Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Yu-na's Lesson
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Yu-na, who had been glancing around cautiously, crept up to my side and tugged at my clothes.
"Daddy, Daddy... Did Yu-na do something wrong? Is that really true?"
I nodded, meeting Yu-na's anxious, trembling eyes.
"...Yeah. That's right. Yu-na did something wrong."
Thud! As if struck by a shock.
Yu-na's eyes widened like a rabbit's, her mouth dropping open.
'No way, she only realized it now?'
She'd disrupted filming dozens of times already. Isn't it about time she figured it out?
'I really can't understand it.'
Well, whatever.
I took Yu-na, still reeling from the shock, and headed over to where Director Han Mun-jin was.
Yu-na's mistake was my mistake too.
"I'm sorry."
Bowing my head coolly as a dad, the director burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! No, it's fine."
Even if he said it was fine, we'd troubled everyone, so my conscience wasn't clear.
I gave a subtle signal to the cute little troublemaker who was just peeking around.
Only then did Yu-na creep forward to the director and bow her head like I had.
"I'm sorry..."
Director Han Mun-jin ruffled Yu-na's hair roughly.
"It's okay, Princess Yu-na."
"R-Really?"
"But if you disrupt again this time, I'll really scold you. Got it?"
"Yes! Yu-na will behave from now on!"
With that, the director handed Yu-na off to a staff member. It seemed like he didn't want her getting in the way again.
As I let out a small sigh, the director clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.
"Alright, let's start again. Actors, back to your positions!"
"...Now, goodbye."
The god who planted all the pain of bullying that student Kang Min-ji had endured into the minds of the delinquent students was finished.
Fortunately, the extras delivered perfect dazed acting with their eyes half-glazed.
So-young noona also nailed the bewildered expression, rubbing her eyes as if she could finally see for a moment.
"Cut! Great! Hahaha! Everyone, move the equipment outside! Just one last scene left, so let's wrap up early!"
At the director's voice signaling the end, I let out a deep sigh and turned to gaze out the window.
A beautifully blazing red sunset and a large star twinkling in the sky to the right.
Now, only the scene left was Yu-na appearing as So-young noona's little sister.
'Was it in front of the school gate?'
Yeah, that sounded right.
Staying here would just get in the way, so maybe I should head outside?
With that thought, I stepped out and wandered around the school grounds.
The lingering emotions from the acting still hung over me; I needed some time alone.
Two laps. Three laps.
By the time my tangled feelings had settled, I confidently turned toward the school gate.
Passing the flagpole, I arrived at the gate and heard a familiar voice faintly.
I perked up my ears and headed toward the sound.
'What? They were together?'
So-young noona, done up in special makeup to look battered and bruised, and Yu-na in her simple clothes, looking just like usual.
The two were chatting animatedly under the light of an old streetlamp.
"Hehehe. Really?"
"Yeah, really. When Sister was as small as Yu-na, she hated beans too and threw a lot of tantrums about side dishes."
"Just like Yu-na. Hehe."
"But Yu-na's way cuter than Sister was back then."
"Sister's pretty and cute too."
They'd hated each other just this morning.
Now they were giggling and poking fun at each other.
'They look like real sisters... Nice.'
I watched from a distance when Director Han Mun-jin strode up and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Jun-seo, what do you think of those two?"
I silently gazed at them in response to the director's question. There was no distance between Yu-na and So-young noona now.
Poking each other's sides and laughing—it was perfect.
"...They look like family."
Answering sincerely, Director Han Mun-jin stroked his chin and grinned.
"Hmm... If that's how you see it, then yeah. Time to start."
"Huh? What did you just say?"
"Nothing."
The director patted my shoulder and headed into the crowd of staff.
Soon, the pre-shoot rehearsal began.
Yu-na recited her lines flawlessly, just like when practicing with me, showing that precociously cheerful demeanor.
Not a single thing to critique.
"Good! Now sit down just like that, quick."
"Where? Hold my hand."
Yu-na grumbled as she grabbed So-young noona's hand hovering in the air.
From behind me, an excited female staff member's voice rang out.
"Kyaa! So cute!"
"I wish I had a little sister like that... My current little sister's always fighting with me."
"I've got two older sisters... If I'd had a sister like Yu-na, I'd have been good to her forever."
"But her acting's really good."
"Is she going to an acting academy? Wherever it is, they teach well. Right?"
"Yeah..."
Yu-na and I had never taken proper acting lessons...
Hearing praise for her instead of me made my shoulders tense with pride.
Is this what it means to be a dad?
I shrugged and watched Yu-na and So-young noona rehearse.
How much time passed like that?
They wrapped up a short rehearsal and were about to start filming when—
Bzzz!
My body suddenly trembled.
My phone, silent for so long, started vibrating like crazy.
Who's calling at this hour?
The vibrations wouldn't stop, so I thought it was a call, but when I pulled it out, it was all messages.
'No way, why are they...?'
Twenty-four in that short time.
Sensing something off, I opened the first one.
Limited Planning Team Leader Gu Min-hyuk: During the sitcom shoot, what was Jun-seo-ssi’s first line? It's really urgent.
I hesitated a moment, recalled it, and replied with the first line.
He was the grateful guy who always sent Yu-na new products.
Lee Jun-seo: Probably... "Hey, who gave you permission to set up shop here? Are you crazy?"
Limited Planning Team Leader Gu Min-hyuk: Thank you!
'What’s he thanking me for?'
To clear up the mystery, I started checking the messages one by one.
Yoon Mi-hye PD, my manager.
Even Yu-na's homeroom teacher.
All asking about me.
Yoon Mi-hye PD: Jun-seo-ssi!! Super urgent question. In the "Daddy, I Love You!" program, what market was it where you made the cake yourself?
Manager: How many coffee trucks did you get during the high school series shoot?
Yu-na's Homeroom Teacher: So sorry to bother you, Father, but could you tell me the date of your acting debut?
'What the heck is going on?'
Something must have blown up without me knowing. I stepped away and called my manager.
"Hey, why are you asking that?"
-It's urgent right now. How many coffee trucks? First-come-first-serve, tell me quick. We're gonna be late.
Urgency laced his voice.
He wasn't like this usually...
-No time. How many?
"Uh? Uh... Probably six. Six, yeah. But why?"
-For the Q&A. Check your fan cafe yourself.
Click! The call cut off abruptly, like there was an emergency.
"...What the hell?"
I stared blankly at the darkened phone screen, then turned it back on.
Gotta reply to the messages.
They'd each asked one thing, so I answered simply and let out a small sigh.
Following In-cheol's words, I immediately opened the internet and logged into the fan cafe.
The banner featured the first illustration I'd seen of me and Yu-na as characters.
Below it was a bright red notice.
[Surprise Event Underway!]
"Is this it?"
I muttered to myself and was about to click the red notice when—
Bzzz!
The CEO's call startled me; I nearly dropped the phone.
I steadied it and answered.
-Hey, Jun-seo. Your fan cafe's running an event this time, okay? Just so you know.
"Huh?"
-Photo book and merch as giveaway prizes.
"Why didn't you consult me on something that big...?"
-Sorry. The photo book promo's exceeding expectations; couldn't help it.
I let out a small sigh.
Well, if that's the case.
"...Tell me next time at least. You scared me."
-Hahaha! By the way... You're stingy with your manager, huh? Out of all those photo books you took, nothing for him?
"...Ah."
I'd forgotten.
Should've given some to In-cheol too...
"Daddyyy!"
Finishing the call, Yu-na came barreling over and hugged my legs.
Looking up with sparkling eyes, she stared at me expectantly.
"Daddy! How was Yu-na's acting?"
"Uh? Uh... Well..."
The call with the CEO had dragged on; I hadn't watched Yu-na act.
'Tell her the truth, that I missed it?'
Would she be disappointed?
What to do...
As I pondered, Yu-na's grip tightened slightly.
"...You didn't watch at all?"
"N-No, I watched the whole thing."
"Liar... Sounds like a lie..."
Of course.
Couldn't fool Yu-na anymore with her quick wits. Her cheeks were puffed like balloons, eyes glaring fiercely.
I sensed it right then.
If I told the truth, she'd sulk.
Wiping away the sweat trickling down, I knelt to meet Yu-na's eyes.
Then forced my lips into the biggest smile.
"No, Daddy watched everything. You were great, just like in practice? Our Yu-na was the best."
"R-Really?"
Good. Almost there.
I slowly reached out and gently stroked Yu-na's hair.
"Yeah, Daddy doesn't lie."
Crunch. Crunch.
Just as Yu-na's mood was lifting.
So-young noona approached with a meaningful smile.
"Oh, I watched it all."
Flinch! Please... Read the room.
I swallowed the words rising to my throat and awkwardly smiled.
"Noona, what did you watch?"
So-young noona grinned mischievously and pointed precisely at the phone still in my hand.
She opened her mouth.
"I saw the cool dad sneaking off to a corner with that phone."
"......"
Yu-na's expression shifted by the second.
Her wide eyes filled with betrayal, now narrowed in deep hurt.
"Right? Cool dad?"
Oblivious to my discomfort.
So-young noona, beaming and calling me dad, looked utterly infuriating.
"Seriously... You're bad."
"Right? Really bad, huh?"
Somehow... They synced up perfectly.
Leaving me in front, they openly trashed me as the bad guy.
"Our daddy lies all the time, right? It's a sickness. Sickness... Isn't it?"
Nod. Nod.
"Leave Daddy here and let's go have fun over there? It's the last day."
"Hehehe. Yeah, Sister!"
A chilling wind blew through the spot they left.