Chapter 32
32. Cotton Candy
Saturday morning dawned bright. The clear winter sky held faint clouds. Fine snowflakes danced lightly in the chilly air along the streets. Minho and Jiho, eyes sparkling with excitement, held Kangwoo's and Naeun's hands as they headed to the amusement park. Tree branches lining the road were adorned with snowflakes, and the cold air nipped at their noses.
In the car, Kangwoo glanced at Naeun in the passenger seat, taking in her profile. They had just started dating, hadn't they? He couldn't say it outright, but his heart was already in it, while this woman frustratingly asked for time. Yet he was pathetically agreeing and waiting patiently. If it were the old him—or any other woman—this would be impossible.
Minho, going to an amusement park for the first time, looked at Jiho with eager anticipation.
"Jiho, is the amusement park really that big?"
Jiho nodded, spreading his arms wide. "This big! This big!" From the side, Kangwoo looked at Minho and said,
"Minho, Uncle's going for the first time too."
Surprised, Minho asked, "Really?"
Kangwoo nodded. "Yeah. I went when I was really little, so I don't remember. First time as an adult."
"Adults go to amusement parks?"
"Mom's an adult and she's been lots of times."
Naeun laughed at Jiho's words from beside him.
"Uncle's busy, that's why."
"Mom's busy every day but she's been to the amusement park lots."
Kangwoo had no retort to Jiho's words.
"True. So from now on, Uncle will go to the amusement park with you guys a lot."
At Kangwoo's words, Jiho and Minho cheered excitedly.
Arriving at the amusement park entrance, colorful flags caught their eyes. Kangwoo suddenly recalled his own youth, a time when he'd come here thrilled and excited. Watching the two kids run toward the entrance, Kangwoo took Naeun's hand. She widened her eyes and looked up at him.
"Is this okay?"
"What's not okay?"
"What if someone we know sees? Someone who knows you, CEO, or me."
"Does that bother you that much?"
At Kangwoo's question, Naeun replied matter-of-factly.
"Of course. What if I get fired for holding hands with you outside? Madam is so sharp—you know better than me how scary she is."
"Of course. She could fire you."
"You think I would?"
"Maybe if I don't hold your hand, you'll fire me spitefully?"
Naeun laughed at Kangwoo's words.
"Guess I have no choice but to hold hands to avoid the power trip."
She firmly took his hand again.
"Better now?"
"Is this job that important to you?"
"Of course. Where else can you find a job like this? Remember—the contract is at least three years."
Kangwoo burst out laughing at her words.
The light snowfall and winter chill meant nothing to the excited group of four. But as soon as they entered the amusement park entrance, trouble arose. It was a massive animal-shaped balloon. Both Jiho and Minho wanted one, so Kangwoo boldly declared they could pick anything they wanted. He hadn't expected it to be the biggest one.
The stuffed balloons came in sizes from small to the largest. The biggest seemed more for display than sale. Most were rabbit or dog shapes, and among them, the largest was a monkey balloon. As their voices rose competing for the giant one, Naeun intervened.
"If you two fight already here, we're just going home."
"How about dog balloon for you, rabbit for you?"
The kids eyed Naeun warily.
"No."
"Me too."
"Then both dog balloons?"
"No. I want that one at our house."
Jiho pointed at the huge monkey balloon. Naeun pondered for a moment.
Kangwoo spoke up.
"Why worry? If it's at our house, both kids can play with it. Tell me—you two want the slightly smaller dog or rabbit balloons, or should we take the biggest one home?"
They answered in unison.
"The monkey balloon!"
"Alright then."
Moments later, Kangwoo emerged holding the largest balloon.
"Who wants to hold it?"
"Me! Cotton candy."
As Jiho spoke, Minho stared curiously at the cotton candy he'd never seen. Naeun asked him,
"Minho, this is candy. Cotton-like candy. Want some?"
"Yes."
Naeun bought two cotton candies and gave one to each child. Kangwoo approached and said,
"Why only two? Doesn't Naeun want cotton candy?"
"I don't enjoy it much. CEO, do you want some?"
"I wouldn't buy cotton candy just to eat alone."
Truthfully, he'd wanted to share one with Naeun. He hadn't realized he had such a romantic notion until seeing couples sharing cotton candy here—he suddenly wanted to try it with her. But if she didn't want any, neither did he.
The problem was the kids. The cotton candy was bigger than their faces, and they stuck out their tongues to eat it, getting it all over. As Naeun tended to them, passersby glanced their way.
Wondering why, he realized it was the balloon. Holding the giant one made them seem like a landmark. Kangwoo called to the kids.
"You two aren't holding the balloon? You wanted it."
"How can we hold it now? Hands are a mess."
Leaving it until they finished would be a disaster for hands and faces. Naeun told them to stop at a good point, pulled out wet wipes, and cleaned their hands and faces. The kids even licked the cotton candy off their faces, enjoying it.
Holding the giant monkey balloon, Kangwoo watched Naeun wipe Jiho and Minho's faces, feeling like this whole scene was a dream. Wherever Han Naeun, this woman, was, it turned into a fairy tale. He stood in the happiest scene of that tale—a moment he'd never dreamed of before.
"What are you doing? Not going?"
"Yeah, we should."
The kids were already ahead. As Naeun hurried after them with short steps, Kangwoo walked beside her and said,
"We'll catch up soon. Don't worry."
In a few strides, he caught up and warned them.
"You know what happens if you lose Uncle and Teacher here?"
Minho looked scared.
"So what should we do?"
Minho grabbed Uncle's hand tightly with his small one. Then he grinned at the balloon.
"Cool."
"Right? Pretty cool, huh?"
Each word from the child warmed his heart. It was all because of Han Naeun, this fairy-like woman. Watching the three males walk hand-in-hand ahead, Naeun smiled from behind.
"Let's ride two rides first, then eat."
"Sounds good. That one first."
The Blue Dragon roller coaster had a height restriction for kids. Too young or small was dangerous, so they measured up. Kangwoo took the kids to the height check.
"Come on, let's measure. Minho, here. Hmm. No good. You're shorter than the ride limit. Jiho, you too. Nope, you as well."
It was better to show exactly why not than just say no. The kids looked disappointed. Especially Jiho.
"Just a little taller and I'd make it."
"I think you need at least a year more?"
The height difference was nearly a handspan, not just a little.
