I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 12

After turning 7, time passed like the flow of years.

I grew taller, gained weight, and now, I could think to myself that I was looking somewhat handsome.

I still wished I were a bit taller, but because of my weak body, I was slightly smaller than the other kids my age.

In winter, just after graduating from kindergarten, I was about to enter elementary school.

"This one seems good, right? The facilities are nice."

"The kids should like it. Let’s check out other schools too."

My parents and Auntie came together to decide on a school.

For me, it didn’t matter where I went, since it was just a place for kids to play. But the adults didn’t think the same way and were extra careful in their decision-making.

In the end, the school we decided on was a nearby public elementary school.

The facilities were good, and the teachers were also nice, according to Auntie, so my parents agreed.

Ha-Soo-Yul and I were confirmed to attend that school, while Lee Do-Yoon and Baek Yoo-Seol would be going to a private elementary school.

The two of them were quite upset about being separated, but...

Since we could always contact each other and meet up, it wasn’t a big deal.

Our houses weren’t far from each other, so we could easily meet.

Thus began our journey at elementary school. Looking back now, I felt despair at the reality of going back to school.

The elementary school curriculum was already something I could do in my sleep, and I had to at least attend high school before I could do anything worth doing.

After spending a year or two in the dull school life, I entered the third grade.

"Nice to meet everyone! I’m Choi Ye-Seo from Suwon!"

With blonde ponytail hair and black eyes, and a mischievous expression on her face,

Something about this new student... was definitely unusual.

***

As usual, while heading home from school,

Ha-Soo-Yul asked me from the side.

"Ha-Eun, what did you think of the new transfer student today?"

I turned my head at the sound of her voice, and there was Ha-Soo-Yul, a bit taller than me.

Although she was an elementary school student, Ha-Soo-Yul had perfect proportions. If she keeps growing like this,

'She’ll probably hit 170 with ease.'

Kids grow quickly, but I didn’t expect her to grow this fast.

Honestly, I wonder if she’ll be struggling with growing pains when she reaches middle school.

Ha-Soo-Yul’s height had already surpassed 140 cm, while I was still only in the mid-130s.

I know girls usually grow faster than boys at this age,

but it still makes me feel a little sad.

"The transfer student? I don’t know. I didn’t really think about it."

At my answer, Ha-Soo-Yul stared at me intently.

"Wasn’t she pretty?"

What kind of question is that?

"Not really? I didn’t look at her properly."

"Really?"

Ha-Soo-Yul’s face lit up with a smile. I really couldn’t figure her out.

But, I wasn’t completely clueless about women’s hearts,

so I decided to play it off like I didn’t notice.@@@@

Besides, Choi Ye-Seo, she’s a heroine, after all.

She’s probably going to end up involved with Lee Do-Yoon later, so what can I do?

And right now, she’s just a kid. I don’t know what will happen later, but not now.

I don’t know why Choi Ye-Seo transferred to our school,

but I’ll meet her again in high school.

'Can I even have a relationship at all?'

The people who like me and the people I like.

I still don’t understand romantic love. If I had to say, it’s probably the former.

I know Ha-Soo-Yul likes me, but I’m not exactly sure about her feelings.

So, I think I’ll just wait and see for now.

"So why did you ask about that?"

"Hmm, nothing. Just curious."

That was anticlimactic. I stretched and crossed the crosswalk.

Ha-Soo-Yul had to go to her after-school academy today, so we parted ways in the middle and I went home.

It was unexpected that Choi Ye-Seo transferred, but it doesn’t matter to me.

'Unless she approaches me first.'

That’s because Choi Ye-Seo really loves beautiful things.

And that’s where the problem lies.

'It’s not just limited to things... she’s into people too.'

We got in the elevator that had just arrived and went down.

Holding hands with Mom, we headed to the kindergarten.

As we passed, people gave us snacks and smiled at us.

We thanked them and said we’d enjoy the treats.

We weren’t going to turn them down.

Mom and I ate the snacks (like chips or puffed rice) as we walked toward the kindergarten.

We couldn’t eat too much, or we wouldn’t be able to have dinner later.

When we arrived at the kindergarten, there were people gathered at the front gate.

They seemed like the parents of the other kids, waiting to pick them up.

By the way, where’s Ha-Yoon?

"Mom! Oppa!"

Had she just been to the bathroom? She came running from inside, her hands all wet.

I walked slowly toward her and hugged my sister.

"Don’t run like that. What if you trip?"

"Hehe. It’s okay, Oppa will catch me!"

Does she think I’m Doraemon?

"That’s right, Yoon-ah. It’s dangerous to run."

Mom also backed me up, picking up Ha-Yoon in her arms.

"Ah, our daughter is getting heavy."

At 7 years old, it’s getting a bit much to carry her. But why do I still keep picking her up so eagerly...

"I’m not heavy!"

"No? You’re pretty heavy, sweetheart."

Mom made a playful face and pinched Ha-Yoon’s nose.

"Ugh!"

Ha-Yoon’s scrunched face was so cute that I took a picture.

Click.

"Ah, I missed it."

Ha-Yoon jumped down and ran behind me.

I gently patted her head.

"Now, it’s our son’s turn."

"...Am I not heavy?"

"Not at all?"

This is strange. I’m pretty sure I weigh a lot more than her.

"How much do you weigh, son?"

Mom whispered in my ear.

I froze for a second and quickly covered my ears. After a long sigh, I admitted my weight.

"I think it’s 31 kilos? The last time I checked, it was 31."

I remembered the physical exam we had when we started third grade.

Mom, hearing my answer, said,

"...Aren’t you a bit too skinny? I guess that’s why you’re so light."

She looked seriously at me and muttered.

Isn’t this normal?

I looked at Ha-Yoon in disbelief.

"...Mom, that’s not nice."

The 7-year-old Ha-Yoon couldn’t stop being shocked.