I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 10

Cough!

“Ugh. Ugh!”

The moment I came to, I spat out a mouthful of seawater.

“Bleh.”

The salty and fishy taste lingered in my mouth, almost making me tear up. Was that all seawater?

As I tried to sit up, I noticed,

“Um… hey, I’m alive.”

People were crowding around me.

“Ha-eun!”

Mom pulled me into a tight hug, crying as I expected. As I patted her to calm her down, Dad approached.

“…Son.”

He looked like he had a lot to say.

“We’ll talk later, okay?”

With that, he hugged me, letting me know I should rest for now.

Yoon was sleeping nearby, likely exhausted from crying.

Soyeol and her mother approached. Her mom fussed over my condition, to which I reassured her I was fine.

Soyeol, on the other hand, said,

“That was bad.”

“I’m sorry.”

She seemed genuinely angry, maybe even on the verge of tears.

Doyoon asked if I was okay, and the other adults were checking on me too.

Externally, I seemed okay, but…

“Ow!”

Oh right, I had a cramp in my leg.

I grabbed my leg and groaned, making Mom jump back in surprise.

“Ugh… I don’t think I can walk just yet.”

Dad agreed, and everyone else went to wrap things up, leaving only my family, Soyeol, and her mother with us.

Now that I thought about it, where was Baek Yuseol?

“Where’s Yuseol?”

Dad pointed, looking grim.

“Ah, um…”

She was bawling, likely scolded heavily by her parents. Doyoon was trying to comfort her.

I mean, why did she go in like that…?

And this isn’t just her fault—adults should’ve been nearby to watch over her.

Mom, still teary-eyed, hugged me from behind.

“I thought I was going to lose you again…”

“…Why would I die? I have so much I want to do.”

“Yeah… but I just can’t calm my heart down.”

Mom smiled weakly. Honestly,

it wouldn’t be surprising if she was scolding me right now. I could’ve left it to the adults and backed off.

But when I realized my family, especially Yoon, was in danger, my mind went blank, and I lost all sense of reason.

I felt I had to step in, no matter what.

Mom had already lost one child. If she’d lost Yoon too, or if help had come late and we’d drifted further away,

she might not have been able to bear it.

Dad was showing a rare, angry expression. Not necessarily directed at me, but more at himself as a father.

“How’s Ha-yoon? Was she hurt?”

“Is now the time to be asking that?”

Soyeol’s mother scolded, giving me a stern look.

“Why didn’t you just call for help if it was dangerous? Don’t you trust the adults?”

“It wasn’t that… I just lost sight of reason for a moment.”

She’s my little sister, only three years old. Yoon’s smart, so she probably wouldn’t have gotten off the tube until help arrived.

I gently stroked her sleeping head.

Soyeol’s mom sighed deeply, looking at me with a complicated expression.

“You’re still a child. What could you have done?”

I know—I’m only seven. Compared to adults, I’m lacking in every way.

But,

“I could at least keep my sister from drifting too far.”

If it weren’t for me, Yoon might have been much further away by now.

“Ugh, stubborn kid. You nearly died, you know that?”

“…I’m sorry about that.”

“Thinking about it??”

“…I apologize.”

“Geez.”

She sighed, grabbed a cold drink from the icebox, and took a long gulp.

Mom and Dad were just looking at me without saying a word.

And Soyeol…

“…Please, don’t do that again.”

“Let’s hope nothing like this ever happens again.”

She was worried about me, though her expression was a little odd.

“Sigh. Son, you really scared me.”

“I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head. I knew I went too far.

“No, actually, I’m sorry. I should’ve kept a closer watch. I shouldn’t have dozed off just because I was tired.”

“Well…”

That was out of his control. Ultimately, the blame lay elsewhere.

“But still, you shouldn’t have gone in alone. That deserves a scolding.”

“Right…”

I replied in a weary voice.

For the next 30 minutes, Mom and Dad lectured me. Even at my age.

“But…”

Then, suddenly, a hand rested on my head.

When I looked up in confusion,

“We have to praise you for saving your sister, don’t we?”

A smile slipped out before I knew it. This was the dad I knew—he might scold me, but he’d always hug me in the end.

That’s what real guidance is. A mix of scolding and kindness.

“Thank you, son. Thanks to you, we didn’t lose Yoon. You’re a hero to us.”

“It wasn’t really that much…”

I scratched the back of my head, feeling embarrassed.

“And I’m also sorry. I should’ve been watching more closely.”

Dad, looking downcast, slumped his shoulders.

I gave him a thumbs-up.

“Well, I survived because you were there. Let’s call it even.”

Mom and Dad exchanged amused looks before laughing softly.

“Weren’t you scared, Ha-eun?”

Mom’s question made me freeze for a second. Seeing this, everyone’s face turned serious.

With a cautious voice, I replied,

“Honestly… I was terrified.”

I thought I was going to die.

“When my strength left my hands…”

I thought I’d let Yoon go.

“And when I got that cramp in my leg…”

I felt like I had to hold on, no matter what.

I struggled, thrashing my leg that wouldn’t move, trying to push forward.

Tears I had been holding back started to flow.

Tears trickled down my cheeks.

If Dad hadn’t grabbed the back of my rash guard then,

I would’ve drowned.

“I was… really scared.”

The thought of never seeing them again scared me to death.

“It’s okay. Mom and Dad are right here.”

Mom hugged me tight, and Dad patted my head.

Soyeol leaned against my shoulder, and her mom watched me with a serious expression.

If I can make it through this without trauma, I’ll be lucky.

And I’m worried Yoon might develop a fear of the ocean.

All the feelings I’d tried to hold back swelled up with everyone comforting me.

I wanted to cry out loud, but all that came out was a quiet sobbing.

After some time, I managed to calm down.

“Sniff.”

“Don’t sniffle like that; it’s not good.”

Mom held a tissue to my nose.

“I can do it myself.”

“Sure, for someone weaker than Mom.”

Now, that’s uncalled for.

I looked up at her in disbelief, and she smiled brightly, hugging me tighter.

“You’re squishing me…”

When I tapped her arm, she finally loosened her grip, though she didn’t let go.

Soyeol looked at Mom with envy. Why, though?

“Huh…?”

Right on cue, Yoon woke up. When I waved happily, she called out,

“Brother!”

And snuggled into my arms, resting her head on my shoulder.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Mm!”

Good. Really.

“Looks like they’re done, too.”

Dad said, glancing at Doyoon’s family.

They walked toward us, looking gloomy.

Well, after something like this, it would be strange if they weren’t.

Yuseol’s eyes were especially swollen. She must have cried a lot.

Being a kid worked in her favor—if she were an adult, she’d probably be embarrassed.

With how unpredictable kids are, we can’t completely blame her. The adults are responsible, too.

It looks like our time at the beach has wrapped up for the day.

“Sorry…”

Yuseol approached, bowing her head in apology.

I was mad at the time, but…

“It’s okay. It happens.”

Forgiving her now felt like the mature thing to do.

“Thank you so much…”

After apologizing to me, Yuseol’s parents apologized to my parents.

Mom and Dad thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Yes, well, we weren’t close by either.”

At this, Yuseol’s dad bowed even lower.

“No, I was too focused on my daughter and failed to keep an eye on Yoon. I’ll definitely make it up to you.”

“No need for that…”

Mom and Dad smiled awkwardly but didn’t outright refuse.

Since our kids’ lives were at stake, brushing it off would be a bit much.

Once things settled down, we decided to rest before heading back to the lodge.

Mom never let go of me the entire time. But what time is it? The sky’s already orange.

“Hmm…”

“What’s on your mind, son?”

Mom asked.

“The sunset… it’s perfect for painting.”

In response, Dad handed me a plastic water bottle.

He carried me, unable to walk, while Mom held Yoon’s hand nearby.

It might be tough to paint in this position, but,

I am who I am. Even with a handicap, my art would be flawless.

As Dad moved at my pace, I sketched.

Water gently trickled from the small hole in the bottle cap.

Calm and serene. Seagulls perched on rocks, watching us.

Mom and Yoon walked beside me, looking at my hands.

When I ran out of water, Dad pulled another bottle from his pocket.

Oh, and by the way, this was seawater. Not clean.

After several minutes passed,

“Wow!”

“That’s my boy!”

“Pretty!”

They each gasped in admiration.

What I drew was a scene of me pushing Yoon’s tube from behind.

But instead of a struggling face, I drew a peaceful smile, pushing her calmly.

In the picture, Yoon looked delighted, laughing happily.

Yeah. This helped soothe my heart.

After watching the sunset for a moment, we headed back to the lodge.