Absolute One Is Also a First-Time Dad Episode 107

Ji-hee found herself thinking:

'I never imagined I'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠get to ride in a private jet someday...'

And moreover...

'I certainly never dreamed I'd be riding in a private jet belonging to a child who just turned four...'

The interior of Seol's private jet wasn't much different from what she'd seen in dramas and movies.

No—

Actually, though she lacked the expertise to make precise comparisons, it might have been far more luxurious and expensive than those.

"Wow, the seats are incredibly plush."

Ji-hee lightly tapped the armrest of the beige leather seat that exuded high-class elegance as she spoke.

"Is everything to your comfort?"

After answering "Yes," Ji-hee hesitated before finally asking the question that had been ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on her mind.

"If it's not too rude... may I ask how much a private jet like this costs?"

Kang-jun replied vaguely.

"Well..."

He struggled to recall the auction's final bid amount...

"I don't remember."

"Pardon?"

"I really can't recall..."

He remembered being told it was the ultra-luxury limited edition model Gulfstream released for their 80th anniversary...

Thinking Seol would like something at that level, he'd decided to purchase it, won after several bidding rounds.

He'd promised to get it, so he did.

That was all.

He hadn't given it another thought since.

The auction price, the taxes Kazan mentioned, crew salaries, maintenance costs—none of it concerned him.

"Seol, do you know how much?"

At this, Ji-hee looked down at Seol...

Who held up all eight fingers proudly:

"Eight cheon!"

Fortunately, from her earlier "counting in billions" game until now...

The largest number Seol seemed to know was still "eight thousand."

"Wow, eight thousand won..."

Ji-hee swallowed dryly, forcing calm into her voice as she glanced at Kang-jun's profile.

'Just how wealthy is he...?'

How much money must one have to forget the amount spent on buying not a toy plane, but an ultra-luxury private jet?

It was a flight filled with mixed emotions.

How much time had passed?

"Wooow..."

Seol's eyes sparkled as they arrived at Jeonju Zoo, their flower-viewing destination.

"Do you like it, Seol?"

Kang-jun asked softly before adding:

"First we'll walk along the cherry blossom path, then we can visit the zoo and amusement park areas..."

Seol responded:

"Ottoh-kay, sounds good!"

Then turned to Ji-hee:

"Teacher like too?"

Ji-hee smiled brightly and nodded:

"Yes, Teacher likes it too."

Seol immediately grabbed Ji-hee's sleeve and started pulling her along.

"Let's go see pretty flowers!"

Then Ji-hee noticed something odd and tilted her head slightly.

"Sir... isn't it strange there's not a single visitor here on a weekend?"

Kang-jun, who'd been studying the zoo map in the pamphlet, looked up.

"Sir, don't tell me you rented the entire—"

"Yes."

A brief silence fell.

"For the day."

"...I see."

Ji-hee murmured, organizing her jumbled thoughts.

'Well...'

If they'd chartered a private jet just to see flowers, renting an entire zoo wasn't so surprising.

"Shall we go then?"

They enjoyed a rare, happy time together.

"So adorable..."

After admiring the cherry blossoms along the path, they tried the amusement rides inside.

Though limited by Seol's age, she seemed endlessly satisfied nonetheless.

As the sun began setting, they spread a mat by the shimmering riverside and shared a picnic...

"Sir, Seol's fallen asleep."

After playing excitedly all day, Seol now slept with her head on Ji-hee's lap.

"I'll carry her."

Ji-hee waved her hands hastily.

"It's fine..."

But Kang-jun already gently lifted Seol, softly stroking her back.

"Pa-pa..."

Tiny fingers tightly grasped his index finger.

A heavy silence settled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠between the three...

Until Ji-hee broke it awkwardly:

"Seol's adjusting well."

She continued formally:

"So you needn't worry."

"All thanks to your care."

The conversation resembled a parent-teacher meeting after hours...

"Sir..."

Ji-hee ventured carefully:

"This might be presumptuous, but may I ask about Seol's mother...?"

The reply came surprisingly calm:

"She passed."

"Oh..."

"During childbirth."

Truthfully, Kang-jun didn't know much either.

He'd only heard it happened that way.

Whoooosh...

Silence ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠descended.

Spring breeze fluttered...

Scattering abundant petals.

Swish.

Ji-hee watched the petals before shifting her gaze to the distant rippling river.

Sunset spilled across the water, fracturing into beautiful scales of light.

"It's beautiful."

At Kang-jun's sudden comment, Ji-hee touched her suddenly warm earlobe.

"Pardon?"

Kang-jun continued evenly:

"Though embarrassing, until recently I didn't know how to leisurely appreciate scenery."

Meteor showers pouring like heavy rain.

Polar auroras.

Cliffs and waterfalls carved by time.

"I've been to places called scenic wonders, yet never once found them beautiful."

Ji-hee listened intently.

"I've learned much from my child."

"Pardon?"

"Things I never knew before."

Kang-jun picked up a pebble, tossing and catching it repeatedly.

"Most recently, seeing her delight at cherry blossoms in our alley taught me how to see the world."

He added:

"Truthfully, that's why I'm afraid."

Though he'd feared nothing before.

"The thought that I'll learn far more than I can teach sometimes frightens me."

Kang-jun had never lived as a parent—had never even lived as someone's son.

Thus he often worried whether he could be a good father.

This was why he pored over the Parenting Encyclopedia whenever possible.

Though he knew books had limits...

Without such efforts, he feared he'd never become a decent parent.

Nor could he ever fill the "mother-shaped void" no matter how hard he tried.

"It's still difficult in many ways."

Ji-hee studied Kang-jun's profile.

His eyes seemed to hold the world's sorrow.

These weren't vague, shallow concerns.

After organizing her thoughts, she spoke carefully:

"So you worry about being a good parent?"

"Yes."

"I never imagined you'd have such concerns."

Ji-hee observed Kang-jun closely.

"You may not realize, but you always crouch to Seol's eye level when talking."

Kang-jun nodded.

"Parenting books said that helps emotional and brain development..."

Ji-hee pressed:

"And earlier, you distinguished between plum, cherry, and apricot blossoms by appearance?"

Another nod.

"From parenting books."

One passage advised: If you want to be a good parent, for every brand name you memorize, learn one flower or tree name instead.

Though unsure if it truly helped, he'd taken it at face value, memorizing flora daily.

"Sir, if I may..."

Ji-hee added:

"Setting wealth aside..."

Though no one at her preschool could match their wealth, affluent parents were commonplace.

Yet...

In her experience, none treated their children with Kang-jun's level of devotion.

"Sir, you're already an excellent parent by any standard."

She meant it.

"You're doing enough."

Kang-jun looked momentarily stunned, fidgeting with his pebble.

"Thank you for making time this weekend."

"Not at all—I enjoyed the break too."

She added:

"It felt like a dream holiday."

When else could one charter a private jet to see flowers and rent an entire zoo?

"We should prepare to leave before sunset."

As Ji-hee stood, tucking hair behind her ear...

"Might you join us again next time?"

"Pardon?"

"Seol adores you, and..."

Meeting her eyes, Kang-jun continued:

"Consulting you lightens my heart."

Ji-hee beamed instantly, without hesitation:

"Of course, anytime."

Just then—

Crack, craaaack—!

The beautiful river surface split as if glass shattering...

"A... a Gate?!"

Her face whitened instantly as she turned to Kang-jun:

"Sir, an emergency Gate!"

"Hmm."

"We need to get Seol—"

But Kang-jun remained calm.

"Promising next times seems difficult in this world."

"Sir...?"

"After considering your advice..."

Trailing off, Kang-jun stared at the forming Gate.

"I think this is one of the few things I can do for my daughter."

Laying Seol back down, he asked Ji-hee:

"You called this a dreamlike weekend, yes?"

"Yes...?"

"Would you mind excising just the bad memories?"

"Sir...?" She murmured, bewildered, alternating between him and the Gate.

"I'll take that as consent."

Releasing magic gently, she wobbled like a newborn foal before collapsing.

Another spell created a barrier enveloping Seol, Ji-hee, and several kilometers around.

Thud, thud.

Kang-jun strode toward the Gate...

'Sir...'

Overcome by drowsiness, Ji-hee could only watch his retreating back.

'D-dangerous...'

As consciousness faded, she clearly saw Kang-jun get "whooshed" into the Gate.

'N-no...'

That was her last memory.