Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Drawing isn’t difficult.

You just draw lines, create shapes, and fill in colors. If you understand the basic principles of points, lines, and planes, anyone can draw easily and simply.

With talent and effort, you can create even more wonderful drawings.

Most people also draw—at least in their heads.

They draw their dreams and move forward. That’s the goal of life.

However, turning those drawings into reality is very difficult. Drawing on paper is that easy and simple.

What I want to say is this:

“Let’s go to the beach. Okay?”

This kid’s dream right now is to go to the beach. But I find it a hassle. Getting there is a very difficult task.

It’s like how people find it bothersome to take a few steps to the room with the computer.

So, I’ll just say it. I’ll draw it for you.

“Can’t you do it with a drawing?”

“Yeah. I want to see a shark.”

Soyul said she wanted to go to the beach after seeing the shark picture I drew before.

‘You won’t see any sharks anyway…’

Even if you see them, there won’t be any huge sharks like in photos or movies.

You might see them at an aquarium instead.

But she wants to go to the beach.

“Why the beach specifically? There’s an aquarium.”

“Because it’s pretty?”

Apparently, the aunt also gave her permission. If I want to go, my parents will discuss it and set a schedule…

But what would we do there? Play in the water?

…Alright, let’s go. This will be a memory, I guess. Even if I say I’m too lazy and won’t go, Mom and Dad will come up with all sorts of reasons to drag me along.

“Okay. I’ll tell Mom when she comes later.”

“Okay!”

Seeing her happy smile made my previous annoyance disappear.

As long as she’s happy, that’s what matters. Kids need to be happy.

The taste of society can be seen later. Hmm.

“Can we go too?”

At that moment, Lee Doyoon approached us and asked. Baek Yuseol was also nearby.

I guess they heard our conversation.

No wonder he’s the male lead; Doyoon is incredibly friendly. It’s been several months since he came.

In that time, he has captivated the kids in our class with his unique charm.

However, while I wanted to play with Doyoon, not many kids approached because of Baek Yuseol’s coldness.

If Doyoon plays first, Baek Yuseol will have no choice but to follow.

Anyway, back to the point.

“If we get permission from our parents, I’ll say something too.”

Doyoon wanted to go to the beach with us. And it seemed that Baek Yuseol felt the same way.

Since I was the first to befriend these two, the initial distance had almost disappeared.

Baek Yuseol no longer guarded herself against us, specifically against Soyul.

As we became friends, our parents got to know each other too. Sometimes, the four families would gather for a get-together.

It was fun with so many people.

“Okay! I understand. I’ll talk to Dad. Yuseol, you ask too.”

Doyoon nodded in understanding and encouraged Baek Yuseol, who also responded with a small nod. I wonder when she’ll start talking more.

She does speak, but only gives short answers, which is quite frustrating.

As we wrapped up our conversation,

“Haeun, Haeun. Can I come over to your house today?”

Soyul wanted to visit our house. The reason was probably.

“Are you coming to see my little sister?”

“Yeah. I want to see Ha-yoon.”

“Alright then.”

She really likes Ha-yoon. When she comes to our house, she only pays attention to Ha-yoon.

‘Of course, she doesn’t let go of my arm either.’

She only wants to see Ha-yoon. Why doesn’t she let go of my arm?

There was no longer a need for permission for Soyul to come over.

She comes and goes almost as if it’s her own room. She was just asking out of courtesy. Even if I said no, she would come anyway.

I didn’t particularly mind either. My parents welcomed her with open arms.

“What do you want for dinner?”

It’s always a dilemma. What should we have for dinner?

“I want chicken.”

“Good.”

Chicken is always right. If humanity had never created chicken, I think every day would be unhappy.

And so, today passed without anything special.

The day to go to the beach was right around the corner.

Since we decided to leave tomorrow, I prepared in advance.

“Yoon, want to eat ice cream with your big brother?”

“Yeah! I want to eat it!”

I also played with my little sister, Ha-yoon.

“Do we need this?”

“It would be nice if we had it, right?”

I helped my mom and dad while they were shopping.

Not just our family, but others were also getting ready in line with the travel date.

“Hello!”

“……”

“Hello. Eun, Yoon, hello.”

“Hi.”

“Hello, big sister!”

We arrived at our apartment.

One after another, Lee Doyoon, Baek Yuseol, Soyul, me, and Ha-yoon spoke.

We greeted the adults and then went to buy snacks before we set off. My dad and I went to the convenience store.

“Haeun, do you want to eat this?”

“What is it? Ugh. Who would eat that?”

My dad took out a mint-colored bag and held it out. He covered his mouth and distanced himself.

“This is surprisingly good. If you try it, Eun will like it too?”

“Is toothpaste delicious? I respect your taste.”

I waved my hand, refusing. What a mint-choco.

My dad chuckled as he filled the bag with other snacks. He included ice cream and bread.

After grabbing some chips and paying, I returned to see two cars revving their engines.

It seemed one car couldn’t hold all these people, so we would travel in two cars.

Our parents’ car is also a four-seater. Even if I carry Ha-yoon, two people is the limit.

Fortunately, Aunt Ji-hye has a Carnival, so we could manage somehow.

In our parents’ car were our family and Soyul.

The rest decided to get into the other car.

“No, Soyul… You have to go with your mom.”

The aunt looked sadly at Soyul.

“But I want to go with Eun and Yoon.”

So she said,

The aunt trudged back to the driver’s seat.

“This is why raising kids…”

I heard her mumble softly, but I ignored it. What could we do if we like it?

Right, Yoon?

“Hmm? Why, big brother?”

“It’s nothing.”

I took Yoon’s hand and got into the car. Yoon sat in the middle, and I sat on the right.

Naturally, Soyul should have sat on the left.

“Yoon, should we swap seats?”

What is this nonsense?

“Hmm? No. I want to sit with my big brother!”

“I brought some Pepero that you like, Yoon.”

“I’ll swap!”

“…What are you two doing?”

The two girls were performing a skit. In the end, after bribing Yoon, Soyul sat in the middle and rested her head on my shoulder.

“This is uncomfortable.”

Even if I tried to shake her off,

“…Do you dislike me?”

“No, um. Do as you like…”

Once she put me on the spot, I couldn’t do anything.

But she was just joking, and soon she lifted her head and pulled out a snack from earlier.

While I was eating the snack that Soyul handed me,

“Our little ones need to put on their seatbelts.”

Mom opened the car door and fastened Yoon’s seatbelt. By the way, Yoon was sitting in a car seat.

Since Soyul and I were already past our birthdays, we didn’t need to use car seats anymore. I felt embarrassed every time I got in the car.

We also fastened our seatbelts. Mom went to check on the kids in the other Carnival.

There were parents over there too, but maybe she was just being cautious.

Once the preparations were complete, Mom and Dad got into the car.

Dad and Mom would take turns driving, but honestly, Mom’s driving skills were a bit…

‘It’s scary.’

I never expected to see someone change when they drive in our family…

Fortunately, Mom said she would switch if Dad felt tired. Dad knows Mom’s driving skills too.

So even if he got tired, I doubt they’d switch seats.

“Then let’s set off now~.”

We were leading the way.

The aunt followed behind us.

“What will our little ones do when we get there~?”

Mom, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around to ask.

“I want to see a shark.”

Without hesitation, Soyul said.

“I! I want to splash!”

Yoon wanted to play in the water. And I,

“Hmm…”

Honestly, I couldn’t think of anything. What would I do there? I thought playing in the water would get boring after an hour.

Hmm. What should I do?

Oh, I thought of a good idea.

“Dad, can you give me the plastic water bottles we use later?”

“Hmm? Sure, I can give them to you. Why?”

Dad, who was driving, glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

“Um, I don’t really have anything to do when I get there, so I was thinking I might draw with the water bottles.”

“Ah~. On the sand? Are you looking forward to it?”

My parents exclaimed with curiosity mixed with amazement. Soyul showed interest when she heard I was going to draw.

“Big brother, play with me!”

“Yeah, I’ll play with Yoon too.”

Of course, I have to play with Yoon.

Since it was a bit far, maybe I could take a short nap. I leaned against the window and looked up at the sky.

It was a clear day with not a single cloud. A rare kind of weather. The kids would surely have a blast.

The adults might be tired. And I too.

The fortunate thing is that I’m still a kid. I won’t get tired as easily as adults.

Tap.

The weight I felt on my shoulder earlier.

When I rolled my eyes to check, Soyul was resting her head against my shoulder again.

However,

“Zzz…”

…Is she asleep?

Unlike before, her eyes were closed, and she had fallen asleep.

I wondered if I should wake her up and give her my pillow.

“Ugh…”

Sigh…

At this point, even a dense person like me could understand.

…Sleep well.

I casually brushed her messy hair back.

Mom smiled at my gesture and gave me a thumbs up.

Dad was chuckling, and then Ha-yoon said,

“Mmm…”

She had also fallen asleep.

I too felt drowsy and closed my eyes. Only the sounds of soft breathing filled the car.

Before long.

I fell asleep too.

***

When I woke up from my sleep.

“Whoa.”

What’s going on here?

When I came to my senses, I was already standing at the beach.

The scorching sun was baking the sand.

I didn’t even know when I got to the changing room. All I knew was one thing.

‘Ah. My shoulder is so stiff.’

I should have just woken her up.