I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 9

The sea... It’s been such a long time.

Even in this life, and in my previous one, I hardly ever visited the beach.

The last time I went was right after I became an adult.

I still remember that one-day trip with friends vividly.

“Ugh...”

I stretched my sore shoulders as I stepped out of the changing room.

The early summer sun bore down, heating the sand and making me squint in discomfort. It wasn’t unbearably hot, but the warmth clung to me, making it irritating.

Dad followed behind, saying he’d find a spot with the other adults.

When I walked toward the shoreline, the kids greeted me excitedly.

Ha-Soo-Yul was the first to wave, followed by Ha-Yoon, who ran over. Lee Do-Yoon and Baek Yoo-Seol gave small waves from a distance.

Everyone looked great in their swimsuits.

As for mine? It felt... plain.

I was wearing black swim trunks paired with a white rash guard with simple stripes.

It was the kind of swimsuit you’d see anywhere—nothing special.

Mom had wanted me to wear something more “cute,” but I refused.

No way was I wearing something like a chick-patterned swimsuit.

Looking at everyone else, I raised a thumbs-up to compliment them, especially Ha-Yoon, whose adorable dog-print swimsuit was just perfect.

We headed into the water, staying where it reached our ankles at first.

Eventually, the water came up to our waists.

“Ha-Yoon, let’s stay here and play with your big brother.”

I held her back from going further.

Any deeper, and it could get dangerous. Even though she had a float ring and a life jacket, I wasn’t about to take any chances.

The other kids, being slightly older, had more freedom.

“You guys shouldn’t go too far either,” I called to the others. “It’s dangerous if you go too deep.”

Lee Do-Yoon waved back confidently, and Ha-Soo-Yul gave me a smug look, as if saying, Don’t worry about me.

Ah, kids and their overconfidence.@@@@

I had a bad feeling, but for now, they only ventured up to chest height and didn’t go further.

Still, I couldn’t shake the unease, so I started thinking of a way to keep an eye on them.

Suddenly, a large hand gently tapped my head.

“Don’t worry too much, son. I’ll keep an eye on them.”

It was Dad, followed by Lee Do-Yoon’s father, who also volunteered to watch the kids.

Relieved, I nodded as Dad tousled my hair before heading off to join the children. He even took over playing with Ha-Yoon.

Dad was a good swimmer, so I wasn’t too worried.

Still, I couldn’t help but follow them, staying within a safe distance.

Every so often, Dad would glance back at me, as if silently reassuring me.

I looked around. The mothers were seated under a parasol, chatting happily. Among them was Baek Yoo-Seol’s father, his silver hair a mirror of hers.

At first, I thought he was a foreigner, but he spoke flawless Korean. Apparently, he was a quarter mixed-race.

For reference, Ha-Soo-Yul’s father was currently in the United States. I’d only met him three times so far.

I decided to stay where the water reached my waist. No need to get overconfident and risk an incident.

Sitting down in the water, I sank in up to my shoulders.

Yeah, this is enough for me.

I glanced back at the shore to see if Dad was coming.

Nope. He was fast asleep under the parasol.

...Seriously?

At least someone came to help—Baek Yoo-Seol’s father approached us with a kind smile.

“Ha-ha! Your dad looks exhausted, so I’ll take over.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Relieved, I handed Ha-Yoon over to him and stepped back with Ha-Soo-Yul.

“You saved the day back there. Thanks for keeping an eye on the depth.”

“It’s nothing. Not a big deal.”

She downplayed her role, but kids this age don’t understand the danger they’re in.

We sat back down in the water, splashing idly.

For fun, I scooped up a handful of water and flicked it at her face.

“!”

The startled look on her face was priceless.

“Pfft.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’ll get you for that!”

She tried to retaliate but couldn’t figure out the technique.

“...Teach me.”

After taking three hits, she gave up and asked for help.

“Alright, first, clasp your hands together.”

“Like this?”

“Yeah. Then scoop up the water.”

“Got it.”

“Now, just fling it.”

Splash.

“......”

She glared at me, clearly unimpressed.

Uh-oh. Time to run.

But before I could escape—

“Help! Somebody help!”

A cry for help from the deeper waters made me freeze and turn around.

Baek Yoo-Seol was far out, where even adults hesitated to go.

The first thought that crossed my mind was: Why?

Why was she out there? That depth wasn’t for kids—it wasn’t even safe for most adults.

“Yoo-Seol!”

Her father, who had been playing with Ha-Yoon, immediately ran toward the water.

“Stay here,” I told Ha-Soo-Yul.

But her grip on my wrist tightened. “No! It’s dangerous!”

“There’s no time!”

With that, I plunged into the water.