Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Yu-na Takes First
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Tick-tock! Tick-tock!
The sound of the clock hands moving filled the room. Even though it was deep into the night, I couldn't fall asleep and was tossing and turning when I felt a strange gaze and cracked my eyes open just a bit.
A tiny black shadow.
It was right in front of my eyes.
Someone with a round, chubby shape reached out toward me. A warm, soft hand gently caressed my face.
I could tell from the touch alone—it was a small hand.
Ah, this must be Yu-na's hand.
I lifted the corners of my mouth and placed my hand against the back of her tiny one.
Yu-na flinched slightly and suddenly pulled her hand away, stammering.
"D-Dad...? You're not asleep?"
"Our pretty girl isn't asleep either?"
"...I felt like I might have a scary dream."
So that's why she wasn't sleeping.
In that case, I'd have to hold her tight until she fell asleep so she wouldn't feel anxious.
I waved my hand a bit, then hugged Yu-na close and closed my eyes again.
"This should be fine. Go to sleep now."
"Hee hee hee. Okay."
Warmth spread through me.
I pulled the blanket up to my neck and gently patted her small back.
"Dad, sing me a lullaby. Please?"
"Dad's not good at singing, but that's okay? Can't we just sleep like this?"
She shook her head no.
"It's fine. Sing me a lullaby, please."
At her earnest request, I cleared my throat with a fake cough and slowly opened my mouth.
"Lullaby... lullaby... our baby..."
Even though my pitch jumped all over the place in that weird lullaby, Yu-na didn't complain at all. She just grinned and rubbed her face against my chest.
"...Our baby sleeps so well."
It was only after singing the lullaby twice in a row that Yu-na finally fell asleep.
Sniff... sniff...
Listening to her faint breathing made my eyes grow heavy too.
The night grew deeper.
I carefully moved the sleeping Yu-na to the side and surrendered to sleep.
It wasn't until evening that all the cameras installed in the house were finally removed. The first filming for the variety show [I Love Dad!] was over.
But that didn't mean I could just relax. I'd just gotten a call from CEO Do Bong-seok.
"Marbo brand model schedule."
I'd heard the schedule was set.
On top of that, a Marbo brand rep wanted to talk with me and was visiting the agency today...
'Couldn't they have told me earlier?'
Why notify me on the day of?
Grumbling inwardly, I checked my reflection in the mirror. A neat black turtleneck with a thin brown coat.
And black slim pants to top it off.
I straightened my clothes and nodded slightly. My looks made it perfect.
'Is Yu-na ready?'
Yeah, she probably is.
I'd told her to get ready while I picked out my clothes, so she must have finished everything by now.
Heading to the living room, I saw Yu-na furrowing her brow in thought.
She'd dressed herself neatly, but she wasn't quite done preparing.
What on earth was she pondering?
I tiptoed up behind her on my heels. In front of her little bag were the snacks we'd gotten as gifts, piled high.
"Hmm... Which one should I pick?"
"Pfft!"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She was seriously debating which snacks to bring, like it was a picnic or something.
I shrugged and said,
"Dad likes the one on the right? It's not too sweet, and there's a lot."
"Huh? Dad!"
She whipped around, eyes wide, and jumped to her feet.
"Hurry and get ready. You wanted to come to the agency, right? If you're late, we'll leave without you."
"Okay? W-Wait a sec!"
Taking my words at face value, Yu-na hurriedly stuffed all sorts of snacks into her little bag.
Did she really think I'd leave her behind?
I was planning to take her out for a nice meal since it's been a while—I'd bring her even if she said no.
I couldn't stop smiling.
"Ah, we're running too late? A promise is a promise, so Yu-na stays home..."
"...Ah."
Thud. Plop.
Yu-na dropped her bag on the floor, mouth agape. Soon after, she hung her head with a dejected look.
Then she turned away, shoulders trembling. She must have been on the verge of tears at the thought of being left home alone.
Ah, time to stop teasing.
"It's a joke. Let's go."
Her face lit up instantly as she looked at me and shouted.
"...Okay!"
She scrambled to pick up the bag from the floor and grinned broadly.
Sigh, am I really that great?
"Wanna hold Dad's hand on the way out?"
"Okay!"
Her hand shot out faster than her reply.
I held Yu-na's hand and headed to the parking lot to wait for In-cheol.
About 10 minutes later?
That's when it happened. A man in a black suit and dark sunglasses, exuding a dangerous vibe, strode up to us.
"...W-Who are you?"
At my question, he took off his sunglasses and smiled brightly.
"It's me. Why so tense?"
My manager.
It was Kang In-cheol.
'What the— you scared me.'
I let out a deep sigh of relief and glared at In-cheol.
"Who are you dressed up like that for today?"
"Ahem! A friend's wedding, you know. I was coming back from that."
I scanned In-cheol up and down. His bear-like sturdy build, thick neck... and those sunglasses.
He could pass for a gangster, no problem.
And he went to a wedding like this?
"...Did it go okay?"
"It was fine."
Fine my foot... That's ridiculous.
Look at Yu-na right now.
She's still wary of In-cheol, clinging to my leg. Her eyes even have a bit of tears in them.
She looks scared.
"Sigh. Don't wear those sunglasses."
"Why not? They look cool."
"Cool? They just look scary."
He coughed awkwardly at my words.
"Ahem, Jun-seo doesn't get it. These are the latest trend..."
"Forget trends. Where's the car parked? If we don't go now, we'll hit rush-hour traffic."
"...This way."
Looking sulky, the manager turned around. I picked up the frightened Yu-na to reassure her.
"No need to be scared. Dad's right here. Got it?"
"...Okay."
***
CEO Do Bong-seok sat in his office, waiting for the Marbo rep to arrive.
He replayed the edited clip from last night's [Let's Play While Running], just the speed quiz part, and his shoulders shook with laughter.
"No matter how many times I watch it, it's a masterpiece. Pfft...!"
Every time he moved, a big "CREAK!" subtitle popped up, making it even funnier.
"This guy... His acting's one thing, but does he have variety show talent too? What a waste to limit him to just acting..."
Wiping the smile off his face, Do Bong-seok leaned back and sighed deeply.
He stared at the ceiling.
How should he best utilize the Lee Jun-seo card...? Should he let him act freely, respecting his wishes like now?
Lunatic was a massive agency that could stick with Lee Jun-seo for life.
To keep hold of this golden goose... he needed to make sure Lee Jun-seo knew Lunatic was the best option.
'First things first... Nail the Marbo model gig without a hitch.'
Knock. Knock. Knock!
Just as he muttered to himself, a knock sounded. Do Bong-seok scratched his neck while seated and said,
"Come in. Door's open."
The door swung open, and a man in horn-rimmed glasses entered. He cleared his throat and bowed politely.
"Hello. I'm Planning Team Leader Kim Sang-ho. Oh, this is nothing much... but it's a health tea."
Do Bong-seok felt his mood lift at the polite greeting and gift from the team leader.
"You must be tired from the long trip. Actor Lee Jun-seo will be here soon. How about some tea while you wait?"
"Oh, no need."
"Then a cool drink?"
Kim Sang-ho sat on the guest sofa as directed and bowed again.
"I'm truly sorry for the sudden visit. I had something urgent to convey to Actor Lee Jun-seo, so I took the liberty."
Do Bong-seok kept smiling.
So you know it's rude.
Good thing Lee Jun-seo had no schedule for a while—otherwise, with drama promotions, it would've been tough to accommodate a last-minute request.
"Ahaha! No problem. But..."
Trailing off, Do Bong-seok grabbed a cool drink from the mini-fridge and continued as he returned.
"...mind if I ask what urgent message you have for Actor Lee Jun-seo?"
Kim Sang-ho gulped down the drink and smiled sheepishly.
"Well, the thing is... We came to ask Actor Lee Jun-seo to appear as his usual self as much as possible."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"In other words, our conclusion is that he doesn't need to build his body like other models."
That's when it happened.
Tap! Knock! Knock!
A small knock, like from a child. Both men clamped their mouths shut and stared at the door.
The door slowly creaked open.
A child with round eyes blinking through the gap grinned widely.
Bang!
The door flew open energetically, and Lunatic child actress Yu-na burst in.
"Hee hee hee. Yu-na's first place!"
I panted as I climbed the emergency stairs alone. I had to get to the CEO's office without being too late.
'Just five minutes ago.'
Yu-na had taken the elevator up to the Lunatic agency office by herself.
What did she say to me then?
The late one grants a wish? She bolted before I could stop her—I couldn't help but worry.
'Important meeting with the Marbo rep.'
I absolutely couldn't let Yu-na, who could dash off anywhere, roam free at a crucial meeting like today.
'She promised to behave...'
If this is behaving, then all well-behaved people in the world are dead. Gasping with lungs burning, I stepped onto the final stair.
"Haa. Haa..."
Just turn the corner, down the hall to the CEO's and staff office.
I nodded vaguely at the staff greetings and strode inside.
"Really? Hee hee hee."
The laughter grew clearer.
Definitely Yu-na's laugh.
I wiped my sweat and flung open the door where the cheerful giggles came from.
"Huh? Dad! Dad's second place, so you have to grant Yu-na one wish."
"She's adorable the more I see her."
"Right? She's Lunatic's star child actress."
The horn-rimmed glasses man and CEO Do Bong-seok... both smiled warmly like summer sunshine at Yu-na.
What the heck happened?
What went down while I was gone?
CEO Do Bong-seok met my eyes, composed himself, and clicked his tongue.
"How do you leave a kid alone like that? Even in the agency, it's not totally safe."
"I agree completely. She looks like an active one. Take your eyes off her for a second, and she'll get seriously hurt."
Nod. Nod.
The stranger nodded along with the CEO and scolded me, whom he'd just met.
'This situation...'
Is there no one to explain?