in the air, blurting out the truth.
“It’s Siyeon’s elementary school taste~”
“Hey!”
Unable to handle Siyeon’s sharp retort, I put the swimsuit back.
After some teasing, we seriously started browsing swimsuits with Ji-eun.
The time spent picking clothes stretched to 10, 20, 30 minutes…
As time went on, Juwon and Dae-han’s expressions grew stiffer.
“Mom, when are we going home?”
Finally, Juwon’s complaints spilled out.
Even adults would find it hard to endure, let alone Juwon.
Playing games to pass the time only works for so long; after about an hour, even the seat becomes uncomfortable.
But to Ji-eun, who was busy looking at clothes, Juwon’s opinion didn’t matter much.
“Wait, doesn’t this look really good?”
“Ugh.”
After a brief “wait,” she shared her opinion with us.
Juwon slumped and grumbled, but she didn’t even glance at him, instead showing us the swimsuit.
A modest one-piece swimsuit, a good choice for students.
Maybe it’s the hormones?
It’s strange how we don’t get tired of looking at clothes we’re not even going to buy.