Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Nine Years in the Making
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A week had passed since I'd gone to find Hyorin's heart.
Quite a few things and changes had happened in that time, but the biggest one by far was Jungeun's romance.
"Hey, you."
"Shh, don't say anything."
At his words, I narrowed my eyes.
"No, what do you mean don't say anything? You're telling me you've never dated until now because of Minji Gong?"
He nodded slightly at my question.
"Yeah, that's right."
"Man, you're something else."
He really was.
Even before my accident, Hyorin had felt bad seeing him always alone and offered to introduce him to a friend of hers.
But he'd stubbornly refused every time, and now it turned out there was a reason for it.
"So, what did Minji Gong say?"
"What would she say? It was a bit late, but we've decided to give it a try now that we've confirmed our feelings. No turning back—we're going straight ahead."
Of course, I wasn't against Jungeun dating or anything.
The reason I was reacting like this was because it'd taken them an absurdly long time to get here.
"If that's how it was, why didn't you two confirm your feelings sooner? Think of how great that would've been."
It had been a full nine years.
That was more than enough time to have figured out their feelings long ago.
Yet they'd foolishly circled around for nine whole years.
But Jungeun seemed to think the time hadn't been wasted.
"Minji said the same thing. That it turned out for the best."
"What?"
"The truth is, both Minji and I spent all that time without confirming our feelings for each other. I did a lot of thinking during those years. What if it was just youthful folly? What if it was only a fleeting emotion that brushed past?"
A faint smile played on Jungeun's face as he spoke.
"But it wasn't. The longer time went on, the deeper my feelings grew. Go ahead and call me an idiot—I can't argue. I was an idiot. But what can you do? The heart doesn't change."
The heart doesn't change.
That was so like Jungeun.
Even if I were in his shoes, I would've said the same.
How easily does a person's heart change?
Doesn't an unchanging heart feel even more precious?
"So why do you think it turned out for the best?"
He smiled at my question.
"We've decided to date with marriage in mind."
"What? You're serious?"
"Yeah. We've waited so long for each other already."
Wow, another couple had just been born like that.
Given how long it'd taken, I figured Jungeun would end up marrying Minji Gong.
"Park Jungeun getting married. Guess I'll stick around to see that."
"It's not that dramatic."
"Nah, honestly, I thought you liked guys."
Whoosh!
At that, Jungeun scowled deeply.
"If you're gonna say weird stuff like that, I'm out."
"Whoa, whoa, you just sat down. Where you going?"
Slurp.
He took a sip of his iced Americano and asked,
"So, when are you heading to the States?"
"Hmm, probably next week. The broadcast schedule's clear for two weeks then, so the timing's perfect."
"You're doing a week-long trip?"
"More precisely, nine days and seven nights."
Jungeun's voice took on a slightly worried tone.
"That said, I'm a bit concerned."
"About what?"
"The flight time. It's longer than you think. I wonder if Daeun can handle it."
Nod.
I'd been a little worried about that myself.
A flight over ten hours was tough even for adults.
"But it's all good. President Yoon booked us first class in case it might be hard."
"First class? Yeah, that's President Yoon for you. Her scale is on another level."
A quick search showed first-class seats cost over ten million won each.
Just for me and Daeun, that was easily over twenty million.
And yet President Yoon had booked first class for us anyway.
"With first class, at least Daeun can go comfortably."
"Yeah, all thanks to President Yoon."
It wasn't just the money—the consideration meant even more.
I was grateful for President Yoon's thoughtfulness.
"You got the passports sorted? Even if it's faster these days, it still takes a few weeks."
"Of course I did it already. Got the passports issued and applied for visas too."
"Wow, you're quick."
It wasn't just a casual trip to the States for fun. We were going officially invited by the company. To avoid any schedule issues, I'd handled it as fast as possible.
Smile.
"Yeah? Why the grin?"
I shook my head at Jungeun's question.
"Nah, nothing."
"What do you mean nothing? You thought of something funny."
He had to wonder since I'd suddenly smiled.
At his prodding, I played it off casually.
"No, it just reminded me of when we got the passports."
"Why? Did something funny happen?"
"Yeah, Daeun was super cute."
Smile.
Ah, thinking about it again. How adorable was Daeun back then?
I couldn't hold back the laugh at the memory, so Jungeun yanked his chair closer and asked,
"Tell me what happened."
"Huh? What?"
"Come on, tell me. I have a right to know everything about Daeun."
What right?
"Forget it. I gotta pick up Daeun soon anyway."
"Ah, didn't Director Go say to take your time? Just tell me this one story before you go. Please, seriously."
Typical Daeun fanatic.
The mention of Daeun had his eyes sparkling more than if it were about himself.
Seeing that, I gave him a sly smile and asked,
"You really wanna hear it?"
Nod!
"Yeah, I do."
I considered teasing him more, but his face looked like he'd cause a scene if I did, so I gave up.
"Fine. I'll tell you, so stop staring like that."
"Hurry up and spill."
Man, he was so impatient.
Chuckling at that, I recalled the memory from that day.
"Hmm, so what happened was..."
That day's events would probably stick in my memory for a long time.
Thud!
The moment we got out of the taxi, Daeun asked,
"Daddy, do we gotta take a photo to ride the airplane?"
"Yeah, we do."
"Okay! But last time we didn't take one!"
She was probably talking about the Jeju trip.
"Yeah, that was Jeju last time. This time it's America."
"Ami-goo?"
"Yeah, do you know any English, Daeun?"
"Eng-wish?"
"Yeah, like what you said when you first met President Yoon."
"Bye!"
"Right, that. That's English."
"Oh! I know that one! I say 'Hewwo, nice to meet you!' Watch! Um, hewwo, nice to meet you!"
"Whoa! Where'd you learn that?"
"Mommy said it a long time ago!"
Wow, she actually remembered and repeated it?
I had no idea if she understood now, but I had a strong feeling she'd make huge leaps in learning once she got a bit older.
Of course, only if she wanted to—no forcing it.
"But Daddy doesn't know Eng-wish?"
"Yeah, Daddy doesn't."
It felt like I should say I was good at it here, but sadly, I didn't know English.
I'd spent my life just painting; studying wasn't my thing.
Embarrassing as it was to admit the truth, I couldn't lie.
"Hmm, I don't know it."
I thought she'd be disappointed, but she replied brighter than expected.
"Good!"
"Good?"
"Yeah! Later when Daeun and Daddy learn Eng-wish together, we'll be the best! Together with Daddy!"
English with Daeun.
She seemed like as long as it was with me, she'd be happy with anything.
Nodding repeatedly at her words, I replied,
"Let's do that. We'll learn together later."
"Awesome!"
Having made that promise to study English someday, we headed to the photo studio on the second floor to get our pictures taken.
Creak.
Ding-a-ling!
Opening the door with the bell, the old photo studio smell hit us—a mix of sweet and musty.
Photos covered the walls everywhere.
ID photos, concept shots, even friendship pics of friends.
As we looked around in wonder, the middle-aged lady owner at the counter greeted us warmly.
"Welcome."
"Oh, hello. We're here to take some photos."
Approaching the counter with a greeting, she asked,
"What kind of photos?"
"Passport photos."
"For both of you?"
"Yes."
At the mention of passport photos, she smiled and pointed inside.
"Come on back for now."
Taking Daeun's hand, we went inside to a room with a camera, white backdrop, and a big TV.
Once we sat down as directed, she explained kindly,
"I'll give you enough for the passports. Planning to use them anywhere else?"
"Oh, just for passports for now..."
"In case you need them elsewhere, I'll send the original files separately."
"You give original files too?"
"Yes, of course. Oh, and by the way, put any leftover prints in a carrier after you get the passports. You might need photos again if you lose it."
Oh, I hadn't known that.
Thanks to her kind explanation, I picked up some useful info.
"Ready to take them now—who's first?"
At her question, I looked at Daeun and asked,
"Should Daddy go first?"
Nod!
"Yeah, Daddy first!"
She seemed a bit intimidated since it was her first time here.
The way she kept glancing around gave it away.
Best to just act normal and go first in these cases—she'd loosen up on her own.
"Yeah, Daddy'll go first then. Wait just a sec."
"Okay! Got it!"
With that, I turned to the owner and said,
"I'll go first."
"Then come sit here. Straighten your back, eyes forward... Yes, perfect."
Taking the photo didn't take as long as I'd thought.
About ten minutes.
As I was relieved it ended quicker than expected, she said,
"I'll do the editing after the little princess's photo."
"Ah, yes. I'll bring her over."
"Yes, thank you."
Getting up, I walked over to where Daeun was waiting.
And when I came out...
'Hm?'
Daeun was staring intently at one of the many photos hanging in the studio.
It was a family photo of a happy-looking family.
The kid in it seemed about Daeun's age, and it had this really bright vibe that she was fixated on.
Her expression was unreadable—what was she thinking?
'The kid...'
I didn't need to ask to sense what was in Daeun's heart.
We were a family who could never take a photo like that.
But she wouldn't be sad or anything.
If I got sad, she'd be even sadder—that much was obvious.
Rustle.
I approached her and asked,
"Looking at the photo, Daeun?"
Without taking her eyes off it, she replied,
"Yeah."
"It's a family photo."
"Yeah, they look super happy."
As I pondered what to say to her happy observation, Daeun said something unexpected.
"So Daeun wants one too!"
"Huh? What?"
"Daeun wants a family photo too!"
Family... photo