Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: The End of Elementary School (1)
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Su-ryeon had given up on skipping grades to university.
Even though they were offering her a PhD.
"My daughter almost snagged the title of youngest PhD holder ever."
But Su-ryeon didn't seem interested in the title at all.
What she was actually interested in was...
"Come to the gang, you idiot human. I'll kill you if you do."
A PC game, of all things.
The computer I'd bought her as a birthday present after she entered fourth grade.
Su-ryeon was completely hooked, pounding away at the keyboard.
"These idiot humans... Why are they fighting without me...?"
Tap-tap-tap—
Su-ryeon hammered the keys with her small, delicate hands.
I peeked through the doorway and called out to her.
"Su-ryeon. You aren't typing bad words in chat, are you?"
"...!"
Su-ryeon yanked her hands off the keyboard like a startled cat and shot me a sharp glare.
"I never do that."
"Really?"
"Believe it or not. I have to play. I'm busy."
Whoosh—
Su-ryeon turned her eyes back to the screen.
'...Guess I'll have to check later and remove the Enter key or something.'
Anyway.
Su-ryeon had passed on becoming the world's youngest physics PhD.
Now she was deep into researching her way to Game PhD status.
It felt like a massive downgrade, but...
"Kuhuhu... It's kill time... You're already dead..."
As long as my daughter was having fun with her game.
That was enough, right?
'If it's fun, that's all that matters.'
A child's privilege.
Enjoying games without a care in the world.
That's the best time of life.
"Hmph, as expected, no human can stop me. You pathetic humans. Kuhuhu..."
Su-ryeon was enjoying it a bit too much, though.
***
Fourth grade.
Time flew by for the kids who'd finally hit the upper-grade bracket.
They enjoyed school events.
Played with friends.
Studied just a little.
Time passed as quickly as their playtime.
And kept passing.
Until the kids reached sixth grade.
"I'm 32 now... I feel disgustingly old..."
Is this what getting older feels like?
Not exactly welcome.
"But when I look in the mirror, I don't look half bad. Anyone wanna take me off the market?"
I was muttering to myself in the mirror when.
Cho-ryeon poked her face around the bathroom door.
"Shall I take you, Dad?"
"...No thanks, Cho-ryeon."
"Hiiing..."
Cho-ryeon deflated at the rejection.
I always had to hit her with some weed killer.
To stop those weird sprouts from growing.
'Cut out the rotten buds early. That's why they call it parenting.'
Sigh.
I stepped out of the bathroom and faced the wilted Cho-ryeon.
"Hmm, but you do seem a little taller lately...?"
"Really, Dad?!"
Cho-ryeon's eyes sparkled at the compliment.
But...
"Now that I look again, maybe not."
"You're so mean, Dad...!"
No real change on second glance.
"You seemed taller recently, though... Weird."
Cho-ryeon had held onto a front-row seat in class all the way to sixth grade.
Maybe because she was the youngest, her frame stayed small.
Like a cute little hamster, I guess.
'Puberty hasn't hit yet, either...'
Maybe she'll shoot up all at once later.
Cho-ryeon was still tiny.
"Dad!"
"What, Cho-ryeon."
She shook off her gloom and called up to me brightly.
"What's for dinner tonight?"
"Thinking simple kimchi stew."
"Kimchi stew! Make it not spicy, please! I can't eat much if it's spicy!"
"I know. That's the plan."
At my response.
Cho-ryeon clung tight to my arm.
"Hehe, you really know me, Dad! I love you!"
"Of course. Gotta know my own kid..."
Cho-ryeon wouldn't let go of my arm.
Her aegyo had spiked lately as she got older.
'Love how cute my girl is... Just don't turn around later and say you hate Dad...'
Puberty might make her ice-cold toward me. Worried about that.
I'd heard stories from Association staff raising kids.
'Puberty hits and kids turn frigid? Mine used to be all aegyo and "I love you." Now she snaps if I even talk to her.'
'Mine too. Used to be cute. Now it's all fur and no charm.'
Once puberty kicked in, they all ignored their parents.
"I hope my girl doesn't turn out like that..."
"Yes, Dad?"
"Nah, nothing..."
Sigh—
I headed to the kitchen through the living room, letting out a sigh.
Then Hwa-ryeon, sprawled on the couch, spotted me and yelled.
"Dad! When's dinner?! I'm starving!"
Crunch—!
Hwa-ryeon scratched her belly while lying there, munching snacks and shouting.
Cho-ryeon pouted and fired back.
"Hwa-ryeon sis! Is Dad a vending machine or what? Be nice!"
"Hmph, why should I be nice? I'll talk how I want!"
Crunch—!
Hwa-ryeon scoffed lightly and brushed off Cho-ryeon.
"Ugh... Hwa-ryeon sis has no manners... No filial piety...!"
Cho-ryeon seemed a bit mad on my behalf.
But I didn't mind.
'If Hwa-ryeon suddenly started talking sweet overnight, that'd be weirder.'
Hwa-ryeon was in 24/7 puberty mode anyway.
I glanced at her and said.
"Hwa-ryeon. Don't eat chips lying down. Sit up. You're dropping crumbs everywhere."
"Fine! I'll sit if that's it!"
Hmph—!
Hwa-ryeon sat up irritably.
Always in crop tops, belly button out.
'Hwa-ryeon grows every day.'
Already nearing 160cm.
And as the big sis, she'd hit secondary sexual characteristics first.
'...Didn't even know what the blood was. Thought she was getting stronger.'
Red Dragon trait, maybe.
When Hwa-ryeon first started bleeding.
She thought she was powering up.
Why?
'Dad! Red Dragons get stronger by bleeding! Pain that doesn't kill you makes you stronger? Something like that!'
Not a Marine or Saiyan.
Hwa-ryeon figured more blood meant more power.
'Doesn't pay attention in school.'
Once she learned the truth, her face turned beet red.
'G-get out of my room!!'
Screamed in embarrassment and kicked me out.
Around early fifth grade.
'Face was super red when she asked for underwear, too.'
Watching Hwa-ryeon grow now brought back memories.
Maybe she didn't like my gaze.
She glared fiercely.
"What're you staring at, Dad! I'm sitting now!"
"Dinner soon. Stop with the snacks."
"Hmph, no!"
Said no.
But Hwa-ryeon folded the chip bag and stashed it on the table.
Still skimpy on the "got it."
"Time to make dinner."
Kimchi stew, fried eggs.
Mackerel and side dishes from the fridge.
Simple dinner ready.
"Dinner's done! Dig i—"
"Wait, Hwa-ryeon. Can you grab Su-ryeon from her room?"
"Ugh, annoying!"
Thud—!
Hwa-ryeon stomped to Su-ryeon's room.
Thud-thud—!
"Lee Su-ryeon, come eat!"
"..."
"Hey, come out!"
Bang—!
Hwa-ryeon flung open the door and barged in.
Crash-clang! Thud-bang—!
Noises of chaos, then about a minute later.
"...Let go. I can walk myself."
"Hmph, should've come out sooner!"
Hwa-ryeon dragged Su-ryeon by the scruff with one hand.
She tossed Su-ryeon onto a dining chair and stared at me.
"..."
"What, Hwa-ryeon."
"No 'good job' for me, Dad!?"
"Oh, right. Good job, Hwa-ryeon."
Pat-pat—
A pat of praise.
Hwa-ryeon smirked satisfied and sat down.
"Hmph, bet it's tasty! Digging in!"
Gulp-gulp—!
Hwa-ryeon inhaled her food.
Su-ryeon frowned slightly and murmured quietly.
"...No class. You gotta have dignity like me."
Su-ryeon said that, then poked at her rice with chopsticks.
"Elegant even setting down chopsticks. Noble when picking up the spoon."
Slurp—
Su-ryeon tasted the kimchi stew and nodded faintly.
"Not bad craftsmanship. Even simple kimchi stew tastes great. The kick comes from the well-seasoned tofu."
"Watch a cooking show or something, Su-ryeon?"
"...No."
Flick—
Su-ryeon turned away, avoiding my eyes.
Then, peeking through her hair with one eye, she stared intently.
"...Dad doesn't get me. You can't understand the darkness I carry."
"Yeah, it's so dark I can't see it. Where's your darkness, Su-ryeon?"
"...Not a joke!"
Snap—!
Su-ryeon shot up, insisting it wasn't funny.
Hwa-ryeon immediately chimed in from the side.
"Noisy while eating! Sit! Or I smash your computer?!"
"...You're louder."
Grumble-grumble—
Su-ryeon muttered and sat back down.
Then slowly resumed eating.
'Eats so slow and little, no wonder she doesn't gain weight.'
Su-ryeon was a bit shorter than Hwa-ryeon.
But model-slim, slender all over.
She bought undies and girl stuff with allowance.
No real signs of secondary sexual characteristics, though.
Like she'd snap if low-kicked.
Though the kicker would shatter instead.
"Su-ryeon."
"What, Dad."
"You need some meat on you. Eat more."
"...It's my darkness draining my life force. Blame the sealed Black Flame Dragon, not me."
"Probably 'cause you eat half a bowl a day."
Sigh—
How long with this Black Flame Dragon talk?
Afraid she'll blame it even as an adult.
Anyway.
Nearly nine years of family dinners like this.
Bzzz—
My smartphone vibrated.
I pulled it out and checked the text.
From the Hero Association Chairman.
-Have you thought about that academy instructor position I mentioned? Could be with your daughters, great opportunity. Always waiting on your answer.
Hmm.
I thought as I read it.
'Time for a family meeting, maybe.'
Need to ask about the kids' futures.
Thinking that, I turned to Mang-mung-i, who was filling her own bowl.
"You think so too, Mang-mung-i?"
"Mang-?"
Mang-mung-i, still small-dog sized, tilted her head.
Then, feeling fancy today, she ripped open a canned tin with her teeth and dumped it in her bowl.
"Mang-!"
Mang-mung-i could now prep her own meals perfectly.