NOVEL NEXT Chapter 127
In the early stages of her pregnancy, my older sister often felt lethargic, but surprisingly, she became a bit more active after entering her third trimester.
Maybe it’s because her morning sickness has subsided; she actually started eating more than she did in the beginning, and these days, she tries to go for a simple walk around the house in the mornings too.
According to the doctor, as long as it’s manageable for the baby, being active is actually good for managing stress and various other things, so I don’t discourage her.
In fact, these days, I usually join her for a morning stroll.
Like today, for example.
“Look at me, making my husband suffer because of me?”
Embracing her heavy belly, my sister carefully moved forward and casually mentioned it, causing me to smirk.
Who’s actually suffering here? That’s nothing compared to real hardships.
“Just a walk and suffering? Are you okay? Shall we head back soon?”
“No, I want to go at least to that café up ahead.”
“For some yuja tea?”
“…Did you catch me?”
Sticking out her tongue and making an awkward face, my sister was so adorably cute that it was hard to believe she was my older sister.
How could I not know? Ever since she got pregnant, she hasn’t even touched the coffee she loved so much; what she misses the most is the yuja tea.
Especially since she had raved about the delicious yuja tea at the café near our house just a few days ago, saying it wasn’t too sweet and just perfect—I had it freshly engraved in my mind.
“Since I’m here, should I try it with you? If my wife praises it so much, I’m curious.”
“Yeah, you’d probably love it! It’s totally your style.”
“Is that so? Oh….”
It’s rare for her to boast so much about food. I mean, she’s the type who wouldn’t even guarantee deliciousness if I took her to a Michelin three-star restaurant, proudly holding a firm belief that taste is subjective.
So if she’s confident enough to say this, I guess I can look forward to it.
Ding-dong.
“Welcome…! Huh!?”
“Hello…?”
As I finally opened the door to the café, a woman who seemed to be the owner greeted us but then suddenly covered her mouth, eyes wide in shock.
I was puzzled by this sudden turn of events; as I awkwardly nodded and approached the counter, she stared at us in disbelief before cautiously speaking up.
“Um, um, excuse me, are you Mr. Cosmo…?”
“Oh, yes. That’s me. Thank you for recognizing me.”
I half-expected it, but she did recognize me!
I’m now used to being recognized at events and such, but bumping into someone recognizing me while just wandering around is still a bit surreal.
Well, it’s not like I’m in a position to talk since I recognized Mr. Park Gun-ho just by hearing his voice when we first met.
“I didn’t expect Mr. Cosmo to come to our café! I’m a huge fan. I’ve always wanted to meet you, but the opportunity never came…. I actually missed the AGP application, too.”
“Oh, I see…. They did say the recent application was quite tough.”
AGP is an end-of-year subculture event I participated in before. I just went as a spectator back then, but this time, I took the stage as an influencer for the first advertisement, ‘Last Destiny.’
So my fans also learned about it and specifically came to see me there; who would have thought she had applied?
Wow, she truly is a devoted fan. I’m so grateful.
“So the person here is Ms. Seo-ha…. Oh, I mean your wife, right?”
“Uh-huh. Yes, that’s right. Thank you for recognizing us.”
It seems that my male viewers refer to my sister as “Older Sister Seo-ha,” while female viewers casually call her “Sister Seo-ha,” and she probably unconsciously let that slip out.
Watching the owner’s awkward recovery from her slip, I couldn’t help but smile, and my wife smiled shyly back.
“Actually, since you’ve been coming regularly these days, I wondered if you were Ms. Seo-ha…. But I thought, ‘That can’t be,’ so I didn’t say anything. But it’s really you…”
Ah, she guessed right since my sister’s initial visit, but since she hasn’t shown her face much on broadcasts due to her pregnancy, it’s understandable she might have forgotten. Looks like she really watches our broadcasts often.
“Ah! This isn’t the time for that. Let me take your order. What would you like?”
“My wife here says your yuja tea is super delicious. We’d like two cups, please.”
As I raised two fingers to order the yuja tea, the enthusiastic fan atmosphere disappeared, replaced by the professionalism of the owner taking our order.
“Yuja tea, you say? Our customers have been giving it great reviews. To be honest, this yuja syrup is made by my mother…”
“Really? You could sell that in stores!”
“Ah, thank you! Oh, you don’t have to pay for it.”
“No, I insist…. ”
I started rummaging for my phone to pay, but the owner waved her hands in refusal. But then, she added a line that made it easier for me to accept.
“Instead, could I get your signature and a photo before you leave? If possible, could Ms. Seo-ha join too…?”
“Of course. But I came out without makeup, so I’m worried about how I look.”
“Please! When someone like Ms. Seo-ha says that, what does it mean for people like us?”
Well, that’s true.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her like that after getting married; however, before we lived together, she used to cover her face, claiming she was going out without makeup. I used to think that was just ridiculous.
Honestly, I thought she looked prettier without makeup; it’s more innocent!
“Just relax, and I’ll bring your tea over.”
“Thank you.”
Bowing her head, my sister and I headed to a sunny table by the window.
At moments like these, I realize how much I’ve changed because of my sister. Back in the day, I preferred sitting in the darkest corner of a café alone, but now I just enjoy being in the light.
There’s something nice about sipping coffee or tea while sunbathing; it feels healing, almost like therapy.
“Seems like you’re famous wherever you go now?”
“Yeah. It seems like I’m getting recognized more ever since we got a bigger following on YouTube.”
“Sure, since the general public watches YouTube more than live streams. What’s your subscriber count now?”
“Um… I think it’s around 710,000.”
I haven’t checked since I woke up this morning, so I’m not sure, but that was the number two days ago.
“Honestly, you’ve become a big business now, haven’t you?”
“I can’t believe it myself. I’m surprised I’ve come this far…”
“It’s all thanks to your hard work. Of course, our editors and other employees deserve some credit too.”
Holding onto my hand laid on the table, my wife beamed at me as if she shared in my success. Whether it was because of the morning sunlight or not, she seemed to shine extra brightly.
“Oh, by the way, did you give out bonuses for the Lunar New Year? I took care of that.”
“Of course I did. I added in what you planned to give, and she was nearly in tears.”
“Who, exactly?”
“Ms. Gomnang.”
By the way, Ms. Gomnang is our editing team’s youngest member, just a year younger than me and a new employee.
“She was so delighted, professing she would bury her bones in this job. I felt embarrassed as the giver.”
“Well, employees’ loyalty comes from respect and compensation. I guess it’s just because you treated her well.”
“Oooh, you really know how to give solid advice as the owner of Changseong Corporation.”
“Stop it, you’re making me shy.”
With a light slap on my arm, her playful fit had me grinning widely.
If someone were to ask me how I heal, I would probably answer right away—with my wife’s cuteness. Of course, others might think I’m crazy, but at least I’m sincere about it.
How could one not feel healed watching this?
“Your order of two cups of yuja tea has arrived.”
“Ah, thank you.”
As we were being all sweet, the owner happily brought the yuja tea to our table, and we carefully took a sip.
Mmm.
Oh, this is definitely tasty.
It’s just right; often yuja tea from shops can taste overly sweet, but this one hits just perfectly with both sweetness and fragrance. Honestly, it could be sold.
“How is it, dear?”
“It’s really delicious. Now I understand why you praised it so eagerly.”
Nodding and giving a positive review made the owner, who had been watching us anxiously, let out a sigh of relief.
“Really? Thank you…! Oh, if it’s alright, do you mind if I give you some extra yuja syrup?”
“Excuse me? We’re so grateful, but don’t you need it for your business?”
“Honestly, because it’s only been consumed by those who visit, I have quite a lot left. Since it’s a gift from my mother, it’s free anyway, so please take it if you want.”
Hmm, is that okay? We just received tea for free; I feel like it might be rude to accept more.
“Oh, then can I gratefully accept? But I’ll make sure to visit and thank you next time.”
“No need for that! Just tasting it is thanks enough for me! I’ll pack it for you when you leave.”
But as I was contemplating, my sister suddenly just grabbed it, leaving me with nothing to ponder over.
Once the owner returned to the counter, I leaned closer to my sister, lowering my voice.
“Even if she’s a fan, isn’t this too much? I feel a bit bad.”
“It’s fine. Next time I’ll bring her a small gift in return.”
“You?”
Regardless, she’s my fan; shouldn’t I be the one delivering it personally? Just as I was pondering this, my sister took a sip of the yuja tea and said something unexpected.
“Actually, I was planning to host a fan meeting soon. I thought it would be nice to give her a ticket.”
“…Huh?”
Wait a minute, ma’am. A fan meeting?
I never received any news about that!
“I feel like every time I go out with you lately, there are so many fans wanting to meet you in person. So after Joo-ha is born, I decided to throw a little gathering out of my own pocket.”
“…What about my opinion?”
“Surely you won’t turn me down, right? I really want to attend your fan meeting…”
No, I must do it. My dear wife is requesting this sincerely.
I’ll clear my schedule if I have to! Of course!