Everything’s ready! I perfectly put on the outfit Bora prepared for going out! Wearing a white dress and even Lumi’s hairpin, I couldn’t be more prepared. Right now, I looked like the perfect fairy. It was like those cute moments parents capture on their mobile phones, except it was me. Bora and Haru couldn’t resist snapping photos of my cuteness.
“Let’s see…”
I got into Bora’s car and sat quietly. Like a good kid, I buckled up and looked around with curious eyes, wondering where we were heading.
Bora and Haru were setting our destination on the navigation. Living in Seoul had its perks; most events were held here, making transportation convenient. If we lived in the countryside, we’d have to drive for hours to attend such events.
The warm heater breeze made me feel drowsy. I hadn’t slept well last night due to excitement, which made me even sleepier.
Using Bora and Haru’s voices as a lullaby, I couldn’t fight the heavy eyelids and gave in to the pleasant drowsiness.
I must have felt the car bumping in my sleep because it seemed like no time had passed before we arrived at our destination.
Feeling the car park, I slightly opened my eyes to find it already parked. I quickly got out, eager to see what was happening. It was noisy over there, and I could barely contain my excitement, waiting for Bora and Haru to get out.
“Quickly, quickly!”
I stomped my feet, waiting impatiently. Bora and Haru, seeing me like this, laughed and finally got out of the car.
The parking lot was full of kids my age. It was obvious why we were all here. Luckily, there didn’t seem to be any kids here just to see Lumi.
“Hana, let’s eat first!”
Bora said, fiddling with her phone.
“Okay.”
Thinking about it, I hadn’t eaten breakfast. The animation event hadn’t opened yet, probably because we arrived too early. There were many restaurants around, likely with good reviews due to the crowd.
“Little miss, what do you want to eat today?”
Haru crouched down, holding my shoulder. There were so many things I wanted to eat. I thought for a moment, then said,
“I want pork cutlet!”
It was a safe choice. Even if it wasn’t from a famous place, the quality was consistent, and the portion was decent. Plus, the sauce always suited my taste.
Eating fried food like pork cutlet in the morning might upset my stomach, but I had an iron stomach. I never felt uncomfortable or greasy, no matter what I ate in the morning. Kids’ bodies are indeed strong.
“Pork cutlet? Hmm…”
Bora was looking for the most popular pork cutlet place nearby on her phone. It was more efficient than wandering around, and we could gather some information too.
Holding Bora’s hand with my right and Haru’s with my left, I felt like we were on a real outing. I swung our hands back and forth, feeling like I could fly.
Luckily, the pork cutlet place was nearby. We didn’t have to walk far before we entered a bustling restaurant. Despite it being morning, the place was packed. These adults were probably here for the animation event too. It seems adults love animations as well.
The food was good. I ate until I was full, patting my bulging belly as we left. It was delicious enough to want to come back, though not as good as the pork cutlet from the company cafeteria. That was heavenly.
No one could easily replicate the masterful taste of the company cafeteria’s pork cutlet. It was bad at first but got better over time.
Stretching outside, I made sure to stimulate my growth plates wherever I was, hoping to grow taller.
“Since we’ve eaten, should we go line up, Hana?”
“Already?”
I checked the time. The event started at 11 AM, and it was only 9 AM. There were still two hours to go. But Bora patted my head and said,
“You’ll understand once we get there.”
“Hmm…”
I had my doubts, but without saying anything else, I followed Bora. Walking with Haru and Bora on either side, it felt like I was walking in the middle, holding their hands, almost like I was a king.
Passing by restaurants, we arrived at a place with large buildings clustered together. Along the way, there were many anime advertisements. As we got closer to the event venue, I saw people in cosplay. I was looking for someone cosplaying as the Little Magician Lumi, but unfortunately, I didn’t see anyone.
If there had been someone, I would’ve wanted to take a commemorative photo. As we kept walking, I finally realized what Bora had meant earlier.
“Uh… uh!?”
There were still two hours left before the event started. But the line was so long that even if I stood on my tiptoes, I couldn’t see the end. Do these people not sleep? There’s still so much time left, and they’re already lining up…
I couldn’t help but be shocked. Seeing my reaction, Bora said:
“Oh no… With this, will there even be any Lumi goods left?”
Bora’s words hit me right in the gut. Not all these people were here for Lumi’s goods, but even if half of them, or even half of that half, bought them, I’d be left staring at empty shelves.
Lumi’s goods were limited edition, not sold in large quantities. And what made my heart ache even more was spotting people in line already holding Lumi’s goods. Those people were definitely here to buy Lumi’s stuff. In other words, they were my competition.
“Ugh… ughhh…”
I felt my body trembling uncontrollably. An unbearable sadness welled up inside me. But Bora, not even noticing my trembling, said:
“There are so many kids like Hana holding Lumi’s goods, huh? At this rate, they’ll all be sold out before we even get there.”
“N-no! There’s no way all these people are here to buy Lumi’s goods!”
I stammered, trembling as I spoke. But deep down, I had to admit Bora was right. With this many people, Lumi’s goods would probably be sold out by the time I got in.
I resented my past self so much. I had no idea there would be this many people. If I’d known, I would’ve come earlier… It wasn’t Bora or Haru’s fault. I was the one who suggested coming here, so as the leader, I had to take responsibility.
But all I could do was stare at the line ahead with a pout. Even when I raised my head, I couldn’t see the end of the line.
“Ughhh.”
I had no choice but to crouch down, pouting. Luckily, I still had enough sense not to sit fully on the ground. That would’ve gotten dirt on my dress.
Bora and Haru were making strange faces as they watched me. I couldn’t tell if they were trying not to laugh or if they were sad.
“Hana.”
Bora called me in a serious tone. I didn’t even look at her as I responded.
“What is it, Bora?”
I kept my eyes fixed on the ground as I answered. My expression was probably a mess, and I didn’t want Bora to see it.
Technically, Bora and Haru had given up their day off to join me, so they weren’t at fault. My head understood that, but my heart didn’t. I felt like I might take my frustration out on Haru and Bora, so I tried to keep my emotions in check as I answered.
“Oh dear. How mad is Hana?”
Bora hugged me as she spoke. Then she patted my head and said:
“Your unni prepared something for you, just in case.”
“Huh?”
For a moment, I didn’t understand what Bora meant. What did they prepare? As she said that, she didn’t join the line but instead carried me and headed inside. People around us were staring at us strangely.
The line was right there, but we, who looked like ordinary people, weren’t joining it and were heading somewhere else instead.
