READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 255
The beach changing room, where you walk in holding a swimsuit that’s practically underwear.
Inside a shabby, careless tent, a makeshift changing room sits alone.
Nothing special, just the kind you’d see at a large supermarket clothing section.
One by one, clothes are stripped off, revealing bare skin.
Smooth, baby-like skin without a single scar makes you think:
“Maybe it’s some kind of natural enhancement.”
No makeup, yet the skin is flawless, without a single blemish.
Pulling the swimsuit tight, it clings to the skin with a sticky sound.
A blue, shorts-like swimsuit bottom paired with a matching short-sleeve top.
Technically, it’s called a rash guard.
A swimsuit infused with Confucian ideals, stripping away any summer romance.
It’s not like I’m dating anyone, so showing more skin wouldn’t do me any good.
Bunching up the clothes I took off, I tuck them under my arm and unlock the changing room with a click.
Stepping out in slippers, I knock on the next changing room where Siyeon went in.
“Are you done?”
“Not yet…”
While I’m fully dressed, a lazy reply comes from the changing room.
Seems like she’s not used to wearing a one-piece swimsuit.
A moment later, Siyeon steps out of the changing room.
“How do I look?”
As soon as she steps out, she asks for my opinion.
A white, long-sleeve swimsuit with fluttering decorations.
Thin fabric covers areas that would normally be more exposed…
I guess this is what they call a see-through one-piece swimsuit.
Why do swimsuits have so many complicated names?
“Hmm.”
I’ve seen this at the supermarket clothing section before, but I pretend to think hard while letting out a sigh.
A bit of skin shows, but it’s still safe.
I carefully examine Siyeon’s body from top to bottom.
Upper body, no problem. Lower body, no problem.
From a guardian’s perspective, there’s no ethical issue either.
I give a thumbs up and honestly say, “Yeah, it’s fine.”
“…That’s it?”
“Yeah? Yeah.”
My thumbs-up feels awkward as Siyeon reacts with a strange indifference.
Wait, did I make the wrong choice in that conversation?
Did she want me to say she looks pretty or cute?
The thought crosses my mind, but I argue in my head that’s something a boyfriend would say.
But the ship has already sailed, and logical thoughts are scattered by the sound of waves and sea breeze.
Dry sand tickles my feet inside my slippers, but I ignore it and stick close to Siyeon.
“Let’s go together.”
And so, our footsteps head towards the mat and parasol set up on the sand.
While we were changing, the quick adults had already prepared a spot.
Juwon, who didn’t even need a changing room, was there with just a towel, swim trunks, and a hat.
“Now, you and uncle should go change too.”
“Yeah, can you watch Juwon for a bit?”
“Where’s mom going?”
“She’s going to change into her swimsuit, just sit here for a bit.”
The scorching sun had baked the sand, so even sitting on the mat, my butt felt the heat.
After placing my smartphone and wallet under the towel, I force Juwon, who’s eager to get into the water, to sit down.
A cute turtle-shell swim cap and unnecessary swim goggles.
Kindergarteners are cute regardless of gender.
Being able to pinch those soft cheeks won’t last much longer.
“Mari, your hair.”
“Yeah.”
While watching Juwon, Siyeon naturally comes up behind me and speaks.
With a short “Yeah,” I hand her my hair to braid.
To avoid looking like seaweed in the water, she braids my hair.
Honestly, I don’t really care if my hair turns into seaweed, but…
Siyeon says it doesn’t look good to others.
And so, with skilled hands, my hair is neatly braided into two buns.
“Your hair, sis!”
Juwon points at my hair and exclaims.
Now he’s calling me “sis” instead of “unnie.”
Playing with my fluffy braided hair, I tease Juwon.
“Hehe, does it look weird because it’s not long?”
“Oh, Mari braided your hair?”
Instead of answering, Juwon just giggles, while my sister, who just returned from the changing room, comments.
I haven’t really braided my hair in front of others much.
If I did, it was just a quick ponytail.
I’ve only done this bun-style a few times to keep it out of the way.
And even then, it was when Siyeon practiced on me like a mannequin when her hair grew long.
Gently patting the neatly braided hair, I explain the reason to my sister.
“Well, since we’re here, we should at least dip in up to our necks.”
“Really? You didn’t seem that eager before.”
Seeing me getting ready to play, my sister Ji-eun questions my earlier attitude.
Ah, that was then, this is now.
I shamelessly brush it off.
“Ah, when did I ever?”
“Oh my, look at her. Not even lip balm…”
“I’ll be back, Juwon! Let’s play with sis!”
Before the nagging gets longer, I quickly use Juwon as an excuse to head to the beach.
As soon as I step out of the parasol’s shade, the warm sun covers my body.
Well, it’s not like we’re doing any serious swimming.
Just dipping our bodies in the sea to cool off.
Watching Juwon doggy-paddle with his floatie, I just float aimlessly.
Even in the shallow water, it feels refreshing to have my body submerged.
“Ah, so cool…”
Siyeon lets out a sigh of admiration at the refreshing feeling.
Not one to let it pass, I add a few words comparing it to something even cooler.
“Though sitting in front of an air conditioner at home would be cooler.”
“Sis, what are they doing over there?”
Juwon points to the distant sea.
A grayish beach contrasting with the yellow sand.
Unlike us in light clothing, a group of adults in sun hats, boots, buckets, and hoes.
In this sweltering heat, what are they doing?
“Ah, they’re digging for clams.”
Seeing them bending over and digging with hoes, I realize they’re tourists digging for clams.
At the unfamiliar term, Juwon tilts his round head and asks.
“Digging for what?”
“Clams, conchs, octopuses, stuff like that.”
“That sounds fun!”
Explaining the term in simpler words for Juwon.
Hearing the explanation, Juwon splashes the water with his arms, full of enthusiasm.
In his head, he’s probably imagining filling a bucket with clams and conchs.
If it were that easy, they wouldn’t be so expensive per plate.
“It’s not all fun and games.”
After spending some time in the salty seawater.
After tiring out Juwon a bit, we finally return to the mat and dry off with a towel.
After wiping off the seawater, we lay down on the towel under the shade to rest.
The shade under the parasol is quite cool, warming our soaked bodies to a comfortable temperature.
Just as I feel like taking a nap…
“Sis, let’s play more!”
Juwon’s energy shows no signs of fading, even without friends his age.
What’s so fun about having your face pinched and being pulled around on a floatie?
Even as I try to rest, he shakes my body, begging to play.
“Sis is dying…”
Already exhausted, Siyeon and I.
Turns out, it’s impossible to outlast a kid in stamina.
“Sis is tired, play with mom and dad.”
“Watching our stuff?”
Taking over for us, the uncle and sister get up from their spot and speak.
Without waiting for an answer, they quickly take Juwon to the water.
Seemingly relieved that someone’s watching the stuff, they head to the sea.
“Ugh…”
Responding tiredly to Ji-eun’s order to watch the stuff, I carefully wrap valuables like my wallet and smartphone in a dry towel and place them by my head.
Though my body feels drained, my mind is wide awake.
My body is slumped like I’m sleepy, but my mind is clear.
Just letting the sound of waves and the sea breeze take over, I absentmindedly follow the parasol’s wire with my eyes.
Feeling like I’ve fully enjoyed the day, I guess?
Wondering if Siyeon feels the same satisfaction, she speaks up in a small voice.
“Feels really good, right?”
“Yeah, but I’m tired…”
Turning my body towards Siyeon, I let out a weak laugh.
Unlike in elementary school when I could play for hours without rest, I can feel my body aging.
Wiping my hands on the towel, I reach for my smartphone.
Just in time, a payment notification pops up.
[XX XX Card XXXX Approved]
[Kim*ri]
[49,850 KRW One-time Payment]
[08/29 13:57]
[Woowa Bros Corp.]
‘Spending wisely.’
With a daily limit of 50,000 KRW, the two mascots really maxed it out.
No doubt, led by Gomteng the bear cub.