Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Father's Clumsy Bento
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After a bit of commotion, we returned to our ordinary daily routine.
As usual, we got up in the morning, prepared to send the kids to kindergarten, and kicked off a hectic day the moment our eyes opened.
"Everyone, brush your teeth first! Before you even open your eyes properly!"
"Nuuuh..."
Staggering along—
The dragon kids shuffled toward the bathroom like zombies.
While they washed up, I had to bustle about preparing breakfast.
"Sigh, things are gonna get even busier starting today."
Mornings were already killer, and now they'd be worse.
With a sigh, I glanced at the table.
Empty character-themed bento boxes sat there.
"What am I supposed to do if the kindergarten food tastes bad? Though, it wouldn't make sense for someone with Gu Bong-gu's face to be good at cooking anyway."
I sneak-dissed Gu Bong-gu and washed my hands at the sink.
To avoid being late for kindergarten, it was time to get started.
"Bento prep. First time, so it might not be great. Just eat it anyway, kids."
Laying down some insurance beforehand.
I pulled the bento ingredients I'd bought from the fridge.
"Rice, eggs, sausages, seaweed, kimchi, cherry tomatoes."
This should be enough.
Gripping the knife—now somewhat familiar—I scored the sausages.
Slice! Slice!
"Sausages like this should do."
In an instant, the octopus sausages were born.
Just then, Hwaryeon, fresh from brushing her teeth, spotted them, her eyes lighting up as she rushed over.
"Dad! Gimme that! I'm hungry!"
"This is for bento. Wait a sec."
"No way! I want sausage now!"
Raaargh—!
Hwaryeon suddenly leaped up, trying to snatch the octopus sausage from my hand.
If I hadn't pulled back, she probably would've chomped my fingers too.
"Hey, Hwaryeon! I said stay put!"
"Hmph, you're always telling me to stay put!"
"You almost ate my finger just now, you know?"
"So what! It could've happened! Fine! I'm gonna go change! "
Clatter-clatter—
With that, Hwaryeon kicked off her day with full energy.
She had a bit too much pep, but better that than none.
Anyway.
"Time to grill these sausages."
Mornings were rushed, so skip the Hwaryeon breath and use the gas stove.
I twisted the gas valve for the first time in ages and lit the burner.
Tssst—fwoosh—!
The familiar sound of the gas stove.
Once the frying pan was nicely heated, I tossed in the octopus sausages and gave them a light grill.
Then, without a sound, Suryeon's voice came from beside me.
"...That's cruel, Dad."
"Whoa, you scared me, Suryeon. When did you get here?"
"When you were turning sausages into octopuses."
Peek—
Suryeon stood on tiptoes, staring at the octopuses dancing on the frying pan.
"They're wriggling so hard. Like they're begging for their lives."
"You're getting all sentimental, Suryeon. Did your MBTI change or something lately?"
"No, it didn't. I just thought of real octopuses in the ocean. Anyway, Dad. Smart dragons don't buy into that superstition. Defining a dragon by a single trait? Ridiculous."
"Hmm, fair enough."
It was pretty trendy back in my day.
Maybe because it's been over twenty years since then.
Suryeon couldn't wrap her head around it at all.
"Octopus sausages are done."
Thanks to their diligent dancing on the pan.
A nice batch of perfectly grilled octopus sausages was ready.
I divided them evenly into the kids' character bentos.
"Hwaryeon gets the Game Ranger Red bento..."
"Yay!"
"Suryeon gets the blue ninja with the weird one eye bento..."
"Nice."
"Choryeon gets the green one with the lush forest design..."
"I love it, Father! Thank you!"
Good.
Octopus sausages distributed fairly.
Then I whipped up three fried eggs, added seaweed and kimchi to the rice, tossed in cherry tomatoes for dessert, and finally finished all the bentos.
Wiping sweat from my brow, I muttered.
"Whew, first day making bentos and I'm dying already. Every day like this?"
Maybe I'd get used to it eventually.
Who knows.
I packed the bentos into the kids' bags and quickly wrapped some seaweed around rice balls to stuff in their mouths.
Time was short.
"Ah, spent too long on bentos! Hurry up and get ready, everyone!"
Being late wasn't a big deal.
But kids needed to learn about keeping to schedules early on.
I shoved rice balls wrapped in seaweed into their mouths and hustled outside.
"I'm gonna be first! Get outta my way!"
"At this pace, we'll arrive right on time. No need to rush."
"Father, come with me! Don't leave me behind! If you do, I'll litter on the ground!"
Dash-dash-dash—
I grabbed Choryeon's hand—she was lagging—and we all ran to kindergarten together.
Today's start was chaotic as ever.
But smiles bloomed on our faces as we raced toward kindergarten.
Unlike the sprouts starting to bow their heads in the chilly weather.
***
Kindergarten lunchtime.
The kids hustled to quiet their growling stomachs.
"What'd you bring for lunch? I got kimbap!"
"Mine’s inari sushi! Mom made it!"
Kids with parents prepped their bentos.
They snuck smirks at the ones eating school lunch.
Hwaryeon frowned, standing from her seat.
"Huh? Can't you open your eyes properly!? You punks?!"
"..."
Of course, Hwaryeon's glare shut them down quick.
But they were always eyeing a chance to reclaim their throne.
Kids always wanted to shine the brightest.
"Hmph, do that again and you're dead!"
Hwaryeon sorted the situation and sat back down.
She rummaged in her bag and pulled out the bento I'd packed.
"Dad made lunch today! Finally, something tasty! Hehe!"
Giggle-giggle—
Unable to hide her grin, Hwaryeon hummed and popped open the lid.
"Ta-da!"
Appetizing octopus sausages.
Fried egg atop the rice.
Neatly arranged seaweed and kimchi in the corner.
Cherry tomatoes for dessert.
A bit crooked in presentation, but the effort made for a decent bento.
"Delish!"
Slurp—
Hwaryeon wiped her drool, grabbed her fork, and shoveled rice in—nom nom.
Suryeon grimaced a bit and whispered.
"Even for Hwaryeon sis, that's too undignified. You should eat like me."
Swoosh—
Suryeon tucked tissue around her neck like a bib.
Then, like nobility, she started eating with her fork.
"Dragons must maintain dignity like this, Hwaryeon sis. Unlike humans. We have to match our power with poise."
"Hmph, what're you on about! Looks uncomfortable! Gross! Gimme!"
"What're you doing, Hwaryeon sis!"
Swish—
Hwaryeon snatched the tissue and shoved it right up her nose.
And.
"Achoo—!!"
"..."
"Ahh, refreshing! Weather's chilly, got a runny nose! Nose is wide open now! Want some?"
"...No thanks. Don't talk to me."
Glare—
Suryeon shot Hwaryeon a look and went back to eating normally.
Her internet-inspired attempt had failed.
"...It looked cool, though."
Nom—
Suryeon expressed her regret while popping an octopus sausage in her mouth.
Meanwhile, Choryeon stared at her bento with a troubled frown.
"Hmm... Hmmm..."
Scowling in deep thought.
Hwaryeon stretched out her fork and asked.
"Choryeon, not eating? Gimme that sausage then?"
"Nooo! It's from Father, that's why I'm hesitating! Eat it and we're done, sis!"
"Hmph, too picky to eat! Fine!"
Hwaryeon backed off at Choryeon's fierce protest.
"Hmmm..."
Choryeon kept pondering her bento.
Then she nodded to herself, picked it up, and stood.
"It's a shame, but this feels right."
Choryeon headed to another table.
Min-gu's group was there, eating school lunch.
She held out her bento to the staring crew.
"Here, five octopus sausages! Share nicely! I'm vegetarian, so it's fine!"
Swoosh—
Bento extended to Min-gu's gang.
They exchanged glances, flustered.
But eyeing the perfectly sliced sausages, they gulped and tentatively reached with forks.
"Th-thanks..."
"You're the first to share bento food with us..."
Bow—
Min-gu's crew bowed in thanks.
Choryeon beamed back.
"No biggie! I just did what I wanted!"
Sparkle-sparkle—
Her radiant smile blinded them.
"Argh! My eyes! I can't see!"
"Light! Only light! She's gotta be an angel!"
Their reactions were spot-on.
With that, Choryeon shared her food, returned, and started on her bento.
"Hmm, looking closer, the fried egg's a bit burnt."
"Then don't eat it."
"When did I say I wouldn't, Suryeon sis? I'm eating!"
Nom—
The kids enjoyed Father's clumsy bento for lunch at kindergarten.
Maybe because they could smell Dad even there.
All their bentos came home empty.
A peaceful, everyday day.