Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Real Tears Amid the Drama
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We were sitting side by side in the living room, tearing into chicken while watching the boring commercials drag on.
Soon, the drama began.
Shin Dong-hyun and Yoo Seol-hwa, who had been busy just eating chicken up until then, opened their mouths as if they'd been waiting for this exact moment.
"Hmm, so what happens now? That guy's practically human at this point."
"I think the demon regains his power? There's no way he can win in a state like that."
"Ah, yeah, that's true. Actually..."
Shin Dong-hyun and Yoo Seol-hwa were chattering away when they suddenly glared sharply at me.
"Hey, no spoilers. Even if we're friends, there's a line."
"Do it and I'll really get mad. I've been enjoying this so much lately."
"...Ah."
Overwhelmed by their intensity, I clamped my mouth shut.
Well, their reaction was only natural.
'I almost made a huge mistake.'
Feeling awkward, I smeared some chicken meat onto Yu-na's lips as she sat on my lap.
Only then did the two of them turn their piercing gazes back to the drama, fully immersed once more, speculating about what would happen next.
"Huh? What's this? He met the detective?"
"They're teaming up, right? But can just the two of them do it? Still looks tough."
"I doubt any other allies will show up... Huh? What? He already figured it out?"
Soon, a pulse-pounding chase scene started. The part where Kwon In-joo and I got in the stopped car and acted like maniacs.
With the CG added, it created such an intense atmosphere that it had everyone gripping their seats.
As we all watched in tense silence...
The car that collided head-on with the oncoming truck spun wildly clockwise.
Screeech!
White smoke billowed from the wrecked car. Then there was a close-up of the unconscious detective and me slumped over.
"......"
"......"
"......"
The tension was suffocating.
It ended with me opening my eyes, revealing scarlet irises, followed by a gentle OST. Commercial break.
"Ah! Why cut it off here! Damn producers! Driving us crazy."
"Wow... that was insane. Does he regain the demon's power from there? Then catching that chairman guy would be easy, right?"
I let out a chuckle at Shin Dong-hyun's excited speculation. That was just a momentary burst of power from losing consciousness.
Well, if I told them that...
I shuddered and subtly asked the two, now drunk on excitement.
"By the way, how was my acting?"
"Ahem! Well, your acting has improved. Way more immersive than before."
"Like always, I learned a lot watching you. If it's okay, could I borrow that drama script?"
Shin Dong-hyun clasped his hands pleadingly with earnest eyes. He probably wanted to mimic what I'd done.
Well, if that's the case.
I gave a small shrug to show my approval.
His face lit up.
"Yes! Lend it to me after this episode ends today."
"Got it. Got it."
I replied lightly and was pouring cola into Yu-na's empty glass when I paused.
Why does she look so down?
Yu-na, sitting obediently on my lap, had a dark expression. And she wasn't eating the chicken anymore, even though she'd been devouring it.
"...Yu-na?"
"Yeah..."
Her voice had no energy at all. Did seeing me collapse bleeding freak her out?
I asked Yu-na carefully.
"Were you scared seeing Daddy fall?"
"......"
Nod. Nod.
She nodded after a long delay.
I positioned her to face me directly and asked gently in a soft voice.
"Why was that scary?"
"......"
"Can't you just tell Daddy?"
She hesitated with her head bowed, then shook it side to side.
She didn't want to tell me.
'Ah, could it be...'
By the time the drama reached the final episode's climax...
Yu-na, sitting obediently on my lap, clung to me with her arms stretched out, as if determined never to let go.
"...Yu-na?"
"......"
Even when I called softly, Yu-na didn't respond. She just seemed scared of the ending but determined to watch anyway.
'I can't tell her not to watch...'
To keep Yu-na from feeling anxious, I hugged her tightly. Feeling my warmth might reassure her a bit.
"Wow... the actor playing the detective is amazing too? I thought the action scenes would be awkward..."
"Yeah, Kwon In-joo, was it?"
I glanced at the TV briefly.
Ah, they were talking about that part.
It was the final showdown with the ultimate villain, actor Ma Dong-sik. The two of them struggling against just one guy...
Soon after, the demon flashed a lonely smile toward the fallen detective.
"...Ah, no!"
Yu-na, who had been quiet, suddenly jumped up and raised her voice for the first time.
But she couldn't stop me on the screen.
The chairman and the demon plummeted from the tall building, a sorrowful OST played, and my final line appeared.
-This is the ending that suits us perfectly. Whether human... or demon, excessive greed brings disaster.
-Ugh... Damn it!
The demon's body cracked bit by bit, fine dust scattering into the air.
As the chairman screamed in rage, the demon vanished without a trace.
"......"
I warmly hugged Yu-na as she collapsed back down, and something lukewarm dripped onto the back of my hand. Plop!
'...Is she crying?'
Checking her face, her eyes were brimming with tears.
'It's just a drama...'
'Daddy's right here alive.'
'No need to worry.'
The words wouldn't come easily.
After silently crying for a long time, Yu-na suddenly turned away.
Seeing her tear-streaked, twisted face tore at my heart.
Before I knew it, tears flowed from my eyes too, and I held her close.
"...Daddy's really sorry."
An apology slipped out unbidden.
For some reason, it felt like I needed to apologize to Yu-na right now.
"Hic... sniff..."
"I'm really sorry. Daddy was wrong."
As I patted her tiny back, Yoo Seol-hwa and Shin Dong-hyun watched us, clicking their tongues.
"What are you two doing right now?"
"Did something happen between you guys?"
"Hey, let's film this and post it on StarTalk. Haha! My followers will skyrocket."
"Ah! Should I film and post it too?"
"Yeah, hurry up and film."
That's when it happened.
"Waaah! Daddyyy!"
She started bawling at the top of her lungs.
Ignoring the jokers, I focused entirely on Yu-na.
"Daddy's right here alive. So no need to worry."
"Hic... waaah!"
"I promise. I'll never harbor bad thoughts like that again."
Plop! Something fell.
From my words just now, the two who were joking probably got a vague idea of what happened in the past.
But who cares.
Yu-na matters more right now.
I didn't stop talking.
"I'll never think of abandoning Yu-na again. So, Yu-na... please believe in Daddy?"
Yu-na, who had only been crying, nodded faintly. Even though she's young, she must understand about death.
I wiped the tears from her small shoulders and pressed my cheek to hers.
After laying Yu-na, who had cried herself to sleep, in bed, I sat facing the two who still hadn't gone home.
Yoo Seol-hwa's eyes were sharp.
"Hey, be honest. Did you... try to leave your daughter behind and die before?"
"...Don't say it if it's too hard."
"Dong-hyun, you stay quiet for a bit."
How far should I go?
From the beginning?
I hesitated, then confessed everything except the part about possessing this body.
How after losing my wife, I tormented Yu-na with neglectful abuse.
How grief drove me to an extreme choice, leaving her behind.
How even now, thinking of my wife brings uncontrollable tears.
"...That's everything."
Yoo Seol-hwa shot up, frowning and raising her hand high.
Since I omitted the possession, I really was the worst guy here.
She can't hit me, but...
If Noona hit me on my behalf until she felt better...
I squeezed my eyes shut, but no pain came no matter how long I waited.
'Wasn't she going to hit me?'
Opening my eyes, Yoo Seol-hwa was trembling violently, tears streaming down.
"Why... suffer alone like that? If something like that happened... you have to endure and overcome seeing Yu-na. The living..."
As Yoo Seol-hwa turned away to wipe her tears, Shin Dong-hyun spoke calmly.
"...I agree. Your daughter did nothing wrong."
"I know that. And..."
I paused, then looked at Yoo Seol-hwa and continued.
"After coming back from the brink of death, my heart completely changed. Now, Yu-na is my one and only support in this world, more precious than anyone. I'll never go back to that painful past. So... Dong-hyun, Noona, please believe me."
Tears welled up in Shin Dong-hyun's calm eyes at my heartfelt words.
And Yoo Seol-hwa dabbed at the tears that had burst forth long ago with a handkerchief.
"Sniff... If anything hard happens, tell Noona anytime. Got it? Hic."
"...Tell me too. We're friends."
I gave a wry smile in response.
"Got it. And thank you too, Dong-hyun. I'm glad you're my friend."
The gathering meant to celebrate turned into a sea of tears once more.
After everyone composed themselves, Yoo Seol-hwa suddenly jumped up.
"You're worrying me too much. I can't leave."
"Huh? What are you worried about..."
"I'm sleeping here tonight. You have spare rooms and blankets, right?"
She wasn't joking; she really planned to stay over.
Flustered, I tried to stop her.
"No, why all of a sudden? I told you I'm fine. And if reporters catch you staying over?"
"Is that important right now?"
"No, that's not..."
"While I'm at it, do you know how much older I am than you?"
Then Shin Dong-hyun snorted softly and chimed in.
"Hmm, should I crash here too for the night? Couch is fine."
"Then tomorrow, let's go somewhere fun. How about a mountain with fresh air? Perfect for a mood changer."
"Oh! Sounds good."
Ignoring my opinion, they made plans, and I shooed them home before it got too late.
Promising they could all sleep over together with the sitcom crew next time.
Finally sighing in relief, I returned to my room and sat on the bed.
A strange silence filled the room.
Unlike usual, a strong sense of loneliness washed over me. Shouldn't spilling my burdens feel relieving?
After zoning out for a while, I turned my gaze to Yu-na.
Her small eyes were slightly puffy.
By tomorrow, they'd be all swollen like a crucian carp. The loneliness faded, replaced by a smile on my lips.
Yeah, time for me to sleep too...
Keeping my smile, I quietly lay down beside Yu-na. Then I lightly kissed her chubby cheek.
"Let's be happy together forever..."