Babysitting Gone Right

You only agreed to babysit because your aunt begged.

It’s just for one afternoon please

My friend’s daughter needs someone to watch over her little sister

I’m not a babysitter bruh

You’re 22 and unemployed

???

Will you do it or not?

Fine

That was how you ended up standing outside a neat apartment building with a backpack full of snacks and zero confidence.

The door opened before you could even knock twice.

and there she was.

Kim Minji she blinked at you a bit surprised

she smiled politely. “You must be the babysitter.”

You nearly forgot your own name.

“uh yeah temporary babysitter.”

“Come in,” she says.

The apartment was warm and bright, everything looked cozy there was a faint smell of coffee that smelled really nice, there were toys scattered in one of the corners in the living room. A little girl with chubby cheeks and pigtails sat on the floor coloring in a book.

The moment she saw you she yelled at you dramatically

“WHO’S THAT!?”

Minji crouched beside her. “This is the person that will be watching you for a couple hours.”

The girl looked at you squinting her eyes at you.

“He looks suspicious.”

You stared. “ I haven’t even said anything.”

“She’s very observant,” Minji said, trying not to laugh.

“I can tell.”

The little girl stood up and marched towards you. “What’s your name?”

You told her your name.

She nodded. “Okay I’m Yuna if your mean, I’ll tell unnie.”

“Fair.”

Minji laughed this time.

Your heart did something medically concerning.

“I’m sorry she likes testing people,” She said.

“I respect it.”

Minji glanced at the clock then crouched next to Yuna.

“I have to go out for a while okay? Be good.”

“Will you bring back strawberry milk?”

“If you behave ill bring you back strawberry milk okay.”

Yuna gasped. “I was going to behave anyway.”

Minji stood up and grabbed her bag, then turned to you.

“Thank you for helping on short notice.”

“No problem.”

She hesitated for a second. “She can be a bit… energetic.”

“I was warned.”

“If she asks for candy say no.”

“I understand.”

“If she gives you a puppy face and pretends to cry still say no.”

“Noted.”

“And if she says I let her have candy—”

“She’s lying.”

Minji smiled, clearly pleased. “You learn fast.”

Then she was gone leaving you alone with a five year old who was already studying you like a challenge.

The first hour was chaos you built block towers only for Yuna to destroy them. You played tea party with her and was assigned the role as a “confused grandpa” you drew animals and got roasted for your horrible drawings.

“That looks like a potato,” she said.

“It has a trunk!”

“It has sadness.”

By the second hour though you were winning her over. You cut her apple slices into stars. You let her paint your fingernails pink. You read the same picture book three times using different voices.

By the third hour she had decided you were acceptable.

“I like you now,” she announced while sitting cross-legged on the couch.

“Thank you. I worked hard for this.”

“But if you make me nap, I’ll hate you again.”

“Very honest.”

She leaned closer. “Do you like my sister?”

You choked on air. “What?”

“She’s pretty.”

“She’s your sister!”

“And pretty.”

“I’m not discussing this with a child.”

Yuna sighed.  “Adults are so slow.”

Before you could defend yourself the front door opened.

Minji stepped inside carrying grocery bags and strawberry milk.

“Unnie!” Yuna launched herself across the room.

Minji caught her easily, laughing as she lifted her up.

The sight of her holding her sister, smiling with tired but gentle eyes, hit you harder than expected.

“How was she?” Minji asked.

You looked at Yuna.

“She’s a menace.”

“I knew it,” Minji said.

“I’m adorable!” Yuna protested.

“That too.”

Minji set the bags down and glanced at your hands.

Your nails were still pink.

She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. “You survived.”

“Barely.”

“I made him a princess,” Yuna said proudly.

“I can see that.”

Something about Minji’s smile lingered a little longer than before.

You thought that would be the end of it.

Then two days later, you got a text from an unknown number.

Hi this is Minji

Yuna asked if the princess babysitter can come over again

Only if there’s hazard pay

I can offer ramen and Yuna’s approval

That’s tempting

Also I want to thank you properly

Ramen accepted

You started visiting more often after that.

Sometimes to help with Yuna.

Sometimes because Minji invited you for dinner.

Sometimes because she texted

Yuna is asleep and I’m bored

You learned she loved late-night walks, hated cold coffee, and laughed hardest when she was tired.

You learned she got softer around family, quieter when stressed, brighter when comfortable.

And somewhere between board games with Yuna and washing dishes beside Minji, you fell hard.

One evening, after putting Yuna to bed, you found Minji on the balcony wrapped in a cardigan, city lights glowing behind her.

“You’re good with her,” she said as you stepped outside.

“She scares me.”

“She likes you a lot.”

“I like her too.”

Minji looked down, smiling. “She asked if you were going to become family.”

Your brain short-circuited.

“She what?”

“She’s five. She says things.”

“That’s an insane thing to casually tell me.”

She laughed softly, then turned toward you.

“I didn’t think it was insane.”

The air changed.

You swallowed. “What do you mean?”

She tucked loose hair behind her ear, suddenly looking shy.

“I mean…” She glanced at the balcony floor. “I like having you here with Yuna with me.”

Your chest tightened.

“I like being here too,” you said quietly.

Her eyes lifted to yours.

“Good,” she murmured. “Because I like you.”

You stepped closer before nerves could stop you.

“I like you too.”

She smiled small, relieved, beautiful.

Then she reached for your hand first.

Her fingers slipped between yours like they’d belonged there the whole time.

“Does this mean I passed the babysitting trial?” you asked.

“Not yet.”

“Oh?”

“You still have to survive Yuna finding out.”

Right on cue, the balcony door slid open.

Yuna stood there in pajamas, holding a stuffed rabbit.

“I knew it,” she said.

Both of you froze.

She pointed at your joined hands. “Now you’re family.”

Minji burst into laughter, leaning against your shoulder.

You could only laugh too.

And as Yuna proudly marched back inside like she’d orchestrated everything, Minji squeezed your hand and stayed close.

Honestly, you thought babysitting had turned out way better than expected.