Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Fan Meeting Finale
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Thud! Were my words that shocking?
Yu-na, who had dropped the mic, stared at me with her eyes wide open.
It was true that activities had been tough.
I casually picked up the fallen mic and handed it to Yu-na, who still hadn't recovered from the shock.
"What part was tough?"
I took a slow breath at the host's question and let it out in a sigh.
Then, I opened my mouth calmly.
"She never listened to me at all, always did whatever she wanted, and caused trouble—that's what was tough."
"What? When did I ever!"
Had she forgotten all the incidents she'd caused?
Yu-na raised her voice indignantly and tugged at my pants leg.
"I never did that!"
"What kind of trouble did she cause?"
"It would take a while to explain... Is that okay?"
"I really didn't... I didn't. Dad! Lying is bad!"
Look at that brazen attitude trying to paint me as the liar. Why did it only look cute to me?
"Let's make this the last question. That should do it. Ahaha!"
"Fair enough. Then..."
A staff member from the waiting room appeared, picked up Yu-na, and carried her away from me.
Now I could finally speak freely.
I looked toward the audience and shared all the big and small incidents Yu-na had caused.
Like during the shoot where Ha-yul went to bed.
Yu-na had squeezed right into the center, insisting it was her spot.
And then...
Even during the dangerous shoot where the students accidentally set the warehouse on fire...
She'd gotten mad, calling them bad people.
Fans who learned about incidents never mentioned on air burst into laughter.
I continued calmly.
"Well, there were those incidents, but... more than that, raising a little troublemaker all by myself was the toughest part."
"You're saying it was tough, but your expression looks happy. Are you sure it was really tough?"
I shrugged lightly.
"As tough as it was, Yu-na gave me so much strength in return. So... to me, Yu-na is a treasure and the only pillar in my life."
"...Ah."
A deep sigh rose from the audience.
What was this? Why had the mood suddenly shifted?
'Had I said something wrong?'
In the solemn atmosphere,
Only Yu-na and I were oblivious.
That the words "the only pillar in my life" sounded so heartbreaking and sorrowful to them.
The fan meeting was finally drawing to a close.
The finale was the long-awaited photo session.
To the tune of a gentle song, all the agency staff came up on stage.
"Please check for any lost items and exit slowly!"
"Don't leave right away! We have a surprise gift for everyone who attended."
"Please follow the order!"
Following the staff's instructions, people from the front began packing up and standing one by one.
Now it was time to part with the fans...
"Dad, when are we going home?"
"Right after this."
Yu-na whined and clung tightly to my leg. She must have been tired from standing so long.
"Um, excuse me..."
A fan who had come up on stage shyly held something out to me.
"It's a scarf I made myself..."
"Oh, you brought a gift?"
"Yes... It's getting cold, so I made it for you and Yu-na to use together..."
"Wow! There's one for Yu-na too? Thank you!"
Was that the same kid who was just whining?
She must like receiving gifts.
Suppressing a smile, I spoke.
"Ah, thank you. Actually, I prepared gifts too. Hold on a sec."
As I turned to grab them,
"Jun-seo, here they are."
In-cheol, who hadn't been around, showed up with two boxes.
Perfect timing.
"Oh, thanks. Put them down here."
"Here? Got it."
Rustle, rustle.
I opened the box, took out the packaged snacks, and handed them to the fan in front.
"Here you go."
"...What's this?"
"Snacks I made at home. Pepero and cookies."
"Wow! Th-thank you!"
An impromptu gift exchange led into the photo shoots with fans.
One by one.
As I gave full fan service, Yu-na's gaze sharpened unlike at the beginning.
"...Auntie, how long are you going to stick to Dad?"
"Ahaha! Are you jealous? So cute!"
The fan who had stepped away from me poked Yu-na's puffed-up cheeks.
It seemed the little skinship with fans wasn't sitting well with Yu-na.
The fan, who had posed for the photo under Yu-na's piercing glare, smiled brightly.
"I had so much fun today. If there's another one, I'll definitely come!"
"Take care getting home."
After seeing off the fan properly, I let out a quiet sigh.
Now, the last fan remaining.
Senior Yoon So-hee approached briskly, holding a small paper bag.
"Today was really fun... Yeah."
"Speak comfortably, Senior."
She shrugged lightly.
"First fan meeting, and you pulled it off without a hitch? I was genuinely surprised."
"...Really?"
A brief silence.
Rustle. Rustle.
Rustling sounds came from behind.
What was that?
Senior Yoon So-hee and I turned our heads toward the source at the same time.
Yu-na's back, deeply focused on something.
We exchanged glances and nodded slightly. Then we tiptoed over to see what she was doing.
Of the two remaining gifts in the box,
She had picked one and was tearing into it vigorously.
We both burst out laughing.
"...Ahaha!"
"This kid's hilarious. She has a conscience, leaving one behind."
"Seriously, who does she take after..."
I wiped the tears from laughing and took out the last snack from the box.
"Here, Senior. Take one too. And get home safe. I'll stick around to help clean up."
"Wait a sec..."
Her expression turned icy.
Then her mouth slowly opened.
"You didn't hug me? No photo?"
"Oh! No, of course I will."
Truth be told, I wanted to send her off quickly.
Even though she'd remarried.
She was the senior who had confessed to me.
'A hug and photo...'
Embarrassed, I awkwardly spread my arms, and she giggled.
"Jun-seo. I like you as a fan."
With those casual words as a fan, she threw herself into my arms.
The fan meeting ended successfully.
Filming nothing but "Dad, I Love You!" had led us into early December, winter proper, when it was finally tolerable to pull out the padding.
The drama that had been airing steadily,
"Devil's Errand Center."
The preview from last week's episode featured Yu-na's surprise cameo.
As actress Kim So-young's little sister.
Fans unanimously praised the spirited, mature Yu-na.
Look at these comments I'm checking now.
-If only I had a little sister like Yu-na...
-In such a tough environment, growing up that strong. I watched with my family and teared up.
-Kids should play and grow, but a little sister looking only to her big sis...
-I cried at 40 years old.
-She must take after her dad. Yu-na acts better than other child actors. Dad too, but I'm really looking forward to Yu-na's next project.
-My little sister just fools around...
-Yeah. Hope she gets a lead child role next time.
-Is this week's the finale?
-Tomorrow and the day after, then it's over... Another fun drama ends. T_T.
-Ah, such a shame! No season 2?
Everyone's just praising Yu-na.
Even though it's not praise for me, it still makes me feel like I'm floating.
As I meticulously checked the reactions, something squirmed against my chest.
Rustle. Rustle.
'Finally awake?'
I set my phone by the pillow and placed my hand firmly on my bulging chest.
"Hehehe. Dad's really warm."
Hearing the giggling, I lifted the corners of my mouth and pointed my fingers sharply.
Poke! Poke!
She reacted when I poked gently.
Yu-na, who had been wriggling, started attacking my sides just like I had done to her.
I didn't react to the not-ticklish pokes, so the intensity ramped up.
Still not ticklish at all...
"How long are you going to keep this up?"
"Just a bit more. It's cold."
I stopped the attack and shook Yu-na.
A small whine escaped.
"Daaaad. Stop shaking."
"Yu-na, we're meeting Uncle Jeong-su and Su-jin today, right? Should we skip the ski resort and just stay home?"
That's right.
Today was a "Dad, I Love You!" shoot at the ski resort.
And we'd eat at the rest stop anyway, so just prep and go.
"Tch..."
"Go wash up and get ready quick."
Wriggle, wriggle.
Yu-na slid down to the floor.
Alright, time for me to get ready too?
As I got out of bed and stepped on the floor, my phone vibrated.
Bzzz! Bzzz!
The steady vibration suggested a call.
Who calls in the morning?
'...Jeong-su hyung?'
I climbed onto the bed and checked the phone. Unknown number.
'Hmm, unknown...'
I answered cautiously.
"...Hello?"
-Is this Lee Jun-seo's phone?
Wary of the unfamiliar woman's voice, I asked,
"Who is this?"
-Don't you recognize my voice?
I pondered who it could be. No one around me had such a clear voice.
That only heightened my guard.
"I don't know, so I'm hanging up."
-Music video... Ring any bells now?
My body stiffened.
'...No way, singer Yusia?'
Realizing who it was, I gripped the phone tighter.
"Ah! Yes! I remember."
-Haa, you're too much.
Tug, tug! Yu-na, freshly washed, tugged at my clothes with damp hands.
"Dad, who is it?"
"The person who scouted you for that music video last time. And wipe your hands properly before coming out?"
Yu-na was brazenly drying her hands on my pajamas.
Just as she finished wiping her hands,
"Ah! Right! The music video!"
"...I'll dry your hair later, so wait in the living room."
"Okay!"
After sending Yu-na to the living room, a sharp voice came from the phone.
-Hey. Are you ignoring me? I'm busy, so I'll just give you the shoot schedule briefly.
She's the impatient type...
I bowed my head to the air and apologized.
"Ah, sorry."
-Music video shoot is next Wednesday. Details on the concept will go to your agency.
"Got it."
-......
The conversation cut off suddenly.
I checked the screen, but the call wasn't dropped.
"...Anything else?"
-Ahem! W-well, see you then.
Click! The call ended abruptly.
"...What was that?"
Puzzled by Yusia's odd behavior, I stared at the darkened phone screen.
Seemed like she had something to say...
'Whatever, probably not important.'
Brushing it off, I tossed the phone onto the bed. Then Yu-na's scream came from outside.
"Daaaad! Dad!"
"What's wrong! Yu-na... Pfft!"
Rushing out, I saw Yu-na rolling on the living room floor, battling her tangled hair, and burst into laughter.
See? Should've waited...