Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Amusement Park
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When I firmly rejected the suggestion to hit the haunted house one more time, Na-young looked utterly deflated. But after riding a few other rides in that state, she was beaming with a bright smile again, as if it had never happened.
Around that time, we tackled everything from scary rides like the Viking to lighter ones you could just casually enjoy. I was dying over here, but Na-young's laughter never stopped.
After riding nearly a quarter of the park's attractions pretty solidly, my phone rang.
"Hello."
[Son. You're with Na-young right now, right?]
"Yeah, we are."
[Then come on down so you can eat lunch together.]
"Ah... Time's already gotten this late. Got it. We'll head down right away."
I'd been so caught up in the fun that I hadn't even noticed lunch time had come and gone a bit.
"Na-young. Let's go eat. We'll eat and then come back to play more."
"Okay!"
She looked so thrilled to be playing freely at the amusement park she'd always wanted to visit. In a way, her happy smile reminded me of when I'd confessed to her.
Her smile was so radiant that guys who came with their girlfriends were staring at Na-young—who was way younger than them—with dazed expressions.
If I'd known it'd be like this, I should've suggested coming earlier.
Well, we're here now anyway, so no big deal.
From here on out, I resolved to treat her even better as I led Na-young down to the area where all the restaurants were clustered.
There were countless people swarming in for lunch just like us, making it tough to spot Mom and Dad—we really struggled to find them.
In the end, my empty stomach ended up stuffed to the brim from all the searching.
"Burp..."
Na-young clutched her adorably protruding little belly and let out a shy burp.
Now that we'd come this far, she couldn't just eat lightly to maintain her weight.
She'd been trying to suppress her appetite, but once I gave her permission to go all out just for today without worrying about the consequences, she went wild like a horse with the reins off, shoving food into her mouth nonstop.
She ate so much that her nonstop amusement park mukbang as a pretty, cute girl drew everyone's attention.
Not just her looks, but people started wondering how that tiny frame could hold so much food.
The mukbang's impact was bigger than expected—the chef laughed heartily watching her devour the food he'd made and even brought out free extras.
And with that, lunch was done.
"How about we hit the safari next?"
"Safari! Yay!"
Na-young's eyes sparkled at Dad's suggestion.
"Ji-hoon! Ji-hoon! Safari! Safari!"
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go."
"Woo-hoo!"
She wanted to go to the safari, but without me there, it was hit or miss.
As if worried I might not come, she grabbed my arm, rubbing against me pleadingly.
Not that she needed to—I was planning to go anyway.
And why not? I'd never been to a safari before, so I wanted to check it out this time.
Before regressing, I'd come all excited to see animals you couldn't find in Korean zoos, heart pounding. But when I heard it cost extra entry—like the haunted house—I skipped it because it seemed too pricey and just rode rides instead.
Looking back, how pathetic was past me thinking that extra fee was such a big deal?
Whatever, that was then. Even if it's the past I remember, regression wiped it out anyway. Time to forget it and make sure we go this time.
"Have a great time~!"
Unlike others paying separate entry fees, we didn't have to thanks to our VIP all-access passes.
Money's no object for them, so this was pocket change, but no need to play rich guy and tip extra.
Anyway, we boarded the yellow bus covered in zebra stripes.
The guide hopped on next, calming the rowdy interior before explaining the safety rules.
"Alright, safari adventure starts now~!"
"Wooow~!"
"Hee-hee! We're off!"
Na-young was over-the-top excited, clapping and wiggling in her seat.
The bus started moving, passing the chain-link fence.
"Everyone~ See over there? That ridiculously scary beast! A tiger's come to greet us!"
There were adults too, but kids were the main audience.
Her cutesy kid-directed tone grated a bit, but at my age, being called a kid wasn't wrong.
Mom, Dad, and the other parents didn't bat an eye, which made me feel oddly self-conscious and annoyed.
"Ji-hoon! The tiger's coming closer! Hee-hee! Eek~!"
Her face showed no fear, but she let out a fake scream and dove into my arms anyway.
"Hee-hee-hee."
"Yeah, it is."
Scary.
No gaps at all, so no chance of tiger attacks no matter what, but it was still scary.
Those massive bodies circling the parked safari bus like we were prey.
"Had fun chatting with the tigers? Alright, on to the next spot?"
The wheels rolled slowly as the bus moved on.
Passing another fence, lions soon greeted us.
Unlike the tigers, though, the lions barely glanced our way, just lounging indifferently.
Same cat family as tigers, but while tigers checked us out, lions acted like we weren't even there, doing their own thing.
Their thing being lying comfy—that was it.
"Lion friends here? In the wild or here, they mostly lounge except mealtime. Kinda lazy, right? You guys shouldn't grow up like lions~?"
"Nooo~!"
The kids shouted back enthusiastically.
Why not be like lions if you've got everything? If you're loaded, lounging's fine, right?
That's how I saw it.
In a way, my future—lounging with multiple women—was just like a lion's life.
"Next up, bears!"
The boring lion section zipped by, and we reached the bears.
I'd hoped the bears might entertain us... me, at least, but they were sprawled out like the lions, rolling on the ground oblivious to us.
Boring.
No feeding corner for safety and kids' innocence made it dull.
"Was it fun?"
As we got off the bus, Mom asked, and Na-young nodded with a bright smile.
Honestly, not really, but not wanting to ruin the mood, I nodded too.
"Glad to hear it."
She ruffled our hair.
"Mom and Dad are a bit tired, so we'll sit. You two play as much as you want and meet back for the parade, okay?"
"Yes!"
"Got it."
Plenty of day left.
Leaving the exhausted pair behind, we vanished into the crowds.
We rode whatever we wanted, having a blast.
Good times fly by. The sun dipped low, sunset starting.
"Na-young. Time to go."
"Aww... Already?"
"Not home—the parade's starting. Gotta see it."
"Oh! Parade! Yeah, let's go!"
We headed to the plaza.
Already packed with early birds. Wonder if we'd find Mom and Dad on time.
Ignoring my worries, upbeat music blared—parade time.
I'm no lost little kid, so no panic.
Just meet at the main gate after.
No need to hunt for parents—I held Na-young's little hand tight, enjoying the show.
"Clown...! Mouse...! Bunny...!"
All sorts of nameless characters paraded out.
Cute costumes now, but maybe shady guys inside—Na-young watched with pure innocence.
"Hee... hee-hee... Happy. Ji-hoon. So happy."
Tears welling from sheer joy, she looked at me.
"Me too. Yeah, Na-young."
First kiss is tough; after that, second and third are easy.
Crowd's all eyes on the parade.
I cupped her chin, pulled her face close.
Na-young got it, pursed her lips, eyes fluttering shut softly.
Our lips met.
Wanted to go further, but not the place—I pulled back.
"Oh my...! Oh......!"
Mom—don't know when she'd arrived—covered her mouth watching our kiss.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Mmm... mmm... Snore."
On the ride home, Na-young, exhausted, head on my shoulder, was out cold.
"Na-young. Lie on my lap."
"Mmm... Okay......"
To let her sleep comfy, I scooted to the corner, laid her head on my lap.
She sleeps so well.
High-end car speeds smoothly—barely any bumps.
Quiet too, watching her deep sleep made me drowsy.
My head bobbed, eyelids drooping.
"Hee-hee... Ji-hoon... Love you......"
Mumbling love in her sleep, I stroked her hair.
"Love you too, Na-young."
Mom and Dad in front cooed "Oh my" glancing back, but too sleepy to be embarrassed, I drifted off too.