Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Shadows from the Past
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Clunk! Crash!
"......"
I'd been focusing all morning on getting ready to take Yu-na over to Ahn Jeong-su's place to play, but for some reason, nothing was going right.
I'd tried to tie Yu-na's hair up nicely, but the rubber band snapped.
While catching up on the dishes, I dropped and broke my own cup.
And...
This time, I accidentally bumped the photo frame of Yu-na and me smiling together, sending it tumbling to the floor.
'Why is everything going so ominously wrong this morning?' I hurriedly cleaned up the shattered frame and put a hat on Yu-na.
"Alright, ready to go?"
"Yeah!"
We were walking down the market street to catch a taxi when I spotted a familiar face in the distance. Thud! Thud! Thud! A pudgy middle-aged man. And a skinny guy. If my memory served right, they were the thug seniors who used to hang around with Kim Tae-seok. My heart pounded wildly. Without thinking, I grabbed Yu-na and ducked into a nearby open shop. My body trembled like a leaf. Painful memories from the past surged back, filling me with dread that gripped my entire being. 'Could it be about what happened back then?' It seemed like the insults I'd hurled at Kim Tae-seok during our recent call had caused trouble. He'd probably asked his seniors to track me down. 'Shouldn't have poked the bear.' All the bravado from back then had vanished without a trace. The scars from getting tangled up with Kim Tae-seok were impossible to erase. Cold sweat drenched my palms. 'Should I move again?' I didn't have enough saved up yet for a place with good security. 'Maybe take out a loan then...' I was lost in thoughts of escape when...
"Daddy. Daddy!"
Yu-na's urgent call snapped me back to reality. I turned to see her with droopy eyes, her lips quivering.
"Are you cold?"
"No, no. Not cold at all."
I clasped my trembling hands together and forced a smile. But Yu-na's face remained dark. Tears welled up in her eyes, as if she might burst into sobs any second, and she hung her head.
"Yu-na, what's wrong all of a sudden? Are you hurt?"
Worried, I pulled her onto my lap and lifted her face.
"Tell Daddy honestly."
"...Did my cold go to you?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"The pretty teacher said so."
"Oh, what did your kindergarten teacher tell you?"
"Colds go here and there. If my cold went to Daddy, it's my fault."
It seemed Yu-na thought I was shivering because she'd passed her cold to me. Tears spilled from her eyes in fat drops. With my little girl right there, I felt pathetic for shaking in fear. If I got scared... Yu-na would be scared too. I wiped her chubby cheeks, roughly clearing the tear tracks.
"It's not your fault, Yu-na."
That's when it happened. In the middle of this touching moment, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to see the fruit shop auntie.
"Yu-na's dad. Some scary-looking guys were asking around for you... Friends of yours?"
Just as I'd feared. They were looking for me. I shook my head.
"From school days... Seniors who hung out with the guy who used to bully me."
"Are they out to hurt you? We should call the police..."
"That's just a band-aid."
The auntie looked worried, then seemed to make up her mind and picked up the receiver.
"Yeah, it's me. Listen..."
She called every shop on the market street, then slammed the receiver down with a small sigh.
"I told them not to say a word about you. Sorry I can't do more."
"...No, thank you so much."
This was just temporary too. 'Can't keep living like this.' Was there a better way? This felt too big to handle alone. It wasn't hard—just avoid going home for a while since it was risky... I'd gotten somewhat famous, so it was about time to move anyway to avoid troubling the neighbors. 'That's one thing...' But Yu-na's safety was the top priority. I couldn't always be by her side.
"Sigh, no choice then."
With a deep sigh, I pulled out my phone and called the agency president. To ask for the agency's help. -Yeah, Jun-seo. What's up?
"President, it's about..."
I explained everything calmly, without trembling: the bully from school who'd contacted me recently, and now these suspicious people looking for me.
"That's the situation." -...... The president went silent for a while. I continued cautiously.
"So, President, what I'm asking is... I know it's early, but could you assign me a manager? I'm really worried."
I needed someone to stick with us and keep Yu-na safe. A manager was essential for me. -......
"President?"
A chilling voice came through the phone from President Do Bong-seok. -Jun-seo, what high school did you graduate from again?
"...Hwaseong High. Why do you ask?" -Hahaha. No need to worry, Jun-seo. Next schedule's the Christmas special shoot, right? Send me your address, and I'll send a manager over. The call ended before I could even say thanks.
"Whew, that's a relief."
Relieved, I gently stroked Yu-na's hair as she gazed up at me obediently.
For the Christmas special prep, I took Yu-na to Ahn Jeong-su's place.
The living room reeked of homey vibes, packed with kids' toys.
The floor was covered in soft cushions, so even adults could romp around like kids without issue.
Maybe I should get some for our place?
Forgetting my serious thoughts.
I carefully compared their home to ours, noting things to learn.
"Hey, little bro."
Kim Yong-cheol patted my shoulder.
"Oh, sunbaenim."
"What're you doing looking all shabby? Come help with the decorations."
"Yes! Got it."
As I hung stuff from the ceiling, I kept sneaking glances at Yu-na.
"Let's put it here this time, oppa."
"Yeah! Yu-na."
Yu-na, who had all the older boys wrapped around her finger, was playing comfortably even in stranger Ahn Jeong-su's house.
'Too close! Back off a bit!' I felt uneasy about Ahn Jeong-su's son sticking especially close to Yu-na. Couldn't tell him to move away outright...
"Youngest! You gonna get any work done mooning like that? Move it!"
"Yes! Got it!"
"I said speak casually, but you won't. Stubborn as hell. Real stubborn."
"Haha. This feels more comfortable for me."
"Fine, just move."
"Got it."
Only after finishing the ceiling decorations could I finally take a breather. Sitting on the sofa, catching my breath, Yu-na climbed onto my lap. She gently placed her tiny hand on my forehead, and it felt cool.
"Daddy, does it hurt?"
"No, not at all."
Only then did Yu-na smile again, hopping down to the floor. Dads sprawled all over the living room. Yu-na bounced like a bunny, dodging the dads to join her friends.
"Hey! Youngest. You there?"
I shot to my feet at Ahn Jeong-su's call. In the kitchen, Ahn Jeong-su greeted me in a pink frilly apron and headscarf. 'Perfect character fit.' He'd been the immature dad since his first appearance on the show. Was that his real personality? Or just a role? Not the latter. A former soccer player with acting talent? Unlikely...
"So, what's up?"
"No salt. Mind running down to the store for some?"
This wasn't a request—it was an order. As the youngest, could I refuse?
"...Where?"
"There's a mart for residents right downstairs. Grab it there. Here's my card."
"Sure."
I took his card and headed out. A young cameraman tailed me immediately. Perfect chance for solo screen time.
"A mart where? Should I ask around the apartment folks?"
As I wandered, acting for the camera, a bear of a man approached. My height now: 183 cm. The guy closing in wasn't just huge—he was taller than me.
"You're Lee Jun-seo, right?"
Was he hired by Kim Tae-seok? Kim Tae-seok was from a well-off family and solved everything with money. So suspecting this giant was his hire wasn't paranoia. But with the camera rolling... 'He gonna hit me or something?' I mustered courage and spoke.
"Yeah, that's me."
"I'm Kang In-cheol, assigned as manager and bodyguard for you and Yu-na."
"...Oh! Right!"
Only then did I realize he was the manager from the agency. Broad shoulders even under padding. Thick neck muscles made him look scarier. And ears like dumplings. Meaning... He'd boxed for years.
"Manager work's new to me, but I'll do my best to keep you safe. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, yeah... Nice to meet you too."
After greetings. Even during filming, he stuck to my side like a bodyguard. This was a bodyguard, not a manager! Not what I wanted!
"Uh, Manager hyung?"
"I'm 26 like you, Jun-seo. Speak casually."
That face, same age as me? A bit shocking.
"Okay, got it. This might mess up the shoot and get edited out. Can you hang back a bit?"
"Can't risk a threat—I need to stay close."
He'd told me to speak casually first, but now he was formal. His attitude left me speechless. Get it together.
"...Weren't we doing casual?"
"Work and personal are separate. I'll speak formally now, Jun-seo."
His stubbornness matched mine. Anyway. Was this okay? The cameraman scratched his head, looking awkward. No choice. Headed back quick, figuring no screen time here.
"Alright, lights out."
Click!
On the big round table where we sat cozily were tempting dishes and a small cake lit with candles.
Christmas songs added a stylish vibe.
"Santa Claus is coming to town!"
"He knows if you've been good or bad..."
Including Yu-na on my lap, the kids hummed along in turn.
The mood warmed up even more.
After finishing the songs, time to blow out the candles.
"Whew!"
Yu-na's job.
Amid applause and cheers, I bowed thanks to everyone.
"Thank you. Looking forward to working with you all."
"Woo! Yu-na, Jun-seo—welcome to Daddy Loves You!"
"Congrats. Let's do well together."
Click!
Lights on.
Kids dove into the food ravenously.
Adults, filming, sipped drinks—no booze.
"But why cake when it's not even Christmas?"
At today's star Yu-na's sharp question, the dads whipped their heads around.
All dodged answering.
'How to explain this?' This shoot airs next Christmas. We had to make today feel like Christmas. No helping it. I went bold.
"Yu-na, today is Christmas."
Her pure, sparkling round eyes turned icy.
"Daddy."
"Yeah?"
"Lying is bad."
"Huh? Not lying. It's really..."
For the first time, Yu-na cut me off.
"Fourteen sleeps till my birthday. You won't get gifts from Santa, Daddy. He only gives to good people."
"Puhahaha!"
"Yeah, lying's bad. Real bad."
"Daddy's wrong. Haha!"
Those who'd dodged burst into laughter at Yu-na's jab. Everyone but one. Shocked that Yu-na cut me off for the first time, I couldn't laugh. I wonder what my face looks like right now?