TL/Editor: looloo
Status: ongoing
Illustrations: posted in discord
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The manager adored Sarang more than I expected. Even now, he didn't let go of her, keeping her on his lap.
Sarang, indifferent to who was holding her, enjoyed the rest of her cookies and ice chocolate.
"Do you like cookies, Sarang?"
"Yes! I love cookies!"
"Really? Then I'll bring all the cookies from our cafe...!"
"Manager, if you give her more, Heena will get mad later...""But Sarang loves them so much!"
"I get scolded all the time for saying that and feeding her."
"Me too."
Among the men in our family and Heena's, no one had escaped being scolded by Heena for giving Sarang too many snacks. Even my dad got an earful. She always said that giving her too many snacks and skipping dinner was bad for her health and habits.
Anyway, at my words, the manager, more so than Sarang, looked disheartened and hugged Sarang tightly.
"But Sarang is enjoying them so much..."
"Cookies are yummy!"
"Do you want more cookies?"
"I want more!"
"...Can I give her just one more?"
"Heena will get mad..."
"One should be okay, right? Just two cookies are still a snack."
"Hmm..."
That earnest voice swayed me greatly.
Well, it's only two. The cookies are a bit big, but still, just two should be fine, right?
I glanced around, seeking agreement with my eyes. Everyone understood what I was asking.
We were sitting close to the counter, so Chaea noona and Jia noona, who were inside the bar, also heard our conversation. Along with Heeseong hyung, they all nodded simultaneously as if they had agreed beforehand. ʀἈℕ∅βƐŚ
Seeing that, I made up my mind.
"Sarang! Shall we have one more cookie?"
"Yes!!"
"I'll get it!"
At Sarang's loud answer, Chaea noona quickly brought a cookie, as if waiting for this moment. Along with the cookie, she subtly presented her face.
Is she hoping for a kiss?
-Smooch!
Even four-year-old Sarang saw through her intentions and gave her a kiss on the cheek before taking the cookie.
Then Sarang started munching on the new cookie again, crunching away.
Everyone there watched Sarang's cookie-eating show with blissful expressions. Of course, Heeseong hyung and I were worried about the consequences.
"Isn't this cookie too big? Sarang is eating it with both hands."
"It is. Heena will say something if she sees this."
"Should we hide the wrapper and... No, it's not right to lie to Sarang..."
"Let's just keep quiet, like she only had ice chocolate. If asked, we'll say she had a small cookie."
"Oh, that might..."
"Oh~ You plan to lie to me?"
"......"
"......"
"Go on, keep talking."
"Ah! Mom!"
Our hearts sank at the sudden interruption by a familiar and beautiful voice during our conversation. Sarang, holding a cookie, pointed behind us and called for her mom.
I stood up immediately and, without hesitation, pointed at Heeseong hyung.
"Heeseong hyung did it!!"
"Yeonho did it!!"
The problem was that Heeseong hyung was also pointing at me and shouting my name.
This shameless hyung!
"So, you fed Sarang a bunch of snacks before dinner again, and now you're planning to lie to me? Is that it? Huh?"
"We're sorry..."
"We're sorry..."
Heeseong hyung and I hung our heads low, listening to Heena's scolding.
The manager and I were too focused on Sarang, and the noonas seemed to be a bit overwhelmed with orders at that moment, so we didn't notice Heena coming in.
Because of that, Heena overheard our scheme at the worst possible timing.
We had no excuses, so we could only beg for forgiveness. The manager, looking nervous, watched the situation unfold.
"He-Heena, I suggested giving her the cookie... I'm sorry."
"No, it's not just that. I told you not to give her too many snacks before dinner, but you didn't stop her even when you saw it."
We really had nothing to say in response to Heena's sharp words. Every time we saw Sarang happily eating snacks, we couldn't help but give her more. She looked so happy eating them.
Noticing the tense atmosphere, even little Sarang, looking downcast, apologized to Heena.
"Mom... It's Sarang's fault... I ate too many cookies..."
"Sarang, do you understand what you did wrong?"
"Yes..."
"Then it's fine. Come here, Sarang. You're such a good girl, right? But you shouldn't do that next time~"
Heena spoke gently to Sarang but still glared at us with her eyes.
Of course, it wasn't Sarang's fault. If there was any fault, it was ours for giving her cookies even though we knew we shouldn't.
I sighed softly, then looked up at Heena. Her eyes softened a bit, indicating she couldn't stay mad at me for long. I stood up.
I went to the counter, got an iced Americano from Jia noona, and sat next to Heena.
"Heena, you worked hard today. Have some coffee."
"Thanks."
"I'm sorry for giving Sarang too many snacks. But she was so cute today, I couldn't help it. Right, manager?"
There are three ways to easily improve Heena's mood: giving her a genuine hug, complimenting her, or praising Sarang. Given the place, option 1 was out, and I couldn't do option 2 myself, so option 3 it was.
"Ah, yes! Sarang was so adorable! Watching her made me want a daughter like her..."
"Really?"
"She looked even prettier because she resembles you and Yeonho."
"Hehe... It's because she looks a lot like Yeonho, right, Sarang?"
"Yes. Sarang looks like Daddy!"
Giving Sarang too many snacks wasn't a one-time thing, so we naturally eased the atmosphere this way. Earlier, in our panic, Heeseong hyung and I had done something embarrassing.
Two adults passing the blame to each other.
Seeing the softened tone, Heeseong hyung finally straightened up and spoke.
"Hey, Sarang really enjoyed the cookies here. Can we take a few..."
"Oppa. Didn't I tell you not to give Sarang too many snacks?"
"?? No, honestly, I wasn't the one who..."
"That's enough. From now on, you're banned from giving Sarang any snacks."
"...Yeah, it's all my fault. What else can I say?"
Heeseong hyung sighed, narrowed his eyes, and looked at the manager and me. We subtly avoided his gaze.
Isn't it okay if one person sacrifices so others can be happy? Though, that person often ended up being Heeseong hyung.
In the meantime, Sarang rolled her eyes and pointed at the remaining cookies on the table.
"Mom... Can Sarang eat more cookies...? You said we shouldn't leave food behind..."
Her little fingers wiggled as she glanced at the cookies, making it hard not to laugh. Even Heena, who had been scolding Heeseong hyung, couldn't help but laugh and handed the remaining cookies to Sarang.
In the future, Heeseong hyung and I would continue to get scolded by Heena over Sarang’s cookie issues.
How could we not give cookies to Sarang when she’s this cute?
Even if I got scolded tomorrow, today I would still give cookies to Sarang.
Definitely.
Author's Note:
Why do you all love accidents so much?
Now, I'll write a short episode, send Yeonho to the military... and then...
I want more cute moments with Heena...
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