Living Dangerously with a 999-Year-Old Gumiho – Chapter 56

“Arrived!!”

As soon as Nomi got off the bus, she happily dashed towards the house, and Yoonhwa felt her enthusiasm and followed.

“Nomi, wait!”

Yoonhwa approached Nomi with a smile and ran alongside her.

They ran home, bursting with laughter.

Seojin and Hyun, seeing this, exchanged glances and started to run too.

“Let’s go too..!”

Seojin shouted joyfully while pulling Hyun’s hand.

Hyun laughed and hurried after Seojin.

With Nomi and Yoonhwa leading the way, running towards home with bright smiles, Seojin and Hyun picked up their pace, fueled by their energy.

Passersby turned to watch them, caught by their laughter and energy, smiling at their happy faces.

Upon arriving in front of the house, the four of them paused for a moment to catch their breath and looked at one another.

Hyun heaved a heavy sigh, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his hand.

Seojin stood next to Hyun, her arms hanging tiredly as if she was worn out.

Yoonhwa and Nomi, still brimming with excitement, wanted to go inside the house.

“Alright, let’s go in..”

Hyun opened the door, inviting everyone inside.

Unlike the quietness that had prevailed since they left, the house was now filled with their laughter and voices.

Nomi enthusiastically dashed into the living room, tumbling a box on the floor and shouted with glee.

“Look! It’s the stuff we bought!”

While Nomi and Yoonhwa started to play excitedly around the toy box, Seojin sat on the floor, taking a moment to rest.

Though exhaustion had gathered around her eyes from the day, Nomi’s laughter made her forget her fatigue.

A little while later, Seojin said to Hyun.

“I’ll go first.. since it’s next door, come by anytime if you need anything..!”

Her voice was soft, but it carried a sense of responsibility.

Hyun nodded at Seojin with a grateful smile.

“Thanks, Seojin!”

“You really helped a lot today.”

“Go ahead.”

Seojin replied with a smile, accepting Hyun’s gratitude.

Nomi and Yoonhwa shouted at Seojin.

“Thank you!”

Seojin opened the door and walked next door.

Nomi and Yoonhwa were surrounded by the scattered toys on the floor, bubbling with happiness.

As they took out new toys one by one from the box spread out on the living room floor, their eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation.

Yoonhwa cautiously reached out, grabbing one of the toys.

It was a small doll in vibrant colors, with intricate clothing and a lively facial expression that caught her attention.

“Wow, this looks just like a tiny human..!!”

Yoonhwa exclaimed as she turned the doll around.

She was surprised by the texture of the doll’s clothes and brushed her fingers lightly over its hair.

It felt soft and delicate, like real hair.

Nomi opened another box in front of her and pulled out a small toy car.

It was covered in shiny paint with intricate details, and Nomi placed the car on the floor and gave it a light push with her finger.

The car rolled smoothly forward, and excitement lit up Nomi’s face.

“Wow! Yoonhwa unnie! This really goes fast!”

“It’s just like the one we saw today!”

Nomi cheered as she pushed the car again, and Yoonhwa laughed along, joining in on Nomi’s excitement.

As they enjoyed their new toys, Hyun’s face relaxed into a warm smile.

Their laughter and joyful energy filled the house, brightening the atmosphere.

Hyun paused for a moment, thinking the house could use a bit of tidying up.

He first headed to the kitchen to put away the food that Seojin and Nomi had bought from the store.

It included various fruits, bread, and sweet snacks that Nomi would’ve chosen.

Hyun carefully arranged the fresh fruits in the fruit compartment of the refrigerator and placed the bread and snacks into a basket on the dining table.

Next, he started organizing the toy boxes that Nomi had scattered all over the living room floor.

He lifted each box and stacked them neatly in one corner of the room so Nomi could use them to put her toys back in order later.

With each box he moved, he listened to Nomi and Yoonhwa’s laughter and felt warmth spread through his heart.

While doing the housework, Hyun occasionally glanced to the living room to see what new toy Nomi and Yoonhwa were captivated by.

The two demons creating an imaginary world with toy cars and dolls reminded Hyun of his childhood memories.

As Nomi and Yoonhwa played joyfully, Yoonhwa suddenly paused and clutched her stomach.

“I’m hungry..!”

She exclaimed out of the blue.

Nomi looked at her and laughed.

“I already ate a lot of rice at the store!”

Nomi said excitedly.

Seeing Yoonhwa’s hungry expression, Hyun quickly began preparing food.

He started taking out bread and a few fruits from the snack basket on the dining table.

He carefully cut the bread, neatly slicing the fruits to place them on a plate.

Then, he gestured for Nomi and Yoonhwa to come to the dining table.

“Yoonhwa, come eat here!”

“Nomi, do you want a bit more too?”

Hyun said warmly.

Nomi rushed to the dining table, holding a toy car in one hand.

“I want some too!”

She exclaimed joyfully.

The two demons gathered at the dining table and shared the simple meal prepared by Hyun.

Yoonhwa took a piece of bread, declaring it delicious while thanking Hyun.

“Hyun, thank you. It’s really good!”

She said with a smile.

Hyun responded with a satisfied smile at Yoonhwa’s appreciation.

“I’m glad you like it.”

He sat with them for a moment, sharing the meal.

Watching Nomi and Yoonhwa find great joy in such a simple meal, Hyun felt a fullness in his heart that didn’t need actual food.

Nomi alternated between eating bread and fruit, sometimes proudly telling Yoonhwa about her chosen toy.

Yoonhwa listened intently, nodding along and laughing together.

Their laughter and conversation filled the living room, warming the entire house.

After the meal, Hyun started clearing the table.

He took the used plates and cups to the sink to wash and stored the leftover food in the refrigerator.

Yoonhwa and Nomi got up from the dining table and sat down on the floor, returning to their toys.

Their laughter once again filled the house.

After washing the dishes, Hyun returned to the living room to watch Nomi and Yoonhwa play with their toys.

He absentmindedly held the note he received from the furniture store.

His gaze was filled with contemplation as he looked at the phone number written on the note.

He silently thought about why that mysterious woman had left him the number and felt troubled about whether he should call her.

Nomi and Yoonhwa’s laughter briefly interrupted his thoughts.

He looked at them and smiled for a moment, finding solace in their happy demeanor before turning his attention back to the note.

Finally, Hyun took a deep breath and made up his mind.

He walked to the phone and carefully dialed the number written on the note.

The sound of the phone dialing made his heart race faster.

As he waited for the call to connect, his mind was filled with tension.

And finally, a woman’s voice came through on the other end of the line.

“Hello?!”

Hyun’s hand trembled tightly around the phone as he hesitated at the voice he heard.

His voice was timidly shaky.

“Ah, yes.. I met you at the furniture store…”

“I-I received a note!”

The voice on the other end sounded more energized than when he first saw her.

“Oh, that note?!”

“You actually called-!!”

Though Hyun was startled by her reaction, he felt somewhat relieved by the warmth in her tone.

“I’m Hyun.”

“I’m curious about the reason behind the note…”

“Oh! I just thought you were interesting!”

“I gathered my courage to give you the note~!!”

Her voice was clear and confident.

Hyun’s face turned as red as a tomato at her honest confession.

Her voice still sounded bright and lively on the phone.

“R-really??”

Just then, she laughed and asked her next question.

“But, Hyun, is the person you were with at the furniture store your girlfriend?”

Hyun’s face flushed even deeper at that question, and his voice became even smaller.

“Ah, no! Just… a friend…”

Yoonhwa, who was playing in the living room, grew curious about Hyun’s odd behavior.

Seeing Hyun’s red face talking on the phone, she asked.

“Hyun, what’s up?”

“Why is your face so red?”

Hyun felt flustered at Yoonhwa’s voice and momentarily lost his words.

He carefully lowered his head, hiding his face.

The sound of the woman’s laughter over the phone tickled his ears.

“Oh my, if my question made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”

“I just asked out of curiosity!”

Hyun answered carefully.

“Ah, no. It’s okay..”

His voice remained quiet.

Over the phone, her tone seemed like she wanted to bring warmth.

“Hyun, I want to meet and talk some more tomorrow!”

“Can you spare some time?!”

Her voice from the other end was bright and filled with expectation.

“Can we meet at a coffee shop in the city center to chat??”

Hyun was momentarily startled.

The city center was quite a distance away, and he realized that his town was far from the city.

“Um, actually, I live in a town a bit far from the city…”

Hyun’s voice was cautious.

The woman’s reaction on the other end was positive.

“Oh.. I see!”

“I can come that way..!!”

Her voice was still upbeat.

“I’ll come, so just let me know what time works for you!”

Hyun was surprised by her response, but felt thankful for her consideration.

“Then.. can we meet tomorrow morning?”

His voice still held caution, but he felt a bit more at ease with the woman’s positive attitude.

“Great, Hyun!!”

“Then, let’s meet at the village square tomorrow morning!”

“What time should we meet?!”

Hyun suggested a time carefully.

“How about 10 in the morning?”

His voice carried a hint of awkwardness.

The woman on the other end responded immediately.

“Yes, that’s fine!!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning at 10 in the village square!”

Her voice carried a tone filled with happiness as if looking forward to their meeting.

Hyun hung up the phone and let out a deep sigh.

His face was still red, and his heart was filled with fluttering emotions.

In the meantime, Yoonhwa approached with curious eyes, holding a doll, looking at Hyun.

“Hyun, who were you talking to?”

“Why are you so tense?”

After a moment of thought, Hyun decided to be honest with Yoonhwa.

“Ah, just.. I was talking to the person I met at the furniture store…”

“I’m meeting her tomorrow.”

Yoonhwa looked at Hyun with wide eyes, surprised by his answer.

“Wow! Can I go too?!”

Hyun hesitated for a moment at Yoonhwa’s excited question before speaking.

“Uh, um.. can you help me?”

“I’m meeting her tomorrow morning at 10…”

“Could you watch Nomi for me in the morning?”

Hyun’s voice was filled with a pleading note.

Yoonhwa thought for a moment but then brightened up and smiled.

“Sure, Hyun. Don’t worry!”

“I’ll be with Nomi.”

“Good luck with your important meeting tomorrow!”

Her voice was filled with encouragement and support.

Hyun felt a weight lift from his heart at Yoonhwa’s warm words.

“Thank you, Yoonhwa. It’ll be fine.”

He sincerely expressed his gratitude.

After thanking Yoonhwa, he approached Nomi, who was exploring the toys spread out on the floor.

Nomi was still engrossed with her toy car.

“Nomi, I have to step outside for a bit tomorrow morning!”

“Yoonhwa will stay with you.”

Hyun’s voice gently explained the situation to Nomi.

Nomi briefly took her eyes away from the toy car and looked at Hyun.

“Just me and Yoonhwa unnie?!!”

Nomi’s voice was filled with excitement.

Hyun felt relieved at Nomi’s positive response and gently patted her head.

“Yes~ Yoonhwa unnie will be with you.”

Nomi pushed her toy car a few more times before turning to look at Hyun and Yoonhwa.

Her face radiated a look of new ideas dawning upon her.

Putting the toys aside, Nomi shouted at them.

“You two, let’s play together!”

Her voice was full of anticipation and excitement.

Hyun and Yoonhwa exchanged smiles, looking at each other.

Though Hyun’s mind was cluttered with thoughts of tomorrow’s meeting, Nomi’s pure suggestion warmed his heart.

Yoonhwa also wanted to spend more time with Nomi.

“Alright!”