Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Kindergarten Open Class
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This time, I clearly realized it.
Among the viewers of the Daddy, I Love You! program, there are no fans on my side.
Ever since the episode aired—the one with our final appearance at Director Ahn's house, where we threw a party to celebrate the next project's box office success—everything had gone crazy.
Take a look at my Starsta account right now.
The comments under my recent photos were flooding in from fans.
-No way!! Really the last one?
-My one and only joy in life is gone. You can't just leave us, big bro!
-Sigh, you think that's possible??? Yu-na's a total daddy's girl.
-If it's come to this!! At least post photos more often!
-You're coming back, right?
-Please say yes.
-Photos.... I need new photos.
It was pure madness.
Even with all the photos I've posted so far, you'd need about five photo albums to hold them all... Greedy, aren't they?
No, hold on.
[A photo book.... Should I make one?]
Creating a photo book of Yu-na definitely appealed to me. It'd be worth having for personal collection, at least.
Maybe look into it later?
I was shaking off those stray thoughts and slowly getting up when—
Ding!
A text came in from Kim Mi-so, the babysitter currently watching Yu-na.
Kim Mi-so: (photo)
Kim Mi-so: (photo)
Kim Mi-so: (photo)
Photos of Yu-na's empty bowl after devouring all the beans, her studying with her workbook open.
And one of her sleeping, belly bulging out blatantly.
[I really know how to pick 'em.]
Her punctuality in reporting right on time was seriously impressive.
Why didn't I look into this sooner?
Now I didn't have to worry about leaving Yu-na home alone, so I could focus entirely on work.
[Time to get started?]
I picked up the script from the floor and stood. The practice room I'd borrowed from the CEO for today's acting rehearsal.
At first, it felt like an idol dance studio, and I wondered if it was okay for me to use it alone.
A mirror covering one entire wall, wooden floors thick with dust in every corner.
Sporadic flickering lights, a massive speaker and all sorts of equipment piled in the corner.
The CEO said they'd planned to start an idol division but scrapped it.
So he lent me this place.
[...He expects me to clean it spotless first, right?]
Even after sweeping diligently, dust kept coming up. I'd spent a full three hours cleaning, but no end in sight.
By the way.
[Why's this guy working so hard?]
While I was taking a break, the manager had brought a mop and was wiping the floor.
"Hmm! In-cheol. You don't need to clean there."
"Huh? But if you're starting a job, you gotta see it through. Plus, staying in a dusty place too long is bad for your throat."
I told him just tidy up my spot... But the manager's stubbornness wouldn't budge no matter what I said.
No helping it, then.
"Sigh.... Anyway, come over here quick. Practice is starting."
Only then did the manager stop cleaning and stride over. He handed me his phone casually and planted himself confidently in the center.
"In-cheol. Ready? Don't miss a thing—film it well."
"Yes, got it."
After his signal, I slowly closed my eyes.
"Hoo. Hoo."
Like at the audition... Just like then.
No—more perfect than back then.
I sank endless suggestions into myself, just like at that audition venue, to fully immerse in the role.
No other thoughts.
Only me, as the nameless demon.
That's all I thought.
"......"
A silence that choked the breath.
I slowly opened my eyes and recited the lines I'd read dozens of times.
"Human, allow me to show you the future you truly desire."
Pretending there was a person collapsed on the floor, I reached out and grabbed the head of the illusion I'd conjured.
"If you give me half your lifespan, none of this will happen. Your days will be easy. Choose."
A scene tempting him by showing the future humans crave in his mind. I had to smile as evilly as possible.
Smirk.
This was the part I'd rehearsed in my head dozens of times and still wasn't satisfied with.
How'd it turn out?
I rushed over, panting, to replay the footage with the manager.
The result...
Not great.
I was definitely smirking slyly, but it didn't convey the emotion I wanted to transmit, you know?
It just looked like an unpleasant smile.
"...Not satisfied."
"Huh? Looked good to me. What exactly don't you like?"
"No emotion. It should give you chills just looking at it. Let's redo just that part."
"Ah.... Okay."
After that, the manager's face gradually darkened. Repeating the same scene drives anyone up the wall.
That's what I was doing now, so of course his expression soured.
"That was meh too. Again!"
"...Yes."
Only after dozens of repeats did I finally get acting I was somewhat satisfied with.
"Good. That's more like it now."
"Th-then we're done?"
"Nope? Next part bugs me too. Let's do that one."
"Ah.... I gotta hit the gym soon. Can we stop...?"
"Still a long way to go."
Yeah. Still far from perfect.
Not because Kwon In-ju said I was slacking on practice.
To not get overshadowed by everyone's brilliant acting, I needed to practice hard.
"Get ready quick!"
Time flew, and the director let me know filming was starting soon.
I'd planned to devote the whole day to practice, but today I set acting aside to focus on Yu-na.
Simple reason.
Today was kindergarten open class day.
I participated for Yu-na last year too, but back then I wasn't famous yet.
That's why?
This time, I felt a bit uneasy.
"Um, Jun-seo."
"Yeah? What."
"Do I really have to go in too?"
The manager, driving, asked with obvious tension on his face.
"...Yu-na told me she wants you there. I checked with the director, and she said it's fine."
"Still.... With my scary face, the kids might get startled and cry. I'll just wait outside..."
"Then, you okay with Yu-na crying?"
"No, not that..."
Built like a bear.
But that timid attitude didn't suit him.
"Ah! What about the coffee truck?"
"It's arrived and setting up."
He answered my question promptly.
Since there was outdoor play today, we prepared cool drinks ahead of time. Including healthy desserts the kids could eat.
We soon arrived near New Sprout Kindergarten. We parked in a lot a bit away, then headed over with the manager striding along.
"Isn't that actor Lee Jun-seo?"
"Yeah! It is! He looks even cooler in person!"
"Who's the scary-looking guy next to him? Manager?"
"Wow.... He really looks scary."
We hadn't even entered the kindergarten yet, but the piercing stares hit us. Was that why? The manager's broad shoulders seemed to shrink.
"See, I'll wait in the car..."
"Hey. If our Yu-na cries because of that, you're in trouble."
"......"
Finally entering the Sturdy Class at New Sprout Kindergarten, all eyes turned to us.
Kids and parents alike.
"Daddy! Uncle!"
I gave a small wave to Yu-na, who was waving vigorously with her bright voice.
Did he hate being called uncle?
The manager's face soured.
No different from the first time he heard it.
Well, we're the same age. Being called uncle must hit hard.
"Hello. Yu-na's dad."
"Oh, long time no see. Heard you're prepping a drama. You okay?"
"You've lost a ton of weight. Finally getting some management?"
Parents gathered around me before I knew it.
I gave an awkward smile at the excessive attention. Luckily, no one mentioned that incident.
['Victim of school violence.']
I was grateful for even these small things.
"Ahaha. Hello, everyone. It's class observation day, so... shall we focus on the kids first?"
"Ahaha! Right. Sorry."
"How about dinner together after?"
"Sounds good to me."
Everyone's faces lit up at the agreement. Probably because I hadn't joined these gatherings before.
"Uh, so what food do you all like?"
"A cool naengmyeon place..."
Right on cue, the teacher came in, greeting the parents with a bright smile, then stepped to the front.
"Everyone! Hello!"
"Yes! Hello!"
"Hello!"
As the kids' hearty greetings rang out, the attention on me eased.
[How much has our Yu-na improved?]
At first, her learning was so delayed she couldn't even answer questions everyone knew.
[She'll do great this time.]
I quietly filmed Yu-na's class on my phone.
First, a game fitting shapes into rings. Then, naming animals from pictures.
"What's this animal's name? It's the last one, so it'll be tricky."
The photo the teacher held up was a parrot.
Beautiful colors, and with a bit of training, it learns human speech. Would the kids know parrot?
Contrary to my thoughts, the kids shot their hands up fast.
"Me!"
"Me! Meee!"
Guess I underestimated these kids.
"Me! Me! Yu-na knows!"
The teacher's face crumbled seeing Yu-na hopping in place, arm stretched high.
"Yes, Yu-na, tell us?"
"That's a parrot! Par-rot. Par-rot."
Her parrot impression mixed with a wolf howl embarrassed me just watching.
"...W-well, that ends today's lesson. Next class, moms and dads will draw animal pictures together."
"Par-rot. Par-roooot!"
"Pfft...."
The teacher bolted out.
Soon, loud laughter echoed from outside.
And the parents...
They were busy shaking with laughter.
Even the manager.
My face burned with shame, and I hung my head.
The class resumed shortly after.
Even though the manager left for an urgent call, Yu-na didn't seem disappointed.
"Alright! Everyone ready?"
"Yes!"
"Moms and dads can draw too, but please help the kids draw on their own as much as possible."
"Don't worry, teacher. We can draw it for them secretly, right? Haha."
"Ahaha!"
The front-row parent's joking remark lightened the mood.
"Uh, okay then. Everyone start."
Finally, they all opened their crayon boxes and began drawing.
What would Yu-na draw?
She did the parrot sound earlier, so maybe a parrot? Instead, Yu-na started on a bear.
No, a tiger?
The stripes suggested tiger. But her hand kept veering, lines all crooked. I wanted to help...
"Looking good?"
"......"
Yu-na's face darkened.
It looked like no tiger or cat—just a monster. Her left-handed scribbles had smeared badly.
She needed help.
"...Want Daddy to help?"
"Teacher said no..."
Her tightly shut lips parted.
Her whimpering little voice weakened my resolve, and I erased the teacher's request from my mind.
"We'll do it secretly."
I took a crayon, rubbed it hard on scrap paper to sharpen the tip like a pencil.
"Watch closely."
Nod. Nod.
First, strong sketch outlines.
Then fill the sketched areas with various colors, smudge with tissue to blend out the whites.
"Whew. Done."
"W-wow!"
Did I press too hard?
It came out pretty high quality.
Yu-na, who'd watched the whole process, sparkled with awe.
"W-wowww!"
"How's that?"
Instantly, nearby kids crowded over. Yu-na, loving the attention, proudly hoisted my high-quality drawing.
"Wow! Daddy drew this!"
Yu-na...
Don't say it so boldly.