Jiseok Short Story Collection

Taste, age-appropriate behavior

"Ah, found it!! Unnie, let’s buy this and eat it!"

Jisuk, who had been peering around the corner of the stall, finally came striding over to my side with his eyes sparkling like a child who’d found what he wanted. Where his fingertip pointed was a box of snacks with a colorful, flashy wrapper on it.

"How much is it?"

When I asked, putting my hand in my pocket, Jisuk looked at the tiny price tag stuck under the box and subtly curled his finger.

"Hmm..."

"Jisuk..."

I caught on right away and called his name in a low voice, and he scratched his cheek, dragging out the end of his sentence.

"It’s kind of expensive, but it’s a snack I want to savor for a long time..."

"Maybe next time. This is way too expensive. I don’t think I can buy it today……."

At my words, which pointed out the cold reality, Jisuk’s shoulders visibly slumped in disappointment. The usual confidence was nowhere to be seen, and his big eyes, quietly fixed on me, tugged at my heart.

"Unnie.."

"Why?"

His dejected look was so cute that a small laugh slipped out of me before I knew it. Jisuk checked my expression, then came a step closer and gently took the cuff of my sleeve, whispering in a low voice. Not too much, but a careful gesture that instantly shook my heart hard.

"Please.. buy it.."

"You’ve got more money than I do, though? And this flavor is kind of childish. Do you really want to eat it?"

I let out a dry laugh, stunned, and hit him with the facts, and Jisuk pouted, shaking his head hard as if he felt wronged. Then, with a sparkle in his eyes, he pulled out his trump card.

"If Unnie buys it, I’ll give you two kisses as soon as we get home."

"Come on, seriously."

Unable to believe that shameless, brazen condition, I looked away, and Jisuk hurriedly grabbed my arm and lowered his voice another notch.

"Unnie...."

At the moment his low, hushed voice was mixed with a hint of coyness, I had no way to hold out any longer. In the end, I could only let out a deep sigh and open my bag.

"Act your age a little. Fine, I’ll buy it. But you should buy what I want too."

"Yes, ma'am."

The moment my permission came down, a faint smile spread all over Jisuk’s face. Unable to hide his delight, he wore an expression like he’d won the whole world with playful eyes, and, as if afraid I might change my mind, he hugged the snack box tightly and dashed to the register. Watching his receding back, the corners of my mouth rose without me noticing.

Holding the modest snack box carefully, Jisuk came straight back to me as soon as he finished paying. As if he hadn’t forgotten his promise, he naturally guided my hand and headed toward the nearby stall of a small goods shop.

"What do you want, Unnie? I’ll buy the thing I promised."

Without a hint of grumbling, his eyes curved warmly again, as if he were happy just to be able to give me something. When I pointed at a tiny flower-shaped keyring, Jisuk smiled with satisfaction and opened his wallet without hesitation.

We left the shop and naturally started walking toward home. In the alley where the orange glow of sunset stretched long, Jisuk fiddled with the snack box cherished in his arms, then slyly held out his empty hand. When I just looked at that hand quietly, he intertwined his fingers with mine tightly without the slightest hesitation. Between our palms pressed together without a gap, a pleasant warmth seeped in softly.

Walking side by side at an unhurried pace, our shadows overlapped and stretched long together. A calm, cozy smile lingered softly on his face as he lightly swung our joined hands back and forth.