Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: King of the Playground (1)
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Around ten years old, maybe.
Back when I was a kid.
I went to a bookstore with my parents once.
"Will he even read it if we buy him a book...?"
My parents were debating whether to get me one there.
They had the feeling that a boy like me would rather be out playing than reading.
At the time, I confidently shouted at my skeptical parents.
"I read books great! I'll read them all!"
My parents still weren't convinced, but they finally splurged and bought the complete world fairy tale collection set.
The fairy tale books, full of kids' fantasies, filled up my bookshelf.
As a little kid, I felt so satisfied looking at all those stuffed bookshelves.
"...I don't think I ever actually took one out and read it myself, though."
Anyway.
Remembering my own childhood.
It felt strangely fascinating to see Suryeon lying quietly in the living room, reading her book.
"How can a kid sit still and read a book like that?"
Incredible!
Something that would've been totally impossible back in my day.
As I stared at Suryeon like she was some kind of acrobatic monkey, she glanced up from her book and said.
"Dad, isn't it weirder that you couldn't read quietly?"
"Don't badmouth Hwaryeon."
"When did I badmouth her..."
Suryeon shot me an incredulous look.
I lay down gently next to her and checked out her book.
"You're reading The Little Prince."
I couldn't remember exactly when I'd read it, but I recalled the gist.
"What was the ending again... I think at the very end..."
As I rummaged through my memories for the ending.
"...Dad."
Zing—
I felt Suryeon's sharp gaze from the side.
She glared at me coldly and said through her little mouth.
"I haven't finished it yet."
"Oh, almost slipped into spoiler mode there. Sorry."
"...Be more careful next time."
Scary.
Suryeon bared just a hint of the teeth hidden in that tiny mouth of hers, then went back to reading.
If I spoiled the ending, I had a feeling my daughter would turn into a dragon right then and there.
To avoid disturbing the razor-sharp Suryeon, I carefully got up.
"But isn't there another book? The Stranger or something? What happened with that one, Suryeon?"
She froze.
Suryeon stopped mid-page-turn, slightly avoided my eyes, and answered.
"...I'm reading this one first."
"Any reason why?"
"...Just... I wanna save that one for later."
"Hmm, okay."
She was clearly dodging.
If I pushed further right now, she'd clam up.
So, I decided not to bother Suryeon anymore.
"Better let her focus hard."
No need to interrupt someone concentrating quietly.
The one who actually needed my attention right now.
Was that kid over there, yelling her head off while reading her book.
She wasn't just focused—she was totally immersed.
"What, what?! What's with this Titanosaurus! How's a herbivore stronger than a carnivore?! I refuse to accept it!"
Thud—!
Hwaryeon hurled the Y Dinosaur Series book at the wall.
"Here we go again."
I picked up the book that had hit the wall and fallen, then walked over to Hwaryeon.
"Hey, Hwaryeon. Why are you throwing books? That's dangerous."
"It's spouting nonsense! So I had to discipline the book!"
"What exactly didn't you like this time?"
I opened the book and checked the content.
Hwaryeon jabbed at the page with her finger and yelled.
"Look at this! Titanosaurus is a herbivore! But it's bigger and stronger than carnivores!"
"Ah, got it."
"That's ridiculous!"
Heh—heh—
Hwaryeon ranted on about why Titanosaurus couldn't possibly be strong.
How could a dinosaur that only eats veggies beat a carnivore?
She just couldn't wrap her head around it.
"And it looks so slow and not even tough! It's not cool at all!"
"Well, cool factor is kinda important in ratings."
Hwaryeon couldn't accept a sluggish herbivore winning.
Maybe because she loves fighting.
Already showing talent for trash-talking.
She might end up hating elephants too someday.
Thud.
For Hwaryeon's mental health, I closed the book.
"Dinosaur brawl time's over."
"Who says! I'm gonna keep reading!"
"You wanna keep reading? Or go outside?"
Hwaryeon didn't hesitate and shouted.
"Outside!"
Rustle-rustle—
Hwaryeon immediately started getting ready to head out.
"What about Suryeon and Choryeon?"
Suryeon peeked at me from over her book and lightly replied.
"I'll stay home. Wanna read."
Guess asking for those books wasn't for nothing.
A new hobby.
She was hooked on reading.
I shook awake Choryeon, who was napping after eating.
"Choryeon."
"Y-Yes... Father..."
"We're heading out now. What do you wanna do?"
"I'll stay home today... So sleepy..."
Choryeon said that and immediately closed her eyes again.
Can't fight sleepiness.
With everything ready, I walked over to Hwaryeon waiting impatiently at the front door.
"Today it's just you and me, Hwaryeon."
"Hmph, whatever! Let's go already!"
Hwaryeon stomped her feet in front of the door.
I opened the door for the eager kid.
"Let's hurry!"
Rustle-rustle—
Hwaryeon excitedly dashed toward the playground.
I chased after her, yelling.
"Slow down! You'll fall!"
"I won't fall!"
Ten seconds after Hwaryeon declared she wouldn't fall.
Splat—!
"Ow!"
Hwaryeon took a nasty tumble on the asphalt.
"They really need to fix these roads... The uneven pavement's dangerous."
Sigh.
I quickly ran to the fallen Hwaryeon.
Then carefully helped her up.
"You okay? Anywhere hurt?"
"I-I'm fine...! Doesn't hurt...!"
Hwaryeon clenched her fists tight as she said that.
Her red eyes looked like they were about to well up with tears.
"Yeah, right. Your knee's scraped."
"D-Dragon's don't get hurt...!"
"Hold still. I'll put a bandage on it."
I pulled a bandage from my small bag and knelt down.
Then carefully applied it to Hwaryeon's thin knee.
"It'll sting a bit, so bear with it."
"I-I'm telling you it doesn't hurt...!!"
Hwaryeon snapped back defiantly.
I finished applying the bandage and stood up.
To keep her from hurting herself running alone like before.
This time, I took her hand.
"No running. Let's walk slow, Hwaryeon."
"I-I can handle myself!"
Hwaryeon said that.
But gripped my hand tight as we headed to the playground.
Matching her pace, nice and slow.
***
Hwaryeon and I arrived at the playground, hand in hand.
But Hwaryeon scowled, clearly in a bad mood, and yelled.
"This is my turf!!"
There were already some kids there.
Hwaryeon shouted at the five kids we'd seen last time.
"Who gave you permission to play in my playground!!"
They froze.
The kids stopped what they were doing and looked at Hwaryeon.
Their eyes burned with fighting spirit.
"She appeared! The Dragon Brat!"
"Time for revenge at last..."
Step-step—
The kids huddled together and advanced on Hwaryeon.
'...I'll hang back this time.'
If things get serious, I'll step in.
One of them, a kid with gelled-up hair who looked like the leader, stepped forward and said.
"Hey, you remember me, right?"
The cocky boy shouted confidently.
Hwaryeon snorted and replied.
"Who're you!"
"Wh-What...?"
"Who even are you!"
Did Hwaryeon really not remember?
The boy panicked and started introducing himself.
"Me! I'm Gu Min-gu, number one from Bong Kindergarten!"
Hwaryeon replied indifferently.
"What's that supposed to mean! I don't remember!"
"Y-You beat me up last time—"
"Oh, that! I remember now!"
Hwaryeon's eyes lit up like she'd actually recalled it.
Min-gu's pride took a huge hit, and he stepped back a bit.
"H-How do you not remember the guy you beat...?"
"You're weak! I only remember super strong people!"
"U-Ugh..."
Thud.
Did the emotional damage hit that hard?
Min-gu dropped to his knees before the fight even started.
One of his buddies put a hand on his back and raised his voice.
"Boss! Don't give up! It happens!"
"You went down in one hit! Hard to remember!"
"It always happens, boss! Why get worked up now!"
...No malice there.
But anyway, they seemed genuinely trying to cheer him up.
Maybe his friends' support gave him some strength.
Min-gu slowly stood back up.
"Yeah... could happen... I'll just make you remember me now..."
"Why are you guys talking so much! Move! I don't have time!"
"No time...? Fine, I'll end this quick...!!"
All fired up now, huh.
Min-gu gulped, clenched his fist.
Then yelled at Hwaryeon.
"Dragon Brat! I lost last time, but not this time! I won't lose!"
"What're you yapping about! Shut up and get outta my turf!"
"Here I go!"
Tadak-tadak—
Min-gu charged at Hwaryeon with his fist raised.
Hwaryeon stood still until he got close.
Once he was in range, he leaned back and shouted.
"Dieee!!"
Hwaryeon stared at his fist.
Then.
"Too loud!"
Whoosh—
She twisted her body slightly to dodge.
And.
"Dragon Punch!"
"Gahk—!"
Drove her fist straight into Min-gu's face.
Thud.
Min-gu collapsed into the sand, out cold with a nosebleed, just like last time.
Hwaryeon looked down at him, snorted, and said.
"Hmph, what a pain! I told you, this is my turf!"
"..."
The kids had lost again.
And the defeated kids.
"...Should we get a new boss?"
"Let's make her the boss."
"A boss who loses ain't boss anymore."
Started plotting a coup.
That's how it was with playground bosses.
Kids these days were ruthless.