Soothing the Delinquent Girl
Yoo Chaerin treated people like pets without a second thought. Later on, true to her delinquent girl character, she developed a bold, unapologetic personality. This world revolves around me—with that mindset, she did whatever she wanted. But maybe because she was so pretty even at a young age, everyone overlooked her mischievous antics. The world runs on looks. That was a power even kids couldn't escape. If anything, kids were even weaker to cuteness. Children's eyes are honest, after all.
As a result, before long, Yoo Chaerin became the center of our kindergarten class. The other kids couldn't defy her words and did everything she wanted. Even the teachers were the same. Knowing Chaerin was the kids' leader, they'd subtly mention her to guide the class.
Her self-esteem soared higher with each passing day.
She's steadily turning into the queen bee delinquent, I thought.
And right by her side was me.
"Yuna, come here."
I had no idea what about me Chaerin liked so much. Wherever she went, she'd call me over and drag me along. Naturally, that built a friendship between our parents too.
"Chaerin must really like Yuna."
"Yeah, I'm just glad Yuna's made a friend."
Was this really friendship, though?
"Yuna, want this?"
Like feeding a pet a treat, Chaerin pulled a candy from her pocket. I meekly took it and popped it in my mouth. She beamed happily. The candy was sweet. So I took another one.
I don't think I used to like sweets this much before.
Maybe my baby taste buds were to blame. Sweets just made me give in without thinking. No wonder adults warned kids not to follow strangers offering candy. It really was tempting.
Our whirlwind kindergarten days flew by like that. Chaerin had become a curveball in my life, but my daily routine hadn't changed much. What I did was the same as always: building Legos in the corner.
Hmm, King Dragon is always the right choice.
For a kindergartener, my Lego assemblies were pro-level quality. Maybe because I played with them nonstop. At some point, I'd reached a new realm. Having devoted most of my life to Legos, I could call myself a craftsman.
"Yuna!"
Then Chaerin's voice rang out.
"Whatcha doing?"
She knelt beside me to watch.
"L-Le... Lego."
I was still stuttering. When would that go away? I practiced in front of the mirror every day at home, but no improvement. Was it just innate?
I sniffled, feeling down.
"This is fun for you?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Then I'll do it too."
Chaerin sat next to me and fiddled with the Legos. Naturally, she couldn't match my level. Kindergarteners were in a whole different league. I felt a bit smug, but then she scowled.
"...This sucks."
She had no dexterity. It was pitiful, really. Chaerin tossed the Legos on the floor and turned to me.
"Yuna, let's play outside."
I didn't want to go. But she'd already put in the effort to play with me. If she did that much, I had to reciprocate.
"O-Okay."
As I stood, Chaerin grinned brightly and grabbed my hand. Our tiny hands fit perfectly. She dragged me along, toddling happily. Then she laid out a kiddie mat she'd gotten from somewhere in the playground and dumped a pile of play-house toys on it.
Such bold moves. Total queen bee.
"I'll be the dad, and you're the mom!"
? That should be reversed.
"I-I wanna be d-dad."
As a reincarnated man, I couldn't accept this. Time to claim the patriarchal society!
"No way. Yuna's too cute—you have to be the mom!"
What kind of logic was that? These days, guys could be cute too.
"Got it? Yuna's my wife now."
"Hiiing."
But my protest died in my throat. Tears welled up. My masculinity crumbled pathetically.
"Okay, starting with me coming home from work!"
Kids' play-house is just mimicking adults, after all. Chaerin reenacted her home life perfectly.
"I-I'm h-home."
Pretending to open the door across the mat. Wearing the apron Chaerin gave me, I forced a smile. My lips trembled, but what could I do?
"W-Welcome h-home."
"Yeah, I'm home. Busy day. Yuna—no, Chaena?"
Mixing my name and hers for the baby? Clever.
"Sh-She's s-sleeping."
"Early bedtime. Set the table first."
I scooped plastic rice into bowls, added toy meat and veggies, and placed it on the mini table in front of her. She looked around.
"Where's the booze?"
Her dad was a drinker, huh. But no way did the play set have alcohol.
"S-Sorry, w-we're o-out."
"What? You know I don't eat without drinks."
"I-It r-ran o-out..."
Chaerin's eyes turned fierce. She slammed the table and stood with a sigh.
"I bust my ass earning money, and you can't even manage that. Ugh, totally useless."
Uh?
"That's why you're such a mess. Told you to give me a son, but you popped out a girl."
Huh?
"Clean it up. Ruined my appetite."
Chaerin stormed off to the "bathroom" corner. She took off her kindergarten hat and pretended to wash up. Watching her, I thought of her parents who sometimes visited. Her mom, just as pretty as her. Her dad, at a big corporation. They seemed happy on the surface... but maybe not.
Come to think of it, her mom often had pain-relief patches. She said her back ached from work. Maybe...
Chaerin's occasional bursts of violence.
I had a vague idea where it stemmed from.
"Chaerin."
"Yeah?"
She'd just come out of the bathroom and tilted her head. Maybe because my eyes were different from usual.
"Sit here."
She obeyed, puzzled.
"Does your dad love you a lot, Chaerin?"
"...My dad?"
Her eyes rolled around.
Adults think kids are clueless. That they'll forget when they grow up. That memories fade. But from my perspective, no. Reborn as a kid, I saw how much children watch adults' faces. They eavesdrop pretending to sleep. And those memories stick deeper than adults realize.
"Do you love Chaena?"
We were still playing house. Chaerin as dad. Would she love her own kid, Chaena?
"...Yeah. I love her. A lot."
"Me too. I love Chaena tons."
My words came out smooth for once. Maybe sensing the hurt in this kid's heart. Or my adult instinct to care for children. Adults guide kids toward a full future. That was my long-held belief.
"So Chaena should be loved forever."
Chaerin's eyes wavered. Confusion flickered behind her usually bright gaze.
"You think so too, right, Chaerin?"
"...Yeah."
She bowed her head quietly. I set the table again. Plastic food, no booze.
"Food's good even without drinks."
I scooped some rice with the spoon. Even plastic rice lifted nicely these days.
"The Chaerin I know eats like a champ."
She pretended to eat. I ignored the tears welling in her eyes.
"Yeah. No idea why anyone drinks with meals. Food's delicious on its own. Super delicious."
Good if she knew that.
"After dinner, wanna sleep with Chaena?"
"...Yeah."
On the mat, we lay under a blanket. A doll sat between us—Chaerin's favorite.
She hugged it tight. Like hoping her dad would hug her. A tiny wish tucked in there.
Too young to grasp the world fully. I reached out and hugged her. My arms were small. Too small for a person. But enough to warmly hold another child.
My collar dampened a bit. But I didn't mind. The usually tough Chaerin could show her true self under the blanket. Sometimes, just silent warmth and pats were enough.
We kept playing house after that. Chaerin treasured the Chaena doll. She lavished it with "I love you more than anything" over and over.
Words she wanted to hear. Words she wanted to say. Chaerin looked so happy saying them.
"Y-You l-like Ch-Chaena that m-much?"
"Of course. She's my daughter!"
Chaena was her daughter, huh.
"And."
Chaerin grabbed my hand tight.
"I like Yuna the most in the world!"
If I'd been a guy, I'd brag about future Chaerin liking me this much. No bragging rights ahead, though.
"Th-Then, I'm n-not your p-pet anymore?"
I asked, hoping her view had shifted. She tilted her head.
"Huh?"
Why not? You said most in the world.
"Yuna's my pet forever!"
Oh. Staring at steadfast Chaerin, all I could do was chuckle wryly.
Still, Chaerin and I became inseparable best friends.
Two years passed. At eight, we finally entered elementary school.