"Seol-i, plip. Plop."
"Hic... Mommyyy... Mommyyyyy..."
Tears streamed down Seol-i's cheeks as she cried out for her mom.
How was I supposed to comfort her? Food definitely wasn't going to cut it.
After some agonizing thought, I decided to start by wiping away her tears.
Luckily, Mom had given me some tissues.
I pulled out the pack that had been shoved in the corner of my bag and handed it straight to Seol-i.
I wanted to wipe her face myself, but I had a feeling that would only make her dislike me even more.
But as if mocking my caution once again, Seol-i didn't even glance at the tissues I offered. She just kept bawling her eyes out.
No choice then—I'd have to wipe her tears myself.
I gently dabbed her cheeks, then ever so carefully patted around her eyes to soak up the tears.
Only then, feeling my touch, did Seol-i finally look my way.
"Plip, plop... It's okay, Seol-i. Everything's gonna be okay."
"Hic..."
Seol-i just stared at me blankly, offering no response.
It felt like she was sizing up my every move.
I wiped the tears pooling at the corners of her eyes and asked,
"Feeling a bit better now?"
Having clearly heard my voice this time, Seol-i nodded.
Seeing that finally put my mind at ease, and I set off to find the teachers.
I didn't have a phone right now. Not many parents would buy one for a mere seven-year-old kid anyway.
That left only one option.
First things first, I'd take Seol-i somewhere the teachers could easily spot us.
"Seol-i, can you follow me?"
"Foll...ow...?"
"Yeah, we're going to find the teachers."
"Tea...chers...?"
I knew I shouldn't think this in a situation like this, but Seol-i was just too damn cute.
Her lispy "Really?" was impossible not to adore.
Feeling a swell of pride and responsibility at her cuteness, I nodded.
Seol-i hesitated, then slowly shuffled over to my side and grabbed my hand tight.
Her tiny hand was so warm that I squeezed back just a little harder.
I didn't want to let go. I had to get her back to the teachers safely.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
For starters, I led us away from where we'd been and headed toward a bench where Seol-i could sit and rest.
"Seol-i, let's go to that bench over there."
"Mm..."
I took the lead, and Seol-i toddled after me.
By the time I noticed, she was completely glued to my side.
Successfully escorting her to the bench, I immediately approached the part-timer selling street food nearby.
"Um... hyung?"
"Yes~ What can I do for you~?"
He was clearly well-trained—using polite speech even with someone way younger like me.
It was a pity, but unavoidable. That's capitalism for you.
"Um... Me and my friend lost our teachers... Could I borrow your phone?"
I avoided saying "lost" outright—it might make me seem too calm. I picked words a kid would naturally use.
Luckily, my strategy worked. The part-timer glanced between me and Seol-i, then checked the phone number on my name tag.
"Just a moment, please~"
Confirming the number, he pulled out his own phone and started making a call.
From what I could overhear, words like "lost child," "protection," and "under the tree stump" came up.
The first two were obviously about us, and the stump referred to this spot—a massive tree stump sculpture.
He then dove into details about the location with the teachers.
I turned my attention back to Seol-i and asked,
"You okay, Seol-i?"
-nod
"That hyung's talking to the teachers right now. Just hang on a bit longer."
"Mm..."
Her voice was still glum, but thankfully, there was a hint of hope in it now—unlike before.
As I nodded back at her, the part-timer approached us. Looked like the call was over.
"The teachers are on their way here."
"Really?"
"Yes, just wait here a little longer~"
"Seol-i, we're saved. Right?"
Seol-i nodded slowly.
And now that she could finally relax, a faint smile even crept onto her face.
It stung a little that my mere presence couldn't reassure her, but whatever. I'd build that trust over time.
Rationalizing it to myself, I moved to sit beside her—only to suddenly remember she was still wary of me.
I jolted back from the bench to put some distance between us.
"...Aren't you gonna sit?"
Her voice stopped me.
There wasn't a trace of hostility or wariness directed at me.
Only then did I finally relax...
"Mind if I join you?"
"Mm..."
And sat down right next to her.
Even though we were pressed side by side on the bench, no words passed between us.
In that awkward, heavy silence, I kept stealing glances at Seol-i.
Her puffy eyes and flushed cheeks screamed that she'd been crying hard.
Seeing her so pitiful, I finally said what I should have earlier.
"...Sorry, Seol-i."
I should've been paying proper attention.
Not wasting time gawking at that cute red panda with her—instead, I needed to stay sharp and look after her.
Sure, my body was a kid's, but my mind was an adult's.
Seol-i just shook her head at my apology.
"Why're you sorry...?"
"For not looking after you properly."
"Why...?"
"...If I'd been careful, you wouldn't have gotten lost."
"Why...?"
This wasn't some childish "why" loop.
Seol-i was genuinely, earnestly curious.
Her tone made that clear.
As she kept asking why I was taking care of her, I gave her my honest answer.
"'Cause I want to be friends with you."
It was embarrassing as hell, but a necessary confession.
She fell silent after that.
Though the quiet didn't last long.
"...Okay, let's be friends."
Seol-i nodded faintly and agreed.
"For real?"
-nod nod
Her little head bobbed, and joy exploded through me—I could've leaped for joy.
If no one was around, I might've broken out into a tap dance I didn't even know.
My mouth kept trying to grin ear to ear.
"Seriously?"
I couldn't believe it, so I asked again. Seol-i just nodded without a word.
God, I was thrilled. Ecstatic.
I never imagined something this simple could make me so happy.
As the grin threatened to plaster itself across my face...
"Haneul! Seol-i!!"
The teachers came running toward us from afar.
It was a shame, but also a relief—our time alone was over.
We bowed our thanks to the part-timer who'd helped us, then accepted the teachers' apologies as we rejoined the group.
As a side note, that brief ordeal as a lost child must've really shaken Seol-i—she skipped all the rides afterward.
I stayed by her side and skipped them too.
And maybe that's why...
"Haneul."
"Y-yeah?"
Seol-i called my name for the first time.
Not for any big reason—just to ask why I wasn't riding the attractions.
"Why... aren't you riding...? The rides..."
"'Cause you're not."
"'Cause I'm not...?"
"Yeah."
"...Thanks."
Hearing her say that, I felt like we'd grown a little closer.
Yeah, just a little...
-snoooore...
I never expected this close.
Despite skipping just one ride, Seol-i must've been utterly exhausted. She was fast asleep on my shoulder, even drooling a bit.
Made sense. It must've been terrifying.
All these huge adults bustling around, and the only person she knew was one boy she'd been wary of.
Today was probably the scariest day of her seven-year life.
I just hoped none of it left her with trauma.
"Yawwwn... So sleeeepy..."
Watching her sleep was making me drowsy too.
One thing I'd learned since becoming a kid: your body tires out so damn fast.
It's like your stamina's infinite one moment, then crashes all at once.
I couldn't rest my head on hers, so I carefully—ever so carefully—leaned back against the headrest without moving my shoulder.
Then I quietly closed my eyes until the bus arrived.