Chapter 265
Chapter 265
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 265
Chapter Title: The Child Who Can't Join the Party
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Rahee unnie had secretly prepared a hotel buffet for us.
Thanks to her, the orphanage threw a full-blown Christmas party.
Not figuratively, but literally right there in the empty lot in front of the orphanage building.
It wasn't just catering from the hotel, either.
She'd brought full-on food trucks—those massive vehicles equipped with complete kitchens—and the chefs started cooking fresh on the spot.
They even whipped up off-menu items if you just asked nicely.
Like pizza or sweet and sour pork, kids' favorites.
At this point, it felt like she'd hauled the entire hotel restaurant here.
On top of that, Rahee unnie had somehow procured these huge event tents, like vinyl marquees.
She set them up so the kids could run around and eat outside even in the dead of winter.
B-But seriously, how much did all this cost?
It had to be way beyond anything I could imagine.
"Juha, try this! It's so good!"
"Really?! Hehe, this one's yummy too!"
"What's that?"
"That uncle over there made it for me."
"Whoa! I wanna try some!"
Anyway, seeing how thrilled the kids were made all my worries about the cost fade away—I was just happy for them.
Rahee unnie seemed the same, smiling as she watched them.
It hit me anew: unnie really has such a warm heart.
"Oh my, I don't even know how to thank you... Thanks to you, the kids will have memories they'll never forget. Truly, thank you so much."
"Ah, no need. I didn't do anything—it's all thanks to the unnie who came with me."
The director approached me—still in my mask for the kids' sake—and kept bowing deeply. I waved my hands in a panic.
Wink—
Right then, Rahee unnie caught my eye and hit me with a silent wink.
She was clearly enjoying my flustered reaction.
Ugh, unnie, that's not fair!
She set all this up, but now she's just standing there, so everyone thinks I did it all!
She probably finds all the gratitude overwhelming, so she's shoving it my way!
"Lulu unnie! Lulu unnie!"
As I stewed in that thought—feeling a bit guilty for hogging all the credit—something tugged at me from behind, followed by a cute little girl's voice.
I turned to see a familiar face: my tiny princess.
"Oh, Jiyu. Having fun eating?"
"Yeah! It's super tasty! Eat with Jiyu, Lulu unnie!"
This girl's name is Kim Jiyu.
She's the one who always greets me most enthusiastically whenever I visit the orphanage. Such a sweet kid.
She's eight, if I remember right.
Her cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel's, stuffed full of food, as she urgently yanked my sleeve.
It was so adorable I couldn't help but smile.
Hehe, how is she this cute?
She was pure healing just existing.
"Should I? Then unnie will go eat with that unnie over there."
"Who's that unnie?"
"Think of her as unnie's unnie. Call her Luke unnie."
"Luke unnie? Hehe, Lulu and Luke!"
She giggled at the matching first letters and scampered off from my side.
She made a beeline straight for Rahee unnie, the one I'd pointed to.
Rahee unnie looked a little surprised—probably didn't expect a kid to approach her first.
I'd been shocked at first too.
And for good reason: Jiyu's friendliness is top-tier, even among the orphanage kids.
She's got this overwhelming innocence and approachability—she'll go up to anyone without hesitation.
Plus, Rahee unnie can come off a bit cool and expressionless sometimes.
But with the mask on now, to the kids she probably just seems like a fun unnie.
That might've made her more approachable.
"Luke unnie! Eat with Jiyu! Is this yummy?"
"Hehe, yeah? Glad to hear it. How'd you know unnie's name?"
"Lulu unnie told me! She said you're unnie's unnie!"
"I see. Anyway, Jiyu? That's a pretty name."
"Yeah! Pretty! Jiyu's face is pretty, and her name's pretty too!"
Whoa, what confidence...
But I couldn't deny it.
Jiyu was genuinely stunning for an eight-year-old—her features were so sharp and lovely, it was hard to believe her age.
You know those child actors you see on TV sometimes?
The ones so pretty you wonder how their features are that defined at such a young age.
That's exactly Jiyu. I still marvel every time I see her.
I wonder how many hearts she'll break when she grows up.
All this unnie hopes is that she doesn't turn into a bad girl, okay?
"Lulu, go ahead and eat. We'll watch the kids."
Had I been staring at Rahee unnie and Jiyu for too long?
Teacher Choi—the one who'd gone to the director's office earlier—came over and spoke to me.
She and the others were eating while minding the kids, but I hadn't touched my food, so it must've bugged her.
"Ah, sure. Hehe, the kids looked so happy I got caught up watching."
"Goodness, you have such a kind heart. And the unnie who came with you is so sweet too... How did we get two Santas?"
"Ehehe..."
The flood of praise embarrassed me a little, but I happily soaked it up.
It meant the kids loved us that much.
"Unnie, let's go eat."
"Yeah? But with these masks, how do we even...?"
"Eat in the director's office. I always do."
"Ah, good idea."
With that, Rahee unnie and I scooped up food from the buffet.
We headed straight to the director's office and dug in.
I figured the outdoor food would be cold in this weather, but surprisingly, it was still nice and warm.
"Whoa, it's still warm."
"They probably put little candles or heaters under some dishes. Keeps 'em just right."
"Wow..."
Unnie explained, and I let out an awed sigh.
So much thought went into it.
The staff must've been incredibly attentive.
And the food? Absolutely delicious.
Every bite was top quality.
I might end up more excited than the kids and stuff myself silly.
"B-But unnie... didn't this cost a ton to set up?"
Mid-feast, the worry bubbled up again, so I cautiously asked.
If it was too pricey, I'd chip in for sure.
"Huh? Nah, not really."
"Eh? R-Really? It looks like it cost a fortune..."
Her casual reply left me stunned instead.
Was she downplaying it because I don't know the real world?
Maybe she felt bad for going all out without asking, so she was brushing it off?
I shot her a doubtful look, and a smile crept onto her lips.
Like she'd expected that reaction.
"For real. Didn't cost a dime."
"W-What...? Not a penny?"
"Yeah. Everyone here volunteered, doing it for the good cause."
"Eek?!"
The truth hit me like a thunderbolt—I could only gasp in shock.
W-Wait a sec.
All these people volunteered?
That makes me feel even more guilty!
I-I'll have to give them something later...!
"They won't take a thing if you try. Just relax and think of it as a great gift for the kids."
"Ugh, but still..."
She read my mind even there.
I tried protesting, insisting on paying something, but she countered with, "Da-jeong didn't come here thinking about money, right?"
Couldn't argue with that—I was speechless.
True. They came purely to do good.
I never think about compensation when I donate or play with the kids here.
I just want to see them happy—that's it.
So if I tried paying them...
It might even offend them.
"Anyway, thanks for bringing me. Seeing Da-jeong with the kids helped me understand Dad's feelings a bit."
"Whoa, really?"
Her words made me clap without thinking.
She'd achieved her goal for coming—nothing made me happier.
"Yeah. Watching these kids I'd never met beam with joy... warmed my heart."
"Right? Right?"
So unnie finally gets the magic of this kind of thing.
Yes, yes—a great development.
"And you were amazing too, Da-jeong. Remembering all their names, greeting them so brightly. To me, you were just my cute little sister, but seeing you like this? So reliable and cool."
"Ehehe..."
Her praise had me scratching my head sheepishly, but I couldn't stop grinning.
I get "cute" from her all the time, but reliable and cool?
Rare compliments like that made my tail—if I had one—wag like crazy.
"Shall we head out? We're done eating, and I wanna watch the kids more."
"Yeah! Let's do that."
Chat and meal wrapped up, we grabbed our dishes and left the office.
The lot out front was still buzzing—kids hustling back and forth for more food.
Makes sense—they're at that age where they eat nonstop.
Poor chefs are run ragged.
"Ugh..."
"Huh?"
I was smiling at the heartwarming scene when a faint, grumpy voice caught my ear.
I turned to see a boy sitting alone at a table in the corner, glaring at his food.