Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: My Favorite Actress
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"Ah, why is this happening? Ahaha..."
I let out an awkward laugh while wiping away my tears, but they kept flowing.
"Sorry about this in the middle of the interview."
Ever since all my memories returned, this happened every time I thought of my late wife.
Even just for a brief moment...
"......"
"It'll calm down soon."
I pulled out a tissue to wipe my eyes and firmly suppressed the surging emotions.
Then, forcing the brightest smile I could muster, I turned to PD Kim Eun-young.
"Shall we get started now?"
"Th-that's quite the story. Of course, I understand. My own son, when he's home alone..."
He fumbled through his words in flustered confusion. I glanced around.
Everyone had frozen with their mouths agape, caught off guard by my sudden tears.
'The mood's gotten heavy...'
I smiled calmly.
"I'm fine. So let's just keep going with the interview."
"......"
No one spoke.
To break the silence, I lightly tapped the desk with my finger. Only then did Kim Eun-young snap out of it, fumbling for his question sheet before speaking up.
"W-well, we can skip the second and third questions then. Next up... Who's your favorite actor, Jun-seo?"
My favorite actor...
One person immediately came to mind.
Someone who loved meat and hated beans.
Someone who never skimped on praise for how cool I looked acting...
I answered confidently.
"My daughter. She's an actress too, you know."
"Ahaha. Of course."
The questions continued after that.
Fortunately, the mood didn't sour again like with the first one.
Though I was caught off guard midway by a question about when I'd finally do a personal broadcast.
'I've been so busy, I forgot all about it.'
After the year-end awards ceremony, maybe head home and do Yu-na's birthday party as a live stream?
'Yeah, let's do it.'
Back home, I lay there staring blankly at the ceiling, totally at ease.
There was too little to do—even for a day off.
My routine was just finishing up chores and then killing time in bed. Nothing else.
I'd even quit hiking lately.
At this rate, all my screen time might vanish. Maybe I should find something to do...
As I got up, the cameraman's eyes sharpened. I could sense his determination not to miss a single moment.
'He's really passionate.'
That's why it felt like being under surveillance. He stuck right behind me until I went into the bathroom.
Even when I ate lunch alone.
Even when I zoned out staring at patterns on the ceiling.
And since he never responded when I tried talking to him, it only amplified the feeling.
The fixed cameras around the house should be plenty...
"Haa."
Just pretend he's not there.
I threw on an outer layer and wandered aimlessly outside.
A quick glance back showed the cameraman trailing me like a suspicious character. As long as he didn't get hauled off by the cops...
'Haa, who am I even worrying about?'
The real issue was me—I hadn't shown any good footage so far.
'I even cried during the interview.'
With no destination in mind, I wandered straight into the market Yu-na and I frequented.
It wasn't a weekend, but plenty of shoppers were out.
Today was meaningful—Yu-na and I on a variety show. Maybe eat out?
I had nothing to cook with, so I turned to head elsewhere.
"Whoa! Yu-na's dad! Long time no see."
"How about mackerel for dinner? Fresh this morning."
"We've got cheap, good fruit too."
Vendors from the market entrance called out to me, uncles and aunties alike.
Their extra friendliness surprised me at first, but the glances from passersby explained it.
They're aware of the camera.
The rumors must be out.
That I'm on 'Daddy, I Love You!' with Yu-na.
"Ahaha. I'm good. Thinking of eating out with Yu-na for once. Just came to wander since I was bored."
Before I knew it, people had crowded in so thick I couldn't move forward an inch.
'Busier than usual today.'
This wasn't just my imagination.
My name and face had gotten known from appearing midway through that still-top-rated sitcom.
Strangers at first, but now even aunties and uncles greeted me warmly.
"This is from my home garden—super fresh, right? I'll give you a deal; take it home and enjoy with Yu-na."
"How about hotteok for a snack?"
"We've got tteokbokki too."
So many voices overlapping, I couldn't make sense of it.
No point hiding my face—they all knew anyway.
The moment I ditched the useless mask, the crowd went wilder.
"Woo! Such a fine figure of a man."
"He looks even more handsome lately."
"Our market's star attraction."
This wouldn't do.
I raised my hands, pleading with everyone as I pushed forward.
Thankfully, they backed off orderly—but not the ones behind.
'No popularity like this in my past life...'
Eager to escape the awkwardness, I quickened my pace.
Then, far ahead, a new shop caught my eye, stopping me dead.
A freshly opened custom cake shop.
The kind where you pay to make and take your own cake.
'Yu-na's birthday's coming up soon...'
Maybe whip up a test one?
I apologized to the crowd and headed to the new shop.
Filming me making a cake would secure some footage.
One worry lifted.
Nap time had Yu-na lying in her bedding, whispering secretly with her friends right beside her.
In quieter voices than usual.
"Ha-yeon, Min-jun. Dad said we're going on TV today."
"Really? So Yu-na's on TV again? Lucky."
"I wanna be on TV too..."
Lee Ha-yeon and Do Min-jun, the ones we met scouting kindergartens.
Similar tastes made them Yu-na's closest friends.
They'd bonded big-time at lunch one day.
Over a huge serving of beans as side dish—they couldn't play until they finished.
The three schemed to plant the leftovers in a flowerpot, keeping it secret until they were done.
Teacher found out via CCTV later and scolded them, but their friendship held strong.
"So, you know..."
Ha-yeon was about to continue.
Bang! The sudden door opening made all three clamp their mouths shut.
"Kids, no talking. Nap time."
"......"
They listened closely.
Once the teacher left, the trio resumed in hushed tones.
"So, yeah. Don't we gotta make Yu-na look pretty for TV?"
"Like the teacher today?"
Min-jun chimed in quick to back Ha-yeon. Yu-na pondered her friends' words.
'Dad does makeup too...'
Recalling what Dad said on set, Yu-na nodded vigorously.
"Dad puts on lots of makeup too."
Ha-yeon peeked her head out from under the blanket, scanning around.
Worried the teacher might come back. Luckily, the other kids slept soundly, and the drawn curtains made it pitch dark.
Satisfied, Ha-yeon scooted close like plotting a secret op.
"Let's sneak the teacher's stuff and doll Yu-na up?"
"Yeah!"
Yu-na hurriedly covered Min-jun's mouth. His loud voice woke some kids, who started fussing.
Finally, Yu-na, Ha-yeon, and Min-jun pressed foreheads together, scheming the day's mission.
Operation: Turn Yu-na into a Star.
***
After finishing the cream cake, I used the decorating pen last to draw Yu-na's face on top.
And get this?
Even with the basic tools...
The cake I made was pro-level, good enough to sell in stores.
"...Did I have this knack for crafts?"
I shook my head.
No talent like that in my past life.
This was the original owner's gift.
'The cameraman's stunned too.'
For the first time, the man's eyes went wide. He snapped to, approaching to film the finished cake up close.
'Give it to Yu-na at dinner tonight?'
That's when the staffer approached my station with a bright smile.
"How'd it turn out? This time it mu—"
Her eyes shook massively.
Her gaze locked straight on the drawing on my cake.
"Y-you made this really well."
"Did I?"
"You drew the picture yourself? With such basic tools, must've been tough."
"It just worked out."
"R-right. It just... worked out."
Oh, this might stir some controversy?
I glanced at the cameraman, still filming the cake.
He didn't catch that, right?
I let out a deep sigh of relief and turned to her.
"Could you box this up for me?"
"Yes, sure. Um... sorry, but could I snap a photo of this cake and post it over there?"
She pointed to a wall at the entrance plastered with cake pics. Probably for promo.
Hey, the vendors had hooked me up plenty. This was fine.
I nodded with a smile.
"Go ahead."
"Thank you! As thanks, the shop fee's on us."
"Nah, you should charge me."
"No way. We've got some pride. A masterpiece like this..."
Her praise for my cake made my face heat up. I fanned it with my hand and looked away.
"Huh? Time flies..."
Kindergarten was ending soon.
I cut her off quick.
"Listen, I'm in a rush. Could you wrap it up?"
"Oh, yes! Sorry!"
She snapped pics in a flurry, boxed it up, and handed it over.
'Still gotta pay.'
I slapped cash on the counter and bolted without looking back.
How much time passed?
Panting hard in front of New Sprout Kindergarten, I caught my breath and entered the gate.
Families heading home, kids gripping parents' hands.
Kids boarding the bus.
Pushing past, I entered Yu-na's class.
Where's Yu-na?
Looking around, I called out.
"Yu-na! Daddy's here."
"Huh? It's Daddy!"
Seeing Yu-na's face from inside, I froze.
Nearly dropped the cake.
'Wh-what happened to her face?'
Yu-na's face was slathered in makeup like a rat had gnawed it.
Heavy black eye makeup.
Garish red cheeks and lips.
"Daddyyy!"
She rushed over and hugged my leg, snapping me back.
"Y-Yu-na... what's with your face?"
"Friends did it. Said I gotta for TV."
"......"
"And Daddy does makeup too."
I was speechless.
If this got filmed...
Yu-na would be teased endlessly later. Obvious.
'Gotta protect Yu-na.'
I whipped around to check if the cameraman was there.
"......"
A small camera was zoomed right on Yu-na's face.
No stopping it.
'Sorry, Yu-na.'