Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Childish Rivalry
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Kwon In-ju and Kang Min-woo.
The two of them were childishly showing off how close they were to me. Even while sitting side by side getting scalp massages.
It was truly a ridiculous situation.
"Isn't it time to cut it out?"
I let out a small sigh.
"How about we appear on a variety show together next time? The response was great last time with Yu-na. What do you think?"
"Ah, Jun-seo. Didn't we visit your house last New Year's Eve to celebrate, and even drink at the beer pub?"
"......"
I didn't even respond, but Kang Min-woo continued with a laugh.
"Wasn't it fun back then? Should we all get together again this time?"
His voice was so bright.
The gloom from his mistake with Yusia had completely vanished.
How long were they going to keep up this childish fight? Just as I sighed deeply.
Tap! Tap!
Kwon In-ju on my right nudged my arm.
"Which seat are you sitting in at the year-end awards this time?"
My body flinched. Thinking about it, I'd been busy this year and shot two works.
"High School 2022."
"Devil's Errand Center."
I pondered his words carefully.
"Hmm..."
A supporting role as a teacher.
A lead role as a demon...
What was there to think about? It wasn't a tough choice.
My deliberation didn't last long.
"Isn't it obvious? I should sit with the cast of the drama where I was the lead. It wouldn't do if I was missing from there."
That was right.
This was a no-brainer.
"Wait a second..."
There was no way In-ju hyung didn't know that.
Feeling something off, I glanced over. Kwon In-ju's lips were curved up almost to his ears.
Ah, he asked on purpose.
I turned my head the other way, and Kang Min-woo's expression had soured.
Joy and sorrow crossed paths in that moment.
I got my hair trimmed at the salon and headed straight to the kindergarten with my manager.
My manager was driving intently.
Dark circles hung heavily under his eyes—he looked exhausted.
"...You sure you don't need to head home?"
"I still have work to do."
This was the fifth time he'd asked.
He was trying to be considerate so I could get home early and rest...
But In-cheol's stubbornness wouldn't bend.
"I give up."
If he wouldn't go home after five suggestions, there was nothing more to say. I gave up, opened the glove compartment, and pulled out the bound script I'd grabbed earlier.
"...What's that?"
In-cheol immediately perked up and asked. I shrugged and answered.
"This? It's a boy action drama called 'Viper.' It's pretty interesting, so I'm thinking of making it my next project."
"Did you grab it from the agency earlier?"
"I picked up something that fell, so... yeah, I guess I did."
"...You know that can't leak, right? Be careful."
"I know. Don't worry."
With that, I started reading the script meticulously from the beginning.
"This... the flow is smooth?"
The part where he loses his memory but his body remembers the combat style, easily taking down delinquent students at school.
It didn't feel forced at all.
And it didn't stop there.
The part where the delinquent hires thugs for revenge...
"Ah, we're here. Get out and pick up Yu-na quick."
"What? Already?"
I looked out the window, and sure enough, it was New Sprout Kindergarten.
I closed the bound script and tossed it into the glove compartment.
Then I opened the door and stepped out.
"Daddy!"
Yu-na came running like she'd been waiting and hugged my leg tight.
Was it the fluffy white fur jacket and hat? With her clinging to my leg, she looked like a little lamb.
I knelt down to meet Yu-na's eye level and adjusted her hat.
"Did you have fun at kindergarten?"
"Yeah! Today, the friends didn't tease Yu-na calling me poopy pants."
"That's really great."
I'd been worried deep down that she'd get hurt by the kids' teasing...
Seeing her bright face put my mind at ease.
I stood up slowly and took her tiny hand firmly.
"Shall we say bye to the teacher now?"
"Teacher's over there."
In the direction Yu-na pointed was her homeroom teacher, wearing an apron.
The teacher, who was loading kids onto the bright yellow bus, had sharp eyes.
"Kids! No running, get in!"
"Waaah!"
"I said no running!"
"Teacher's mad again!"
Now that I thought about it, kindergarten teachers had one of the toughest jobs...
Kids who wouldn't listen at all.
Even from afar, it just made me sigh.
"...Daddy? Aren't we going?"
"Ah, yeah. We are."
Step. Step.
Yu-na and I approached the teacher who was in the thick of battling the kids.
"...Teacher? I'll take Yu-na now."
"Ah! Yu-na's dad. Yes. Take care. And please read today's family notice."
"Yes, got it."
"Bye-bye, teacher!"
"Bye, Yu-na."
With Yu-na in tow, we headed to Han River Park where Senior Oh Ji-hwan was filming.
By the time we arrived.
I pulled out the family notice I'd found in Yu-na's bag and unfolded it.
[Graduation Ceremony Guide]
"Ah, graduation's coming up soon."
It explained that with graduation approaching, Yu-na needed to take home all the works she'd made at kindergarten so far.
What had she made at kindergarten?
It made me curiously wonder.
I kneaded Yu-na's chubby belly as she sat on my lap. I couldn't get enough of this irresistible feel.
"My pretty girl. Graduation's soon, huh?"
"Daddy! There's a police car next to us! Can I roll down the window and wave?"
My question was completely ignored.
Whirr!
The window suddenly rolled down wide.
Winter's cold wind rushed into the warm car, making my body shiver involuntarily.
"Uncle police! Hello!"
Yu-na stuck her hand out the window and waved. The police uncles spotted her and waved back.
This went on for a bit.
The light turned green, and we moved forward. In-cheol immediately rolled the window up tight.
Only then did Yu-na quiet down.
I let out a deep sigh.
"Haa."
"Yu-na's graduating soon?"
I answered In-cheol's question weakly.
"Yeah. She's turning seven."
"When's the graduation?"
"Last Friday of December, it says. Clear my schedule for recordings that day ahead of time."
"Got it, I'll note it."
We arrived at the Han River Park parking lot and waited patiently in the car.
15 minutes. 30 minutes...
1 hour...
As time dragged on, Yu-na's lips started pouting.
Soon, her mouth opened.
"Daddy..."
"Yeah?"
"How long do we have to stay here? Yu-na wants to go home..."
Her voice lacked energy.
She must be bored from waiting so long in the car.
"Just a bit longer. We'll say hi to senior and go right away."
"Why? Can't we go now?"
"If we go out now, we'll draw attention and disrupt the shoot."
"Still..."
That was when.
"Jun-seo? You can come out now. It's break time."
"Really? Then let's quickly say hi to senior and go."
Slam!
As soon as I opened the door, the cold wind hit us hard. I stepped out hugging my natural hand warmer tight to my chest.
In-cheol got out too and stuck close by my side.
"Hehe. Warm. So we just say hi and go home?"
"Yeah, let's find senior quick."
Step. Step.
As we braved the biting cold and looked around, an unfamiliar man blocked my path.
"Senior! Hello!"
I stepped back at his sudden polite bow, bending at the waist.
"I'm the one debuting this time..."
"Junior. What are you doing there?"
I'd finally found Senior Oh Ji-hwan.
Senior Oh Ji-hwan appeared behind the man who had bowed to me.
"Who the hell is this guy, bowing like that..."
"Hello? Senior. I came to see you at the president's request."
Senior Oh Ji-hwan's eyes widened at me. They returned to normal, and he burst into hearty laughter.
"Haha! So you're my junior! Don't do this here—let's move to our spot. Anyway..."
Senior Oh Ji-hwan strode up to me and stared straight at Yu-na.
"Kiddo, long time no see. You been good?"
"...Hello?"
"Don't you remember uncle? We ate at the pork belly place together."
"Ji-han... Uncle?"
His expression suddenly hardened.
Was he disappointed that Yu-na couldn't remember his name properly?
That thought didn't last.
Senior's face crumbled.
"That's why everyone says daughters are the best... Yeah, right. Uncle Ji-hwan. You remembered well."
I cut into their conversation.
"Didn't you stick to movies, senior? Why drama all of a sudden..."
He shrugged at me.
"Just a whim. I'll try this and go back to movies."
"Ah... I see."
That was when.
Yu-na whined softly.
"Daddy, how long do we have to stay here? When do we eat? I'm hungry."
"Can you hold on a bit?"
Grrrowl!
"......"
My stomach growled.
Thinking about it, I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
My face burned.
"Haha! Kiddo, that hungry?"
"Yeah, really really hungry. Kindergarten had bean rice... So Yu-na didn't eat much."
He crossed his arms, pondered briefly, then spoke.
"...Then, want to eat here before you go?"
"Wow! Really?"
"Of course, really."
Did senior hear my stomach growl as Yu-na's?
"If that's the case..."
I patted Yu-na's butt gently and asked senior.
"Senior? We're not even part of the cast— is it really okay to eat dinner here?"
"It's fine. Totally fine. It's a meal truck from my fans—who's gonna say anything? Come eat comfortably."
"R-Really? Then..."
"Yay! Thank you, uncle!"
And so we followed Senior Oh Ji-hwan to the meal truck.
Staff lined up for food.
They gawked, eyes wide and mouths agape, when they saw me line up with senior.
"Haha! The pork stir-fry here's the best, so make sure to get a lot. I'll get Yu-na's for her."
"Ah, thank you..."
"Uncle! Uncle! Lots of meat for Yu-na."
Yu-na's loud voice drew even more eyes our way.
The staff's murmurs.
Why did I feel so embarrassed?
I hid my flushed face behind a plate bigger than my face.
If I had to describe the mood...
It was like barging into someone else's house and shamelessly asking for food.
"Ah, I shouldn't have accepted."
I glanced back, and my manager looked just as awkward.
His face was redder than before.