Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Yu-na's Birthday Celebration
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As soon as we got home with the luggage, Yusia scanned the interior as if searching for something.
It looked odd, so I approached her and casually asked,
"Looking for something?"
"...It's nothing."
She smiled as if it were no big deal and unpacked the groceries from the convenience store up front.
Fresh vegetables and meat.
All chosen by Yusia.
Clutching them tightly, she headed straight to the kitchen without hesitation.
"I'll handle the cooking, so could you just help with prepping the ingredients, Jun-seo?"
"You're really going to cook yourself?"
"I've never done anything for my niece until now. And she's not just a guest.... So for her birthday this time, I should at least make her a meal."
Well, if she puts it that way.
I shrugged lightly.
"What should I start with?"
Hop, hop.
Yu-na was still wearing her bear-ear headband as she bounced in place.
"Daddy! Doesn't Yu-na get to help?"
"Yu-na, you can just sit and watch."
"But I'll get bored alone...."
Yu-na's face fell, her shoulders slumping.
"Then you help with Yu-na, Jun-seo. Prepping is easy anyway."
At her words, Yu-na's expression brightened in an instant.
We turned off the living room lights and lit the candles on the cake. The orange glow enveloped the room, finally giving it that birthday party vibe.
"Shall we sing happy birthday now? You want to go first, Jun-seo? Hehe."
She was still teasing me about what happened downtown.
Is it that funny?
"...Let's just sing together."
I turned to Yu-na.
Yu-na, in her party hat, puffed out her cheeks as she stared at the candles on the cake. She looked ready to blow them out any second.
"Okay then.... Happy birthday to you—"
Yusia joined in on my awkward start.
"Happy birthday to you— Happy birthday, dear Yu-na— Happy birthday to you—"
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Whoosh—!
Yu-na blew out the candles with a mighty puff, extinguishing them all at once.
The room went dark in an instant, so we turned the lights back on. Yu-na grinned widely, poking the cake with her finger.
The tip of her finger, smeared with whipped cream.
It went straight into her cute little mouth.
"Hehehe. This is yummy."
"Yu-na, cake later. Let's eat what Auntie made first, okay?"
I gently coaxed her and picked up my chopsticks.
"Hold on."
She narrowed her eyes and glared at me sharply.
Did I do something wrong?
As I wondered that,
Her mouth slowly opened.
"Shouldn't we give the birthday presents before eating?"
"Right! Yu-na needs her presents!"
Oh, I forgot.... I reached under the foldable dining table and grabbed the gift for Yu-na.
In the meantime, Yusia pulled out her gift for Yu-na first.
"My gift first.... Yu-na?"
"Yes!"
"Happy birthday. This is the first birthday present from Auntie."
"Wow! Thank you! Auntie!"
Yu-na tore into the wrapping paper the moment she took it.
Rip! Rip!
"It's winter, and I thought a coat would suit you, Yu-na. What do you think? Like it?"
Yu-na pulled out the beige coat, her eyes going wide.
"That time, I was really sorry. I acted so immature and spread that embarrassing story, so you must've felt hurt and upset, right? From now on, I'll be a good auntie like everyone else's."
Shake, shake.
"No! It's okay! Hehehe."
In the warm atmosphere, I pulled out my gift for Yu-na.
"Now Daddy's turn? Yu-na. This is from Daddy."
A cute pink bag with a bunny-shaped charm dangling from the zipper. It looked plain compared to Yusia's fancy wrapping.
"Waaah! Thank you! Daddy!"
"You like it?"
"Yes! I really like it!"
She must really love it.
Look at her bright face, wearing the coat and slinging on the bag.
She's smiling the happiest smile in the world.
"Daddy's sorry too for not doing enough for my pretty girl. And...."
"Waaah! This is so great!"
I was trying to say something heartfelt, but Yu-na wasn't even listening.
Hop, hop!
She just bounced in place, feeling it out.
"I'm listening. Go ahead."
At her playful words, I let out a deep sigh.
"...Never mind."
"Yu-na's birthday gift ceremony is over, so shall we eat? I haven't cooked in ages, so I'm not sure if it'll suit you and Yu-na's tastes."
And so, we finally got to taste the meal Yusia had made herself, the grand finale of the birthday party.
'It was really hard to hold back....'
I swallowed hard.
The chicken dish looked delicious at a glance. The first bite melted in my mouth like cotton candy, tender and soft.
The chicken dishes I'd made for Yu-na until now.... weren't really cooking.
"...This is really good."
"Yeah? There's plenty, so eat slowly. The rest will be good too."
"Okay, then...."
Rustle—!
Suddenly, Yu-na dashed over and snatched the food I'd picked up, popping it in her mouth.
Munch, munch.
She closed her eyes, her cute lips working, then her eyes snapped open.
"Wow! Auntie Yusia! This is so yummy! It melts right in your mouth!"
We both burst out laughing.
"Ahaha!"
"She's so unpredictable. Ahaha."
Yu-na went back to her seat and carefully scooped various foods onto her small plate.
Then she took the plate and ran to the corner.
What’s she up to?
"Mister. Eat this. It's really yummy. Hehehe."
Yu-na shared food with the cameramen hiding in the corner.
One by one.
Two by two.
After giving to everyone, Yu-na returned to her seat with a satisfied look.
'She grew up so kindly.'
While Yu-na slept.
The 'Daddy, I love you!' recording ended.
The cameramen were collecting the cameras placed all over the house.
Yusia, ready to leave, watched the sleeping Yu-na with a fond smile.
I strode up behind her and casually asked,
"Doesn't she look like an angel when she's asleep?"
"...She does. She must really love this birthday's gifts."
The beige coat and pink bag.
And the birthday presents from the cameramen who helped with today's recording.
Yu-na slept clutching them all tightly.
Just watching her made me smile.
"Um...."
Yusia suddenly turned, hesitating as she moved her lips.
"It's a really sorry request."
"What is it?"
"If you have a photo of my little sister.... could I see it before I go?"
Her mention of her little sister's photo made my body twitch. Her expression started darkening.
"Sorry. That was too much to ask."
That's why she was looking around earlier.... She was searching for her sister's photo?
I calmly smiled.
"That's no problem. Wait here a sec."
I left her and went to the balcony, pulling out a dusty box from the corner. It held mementos and photos of Kang Min-ju and our memories.
'Time to take this out now, I guess.'
Unlike before, I felt ready to steadfastly overcome the past pain.
I came back to the living room and set the box down in front of her with a thud. I opened it and handed her a small album.
"Here."
Her hands trembled slightly as she took it. Her eyes grew misty, on the verge of tears.
Flip.
She quietly opened the album.
A photo of Kang Min-ju lying with newborn Yu-na.
A family photo taken in front of our old house.
And others.
A photo of a humble birthday party with a single Choco Pie lit with a candle....
A heavy silence fell.
"......"
"......"
As Yusia quietly turned the pages for a long time, tears dropped from her eyes.
"...She doesn't look like her at all."
"......"
Unknowingly, I was crying too.
I wiped my tears roughly with my sleeve and pulled out the last photo.
I handed it to her.
"I'll give you this one. I can make copies of the others too, if you want?"
She shook her head.
"This one photo is enough. Thank you. And.... sorry for bringing up painful memories."
"After recent counseling, I'm getting better at dealing with it little by little."
That was when.
The people who had collected all the cameras gathered in the living room.
"We've retrieved all the installed cameras. Great work on today's recording."
"Huh? Whose photo is that?"
"Wow, she's really pretty. Kinda looks like Yusia.... Who is she?"
"......"
The quickest one poked the sides of the two chattering guys.
Realizing the situation, they scratched their necks and gave awkward smiles.
"Ahaha.... We'll head out now. Great work today."
"Don't forget we have shooting at the Entertainment Awards tomorrow!"
With that, they grabbed their gear and fled the house.
In the ensuing silence.
She quietly stood up.
"Jun-seo, I'll be going too."
"Oh, it's pretty late. You okay going alone? Want me to walk you home?"
She shook her head.
"It's fine. I already called a taxi."
"Then at least to the entrance...."
"No need. And.... thank you so much for this photo. I'll treasure it."
I let out a quiet sigh and smiled faintly.
"Yeah, great work today."
After seeing her off safely.
I stared at the album and box left alone in the living room.
Since I've decided not to suppress my emotions anymore.... I took out a small frame and placed it in front of the TV.
'Family photo from when Yu-na was 4.'
In the photo, Kang Min-ju and Yu-na.
And I was smiling so brightly.
Early morning.
"Hmm.... Hehehe...."
Waking to the giggling sounds, I groggily lifted my heavy body.
Next to me, Yu-na slept clutching her gift bundle tightly.
Dreaming something happy?
I got out of bed carefully so as not to wake her and went to the living room.
By the way....
Why is it so cold?
Rubbing my arms, I stepped onto the balcony. Outside was blanketed in white.
No wonder....
It felt extra chilly today.
Snow was falling heavily.
'Traffic's gonna be worse than usual.'
Driving will be tough today.
I sighed deeply and left the balcony, heading back to the bedroom.
Yu-na slept peacefully, scratching her bulging belly on the bed.
After a moment.
'Did she feel the chill?'
Yu-na shivered.
"...Yu-na? Morning time. Time to get up."
She showed no sign of waking.
No choice then.
"It's snowing outside right now."
"Snow?"
As expected.
She bolted upright at the mention of snow.
In just 1 second.
Not even a full second.
"How much has accumulated?"
"Hmm, how much, I wonder?"
Unable to contain her curiosity, Yu-na hopped off the bed and headed out of the bedroom.
I wish she woke up like this every day.
But that's just my wishful thinking.