Chapter 30: When the Rain Changes the Harvest

Three pairs of eyes were staring at me.

As that odd silence dragged on, Kihyun waved his hand.

“So, you’re saying the only reason the Watermelons turned out so well is because he came?”

“No, it’s just… The timing was uncanny, that’s all.”

“Yeah, it did start raining after he arrived.”

“It’s like he cast some kind of magic, I swear.”

Hearing the siblings talk, Kihyun tapped the Bar Table with his finger.

“I know what you guys are thinking, but what am I, a magician? Or a god or something? Be reasonable, will you?”

“You’re always saying things like that. Hey, you trying to pick a fight?”

“You’re the ones saying weird things first!”

Kihyun’s words were logical.

“He’s a person, just a person. There’s no way a regular person could pull off something so extraordinary.”

“…That’s true.”

“Enough with the pointless thoughts, just tell me about those Watermelons from before. You said you’re getting more top grades?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Hyeon Ung tapped his fingers on his temple as he spoke.

“If you calculate it from before the rainy season and after, there’s a big difference. If before, the special Watermelons were about 10% of the daily harvest, now it’s around 20%, give or take?”

“It’s increased that much?”

“And the quality of the top-grade ones is no joke. Not a single one is under 13 Brix in sugar content.”

“For real?”

“Yeah, man. That’s the kind of Watermelons we grow.”

Hyeonseo and Hyeon Ung’s shoulders rose as if they could reach the sky.

It’s like the pride of parents watching their kids bring home a prize.

Seeing how happy they were, I felt glad I’d helped the Watermelons grow so well.

“And the harvest volume has gone up a lot too.”

“That’s right. The people working these days are quick, and they’ve got stamina.”

“Before, we had to go until 5 to get it all done, but now we finish around 3.”

“At this rate, maybe it’s time to think about expanding.”

As the two chattered on, Kihyun leaned his chin in his hand, lost in thought.

With his eyes closed and thinking hard, he finally spoke up.

“How much are you selling the Watermelons for?”

“Hey, didn’t you say you weren’t buying any?”

“That was only if the value dropped. It’s different now.”

Kihyun approached this strictly from a business angle.

“You’re not the kind to lie about Watermelons, right? If their value really did go up, then there’s no reason to buy from anyone else.”

“The way you switch sides so fast, it’s kind of annoying, you know.”

“Think whatever you want. So how much? Of course, I’ll check them myself.”

Though they frowned at Kihyun’s change in attitude, the two quickly got serious and started talking business.

Even if they’d argued, they were still friends—and they’d just made up.

No reason not to make a deal.

“How about this much?”

“Come on, that’s just too cheap. Where else sells Watermelons at this price?”

“You punks, just try it! What do you even know? Fine, forget it. We’ll just sell them to the Department Store with a luxury branding strategy.”

“That won’t make you money, will it? How about this price, then?”

As their fierce bargaining dragged on, I drank a glass of water.

And then.

Hyeonseo and Kihyun shook hands firmly.

“President, you made the right choice. I’m amazing at sales, you know. I’ll sell them all in a day.”

“Don’t sell them for dirt cheap. Our Watermelons were raised with love.”

“Of course. If the taste’s guaranteed, there’s no reason they won’t sell. Up to now, it’s only because they didn’t taste good.”

“Ah.”

Hyeonseo let out a loud exclamation, and Kihyun chuckled.

Their conversation continued as lively as before, but the atmosphere had changed.

There was no longer a chill between them.

As always, only the warm comfort between friends remained.

“I guess we can get up now.”

With the mood thawed, there was no reason to keep the Bar Table closed.

As I was about to stand, Hyeon Ung grabbed my arm.

“Huh? What is it?”

“Just… Take a few Watermelons with you next time.”

“Sure. I’ve got a place I get Tomatoes from, too—they’re pretty good. I’ll bring you some later.”

Not to be outdone, Kihyun offered me something as well.

This was their own way of showing gratitude.

“Then I won’t refuse.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Hey, Hyeon Ung. What’s with your clothes? Did you dig through a rag bin or something?”

“This is the style worn by all the trendy people in Gangnam, okay? Doesn’t it look rich?”

If you say so. All I see is a bumpkin.”

With the mood lightened, random chatter started up again.

I wanted to join them, but I had work to do.

“Let’s have a drink after work. I’ll close up soon.”

“Sure, we’ll just hang out together.”

They hadn’t met in a while, so they had a mountain of things to talk about.

If I joined in, I’d probably end up the same.

I was already looking forward to it.

***

“Hey, we’re going to drink at your place. You coming?”

5 PM.

As soon as I closed the Bar Table, the guys were waiting for me as if they’d been expecting it.

Since I’d suggested it earlier, it was obvious I’d go with them.

“But I didn’t expect it’d be at my house.”

“You don’t think that’s a good plan?”

“If you don’t like it, don’t come. But we’re partying at your place.”

“I never even invited you guys, though?”

“You did.”

As far as I can remember, I never said that.

But the three of them grinned like they had an ace up their sleeves.

Then they looked straight at one spot.

There stood No-Rani.

“No-Rani.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you ask the lady if we could hang out at our house?”

“Yup!”

I see.

So No-Rani gave them permission.

When did they even scheme this?

“Even if it wasn’t No-Rani, you told me to sleep over next time, remember? Don’t you?”

“I do.”

“See? Then hurry up and get moving.”

The way Kihyun stuck his neck out made me want to smack him.

If the kids weren’t around, I’d have given them each a good whack.

“Yeah, let’s go, let’s go.”

“Yesss!”

“Hey, I’ll go home and grab some whiskey. Wait for me.”

“Bring some Watermelon while you’re at it. Let’s make fruit punch.”

“Good idea.”

As Hyeon Ung grabbed his car keys and stood, Kihyun and Hyeonseo got up to follow him.

Seriously, wherever the needle goes, the thread follows.

Why am I getting up too?

I’ll use the chance to bring over some clothes and cosmetics.

“I’m just going to check the Watermelon status while I’m there. It’s not that I don’t trust you guys, but seeing with my own eyes is best.”

So, each of us had a reason to go to Hyeon Ung’s house…

“We could just hang out at his place, then.”

“We’re heading straight to your house, so clean up.”

“Yeah, you better. You’re going to have a hard time cleaning, so start early.”

“If you know, come help.”

“We’ll be right back.”

The three completely ignored my plea as they left the Bar Table.

Times like this, they really are in perfect sync.

No wonder they’re friends.

“I’d better tidy up the Bar Table before they come back.”

Thinking that, I reached for the mop, but suddenly, No-Rani grabbed my hand.

The warmth from that small hand felt a bit weak, though maybe it was just my imagination.

“No-Rani?”

“Mister, I have a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yeah?”

Looking over at No-Rani, I saw Naru and Siwoo standing beside her.

A look of determination was on all three of their faces.

Like they were about to make a last stand.

I squeezed No-Rani’s hand and said,

“What’s your favor? If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”

“Really? Promise?”

“Of course, I promise.”

“If you break your promise, you’ll get really sick.”

“That won’t happen. I’d never refuse a favor from you.”

Not just No-Rani.

If Naru or Siwoo asked, I’d help them just the same.

I met the eyes of the two children to convey my feelings.

“So, will you tell me? What is it?”

“Today… Can Siwoo Unni sleep over?”

“Of course.”

The words popped out before I realized it was a favor.

As soon as I replied, the three children’s faces relaxed a little.

Maybe not happiness, but relief.

“That’s what you wanted to ask?”

“Yes. We were worried what if you said no.”

“Why would I say no? You can sleep over anytime.”

“Thank goodness.”

“President, thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

If Siwoo slept over, No-Rani and Naru would be happy too.

There was no reason to refuse.

“So, is there less work in the Spirit Realm today?”

“Well… not really. I do kind of feel like they’re dumping future work on me, though.”

That sounded a bit odd.

The Siwoo I knew always took her duties seriously.

She has things to do today, but she’s postponing?

“Something’s strange.”

And when Siwoo finished talking, No-Rani and Naru both held her hands tight.

Now that I think about it, even though their favor was granted, all three kids looked a bit sad and regretful.

“Come to think of it, the three of them have been sticking together even more today.”

They didn’t want to be apart, not even for a moment.

And none of them wanted to go play in the Spirit Realm.

Something feels off.

“You guys… Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Uh…”

“That…”

Naru and Siwoo fidgeted, unable to answer.

The awkward silence grew thicker, until No-Rani spoke up.

“Mister, you won’t get mad, right?”

“Mad? Is it something that would make me angry?”

“That’s… I dunno…”

No-Rani clung tightly to my leg.

Looks like it’s not easy for her to say it herself.

Geez.

“Alright. I won’t get mad.”

“Really? Not even annoyed?”

“I promise. Why would I ever be mad at you guys?”

“Mhm.”

No-Rani buried her face even deeper.

At this rate, her face and my pants might become one.

Anyway, getting No-Rani to talk didn’t look easy.

Then.

“Naru?”

“Yes.”

“Is it something you can’t tell me? Is something wrong?”

“It’s not that. It’s just… sniff…”

Naru’s eyes filled with tears as she pressed her lips shut.

I stepped closer and hugged her gently.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t cry.”

“Sniff… But…”

“There, there.”

The two children were getting swept up in their feelings.

In that case…

“Siwoo, can you tell me?”

“Um… It’s not that hard to say, but…”

Siwoo glanced at No-Rani and Naru, then opened her mouth.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to come to the Bar Table anymore.”

“What?”

For a moment, it felt like I’d been hit on the back of the head.

I hadn’t even thought of that possibility.

Siwoo had become an important part of .

At this point, the Bar Table without Siwoo was almost unthinkable.

And now Siwoo can’t come anymore?

My face involuntarily stiffened.

“Eep.”

“Mister… you’re scary…”

“Sorry, sorry.”

For a moment, I couldn’t control my emotions.

No matter how much you try to get used to farewells, they never get easier.

I patted the children’s backs to comfort them and asked Siwoo,

“Why can’t you come, Siwoo?”

“There are places besides here that need rain.”

Right. Siwoo, the Rain Spirit, is involved with all the rain that falls on the world.

And rain doesn’t just fall here.

“I’ve stayed too long. It’s already started to not rain on the other side of the earth.”

“Sniff, unlike me and No-Rani, Siwoo Unni’s powers are weak, so she has to go.”

The two kids could stay here, but Siwoo had to leave.

That’s what they meant.

This… hurts so much.

I bit my lip lightly and asked Siwoo,

“Then, when will you be back? It’s not like you’ll never come, right?”

“Of course. It’s not like we’ll never meet again. To come back…”

Siwoo held up three fingers.

No way.

“Thirty years?”

Siwoo shook her head.

“Three years?”

Again, she shook her head.

So not years…

“Three months?”

Again, she shook her head.

That leaves…

“…Three days?”

“Yes.”

I looked down quietly.

Like before, the two kids’ shoulders were shaking, but there was no sadness.

Only mischief.

“No snacks for you tomorrow.”

“Eeeek!”

“It was just a joke!”

“Pfft.”

For teasing me, you’ll be punished with snack confiscation.

Bang. Bang.