Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: A Special Birthday Morning
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After Officer Kim Sucheol visited our studio, another day passed.
Today might just be the most important day since Daeun and I first met.
Rustle.
I woke up at 5 a.m., before even 6, checked that Daeun was still asleep, and immediately called somewhere.
"You're up?"
-Of course. Sleeping in on a day like today wouldn't even be human.
Nod.
On any other day, I might've teased him or just laughed it off, but like Jungeun said, today wasn't a day to let it slide.
"Preparations?"
-I've told everyone I know. They'll be there on time, no doubt.
I nodded at his words and replied.
"Good. I'll handle everything here, so come to the studio on time. Please."
-Don't worry. It's important to you, but it's important to us too.
Had Jungeun ever felt this reliable?
"Alright, I'll call again later."
Click.
I hung up and pulled out the mountain of ingredients I'd bought the evening before.
Scallions and onions, radish and all sorts of vegetables. Meat and everything else too.
Anyone seeing it might think we were throwing a party.
Nod.
'A party, exactly.'
A party for Daeun that only happened once a year!
I planned to tackle dishes I'd never tried before in my life.
Today's menu: japchae, galbi, various jeon, and finally the seaweed soup made with fresh seaweed that Daeun had wanted.
I wasn't sure if I'd finish everything on time, but I intended to give it my all.
Clatter.
That's why I was rushing around from early morning.
'First, the galbi—it takes the longest.'
I soaked the rib meat I'd bought in water to draw out the blood, then started prepping vegetables for the side dishes.
I double-checked the recipe I'd looked up beforehand to make sure I wasn't messing anything up.
Clatter, bubble bubble.
Before I knew it, an hour had flown by even though I hadn't accomplished much.
'What? Why's it already 6:30?'
I'd definitely woken up at 5.
And nothing was properly done yet.
At this rate, I'd be cooking right up until after 8 when Daeun woke up.
Of course, it wasn't that I didn't want her to see me cooking.
On a day this important, wasting time just on cooking wouldn't make sense.
Grip.
No matter what, I was determined to finish all the food prep before Daeun woke up.
Because this was going to be the most meaningful time for me and Daeun.
'Hah, let's do this!'
With that thought, I kept at the cooking.
9 a.m. Daeun woke up 30 minutes later than usual.
But...
Thud.
'Why... why am I still cooking?'
Click.
As Daeun shuffled into the living room rubbing her eyes, I hastily picked myself up from where I'd collapsed and greeted her with a smile.
"Daeun, sleep well?"
"Daddy, Daeun smells yummy."
"Ahaha, yeah, Daddy's cooking."
It was still half-done.
I'd planned to finish everything perfectly before she woke up and make the day meaningful...
But my plan felt derailed from the start.
Pat pat.
At my words, Daeun walked into the kitchen and looked over everything I'd made.
Then she smiled.
"Daddy, house super messy. Hee!"
"Ah, y-yeah, I was gonna clean up after, but it's not done yet... hahaha!"
I'd meant to just take out one bunch of scallions to chop, but the roots dragged dirt everywhere.
The counter was littered with vegetable scraps like a testament to my chopping, spilled seasonings were a given, and ugh—it was a total disaster.
But Daeun just kept laughing at the mess.
"Daddy same as Daeun."
"Yeah, just like Daeun."
"Mommy says. Daddy no good at cleaning."
"Yeah, Mommy said that."
"Yeah, Mommy laughs when Daeun makes mess, says every day. Daeun and Daddy twins, super match!"
Her hee! laugh was so adorable.
'Come to think of it, we do have a lot in common.'
That was my working style too.
No matter what, I could only relax after finishing the work and cleaning up.
Otherwise, my efficiency tanked.
Hyorin always nagged and cleaned up for me back then.
Stroke.
I gave Daeun a meaningful look and asked.
"You clean up after finishing too, Daeun?"
"Yeah!"
"Just like Daddy?"
"Yeah! Same!"
For some reason, a strong sense of kinship washed over me.
So I crouched down to her level and said.
"Then you get how Daddy feels. I have to finish everything before cleaning to feel at ease. But Mommy always nags and cleans for me."
"Yeah yeah! Same!"
"The nagging was super annoying, but I loved that about Mommy. Cleaning was a huge hassle, honestly."
Beam!
"Same!"
I laughed at her empathetic reply.
"Miss Mommy, right?"
Nod.
"Yeah, Daeun miss Mommy."
"But we'll tough it out, okay?"
"Yeah! Daeun tough with Daddy! Like Daddy, super strong!"
Stroke stroke.
I patted her head at her proud response.
Then I stood up, looked at the disastrous kitchen, and let out a long sigh.
"Whew! Alright, back to it?"
I still had a long way to go, but I couldn't skip today's main dishes.
But there was that saying.
"Before that... Daeun!"
"Yeah!"
"Shall we eat first?"
"Yay!"
Even Mount Geumgang is best after a meal!
I left the messy kitchen and hurriedly set the breakfast table.
By the time I'd finished cooking and cleaning, it was past 11.
I hadn't planned to take this long—first-time cooking and all the mistakes naturally stretched it out.
But thankfully, Daeun had waited patiently.
Once everything was done.
"Daeun, Daddy's gonna make a quick call in the bedroom."
"Okay! Daeun draw picture!"
"Alright."
I told her I'd be in the master bedroom for a call, then dialed Jungeun as soon as I entered.
A short ring, and he picked up.
"Hello?"
-I was just about to call you. All set?
"Yeah, food's ready. About to head out."
-Then leave in 30 and bring the food.
"Yeah, thanks. Lunch will probably be out, dinner..."
-Just focus on spending time with Daeun. Time, place, people, gifts, prep—everything's perfect.
Classic Jungeun.
"Thanks."
-It's Daeun's birthday. Of course. I'm her one and only uncle.
Well, not exactly the only one.
"Yeah, I'll leave the food at the entrance when I go. You know the code?"
-Yeah, I'll text when I pick it up.
"Okay! Let's nail the end too."
-You don't forget to give Daeun your all today.
My heart swelled with gratitude.
Snicker.
"Yeah, thanks."
Click.
I hung up and sighed softly.
'Alright, no mistakes from here. Let's do this right.'
Honestly, my morning plan to finish cooking before Daeun woke had failed spectacularly.
But I wasn't about to mess up the rest of the day.
For a happy birthday perfectly etched in Daeun's memory.
Click.
With that resolve, I opened the door—and Daeun, who was drawing outside...
"Daddy, Daeun found this! This Daeun's!"
'Ah...'
A small gift prettily wrapped in paper.
I'd hidden it so she wouldn't find it, but how?
Stunned by her sudden declaration, I smiled awkwardly and approached.
"Wh-where'd you find this?"
"Up high! On top!"
I'd put it on her bookshelf thinking she wouldn't see it up there.
She even used a stool...
"O-Our Daeun has great observation skills!"
"This Daeun's!"
No point hiding it now.
"Yeah, same. It was a gift Daddy prepared to give you if you found it."
"Wow! Thanks Daddy!"
She excitedly tore into the birthday gift I'd wrapped last night.
Rip!
'Farewell... my gift!'
At least there was a silver lining: this wasn't the only gift I'd prepared for her.
Just one got found...
'Still a bit disappointing.'
I'd picked it out so carefully for her; I wanted to surprise her more.
Oh well.
Rip!
Daeun shredded the wrapping in seconds and pulled out the gift inside.
"Daddy! It's a doll!"
What I'd gotten her was a bunny doll.
When we came home after her discharge, while tidying the whole house, I'd realized there were no dolls.
It might not be her taste, but I figured one wouldn't hurt, so I bought it for this occasion.
"Like it?"
She nodded vigorously.
"Yeah! Super cute! Daeun loves bunny!"
Knew it.
Maybe because she loved the bunny doll I'd given her, but Daeun looked even cuter.
More than the doll itself.
Then she looked at me and said.
"Daddy, thank you!"
"Yeah."
"For Daeun's present!"
It was a birthday gift, but since she'd found it early, I decided not to specify to avoid diluting the meaning.
But she loved it.
That's what mattered, right?
"Daddy's more thankful—you found his hidden gift."
Hee-!
Daeun beamed and hugged the bunny doll tight.
"Softie, so soft."
The fluffy fur had her repeating "softie"—how was she this cute?
Watching her, I glanced at the clock and smiled.
"Alright, time to head out? Gotta get to the studio and draw."
"Oh, right!"
She started to set the bunny aside...
'Yeah.'
But stopped and hugged it tight again.
Then looked at me.
"Daddy!"
"Yeah?"
"Today only, Daeun go with Softie Bunny? Please?"
"To the studio?"
"Yeah! Daeun wants go with Softie Bunny!"
She pleaded with those adorable eyes.
"Pretty please!"
Who could say no to that look?
My plans had gone awry one by one, but maybe that's why I got to see this happiness.
Talking about Mommy while cooking, seeing Daeun get extra cute wanting to bring the bunny.
'Life's full of surprises.'
That's what makes it meaningful.
Looking at Daeun sweetly begging, I said.
"Shall we take Softie Bunny to see the studio?"
Beam!
"Yay!!!"