Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Yu-na's First Day at Kindergarten
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"Ah! Yeah. There was a ton of dust on the bag, so I was shaking it off."
So this was the best excuse he could come up with.
I set the bag down on the floor and sneaked a glance at Yu-na's expression.
"Oh, I see."
Fortunately, she seemed to buy it.
"Yu-na, how about we wash your face first and then have some breakfast? You can do it by yourself, right?"
"Yeah!"
At my words, Yu-na got up from her bedding, rubbing her eyes as she headed to the bathroom.
Good thing that went smoothly.
I let out a sigh of relief, but then something felt off.
Wait a minute...
'Why was I checking Yu-na's reaction?'
I hadn't done anything wrong, so there was no reason to.
'Eh, whatever.'
Brushing it off, I set out simple side dishes and rice with beans on the folding table while Yu-na washed up on her own.
Everything except the rice was bought from the market, but the taste was still guaranteed.
'Alright. Perfect as always today.'
Clunk!
Right on cue, Yu-na came out of the bathroom.
"Yu-na, time for breakf—"
I froze at the sight of her.
What on earth had she done in there?
Her hair and pajamas were soaking wet.
Water droplets clung to her face.
Even as water dripped onto the floor, Yu-na beamed and scampered over to sit at the table.
"Hee hee hee."
I let out a deep sigh.
How could I get mad at that smile?
I grabbed a stiff, dry towel from the drying rack and gently wiped her face.
"You have to dry off after washing up."
After roughly toweling her hair, I tossed the used towel into the corner.
Unaware that Yu-na might pick up on my bad habit.
"Now, let's eat."
"Yeah!"
We finished breakfast quickly and headed straight out, entering the market street.
"Hey? Yu-na's dad! Fresh mackerel came in today—wanna take a look?"
"Guard the Pojangmacha! Saw it. You acted great in it? Does this mean a famous actor's finally appeared in our neighborhood? Ahaha."
"Want to take some of this with you?"
Their attention had intensified even more.
Before I knew it, a crowd had surrounded us, making it hard to move forward.
Was Yu-na enjoying the situation?
She waved enthusiastically at the people blocking our path, flashing a brighter smile than usual.
"Yu-na, where are you off to today?"
At an auntie's question, Yu-na's eyes sparkled.
"Yu-na's going to kindergarten with Daddy."
Everyone gasped at Yu-na's bright, confident reply.
A brief silence.
But it didn't last.
"Oh my! Off to kindergarten today, huh."
"That sounds great, Yu-na."
"Ahaha! Come by later, and uncle will give you your favorite pork patties."
"How about auntie gives you some snacks?"
"Then this uncle can't sit it out either. Any ice cream you want?"
"Ah, you don't have to."
I waved my hands politely, declining, and all eyes turned to me.
"Yu-na's dad, how can you act properly if you're that skinny?"
"Tsk tsk. You eating well? As the head of the family, you need to bulk up healthily."
"When a neighbor offers, you say thank you and take it. Got it?"
I'd only refused and ended up getting scolded.
"Come to the butcher after the kindergarten entrance ceremony today. I'll give you pork that didn't sell after a day."
"I've got some leftover bachelor kimchi from making too much yesterday."
"Um..."
I opened my mouth to refuse again, but their glares turned icy.
Cold sweat trickled down my back at how sharp their stares were.
"...Yes. Got it."
It was something to be grateful for, sure...
But always just receiving from them weighed on my mind. Now that we were well-off, we didn't need the help anymore...
"Daddy! When are we going?"
Yu-na spoke up right then, and the atmosphere shifted completely.
"Ah, uncle was holding you up without reading the room."
"Go on. Can't be late for your first kindergarten entrance ceremony."
Finally, the path cleared.
Now was our chance.
I bowed politely to everyone and hurried off.
'Hope we're not late.'
I pulled out my phone to check the time—it looked like we'd make it, but just barely.
Haa. Haa.
Walking fast without stopping, my breath rose to my throat.
This damn pathetic stamina.
Passersby whispered as they saw us, but I had no time for such trivialities.
"Daddy! Daddy!"
Yu-na, hugged tight in my arms, pounded my chest with her tiny hands.
"Haa. Haa. Yu-na, in a bit."
"There's a chick at the church!"
"......"
"Wah! It's a doggy!"
Oblivious to my struggle, Yu-na pointed here and there, exclaiming in delight.
How long did we run like that?
We arrived at New Sprout Kindergarten and checked the time—thankfully, we weren't late.
"Daddy! It's pounding here again!"
"...Yeah?"
Thanks to Yu-na pressing her ear to my chest, I regained my smile.
Catching my breath, I gently set her down and stretched my back.
"Ugh."
A groan escaped me.
"Daddy, can we go in now?"
I chuckled at Yu-na peeking eagerly inside.
She must really want to go in.
I shrugged and took her tiny hand firmly.
"Yeah. Let's go in together."
"Yeah!"
As we passed through the main gate of New Sprout Kindergarten, the loud voices of children rang out.
"The one at my house is cooler!"
"No way! Mine's cooler!"
"Waaah! Mommy, I don't wanna go. Nooo. Mommy, don't go!"
Little ones fighting over a toy sword, and a kid crying because they didn't want to leave their mom.
"Min-jun! You'll get in trouble with your mom!"
"Ha Seon-woo! I told you not to fight with friends!"
"What is wrong with this kid... Don't cry, stop!"
Mothers breaking into sweats trying to soothe them.
It was total chaos.
I picked Yu-na up again.
Should we just go home...
That was when.
My eyes met those of an auntie scolding a child. She was someone I'd met at the playground recently.
"Oh my! Yu-na's dad. We meet again?"
"Ahaha. Hello."
"Yu-na goes here too?"
"Yes. We're dropping her off starting today."
While chatting with the auntie, a little boy named Min-jun approached.
"Hi, Yu-na."
"Hi."
"Here... for you."
The auntie smiled warmly as Min-jun, face slightly flushed, handed over a toy.
"Son, is that okay?"
"Uh... yeah... it's fine."
No, this kid again...
With an adult's composure, I smiled and patted his head.
"You like our Yu-na? She prefers dolls over swords, you know."
"I-I don't like her or anything!"
The auntie raised her hand at his raised voice, face red.
Smack! Smack!
"You little punk! I told you you'd get it from Mom if you act rude!"
"Ow! It hurts! Stop hitting!"
"What gives you the right to talk back!"
Min-jun pouted, eyes tearing up. Feeling sorry for him, I finally stepped in.
"Ahaha, it's fine. And today's a special day, so please don't scold him too much."
"If Yu-na's dad says so..."
The auntie trailed off, then clapped as if remembering something, glancing around.
She leaned in and whispered.
"Yu-na's dad, just when did you start acting?"
"Pardon?"
"You know, Guard the Pojangmacha."
"You saw that?"
"Heard from Ha-yeon's mom. Said Yu-na's dad was on TV. I was so shocked... Whew."
"Ah, I see. I just wanted to try acting, and luckily got the chance. Didn't go so well, though."
No sooner had I finished than the teacher I'd met during registration appeared with a bright yellow megaphone.
"Is everyone here? Then please follow me to the auditorium. Take it slow."
I slowly followed the group to the small auditorium.
"After that incident, he acted like a dead man for a while... Guess he's okay now."
A quiet mutter from behind.
It reached my ears clearly.
I glanced back.
The auntie stood frozen, trembling. She looked startled, then forced an awkward smile.
After the entrance ceremony, wandering the streets alone felt empty.
The void left by Yu-na, who was always by my side.
It was huge.
"Haa, nothing to do... Should've gone to that parents' gathering after all?"
The get-together for guardians who'd dropped off their kids at New Sprout Kindergarten.
I'd been invited, but...
As a guy, attending a women-only event felt awkward and uncomfortable, so I'd declined.
Step. Step.
Wandering aimlessly through a familiar alley, I stopped in front of a strangely shaped streetlamp.
'Why does this feel familiar?'
I'd never been here before...
I stared at the duck-shaped lamp, racking my brain.
"Hmm... Ah!"
Suddenly, I remembered how dangerous it got in front of our house when it got dark.
'Might as well look for a one-room apartment now?'
Thinking of my now-abundant bank account, I pulled out my phone.
Bzzz!
A call from an unknown number came in at the perfect timing.
"...Who is it?"
Not thinking much of it, I answered, and a calm, deep male voice spoke.
-Hello. Is this Lee Jun-seo's phone?
"Yes, it is. Who is this?"
-I'm Limited Planning Team Leader Gu Min-hyuk. After seeing Guard the Pojangmacha!, I'm contacting you because we'd like to cast your daughter as a model for our ad.
"...Limited?"
Toys with great designs and safety for kids to play with.
Most of them were made by Limited. No exaggeration.
And.
I'd vaguely heard they were releasing a new product soon.
-Yes, we're launching the latest electric car model. And...
Initial contract: 3 months.
The signing bonus was remarkably high even for a five-year-old like Yu-na.
-If you want to renew after the contract ends... we can negotiate even better terms.
"Hmm..."
I thought it over.
Yu-na had just started kindergarten today.
I didn't feel right giving her work now.
I just wanted her to make friends and play.
And study too.
Plus...
Like in my past life, I didn't want her earning money from such a young age.
We weren't desperate for cash anyway.
I politely declined.
"My daughter's just started kindergarten today, so she'll probably be tired. Sorry."
-......
"I'll hang up then."
-...If you change your mind, please call this number again.
"Yes, I will."
Click!
I ended the call and stared blankly into space.
An electric car...
'The staff lent one back then, and Yu-na loved it. Should I buy one now?'
Forgetting all about looking for a one-room, I smiled at the thought of Yu-na's joy at the gift.
Entering the underworld department store, I headed straight for the toy shop Yu-na and I had visited last time.
"Isn't that guy someone we've seen before?"
"Ah! Guard the Pojangmacha. That gangster guy, right?"
People who recognized me—since I'd forgotten my mask and hat—were whispering.
"Yeah, that's him. The daughter-obsessed one. They said she was really his daughter. She's not with him now?"
"Duh. She's at kindergarten."
"Oh, right? But he's seriously handsome."
My face burned at "daughter-obsessed."
I could hear everything. Please speak softer...
They seemed to fully believe the exaggerated image of me doting on Yu-na.
Pretending not to care.
I quickened my pace naturally toward my destination.
"Eyy, tsk tsk tsk. Squeezing money out of people even here?"
"Gr-Grandma... That was just acting. He's not a real gangster."
I stopped at the conversation between an old lady and a young woman who looked like her granddaughter.
'Haven't heard that in a while.'
Some folks take characters at face value. Only the elderly did that.
'It's as good as a compliment to me.'
I turned and strode toward the grandma.
"Hello?"
"A-Are you here to take our money too?"
"Grandma!"
The young woman looked embarrassed, glancing at me as she tried to stop her. I burst out laughing and waved it off.
"Ahaha, it's fine. Looks like you watched the sitcom I was in."
"Ah, yes... Grandma and I really enjoyed it."
"......"
Looking at the grandma, who still eyed me suspiciously, I spoke up.
"If my acting was good enough for you to believe it, that's a compliment."
I meant it.
"Ah..."
The young woman's face flushed.
The grandma's suspicion seemed to ease a bit. Simple greetings done—time to head to the shop?
"I'll be going now... Oh, and I only appear in the first part, so thanks for watching up to then."
"Ah, yes!"
With a farewell, I turned.
But then.
At the scene unfolding before me.
I was speechless.
'What... what is this?'
People had formed a circle around me, snapping photos.
"That's him, right? The daughter-obsessed guy."
"He looks even more handsome in person."
Wait a second...
My panic was brief.
Suddenly, a good idea struck.
Should I make use of this situation?
A golden opportunity to unofficially promote the sitcom I'd starred in.
No direct benefit to me, but...
It was my first work.