Ch.211Side Story – I Became a Heroine After the Pure Love Ending (2)

“What about your father and Si-young? I went to the first floor dojo earlier and it seemed quiet.”

“Scarlet was invited to a kendo association event, and Dad went as her driver and manager.”

“The dojo is on break now. Since Leon was born, it’s been hard for me to go with them, so the kids’ father went instead.”

“I see. Being a two-time world champion must keep her busy everywhere.”

“The kids’ father loves it. How could he not walk with his shoulders high when his daughter is a world kendo champion?”

Since Solmi was born, Sol-young and Teacher Miso had been visiting our home quite frequently.

It wasn’t burdensome since it was close to both their workplace and home.

“How’s school life? You went back to work right away, is your body holding up okay?”

“Oh, yes. I recovered faster than I expected, which surprised even me. The other teachers even gave me looks, saying if I return this quickly, it’ll make it harder for them when they take maternity leave… hehe. Still, I don’t think I can work overtime yet. I need to breastfeed Solmi too.”

“Wow, that’s nice. Maybe I could have a taste later…”

“Ban Do-young.”

“I’m sorry.”

Teacher Miso went back to work shortly after Solmi was born.

Even though it was her first child, her body recovered well, and she felt it wasn’t right to take a long maternity leave when she’d been at her new school for less than a year.

“Bear aunt! Bear aunt!”

“Alright, alright. Woolololo! Peek-a-boo!”

“Tehehaha! Hehehe!”

“Your reactions make this so fun. Leon just smiles coolly no matter what I do.”

“Puu.”

“See that? He might be on his second life if you look inside. Come here! Your sister will play with you until you cheer up!”

“Puaang.”

Since our family was also busy taking care of Leon after he was born, with Mom’s permission, Mom would look after both Solmi and Leon during the morning hours when Teacher Miso was at work.

After school ended, I joined in the childcare efforts.

Even for veteran Mrs. Cheok Jun-sook who raised three children, taking care of two babies simultaneously wasn’t easy.

Plus, I could get some practice for my future Lime.

That saying about how even mothers are first-time mothers and they’re sorry.

It’s better not to have to say that if possible.

“Solmi, how is it? Isn’t it better having uncle play with you too? Wooloo peek-a-boo?”

“Hihihaha!”

“Ugh! Ban Solmi! What’s with that bright smile! The corners of my mouth keep turning pink!”

It’s the same now during the break.

While Sol-young and Mom caught up, I would look after Solmi and Leon.

“I’m always grateful that Do-young takes such good care of the children. Solmi is usually shy with strangers, but she warmed up to Do-young again so quickly. Maybe it’s because you’re so pure that children follow you easily?”

“No, rather than pure…”

“Maybe it’s because there’s not much difference between how he thinks and how children think.”

“Hey, you. How can you say that when I’m helping you chat comfortably without worrying about the babies?”

“O-our Do-young is the best!”

“Ah, hahaha… Damn it, Ban Do-young. I like you!”

“That’s more like it.”

I didn’t think I particularly liked children.

But it turns out I didn’t dislike them; I just never had the opportunity to like them.

The original Ban Do-young had no siblings,

And there weren’t any young children among my relatives either.

Holding my late-born sibling and niece who were born in the same year made me realize.

That I don’t have an aversion to children as I thought.

“Ah, I want to see Lime soon too.”

“Hm? Who’s Lime?”

“She’s not born yet.”

No, rather, I actually like them.

“Pyu.”

“Pyuu…”

“They both fell asleep peacefully. Ow, my back.”

Perhaps it was the perfect combination of air conditioning and summer sunlight that made them both drowsy.

After playing with the babies by offering my back as a ride,

Both Solmi and Leon fell asleep using cushions as beds.

“Are the babies asleep? I’ve been wondering how to bring this up, so this is perfect timing.”

“Huh? What’s perfect?”

“Actually, Leon’s formula is almost gone, so I was planning to go to the supermarket today. I wasn’t sure when would be a good time. But now that they’re both asleep, it’s perfect.”

“Just give him breast milk. And give me some too while you’re at it.”

“Mothers don’t produce unlimited milk. You always need to have formula as backup.”

“Oh, Mother, have you seen this? We were also about to buy formula because we’re running out.”

Teacher Miso eagerly pulled out a colorful paper from her childcare bag.

It was a promotional flyer from a large discount store that was some distance from home.

“Oh my goodness. Leon’s favorite Extreme Gold is 33% off?”

“What’s that, sounds like a Kamen Rider name.”

“It’s Leon’s favorite formula brand! Since when did they sell it so cheaply?”

“Solmi also likes this one the most besides breast milk. I was planning to stock up since they’re having such a big sale!”

“The meat and vegetables are super cheap too. Great. Let’s go together. Sol-young, could you go downstairs and start the dojo car? If we’re going to fill the trunk, it’s better to take the dojo car.”

After learning that Solmi and Leon had fallen asleep,

Mom and Teacher Miso’s conversation shifted to visiting the large supermarket that would be difficult to go to otherwise.

It was certainly a bit far to travel with young babies.

“That’s all fine, but even driving there takes about 40 minutes round trip. Can we make it back before Leon and Solmi wake up? With shopping, it’ll probably take 2-3 hours.”

“Don’t worry. We have the world’s most beautiful sister who Solmi and Leon love the most.”

“Right? Hoho… I’ve never felt more grateful to have a sister-in-law than at times like this.”

Mom and Teacher Miso’s cunning eyes turned toward me.

Like females eyeing a male.

No, like predators eyeing their prey.

“…What?”

“Then I’ll leave them to you, love you, my daughter.”

“Everything you need is in the bag, so use whatever you want. Thank you always, Do-young!”

“Run away.”

“Wait a minute!”

-Vroom

And so I became Ban Do-young, simultaneously abandoned by parents, siblings, and teacher.

Left alone in the living room with my niece and late-born brother.

“Damn… If I’d known this would happen, I would have ditched the special class with Do Ha-min today and gone out to play…”

Just as I was about to sit down and pound the floor in frustration.

-Buzz

My phone in my pocket rang.

It was a message from Sol-young who had abandoned me.

[Eldest Brother]

[There’s breast milk in Miso’s bag]

[Give it to Solmi if she wakes up hungry]

“Ah, you’re asking for a lot, really!”

-Buzz

[Eldest Brother has sent you 100,000 won]

[This is payment for your trouble.]

[Me]

[I will serve them with all my heart as if they were my own family]

[Eldest Brother]

[They ARE your family, you crazy girl]

[Me]

[Love you, oppa]

Family should help each other.

Yes, of course.

“Well, it’s fine. They just fell asleep, so they probably won’t wake up anytime soon.”

The children had tired themselves out playing with their aunt and fallen asleep.

They were exhausted, so surely they wouldn’t notice right away that their parents were gone and wake up.

“Mom and Teacher Miso left right after confirming the babies were asleep. They should be peaceful for at least an hour.”

My back was stiff from offering it to my niece and brother.

And I’m still a virgin, mind you.

“Yawn… Then I’ll take a nap next to our babies too.”

I lay down next to Solmi and Leon, who were using cushions as beds, folding another cushion as my pillow.

As I stretched out my back with a crack, the cool air rising from the floor pleasantly soothed my stiff back.

“Sleep well. Hopefully until your moms come back.”

Just as I was about to fall asleep while gently patting Solmi’s back as she slept with a face as happy as if she owned the world.

“Mama?”

“…Um.”

Feeling the unfamiliar patting touch different from her mother’s, Solmi opened her eyes wide.

“…”

“…”

My startled expression was perfectly reflected in Solmi’s bright blue eyes.

“Y-you’re awake? Well, your mom…”

“Mama…”

Solmi, now awake, glanced around, seemingly looking for her mother’s voice that had been there until just a while ago.

“J-just wait a little bit and your mom will be back. Until then, let’s watch Hatchu-pong with auntie—”

“Hwaaaaang!”

“I-I’ll turn it on right now! If you cry, you’ll wake Leon too!”

“Hwaaang!”

-Thud!

Solmi, who burst into tears upon realizing her mother was gone, kicked away the tablet in front of her.

“D-do you prefer your mom over Hatchu-pong?”

“Mama!”

Solmi nodded as if to say yes.

Thankfully, the world is still warm.

“…Ppabu.”

While I was confirming the strong mother-daughter bond,

Leon, who had been sleeping soundly, also opened his eyes as if annoyed.

“I-I knew this would happen… Even Leon now.”

“Puu.”

“S-sorry! Your sister is busy with Solmi right now, so please wait a moment…”

“Puu. Puu.”

Leon glanced toward the kitchen,

As if telling me to look in that direction.

“Ah, right. The childcare bag. Breast milk! Thank you, Ban Leon!”

“Piyu.”

After realizing Solmi’s needs, I sat her on the sofa and went to the kitchen to get the breast milk that Teacher Miso had prepared in her childcare bag.

“Just wait a little. I’ll warm it up soon!”

I filled the nursing bottle with Teacher Miso’s breast milk and warmed it to the right temperature in a water bath.

I remembered Mom telling me not to use the microwave.

“Hmm, 36 degrees. This should be good.”

“…Mama.”

“Yes, it’s mama’s milk. I’ll bring it to you now.”

As Solmi got closer to the bottle that carried her mother’s scent, she gradually stopped crying and squirmed toward my lap.

After gently shaking the bottle with a flick of my wrist, I sat Solmi next to me.

“Sorry for the wait. Here comes Miso’s breast milk…”

Just as I was moving the bottle like a toy airplane to give to Solmi.

“…Ah. I should probably taste it first, just in case. It might have gone bad while in the bag.”

If the breast milk had spoiled during summer while in the bag, it would be a big problem.

Extra caution is needed for baby food.

I needed to taste it first.

“This is absolutely not because I’m curious about what your mom’s breast milk tastes like. You know that, right, Solmi?”

To prevent summer food poisoning,

I dropped a few drops on my wrist and tasted it before giving the bottle to Solmi.

“…Why is this delicious?”

“Grr… Mama! My mama!”

The reunion with breast milk after such a long time was sweeter than I expected.