Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Filial Duties and Grief Counseling
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In the center of the living room, where laughter never ceased, a burly man was rolling around on the floor.
The children's endless play.
It turned out the toy that Su-jin and Yu-na were playing with was a tiny PPL item prepared by the production team in advance.
Should I tell them to stop now?
If they kept playing like this, they'd forget the whole concept.
I clapped my hands to get everyone's attention.
"Okay, playtime's over! Let's put the toys back where they belong."
At my words, Yu-na and Su-jin froze in place. Regret was plain on their faces—they clearly wanted to keep going.
"Already? I want to play more...."
"Dad, can't we play just a little longer?"
I couldn't let my resolve weaken here.
I shook my head firmly.
Only then did the kids give up.
"Alright, then. Shall I receive some final filial devotion from my son? Heh heh heh."
Ahn Jeong-su slowly got to his feet, laughing oddly. His son Su-jin made a face like he'd bitten into a bug.
"...You're not going to make me do something weird, are you?"
"We'll see how my son does. Do your best right now."
"...Tch."
I spoke to Yu-na, who was eyeing the bow longingly.
"Yu-na, after recording ends, Dad will play with that thing loads. Got it? For now, put the toy back."
"Okay."
And so, we sat comfortably on the sofa, receiving the children's filial devotion.
The segment was called "Granting Dad's Wishes."
"Ah, why am I so thirsty?"
Su-jin's face crumpled at Ahn Jeong-su's words. But he grinned mischievously and opened his mouth.
"Su-jin. I'm thirsty for water. Bring me some nice, cold water."
"...Got it, Dad. Just wait a sec."
"Yeah, yeah."
While Su-jin headed to the kitchen.
I kneaded Yu-na's chubby belly as she sat on my lap and asked him.
"Hyung, can't you go easy? Su-jin might get upset."
"Hahaha! It's fine. It's fine."
Ahn Jeong-su's face turned serious in an instant as he stared straight at me.
His gaze felt burdensome, and I spoke first without thinking.
"...What?"
"Jun-seo, you said you didn't know earlier. Does that mean... there's a real chance that singer Yusia is a relative?"
Nod. Nod.
I nodded without a word.
Then Yu-na, who had been quiet, tugged at my clothes and asked.
"Dad. Dad. What's a relative?"
"Auntie Yusia might be... your mom's..."
Longing choked me, and I fell silent for a moment. I forcibly gathered my crumbling resolve and continued slowly.
"...older sister. Your mom grew up in an orphanage when she was younger than you.... So..."
This was my limit.
Digging deeper into the memories felt like it would make tears burst out, so I clamped my mouth shut.
"Ah...."
Yu-na's face crumpled.
"Pfft! Yu-na, what's with that face?"
Thanks to Yu-na, I regained my smile.
I gently pinched her chubby cheeks.
"You hate Auntie Yusia that much?"
"Yeah. I really, really hate her."
Yu-na answered without hesitation.
She must really hate her.
'I love Dad!' Recording had ended, and eight days had flown by.
In that time...
A ton of things exploded all at once.
The offhand comment I'd made during recording.
The fallout hit entertainment news, fan cafes, Starlight accounts, and agencies.
Everyone lost their minds.
Even the variety show 'I Love Dad!' went on hiatus without my say-so, and for the first time, CEO Do Bong-seok chewed me out big time.
Apparently, the hidden cameraman from recording had leaked bits of my chat with Ahn Jeong-su here and there.
Look at the hot articles now.
[Shock! Lee Yu-na child actress's mother actually Yusia the singer's younger sister? Said during recording it might be possible.] [Actor Lee Jun-seo's daughter Lee Yu-na shares many similarities with Yusia the singer from childhood....] [As everyone guessed, Lee Yu-na child actress's mother has passed away.] [Actor Lee Jun-seo's former neighbors say she suffered from depression in the past....]
"Haa. What a mess."
A sigh escaped me naturally.
Spilled water couldn't be gathered back up—regretting it now was pointless. I pocketed my phone and carefully put on my mask and hat.
Anyone seeing me would think I was a robber—I looked that suspicious.
'Still, no choice....'
Better to look suspicious than have someone recognize me.
Alright, time to go?
I scooped Yu-na up tightly in my arms.
Today was her counseling appointment day.
A few days ago, I'd asked Yoon Si-won to watch her for just one day.
So first, I headed straight to Ha-yul's place.
'Building right next door, 10th floor.'
This was my fourth visit.
Feeling lighter than before, I pressed the doorbell firmly.
Ding-dong!
The door opened shortly after.
Yoon Si-won appeared, wearing an apron.
"Oh, Jun-seo! Come on in for a bit, have some tea...."
Yoon Si-won welcomed us warmly but then shut her mouth. She spotted the sleeping baby angel in my arms and smiled brightly.
"Want some tea before you go? Ha-yul's been dying to see you. Heh heh."
I could tell she'd lowered her voice to not wake sleeping Yu-na.
"Ha-yul wanted to see me? That's an honor."
"She even asks every day if she can go play at your place."
"Whenever Yu-na and I are home, she can come over anytime—send Ha-yul whenever."
"Oh my! Really?"
I pulled out my phone to check the time. We'd only chatted briefly, but already two hours until the appointment.
"Ah! I should get going."
I hurriedly and safely handed the sleeping Yu-na over to Yoon Si-won's arms.
Yet Yu-na didn't wake.
No wonder they say you could carry her and she wouldn't know. I let out a small chuckle and bowed my head.
"Just for today.... Take good care of her."
"Yes, don't worry. I'll look after her well."
"Alright, then...."
I arrived at my destination and followed the signs to the psychological counseling center.
Different from the place I'd brought Yu-na to before.
It looked somewhat like a hospital but was adorned beautifully with flowers everywhere.
And lots of people waiting.
A sturdy young man.
A middle-aged man with a child Yu-na's age.
A male student in school uniform.
Even a black-haired elderly man with a cane.
As I slowly scanned the room, everyone stared at me strangely.
"Mom, that uncle's weird."
"Shh! You don't say that out loud. Dad told you last time, remember?"
Yeah, I might've overdone it.
I scratched my neck and headed straight to the reception desk.
"Excuse me."
The two rookie-looking receptionists looked terrified.
"Wh-who are you?"
"Ah.... I'm Lee Jun-seo. I have a ten o'clock counseling appointment."
I lowered my voice so they couldn't even guess who I was. Their faces went pale.
"...Yes. P-please wait a moment."
"Take your time."
I felt someone tapping my side. It was a brave-looking kid poking me.
"Uncle, are you a bad guy?"
"S-Su-han!"
The man hurriedly pulled Su-han back two steps and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault for raising him wrong.... I'm really, really sorry."
The middle-aged man's attitude was odd.
Wasn't the apology too much?
I shook my head.
"No need to apologize. He's a curious kid."
"I'm truly sorry. Sorry."
He just kept repeating "sorry."
He wasn't even listening to me.
Why does he keep apologizing?
Only after realizing his state was off did it hit me.
'Right, this is a psych center.'
Whatever his story, I needed to calm him down first....
To reassure him at least a bit, I lowered my mask and gently placed a hand on the bowing man's shoulder.
"...I'm fine. So no need to bow. Okay? It's in front of your kid. Show some dignity."
Swish.
Only then did the middle-aged man lift his head and look me straight in the eye.
His eyes, full of fear moments ago, now widened in surprise.
"Whoa! It's that guy from TV!"
I glanced around—everyone was pulling out phones to film me.
Even the wary receptionists were doing the same.
'Damn....'
Looks like I'd get chewed out by the CEO again.
I sighed inwardly.
I was waiting my turn.
Now, even with mask and hat, too many people recognized me.
Hurry up and end already....
My appointment time had long passed, but my name still wasn't called.
"Lee Jun-seo-ssi. You can go to Room 3 now."
Finally, my name.
I quickly headed inside and opened the door marked Room 3.
Creak!
Right before my eyes, a warm-faced counselor was waiting.
The counselor narrowed her eyes at me.
"You're quite late, aren't you? Come in and have a seat here."
"Ah, yes."
I sat as instructed and swallowed dryly.
Anxious, tense.... Shaking.
"What brings you in for counseling? Actor Lee Jun-seo-ssi. You can take off the mask and hat."
"Haha.... Yeah, think I will."
Only then did I comfortably remove my mask and hat, placing them on my knee.
"What I want counseling for is...."
I paused, took a deep breath to steady myself, and spoke again.
"Two years.... No, three years ago, just thinking of my wife who passed makes it hard."
"What part is hard?"
"Everything. I tell myself it's okay because Yu-na's here.... But just thinking of my wife like now...."
From the start, tears poured out, but I didn't stop explaining step by step.
And...
From midway, I didn't even register what I was saying.
I just let it all out as my heart dictated.
"Seriously. What the hell.... You said you'd always be by my side...."
"You can stop recalling it now. Wipe your tears with this tissue."
After wiping my tears with tissue and time passing, I finally came back to myself.
"Feeling better?"
"...Yes."
"Then, let me say one thing."
The counselor's eyes sharpened.
"Jun-seo-ssi. Don't keep bottling it up. You're unconsciously denying that your wife has passed."
I'm unconsciously denying it?
"Listen well. If you deny it and keep suppressing, it'll explode in a bad way someday."
"...Then, what should I do?"
"Simple. Even if it hurts.... Even if it's hard. Accept it. It'll be tough at first, but time will handle the rest."
With that, silence fell over the counseling room.
I let my floating heart settle and sank into thought.
'Unconsciously denying....'
The counselor was wrong.
Thinking about it, I was consciously denying it. I'd forcibly shut the door on memories related to my wife.
So, does that mean I don't have to force that door shut anymore?
Honestly, it's scary.
What if memories of my wife flood back whenever there's a gap, bringing tears?
What if Yu-na sees that and gets sad too? What if she says she misses Mom?
Bzzz!
Suddenly, my pocket phone rang loudly.
It was Yoon Si-won.
"...Mind if I take this call?"
"Yes, go ahead."
After getting permission, I answered the incoming call from Yoon Si-won.
-Jun-seo! B-big trouble!
Startled by her urgent voice, I shot up from my seat.
"What happened?"
-I took Ha-yul and Yu-na to the playground for a bit, and waiting reporters grabbed us!
Reporters....
That place has tight security—how'd they sneak past?
"......"
-Wh-what do I do? He won't pick up his phone. The reporters keep asking Yu-na....
"I'll head there now. In the meantime, tell her not to say a word."
-Yes? Until when....
Click! I ended the call.
The counselor smiled and slowly stood.
"Counseling's over. You seem busy—go on."
"Yes, thanks for today's session."
"Don't forget what I said."
I nodded and bolted out of the counseling room.