Chapter 44
Chapter 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Puddles and Laughter
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Stepping outside and taking a deep breath, an earthy scent washed over me, calming my mind.
Despite the drizzle making the air muggy, my mood was bright.
‘All thanks to our Yu-na.’
I adjusted my umbrella and matched my steps to Yu-na’s tiny strides.
Hop! Hop!
Yu-na, decked out in bright yellow rain boots and a matching raincoat, bounded ahead like a rabbit.
“Hop! Hop! Let’s throw stones!”
Odd.
Shouldn’t it be ‘splash’ instead of ‘hop’?
I shrugged.
Whatever. I couldn’t bring myself to correct her. She was having too much fun.
Beeeep!
Just then, a massive truck barreling toward us from ahead blared its horn in warning.
‘Why’s it going so fast in the rain…?’
The moment it passed by our side.
Muddy water surged up to my head in a flash, splashing toward Yu-na, who’d clamped her little hands over her ears.
“Yu-na!”
I dropped the umbrella on instinct and rushed to her, wrapping her up in my arms.
It didn’t take long to twist around, shielding her from the rain.
Splash!
My clothes were drenched in seconds, but I checked on Yu-na first.
“Yu-na, you okay?”
“Hehehe. Daddy’s all wet.”
Her innocent laugh.
Only after catching my breath did I realize she was wearing her raincoat.
Slipping out of my arms, Yu-na hopped into a puddle and launched an attack.
“Yaap! Yap!”
The clouds slowly parted, warm sunlight bathing us. I stood there in a daze before bursting into laughter.
“Ahaha! Yu-na struck first, huh?”
Sweeping back my sopping hair, I closed in on her and stomped hard in the puddle. When was the last time I’d played like this? No memory at all.
“Kyaa! Daddy! Yu-na’s sorry!”
Yu-na scampered off.
I snatched up the fallen umbrella and gave chase. Lost in childlike wonder, forgetting I was an adult, I savored the moment.
“Stop right there!”
“Aaht!”
Splash!
She tripped over a stone, but didn’t cry—instead, she brushed off the dirt and stood tall.
Then she grinned at me.
“Hehehe. Now I look just like Daddy.”
Lost in play with Yu-na, we’d arrived at the kindergarten before I knew it. Snapping back to reality, I let out a heavy, reluctant sigh.
“Hi, kids.”
“Hello, Teacher.”
My eyes locked with the teacher’s as she waved to the children at the front gate.
Her eyes went wide, and she hurried over.
“Oh my! How on earth did you get so soaked? What if you catch a cold…?”
Scratching my cheek, I replied.
“…Well. It’s a long story.”
Too much hassle to explain.
She had every reason to be shocked.
I looked like a drowned rat. Yu-na, on the other hand, was fully geared up in her raincoat and boots—her clothes underneath stayed dry.
Her bright yellow raincoat was just splattered with mud.
“Did you go splashing in puddles or something?”
Nailed it. I clamped my mouth shut.
Embarrassing to admit I’d been messing around like a kid.
“…….”
“Ahaha! You were playing with Yu-na, weren’t you? No need to be shy.”
“…Yeah. Spot on.”
Finally owning up to it, I crouched down. I wanted to bolt from the awkwardness right then, but.
I had my usual request for the teacher. Gently nudging Yu-na—who’d latched onto my side—I forced a smile.
“Please take good care of Yu-na today.”
As I bowed and turned to go, she grabbed my wrist.
Whipping my head around, I saw her face flushed beet red.
“T-that… Ah! Sorry. I didn’t mean to grab you….”
Her stammering was weird.
“Something you want to say?”
Her ears turned scarlet at my question, and she let go in a hurry.
“F-first, come inside. You’ll catch your death of cold out here.”
Fair point.
A cold would be a disaster, even with no shoots lined up—it could mess up any rescheduling.
And though I didn’t let on…
My wet clothes felt gross and clingy.
‘Eh, it’ll be fine.’
I nodded.
“…Alright, excuse me.”
“Hehehe. Teacher’s face is red.”
“Y-Yu-na! Don’t tease the teacher!”
“Daddy, Yu-na’s going in first!”
“Alright.”
Dodging the teacher, Yu-na dashed inside.
“Ahem! Yu-na’s dad? If you’d follow me?”
She’d composed herself, flashing the same smile she gave the kids.
Probably because she’d unconsciously grabbed a handsome guy’s wrist.
Fair enough—my looks weren’t normal.
I nodded to myself.
Ever since possessing Lee Jun-seo’s body, this overconfidence was getting out of hand.
“Yu-na’s dad! Hurry inside!”
“Got it.”
Kids’ eyes zeroed in as I entered the kindergarten. Natural curiosity about the stranger.
“Shoes go in the staff shoe area.”
“My socks are soaked too. That okay?”
“Oh, right… Hold on!”
She dashed off and returned with slippers.
“Ahaha, the kids have been messing with the slippers lately. So we keep the adult ones stashed.”
As she chattered, I scanned the place.
The vibe was different from my last visit.
More CCTVs installed.
More stickers on the windows.
“…Something going on?”
She tilted her head curiously as she caught me looking around.
“No issue—just been a while since I visited. Feels like the right call sending Yu-na here.”
“Oh? Good to know. Glad you think so.”
In the staff room, I sank into the sofa at her direction.
“I’ll crank up the heater first.”
“…You still have this out?”
She wheeled over a heater suited for winter and flicked it on.
“Some kids hold it in instead of going to the bathroom. So it stays out. Can’t leave wet stuff lying around, right?”
“Ah….”
“Yu-na’s dad, hang tight here. I’ll grab a towel.”
With an eye smile, she slipped out. I thawed my ice-cold hands, staring blankly at the heater’s red glow.
‘…What to do today?’
Nothing sprang to mind.
Aside from grabbing Yu-na’s supplies tomorrow—no, today’s list.
‘Not even a walk in this….’
Drying my damp clothes didn’t erase the mud caked on them.
On the way home.
My filthy state drew tons of stares. A tall, handsome guy in grimy clothes—people whispered.
Still, lucky…
No one snapped photos.
After a quick shower, I checked the parent newsletter for today’s supply list.
‘Brush, paints. And… water pot.’
Jotted it on my phone, got up, and headed out.
Thick storm clouds blanketed the sky. Any second now, it’d pour.
‘Grab the stuff quick before the rain hits and hole up at home.’
I picked up the pace.
Soon, a little stationery shop.
Packed with toys and junk snacks.
Behind the counter sat a white-haired old man, wrinkles etched deep in his face.
“Excuse me. Grandpa. Here for my daughter’s supplies.”
“…….”
“Grandpa!”
Raising my voice, he jolted and looked up.
“…A customer? What do you need?”
“Brush and paints. And…”
He didn’t wait for me to finish, shuffling to a dim corner.
Climbed a ladder barely to my waist.
“Where’d it go… Ah, here…”
The grandpa wobbled precariously.
Looked dangerous—I rushed over and steadied him. Rude or not, I had to.
“Grandpa, let me get it. Just point it out. You’ll hurt your back.”
“It was right here…”
Ignoring me, he pressed on, heart in my throat.
“There… Got it.”
He pulled down a small bag painted with a rainbow. Turned and stared right at me.
“Outta the way. Gotta come down.”
“Ah, sure…”
I backed up a step, not relaxing until he was safely down.
“Here. This’ll do.”
“…How much?”
“Nah. Take it.”
He waved me off like shooing a bug. I was floored.
Snapping to, I waved my hands and dug out cash.
“No, you gotta take payment…”
“When an adult says it’s free, you say ‘thanks’ and take it. Now go.”
“Ah, okay…”
Eyeing him, I checked the kids’ paint set price and laid two ten-thousand-won bills on the counter.
“Told you, no money needed.”
Grinning at that.
I bolted out of the shop.
“Grandpa! I’ll be back!”
“This rascal!”
Glancing back from afar, a faint smile lit his face.
I’d overpaid, but I figured I’d bought the warmth of his heart.
Plop! Drip! Whoosh!
Nearing home.
The sky opened up, unleashing a downpour.
“Ah, come on. Seriously…”
I sprinted straight to the bus stop and shook off the water.
Drenched to the bone again—irritation surged. Another shower waiting at home.
‘Shoulda grabbed the umbrella…’
Spotted those ominous clouds but skipped it since the shop was close.
“Sigh…”
I let out a quiet sigh and glanced up at the sky.
Those heavy clouds meant it’d keep coming for a while.
‘Just dash home?’
That’s when.
Vrrr!
My pocket phone buzzed noisily.
‘Who the hell now?’
Shaking water from my hands, I fished it out slowly. Stared at the screen, puzzled. Unknown number.
‘Huh? What’s this?’
Just glancing at it, a faint voice echoed. My heart pounded, hands shaking.
The voice sharpened.
A kid’s youthful tone from school days.
‘Ahaha! You punk. Hey! Told you to keep your eyes down when I talk.’
‘So don’t mix words with that chick.’
‘Oh yeah? Keep it up and I’ll smack you.’
Lee Jun-seo’s memory?
The caller seemed like one of the jerks who tormented him back in school.
“Hoo… hoo…”
Steeling myself, I mustered courage and picked up.
“Hello?”
-Hey, long time no see. You good?
A familiar voice flowed out.
Matched the one from Lee Jun-seo’s memories. A so-called friend who’d turned lackey to the bullies after the harassment started.
-Saw you on TV. Congrats, man. We’re still buds, right?