The event was in full swing, and it was huge—about the size of a decent gym. Inside, there were various booths, including an experience zone where you could try fresh grapes. They had made all sorts of grape-based goodies like ice cream, beverages, and even wine.
I was particularly interested in the grape drinks. My throat was dry, and grape juice sounded perfect. Like I was hypnotized, I walked over to the booth handing out grape juice. There, paper cups filled with grape juice were on display, practically begging to be tasted.
“Ha… Hana! Where are you going?!”
Haru grabbed my hand as I was about to head toward the grape juice. I snapped out of it. Walking like I was hypnotized… this grape juice must be something else. I told Haru, “I want to try the grape juice! I’m so thirsty.”
“Really? Then let’s go together! With this many people around, what if you get lost?!”
As Haru said, the experience zone was packed. Whether it was thanks to Boss Sehui’s connections or great social media promotion, people had come from all over the country. Of course, I had no idea that coming here meant you’d get a free box of grapes.
Boss Sehui’s advertising strategy was genius. Koreans can’t resist anything free. If a café advertised a free Americano, the line would stretch forever. Seeing people waste time for a 1,500-won Americano made Hana think something was off.
Of course, waiting in line is a different experience for those doing it versus those watching. For the ones waiting, it’s often about building memories. Waiting is like running on parallel lines that never meet.
Anyway, after weaving through the crowd, we finally reached the grape juice booth. Haru was right behind me. She really thought I’d get lost. Like, I’m not a child—how could I get lost? I’d never get lost.
I took a sip of the grape juice in the paper cup. As expected, it was amazing. Some grape juices leave a weird aftertaste, but this one was clean and refreshing. Even people who don’t like grape juice would love this. It was that good.
Haru also tried it and was impressed. “Wow, as expected… Hana’s grapes are the best!”
“Right, Haru? I’m kind of amazing.”
Of course, all I did was hand over the grapes. Boss Sehui was the one growing them. But without me, these grapes wouldn’t exist, so I had to conclude that I was pretty great. Without me, these grapes wouldn’t be here.
Holding Haru’s hand, we moved on to other areas. There were so many grape-based foods to try, and it was fun sampling them one by one.
“Haru! Haru! Let’s go over there!”
I grabbed Haru’s hand and pulled her along without looking back. But then I realized I couldn’t hear Haru’s voice behind me. Instead, I heard a stranger’s voice.
“Hey, kid. Can you let go of my hand?”
I turned around and saw a beautiful woman smiling at me. I was so startled that I let go immediately. She laughed and disappeared. Cold sweat dripped down my back. Haru was gone.
“Haru, you’re so scatterbrained.”
Luckily, I had my phone, so it wasn’t a big deal. I rummaged through my pockets, but my phone wasn’t there. Then I remembered—I left it at the building.
“Ah…”
I was officially lost in this crowded building.
———————————————————–
“Ugh!!!”
I pushed through the crowd, looking for Haru, but she was nowhere to be found. I fought back tears. Getting lost like a kid? I was failing at being an adult. Reluctantly, I started moving. Maybe they’d make an announcement to find Haru.
Do they even have lost-and-found announcements here? This isn’t a department store, so who knows if they have that kind of setup. I started shuffling around. Staying still made me feel uneasy.
Then I spotted Boss Sehui on a stage, passionately explaining something. My face lit up with hope.
It was a matter of approaching the boss and calling Haru. But I hesitated, and the timing just didn’t feel right. It seemed a bit awkward to interrupt Boss Sehee, who was in the middle of explaining something important.
I waited for Boss Sehee’s presentation to end.
—
“In the future, Starlight Food will enter the grape market… and these grapes will be distributed at a very reasonable and affordable price… And if you look at this chart…”
While Kim Sehee was passionately explaining about grapes, she spotted a child with green hair in the crowd. The hair color was so unique that it was easy to spot even from a distance. Hana was looking at Kim Sehee with an anxious expression. Kim Sehee wanted to stop the presentation immediately and run to Hana.
But since the presentation was almost over, she couldn’t just cut it off. So, Kim Sehee finished her speech and stepped down from the stage.
“Boss!!!”
Hana came running from afar. The bodyguards instinctively moved to stop her, but they recognized Hana and stopped blocking her. They didn’t know exactly how Boss Sehee felt about Hana, but since she treated Hana like her own child, the bodyguards let her through without hesitation.
Kim Sehee caught Hana in her arms. She could feel Hana getting heavier. Is this how uncles feel when they see their nieces growing up? But it didn’t matter. It was proof that Hana was growing. Kids eventually become adults, so there was no reason for Kim Sehee to stop her.
She just had to enjoy Hana’s childhood. Later, when Hana grew up, it would become a memory, but that’s all the more reason to hold her now.
“But Hana, why are you alone?”
She was supposed to come with an employee, but there was no sign of the employee anywhere. Hana, as if waiting for Kim Sehee to ask, confidently replied.
“I came with Haru, but I think Haru got lost!”
“Really…?”
Realizing that Haru had gone missing, Kim Sehee called the employee. She had their number saved long ago, so it was easy to find in her contacts.
Ring ring—
The call was answered almost immediately. The person on the other end sounded frantic, as if they had been waiting for the call.
[Is Boss with Hana by any chance?]
“Yes, we’re near the auditorium. I’ll stay with Hana, so take your time coming over.”
[Ah, thank you so much, Boss! I’ll be there quickly!]
“Shall we play together until Haru arrives, Hana?”
“Yes!”
Hana didn’t leave Kim Sehee’s arms. Kim Sehee walked toward a booth she thought Hana would like. The main attraction of today’s event was the wine and the grapes themselves. Of course, since wine was something Hana shouldn’t drink, Kim Sehee had no intention of giving her any. If Hana got drunk, Kim Sehee would have no excuse to take care of her.
What kind of adult would give alcohol to a child? Hana was only in the third grade of elementary school, after all. So, Kim Sehee headed to the area where a bunch of grapes were on display. She planned to let Hana try the freshly harvested Starlight Grapes. Hana’s eyes widened as she looked at the grapes, clearly excited by the sheer number of them.
“This one! This one!”
Hana pointed at the grapes she wanted. Kim Sehee picked the ones Hana pointed to, carefully peeled them, and placed them in Hana’s mouth. The grapes were quite large, but not too big to eat in one bite.
Hana chewed the grape a few times, then smiled brightly and said, “It’s really delicious, Boss!”
The grapes were so good that even the person who made them deserved praise.
