Chapter 63 : A Sweet Christmas Surprise

The massager I took out of the box after tearing the packaging is slightly curved, like a shower head. After reading the instructions a few times, I showed Siyeon how to use it. She eagerly urged me to sit on the living room floor as soon as I was ready, holding the massager with both hands.

Following the instructions I had just given her, I pressed the button, and the massager started moving with a mechanical sound. The vibrations shook my whole body.

“Is it nice?”

“Yeaah, it’s sooo nice!”

I answered with a content expression, feeling the vibrations, like an old man enjoying it. Of course, kids’ bodies are so soft, so there wouldn’t be any tight muscles, but anyway, when I turned the vibration level to the gentlest setting, it was still a comfortable vibration to hold.

The vibrating sensation that made my head shake up and down was surprisingly fun, and I thought, if I didn’t want to think about anything else, it would be nice to just do this.

Even though it’s my money, Siyeon picked a present for me with pure, childlike innocence. Wanting to do something for her for Christmas, I asked her softly, not turning my head and keeping my gaze straight ahead.

“Siyeon, is there anything else you want?”

“Nope!”

With a short pause before a cheerful and firm answer, I felt both pleased and a bit worried. She was so sweet, and even though she didn’t want anything, it still felt a bit off. I thought, if she doesn’t even want anything, giving her something by force would feel like a present she didn’t even ask for.

Eventually, I turned away from the toy-like object and landed on a simple thought—food. Still feeling the vibrations moving through my body, I turned my head back and asked.

“Then, shall we go buy a Christmas cake?”

“Cake!”

Siyeon, who had been indifferent to my earlier question, now glowed with excitement at the mention of cake. A cake, which we rarely buy unless it’s someone’s birthday, and definitely not something we would get for Christmas just as a holiday.

This was something unprecedented, but since she reacted so happily, I couldn’t refuse. It was heartwarming, and I wanted to do something for her.

I also decided to do something for the two mascots lazily lying around in the room, so I kicked the cushion and gave them a signal to follow me quickly.

“If you guys want something to eat, come on quickly.”

“Really?”

“Are you going to buy it for us?”

“Since it’s Christmas, I’ll be generous.”

“Yay!”

As soon as those words were spoken, the two of them let out a brief cheer before rushing into their coat pockets. I took the thick coat hanging on the coat rack and helped Siyeon put on her coat, pulling it out quickly so she could wear it.

After turning off the house lights, we headed straight to the franchise bakery. It was ridiculously expensive, but there weren’t any good cake shops around, so there was no other option. There were still places selling bread in packs of three for 3,000 won, but not in our neighborhood, thankfully.

Anyway, the bakery was a franchise, just a few shops down the street. I looked at the familiar logo sign and entered the bakery. Inside, there were cakes displayed in a fridge near the counter and a display case with white steam coming out. Then, there were factory-made breads wrapped in plastic and some loose breads placed in the middle without packaging.

Everywhere I looked, it was just bread, bread, and more bread.

Of course, if you look around here and there, you can also find cookies, ice cream, and jams to spread on bread.

Ordering the cake is something to do last. For now, let’s pick the things the mascots want to eat first, and leave the cake for the end when we reach the checkout counter.

“Japchae croquette, spicy chicken croquette, moist cheese bread, condensed milk cream sandwich, garlic baguette…”

“Sweet potato bread, corn bread, brown rice bread…”

With the mascot in my pocket tightly held, I read aloud the names of the breads along with Siyeon.

Why are we suddenly listing all these bread names?

“Egg tart….”

As soon as I said “egg tart,” I felt the mascot in my pocket nudging me.

At that signal, I picked up an egg tart from a small bag.

This is how we buy something for the mascots.

Since they can’t pop out of my pocket and ask for it, I use my little tricks to treat them.

I’m still using this method effectively.

“Did Siyeon pick something?”

“Yes!”

The mascot that the bear chose was an egg tart, and Siyeon’s mascot picked soft cheese bread.

Both of these breads had a soft texture, reminding me of a glass of milk.

Anyway, with the mascots’ snacks sorted out, it’s time to choose the cake at the checkout counter.

With Christmas around the corner, various shaped cakes fill the display case.

Since we had chocolate cake last time, I want to avoid a second chocolate cake…

But the decision was completely up to Siyeon, so I asked, handing over the decision-making.

“What kind of cake do you want?”

“Hmmm….”

It was a long hum, longer than any hesitation about choosing something they wanted.

Rudolph-shaped cakes, cakes with Santa riding a sleigh, other cakes shaped like Christmas trees—there were so many cakes based on Christmas themes.

It must be tough to choose just one from all these gorgeous cakes.

“What kind of cake should we get?”

“This one! Sweet potato!”

When the staff asked Siyeon, the answer finally came, bright and clear.

‘Was there a sweet potato cake?’

Only then did I spot a cake covered with a light yellow powder in the middle of all the white cream and black chocolate cakes.

It stood out with its unique yellow color among the otherwise white and dark cakes.

Since Siyeon loves sweet potatoes, it was a simple choice for her.

Usually, it’s a more subtly sweet flavor that parents who dislike overly sweet things would prefer.

Anyway, since she picked it because she likes it, I’ll let her be.

The staff expertly placed the cake into a dedicated box.

“All together, it’s 35,000 won.”

After taking out my card from my wallet and finishing the payment, I handed Siyeon the relatively light cheese bread and egg tart, while I took the cake.

Even though Siyeon’s hand, holding mine, wobbled back and forth, the other hand holding the cake remained steady and calm.

With an unwavering peace, we returned home, and the cake was immediately placed on the low desk that also served as the dining table.

The egg tart and cheese bread were also placed on the table, and since it wasn’t a birthday cake, there was no need to celebrate anything, so we immediately began to taste it.

‘Sweet potato cake…’

As I looked at the cake, which seemed familiar in a nostalgic way, I picked up a plastic bread knife. I gently pushed it into the center of the cake and cut through its soft, sponge-like texture with a slight wrist motion. The golden castella crumbs that had been covering the cake scattered around, making a mess on the plate where the cake had been resting.

Since the cake wasn’t that big, with the mascots joining in, it could easily be finished in one day. A cake the size of three palms costing 25,000 won—what a world we live in. Anyway, I carefully slid the knife under the base of the cake, transferred a piece to a plate, and handed it to Siyeon.

One piece, then another, and another. Before long, half of the cake was gone as I placed pieces on four different plates. With skillful hands, the small table quickly filled with plates.

I clapped twice, signaling the awkward start of our cake tasting.

“Alright, let’s eat!”

“I’ll eat well!”

The cake, easily cut with the plastic knife, was no trouble for a metal fork. Ignoring the castella crumbs falling off, I took a bite of the yellow cake. While the ratio of the bread wasn’t very high, the smooth cream and the sweet potato mousse on the pizza crust mixed surprisingly well in my mouth.

It wasn’t overly sweet like chocolate, nor was it slathered in cream like a typical cream cake. It had a pleasantly mild sweetness.

I was satisfied, but how did Siyeon feel?

I looked up, and…

“It’s delicious!”

Without me even asking, Siyeon smiled in satisfaction and took another bite.

Good, as long as you like it…

Without needing to ask, I smiled too, confirming with another question just to make sure.

“Is it good?”

“Yep! It really tastes like sweet potato!”

Even the mascots, who usually didn’t share a table, gathered together to eat the sweet potato cake. Still, there were about two pieces left, so the cake went into a box and straight to the fridge. We could have it as a snack tomorrow or the day after after a meal.

With my hunger satisfied by the cake, I felt like doing nothing on this afternoon of the 25th.

Yawning briefly, I pulled open the curtain, only to find snowflakes, which hadn’t been there when I went to the bakery, gently covering the world.

“It’s snowing.”

“Snow?!”

Siyeon jumped up from the floor, excited to see the snow, while I, no longer a child, saw it more as trash falling from the sky. But for Siyeon, it was still something fun to play in.

Author’s Note:

The reason for snow removal in the military is to make sure the higher-ups can drive in without slipping and getting in easily.

End of next episode.