Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Dentist Visit
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Yesterday, I'd gotten a call from the CEO, so I headed to the agency early in the morning.
The staff's gazes were different from usual.
The moment they saw me, they turned away, shoulders shaking violently. Probably because of that video of me looking wrecked.
Word sure spreads fast...
"Right? Totally unexpected."
"Jun-seo's image, built up all this time, is gonna change completely. Is that okay?"
"The reactions aren't bad, so it should be fine. Honestly, I like this better. Seeing someone who seemed perfect show some human side."
"Oh, really? But... heh heh. It's hilarious. Jun-seo is great at acting, but he sucks at simple expressions. I could do it better."
Two people in the office were openly replaying the viral video, sneaking glances at me while whispering.
This... they're saying it loud enough for me to hear, aren't they?
"Daddy, I wanna go there. Can we get down?"
"Just wait a bit longer like this."
"...Okay."
With Yu-na on my lap to keep her still, I kneaded her puffy belly.
Strangely, touching her soft tummy calmed my mind.
'Hmm, even puffier than before?'
And a lot heavier, too.
"Hee hee hee. Daddy's hands are warm."
"Yeah?"
Yu-na seemed to like me fiddling with her belly, just smiling as she gently placed her hand on the back of mine.
"My pretty girl. Your belly looks ready to burst. Should I poke it with a needle?"
Poking her belly with my finger, Yu-na burst into giggles.
"Kyahaha! Daddy! Stop it!"
"Here! Here!"
As we played around, it suddenly hit me that this was the agency office.
'Oh, right. Gotta be quiet.'
I slid my hand down.
Yu-na whipped her head around, staring at me intently.
Like she was asking why I stopped.
"It's a workplace, so let's stay quiet."
"Okay."
This time, without any more playing, we waited obediently for the CEO.
How much time passed?
Around lunchtime, the CEO who had summoned me finally appeared.
Unlike usual, he was in a neat suit and brought two people with him.
"Oh, Jun-seo. You got here early."
I hurriedly set Yu-na down and jumped to my feet.
"Good morning, sir."
"Hello! CEO!"
"No schedule today, right?"
I nodded slightly and checked out the two behind him.
Familiar faces...
Ah, agency seniors.
I recognized them from the photo in Lunatic Agency's lobby.
The one with the pure look and a mole under her left lip—Yoo Na-hyun.
'She's 56.'
She's been acting since child roles steadily, so in this industry, no one's more senior than her.
Her role this time: the mother blocking the protagonist's path.
She usually plays such parts, so everyone calls her the queen of morning dramas.
Next to her was Oh Ji-hwan, looking friendly like the neighborhood uncle.
'Same age as Yoo Na-hyun senior.'
Don't underestimate him just because of his ordinary looks.
Like me in my past life...
He rose to the top solely through acting, earning everyone's respect.
'A reliable movie actor.'
If I'd kept acting in my past life to the end, I might've been on his level?
I'd go dramas.
He does movies...
"Ahem!"
The CEO's fake cough snapped me back, and I turned to him.
"This is actress Yoo Na-hyun. On the left, actor Oh Ji-hwan. You know them?"
"Ah, yes!"
After answering, I turned back to the seniors, straightened my clothes, and spoke.
"I'm Lee Jun-seo. Nice to meet you both."
"Nice to meet you!"
After Yu-na's confident greeting, the CEO laughed heartily.
"These two came in for schedule stuff after a while. Thought we'd grab a meal and bond. We'll talk business later—let's head to the restaurant right out front."
He pushed our backs insistently, saying there wasn't much time left.
The white rice place right in front of the agency.
The CEO said he had work and paid before heading back.
Left alone, I received the seniors' burdensome stares while sipping water nonstop.
"Jun-seo? Are we making you uncomfortable?"
"Should we just split the table?"
At their worried words, I waved my hands frantically.
"No, not uncomfortable at all."
"Hee hee hee. Bubbly bubbly. Looks yummy."
Innocent Yu-na stared intently at the simmering dakbokkeumtang in the center, drooling.
The seniors' eyes grew colder, not even glancing at her.
"Hmm... I'm not the type of senior who makes juniors nervous..."
"Hey, doesn't that make you uncomfortable? Why are you hunching? Ah, forget it! Let's split the table. I don't have a hobby of tormenting juniors either."
As Oh Ji-hwan senior stood irritably, I hurriedly stopped him.
"It's just me being shy. I'll get comfortable soon."
"......"
"So, shall we chat?"
Only then did Oh Ji-hwan senior sit, his mouth corners twitching upward oddly.
"Sure, if the junior wants. Let's chat."
"Sigh... Can't stop you. Ji-hwan, just say you wanna get close honestly."
Ah, now I get it.
This senior's just shy and can't be straightforward.
"Hey! That kills my dignity as a senior."
"...Pfft!"
I burst out laughing unwittingly.
Might be rude to think this, but... him raising his voice awkwardly when he didn't seem shy at all was kinda cute.
'He has this cute side.'
The mood lightened.
We shared recent updates, laughing and chatting, when Yoo Na-hyun senior suddenly stood a bit and grabbed the ladle.
Then she beckoned me.
"Jun-seo. Plate here. I'll serve you."
"Ah, I can do it, so give me the ladle. I'll serve you."
"Sip! Hurry and give me Yu-na's and yours."
At her unyielding kindness, I sighed inwardly and handed over our plates. Each got a tender chicken leg.
"It's not on me, but eat up. Careful, it's hot."
"Ah, yes... Thank you. Yu-na?"
Calling the unusually still Yu-na, her little shoulders twitched. Why stay put with yummy food?
This isn't like her...
"...Thank you."
Yu-na's late thanks came with a different expression.
"Hey, what about my plate?"
"Don't you have hands? Serve yourself."
Ignoring their bickering, I checked on Yu-na's gloomy face first.
"Yu-na. What's wrong? Hurt somewhere?"
Twitch! Her shoulders shook, and she shook her head desperately.
Something like sauce stained between her cute lips. Did she sneak a bite while we talked?
"Stomach full?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
"Hmm..."
Watching closely, her cheeks looked puffier than usual.
Poking the puffy cheek, Yu-na startled and pulled away.
"Uh... What's up?"
Then.
Oh Ji-hwan senior, pausing his fight, leaned toward us.
"Tooth hurts, huh? Aha! Busted! Hiding from Dad 'cause you're scared of the dentist? Right?"
"Ah, no!"
"No my ass! Eat this then."
Oh Ji-hwan senior smirked, picking up a piece of chicken and extending it.
Mouthwateringly delicious-looking.
Yu-na just worked her mouth, staring at it. Seems the senior's guess was right.
'Sigh...'
Couldn't finish lunch, parted with seniors, and headed straight to the dentist near the agency.
Didn't forget to text In-cheol I'd take the day off.
Faint antiseptic smell spreading.
And the chilling sounds.
Just sitting in the waiting room, endless screams from that uncle inside. Yu-na's face paled hearing them vividly.
"Ah, Daddy! Forgot something at home..."
"We'll go later."
She grabbed her belly, standing with awkward acting.
"Ow... My stomach suddenly..."
"Then... after dentist, another hospital for a shot?"
At "shot," she sat obediently, tearing up and burrowing into my arms.
Seemed desperate to escape with tears now.
"Yu-na wants to go home. Hic."
"Ignoring pain can mean even shots won't fix it later."
Just then, the nurse at reception smiled and called Yu-na.
"Child Lee Yu-na. You can go in now. Guardian father can come too."
"Ah, yes!"
I scooped up whimpering Yu-na and headed to the exam room.
The uncle's screaming treatment ended; the doctor entered.
Seeing him, Yu-na startled and wailed.
"Nooo! Waaah!"
"Y-Yu-na. Stop crying!"
"Ahaha! Let's check like this."
"Yes? Like this?"
"Of course. Hold on..."
As the doctor approached, Yu-na clamped her mouth shut.
Tears falling like raindrops.
"Little patient. Ahh."
"Hnng!"
Eyes wet and wide, glaring at the doctor. Lips pursed weirdly.
What now...
Too cute to leave like this, but can't.
"Guardian, we'll need your help. Or... want to get checked with your daughter?"
"Yes?"
The doctor smiled calmly.
"Kids who only know Dad follow Dad's brave example. So..."
His advice scared me honestly, but for Yu-na refusing...
"Yes, I'll do it."
"Come this way then."
"Yu-na. Daddy first, then you?"
"Okay..."
So I accepted, getting an unexpected checkup and scaling.
How much time passed?
After scaling, terrified Yu-na ran over.
"...Daddy. Did it hurt?"
"Not at all. So it won't for you. Believe Daddy?"
"......"
Nod. Nod.
Luckily, Yu-na didn't cry during her check.
Found out quick why she'd been hurting.
"Yu-na. Get treated well."
"Okay! Really not painful? Right, Daddy?"
"...Yeah. Not painful."
"Hee hee hee. Bye, Daddy! See you later!"
"Yeah! Okay!"
Sending her in, I sighed softly. Her innocent eyes lingered in my mind.
'Loosely shaking baby tooth.'
Needs pulling, so she'll sulk big time today.
Buy treats?
Toys?
Pondering, then...
Her agonized scream and sad wails from inside.
"Waaah! Daddy's a liar!"
"Ahaha! All done."
Treatment over...
I spent the whole holiday tiptoeing around Yu-na's mood.