Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Yu-na's Entrance Ceremony
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"Alright, Yu-na. See you later."
-Yes! Auntie!
After ending the refreshing morning call with a clunk of her phone, Yusia let out a deep sigh.
"Haa."
Clothes scattered all over the floor.
She'd been trying on outfits one by one from her dressing room since four in the morning to pick something she liked, turning the place into a mess.
'When am I going to clean this up...'
She kept sighing deeply, having made such a mess and still not chosen an outfit.
"I'm such a crybaby."
What an irony.
Her niece was starting elementary school for the first time, and she was putting more effort into picking an outfit than for a variety show broadcast...
She reached out again, pulling a white blouse and purple turtleneck from the hanger.
"White blouse with a beige long coat... The weather's warmed up, so maybe just the turtleneck..."
It was right then.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
The sound of someone punching in the door lock code. She didn't need to check—there was only one person who could enter with the code.
No one but her manager, so Yusia refocused on picking clothes.
"White blouse with a beige long coat..."
"W-what is all this?"
Her manager, holding a bouquet, scanned the floor with a shocked expression.
"Sis, what's with the flowers? Isn't it weird? Wasn't there anything else?"
"Is that the issue right now? How long have you been like this?"
"Hmm... Since around four?"
"Haa."
The manager set the pretty bouquet aside in a corner and rolled up her sleeves.
"Sia, I'll clean up, so hurry and pick an outfit and get ready."
"Sis, sis. Which one looks good?"
A pristine white blouse and turtleneck in Yusia's hands. The manager crossed her arms, glancing between the clothes and Yusia.
"That white blouse might look too flashy. It's your niece's elementary school entrance ceremony—too dressed up."
"Hmm... Yeah, this it is."
Yusia smiled brightly and hung the turtleneck back on the rack.
If you were going with the blouse anyway, why ask? Even as the manager glared, Yusia just moved on to picking bottoms.
"Sigh, no time, so pick quickly."
"Okay! Got it."
He laid out five suits on the bed, deep in thought.
'Which one should I wear?'
He used to grab anything without much care, but at some point, he stopped dressing sloppily.
Thinking about it, it started after he built his body through workouts.
Ah, that's not important right now.
"...Yu-na?"
"Hmm..."
Yu-na, who'd strewn her favorite clothes on the floor just like him, furrowed her brow.
Kids really are mirrors of their parents.
It seemed true.
"Yu-na, picked an outfit to wear?"
"Not yet."
"How about the one at the far right?"
A white T-shirt with water droplet patterns, bought as a set with light blue suspender pants.
Perfect for today's not-too-cold weather. Pair it with a beige long coat, and it'd match great.
"...Hmm."
Finally decided, Yu-na tossed off her pajamas onto the floor.
She quickly slipped into the outfit I'd suggested and grinned widely.
"Hehehe. How's it look? Matches well?"
"You couldn't even button clothes by yourself before, and now you've grown up."
"Is Yu-na pretty?"
"Of course, the prettiest in the world."
He gently stroked her little head, then turned to the clothes on the bed.
Now it was his turn to choose.
Yeah, this one.
Like Yu-na, he shed his pajamas and changed into a crisp navy suit.
"Hehehe. Daddy looks cool too."
"Really? How cool?"
"Thiiis much!"
She spread her short little arms wide, showing her maximum.
How could she be so adorable?
He straightened his slightly crooked tie and checked the wall clock.
Walking slowly to Bora Elementary School should time it just right.
"Yu-na."
"Yeah?"
"Let's walk slowly. You need to memorize the way to and from school so you can go by yourself."
"Huh? Not riding ZingZing?"
"Daddy can't always take you to school. Time to build the habit of going alone."
He'd worried she might hate it, but watching her expression closely, she didn't seem upset.
"Oh, I see."
"It's about ten minutes from home. Not hard to memorize."
"Yeah. Hehehe."
"Alright, let's head out."
Walking along, Yu-na kept glancing around.
Memorizing the route?
She didn't really need to...
From the apartment's back gate, straight ahead led to Bora Elementary School.
About ten minutes on foot.
Unfamiliar path, so Yu-na seemed tense. Her gripped hand was sweatier than usual.
"Memorizing the way okay?"
"Phone. Shiny clothes shop... Coffee."
Muttering shop signs, no real response.
Should he tell her to just go straight right later? Probably best.
He left Yu-na as is and pulled his phone from his pocket.
Right on cue, a call came in.
'My manager.'
From In-cheol.
"Hello?"
-Oh, Jun-seo... Something came up, so I probably can't make the entrance ceremony. Really sorry.
"It's fine. What's up?"
-Actually... My mom's moving today and asked me to help. So I can't come.
Her voice lacked energy.
Probably bummed about missing Yu-na's entrance ceremony.
"What? That's your mom first, obviously. Help her out properly."
-...Yeah. Tell Yu-na congrats on starting school.
"Got it. Good luck today."
Clunk!
He ended the call and smiled faintly.
He pictured In-cheol's sturdy shoulders slumping in disappointment.
Looks-wise...
Veteran bodyguard.
But personality like a timid bear.
Bzzz!
Phone rang again.
This time from Yusia. Hope she wasn't calling to say she couldn't make it last minute?
Yu-na would be sad...
Pushing away the worry, he answered Yusia's call.
"Yes, it's me."
-Jun-seo, where are you? I'm at Bora Elementary School now... Do I go inside?
Relief washed over him.
He spoke up.
"Almost there."
Just then, the school main gate came into view. People weren't entering but guarding the gate.
-Reporters and parents...
"I see them. By the right end of the gate? Might block traffic, so coming quick."
-Yeah, hurry.
He pocketed the phone after hanging up, then scooped up Yu-na, who was mumbling something.
"Huh? Ah! I forgot! Daddy! You made me forget!"
Thwack! Thwack!
Suddenly Yu-na got mad and started punching his chest. People's eyes turned to them.
Dash!
Right then, Yusia, who'd been waiting, ran over.
"Jun-seo. Why so late? You said ceremony starts at 10 a.m., so I came an hour early..."
Grumbling as always.
"Who told you to come early?"
"...Huh?"
He chuckled.
"Kidding."
"Haa... What's with Yu-na?"
She changed the subject, pointing at Yu-na still fuming in his arms.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Soft punches that didn't hurt.
Honestly, he had no idea why Yu-na was mad. Something about forgetting... What?
"Yu-na, you said it was Daddy's fault? What'd you forget?"
Squeeze.
Yu-na stopped punching, unclenched her fist, and hugged his neck instead.
"...The way. Forgot it all."
Her weak voice made him burst out laughing. They'd just gone straight—no need to memorize.
She still didn't get simple things.
He patted her back gently.
"We'll go home with Daddy later and memorize it again."
"Yu-na, you're silly? You can see home from here—how do you forget the way?"
At "silly," Yu-na flinched and whipped her head around.
Pouty duck lips.
Furrowed brows glaring at Yusia.
"Not me—look over there. Over there."
Nod. Nod.
She nodded, pointing opposite us. Sure enough, their apartment was visible in the distance.
Yu-na turned to look where he was staring.
"......"
"See? Follow this road straight home."
Tremble.
Yu-na's body shook hard.
Finally realizing how easy the way home was.
Entering Bora Elementary School, they headed straight to the auditorium for the entrance ceremony.
'Yu-na's in Class 3 of Year 1.'
He knew from the sign right ahead.
Anyway...
Best greet the teacher first. He led Yu-na and strode forward.
"Isn't that actor Lee Jun-seo?"
"Wow... Yusia the singer's behind him. First time seeing her in person. So pretty."
"Lee Jun-seo's daughter goes here? What a coincidence."
"No wonder... So many people with cameras at the gate and auditorium."
"Wonder which class Yu-na's in? If my son befriends her, maybe meet Lee Jun-seo often?"
Such voices kept drifting over, draining his energy.
He just wanted the kids to befriend Yu-na purely...
"...Don't mind them."
"I know."
They reached the front seats.
Signs marked by grade and class.
Adults who looked like homeroom teachers beside them.
So...
He turned left.
'Year 1, Class 3.'
Right here.
A very young woman was chatting with a kid in the front seat.
"That's the homeroom teacher?"
He nodded at Yusia's question, cleared his throat with a cough, and straightened his clothes.
Yu-na's teacher.
Gotta make a good impression?
Step. Step.
Approaching slowly, he cautiously called the young woman.
"Excuse me, Year 1 Class 3 homeroom teacher?"
The woman's eyes shook hard upon meeting his.
"Uh, uh... Oh, hello. Heard from the principal... Nice to meet you. I'm Kang Yu-jin. I'll be in charge of Class 3 for the next year."
"Yes, please take good care of Yu-na for the year. Teacher Kang Yu-jin."
He smiled as brightly as possible, offering a handshake, but Kang Yu-jin's face turned tomato-red at his hand.
"Um... Teacher?"
"Ah! Yes! Please take care of me too."
She bowed instead.
Handshake rejected.
"......"
"She's fun. Yu-na? Greet your new homeroom teacher."
At Yusia's words, Yu-na stepped forward confidently and bowed.
"Hello, Teacher. I'm Lee Yu-na, the pretty daughter of an awesome daddy."
Right then.
"Yu-na!"
A familiar kid's voice rang out.