“Right, uncle? I’m pretty, aren’t I?”
“Uh? Oh, very pretty.”
“Hehe, then you'll give us a lot of fish?”
“Of course! Pretty people don’t get fat no matter how much they eat.”
“Hehe, then please give us a lot?”
"Alright, wait just a bit. I’ll slice it up quickly for you."
What's this atmosphere?
Where did the lady who was scolding the uncle go? If she were here, she would have given him a smack.
I glanced at Youngju cautiously. But instead, Youngju was happily whistling and looking around the aquarium.
"Wow, is that a red sea bream? It looks really meaty."
Youngju, delighting like a child at the aquarium. I realized she also had this side to her. I rarely saw her feminine side, as she always had a tomboyish personality. When she smiled in such attire, she looked like an angel.
The uncle quickly packed the sashimi and came outside.
"Here, for the pretty lady."
"Thank you!"
"I packed it generously, so come again."
"Sure~"
After the uncle went back in, we continued pushing the scooter along. Youngju drooled over the packed sashimi.
"Look at this color. It's a whole different level from what we had in Seoul. Do you have soju at home?"
"Even if we run out of food, we never run out of alcohol."
"Great! Let's drink to death today. Hey, look at this. He really gave us a lot, didn't he?"
Seeing the sashimi Youngju handed to me, I was dumbfounded.
"What's this? It seems like 1.5 times the amount I would get for the same price alone. Wow, that uncle is really something. Is he discriminating?"
Youngju, in such a good mood, hugged the sashimi packet and jumped around excitedly.
"Kyahahaha! It's all because I’m pretty, right?"
"Ugh."
It had been 40 minutes since Youngju arrived at the port and stopped by the sashimi restaurant.
During that time, Youngju didn't say a word about what the media was saying or the outside situation.
She just chatted happily, like a friend who had come on a trip with me. And I was so thankful for that.
When we arrived at the accommodation, I parked the scooter and said.
"There's another room inside; use that. There's a bed, so don't worry about sleeping on the floor. It's better to eat in the yard. I'll prepare everything, so just unpack your things and change into comfortable clothes."
"Okay, got it."
Youngju went into the accommodation.
I told my friend I would prepare the meal, but I was curious about Youngju's reaction and just watched. Sure enough, Youngju soon peeked out.
Youngju, her eyes fluttering with emotion. I grinned and asked.
"Do you like it?"
"......"
Youngju was silent. But just from her expression, I could feel she really liked it. I jokingly shrugged.
"I really worked hard on it because you were coming."
"......"
Youngju's long eyes trembled. Rubbing her nose, which seemed a bit sore, Youngju spoke in a feigned gruff voice.
"I'll change and come out."
"Okay."
Youngju disappeared. I chuckled to myself, looking up at the sky.
"I'm glad I painted the lilies that Youngju likes."
Like Van Gogh in my dream at the museum. I painted flowers that my friend liked.
Being cooped up here all day with nothing to do but time on my hands.
I painted different colored lilies on five 50-size canvases.
Dozens of blooming lilies now decorated the accommodation.
One next to the bed Youngju will use, one on the wall visible when lying in bed, one on the wall right outside Youngju's room, one in the bathroom, and one in the living room where we can both see it.
I placed the paintings in the spots where Youngju would see them the most.
I hope my feelings reach you, Youngju.
I’m really grateful to you.
You are really a precious friend to me.
I don’t know how comforting it is to have you by my side.
These paintings are filled with all these feelings.
I hope they reach you.
All these words, I keep them to myself.
Because if I really said them, Youngju would tease me about being cheesy or something. I'd probably get smacked too.
I chuckle to myself at the thought and continue preparing for our drink.
But why isn’t Youngju coming out? The soju I purposely put in the freezer to chill is going to warm up, and there's no sign of Youngju.
After sitting blankly on the platform for over 30 minutes, Youngju finally appears.
“Hey, what took you so long….”
I was about to scold her, but I lost my words seeing Youngju coming out of the door.
Was Youngju always this pretty?
I expected her to come out in something like sweatpants since she said she’d change into something comfortable. But Youngju is still made up, wearing a different colored dress and sandals.
Her long hair flowing as she takes off her hat, I couldn’t take my eyes off Youngju’s face.
Youngju walks over, glances at the fish, and then meets my eyes.
“What?”
“…….”
“What are you staring at, punk?”
Crash.
The sound of my fantasy shattering.
But what's left isn't disappointment, it’s laughter.
“Hahaha!! Seo Youngju! That's more like you! Hahaha!”
“What, punk. Why are you suddenly laughing like crazy! Did you eat some laughter mushrooms or what?”
“Hahahaha!!”
Youngju is choking me, shaking me violently, and shouting.
“You punk! You thought my clothes didn't suit me! Thinking I should wear something like you! Admit it!”
No, you fool.
I thought it suited you well.
Youngju, still choking me, screams.
“You thought, ‘Why is someone like her wearing feminine clothes?’ Admit it!”
“Haha!!”
No, you fool.
I thought you looked really pretty.
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