Chapter 11: The Doll Named Mimi

Dahye looked around, trying to figure out which direction she might be coming from.

There are two paths from our house toward Arin’s place.

One leads past a small hill that will eventually be turned into a walking trail in the future, and the other goes by the stationery and snack shop.

The shortcut is the path by the hill, while passing the snack shop means making a full circle.

“Now that I think about it, I usually avoid that path in the evening. Sometimes she’d stop by the snack shop, though.”

On the outside, she tries to act tough, but she’s actually shy and quite timid.

She can’t stand being in the spotlight, and when walking alone, she always avoids dimly lit paths.

“She’s the kind of kid who’d never go out at this hour, right?!”

Hmm, this doesn’t add up.

People’s actions tend to be consistent unless there’s a special reason.

Especially at Dahye’s age, that was always the case.

“Let’s check by the snack shop.”

After some thought, I decided to try the path by the snack shop, where the chances were highest.

I followed the streetlights that were lit and walked slowly, keeping an eye on my surroundings.

I constantly moved my eyes around, worried that I might miss crossing paths with my sister.

“There she is. Huh? But what’s going on?”

My guess was right.

Dahye was crouched in front of the snack shop, staring at something.

Just as I was about to call out loudly, I caught a strange scene and quickly covered my mouth, then hurried over to her.

“Ugh, still staring at dolls here?”

At that moment, the snack shop owner came out, clicking his tongue while looking at my sister.

‘What’s going on?’

I slowed down and approached Dahye.

The atmosphere felt off.

“Dahye, what’s wrong? Sir, is something the matter?”

I stood between Dahye and the owner, asking.

Seeing my sister so withdrawn made me worried.

“Oppa.”

Dahye looked up at me, startled.

Like a guilty child, she lowered her head soon after.

“It’s nothing much. I just asked because she often comes here and sits there looking at the dolls. I felt sorry for her.”

The owner’s face held genuine sympathy — that much I wasn’t imagining.

“Dolls? What do you mean?”

Curious, I followed the owner’s pointing finger.

Beyond the clear window, where he pointed, was a doll labeled ‘Makeup Charming Mimi.’

Glancing sideways, Dahye looked helpless and unsure what to do.

‘Ah, such a foolish thing. How could I have forgotten this?’

How could I have been so careless?

Now I remembered.

Dahye loved dolls, but growing up poor, she never got the ones she wanted.

Paper dolls and sticker dolls were all she had.

Then, one Christmas, someone gave her a doll as a gift.

She cherished it more than anything else.

And now, only now, I recalled.

I had promised to protect her, care for her, and give her everything.

“Dahye, do you want that doll?”

I crouched down to meet her eyes.

“No, I just thought it was pretty. Oppa, let’s go home now.”

Dahye shook her head and tugged at my collar, signaling it was time to leave.

At home, she’s sassy and noisy, but outside, she tries to act grown-up.

That made my heart ache even more.

“Be honest. You really want it, don’t you?”

I gently ran my hand over her hair and asked again.

“Uh, um... yeah.”

She looked around nervously, then nodded with a faint voice.

Poverty is no sin, but it made her fragile.

She hid herself to pretend she had enough, to avoid being hurt.

“Oppa, do everything you want while you’re healthy. Don’t regret it because you couldn’t later.”

That was what Dahye told me two weeks before she left.

Crunch.

My grip tightened.

Dahye, from now on, whatever you want, whatever you wish to do, I’ll make sure you can.

I promised once more to let my sweet sister, who thought of me even while sick, live happily and without envy.

“Sir, I’ll take that doll.”

“Hoho, you’re quite the gentleman. Taking care of your sister, huh? I’ll give it to you at a special discount.”

The snack shop owner smiled warmly, went inside, and fetched the doll.

He looked at me proudly.

“Oppa, I’m okay. Really.”

My sister looked surprised.

Though young, she seemed to know how expensive dolls are.

She must have asked around somewhere.

“It’s okay. Oppa has lots of money now. So you can take it.”

I patted her worried back and smiled even wider.

“Can I really have it?”

“Yes, you can. Come here. Let’s get your doll. I’ll pay.”

Holding her cold hand tightly, I went inside, paid for the doll, and stepped back out.

The owner said we were a nice sibling pair and gave each of us a Yakult.

“Mimi...”

Sipping Yakult, I watched Dahye.

A smile bloomed on her face.

She was nothing short of an angel.

“Dahye, do you like it?”

“Mm-hmm! I love it.”

If you’re happy, I’m happy.

Just seeing you smile warms my heart.

“Take good care of it.”

“Yeah! Thanks, Oppa! I’ll treasure it for real.”

Her voice was strong and determined, which was nice to see.

“It’s cold. Let’s buy some tofu and head home quickly.”

We bought tofu at the mart and turned back toward home.

Walking the night road, we talked a lot.

“Dahye, is there anything else you want to do or have?”

What else could a kid your age want?

I wanted to know what she truly wished for.

“Things I want to do? I want to go to the Piano Academy, join Girl Scouts, wear pretty clothes...”

For the first time, she openly shared her hidden heart.

I couldn’t help but find her utterly adorable.

Hearing her thoughts for the first time, I felt closer to her than ever.

“Before school starts, let’s go to the department store with Mom. I’ll buy you lots of pretty clothes.”

If she wants it, she should have it.

“Really, Oppa?”

Her eyes grew wide again.

“Really.”

I copied her tone.

“Really, really, really?”

Hugging the doll to her chest, she asked over and over.

“Really.”

And I reassured her once more.

“Wow! Oppa, you promise! Really?!”

She held out her thumb and pinky finger.

Such tiny, adorable hands.

“Promise.”

I made the same hand sign, locked pinkies, then pressed thumbs together.

“Copy, laminate.”

I waved my hand, chanting the words, sealing the promise perfectly.

I was glad I came looking for her.

Holding her hand tight, we headed home.

My gaze fixed on Mom waving from the veranda, signaling us to come in quickly.

┗ Bought sister a doll.

┗ Errand for tofu.

┗ Deep conversation with sister.

Next up: clothes and the Piano Academy.

***

The Sunday before school started.

I visited the bank to check my balance and do some account management.

₩4,525,052

That was the total balance in my account.

Not many middle schoolers earn money.

Even fewer would have four million won.

On Earth, that’s practically nonexistent.

“Good thing I asked Mom to get me a check card. Now that I’m basically a business owner, I can use the card for expenses.”

The important part: my birthday came early, so I was already 14.

Legally, those under 13 have daily and monthly spending limits on check cards.

At 14, those restrictions are lifted.

“I’m proud of myself.”

Seeing the money in my account made me happy.

I decided to pay my own monthly insurance and savings plan.

I’d also cover my supplies and daily expenses myself.

“Mom should be here soon. Let’s get going.”

After checking my balance, I slipped the card into the wallet Dad gave me for my debut as a writer.

Today was the day I’d go shopping with Dahye.

The first time ever buying clothes for my parents and sister.

A special day for a middle schooler.

Heh.

I whistled happily as I left the bank and stood at the crosswalk.

“Oppaaaaa!”

Across the street, Dahye stretched out her arms, waving them side to side.

She was clearly trying to look nice for our shopping day.

I waved back, matching her motions.

A taxi stopped in front of the department store near Ansan Jungang Station.

After paying the fare, I opened the door and stepped inside.

The first floor had a sparkling accessory store, and beside it was a long stretch of cosmetics shops.

Right next to them was the escalator leading up to the second floor.

“......”

Dahye stopped in front of the cosmetics shop, staring at something.

Eleven years old, fourth grade.

‘It’s a perfectly normal age to be interested in makeup.’

I glanced at Mom.

‘I remember when Dahye got scolded for playing with makeup when she was little. Mom wasn’t happy, especially Dad. But Dahye wanted to do it more.’

I felt sorry for them, but just for today, I wanted to grant Dahye’s wish.

In 2023, even elementary kids used lip balms and tints.

The desire to look pretty knew no age.

But Dahye had never really been able to dress up properly.

She never had the chance to sit in front of a mirror or carefully pick out something special.

I wanted her to enjoy those things freely now, as a girl.

I memorized a few of the cosmetics she was watching closely.

“Mom, you and Dahye go ahead to the second floor. I’ll just quickly go to the bathroom.”

I gave a natural excuse.

Actually, I planned to secretly buy the cosmetics Dahye liked.

Better to do it first, then deal with the aftermath later.

“Okay, we’ll wait on the second floor. Dahye, let’s go.”

“Oppa, hurry up.”

“Yeah. Look at all the pretty things and try on whatever you like.”

Once Mom and Dahye were on the escalator, I entered the store.

“These products are low-irritation and safe even for elementary students. They’re great for sensitive skin.”

The staff smiled brightly, explaining and packing items one by one.

“I’ll take them all. Card, please.”

I bought various powders.

I wasn’t sure which would suit Dahye’s skin tone, so I got her to try them all.

Just like trying on clothes to find your style, investment doesn’t lie.

“Payment complete. Thank you for shopping with us.”

After the clerk’s farewell, I left the store.

The shopping bag in my hand made my heart race.

Cautious but excited.

In my past life, Dahye never got to enjoy these things freely.

My goal in this life was to make her dreams come true.

And this was a gift filled with my vow to protect her no matter what.

As I rode the escalator up, I imagined what expression Dahye would make.

Hehe.