Absolute Dad 130

Absolute Dad Episode 130

The next morning.

"Kang-jun, where's your friend?"

Lee Soo-bin's question was met with a nonchalant reply from Kang-jun, who was entirely preoccupied with carefully tying Seol's hair.

"He left last night."

The guy, who had been ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠whining all evening for Kang-jun to teach him how to become a building owner, had played excitedly with Seol until late at night before finally leaving around midnight.

'We'll meet again at the celestial banquet soon enough.'

Kang-jun found himself thinking that the guy wasn't so bad after all.

No...

He was actually pretty decent.

"Wow, that's amazing, by the way."

At Soo-bin's remark, Kang-jun gave a slight nod.

"The fruit of my labor."

Having finished tying Seol's hair, he added softly,

"Seol, all done."

At his words, Seol immediately dashed to the full-length mirror by the entrance to check her reflection...

"Oh my, oh my gosh..."

She covered her tiny mouth with both hands, murmuring in awe.

"It's just like Elsa's hair..."

Kang-jun puffed out his chest proudly and replied in a low voice,

"I can feel the emotions welling up..."

Flashes of past failures flickered through his mind.

[ How to Braid Hair Like Elsa from Frozen! ]

After stumbling upon the tutorial on YouTube, he had spent days practicing relentlessly...

"At last, success..."

Through perseverance—seven failures, eight attempts—he had finally managed to pull off a decent braid.

"Daddy, isn't it so pretty...?"

Kang-jun smiled faintly and replied,

"It's too early to celebrate yet."

"Huh?"

"It's not an Elsa hairstyle without this."

With that, he pulled out a tiara headband and carefully placed it atop Seol's head.

It was a specially commissioned piece he had prepared long ago for the day he would finally succeed in braiding her hair like Elsa's.

A platinum crown adorned with high-quality diamonds and sapphires.

"Oh my, oh my..."

Seol looked up at him with shimmering eyes and whispered,

"So frosty and fancy..."

Kang-jun feigned nonchalance.

"It's nothing much."

Then, turning to Soo-bin, he said,

"Noona, I'll take Seol to daycare and come right back."

Hand in hand, the two stepped out through the front door...

How much time had passed?

The daycare van turned the corner of their quiet neighborhood and came into view.

"Good morning, Teacher!"

Seol greeted her brightly, and homeroom teacher Lee Ji-hee personally helped her into the van.

"Oh, you've got your hair braided like Elsa?"

"Yup! Daddy did it for me!"

"Wow, the tiara is so pretty too."

"Yup! Daddy made this too!"

"I'm so jealous, Seol."

"Yup! My daddy's the best!"

Ji-hee then glanced at Kang-jun.

"Sir, you're really incredible."

"Huh?"

"It doesn't look easy at all..."

Kang-jun let out a short hum, as if he had been waiting for this moment, and replied smoothly.

"No, anyone can do it with the right 'materials.'"

"Materials?"

"Patience, perseverance, focus, effort, passion... and four hair ties."

Seeing how proud he looked, Ji-hee stifled a laugh and asked,

"By the way, you must be looking forward to it, right?"

"Looking forward to?"

"It's already May, you know."

Kang-jun tilted his head in confusion.

"Parents' Day is coming up soon."

"Ah."

"You've never received a carnation before, have you?"

Kang-jun's eyes widened.

"No, not even once..."

Ji-hee smiled softly.

"Today, our class is making paper carnations instead of our usual morning lessons."

"Wait, does that mean...?"

"We'll be assigning homework to pin the carnations on their parents' chests, so..."

Kang-jun muttered under his breath.

"Interesting..."

He wanted to brag to everyone.

He wanted to brag so badly...

It felt like he might die from anticipation.

That afternoon.

"Phew."

After finishing his training, Jung Yoon-chan checked his phone and noticed a message waiting for him.

"Huh?"

Seeing it was from Kang-jun, he immediately opened it.

[ You.Are.Invited.To.The.Carnation.Award.Ceremony. Today.4PM.Yeoksam.Artville.Unit.401. Dress.Code.Custom.Tailored.Suit. ]

He read it several times, muttering, "What in the world..."

"No way..."

Judging by the chaos erupting in the S-rank Hunters' group chat, it seemed everyone had received a similar invitation.

[ Seol Eun-bin: Everyone's attending the ceremony today, right? ]

[ Jo Min-jin: Of course we have to go. If we don't... ]

[ Kang Sung-hyun: Who knows what kind of consequences there'll be. ]

Just then—

[ Seo Do-cheol: Let's gauge the mood first, and if it seems right, we'll bring it up. ]

Yoon-chan replied.

[ Bring what up...? ]

Director Seo responded immediately.

[ Seo Do-cheol: It's about time we ask if he'd be willing to help train Korea's S-rank Hunters. ]

Their participation in the Snow White kindergarten play not long ago had all been groundwork for this moment.

Code Name: Immortal.

Before asking Kang-jun to train the nation's Hunters, they needed to solidify their relationship—and put him in their debt.

"Is today the day...?"

Yoon-chan wiped his sweat-drenched hair with a towel and sent another message.

[ I'll wash up and join right away. ]

He was already trembling with anticipation.

Ding-dong.

Someone rang the doorbell.

"Who is it?"

Soo-bin opened the door and beamed.

"Bong-gu! Long time no see!"

Bong-gu stood there in an immaculate suit.

"We hadn't heard from you, so I was curious—oh, were you out somewhere? What's with the suit...?"

Bong-gu replied,

"It's the dress code today."

"Huh?"

"I was invited to the award ceremony."

He glanced behind him and added quietly,

"You've all met Noona before, right?"

At his words, the figures standing beyond the invisible door suddenly came into view, and Soo-bin's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"W-what's going on...?"

From Korea's S-rank Hunters to Seo Do-cheol, Director of the Awakened and Gate Management Bureau...

Each of them stood there in pristine suits, holding fruit baskets.

"We were invited to the ceremony."

Director Seo's words left Soo-bin utterly bewildered.

"Award ceremony...?"

Just then, Kang-jun appeared, looking more excited than usual.

"Noona, I invited them."

Then he added,

"Why's everyone just standing there? Come in."

How much time had passed?

Ding-dong.

This time, it was Kazan.

"I have come to pay homage to the great Immortal."

"Get in already. Thanks for coming."

Another moment later—

Ding-dong.

This time, it was a catering service.

"Kang-jun, did you call for this...?"

"Yeah," he replied, lowering his voice.

"It's an award ceremony, so we should at least have proper food. Can't invite guests and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not feed them."

Another moment later—

Ding-dong.

This time, a professional event MC arrived.

"I was hired to host the event..."

Kang-jun nodded.

"I called him."

Then he added,

"It's an award ceremony, after all. We need a professional host."

Soon, the house was so packed there was barely room to stand.

"Alright, thanks for coming, everyone."

Kang-jun scanned the guests seated on the sofa and floor before continuing.

"As you know, Parents' Day is coming up."

A brief silence followed.

"I heard from Seol's teacher today that they'll be making carnations at daycare."

Bong-gu raised his hand.

"Wow, so you're getting a carnation today, Hyung?"

Kang-jun nodded, a grin spreading across his face.

"You could say that. Make sure to give me your sincerest applause when the time comes."

The S-rank Hunters whispered among themselves.

"Director, today might really be the day."

"He'll be in a great mood, so if we bring it up then..."

Kang-jun turned to the MC. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"After my daughter pins the carnation on me, I want everyone to join in and celebrate together."

The MC, stunned by the presence of S-rank Hunters, nodded hastily.

"Y-yes, I'll give it my all..."

Kang-jun then addressed the caterers.

"How's the food coming along?"

"J-just finished, sir..."

"Now we just wait for Seol to come home."

Just then—

"Kang-jun, Seol's here."

Soo-bin spotted the daycare van turning the corner.

"I'll go get her."

As Soo-bin left—

"Hyung, nervous?"

Kang-jun shook his head at Bong-gu's question.

"Not at all."

"Yeah, right..."

"Okay, maybe a little."

Unable to contain his trembling heart, Kang-jun paced around the crowded living room like an anxious puppy.

Beep, beep, beep.

The door lock disengaged, and—

"I'm home!"

Seol stepped inside, took one look at the packed house, and blinked at Kang-jun.

"Daddy, why so many people?"

Then, spotting the dessert spread, her eyes lit up.

"Wow, so many snacks Seol likes!"

Kang-jun cautiously asked,

"Seol, did you forget something?"

The room fell silent.

"Oh, right!"

Seol scurried to the bathroom, mumbling.

"Teacher said wash hands after outside."

Kang-jun's expression darkened.

Bong-gu cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Ahem. Hyung, want me to drop a hint?"

Kang-jun shook his head firmly.

"No. I want a carnation given from the heart."

Then he added,

"We'll wait until she remembers on her own."

How much time had passed?

"Today might not be the day."

Director Seo's quiet remark was met with nods from the Hunters. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"If we bring it up carelessly now, it'll backfire for sure. Absolutely..."

"This is bad."

"Looking at his face, things are serious. We might need to intervene."

Despite two or three hours passing since Seol came home...

"What should we play next...?"

She still hadn't mentioned the carnation.

She had stuffed herself with the catered food...

Played hide-and-seek, drew pictures, watched TV.

"I'm sorry, but may I leave...?"

The MC's question made Director Seo grimace.

"C-could you wait just a bit longer?"

"I have another event in the evening..."

"I'll double your fee."

Then he added,

"For the sake of peace and public welfare, please, just a little longer..."

Just then—

"Sigh."

Kang-jun, who had been silently brooding, suddenly approached.

"Hey, Director."

Seo replied cautiously.

"Yes?"

"I heard you have more authority than the president."

"Well, only in certain situations—"

"I have a favor to ask."

Seo hesitated. "What is it...?"

Kang-jun's voice was low.

"Abolish Parents' Day."

"Huh?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

He added,

"The reason I'm hurt and suffering today is all because of Parents' Day."

Since he couldn't blame Seol, he redirected his disappointment and frustration toward the holiday itself.

"If only Parents' Day didn't exist..."

Realizing this could lead to the unprecedented abolition of Parents' Day, Bong-gu shouted—

"S-Seol!"

She blinked.

"Huh?"

Bong-gu asked awkwardly,

"W-what did you do at daycare today?"

Seol thought for a moment, then began recounting her day.

"Daddy did my hair like Elsa, so I was happy. Wore my tiara to daycare."

"A-and then?"

"Friends said they were jealous. Teachers said I was pretty. Felt good."

"A-and then?"

"We didn't study today. We made carnations."

Then, as if remembering something, she gasped.

Squeak—

She rummaged through her daycare bag and pulled something out.

"Daddy!"

A paper carnation.

"Seol made this for you!"

Kang-jun's eyes widened.

"This is..."

Beneath the carefully folded and cut paper carnation...

On the two-pronged ribbon, crooked letters spelled out a heartfelt message:

Daddy, I love you. Stay healthy.

Seol loves Daddy the most.

Kang-jun's hands trembled as he read the note over and over.

"Daddy."

Seol placed both hands on her stomach and bowed politely, just as she had been taught.

"Thank you for giving birth to Seol and raising me..."

Kang-jun could only nod wordlessly before pulling her into a tight hug.

"Daddy, can't breathe..."

Watching the scene, Director Seo and the S-rank Hunters approached Bong-gu.

"Thank you for saving Parents' Day."

"No, thank you for saving the planet."

"I'll make sure this reflects well on the Bureau's records."

Meanwhile, Kang-jun whispered to Seol,

"Thank you for coming into my life."

From the bottom of his heart.

"Thank you so much."

Outside the balcony, the sun was slowly setting.