Second Chance [ON-going]

[12] Ice cream

[YURI'S POV]

"Yah... you're really cute!!" I said, pinching his cheeks. He really was like a mini version of Dara. He stared back at me seriously... aist, I hated that intense gaze.

"Thank you, Ahjumma. You're beautiful too, but please don't pinch my cheeks—it hurts! And I'm not a kid anymore," he said with a smile.

"Aigoo! You're really cute, Jino... but please don't call me Ahjumma. It doesn't suit me. Call me Pretty Auntie or Noona instead," I said, smiling warmly.

"Arasso, Noona... but seriously, don't pinch my cheeks," he replied, walking toward Dara, who was finally done preparing after what felt like five hundred years.

"Aist... Dara, you're such a turtle when it comes to dressing yourself. It's not like we're going to a grand ball—we're just going shopping," I said, flipping my hair dramatically.

"Thank you, Yuri. You look good too," she said, glancing at Jino with a soft smile.

"Are you ready?" she asked him. Jino simply nodded. She held his hand, and together they walked to the car.

"Let's go, Yuri," she said, tugging me along. I climbed into the driver's seat while they settled into the back.

"Mommy, will Daddy Donghae be with us?" he asked, glancing at Dara. She nodded.

"Yehey! I miss Daddy!" he exclaimed, clearly close to him.

"Jino-ah, do you like Daddy Donghae?" I asked.

"Yes! He's the best Daddy I've ever met!" he said, throwing his little hands into the air.

"But... I love my Appa too," he added.

"Appa?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! I have an Appa too. It's not bad to have both a Daddy and an Appa, right?" he asked, looking at me curiously.

"Y-Yes, of course," I said, realizing he meant Jiyong, his biological father.

"Noona... you know Appa, right? Do you think he'll like me?" he asked, those big questioning eyes staring up at me.

"Y-Yes... he will. You're cute and nice," I said with a smile. He really would like him—after all, he was his son.

"Jino-ah, enough of that. Noona's driving," Dara said softly. Jino just looked at her and grinned.

Mall

"Yah! Jino, don't run!!" I shouted, sprinting after the little brat. I glanced at Dara, who was giggling uncontrollably.

"Dara, don't just giggle like you're watching a comedy show—look at your son! He could get hurt!" I yelled as I ran after him. Dara followed, still giggling.

"Yuri, Jino is turning seven. He's not a little kid anymore. He can take care of himself," she said, trying to reassure me. Yeah, I knew... but aist... I just couldn't help it.

I stomped my feet dramatically on the floor.

"You're cute when you're like that. Come on, maybe he's hungry now," she said, grabbing me and dragging me toward a fast-food place.

"Jino-ah! Come on, let's eat!" Dara called. Jino ran to her instantly.

"Mommy, I want a burger!" he said, smiling brightly.

"Okay, but behave, alright? Noona's tired from running after you," I said, looking at him sternly. Jino gave me his most melting smile. CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!

"Okay... sorry, Noona, for making you run," he said.

We entered a fast-food chain and sat at a vacant table.

"Dara, I'm going to the ladies' room," I said. She nodded.

A minute later, I returned—but no one was at the table. Probably Jino was with Dara ordering food. When she returned with the tray, she asked where Jino was.

"I thought you were with him," I said, scanning the area.

"No, I told him to wait here. Oh my god... where the hell is he?" Dara panicked.

"Wait... okay... relax. We'll find him, alright? The mall's not that big... oh my God!" I exclaimed. Jino was missing!

I saw Dara running toward the exit, calling his name. I grabbed my bag and followed her. We searched the mall, asking people if they'd seen a small boy, but no one had.

"Yuri-ah, where is Jino? We can't find him..." Dara's voice trembled as tears welled up. I placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll find him, Dara. Don't worry. We should call Jungsoo to help us," I said. She nodded, and I grabbed my phone, ready to dial, when suddenly...

"MOMMY!! MOMMY!!"

We both turned to see Jino, holding an ice cream cone triumphantly. Dara ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Omo! Jino-ah! Where did you go? I was looking everywhere for you! I told you to wait!" she scolded softly, kissing his cheeks.

"I saw the ice cream and wanted to buy one," he said innocently.

"Aist, why didn't you tell us? You could have gotten lost!" she exclaimed.

"Mianhe, Mommy, Noona... I forgot to tell you, and I didn't have money. When I came back, you both were gone," he explained, bowing his head.

"Jino-ah, we panicked and searched for you. You made Mommy so worried," I said, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Mianhe, Mommy... Noona," he said. Dara hugged him again.

"It's okay, baby. But promise Mommy you'll never leave without telling me again, arasso?" she asked.

"Arasso," he said, smiling. I watched them, noticing the ice cream in his hand.

"Jino, where did you get that ice cream?" I asked. He pointed.

"We bought it at the ice cream store over there," he said.

"Huh? We? Were you with someone?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes!!!" he replied loudly.

"Who?" I demanded, and we all turned toward the familiar figure now standing before us.

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Hello everyone!! 

Thank you for patiently waiting for my update...this idea just got into my mind when I was washing our dishes!!

and immediately type this...

I hope that you'll like it.

#latersbaby