Chapter 168
Chapter 168
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Yu-na's Kindergarten Graduation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the music video was released.
My daily life hadn't changed at all. I just went for skincare treatments, hit the gym for workouts, and spent cozy days alone with Yu-na.
Which was only natural.
It was Yusia the singer who was busy with her album and music video, not me.
So, a day passed, then two.
Three days flew by, and finally, today arrived.
The momentous day of Yu-na's graduation from New Sprout Kindergarten.
‘Is this perfect enough?’
I stood in front of the mirror, checking my appearance.
A new suit and even a wristwatch I rarely wore. It might look a bit overdone, but so what? It was for Yu-na's kindergarten graduation...
Once fully prepared, I threw on my coat and nodded.
Bzzzzt!
My body shivered.
I pulled out my phone—it was a call from Yusia.
Oh, right on time.
I slipped on my black dress shoes and headed to the front door as I answered.
“Hello?”
- Jun-seo, when are you coming? I hope you're not going to be late...
“Ah, I'm all ready now. I'll head out right away. But... are you really okay with appearing on the broadcast?”
I glanced back at the camera trailing behind me as I asked. Today was Friday, so Yu-na's graduation overlapped with a variety show recording.
Talk about irony.
I'd only found out late.
Because of that, the New Year's content we'd planned got swapped for Yu-na's kindergarten graduation and a quick birthday party.
-Hello? Are you listening to me?
I snapped back to attention.
“Ah! Sorry. What did you say?”
-I said I'm fine. Everyone already knows I'm Yu-na's aunt, right?
I stepped into the elevator and pressed the first floor as I replied.
“In that case... got it. I'll call you when I arrive.”
-Okay, sounds good. I'll be waiting.
It didn't take long to reach the address Yusia had given me.
About 20 minutes by car, at most?
I parked in the lot and called Yusia.
As the connecting tone dragged on, I spotted her pacing outside, holding something.
A crisp white blouse and black pants.
Even a light pink coat that fell to her calves. Her outfit was so stylish, you could tell she'd dressed up nicely.
Honk!
She flinched at the horn. Freezing in place, she narrowed her eyes and glared at my car.
Guess she doesn't recognize it's mine.
I rolled down the window and leaned out.
“Yusia, it's me. It's cold—hop in first.”
“Ah! Jun-seo?”
She hurried over, peeked into the passenger seat, and opened the door.
“I'll put what you're holding in the back. Hand it over.”
“Oh, would you?”
What I took from her was a bouquet made of several lollipop sticks.
“A flower bouquet Yu-na will love.”
“You think so? I asked all my acquaintances, and they said this would be perfect. And... take this too. It's a birthday present for my niece.”
A gift box wrapped in colorful paper. I wondered what was inside. Yusia had said it was clothes?
“...What kind of clothes did you prepare?”
“Hehe. Something cute. I never imagined I'd be preparing a gift like this.”
I carefully placed the birthday present in the back seat and gripped the wheel.
“Alright, let's head out. Buckle up.”
“Okay.”
Only after she fastened her seatbelt did I turn the wheel.
The New Sprout Kindergarten graduation started at 11. If we arrived early, we could see the ‘Memories Exhibition of Works and Photos.’
Exactly as it sounded—an exhibit of the kids' crafts and photos. Like a little art show.
By the way...
I glanced sideways.
Yusia was silently tapping away on her phone.
We're filming ‘Daddy, I Love You!’ right now...
Should I start the conversation?
I didn't ponder long.
“Hey, Yusia? I really enjoyed the music video you released last time.”
“Oh, really? It might sound soulless, but I'm glad you watched it.”
It does sound soulless.
The words rose to the tip of my tongue.
Ah, whatever.
‘I should just focus on driving...’
We soon arrived at New Sprout Kindergarten.
Yusia and I passed the cute shoe lockers and entered the Sturdy Class room, where Yu-na had spent the last two years.
“Hmm... This feels like a small exhibition made by the kids.”
“...Yeah.”
Just as she said, the Sturdy Class room had a charmingly haphazard vibe, like the children had decorated it themselves.
Look at those little desks lined up in the corner. Tons of crookedly pasted paper.
And the kids' works on top of them.
All clumsily put together.
“There must be something your niece made.”
“Probably. Shall we look for it?”
Step. Step.
We searched for Yu-na's crafts and photos. A paper frog, instruments from plastic bottles. A photo of Yu-na beaming in front of a big flower.
More pieces with Yu-na's name than expected.
“Huh? Jun-seo, this looks like Yu-na's final piece.”
“What is it?”
I turned to where Yusia pointed. Under a paper labeled ‘Pottery Experience,’ various pottery pieces sat.
“This one. Isn't it really badly made? It's not even a lid...”
“......”
I couldn't argue with her.
Compared to the other kids' pottery, Yu-na's handmade one looked like some kind of lid.
Or bluntly put...
An ashtray.
“Hey, if you look closely, doesn't it seem kinda well-made?”
“You mean that seriously? I'll be honest—this looks like an ashtray.”
“......”
I shut my mouth and glanced at the cameraman. He was filming Yu-na's pottery, which Yusia had bluntly called poorly made.
‘No stopping this one.’
I let out a deep sigh.
“Haa.”
Pat pat pat!
Tiny footsteps approached.
“Daddy! What are you doing here?”
Yu-na ran up and hugged my leg, grinning brightly.
Then she spotted Yusia right beside me and scowled.
“...Crybaby Aunt's here too.”
“Who're you calling crybaby? Call me Crybaby Aunt one more time, and no candy bouquet for you.”
She gently waved the lollipop bouquet in the air. Yu-na's eyes trembled wide.
“Hmm...”
Swish. Swish.
Confirming Yu-na's fixed gaze, she hid the bouquet behind her back.
“So? What kind of aunt?”
“Cr... Pretty Aunt.”
As expected.
The Gluttony Queen had to have her way.
Yu-na's New Sprout Kindergarten graduation ended sooner than expected.
After a boring academic report.
Receiving diplomas.
And group photos.
That was it.
“Yu-na, congrats on graduating kindergarten.”
“Thank you, Pretty Aunt.”
Yu-na sat on Yusia's lap, happily munching candy, her face blooming with smiles.
The cute hat I'd gotten as a graduation gift was tossed in the back seat.
Should've gotten food instead?
I sighed involuntarily.
“Haa.”
“Where to now?”
“Into the city to play. We were gonna eat out and head home, but I forgot about the shoot.”
“Will that be okay? It might be too crowded to have fun.”
She had a point.
But what could we do?
If we went home now for the birthday party, we'd have too much time left...
“Can't be helped with the shoot. We'll just deal with it.”
“If you say so, Jun-seo.”
“Pretty Aunt, can I have just one more candy?”
At Yu-na's question, Yusia smiled and nodded once.
“Bought it for my niece—eat as much as you want.”
I glanced over while driving.
Ah, that's not good.
We were heading straight to a quiet restaurant in the city once we arrived.
So no overloading Yu-na with snacks now.
“Hey, Yusia?”
“Yes?”
“We're eating lunch soon, so just one snack.”
Realizing her mistake, she snatched the candy from Yu-na.
“Ah, ah!”
“Daddy says no.”
“Yeah, we're almost there. Candy after dinner, okay? And Yu-na, you're about to be an elementary schooler. You're a big girl now—you can hold back.”
“...Yu-na can hold back.”
“Hehe. Good girl. Just a bit longer.”
I chuckled and turned into an alley. Find a parking spot, and we're in the city.
“What's for lunch?”
Her sudden question got an immediate answer.
“Western-style pork cutlet. Pork cutlet for graduation, no question.”
“Huh? It's jjajangmyeon for graduation.”
“No way, pork cutlet, right?”
“Right! Pork cutlet's the best, like Daddy says! Pretty Aunt doesn't get it.”
“......”
No retort, so I glanced over. Yusia's eyes had narrowed sharply.
“...Wanna bet? Who’s right. Loser... yeah, that works. Wears an animal ears headband bought in the city.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Scared you'll lose?”
“...Fine. How do we decide the winner? Grab passersby and ask?”
“Perfect. Exactly ten people.”
“Daddy's gonna win! Hehehe.”
“Hehe. We’ll see.”
After parking, we strolled into the city. Instantly, crowds recognized us and swarmed.
“Wow! It's Sia!”
“Actor Lee Jun-seo too?”
“Waaah! Unnie, I'm a fan! Loved the new song!”
“Sia unnie! Look this way!”
“Jun-seo oppa! Kyaaah!”
Ignoring the fans, Yusia shrugged and lifted her chin.
“Shall we start? Just checking—you won't cheat by going out of sight, right? Like Yu-na did last time.”
“Ha! Me?”
“My niece cheated blatantly before, so no guarantee her daddy won't.”
Weird.
Why am I picturing myself in animal ears?
Because Yu-na lost a bet last time?
“......”
“Admit it now?”
“Yu-na never admits it!”
I shook my head.
I'd already said I'd man up.
Backing out now wouldn't be manly.
“I'll grab the first one. Camera director, make sure you catch any cheating.”
I addressed the cameraman following close, then scanned around.
Eyes met.
A middle-aged woman shot her hand up.
I approached her.
“Excuse me, if you have time, could you help with our shoot?”
“Sure! Happy to!”