Chapter 79

Lisa swore she had replayed the entire morning in her head at least ten times.

She even counted.

Once while brushing her teeth. Once while pouring coffee. Twice while putting on her shoes. And three more times while staring at Jennie across the living room like she was trying to decode an ancient, very cute, very pouty mystery.

Because something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Her baby Mandu Nini—Jennie—was sulking.

And not the usual kind where she dramatically flops on the bed and demands attention like a spoiled cat.

No.

This was the silent kind.

The dangerous kind.

The kind where Jennie sat on the couch with her cheeks puffed out like a steamed bun, arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes fixed on absolutely nothing while radiating pure, concentrated disappointment.

Lisa leaned closer slowly, as if approaching a rare and unpredictable creature.

“Baby…” she called gently.

No response.

Not even a blink.

Lisa tilted her head. “Jennie?”

Still nothing.

Except the cheeks.

Those very suspicious cheeks puffing even more like they were holding in all her emotions at once.

Lisa straightened up immediately, whispering to herself, “Okay. This is serious.”

She had seen Jennie angry before. Jennie annoyed. Jennie dramatic. Jennie competitive. Jennie clingy.

But Jennie silently sulking?

That was new territory.

And Lisa was not prepared.

She tried again, softer this time, walking closer and crouching in front of the couch.

“Baby Mandu Nini… what happened?”

Jennie finally moved.

Very slowly.

She turned her head just a few degrees, just enough to glance at Lisa from the corner of her eye. Her lips stayed pressed in a firm line. Her cheeks stayed puffed like she was storing invisible dumplings inside them.

Then she looked away again.

That was it.

That was the answer.

Lisa blinked.

“…Oh.”

She stood there for a second, completely lost.

Did she forget an anniversary?

No.

Did she eat Jennie’s snacks?

Also no—Lisa had bought extra yesterday specifically to avoid that crime.

Did she… breathe wrong?

At this point, Lisa wasn’t ruling anything out.

She tried a different approach.

She sat beside Jennie on the couch, leaving a careful gap like one would with a sleeping cat that might scratch you emotionally.

“I don’t know what I did,” Lisa said slowly, “but I’m sorry.”

Jennie’s cheeks twitched.

Lisa noticed immediately.

A twitch.

Progress.

She leaned in slightly. “Was it this morning?”

Silence.

“…When I stole your blanket?”

Jennie’s eyes narrowed a millimeter.

Lisa gasped softly. “It was the blanket?!”

Jennie finally spoke, voice small but sharp. “You said you weren’t cold.”

Lisa froze.

Oh.

Oh no.

That was it?

That was the crime?

Lisa immediately reached for Jennie’s hand but stopped halfway, unsure if she was allowed to touch the Puff Cheek Situation yet.

“So… you’re mad because I didn’t share the blanket?” Lisa asked carefully.

Jennie huffed.

It was the tiniest sound in the world.

But it hit Lisa like a lightning bolt.

Lisa leaned back dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “Jennie Kim… you are sulking because of a blanket betrayal?”

Jennie turned away completely now, cheeks puffing even more like a deflated balloon trying to regain dignity.

“Yes,” she muttered.

Lisa stared at her for a second.

Then—

She laughed.

Not loud. Not mocking.

Just warm, soft laughter that filled the room like sunlight.

“Oh my god,” Lisa said, shaking her head. “You’re really mad.”

Jennie peeked at her again, offended.

That only made Lisa laugh harder.

“Baby,” Lisa said, scooting closer again, voice gentle, “you could’ve just told me.”

“I did tell you,” Jennie mumbled.

“You didn’t say anything!”

“I looked at you.”

“That was a glare, not a sentence.”

Jennie’s cheeks puffed even more.

Lisa gasped again, dramatically this time. “They’re increasing in volume!”

Jennie finally broke.

“Stop laughing at me,” she said, but it came out softer than she intended.

Lisa immediately stopped.

Instantly.

Like flipping a switch.

“No, no, I’m not laughing at you,” Lisa said quickly, reaching out now and finally cupping Jennie’s face gently in her hands. “I’m laughing because you’re the cutest sulker in the entire universe.”

Jennie blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Her cheeks were still puffed, but now they were turning slightly pink.

“I was serious,” Jennie whispered.

“I know,” Lisa said, smiling softly. “And I’m sorry. I should’ve shared the blanket.”

Jennie’s eyes flickered down.

“…It was cold,” she admitted quietly.

Lisa nodded like this was a sacred confession. “I know, baby.”

A pause.

Then Jennie added, even softer, “And you said I wasn’t cold.”

Lisa sighed dramatically again. “That was my biggest mistake of the day. I take full responsibility.”

That earned her a tiny, reluctant glance.

Still pouty.

Still puffed.

But less sharp now.

Lisa moved a little closer, resting her forehead against Jennie’s. “Come here, Mandu Nini.”

Jennie hesitated.

Just a second.

Then she leaned in.

Slowly.

Like a grumpy cloud melting into sunlight.

Lisa wrapped her arms around her carefully, pulling her into a warm hug. Jennie stayed stiff for exactly three seconds.

Then she melted.

Completely.

Her puffed cheeks pressed into Lisa’s shoulder as she let out a small, defeated sigh.

“…You’re annoying,” Jennie mumbled.

Lisa smiled into her hair. “You love me.”

A pause.

“…Unfortunately.”

Lisa laughed again, squeezing her tighter.

“There she is,” Lisa whispered. “My baby Mandu is back.”

Jennie shifted slightly, hiding her face more.

But her arms slowly wrapped around Lisa’s waist anyway.

Clinging.

Soft.

Warm.

Safe.

After a moment, Lisa pulled back just enough to look at her face again.

The puffed cheeks were still there.

But now they looked less like anger.

And more like something dangerously cute.

Lisa poked one gently.

Boop.

Jennie froze.

“…Don’t do that,” she warned.

Lisa poked the other cheek.

Boop.

“Lisa.”

Another poke.

Boop.

Jennie tried to stay mad.

She really did.

But then Lisa smiled at her like that—soft, fond, completely gone for her—and Jennie’s expression cracked.

Just a little.

“…You’re still annoying,” she said again.

But this time, her voice was warm.

And her cheeks slowly deflated.

Finally.

Lisa leaned in and kissed her forehead.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “But I’m your annoying.”

Jennie didn’t respond.

She just leaned back into her.

And stayed there.

Silent sulking officially defeated.

Replaced with quiet cuddles.

And one very satisfied Lisa who decided—without a doubt—

Her baby Mandu Nini was the cutest sulker in the world.