Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Dreamland Full of Innocence (4)
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The day was drawing to a close.
Dreamland was starting to be enveloped in darkness.
But perhaps because Dreamland always had to be bright.
Countless lights were driving back the gloom.
“Bright is nice and all…”
Haa—
I let out a sigh as I looked around.
“What good is bright… when Hwa-ryeon isn’t anywhere in sight…”
Her distinctive red hair stood out at a glance.
Even in a crowd, her appearance was eye-catching, but Dreamland was just too vast, making it hard to find her.
All I could do was sigh in frustration.
“Sigh, I specifically told her not to let go of my hand. She ignores that one thing and gets herself lost.”
Lately, I thought she was listening better.
But then she goes and pulls something like this.
“Still, hope she ran into Game Ranger okay. Just don’t want her childhood innocence shattered for nothing.”
Game Ranger.
To a child, they were heroic figures beating villains.
But as an adult, you learn they weren’t true heroes.
“They’re just actors getting paid to perform. Not like they’re these amazing heroes. I’m more heroic myself.”
I’d make a pretty decent hero.
Anyway.
“Can’t find her anymore. Hwa-ryeon, where the heck did you go?”
It was a bit embarrassing, but no choice.
I headed toward the Dreamland sign visible in the distance.
There was a map explaining the park’s facilities.
“Information desk… found it. It’s ridiculously far.”
They say it’s to protect kids’ innocence.
But isn’t the place too damn big?
To find lost Hwa-ryeon, I decided to head to the distant information desk.
“‘Lost child Yi Hwa-ryeon’ echoing through Dreamland for everyone to hear.”
Hope I find Hwa-ryeon quick.
Not too worried since it’s Hwa-ryeon who’s lost.
Still, with my daughter gone, I couldn’t help feeling anxious.
***
I’m alone.
All the humans are with their parents.
Under the dazzling lights, holding hands, laughing together.
“But why do I have to sit on this bench by myself…!”
Hwa-ryeon huddled on the bench, burying her face in her knees.
She didn’t want to see the humans grinning ear to ear.
“Daddy’s an idiot…! He let go of my hand and now I’m lost…!”
Hwa-ryeon’s mindset was worlds apart.
She still believed Daddy was the lost one.
That’s why she’d been dashing around Dreamland searching for her lost Daddy…
“Too big…! Finding idiot Daddy is too hard…!!”
But no luck.
Finding a special Daddy among ordinary humans should’ve been easy.
Hwa-ryeon peeked up, checking her surroundings.
“…Too many humans. I’m not happy. Why are they laughing like they’re so happy…!”
I have a Daddy too.
They’re laughing like only they have Daddies.
Jealousy boiled inside Hwa-ryeon.
But she had no choice but to lower her head again.
“Hmph, don’t wanna look…!”
In the end, Hwa-ryeon buried her face again and sat still.
She decided to wait quietly for Daddy to come.
Just then.
An announcement drifted into her open ears.
-*Ahem, this is a park announcement. Searching for lost child Yi Hwa-ryeon. Red hair, feisty personality—YI HWA-RYEON. If you see a red-haired child alone nearby, please bring her to the information desk.*
“…That’s me?!”
Hwa-ryeon jumped up in shock.
“More importantly, how do they know me!? They even know my name! And I’m not lost! What the heck?!”
Flustered, Hwa-ryeon panicked for a moment.
That’s when a Dreamland staff member approached.
“Are you by any chance Yi Hwa-ryeon?”
“Y-Yeah! How do you know my name!?”
The Dreamland staff smiled gently.
She spoke with a familiar, easy smile.
“There was an announcement. Looks like your Daddy’s looking for you.”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, your father’s at the information desk looking for you.”
He’s looking for me.
At those words, Hwa-ryeon blushed and turned her head away.
“Hmph, took him long enough! Why’s idiot Daddy only looking for me now! Got me lost and all!”
“So your father was the one who got lost?”
“Yeah, obviously! I wouldn’t get lost! I’m Yi Hwa-ryeon!”
Hwa-ryeon perked up again.
She declared with utter confidence.
“Such a spirited kid.”
The staff beckoned to Hwa-ryeon.
“I’ll take you to the information desk. Your father should be there!”
“Hmph, I can go by myself!”
With that, Hwa-ryeon dashed off in the direction the staff pointed.
*Gonna see Daddy soon!*
To reunite with the Daddy she’d been searching for so long.
Hwa-ryeon ran to the information desk faster than ever.
*How dare he leave me alone! He’s in for it!*
She was a little steamed too.
***
In the end, I did it.
“Now everyone in Dreamland knows Hwa-ryeon’s lost.”
Proud Hwa-ryeon’s gonna be mad.
*But with the announcement out, I should find her soon.*
Phew—
Finally, a bit of relief.
I sat on the information desk chair, sighing in relief.
After waiting about 10 minutes.
She came into view through the desk window.
“Finally.”
With heavy, dissatisfied steps.
Was announcing her lost a mistake after all?
I stepped out of the information desk to greet my formerly lost Hwa-ryeon.
“Lost Yi Hwa-ryeon. You’re here at last?”
“Hmph!”
Hwa-ryeon pursed her lips like a duck.
Then she suddenly charged at me.
“Dragon Headbutt!”
“Gah—!”
She headbutted my stomach.
Her hard head left me clutching my gut and collapsing.
“Oof… must be ’cause there’s nothing in that head… so it’s tough…?”
“Hmph, it’s tough ’cause it’s full! More importantly, Daddy!”
She pointed at me accusingly.
“What if you get lost! I had to search so hard for you!”
“Who’s the one who should be saying that…”
I thought she was mad about being called lost.
Turns out she never even considered herself lost.
I stood up and faced my brazen Hwa-ryeon.
“Didn’t I tell you not to let go of Daddy’s hand?”
“…”
“We’ll talk punishment at home later… Anyway, did you see Game Ranger?”
“Tch.”
Didn’t go well, huh.
Hwa-ryeon clicked her tongue and yelled.
“They’re not even heroes! Total fake heroes! I’m more of a hero—I helped a lost kid!”
“What’s that about?”
“Hmph, I’ll explain special for Daddy!”
Hwa-ryeon crossed her arms and explained.
From what I gathered, she’d helped find a lost kid’s parents.
*Getting lost and then helping another lost kid—what’s that about?*
It was absurd from my perspective.
But I was pretty pleased she’d done a good deed.
“Can’t even scold her for this…”
I scratched my head awkwardly.
I’d still scold her at home later.
“Anyway, Hwa-ryeon.”
“Huh?”
“Wanna keep playing? It’s getting late—dinnertime.”
Dinner.
Figured she’d be wiped by now.
But contrary to my expectations, Hwa-ryeon looked full of energy.
“Of course we keep playing! You have no idea how bummed I was alone! All the other humans holding hands with their parents and playing!”
Something like a weird fire burned in her.
Hwa-ryeon glared at me and stuck out her hand.
“C’mon, Daddy! I wanna play more! Gonna have even more fun to make up for the time without you!”
“What a spirited kid.”
Couldn’t stay mad.
I smiled softly at Hwa-ryeon and took her outstretched hand.
“Yeah, let’s play more till closing.”
“Yay!”
“No letting go this time, okay?”
Hwa-ryeon nodded vigorously at my question.
“Just don’t let go! Got it!”
She squeezed my hand tighter.
As if vowing no more getting lost.
And so, to enjoy Dreamland more, we set off for the rides glowing even brighter in the evening.
***
Riding attractions with super excited Hwa-ryeon.
Having a blast.
“Closing time’s approaching.”
Even Dreamland, which seemed like it’d never dim, was nearing its end.
I said to Hwa-ryeon, still buzzing with dopamine.
“Hwa-ryeon, park’s closing soon. One last ride?”
“Dreamland’s weak! How’s it ending already?!”
No matter how you slice it, Hwa-ryeon was too strong.
Maybe ’cause I’m older, but I was getting tired.
Hwa-ryeon still looked overflowing with energy.
“Still, Dreamland closes soon.”
“Tch.”
“Let’s do one last ride. Something mellow.”
Still.
Ending mellow would be nice.
I headed with Hwa-ryeon to the carousel at Dreamland’s main area.
*…Hits the memories even after all this time.*
Just like the carousel from my childhood.
Not rusty—just the same as back then.
Gazing at it, I said to Hwa-ryeon.
“You ride alone, Hwa-ryeon.”
“Why? Ride with me, Daddy! Scared or something?”
“…Where’d you pick that up?”
I might not do thrill rides.
But no way I’m scared of a carousel.
“Wanna take your picture.”
“Picture?”
“Yeah, wanna capture this one.”
Like the old photos I have.
I wanted a photo of Hwa-ryeon on the carousel.
“Would be better if we rode together…! Whatever!”
She didn’t quite get my intent.
But she turned and hopped on the carousel right away.
“Starting soon.”
Under dazzling lights.
The carousel spun, glowing in the evening.
Circling around, passing me now and then.
Each time, I snapped Hwa-ryeon’s photo.
“Make me look cool, Daddy!”
“Yeah, Hwa-ryeon. Coming out great.”
Click!
Hwa-ryeon grinning wide on the carousel—captured perfectly.
Felt like looking at my old photos.
*I used to smile like that too.*
Making unforgettable memories for Hwa-ryeon.
Recalling memories I hadn’t forgotten for me.
Dreamland full of innocence, for adults and kids alike.
“Yay! Look at me, Daddy! I can ride without holding on!”
“…Good job.”
We made memories we’d never forget.
Wrapping up the long yet short summer break.
A sweltering summer break full of events.