Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Dragon Kindergarten (3)
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Suryeon wandered around the kindergarten alone, scouting the interior.
"I get a rough idea of what it was built for. It's a place for kids."
Floor cushions that wouldn't hurt even if you fell on them.
Chairs and desks sized for children.
Suryeon finished looking around the classroom labeled "Kids' Room" and stepped out into the hallway.
"A space for children, huh. Doesn't suit me. Kindergarten. I don't like it."
She scrunched up her face.
Suryeon headed up the stairs to the second floor, her expression sour.
She spotted Hwaryeon and Choryeon chatting with the kids.
"What's this place for?!"
"The second floor has the cafeteria and bathrooms. Want a tour, Boss?"
"Hmph, guide me quick!"
At Hwaryeon's words, her underlings dashed forward.
"So, where to first, Boss?"
"To the cafeteria!"
"Yes, Boss! We'll serve you right!"
The kids bowed neatly, acting like local tour guides.
Choryeon watched them with a slight grimace.
"Um, everyone's being too much. Hwaryeon sis, is this really okay?"
"It's fine! These are my underlings! Choryeon, if you want to boss them around, go ahead!"
"Okay for now, Hwaryeon sis..."
Choryeon struggled to adapt.
Hwaryeon and Choryeon followed their local guides to the cafeteria.
Suryeon watched quietly before murmuring.
"Dragons hanging out with humans. What is Hwaryeon sis thinking? I don't get it."
She shook her head pityingly.
"Fool."
Suryeon muttered toward the empty hallway and climbed to the third floor.
She walked the corridor, opened a door, and entered a small room.
Creak—
Suryeon glanced around the room lightly.
"Is this the bedroom from TV? Bunks stacked two high."
Three sets of bunk beds total.
Suryeon approached one, picked up the bear plush on it.
"...A bear? Cute."
She poked its belly.
"So squishy. I thought bears were fierce. Why's it so cute? I want one—"
She froze.
Suryeon shook her head immediately.
"No, dolls are for kids. No way I'd want one."
I'm a dragon.
I wouldn't take a cute doll even if offered.
Never.
"...Goodbye."
Suryeon gazed at the bear plush wistfully, then set it back.
Plop.
"..."
Before leaving, she gave the bear's smile one last look.
Suryeon left the room slowly and shut the door.
Slam!
"..."
Suryeon lingered in front of the door, radiating regret.
Then.
"Hey, what're you doing there? That's my room!"
A sudden voice shattered Suryeon's wistful mood.
Suryeon glared coldly in the voice's direction.
"Who dares interrupt me?"
Chill—
Startled by her icy glare, the voice's owner fell backward.
"Ow!"
Suryeon approached slowly, her tone sharp.
"Why talk to me? Do you know me? Are we friends?"
"You're pretty. Wait, no! I know you!"
Suryeon replied without changing expression.
"I know too. You're the human named Min-gu."
"So we're acquaintances, I can talk to you, right!?"
"Not close. And I don't plan to be. So don't talk to me."
Suryeon snapped coldly at Min-gu.
Frightened, Min-gu squeezed his eyes shut and yelled.
"Why are all you sisters like this? You're all crazy!!"
Are we?
Suryeon replied dismissively.
"Don't compare me to Hwaryeon sis and Choryeon. I'm smart, unlike them."
"You're the craziest!"
"Genius stands out as crazy among fools."
"You don't lose a single word, huh?"
Who even is like this?
Min-gu stared at Suryeon in disbelief.
Ignoring his gaze completely, Suryeon asked what piqued her curiosity.
"Is it just you guys in this building?"
"Teacher, me, and the traitor make six total."
"Hmm, I see."
Suryeon turned away, interest gone.
Min-gu stood and asked her.
His eyes brimmed with curiosity.
"What about you? Who do you live with?"
"Dad, sisters, brother."
Suryeon answered curtly.
Maybe her cool vibe impressed him.
Min-gu showed interest and kept questioning.
"Your house? Where?"
"Nearby."
"Why not play with them?"
"Alone's better."
"Wanna play together?"
"Me? With you? Why?"
Suryeon found Min-gu increasingly annoying.
So.
Suryeon pointed at the room with her finger.
"Go inside there."
"Me?"
"Who else? Hurry in."
"Okay."
Min-gu turned meek as a lamb before Suryeon.
He entered without suspicion.
Suryeon shut the door as he did.
Slam!
She pointed her index finger at the doorknob.
"Water Laser Beam."
Whirr—!
A water jet shot from her finger, smashing the knob.
It shattered and rolled across the floor.
Panicked, Min-gu's voice echoed from inside.
"W-what! Door won't open. Suryeon, right? Open the door, Suryeon! It won't budge!"
"Finally some quiet."
"Suryeon? Suryeon, open up!"
"Why keep saying my name? Annoys me."
Only Dad's allowed to say my name.
Who gave you permission?
"Humans suck. Except Dad."
Suryeon successfully locked Min-gu away and descended the stairs.
Her destination: Yi Ha-joon.
"Dad."
Suryeon tugged at Yi Ha-joon's sleeve as he talked with Gu Bong-gu.
"Let's go home now. I wanna go home."
"Already? Don't wanna play with the kids?"
Extreme introvert dragon Yi Su-ryeon.
Drained, Suryeon replied wearily.
"Yeah, home. I like being alone."
Gotta use my smartphone.
Suryeon preferred solitude over company.
***
After hearing Suryeon's opinion.
I headed home with the kids.
This outing yielded quite a haul.
"Gu Bong-gu running a kindergarten. Never saw that coming."
I recalled my chat with Gu Bong-gu.
'I'm the director, but a young outside teacher handles the real teaching. She does most of the education.'
'Young teacher? Cute?'
'Married. Early marriage.'
'Ah.'
No romance angle, sadly.
But he said contact if interested.
Rare chance for proper teaching.
Back home, I eyed the sprawled dragons.
"But will they accept human education?"
They look like they'd skip class.
Maybe test it.
I asked Hwaryeon, doodling on her sketchpad on the floor.
"Hwaryeon."
"Yeah?"
"How'd you feel if a stranger tried teaching you?"
Hwaryeon answered bluntly.
"Annoyed! Who teaches me? I won't listen unless I respect them!"
"Hm, got it."
"I ignore weaklings!"
Stubborn kid.
No point in kindergarten like this.
Just kill time.
'Put kindergarten on hold till horns and tails hide perfectly.'
For now, shelve it.
I opened the envelope from Gu Bong-gu and pulled out the contents.
Gathered everyone in the living room center.
"Ahem, attention all!"
"I was drawing! What!"
"Dad wants attention?"
"Uh, Father, what's that in your hand?"
Choryeon eyed the item in my hand.
They had no clue.
I set it down and explained.
"This is snacks. Super tasty treat."
"Food?!"
Hwaryeon lunged.
I dodged her body slam.
"Gu Bong-gu gave 'em since kids' teeth might rot. Varieties, so one each, try 'em."
"Gu Bong-gu! Remember that human name! Ugly but nice!"
Gu Bong-gu earned favor via snack tribute.
Kids eyed the three snacks, pondering.
"Hmm, which one!"
"Hm, this looks yummy."
Suryeon reached for one.
Chocolate-coated stick snack, easy to eat.
"Open like this?"
Suryeon carefully unwrapped and took it out.
She spun it, inspecting like a researcher.
"Snack called this. Let's try."
Suryeon bit the stick.
Crunch.
Eyes widening, it suited her taste.
Suryeon munched while focusing on her smartphone.
Her efficient snacking eased my worries; I turned to Hwaryeon.
"What'd you pick, Hwaryeon?"
"This one!"
She proudly showed the bag.
Basic potato chips.
"Biggest! So tastiest!"
"Logical."
"Right?!"
Hwaryeon yanked both sides of the bag.
Unsettling.
"Why won't it open! Raaah!"
Too much force—bag tore, chips flew skyward.
Rustle!
"My snacks!"
They rained down.
"Clumsy."
I reached to scoop Hwaryeon's chips back.
But she saw it as theft?
"Don't touch! Mine!"
Grrr—
She swatted my hand, guarding them.
Like a dog with treats.
I waved it off.
"Fine, eat 'em all."
"Grr—I'll devour every one—!"
Pig.
How doesn't she gain weight?
I turned to last target, Choryeon.
She savored the remaining chocolate.
But.
"Choryeon."
"Yes, Dad!"
"Eating with chocolate all over your mouth?"
Face smeared.
These dragons need constant watching.
Oblivious, Choryeon offered chocolate.
"Hehe, so sweet and tasty, lost track! Want some, Dad?"
"No, I'm good."
"Don't refuse! Father! Ahh—"
Ahh—
I took a bite at her urging.
"Tasty."
"Right?"
Choryeon beamed innocently as I ate.
Maybe why.
The chocolate tasted sweeter.
'Can't leave 'em alone yet.'
I wiped Choryeon's chocolate-smeared mouth.
Thinking that inside.