Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Affair Scene
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“Uh...?”
Isia's pupils darted wildly. Her brain had long since frozen solid.
Humans really do have a limit to what they can accept. She knew it was absurd, but the moment she saw the scene in front of her, Isia's mind shut down.
[Who's that?]
Golden hair, blue eyes, a face that would surely grow into a beauty's. A tiny frame that looked about five years old.
And that wasn't all. Lee Seong-hoon—who never spared a thought for anyone else—was holding her tenderly.
He had drawn his legs together to cradle the little girl in his arms. Even as their eyes met, his arms didn't loosen around her.
“Ah, hello...?”
And that flustered expression. Lee Seong-hoon, who wouldn't normally even greet her, was actually saying hello.
Every detail backed up Isia's suspicions. She tried to think otherwise, but her frozen brain could only reach one conclusion.
“A-are you not going to greet me back...? Haha.”
She ignored his awkward laugh. She glanced at the girl in his arms, then down at herself.
Her long straight hair, tied back over her shoulder, blocked her view. She could see the cardigan she'd thrown on because her swimsuit was embarrassing.
“...”
For some reason, she felt pathetic. She'd been fine just moments ago. This was weird.
Isia looked back at the two of them, her pupils trembling.
It can't be.
It couldn't be. It was summer vacation, right? At the beach, no less. Maybe he was babysitting, or she was his cousin.
It had to be something like that.
Even if it's not.
Even if it wasn't, she wouldn't feel this pathetic, would she? Isia shook her head as those thoughts reached that point.
He was her classmate, her friend, her master.
So Isia decided to ask first. Trusting the man named Lee Seong-hoon. She opened her mouth to speak—
[Daddy. Who's that person?]
“Levatein, hold on a sec.”
[Mommy said to hurry back.]
“Levatein.”
[Why?]
“No, I mean. She looks tasty, right?”
[Yeah!!]
Haha. Lee Seong-hoon looked up with an embarrassed laugh, his eyes meeting Isia's.
“Daddy...?”
“No, that's not—”
“Mommy...?”
“Let's talk this out. I think there's a misunderstanding.”
[Daddy!!]
“Levatein!!”
Lee Seong-hoon panicked and covered the girl's mouth, but Isia had already heard. Her body involuntarily stepped back.
What was this feeling? It was natural to be shocked if a classmate had a kid. But this felt a little off.
Something. Something was different. With that sensation, Isia backed away. Her mouth fell open on its own.
“Tra...sh...”
“Trash?”
“TRASH!!!!!”
She bolted from the spot. She squeezed her eyes shut as she ran, but Isia couldn't understand why she was running.
She just ignored the voice calling from behind.
—Wait!! Let's talk!!!!
Talks were for people. There was no talking with trash.
That was Isia's conclusion.
“Isia.”
“...Yes.”
Whew.
I let out a heavy sigh, then fed Levatein one of the skewers I'd bought and continued.
“You should hear people out to the end.”
“I thought you weren't human.”
“Then what, am I some beast?”
“Seong-hoon, apologize to the beasts. Isia's calling you trash. Trash in English.”
What are you? Why's Isia nodding? What are you two?
What was with this scolding duo? I ignored Raphael, whose face had soured for some reason, and talked to Isia.
“So this kid's your cousin?”
“Yeah. Raphael's.”
“Ah, so that's why she looks like her. I had no idea.”
“Right. We came on vacation together this time. Isn't that right, Seong-hoon?”
“Just eat.”
“I am eating.”
She wasn't. Her pasta was just twirled around her fork, uneaten. What was she going on about?
I put my hand on her head and told her to eat. Only then did she start. Whether we fussed or not, Isia rested her chin on her hand and stared at Levatein.
“So why does she call you Daddy...?”
“Kids only know a few words, so that's what they say.”
“Is that so...?”
It kinda made sense~? Isia tilted her head. Good, it worked. But it's not wrong.
Ask something else. I could perfectly counter anything.
[Liar meow.]
“Liar.”
“...”
I shoved away the blonde with the fork in her mouth sidling up next to me and the cat on her shoulder.
“Hmm... she is cute.”
Isia tilted her head, then waved her hand. Levatein looked at it, then up at me.
As if asking what to do—
[Daddy, what do?]
“If you do it for real, what then.”
[Huh?]
“It's rude in front of others. Come on, what do you say when someone greets you?”
[Hewwo.]
Levatein bowed her head at my words. I looked up, pleased—
“...”
Isia stared back with a sullen expression. What? What's the problem? First time seeing someone raise a daughter?
“Really your cousin?”
“Yeah.”
“Raphael's cousin, but why are you closer to her?”
“Huh?”
What do I say to that? It wasn't in my script. As I stood there dumbfounded under Isia's expectant gaze, Raphael pulled Levatein into her lap.
“She's always been like that.”
What now? I looked at the blonde. Her face was nonchalant, as if stating the obvious, feeding Levatein as she continued.
“She's been that way since way back. We're just babysitting on this trip.”
“Yes, since way back?”
“Yeah.”
I whispered in Raphael's ear while watching the flustered Isia. Best to shut up in this situation; it'd help my case by half.
I knew it was common knowledge, and Raphael was a good actress. I knew, but...
“Liar.”
I couldn't stand being played. Raphael's serene face cracked at my words. She stood, holding Levatein—
“This child is me and Seong-hoon's— Mmph!! Mmph!!!!”
“Quiet!! Be quiet!!”
My bad!
“Sorry.”
Maldives beachfront. Isia and I walked the sandy shore as waves rolled in.
Why? Simple. I didn't want to risk anything awkward with Levatein around, so I brought Isia out.
Being with that little miss makes me weird. I don't feel like myself. I turn into Daddy without realizing.
“It's understandable you'd misunderstand. Even Sophia did.”
“Sophia knows too?”
“Yeah. She caught us hanging out last time. Before midterms, I think—”
What? Why that face. She looked dissatisfied, kicking at the sand. Wondering what was wrong, I looked closer—
And turned away.
Couldn't stare. It was different from usual. Not her long straight hair, but side-tied. Cardigan down to her thighs.
Dunno why, but I couldn't look directly. So I just walked. Subtly changed the subject.
“You have the Post-it I gave you?”
“Yes.”
“Coming here makes it pointless.”
I gave it so she could find me in danger, but her following kinda ruined it. Even if coincidence.
“I-it's a coincidence, okay?! I just happened to come to the Maldives!!”
“Just disappointed. I finally got to play cool for once, and now it's embarrassing.”
Real talk. Like waving goodbye to a friend on the way home, only for it to be the same direction—awkward.
Isia walked beside me at my words. Her tied hair fell by her shoulder.
“Not at all.”
“Really? Thanks anyway.”
I grinned, and Isia nodded.
We walked like that for a while before she seemed to remember something, trotting up—
“About the mana exhaustion last time.”
“Ah, that.”
“You said thanks.”
Thanks. Really thankful. I'd be dead otherwise. I nodded, and she continued as if waiting.
“If you're thankful—”
I doubted my ears at what followed.
For real?
“Hey.”
“Yes!!”
Splash—!! Splash—!!
Mad splashing sounds. And the soft hand gripping mine tight. Very stimulating for a 25-year lifelong singleton like me, but...
My brow furrowed.
“If you can't swim, why come to the Maldives!!”
Isia didn't answer my shout. No place to look, sure, but I'd turned tiger instructor, teaching her.
“What if you can't swim?”
“Use magic!!”
“Then use it now!!”
“Using magic while playing feels weird?”
At least say something. Please. I held Isia's hand, moving across the water. Keeping her afloat like this ain't easy.
“Splash 50 times.”
Isia's face crumpled, but that wasn't my problem.
Can't survive later without swimming. Gotta swim even in lava to live.
Do you get it? This desire to keep you alive?
“Eek—!!”
No way. Scared, eyes shut, I gripped her hand tight. Fear water, can't swim.
Obvious, so I held tight, waiting for her to open her eyes. Soon, before 50, she did.
“Isia.”
“Y-yes?”
“Don't be scared. I'm holding you.”
She looked at our interlocked hands and nodded. Cheeks faintly flushed.
Embarrassing for me too. Blushing. But gotta do it.
“Just moving forward today is great.”
“Can I?”
“Obviously.”
Elementary kids can. 17-year-old can't? Recommend kindergarten.
Hated that idea, so Isia nodded. I led her hand.
This time, eyes open, swimming. Good job. Isia.
No, means she trusts me that much. Not me being great?
“That's right.”
As I nodded, Isia splashed wildly—probably thinking 'swim practice in Maldives? Rich people?'—
A spray hit. Couldn't resist the sudden burst.
Golden hair. Blue eyes. And beside her, a kid with matching hair and eyes clinging.
Both with playful grins, charging me.
“Affair scene captured!!”
[Captured!!]
[Nya, nyaaong~]
“You too, Lachesis! Gotta match!!”
I heard the oblivious cat's cry as Raphael, bursting from the water, tackled me.