Chapter 165
Chapter 165
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: The Giant Duck Snowman
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For Yu-na, he'd worked hard to build a massive duck-shaped snowman.
Beneath it, tiny white ducklings huddled together in a cluster.
It was the duck Yu-na had cherished so dearly, reunited with the ones she'd shared with the other kids.
Yu-na's pure heart, worrying over a lifeless snowman shaped like a duck...
That innocence had brought all the playground kids together as one.
Look at them now.
They're rolling snowballs to make a mama duck for the little ones.
The children's innocent smiles.
Even more beautiful than the sky now dyed crimson.
Crunch. Crunch.
The crunching snow grew closer.
Someone was approaching me. I tore my gaze from Yu-na and whipped my head around.
A few middle-aged women, who seemed to be the kids' guardians, approached cautiously.
"Um... you're Yu-na's dad, right?"
"We've seen you around sometimes, but never got to say hi. Hello."
I met the eyes of the first one to greet me squarely. Their gazes weren't on me as an actor, but as a father.
I lifted the corners of my mouth calmly.
"Yeah, that's me. Hello? Looks like everyone came out to play since the snow piled up."
"Yes, exactly. With this much snow, how could we stay inside?"
"Right? Kids look best when they're out playing."
With brief greetings exchanged,
they immediately fixed their eyes on the children.
"But wow, we were really impressed. To make a duck-shaped snowman that big. Yu-na must love it. Her dad's so handy."
"And so young, too. Hehe!"
They didn't call me by name. Just "Yu-na's dad," like the ordinary father of one of their kids.
*It's been so long since I've had something like this...*
Ever since choosing the actor's path, casual chats with regular folks I'd just met had been practically impossible.
Fans approaching boldly,
or keeping their distance out of consideration while snapping photos quietly—that was the norm.
Not that I hated it.
I just missed being treated so ordinarily.
"By the way, Yu-na's so smart and sweet compared to the other kids, isn't she?"
I flinched!
Lost in thought, the mention of Yu-na snapped me back.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"I said Yu-na's so smart and kind, unlike the other kids."
"Oh... really?"
Hearing praise for my Yu-na made my shoulders puff up for no reason.
I shrugged and turned my gaze back to Yu-na.
By the time the sky had darkened.
The kids who'd gifted the ducklings a mama duck said goodbye to Yu-na and headed home.
We...
went back to our warm house, only to come right back out, now wandering the streets near the apartment.
Yu-na's little mutter while washing up in the bath with warm water.
*I want tteokbokki and fish cakes.*
I'd heard it clearly while bathing with her.
When she says she wants it,
it's too heartbreaking to make her hold back.
Pretending not to hear feels wrong, too.
Well, tteokbokki and fish cakes are perfect for cold days anyway.
Crunch. Crunch.
Holding Yu-na's hand as we walked, pedestrians trailed after us.
How long do they plan to follow?
"...Daddy."
Yu-na suddenly stopped and tugged my arm. She looked up at me with droopy eyes.
"...Can you piggyback me, Daddy?"
"Tired of walking?"
"Yeah..."
Yu-na nodded weakly.
She must've used up all her energy at the playground. I smiled, bent my knees, and offered my back.
Whoosh! Yu-na clambered on and giggled, wrapping her arms tight around my neck.
"Eeeeek! Did you see that? Did you see?"
"So wholesome."
"I'm so jealous of Yu-na... I wish Jun-seo oppa would piggyback me."
"I'm jealous of Jun-seo oppa instead. If I had a cute daughter like Yu-na... I'd be the happiest in the world."
The youthful voices I'd just heard.
Peeking over, two high school girls in uniforms were filming us with their phones.
The ones saying they'd want a cute daughter like that?
I let out a soft chuckle.
Isn't that a bit too young for those thoughts?
The girls who met my eyes blushed and bowed their heads.
Well, thoughts are free.
"...Daddy, when are we going?"
Yu-na asked from my back.
I bounced once to secure her and held her safely.
"Shall we go now? Hold on tight so you don't fall backward."
"Hehehe. Okay!"
I stepped slowly into a quaint little pojangmacha radiating old-school charm. The steamy heat melted away our frozen bodies.
Poke! Poke!
Tiny fingers prodded my cheek.
"Daddy... no seats. Can't we eat tteokbokki and fish cakes here?"
Just as Yu-na said, no spots open.
The last two seats were piled with customers' jackets and bags—impossible for us.
"No, there are seats... Huh?"
I stopped mid-sentence.
My eyes met Ha-yul's, who was happily munching fish cakes next to the stuffed spot. Yoon Si-won and Lee Jong-min hadn't noticed me, handing her another skewer.
Crunch. Crunch.
I headed toward Ha-yul's family.
"Um... hello?"
They all turned at my greeting.
Their eyes widened in surprise, and they shot up simultaneously.
Ha-yul hid shyly behind Yoon Si-won, while Lee Jong-min and Yoon Si-won dipped their heads in greeting.
"Oh? Ah! Hello."
"Hello, Jun-seo."
I smiled awkwardly.
"Could I clear the stuff next to you?"
"Ah, sorry. No other customers, so we just left it there."
"I'll get it right now."
While Lee Jong-min cleared the bags, I gently set Yu-na down.
"Okay, Yu-na. Say hi to Ha-yul's uncle and auntie first."
"......"
Yu-na didn't open her mouth.
She just glared at the shy Ha-yul.
The little pojangmacha was packed before we knew it.
Outside, fans gathered to watch us, buzzing about.
Anyway, that's that.
I handed another fish cake skewer to Yu-na, who was eating heartily.
"Tasty? Eat slowly."
"Hehe. Okay. Nom nom."
Look at Yu-na eating so happily.
It fills me up just watching.
"Want anything else?"
"Nom nom... gulp! Tteokbokki."
I turned forward.
The ajumma smiled brightly, piling a small plate with tteokbokki and setting it before us.
"Eat up, little one."
"Thank you."
After Yu-na's thanks, a brief silence fell. No one spoke for a bit until Yoon Si-won broke it.
"Oh, right. That live stream was so funny. Ha-yul was rolling on the floor laughing."
Lee Jong-min nodded with a big laugh, following her lead.
"Ahaha! She said you can't dance at all and tumbled around the living room? I filmed it—wanna see, Jun-seo?"
"Mom! Dad!"
Ha-yul yelled, waving her hands frantically while glancing around.
"Uh, Uncle can't dance... but he's really cool. Really really."
"...Daddy's always cool. Nom nom."
Yu-na, with tteokbokki sauce smeared all around her mouth, shot Ha-yul a look.
The mood was getting weird.
"I know that?"
"Yu-na knows Daddy best."
Yu-na and Ha-yul's petty spat.
Fans outside squealed at how cute they were.
"See? See? That's jealousy, right? Look at her mouth. I wanna wipe it for her..."
"That kid fighting with Yu-na's pretty cute too. Child actress?"
"...Looks like an actress. I think I've seen her somewhere."
"Eeee! Both so cute!"
The two ignored their audience completely. They just kept up the adorable bickering.
"You wouldn't know, Ha-yul. Our daddy's cool even making snowmen."
"...What?"
"Our daddy made a huge duck today. Isn't that awesome?"
As Yu-na grinned victoriously, Ha-yul stood and came to me.
Her hesitant look said she wanted to know what duck.
I couldn't help smiling.
"You can see the big duck at the playground later. Wanna check it out then?"
"R-Really? Uncle?"
"Yeah, it's right by our place. We can see it on the way home together."
A huge smile bloomed on Ha-yul's face. Caught up in her different cuteness from Yu-na's, my hand moved on its own.
I gently patted her head, and Ha-yul's eyes went wide.
"Ahaha! Looks like our daughter likes Jun-seo more than her dad?"
"What? Duh. Uncle's way better than Daddy."
"......"
Leaving Lee Jong-min's shoulders slumping at her instant reply,
I stood up.
"Huh? Jun-seo, where are you going?"
At Yoon Si-won's question, I pulled out my phone and showed the incoming call.
"Gonna take this call quick."
"Sure, take your time. I'll watch Yu-na."
"Thanks, mind her for a sec."
Outside, the onlookers stepped back. They kept distance, filming me with phones.
*It's cold—shouldn't you all head home?*
Worried they'd catch colds filming us.
Eh, whatever.
They'll go when they want.
I sighed softly and stared at my phone screen.
*'Call from Yusia.'*
Answering felt awkwardly embarrassing.
"Ahem!"
I cleared my throat, picked up casually.
"Yeah, Sia? What's up?"
-Family here—do I need a reason to call?
"...No, of course not."
-Nothing else... just curious what our niece is up to.
Her honest answer made me glance inside the pojangmacha. Yu-na was chowing down fish cakes heartily.
"Yu-na's eating fish cakes with red sauce all over her mouth."
-Oh, yummy stuff? Guess I'll order some delivery fish cakes. Maybe fried ones too while I'm at it?
*'Why ask me that?'*
Almost blurted it out.
-Jun-seo, did you tell our niece her aunt's sorry?
"...Not yet."
-Oh? Then, what's our niece's favorite thing?
"Me, the most."
-......
Silence.
Phone screen said call still connected.
I was honest...
Did it sound like joking?
That's when—
-Jun-seo? Yu-na's birthday's soon. As her real aunt for the first time, I wanna get her a gift, but...
A sigh came through the phone.
-Sigh... Was gonna keep it secret from you too, but spilled it all...