Episode 10. Yellow Friend

Beomjae pulled out a large plastic bag from his backpack.
Inside the plastic bag, there was a piece of clothing.
Judging by the size, it didn’t seem like it was meant for me to wear.
It clearly looked like women’s clothing.
I didn’t know much about women’s clothing, but it seemed like it might be a dress.
“It’s for Yeondu.”
Since today was the last day, he must have brought a gift because of that.
Impressive. He’s a guy, yet he even brought a gift after only seeing her for a few days.
Yeondu, unaware it was her gift, leaned in next to me with curious eyes and looked at the dress.
But… I was troubled.
I appreciated the gesture, but should I accept this?
“I think it’ll suit Yeondu well. Plus, her name is Yeondu, so a yellow dress…”
Come to think of it, the dress was indeed yellow. He’s got style.
Others chimed in from the side.
“Come on, don’t refuse. Beomjae’s dad runs a kids’ clothing store.”
“Yeah, he’s got style for days.”
“Man, I wish I could live like Beomjae…”
Then Beomjae quickly turned his head left and right and explained to me.
“Oh, no! They’re lying! Just run a small store.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, you don’t have to refuse. It’s really cheap anyway.”
“Well… I still feel bad. Ah, I’ll just pay for it myself!”
After all, I needed to buy a dress for Yeondu.
A few days ago, I bought her some shirts and pants for her to wear after school, but that wasn’t enough.
Since she’s a girl, she needed at least one pretty dress.
“I’m clueless about girls’ clothes.”
I had no idea what to buy.
That’s why I only bought basic shirts and shorts.
But as the son of a shop owner, he must have some sense and would have chosen something that suits Yeondu.
In that case, it was a relief. Let’s pay for it and make sure she wears it well.
But things didn’t go as planned.
“It’s really okay. If you refuse, it won’t be a gift anymore. Just accept it.”
Then Donggun interjected from the side again.
“Yeah, seriously. Just take it. Beomjae barely managed to sneak it out without his dad knowing…”
“Oh, come on, I didn’t sneak it out! Want me to call my dad right now?”
“Kick, kidding~”
“Ugh…”
Hajuyeon also joined in teasing Beomjae.
“Sir, you really should just accept it. Beomjae bragged so much at school about giving it to Yeondu. He even bragged during class, almost got caught by the teacher for waving the clothes around and almost getting them confiscated. He begged the teacher to let him see Yeondu just one more time…”
“Hey, you troublemaker! Why are you saying that!”
Listening to their conversation, I couldn’t help but laugh.
With all these persuasions, it seemed hard to refuse.
“Thanks. I’ll buy you dinner later, Beomjae.”
“Okay.”
I handed the dress to Yeondu.
“Yeondu, it’s yours.”
“.. For Yeondu?”
“Yes. Beomjae got it for you to wear. Should I thank him for you?”
“Yes, Daddy!”
“Hmm… cough…”
Beomjae cleared his throat awkwardly while avoiding eye contact.
Meanwhile, Yeondu put down the dress on the chair.
Then she ran straight to Beomjae.
“That movement…”
It was as expected. She was going to run and cling to him.
She had done it to me several times before, so I knew her moves well.
It was the first time she hugged someone else besides me.
Well, it’s a gesture of gratitude, so I shouldn’t stop her.
“Huh…?”
But my expectations were wrong.
Yeondu stopped right in front of Beomjae and bowed 90 degrees.
“Thank you, Oppa!”
After giving a polite bow, Yeondu ran towards me and hugged me instead.
Oh, could it be that she only hugs me like this?
Come to think of it, despite interacting with several people over the week, Yeondu had never hugged anyone else.
“That’s how it is.”
I didn’t think much about it at first, but realizing this fact strangely made me feel good.
The fact that it was a gesture only for me.
“But did she feel disappointed?”
I worried about Beomjae.
I thought Yeondu would hug him, but maybe he was disappointed?
I looked at Beomjae while patting Yeondu’s head.
“It seems I worried for nothing.”
Contrary to my thoughts, Beomjae had a delighted expression.
“Hey, Hajuyeon. Wasn’t Yeondu really cute just now?”
“Totally. If I knew this would happen, I would have brought a gift too. I want Yeondu to hug me too, sniff…”
I chuckled and said to them.
“You guys are better than I thought.”
“What did you expect, mister? What did you think of us when you first saw us…”
“To be honest, when I first saw you, I thought you were delinquents or something. You were all gathered around and causing a ruckus.”
“Wow, that’s harsh…”
It seemed like I had grown quite fond of these guys.

After the boys left with regretful expressions, it was time to close.
As I was getting ready to leave, I received a phone call.
It was from the boss.
“Oh right.”
I hadn’t seen the boss since the discussion about wage increases.
Then the next day, the boss went on a family trip.
Was it to Cebu?
I heard it’s a good destination at this time, but it wasn’t my area of interest.
Ting.
“Hello, Mr. Joo-won?”
As soon as I answered the phone, I heard the boss’s voice.
But why did it sound like he was so excited?
It was a much more excited voice than usual.
“Hello, boss. Did you enjoy your trip?”
“Haha, it was great! It’s been a while since I came with my wife and kids, so it was really healing and nice.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“You should come with your wife and kid to Cebu too. The kids are having so much fun!”
“… Haha, if I have the time.”
Y… Although I felt a pang hearing those words, I pretended not to hear it.
Then the boss suddenly exclaimed loudly.
“Oh!”
I was so startled that I almost dropped my phone.
The boss spoke up.
“I wasn’t going to say that. Joo-won.”
“Yes, boss.”
“I’ve been too busy to check the sales for a few days, and when I looked today, I was shocked. What’s going on? Why did the sales skyrocket only during your shifts?”
“… So they really did?”
“That’s what I’m saying? I couldn’t believe it even after looking at it several times. The sales went up several times, specifically during your shifts.”
“To be honest…”
In the end, I explained everything.
“Yes. Most of the customers are people who have come to see Youndu.”

Especially thanks to the students who found Yun-Doo cute, the sales saw a rapid increase.
And I also mentioned that we won’t be bringing Yun-Doo along starting next week.
There’s a high probability that the number of customers will decrease.
Upon hearing my story, the boss chuckled.
“Oh, I see. So, the pretty princess was the reason for the increase in sales, huh?”
“Yes, my high school friends helped with the promotion.”
“Juwon, you’re impressive too.”
“Me?”
“It’s a skill to have a daughter like that. Just by having her sit there, the sales increased several times in just 5 days. I’ve never heard or seen anything like this before. Well, the baby really was like an angel.”
“Oh, no.”
“I’ll treat you and Yun-Doo to a nice meal as a thank-you later. And about the hourly wage, I talked to my wife…”
What’s this? I suddenly felt anxious seeing him dragging his words like that.
Surely he’s not saying he can’t raise it now, right?
In a tense moment, the boss’s voice came through.
“I deliberately mentioned it while having a glass of wine at night to set the mood for the conversation about your situation. But… my wife said no.”
It was like a bolt from the blue.
My anxious premonition was spot on.
Then, the boss’s voice rang out cheerfully.
Wait, this guy… Is he teasing me?
“I have a friend who’s saying stuff like, ‘Is it even right to give such a small raise just because of that?’ to me…”
“.. Pardon?”
“So… I think I can double the impression bonus I mentioned earlier.”
Cancel what I just said.
The boss is an angel. His wife is an even bigger angel.
“Thank you, boss.”
“No, hehe. Take good care of Yun-Doo. You can bring her here occasionally too.”
And so, the heartwarming phone call came to an end.

“Dad…”
“Yeah?”
“Does Yondu not belong with Dad anymore?”
Yondu asked me with a deeply saddened expression.
The fact that we now have to go to daycare instead of the convenience store was clearly upsetting for her.
But it was unavoidable.
We can’t keep bringing Yun-Doo to the convenience store forever.
Until now, nothing has happened, but I can’t guarantee it won’t in the future.
There might be complaints if someone sees me bringing my child to work.
“Yeah. Starting next week, Yun-Doo has to go to daycare.”
“But I don’t like daycare. Can’t I stay with Dad? Like today…”
I understand her feelings, but I couldn’t comply.
“Yondu.”
“Yes?”
“It’s a good daycare. You’ll make good friends, play together, and study too.”
“But Dad is better…”
“Hmm?”
“Than friends or studying… Yondu likes being with Dad better…”
“Haha, we’re not parting ways, Yun-Doo. Dad will come to pick you up after daycare. And you can come back here with Dad too.”
“Really..? Can I come back again?”
“Yeah, really. So… can you do well at daycare?”
“.. Yes.”
“Oh, you’re so good. My Yondu.”
Normally, saying this would make her smile brightly, but this time, the sadness didn’t fade from her face.
She seemed more disappointed than I expected.
Then an idea popped into my head.
“Yun-Doo.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to go see something pretty with Dad?”
“Something pretty…?”
“Yeah, something pretty.”
Yondu tilted her head and answered.
“Yes.”
I grabbed a can of tuna at the convenience store.
After exchanging shifts with the next employee, I left the store.
‘Turn left at the alley.’
If you walk along the path that leads to the fence, you’ll find a grassy area on the right.
It’s not a heavily trafficked path.
Since I discovered him by chance, I’ve never seen Yun-Doo come here.
Hope he’ll be alright. Feeling worried, I hurriedly entered the bushes.
Yondu followed me, holding my hand.
Under the shade of the trees was a small house. Yun-Doo looked at it with curiosity.
I smiled and spoke.
“Nu-Rung, I’m here.”
Then, I heard a familiar meow.
“Meow~”
A yellow creature emerged from the house.
I named him ‘Nu-Rung’ after his color.
Why? Because he’s yellow.
Yondu was surprised and hid behind me at the sudden appearance of the cat.
“Don’t be scared, Yondu He’s a good cat.”
I found him when I started working part-time and have been feeding him regularly.
By the way, I also built this house.
Fortunately, he seemed to like it here.
“Come here, Nu-Rung.”
Then, Nu-Rung approached and licked my hand.
We were very close.
“Yondu. It’s okay, want to touch him?”
“Can I, Dad..?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure he won’t bite?”
“He won’t.”
“Are you sure he won’t scratch with his claws?”
“Haha, he won’t.”
Yondu hesitated but cautiously reached out her hand.
Then, Nu-Rung licked Yun-Doo’s hand.
“Aww..!”
Fortunately, Yondu quickly let her guard down and started petting Nu-Rung.
Unlike before, a smile bloomed on her face.
“Isn’t Nu-Rung pretty?”
“Hehe, yes!”
“Today, Nu-Rung came for snacks. Yun-Doo, do you want to give it to him?”
Yondu nodded.
I opened the can and handed it to Yondu.
But there’s been something bothering me since earlier.
‘Who could it be?’
There was a feeding bin in front of Nu-Rung’s house.
It had some food in it, and it wasn’t just for today.
Someone has been feeding Nu-Rung lately.
“Wow… he eats well, Dad!”
Even though there’s still food left, he eagerly eats snacks.
I was curious about who it could be, as it’s not easy for people to be seen here.
‘It couldn’t be those kids from before, right..?’
Meanwhile, Yun-Doo kept petting Nu-Rung while he enjoyed his snack.
It was truly a scene of two cute beings together.
After finishing the can, I spoke.
“Yun-Doo. Let’s start heading back.”
We couldn’t stay for long today.
We had to leave soon to go to grandma’s house.
“What about Nu-Rung..?”
“We can come back to see Nu-Rung another time.”
“Okay!”
Yondu stood up with a determined expression.
But her expression suddenly changed when she got up.
“Dad…”
“Yeah?”
“There’s someone behind you..”
I turned my head at her words.
“.. Is it Ji-Hye?”
A woman holding a bag of food in her hand, she was surprisingly someone I knew.