Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Making Up with Yu-na
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The cameraman and I returned home, and I took a moment to note all the camera positions scattered around before sinking into the sofa with a sigh.
It looked like they'd finished the perfect setup while I was out.
So, what now?
"Hmm."
For this first recording, PD Kim Eun-young had said... to make sure Yu-na and I watched the "Run and Play!" episode together over dinner.
In other words...
To sum up her instructions clearly...
I was free to do whatever until sunset, making footage as I saw fit. I'd never imagined it'd be the same as last time, honestly.
She'd shown me all sorts of content ideas, after all.
...No.
That's not what I should be worrying about right now.
"Haa."
I let out a soft sigh and gazed down at Yu-na, still glued to my chest.
About thirty minutes ago, this little gumdrop had latched on, and I had no idea how to peel her off.
Her wild, tousled hair stuck up like it'd been hit by an explosion.
Her chubby cheeks bore a perfect blend of drool stains and pillow marks.
She looked every bit the part of someone who'd just woken up.
"...Yu-na, we're recording right now."
Even as I spoke, mindful of the cameraman filming away from his little tent setup, Yu-na stayed utterly silent.
She must have been sulking because I'd left her home alone while she slept, oblivious to the world.
"Time to get down now. Dad's really sorry. Okay? So..."
"...Don't wanna."
Plop, plop.
With that refusal, her tiny hands gripped tighter. Her determination to stay stuck was crystal clear.
At this rate, I couldn't do a thing...
No helping it.
I'd just have to roll with it. I sighed again.
I stood up, supporting her back and bottom so she wouldn't slip.
A breath of fresh air outside might lift her mood a bit.
The signed soccer ball I'd gotten from Ahn Jeong-su as a parting gift from the last show popped into my mind as I was heading out. I grabbed it and headed to the small park in the apartment complex.
Whoosh!
Tree leaves, drained of strength by the breeze, drifted gently to the ground.
Her pajamas weren't too thin, so she shouldn't get cold. I fitted her cute bunny-eared hood over her head and nodded.
Perfect.
'Alright, let's get started.'
To catch Yu-na's interest, I dropped the soccer ball to the ground.
It bounced a few times before coming to a stop.
"...Can you get down now? We can't play like this. Dad wants to kick the ball around with you... Don't you?"
Speaking softly and gently, I watched as Yu-na, clinging like a cicada, twitched.
"Just a little longer... I wanna stay like this."
"...Fine. Fine. Promise it's just five more minutes, okay?"
I kicked the ball toward the bench, groaning as I sat down. Holding her while moving was taking its toll.
By the way... we're recording, so who keeps calling?
Frowning, I pulled my phone from my pocket. My eyes widened at the screen. I adjusted my grip and answered politely.
"Hello, hyung. How've you been?"
-You could've at least texted once you were back. Do I have to wait until I reach out?
Replying to Ahn Jeong-su's question, I carefully tucked Yu-na's slightly poking-out hair fully into her cute hood.
"Ahaha... Of course, I was planning to come see you in person and greet you properly."
Glance. Yu-na lifted her head, curious about the caller. Her blinking eyes made her look just like a bunny.
A smile crept onto my face.
-You're recording right now, aren't you?
"Yeah, we're in the middle of recording."
-Oh, really? It's not that important, actually...
He paused for a moment, as if building suspense, before finally getting to the point.
-Come over to my place next time. Let's catch up over a meal. Got it?
"Yeah, got it, hyung. Then..."
That's when it happened.
A child's piercing scream blasted through the phone. My ear hurt, so I pulled it away. Yu-na tugged at my shirt.
"...Dad. Who's that?"
"Oh, it's the uncle who gave you that soccer ball last time. Remember him?"
Nod, nod. Her nodding made the bunny ears on her pajamas brush my chin.
-Ah, my son's begging to talk to Yu-na. Got a sec?
I brought the phone back to my ear and thought for a moment before replying.
"Hang on. I'll ask Yu-na."
-Sure, I've got time. He's been hounding me to let him talk to her...
-Dad!! Me too! I wanna talk to Yu-na! Gimme it quick!!
Another ear-shattering yell hit me. I flipped the phone face-down on the bench beside me.
Then, I scooped Yu-na up with both hands and set her on my lap.
Even then, the muffled screams kept coming from the phone.
"...Honey, remember Su-jin oppa?"
Yu-na nodded again and mumbled with her little lips.
"Yeah... The cool oppa. Why him?"
Hearing "cool" from Yu-na's mouth made my stomach bubble with irritation.
What was cool about that little punk...
I forced a smile.
"He wants to chat with you a bit. What do you say?"
"Hmm... Okay."
Honestly, I didn't want to let them talk, but with the cameras rolling, I couldn't show my feelings.
If I said no, the public would brand me a petty dad.
I steadied my trembling hands and handed the phone to Yu-na.
After the call ended, we started playing with the ball.
Yu-na kicked it forward, but it kept veering off strangely, leaving me to chase and fetch it every time.
Once was fine.
Even five times, I could've handled.
But dozens of times...
It started feeling like I was the dog being trained to "fetch!" for my daughter.
Pffft!
"Ah, Dad! The ball's weird! It keeps going sideways!"
"Haa. Haa... Haa."
I didn't even have the breath to reply.
The soccer ball rolled out of the park and right into the middle of a small pond.
I wiped my sweat roughly, kicked off my shoes and socks, and waded in to retrieve it.
'...Should I call it and head home?'
We'd gotten plenty of fun footage anyway. And Yu-na's mood seemed better, so it was time to go.
Mindful of the camera, I slicked back my hair and muttered softly.
"I can't tell if I'm playing with her... or if she's playing with me..."
I stuffed my socks into my shoes and trudged back to Yu-na, carrying them.
Step. Step.
"Ah, Dad!"
"Shall we head home now? Dad's pants are soaked; can't play anymore."
"Just a bit longer. Please? No?"
"Dinner time's coming up."
Right on cue, Yu-na's stomach growled. I grinned.
"See? Let's go."
"Okay."
Hand in hand, we headed home, and all the tension drained from my body.
My pants were damp, but I didn't care. I flopped onto the sofa like a corpse and stared at the TV.
I was blankly watching my fuzzy reflection in the blank black screen when—
Rustle! Yu-na snatched the remote from the table and turned on the TV.
"Hehehe. Made it in time."
Sitting primly in front of me, she reeked of sweat. Her bunny pajamas were damp and uncomfortable-looking.
'Ah, she needs a bath...'
I forced myself up and scooped up Yu-na, who was glued to the TV.
"Ugh! Let's go wash up."
"Ah, no way! It's the finale today; I gotta watch!"
Back to her usual self, Yu-na threw a tantrum, kicking her legs.
Was this the same kid who'd clung like a cicada earlier?
"...If you don't wash now, you might end up at a scarier hospital than the dentist getting a huge shot. That okay?"
Twitch! Yu-na stopped kicking.
She hated shots, it seemed.
"Good girl. I'll play it on my phone. Let's soak in the tub and get all clean."
"...Okay."
About an hour after we went to bathe together, we emerged spotless and settled side by side on the sofa.
'Ah, right.'
Dinner...
I didn't feel like doing anything now.
Delivery for once?
Should be fine for one day.
Yeah, just this once.
"Yu-na, how about delivery tonight? Anything you want?"
Eyes on a kids' show on my phone, she replied.
"Dad's cooking."
That's not delivery...
We compromised on convenience store lunchboxes from the fridge.
No time to prep after the long bath, and "Run and Play!" was about to start—the one we had to watch.
"Dad! Can't open this."
"Hold on. Dad'll get it."
I switched channels and opened her lunchbox, handing her chopsticks—just as "Run and Play!" began.
"It's on! That's the place we went with Dad! When do we come on? Nom nom. Slurp."
I gently wiped around her cute little mouth with a tissue and smiled.
"We don't show up for a while yet. Just wait a bit."
I turned my eyes back to the screen.
-Hello, everyone.
-We said historical drama concept, but what's that? Bro, a gonryongpo? That's a bit much, no?
-What's wrong with it? You're no slave anyway.
They exchanged greetings, then poked fun at each other's outfits, drawing laughs. That was the show's quirky charm.
The opening felt long yet short.
Once it ended, they got individual missions, followed by a rule keeping the three apart.
"That's why they were all separate."
I muttered and ate slowly. Then, sooner than expected, our segment started.
"Wow! It's Yu-na and Dad!"
Body-language speed quiz.
It opened with Yu-na's adorable moments, followed by my ridiculous gestures... Ah, watching now, my face burned with embarrassment.
I couldn't take anymore. I grabbed the remote and mashed the red power button.
Yu-na, who was enjoying it, shot up.
"Huh? It was fun! Dad! Give me the remote! Turn it back on quick! Please?"
"Ah, Dad can't watch this."
"Yu-na can. Gimme!"
She snatched the remote. I cooled my burning face and gritted my teeth to endure watching till the end.
This was torture.
What was with that log of a body?
And the caption "puppet on strings"... Was the editor plotting to kill me with shame?
I shook my head.
No...
Blame my lack of coordination...
After "Run and Play!" ended, my phone buzzed nonstop.
I peeked at Shin Dong-hyun's text... As expected.
Shin Dong-hyun: Dude, work on your expressiveness. What was that? LOLOLOL.
Yeah, off for the day...
I silenced the phone to stop the notifications and sighed deeply.