Absolute One Is Also New to Fatherhood Episode 55

Crabsley was still diligently working every day at the convenience store near home.

— Assistant Manager Choi Dol-soi.

The name tag pinned to his convenience store vest gleamed brightly.

Crabsley had recently been promoted to "Assistant Manager."

It was due to his significant contributions to increasing sales. Though he wasn't particularly concerned about wages, his salary had also risen considerably.

"Let's see..."

After quickly analyzing last month's sales records, Crabsley began rearranging the products on the shelves.

Popular items were moved to the upper shelves where customers' eyes naturally lingered, while less popular ones were shifted downward.

But that wasn't all.

He pondered how to make customers who came in to spend a thousand won want to spend two thousand instead—how to make first-time visitors return as regulars.

He meticulously analyzed items that often led to chain purchases and strategically placed them near each other. Noticing that most customers were single-person households, he adjusted the store's inventory accordingly.

For those buying instant meals, he even placed a "Recipe Book" on the small dining table inside the store—a handwritten guide to popular food combinations among young customers.

For example, Cheese Fire Chicken Stir-fry Noodles (adding string cheese to spicy chicken ramen) or Dumpling Beef Soup Ramen (adding dumplings to beef broth ramen).

Though simple, most customers who flipped through the book ended up hurriedly grabbing additional ingredients to pair with their initial choices.

"Hah."

After finishing the shelf arrangements, Crabsley glanced around.

"Might as well mop the floor while I'm at it..."

He grabbed a wet mop and began vigorously cleaning the already spotless floor.

This was how he had always been—even back when he served as the Chancellor of the Imperial Palace in Anux.

A classic workaholic.

365 days a year, he never rested, always seeking new tasks to tackle. Even after completing his own duties, he often helped other departments with theirs.

Ding-ding!

The entrance bell chimed as the door swung open.

"Busy?"

Kang-jun, dressed in casual workout clothes, stepped inside holding Seol's tiny hand tightly.

"My Lord, Your Highness..."

Kang-jun awkwardly scratched his head before speaking in a nonchalant tone.

"Just out for a walk with Seol and thought we'd drop by."

Seol gasped in awe, her sparkling eyes fixed on Crabsley.

"W-wow... teddy bear jelly..."

"Would you like some, Your Highness?"

"Mm, Seol wants to eat it..."

"Allow me to treat you."

Without hesitation, Crabsley grabbed a pack of bear-shaped jelly, scanned it, and handed it to Seol.

"Please enjoy."

Seol beamed. "Tank oo, Mister!" She immediately popped one into her mouth, chewing happily before offering some to Kang-jun and Crabsley.

"Dis yummy! Share wif Daddy and Grandpa!"

Crabsley accepted a few pieces, chewing thoughtfully before murmuring,

"How can someone be so adorable..."

"Grandpa, want more?"

"Though I am undeserving, I shall accept."

Meeting Seol's bright gaze, he added warmly,

"Perhaps because it was shared by Your Highness, but it tastes even sweeter than usual."

Kang-jun suddenly cut in.

"By the way, how long do you plan to keep working at this convenience store?"

Crabsley straightened, adopting an excessively formal tone.

"Though the Hwang family's financial situation has stabilized, as you well know, My Lord, idleness does not suit my nature—"

Kang-jun nodded knowingly before he could finish.

'So his recent gloominess wasn't from work being hard...'

The reason Kang-jun had brought Seol along today was because Crabsley had seemed uncharacteristically down lately. He wanted to casually check if something was troubling him.

"Tried the Ogre Blood Serum yet?"

Crabsley perked up instantly.

"Ah! No wonder it tasted exceptional—it was made from ogre blood? I devoured four packs just today."

As the three chatted by the counter—

Ding-ding!

The door opened again, revealing a disheveled young sibling pair stepping inside.

"Hello..."

Crabsley immediately bowed at a perfect right angle, hands clasped over his stomach.

"Welcome to GU."

Seol copied him cheerfully.

"Wer-come to GU, Mister!"

She giggled, clearly delighted by her own mimicry.

But...

Crabsley's gaze as he watched the siblings was inexplicably somber.

'What's up with that?'

Kang-jun's eyes followed the pair.

The older sister appeared to be elementary school-aged, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠while the younger brother couldn't have been more than five or six.

"Please ring these up."

The only items they brought to the counter were a frozen rice pack and a few meager side dishes—the cheapest instant meal available.

Beep.

After a brief pause, Crabsley scanned the barcode and spoke gently.

"That'll be 5,000 won."

The sister pulled out a card from her pocket and handed it over—

'Ah...'

The moment Kang-jun saw the card in her hand, his pupils trembled like aspen leaves in a harsh wind.

Meal Support Card for Underprivileged Children.

A government-issued card providing 10,000 won daily ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to children at risk of missing meals, like those from single-parent or orphaned households.

How did he know?

Because Kang-jun himself had used this exact card as a child, visiting convenience stores daily with his older sister to stretch the meager allowance into something edible.

Restaurants were out of the question—convenience stores were their only option.

That was hundreds of years ago for him.

Yet the memory remained vivid.

Poverty was like that. No matter how much time passed, its sting never truly faded.

Perhaps that's why—

The siblings overlapped in his vision with his own childhood self and sister.

"Enjoy your meal."

After completing the transaction, Crabsley returned the card. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠siblings bowed slightly before heading to the microwave.

"So they're why you've been gloomy?"

Crabsley offered a bitter smile.

"The store owner calls children like them 'meal-skippers.'"

"Yeah, underprivileged kids."

"They buy whatever cheap food they can afford with that pitiful government aid and share it."

He added quietly,

"I wanted to help, but the owner warned me not to."

"Why?"

"Because unsustainable kindness eventually becomes just another wound when it disappears."

Crabsley hesitated before continuing.

"And... it's not just them."

"There are many like that?"

"More than you'd think."

Just at this GU store alone, over a dozen such children visited daily.

Indiscriminate charity wasn't feasible—sometimes, not helping at all was kinder.

"As you know, My Lord, small acts of kindness alone can't change the world."

Crabsley's voice lowered.

"Only something monumental—a revolution or reformation—can truly reshape society."

Kang-jun fell deep into thought.

His heart had undeniably wavered.

He wanted to help those kids.

Maybe because they reminded him of his past.

Or because they were around Seol's age.

"Hey, kiddos."

Kang-jun suddenly called out to the siblings.

"Come here a sec."

The two exchanged wary glances before hesitating.

"I said come here."

The sister finally spoke.

"Why?"

Kang-jun frowned slightly.

"You planning to share that?"

"Yes..."

"Tch. Who's gonna be full off that?"

"Huh?"

"Go pick out whatever you want to eat."

As the girl blinked in confusion, Kang-jun grumbled,

"I'm buying. Grab whatever food or stuff you need, got it?"

The sister fidgeted.

"Mom said not to take things from strangers..."

"Then let's get to know each other starting today."

Kang-jun stepped closer.

"I'm Lee Kang-jun."

Seol chimed in.

"My Daddy!"

"..."

"I'm Seol!"

Kang-jun asked,

"What're your names?"

The girl peeked up at him.

"I'm Hwang Gi-ppeum."

"Pretty name."

"This is my little brother."

"His name?"

"Hwang Gyu-jin."

"Parents?"

"They passed away..."

Kang-jun replied casually,

"Yeah? Same here. Lost mine young too."

He jerked his chin toward the shelves.

"Now go pick whatever you want."

"But..."

"We're not strangers anymore, right?"

The younger brother immediately darted off, grabbing snacks he'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been eyeing.

"Gyu-jin, wait—!"

Gi-ppeum eventually followed, reluctantly selecting a few items.

Kang-jun grabbed a basket and walked with them, filling it to the brim.

"You two don't drink much milk, huh? Gotta drink lots if you wanna grow tall like me."

"Milk is expensive..."

"And eat plenty of fruit. Vitamins are super important, y'know?"

"I know, but..."

After loading several baskets, Kang-jun handed his card to Crabsley.

"Ring it up."

It was the black credit card Kazan, the shadowy financier, had given him—"Just in case."

"Can you carry all this?"

"Yes, we can..."

Kang-jun nodded.

"From now on, if you need anything, come here and tell this grandpa. Take whatever you want."

"Really?"

"I'll settle the bill later, so don't worry and take as much as you need."

He fixed them with a stern look.

"Got it?"

"Yes... thank you..."

"What's my name again?"

"Lee Kang-jun..."

"Good memory."

He continued,

"If you ever need help, come here and ask this grandpa to call me."

"Help?"

"Whether it's wanting a proper meal, needing school supplies, or if someone bullies you—anything."

Gi-ppeum hesitated.

"But... why are you helping us?"

Kang-jun answered plainly,

"So you grow up into good adults. Then you can help other struggling kids too."

He added,

"If there's a school event where parents are supposed to come, tell me. I'll go with you."

"Why?"

"Must be lonely being the only one without family there. I get that feeling."

Suddenly, Gi-ppeum burst into tears.

"Hic... sniff..."

Her brother followed suit.

"Nuna, why crying...?"

Kang-jun sighed.

"Hey, cut that out."

"Sorry..."

"Why the tears?"

"Because... we're grateful..."

Perhaps they weren't used to kindness.

Even if they desperately needed help—

Receiving it felt foreign.

That's why they cried.

"Dry those tears and get your food home. Make sure to refrigerate it properly."

Kang-jun asked,

"Where do you live?"

"The blue-roofed house at the end of the hill."

"Close to my place."

He ruffled their hair.

"I'll visit sometime."

"Okay..."

"We'll eat something tasty together."

Seol tugged his sleeve.

"Seol go too!"

As the kids nodded, Kang-jun shooed them away playfully.

"Now scram. I'm busy."

The siblings bowed deeply before struggling out with their heavy bags.

"Crabsley."

Crabsley responded softly.

"Yes, My Lord."

Kang-jun watched the retreating figures and murmured,

"You were right."

After a pause, he added,

"To change the world entirely, you need revolutions... reforms... grand movements."

"But—"

"I know this small act won't reshape society."

Kang-jun met Crabsley's gaze.

"But starting today, their world changed."

"..."

"It'll be warmer. More abundant."

He patted Crabsley's shoulder.

"I'm heading out."

With that, Kang-jun took Seol's hand and left.

For a moment—

Crabsley saw the silhouette of the Emperor of Anux superimposed over his retreating back.

"Yes... that's who he was."

He smiled faintly.

"A ruler worthy of history's praise..."

Princess Seol's kindness undoubtedly mirrored her father's.

The moon shone brightly that night.