I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 9



Chapter 9

The beach… It’s been a really long time since I’ve come here.

Even if this life is one thing, I hardly ever went in my previous life.

The last time I went was when I just became an adult.

I still remember that day trip I took with friends.

“Ugh…”

I massaged my stiff shoulders as I stepped out of the changing room.

The weather was close to early summer, and I frowned. It wasn’t extremely hot, but my body felt warm.

It was an uncomfortable temperature.

My dad, who followed me out, said he would find a spot with the other adults.

Once I reached the beach, the kids who were already there greeted me.

The first was Soyeol, then Ha-yoon came running up, while Doyoon and Yuseol just waved.

They all looked great in their swimsuits. I felt mine was a bit… plain.

I was wearing black trunks with a white rash guard that had stripes.

Just a standard swimsuit that you could see anywhere.

My parents wanted me to wear a nice swimsuit, but I opposed.

After all, a chick swimsuit is a bit much.

Seeing everyone looking good, I gave them a thumbs up.

Especially Ha-yoon, who had an adorable puppy pattern.

I entered the water with the kids. The seawater came up to my ankles.

As it gradually rose to waist height,

“Let’s play here, Ha-yoon.”

I stopped Yoon and held her back.

It seemed dangerous to go any further. Even if Ha-yoon had a tube and life jacket on.

The other kids were the same, but at least they were a bit older.

“Make sure you all stay in a safe spot. Don’t go too deep; it could be dangerous.”

I told the kids in front of me. Doyoon’s reassuring voice and Soyeol’s confident face made me a bit uneasy.

The bravado of children should never be underestimated.

I had a bad feeling, but when I watched them, they only went up to chest height. They didn’t venture further.

Still feeling uneasy, I tried to think.

“Dad will be here, so don’t worry too much.”

“I’m here too.”

My dad and Doyoon’s father came over to watch the kids.

Dad patted my head a couple of times and then started playing with the kids. Ha-yoon followed him.

Since Dad is a good swimmer, it didn’t seem like there’d be any problems.

Just to be safe, I decided to enter the water too, even if Ha-yoon was monopolizing Dad.

Nod.

When our eyes met, he nodded. He was already keeping an eye on the other kids.

Doyoon’s dad didn’t want to bother, so he was having fun with the other three.

‘There’s no need to worry, right…?’

I let out a big sigh and relaxed my tense body. I should enjoy myself for a bit and then head out.

I saw women setting up under a parasol in the distance. Mom, Aunt Ji-hye, and two other women.

The mothers of the four families were chatting and enjoying themselves. There was one man with them.

He was Baek Yuseol’s father. His white hair looked just like Yuseol’s.

At first, I thought he might be a foreigner, but he spoke Korean really well. I heard he’s a quarter foreign.

By the way, Soyeol’s dad is currently in the United States. I’ve only met him three times.

I stayed at the height of my waist, not moving. If I got too cocky and something happened…

So, I just sat down. Sitting at waist height, the water rose to my shoulders.

Well, this is enough.

I watched the six kids playing in front of me. Dad was keeping an eye on Ha-yoon but kept glancing at me.

He waved with a smile, as if to say not to worry. Only then did he seem a bit relieved.

He looked like he felt bad that I couldn’t join in. After all, I’ve declared myself a voluntary outsider.

I turned my gaze to check on the other kids. Doyoon and Yuseol were playing with…?

What about Soyeol?

I was about to get up with wide eyes.

“Ha-eun. What’s wrong?”

I quickly turned my head at the voice coming from behind.

Soyeol was flipping her wet hair back.

It seemed she had just come back from the restroom. Seriously, my heart skipped a beat…

“…Did you tell your dad?”

“Yeah.”

Okay, that’s good. Phew…

I calmed my racing heart. Kids can be so unpredictable…

Instead of moving forward, Soyeol sat down next to me, making it look like only her head was floating.

Am I like that too?

“Why aren’t you playing with them?”

“There are no sharks. It’s disappointing.”

Of course, there are no sharks. What does that have to do with playing?

“It’s better to be with Eun. I like it more than playing with them.”

“Oh, um. If you like it, that’s fine.”

If she says she likes being with me, that’s enough.

I glanced at Ha-yoon, and Dad was already there.

“Ugh, ugh.”

He was getting tired. It had only been 30 minutes…

Ha-yoon didn’t seem to notice, laughing and having fun.

When Dad’s eyes met mine, he smiled tiredly. As I looked at him, I made a little gesture with my fingers.

-Change?

I twirled my fingers and asked.

Dad hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stood up.

The water was a little higher than Dad’s belly. He brought Ha-yoon over toward us.

“Alright, son… Dad will rest for just 5 minutes and come back.”

His strained voice faded away. I got up to play with Yoon.

Yoon didn’t seem to like getting closer to the shore and frowned.

“Let’s play, Yoon.”

Normally, she’d nod happily, but this time she turned her head away.

Sigh. What a hassle.

“Do you like the deep water, Yoon?”

I asked with a feigned smile.

“Yeah. I want to go deep.”

She pointed coolly with her finger.

She doesn’t care about her big brother’s feelings. She’s such a naughty little hamster.

Reluctantly, I grabbed both ends of the tube. Soyeol was also telling Yoon in real time how far she could go.

Just as Soyeol said to stop,

“No! I want to go further!”

Oh, Yoon. If we go any further, we’re in danger. I’m done!

“No! It’s dangerous to go any further.”

Earlier, we had Dad around, but we were still not even half the height of an adult male. This is as far as we can go.

The water was already up to my shoulders and nearing my neck.

At this rate, my mouth will be submerged too.

Yoon pouted in silence, not saying anything and just sticking her lip out.

Oh boy…

Raising a younger sibling is…

But when will Dad come? It feels like it’s been more than 5 minutes.

I turned my head back and saw Dad under the parasol.

“……”

Well… yeah. He’d been driving for a long time and was playing with Yoon. No wonder he’s tired.

I looked at the approaching man. It was Baek Yuseol’s dad.

He looked kindly.

“Haha. Your dad is tired, so I’m here to help.”

“Oh, thank you.”

He was at least in better shape than my dad. Soyeol and I entrusted Yoon to him and stepped back.

“Thank goodness. Oh, thanks for earlier.”

I was glad that Soyeol informed me of the water depth.

“No big deal. It’s nothing special.”

At this age, kids don’t understand such things.

Anyway, I sat back down in the spot I had been earlier. When it comes to playing in the water, it’s mostly just splashing around and swimming.

I jokingly scooped water into my hands.

Splash.

I splashed water on Soyeol’s face.

“!”

The look of surprise on her face made me laugh.

She stared at me blankly.

“Eek.”

She tried to scoop water in her hands to splash me back.

That’s a tricky skill. Not everyone can do it.

“…Teach me.”

After taking three hits from me, Soyeol couldn’t retaliate and lowered her head.

“Okay, look. First, clasp your hands together.”

“Okay.”

“Then scoop up the water.”

“Okay.”

“Now you just need to splash.”

Splash.

“……”

Soyeol glared at me with an angry face.

Hmm. I should run.

Just as I was about to turn and escape,

“Help me!”

What’s going on now?

I reflexively turned my head at the voice coming from behind, from the sea.

Baek Yuseol was way out there.

The first thought that crossed my mind was confusion.

Why?

Why is she out there? That depth isn’t for kids to be at!

It’s a depth that even adults hesitate to enter.

“Yuseol!”

The man who was playing with Yoon rushed out.

“Yuseol!”

“I told you to wait by the shore!”

Turning my head at the voices from behind, I saw Doyoon and his dad running over. They must have gone to the restroom too.

I understood what was happening.

More importantly.

Yoon. Yoon is in danger.

At that depth, we still… can’t go…

“Don’t go! I’ll wake up the adult!”

Soyeol grabbed my wrist to stop me.

“There’s no time. While the adult and Doyoon were at the restroom, Yuseol went too far out.”

Then Haeun might be too. It could definitely be too late.

“…It’s dangerous.”

“I know. But…”

She’s my little sister. She’s family. As her big brother, I can’t just sit here.

Yuseol’s dad is going to save her. He’s a good swimmer.

I can handle at least a freestyle swim.

“Ugh!”

She’s already that far away. Yoon is crying.

Smack!

“…Call Dad and the lifeguard. Hurry!”

Soyeol nodded and ran back, moving through the water as if she was swimming.

How long will it take to reach Yoon?

Holding my breath, I started swimming.

At just seven years old, my body didn’t move fast. What should I do?

I gritted my teeth and kept moving my legs.

“Phew, phew.”

I took a moment to breathe while swimming freestyle, trying to hold as much air as I could in my lungs.

“Ha-yoon!”

I’m getting closer. Just a bit more.

Just a bit.

Smack!

I grabbed the handles of the tube Ha-yoon was riding.

“Gasp, gasp.”

I pressed my forehead against the tube, catching my breath.

“Big brother!”

Yoon called me with a shaky voice.

“It’s okay… it’s okay.”

Let’s head back. Now we just need to return.

“Ah.”

I’ve come too far.

What do I do now?

I stopped thinking. We were already too far from the shore. Thank goodness Yuseol seemed to be rescued by her dad.

But what about us?

Splash!

I hurriedly turned the tube around and pushed the seawater away.

I saw Dad and the lifeguard rushing into the water. If I could just get there. If I could just get there.

The water kept coming into my mouth and nose, making it hard to breathe.

“Ugh.”

It tasted terrible.

“Big brother! I’m scared!”

I know. But I’m sorry. I don’t have time to answer right now.

I don’t have enough stamina. It’s tiring to get to that point. My body is weak as hell. Just holding out this long is a miracle.

What should I do? What should I really do?

It’s getting hard to move because of the tube. To put it simply,

Holding on here is the only thing I can do.

I can’t get any closer to Dad. I lack strength.

‘I have to hold on.’

Until he gets here.

Now that I think about it,

Oh, what should I do about Baek Yuseol?

Why didn’t she wait by the shore?

If she comes back, I swear I’ll curse her out for a long time.

And Mom will worry too. If she doesn’t cry, that’ll be a relief.

I need to get Yoon back.

“Ugh!”

Ah, damn it. My leg cramped.

How long has it been? 30 seconds? Why does time feel like it’s dragging?

My legs feel weak.

I’ve swallowed too much water. I feel bloated.

“Yoon, where’s Dad?”

I barely lifted my head to look at my little sister. I couldn’t tell if those were tears or seawater.

Yoon pointed with her finger.

She looked scared and didn’t open her mouth.

Peeking my head out,

He’s almost here. Yeah.

Probably in about 5 seconds. But slowly, my arms are losing strength.

4 seconds. My fingers are slipping.

3 seconds. My consciousness is fading.

2 seconds. I see a wave crashing from behind.

1 second. Grab!

Someone scooped me up just as I went underwater.

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