Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: The Pink Pajamas Predicament
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How much longer do I have to wait?
I came straight out of action school without even showering, so my body feels sticky and grimy.
I just want to get home and wash up quick...
Before I knew it, the sun was dipping low, painting the sky with a picturesque crimson sunset.
The playground was quiet in the evening hours.
Creak... creak...
I was listlessly swinging alone to kill time when a little kid about Yu-na's age approached me, toy in hand.
Who’s this kid?
Right then.
The kid’s mouth gaped open.
“Mister, why are you here all by yourself?”
“...Just hanging out here for a bit.”
“If you’re bored, wanna play with me? This toy transforms into three stages—it’s super fun!”
No way, I’m not a kid myself...
I dazedly watched the kid fiddling with the transforming robot.
“Do-yun. What are you doing wandering off alone?”
A familiar voice called out.
A woman I recognized was waving from the edge of the playground.
She looked familiar...
Ah, right.
‘Counselor Yu Eun-young.’
She was the child specialist counselor I’d met on recommendation.
Step. Step.
She walked over slowly and widened her eyes when she saw me.
“Huh? Actor Lee Jun-seo?”
I stood up from the swing and bowed politely.
“Hello, Counselor Yu Eun-young.”
“Oh, right. How have you been lately? Any issues with daily life?”
“Yes, thanks to you, I’m definitely much better than before. Do you live around here too, Counselor?”
“No. My little brother lives here. I came by after work to check on him.”
She smiled brightly and patted the head of the kid messing with the robot.
“And this is... your son?”
“My nephew. With both parents working, he’s alone a lot, so he’s gotten into the habit of holding it in. I’m counseling him while I’m at it.”
Hearing that made me worry about Yu-na for some reason. If I get busier... she’ll be alone more too, right?
I stared at the kid, then turned to Counselor Yu Eun-young.
“Um... if I get busy raising Yu-na alone, will she end up like this kid—holding things in until she needs therapy?”
“You’ll be fine.”
“...Really?”
“You seem to treasure the time with your daughter...”
“......”
“Just don’t forget that feeling now and keep holding onto it.”
I let out a deep sigh of relief at the counselor’s advice. As long as I make the effort, it’ll be okay.
“More importantly... pfft.”
She suddenly burst out laughing.
“Was my face that weird just now?”
“Oh, sorry. It just reminded me of the outfit your daughter picked out at the department store today—I couldn’t help it.”
“Huh?”
“You haven’t seen it? It’s all over the internet—stuff about the clothes your daughter chose.”
I knew Yu-na had gone to the department store to pick out birthday clothes for me with her allowance.
But...
Is that something to laugh about?
A strange unease crept in.
“Auntie, I’m hungry. Can we go home and eat?”
“I should get going.”
“...Yeah. Take care.”
“Bye, mister.”
“Yeah, see ya.”
After she left with the kid, I sat back down on the swing.
What kind of clothes did she pick, anyway...
Unable to hold back my curiosity, I pulled out my phone and scoured the internet.
“Ah... is this it?”
The rumor was true—I found it right away.
Just one article related to Yu-na.
[Child Actress Lee Yu-na Spotted at Department Store! ‘Daddy, I Love You!’ Shoot Without Dad?]
I swallowed hard and steeled myself not to freak out.
Click!
The article opened to a photo of Yu-na holding something and smiling.
It wasn’t clear, so I zoomed in. It was a feminine pink pajama set.
‘No way... it can’t be.’
Please, no...
I desperately prayed as I read the article.
[Word is, she saved up her allowance to secretly prepare a birthday gift for her dad and came to the department store.]
(Photo)
[This is the pajama set child actress Lee Yu-na carefully chose.]
[Anyone can see it’s feminine pajamas, but Lee Yu-na looked very satisfied as she...]
I rubbed my throbbing forehead and turned off my phone. If I hadn’t known... I could’ve spent days happily imagining what gift Yu-na picked, making every day fun.
I shouldn’t have looked.
After learning about the shocking birthday gift, I headed home and stared at Yu-na, who was sitting primly on the sofa. She was huddled close to Ha-yul, whispering about something.
Why on earth did Yu-na pick feminine pajamas as my birthday gift?
I wanted to ask right now, but...
I had to pretend I didn’t know, and the article said she picked them out satisfied.
“......”
“You’re a bit late. The staff just finished packing up all the cameras they installed in the house.”
“Yeah, I saw them leaving on my way up. Thanks for cooperating with the shoot today.”
As I bowed slightly in thanks, Yu-na’s aunt—Yoon Si-won—twitched her eyebrow.
“Right. Do you know how startled I was? You could’ve told me ahead of time about the Monday shoot.”
I glanced at the kids and gave an awkward smile.
“The schedule changed suddenly, so I forgot to let you know, Si-won.”
Right then.
Ha-yul, who’d been whispering tightly with Yu-na, jumped into our conversation.
“Mister, you knew Auntie Si-won was coming today?”
“...Huh? Oh, no, of course not.”
Only then did Yoon Si-won awkwardly chime in, glancing at the kids.
“I just got a quick call that I’d be hanging out with Yu-na today.”
“Oh, got it...”
Ha-yul eyed us suspiciously back and forth, then grinned.
“I’ve got a question. Mister, between red and pink—which color do you like?”
My body jolted at “pink.”
Ha-yul’s gaze turned piercingly suspicious again. Unlike Yu-na, she was sharp.
I cleared my throat and turned to slip away.
“I’ll go wash up first. I’ll make dinner after, so you two relax.”
“Jun-seo, mind if I use the kitchen? I’ll whip something up while you shower.”
“Yeah, please do.”
Yoon Si-won headed straight to the kitchen and opened our fridge without hesitation.
“...I’ll help too.”
“Me too!”
“Yu-na too.”
Everyone piled into the spacious kitchen before I knew it. Left alone in the living room, I shrugged and went to the bedroom.
Before washing, pick out clothes...
“...What’s this?”
Rummaging for comfy clothes, something pink suddenly poked out.
‘Oh, right.’
This was where Yu-na hid her trophy, wasn’t it? So... is this the birthday gift she picked for me?
I checked around.
No one there. I carefully pulled out the pink item.
“...You want me to wear this?”
The feminine pajamas in my hand were unthinkable.
Time flew by, and Friday morning dawned bright and clear.
Today was the Daddy, I Love You! recording day.
“...Haa.”
I stared blankly at the ceiling, sighing over and over.
What should I do...
The PD’s words from before still echoed in my ears.
‘Are you just gonna receive the gift Yu-na picked herself? Or wear those pajamas and say thanks?’
I’d said I didn’t know, but...
For Yu-na, I should wear them and thank her sincerely.
The answer was decided long ago, right?
“Hehehe...”
Oblivious to my turmoil, Yu-na seemed to be having sweet dreams. Her upturned lips said it all.
Yu-na suddenly looked annoying, so I poked her soft cheek with my fingertip, disturbing her sleep.
“Yu-na. Time to get up.”
“......”
No response.
Fine then...
I moved my hand to her mountainous belly and poked the peak.
Twitch! Twitch!
She finally reacted.
“Skipping school for the shoot today and sleeping in? Huh?”
To defend against the poking, Yu-na flipped onto her stomach and whined softly.
“Hng... just a little longer.”
“There’s still plenty of spots to attack though...”
Plump butt.
Cute little feet.
Anyway.
Time to stop messing around?
I shrugged, sat on the bed, and slowly got up.
“Alright, Dad’s gonna wash up, so get up in the meantime. Got it?”
“Yeah.”
Right then.
My phone blared loudly, vibrations shaking the bed.
The persistent ringing meant a call, not a text.
I reached under the pillow.
Sure enough.
A morning call from brother Ahn Jeong-su. Still sitting, I gripped the phone and answered.
-Jun-seo. You up?
His voice dripped with amusement, and my mouth wouldn’t open easily.
Because whenever he sounded like that, something tiring happened.
-What? Hello? Jun-seo?
“...Yeah, just woke up.”
-Good. Come out with me somewhere today.
His abrupt invitation confirmed my hunch.
I sighed involuntarily.
“Haa. Where to?”
-No fun if I spoil it. It’s filming-related anyway, so get ready. On my way to your place now.
“Now? Right now?”
-Signal changed. Hanging up.
Click!
The call cut off one-sidedly.
‘Where the heck are we going?’
The only Daddy, I Love You!-related thing today was my early birthday party in the afternoon.
Pre-birthday party content.
Maybe to pick up gifts early?
Where at this hour?
...No idea. Better get ready first.
I tossed the phone on the pillow and rummaged in the closet for today’s outfit.
“Huh? Oh, Dad! Not there...!”
Yu-na shot up in panic, tried to stop me, and tumbled off the bed. Landing headfirst, she rubbed her forehead and blocked my path.
“N-No, not here. Really. Really, not here.”
Oh, right—I forgot again.
Forgot she hid her birthday gift here.
I scratched my neck at Yu-na’s efforts to keep it secret to the end.
“...Can you grab Dad’s clothes then?”
“J-Just a sec.”
Turning her back, Yu-na hurriedly shoved whatever popped out back in.
Then she grabbed some clothes, handed them over, and slammed the closet shut.
“Phew... close call.”
Her muttering “close call” left me speechless at her oddness. At this point, was she even trying to hide it?