Ch.328328. It’s Really a Mistake

Time flowed on, and before I knew it, the weather had warmed up and spring had arrived with blooming flowers.

Yes, it’s spring. The season when television news reports daily on cherry blossom forecasts, providing detailed information about which festivals in which regions are famous.

Personally, it’s not a season I particularly prefer since it makes my skin dry.

“It really must be spring now. Everywhere I click, it’s completely plastered with cherry blossom stories.”

“It’ll be April next week. I heard the southern regions are already at peak bloom?”

“Oh, really? When is Seoul’s peak supposed to be?”

“This weekend. The news anchor said they’ll be in full, glorious bloom.”

Other people seem to feel differently. My supervisor and colleague sitting across from me are excitedly chattering about how they’ll definitely go see the cherry blossoms at their peak this weekend.

From what I can gather, my supervisor, the assistant manager, plans to go with his girlfriend, while my colleague seems to be going with his parents.

Hmm, family and girlfriend. Well, cherry blossom festivals do make good date spots and family outings. Even I’ve gone cherry blossom viewing with Hwa Nabi more times than I can count. It was our annual date course when we were students, and we continued the tradition until Uhee was born.

After having Uhee and then Ucheoni, both Hwa Nabi and I were too busy with life to go. But now that things have settled down a bit, we could probably manage a cherry blossom festival. Should I ask her while we’re on the subject?

“By the way, Siwoo, aren’t you going to a cherry blossom festival?”

I was about to take out my phone from my pocket to send a KakaoTalk message when suddenly the conversation arrow shot toward me. I raised my head with my phone still in hand.

“Ah, yes. I’m planning to go this weekend too. I was just about to ask my wife about her schedule.”

“Right, Siwoo has a wife and kids!”

“Siwoo’s wife… is she the person we met in front of the barbecue restaurant?”

“Yes, that’s her. The one who greeted you then. She was wearing a long padded coat.”

At the mention of the long padded coat, my supervisor seemed to recall the scene and clapped his hands once with a loud exclamation.

“Ah, I remember! That incredibly beautiful lady, right? What was it… she’s on Facebook!”

“Not Facebook, Instagram. I even gave you her ID, don’t you remember?”

“Huh? Umm, did you?… Ah, whatever. How would I know about Instagram or whatever when I don’t use SNS?”

“Come on, I told you that all young people use it these days, so you should sign up too. Nowadays, if you don’t use Instagram, people think you’re old-fashioned.”

“My SNS journey ended 15 years ago with Facebook. These new things like Instagram are too complicated…”

After chatting back and forth between themselves, my supervisor and colleague suddenly turned to look at me simultaneously. I had been quietly agreeing with my supervisor’s sentiment, and I straightened my back in surprise.

“Speaking of which, let me ask. Siwoo, do you use Instagram or anything like that?”

“Me? Well, I don’t really use SNS…”

“Ah, I thought it was strange that nothing showed up on Instagram when I registered your phone number. But Siwoo, why don’t you use Instagram? Since your wife is famous, I assumed you’d use it too.”

I pondered my colleague’s question for a moment. Why don’t I use SNS? Well, I’m not the type who enjoys public attention, and I don’t particularly like being in the spotlight.

That’s why I don’t use it, but saying that honestly might sound pretentious. It would sound like I’m saying I could attract attention just by starting SNS, when I don’t even know if I’d get many followers.

After thinking about how to explain, a good idea came to mind. I deliberately cleared my throat to focus their attention.

“It’s difficult.”

“Ah, difficult… Wait, difficult?”

“Yes, Instagram seems a bit complicated to sign up for. Even when I tried to just create an account, it kept asking for various verifications, so I decided it was easier to just not bother.”

“That only takes five minutes to complete…”

The two had completely different reactions to my explanation. My colleague had an expression that said, “Is that really the reason? Seriously?” clearly finding it hard to believe, while my supervisor seemed strangely excited and pointed at my colleague.

“See? Even Siwoo doesn’t use Instagram because it’s difficult. But what was that? People who don’t use Instagram are considered old-fashioned? So Siwoo, who’s younger than you, is old-fashioned too, huh?”

“Siwoo is a special case. Honestly speaking, how many young people these days don’t use SNS like Siwoo?”

“There’s one right here. Isn’t Siwoo young? What, are you saying Siwoo only looks young on the outside but is an old man inside?”

“…”

Why do I feel like I’m getting hit while they’re talking to each other?

“Well, there are exceptions everywhere. And if I looked like Siwoo, I’d start using SNS without hesitation. I’d be called an Instagram god or something, and women would be sending me DMs like crazy!”

“That’s why you don’t have a girlfriend. With a rotten brain like that, what woman would want to date you?”

“Wait, why are we suddenly talking about girlfriends? You didn’t have a girlfriend until last month either!”

“But I have one now. Speaking of which, you’re the only one in our department without a partner. You should be concerned about that.”

“…What good is having a girlfriend when you’re balding?”

“What? What did you just say? Did you just call me balding?”

The assistant manager and colleague, who had been gradually raising their voices, suddenly stood up and started arguing.

My colleague called the assistant manager balding, while the assistant manager criticized my colleague for not having a girlfriend, and they continued to disparage each other…

I quietly watched their quarrel and glanced at my watch. Five minutes until lunch break. It’s a bit early, but given the situation, leaving five minutes early should be fine.

“Hey, you think you won’t go bald? These days, male pattern baldness affects over 40% of the male population. That means four out of ten men are balding, and if you have a family history, it’s practically inevitable!”

“Why are you suddenly bringing up family? Are you attacking my family now?”

“Excuse me, I’ll go have lunch first.”

Whether they fought or not, I didn’t care much and quietly stood up from my seat. It might look serious from the outside, and I thought so at first too… but I later learned that raising their voices like this was normal for them.

Leaving the two behind, I left the office. Walking alone down the long corridor, I took out my phone. Since I had some time, I thought I’d ask Hwa Nabi about going to the cherry blossom festival together.

Me [Nabi, do you have time right now?]

-Ding.

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Yes, I’m free. Why? Did something happen? (cat tilting head emoticon)]

The reply came at lightning speed, seemingly less than ten seconds after I sent my message. I found an appropriate emoticon to attach and explained my purpose.

Me [Nothing happened, but about this weekend. Do you have any plans or schedules? (puppy looking with sparkling eyes emoticon)]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [That emoticon is so cute lolololol]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Nope, I’m completely free!!!♥♥♥♥♥♥]

Me [Then, would you like to take Uhee and Ucheoni to see the cherry blossoms this weekend? I heard Seoul’s cherry blossoms will be at their peak from this weekend.]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Yes!!! I want to! Let’s go together!! (cat swishing tail with haughty expression emoticon)]

Me [That emoticon seems a bit strange, but you really want to go, right??]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Oops, I sent the wrong one!! (cat snickering emoticon)]

Me [You sent the wrong one again, right?]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Hehehehe… there’s a cat next to me, love you♥♥]

Somehow the conversation doesn’t quite make sense, but whatever. If Hwa Nabi didn’t want to go, she would say so directly rather than refusing in such a roundabout way.

Me [I love you too. It’s almost lunch time, so make sure you eat well.]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Yes, you eat well too, husband!! (cat sitting and grooming fur emoticon)]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [By the way, what time are you coming home today? Will you leave work on time??]

Me [Yes, I don’t have anything special today, so I think I’ll be able to leave early.]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Really? That’s great. Uhee says she has something to tell you!]

Me [Something to tell me? What is it?]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Hmm… you’ll find out when you get home. No spoilers!! (cat waving paws emoticon)]

Me [Okay, got it. See you later.]

After sending my reply, I put my phone back in my pocket. Then I wondered what Uhee wanted to tell me.

Could there be some serious problem at kindergarten? Or maybe she wants advice about human relationships from her father who has experience in social life…

Hmm, what I’m thinking is complete nonsense. What kind of worries would a four-year-old have? I shook my head and stood up. I don’t know what she wants to talk about, but as Hwa Nabi said, I’ll find out when I get home.

Having settled my thoughts, I started walking again. But then.

-Ding.

My phone rang with a cheerful notification sound.

“What is it?”

I checked and saw it was a message from Hwa Nabi. Did she have something else to say? I tapped on the notification without thinking much, but was shocked by what I saw.

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Photo]

She sent a photo, and it turned out to be a selfie in provocative loungewear, emphasizing her chest area.

I stopped abruptly and looked around. Fortunately, there was no one nearby. That’s a relief, but what was she thinking sending a photo like this? What if someone had been around?

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [What do you think??? Hehehehe I’m embarrassed]

Me [You look pretty, but don’t send photos like this during the day. People might get the wrong idea♡]

“Ah.”

I sent the wrong message. I meant to send a serious puppy emoticon, not a heart, but my finger slipped.

I tried to delete it and send it again, but it was too late. The “1” disappeared, meaning Hwa Nabi had already seen the message.

Me [That was a mistake just now.]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Lololol was it really a mistake?]

Me [Yes, a real mistake.]

Hwa Nabi♡♡ [Okay. I’ll be waiting in this outfit, so come home early today?♥♥♥]

“…”

I need to get home as early as possible.