Absolute One is Also New to Fatherhood Chapter 187

Everything proceeded according to the scheduled program.

Clap!

As the Seoul mayor, head of the Management Bureau, fire department commissioner and other dignitaries took the stage in the convention hall, Lee Doo-hyun straightened his posture and saluted—

"Team Leader Lee Doo-hyun, who served as Fire Lieutenant Eul at Gangnam Fire Station, responded to over a thousand emergency calls during his service, dedicating himself to public safety..."

"Even at his final emergency scene, he fought to suppress the fire and rescue civilians, sustaining third and fourth-degree burns across his body along with permanent disabilities..."

The retirement ceremony had begun.

"In recognition of his contributions to public welfare and citizen safety, the Fire Department awards him the first-class Blue Lotus Merit Medal."

The fire commissioner patted his shoulder.

"Fire Lieutenant Lee Doo-hyun."

Doo-hyun bit his lower lip hard.

Gulp—

Hadn't something been festering in his heart?

"Yes..."

As the commissioner personally pinned the Blue Lotus Merit Medal neatly onto Doo-hyun's chest.

"You've worked hard."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The iceberg that had been lodged in his chest instantly melted away.

All the flowery words of praise couldn't compare to those three simple syllables—"You've worked hard."

"No, I haven't!"

Thunderous applause soon filled the entire convention hall.

Many things had changed.

He'd been registered as a national meritorious person, and his compensation would likely double or triple.

Yet it all felt hollow.

With dazed eyes, Doo-hyun scanned the applauding audience.

'This is the end.'

Firefighter Lee Doo-hyun's life was drawing to a close today.

From now on, he would live as husband Lee Doo-hyun, father Lee Doo-hyun.

'What a pity...'

The glorious day was coming to an end.

After the retirement ceremony...

He would have to return to reality.

"Ugh, he looks disgusting..."

"Getting hired will be tough..."

"Did you see that man's face?"

Countless gazes flashed through Doo-hyun's mind.

He knew the emotions behind those looks.

How long would these respectful gazes last?

The moment he stepped off this stage, they would vanish.

'Like a mirage...'

Just then—

"Before concluding today's ceremony, we will now take commemorative photos."

Multiple group photos were taken with Doo-hyun at the center alongside the various officials attending the ceremony.

"Could the family of Team Leader Lee Doo-hyun, who attended as the representative of retired firefighters, please come up on stage?"

At the announcement, Doo-hyun's wife Kwon Soo-bin and daughter Chae-ah, who had been sitting in the audience, followed an usher onto the stage.

"Honey—!"

"Daddy—!"

They were given time for family photos with just Doo-hyun and his relatives.

Well, what did it matter?

With his family by his side, why should he care about others' gazes?

He resolved to bury Firefighter Lee Doo-hyun's passionate life without regret on this day, at this moment.

'From now on, I'll live as the head of the household.'

The lives he couldn't save would be entrusted to his still-active juniors and colleagues...

While he would live steadfastly for his beloved wife and daughter who meant the world to him.

"Smile!"

Doo-hyun suddenly scooped up his daughter Chae-ah in his arms.

His wife pressed close against his side.

Click!

The most glorious moment of his life was forever captured.

Thud, thud.

Doo-hyun entered the small waiting room at the back of the convention hall.

"Huh?"

As he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stepped inside, Doo-hyun started upon seeing Kang-jun already seated there.

"How did you get in here...?"

Instead of answering, Kang-jun asked an unexpected question.

"How do you feel?"

Doo-hyun answered bitterly.

"Bittersweet."

He removed his uniform cap.

"Time is truly relative."

"......"

"Time that usually drags on endlessly..."

Doo-hyun touched his patchy scalp, where hair grew sparsely from burn scars, and murmured.

"...flies by on glorious days."

"Isn't that always the case?"

"Yes, that's why it's bittersweet."

Silence lingered briefly.

"But it was still a miraculous day."

The medal on his uniform chest glowed brilliantly under the incandescent lights.

"With increased compensation, life will be easier now."

"That's good."

"It's no exaggeration to say all that's left is to stand up again."

As he loosened his choking necktie, Doo-hyun continued firmly as if making a vow.

"I'll find a job somehow."

"That's a good thought."

"I'll work harder than anyone."

He quietly added while removing his uniform jacket that he'd likely never wear again.

"To atone."

Silence flowed between them.

"You already knew the answer."

"Huh?"

"The identity of the black entity."

After a brief "Ah..." and nod, Doo-hyun continued awkwardly.

"Yes, I knew all along."

"Hmm..."

"I just tried to ignore it."

Just then—

"Uncle."

Right as Kang-jun finished speaking.

Peek—

A shadowy figure hidden behind Kang-jun peeked out to stare at him.

"You'll forgive me, won't you?"

Doo-hyun's face paled.

"How...?"

The child he'd failed to save.

On that day when he lost everything.

Finally...

Nod.

The child nodded.

"I'm sorry..."

Like a man possessed, Doo-hyun weakly staggered toward the child.

"Sorry I couldn't save you..."

"......"

"Sorry I survived alone..."

Then—

"Mm-hmm."

The child composed entirely of thick resentment moved its tiny lips ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and answered in a clear voice.

"It's okay."

Tilting its head.

"You couldn't help it, right?"

"I'm sorry, so sorry..."

"You wanted to save me, didn't you?"

Finally kneeling before the child, Doo-hyun began shedding chicken poop-like tears.

"It's okay now."

The child faded away again.

"Sir."

Kang-jun finally rose from his seat, walked past Doo-hyun still kneeling on the floor.

Tap.

Suddenly stopping, he glanced back and asked softly:

"You said it was a miraculous day?"

"Huh? Yes..."

"I regret to say..."

Kang-jun smiled faintly.

"...I wouldn't call this meager outcome a miracle."

"Huh?"

"If something that utterly ruins your life can happen suddenly—"

Heavy silence fell between them.

"—then shouldn't tremendous fortune that completely turns your life around also arrive unexpectedly to be fair?"

Wiping tears streaming down his cheeks, Doo-hyun muttered in response.

"What do you mean by—"

But Kang-jun left without answering.

"Seol's father..."

As Doo-hyun was left alone in the unlit, dark waiting room.

Creeeak—

The door Kang-jun exited through opened halfway again as a familiar voice called.

"Honey?"

"Daddy?"

His wife and daughter.

Click.

She turned on the light.

"What were you doing here?"

"Just..."

"Let's change and go home."

Just then.

"Oh, right."

Soo-bin pulled a thick envelope from her handbag and handed it to Doo-hyun.

"What's this?"

With a brief "Who knows," she quietly explained.

"Someone from HR at the company you interviewed with?"

"Which..."

"Not sure, but they insisted on giving this to you."

Doo-hyun immediately opened the envelope and examined the documents inside.

"Huh...?"

Inside was an employment contract.

『 Confidential Wealth Group Labor Contract for General Staff 』

He had no memory of interviewing at any bank.

"What in the world...?"

Detailed terms including salary (starting at 80 million won), benefits, bonuses, severance, etc. were listed.

At the very end was a handwritten note from the general manager:

『 If you sign the contract, you can start work tomorrow. 』

The letter continued:

『 If you wish to return to firefighting, we can assist with that too—please call the number below... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠』

What kind of nonsense was this?

"Return to duty...?"

Hadn't he suffered third-to-fourth degree burns over his entire body? Wasn't he crushed under rubble, left unable to even run properly?

『 Per our sponsor's request, we've included medication to treat burn scars and disabilities. 』

『 Apply the Regeneration Ointment thinly to all burned areas—scars will vanish quickly. 』

『 The included elixir will heal disabilities upon consumption—please take it immediately... 』

Doo-hyun blinked blankly.

"Huh?"

Inside the envelope were an ointment and what looked like a health tonic.

'This is the Regeneration Ointment and elixir?'

He took out the ointment and handed it to Chae-ah.

"Chae-ah, can you put this on Daddy's face?"

"Me?"

"Yes, if you apply it, Daddy's face might get better."

Though he had no idea what was going on, he decided to try applying it to his burns.

"Please?"

"Otay!"

Nodding, Chae-ah squeezed out some ointment and began gently spreading it over her father's scarred face.

"Where'd this ointment come from suddenly?"

"They say it's good for burns."

"Who gave it to you?"

"Well, I have an idea..."

Doo-hyun thought of Kang-jun.

"Not sure exactly who."

After some time.

"All done!"

Chae-ah had carefully applied ointment to all her father's remaining scars.

"Daddy, Chae-ah sorry."

"Huh? For what?"

"People say Daddy monster."

"It's okay."

"Chae-ah love Daddy."

He knew there was no malice.

So he didn't mind.

As Doo-hyun smiled—

Flicker...

The fluorescent lights flickered.

"Gosh, what's wrong?"

Soo-bin muttered, looking up at the lights.

"Must be going out."

Then the lights cut off completely.

"Huh?"

Darkness fell.

Flicker!

When the lights returned—

"H-honey...!"

Soo-bin's eyes widened.

"Daddy...!"

Chae-ah also looked shocked.

"What's wrong?"

Wondering, Doo-hyun checked his reflection in a wall mirror.

"My God..."

Tears burst forth.

Complete recovery.

A face he'd forgotten.

"How in the world...?"

His original appearance reflected in the mirror.

The face he'd long forgotten...

His pre-accident self had returned.

Several days passed.

Early morning.

Kang-jun unfolded that day's newspaper.

"Hmm?"

The front-page headline immediately caught his eye.

『 Fire Lieutenant Lee Doo-hyun Reinstated 』

Kang-jun unknowingly smiled faintly.

"So it turned out this way..."

He slowly read the entire article.

『 Today the Fire Department announced the reinstatement of former Gangnam Fire Station Lieutenant Lee Doo-hyun, who represented all retired firefighters at last week's ceremony. 』

『 While rescuing civilians, Lt. Lee suffered third-to-fourth degree burns over his body and permanent leg disabilities making further service impossible... 』

『 With assistance from the Snow White Foundation established by an anonymous sponsor (a client of private bank Confidential Wealth Group), complete recovery was achieved... 』

Kang-jun murmured quietly.

"See...?"

He'd given Doo-hyun two choices.

First providing the Regeneration Ointment and elixir...

Then letting him choose between the bank job or returning to firefighting.

"I knew this would happen..."

Doo-hyun had chosen reinstatement without hesitation.

"Sir."

In the newspaper photo, 'Lee Doo-hyun' in uniform saluted the camera.

"It suits you well."

He was the man who looked best in uniform.

Indeed...

More dazzling in uniform than anyone else in the world.