Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Late Pickup and Moving Day
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I was out of breath, my lungs burning from rushing over. Sweat poured down, and I had no strength left to move.
Huff— huff—
Even so, I squeezed out my last bit of energy and hurried toward New Sprout Kindergarten.
'What time is it now?'
I pulled out my phone mid-stride to check. 8:30 p.m.
Way too late.
I hadn't expected things to run this late.
'Damn...'
I shoved my phone back in my pocket and focused on running ahead, thinking of Yu-na waiting for me to pick her up.
Zzzt!
The streetlight right next to me flickered on.
The sun had set before I knew it, the sky pitch black with stars twinkling.
"Haa, haa..."
Finally, I arrived at New Sprout Kindergarten.
I grabbed the door handle and let out my ragged breaths.
A faint light leaked from the door labeled "Sturdy Class—Yu-na's group" and the director's office.
Slide!
I pushed the door aside and stepped in, scanning the area.
Dark hallway.
In the tiny shoe rack, what looked like Yu-na's shoes sat neatly placed.
Everything else was indoor slippers.
That told me everything.
Yu-na was the only one left at the kindergarten.
I walked steadily to the Sturdy Class door and carefully opened it.
Dead silence, not even a breath to be heard.
In that silence, Yu-na was playing alone with her toys.
My chest tightened for no reason.
"Yu-na."
I called her softly.
Yu-na, who had been stacking blocks intently, whipped her head around. Her eyes went wide when she saw me.
"Daddy!"
Pat pat pat.
She jumped up and ran straight to me, hugging my numb legs that had been running nonstop.
I kept my expression steady, not showing any pain, and picked her up.
"Sorry I'm so late, sweetie."
She shook her head no.
She looked up at me with sparkling eyes and gave a bright smile.
"Yu-na's good at waiting, so it's okay."
"...Still. Daddy's sorry."
Just then, the hallway lights all flicked on.
In the now-bright corridor appeared a calm-looking older woman with deep wrinkles.
"Oh my, Yu-na's dad. You're really late. I was just about to call to ask when you'd arrive since it's almost closing time."
"Ah, I'm truly sorry, Director."
I bowed my head, and the director smiled warmly, waving it off.
"No, no. Raising a daughter alone must be tough. Just let us know in advance next time if you're running late."
"...Yes, ma'am."
"By the way, episode 5 was fun to watch. I laughed seeing how close you and Yu-na are."
"Ahaha. You think so?"
"Keep up the good work on your next project. I'll make sure to watch it live."
I heard stuff like this a lot from the market ladies and uncles.
Which scene from the latest episode stuck with them, and how the parts with my Yu-na were the best.
And how they were looking forward to the next project, cheering me on with all sorts of advice.
Everyone around offered kind words like, "Let us know if things get tough."
Hearing that always gave me a surge of energy.
'Guess I gotta work hard on this next one too.'
Then came Yu-na's whine.
"Daddy! Let's go home quick."
"Shall we? We'll get going then..."
"Goodbye, Teacher."
"Yes, take care. See you next week, Yu-na."
I scooped Yu-na up and headed straight out of the kindergarten.
Clatter. Clatter.
From Saturday morning, our house was filled with nonstop racket.
'Toss this... and this too.'
In my right hand, the script for the drama I was taking on. In my left, I gathered junk and crammed it into a box for trash.
Even as I did, my eyes kept drifting to the script in my right hand.
It was a supporting role with high screen time, so tons of lines to memorize.
'Kim In-hyuk... the thug who fell in with the wrong crowd...'
The role played by Kang Min-woo.
He stole the motorcycle to pay for his bedridden mother's surgery...
Yeah, that backstory would definitely win over the audience.
Extorting money from friends was absolutely unforgivable.
'With a heartbreaking story like that, the washing machine plot twist will spin perfectly.'
Before I knew it, I was absorbed in the script, and my left hand stopped working.
'Ah, gotta clean this up quick.'
I snapped out of it and got back to my left hand. The reason for the frantic cleanup was simple. We were moving out soon to a new place.
'It's right by the police station, so if anything dangerous happens, she can just run to the police uncle.'
I'd just finished the kitchen.
Yu-na, who had been studying workbooks at the folding table, came running over.
"Daddy! Daddy! All done!"
"Hmm, really now?"
"Hehehe. Yes! All done!"
Just an hour ago.
Yu-na had puffed out her belly proudly, offering to help with the cleaning.
She was so cute I wanted to say yes, but the place was too small for help.
So I'd told her to finish her workbook first, then help.
"Can I help now?"
"Hmm, let me see."
I picked up the workbook on the frog-shaped folding table.
'...What does this even say?'
Squiggly 'ga na da ra'.
Handwriting so bad even a worm would say no to being friends. Impossible to read.
"You wrote it great!"
"Hehehe. Really?"
"Now just do it ten more times like this."
"T-Ten times?"
Yu-na's eyes went wide as she folded her little fingers one by one.
"One, twooo, three..."
After folding all ten, she drooped her eyes and pouted.
"Ten times is too many..."
"It's okay. Yu-na can do it."
"Okay..."
Yu-na went back to her spot and grabbed the pencil with her left hand.
"Sip. Yu-na. Right hand."
"Hiiing. Okay..."
The world is made for right-handers. To spare her trouble later, I had to push now.
I'd been left-handed myself.
I knew the hassles all too well.
But Yu-na kept peeking at me slyly. Then she quickly switched the pencil to her left and grinned.
Let it slide this once?
I left Yu-na to her writing and focused on cleaning.
The sky was cloudless.
Staring blankly at the blue expanse made me suddenly want to take a trip somewhere.
'Maybe take Yu-na on a trip next time?'
I leisurely watched the movers haul our stuff up to the second floor in front of our newly contracted studio apartment.
Clank!
'Already done?'
The truck's cargo door, wide open before, slammed shut.
"All done, sir. Just head in and do a quick clean."
At the worker's words, I rushed over and handed him a cold drink.
"Thanks for all your hard work. Here's some drinks I prepared. Have one."
"Ahaha, no need. But... my daughter's a fan of Jun-seo. Could you sign something for her?"
"...Pardon?"
Even with my face fully covered by mask and cap, he recognized me. I blinked in surprise.
"How'd you know?"
"My middle-school daughter and I have rewatched the sitcom dozens of times. Of course I know."
I slowly removed my mask and cap. He burst into hearty laughter at my face.
"Ahaha! No wonder my girl's totally smitten. She has high standards—said out of nowhere while watching live that you look like a squid."
Not funny at all?
Thinking Yu-na said that made my heart ache for some reason.
As I gave an awkward smile, the aunties who had been hauling stuff upstairs approached.
"Whoa, this young man's handsome."
"Oh my, a model? Face looks familiar... where have I seen him?"
"I told you all to watch 'Guard the Pojangmacha!'"
"Oh, I did wat— huh?"
At his words, the aunties gaped and pointed at me.
"Oh! You're an actor. Could you sign for us?"
"Hehe! Right here for me too."
On the way here, these aunties had peppered me with questions while sorting boxes, so we'd gotten chummy fast.
They'd started by saying they'd treat me like a son...
But now they switched to formal speech, blushing shyly. I was speechless.
"...Can't do it?"
The short-haired auntie lowered her disappointed notebook hand.
I finally came to and shook my head.
"I can."
"Thanks! Gotta brag to my husband. Ohoho!"
Starting with her brightened face, the uncle and other aunties thrust paper and pens at me.
"Two for me okay?"
"Mine's for my daughter and wife..."
I signed with names and short well-wishes, then posed for photos and shook hands.
Only after everything did I send them off and head inside.
'This is our home from now on...'
Looking around, the movers had cleaned up spotless. Nothing left for me to do.
"Still pretty cramped."
Following my train of thought, I flopped onto the new bed I'd bought before moving.
Just one fluffy bed, yet my aching back felt healed.
"Ughhh. Feels like living again."
Lying alone staring at the ceiling, I rolled over and grabbed my phone.
What’s that guy up to?
Shin Dong-hyun popped into my mind—the one who helped clean the balcony last time. Now that I'd moved, inviting a friend seemed fine.
If he's busy, oh well.
Lee Jun-seo: Yo, just finished moving. Lee Jun-seo: (address link) Lee Jun-seo: Busy? Come play next time. Sending a personal KakaoTalk to Shin Dong-hyun lit up the group chat. Shin Dong-hyun: Look at this guy!! Shin Dong-hyun: (screenshot) Shin Dong-hyun: Says I'm his closest. (smug laughing emoticon) Seeing he'd immediately blabbed to the seniors boiled my blood. Yoo Seol-hwa: Wow... disappointing. Kang Su-ho: Forgot I invited you last time? Coming now. Yoo Seol-hwa: Me too!! Shin Dong-hyun: (laughing emoticon) I panicked. The seniors were saying they'd come to my place today. Weren't they busy with variety shows? My fingers flew. If I left it like this, they'd really show up. Lee Jun-seo: You're all busy, right? Don't push yourselves. Called only Dong-hyun 'cause he seemed closest—not 'cause he's my bestie, but free. My excuse of an excuse just fanned the flames. Yoo Seol-hwa: Not busy at all? Schedule's clear this week. Wait up. Yu-na! Sis is coming! Kang Su-ho: Me too. All clear. Shin Dong-hyun: (raising hand emoticon) I sighed deeply. No choice—have to invite the seniors and friend all at once. Lee Jun-seo: Alright. It's a studio, so cramped. Bear with it. Kang Su-ho: Fine. Yoo Seol-hwa: Cramped how? You and Yu-na living together. Perfect for a studio. Kang Su-ho: Yup. I sent the address to them too, then tossed my phone by the pillow.
"Haa... this is gonna be tough..."
Deep sigh, then hauled my heavy body up. First time hosting guests—I wanted to serve homemade food. 'If they're late... guess I'll dress up delivery as my cooking.Dad Becomes a Top Actor Author: Ttui-gom