Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Painter Son Jeongsun's Solo Exhibition
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I received an invitation to Painter Son Jeongsun's solo exhibition.
It was her third solo show, running for about two weeks starting tomorrow, Friday.
'Even so, since I got invited, I should dress up nicely.'
The clothes I was wearing were mostly from five years ago.
Hyorin had taken good care of them, so they were still wearable, but it was time to buy something appropriate.
'And while I'm out, I should get some clothes for Daeun too.'
The moment I heard about the invitation to Painter Son Jeongsun's solo exhibition, I came home and checked what clothes Daeun had.
She had pants, tops, and even some dresses.
But.
'They're all worn out.'
Of course. Daeun probably hadn't spent properly on anything to cover my hospital bills. Clothes would have been one of those things.
'This is the perfect chance to buy her some new ones.'
Since I'd already decided to accept sponsorship from the director, I had no intention of skimping on costs to raise Daeun.
That was the whole point of the sponsorship in the first place.
But even with that resolve, one problem arose.
"......Hmm."
Where on earth do you buy kids' clothes?
Not just where to shop, but I was even doubting if I could pick out anything suitable for Daeun.
Rustle.
Just then, our eyes met as Daeun flipped the page in her sketchbook, apparently done drawing.
"Daddy."
"Yeah?"
I gave a bland smile at the sudden call, and Daeun tilted her head.
"Daddy's mouth is sticking out."
"Yeah, Daddy's mouth..."
I must have been grimacing without realizing it while worrying.
I needed help from someone, but I had no idea who to ask.
"Daddy's mouth was sticking out a lot."
Nod!
"Yeah, Daddy's mouth was sticking out this much."
She gestured with her hands to show how much.
'At that point, you'd call it a duck beak, brother.'
Daeun's exaggeration was pretty extreme. I chuckled and pretended to shove my mouth back in with my hand.
"Can't have Daddy turning into a duck, so I better fix it quick."
At that moment, Daeun clapped her hands to her mouth and giggled.
"Daddy's not turning into a duck."
Her exaggerated kid laughter wasn't over the top at all—it was peak cuteness.
Gulp.
'This is serious trouble.'
It had been almost two weeks since I met Daeun, but for some reason, she seemed cuter and more lovable with each passing day.
Now, she was so adorable that just breathing made my face melt.
"Quack quack!"
So I didn't hesitate to ham it up in ways I normally wouldn't.
"Daddy duck!"
To be precise, Daeun loved when I acted like this, so I couldn't help myself.
I widened my eyes and shoved my face close.
"Quack quack quack quack!"
As I waddled toward her quacking like a duck, Daeun burst into hysterics.
"Heehee, D-Daddy stop! Daeun heehee! My, my tummy hurts!"
Watching her clutch her belly and laugh made me start laughing too, in this weird, infectious way.
"So funny haha, that funny huh hahaha! Funny hahahaha!"
Laughter is contagious, they say.
Daeun's laughter infected me, turning into full-blown guffaws.
"Daddy! Heehee, my tummy hurts!"
And my laughter looped back to her, making her laugh even harder.
We finally calmed down after what felt like forever.
Wipe.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and looked at Daeun.
"Ahaha, I haven't laughed that hard in ages."
At that, Daeun flopped onto the desk and said,
"Daeun's tired. So tired."
A little chuckle wouldn't wear her out, but we'd been roaring with laughter for a while. Even I was exhausted as an adult—what about her?
I spoke to Daeun, still face-planted on the desk, about what I'd meant to say amid the laughs.
"Wanna go shopping for clothes with Daddy today?"
"Clothes?"
She looked down at herself and said,
"Daeun has clothes! This one!"
She pointed to what she was wearing, and I shook my head with a smile.
"No, Daeun. Daddy got invited to Painter Son Jeongsun's solo exhibition tomorrow. Wanna go buy something to wear then?"
"Do you have to buy clothes to go there?"
We didn't strictly need to buy anything.
Our usual clothes would be fine, but it was our first invitation to a solo show, so dressing up nice would be better.
But explaining all that to a five-year-old Daeun was tricky.
'How should I put this?'
As I pondered, a good idea hit me.
"No, it's more like... we wanna look good for all those paintings we'll see."
Sparkle!
Daeun's eyes lit up big.
"The paintings will see Daeun?"
"Yeah, the paintings will see Daeun too. So if we wear something pretty, won't the paintings like it?"
Daeun nodded eagerly, face full of anticipation.
"Yeah! Daeun wants new clothes! The paintings will say Daeun's pretty!"
"Alright, let's go buy some pretty clothes."
I'd convinced Daeun, but one issue remained.
Actually buying the clothes.
I figured I'd search online before heading out on how to shop for kids' clothes.
Bzzz.
That's when an unexpected savior appeared.
It was none other than...
[Aram Go]
Aram Go, who had also been invited to Painter Son Jeongsun's solo exhibition.
She must have known our situation roughly.
When I asked, she happily agreed to make time for Daeun.
"Thanks so much for helping out."
"No problem. It's graduation season anyway, so I've got plenty of time."
Turns out Aram Go was a college student on the verge of graduating. She'd joined the mural project for experience and to broaden her horizons...
As a side note, I'd heard it was like a vacation she'd given herself during the grueling prep for her senior project.
The graduation exhibition was...
'At the end of next month.'
Having this much free time before the end-of-next-month show meant she was already done preparing.
Or maybe some other reason.
'Anyway, the timing...'
For art university students, the graduation exhibition might be the most important event.
Famous gallery directors attend, and even well-known painters show up on professors' invites.
It could be the first real stage to make a name for yourself.
I'd met Director Go there myself.
And the timing matched the school I'd attended.
So I asked, just in case.
"Uh, what school did you say again, Aram?"
"My school?"
I nodded.
"I was wondering if I knew it."
"Oh, right. If you're art majors, you might. Ever heard of Han Ye Art University?"
'Of course. How could I not?'
It was where I'd graduated from.
Nod.
"I'm an alum too."
"Really? Wow!"
Aram Go jumped in surprise and asked,
"When did you graduate?"
"When... about eight years ago."
"Ah! Then you must know Painter Kanghyeok Lee. I love his work..."
The moment my name dropped, silence fell.
"Uh, um, is your name... by any chance..."
She seemed to know but asked anyway, so I repeated it.
"I'm Kanghyeok Lee."
"While you were at school... was there another guy with the same name?"
"It's me, the one you're thinking of."
Aram Go was stunned.
Her jaw dropped, and she stumbled back a few steps. I couldn't help but chuckle.
'Well, I've never shown my face much.'
My name was famous from articles, but my face? Not so much.
That explained the reaction.
"Why'd you hide it?"
They say people blurt nonsense when flustered. That was probably Aram Go right now.
"I never hid."
"Oh..."
I'd never lied about my name or deliberately painted badly.
I was just Painter Kanghyeok Lee, and I hadn't bragged about how great my paintings were.
"S-Sorry."
Realizing her mistake late, she apologized and stepped closer again.
"But really, are you Painter Kanghyeok Lee?"
Nod.
"Yes."
"They said you had an accident. Are you okay?"
She knew a lot about me, which was surprising.
"Yeah, as you can see, perfectly healthy."
"That's a relief. Really. So many people loved your style."
Haha, she knew just how to flatter.
"You don't have to hype me up like that."
"No way! Among our school's grads, you're the most famous."
Somehow, it turned into a one-on-one with a junior alum.
I quickly smiled and changed the subject.
"But is this the right place? Doesn't look like a baby clothes store..."
"Yes, oh, baby clothes! Yeah. There's a kids' section on the fifth floor of this outlet."
"Oh, kids' section."
"Yeah, I've come a few times shopping for my niece. That's how I knew."
Mentioning her niece brought a fleeting wistfulness to Aram Go's eyes, gone in a flash.
I wondered briefly, but she snapped back and held out her hand to Daeun.
"Daeun, wanna go in with Auntie?"
Daeun, super excited, clutched her chest and said,
"Daeun's heart is thump-thump!"
"Oh my gosh, so cute. How is even your excitement this adorable, Daeun? Come on, let's go check out the clothes!"
"Yeah!"
With that, Daeun grabbed Aram Go's hand and headed into the outlet.
Watching them, I felt inexplicably happy, grinned wide, and followed.
After browsing a few stores, in one shop.
I heard Aram Go's excited voice—she'd found something she liked.
"Oh my! This would look perfect on Daeun. Wanna try it on, Daeun?"
"Wow! Pretty!"
At Daeun's voice, I approached casually.
And the clothes Aram Go was holding...
Whoosh!
I tried to peek, but she spotted me and hid it quick.
'Why...'
When I eyed her questioningly, she fully tucked the clothes behind her back.
"Better to see it on. If I help her try it, is that okay?"
I thought for a sec.
'We need clothes for tomorrow anyway.'
That was part of why I'd called her.
Nod.
"I should be thanking you. Daeun, can you go change with Auntie Aram?"
"Yeah! I can do it!"
"Good girl, Daeun. Auntie'll help, so try it on. Then show Daddy! Sound fun?"
"Love it!"
They hurried into the fitting room.
Swish!
Not long after.
Aram Go's voice came from inside.
"Oh my oh my oh my!"
Her gasp-like exclamation piqued my curiosity—what could it be?
She called out to me waiting outside.
"Don't be too shocked! Here we go!"
What was there to be shocked about?
Still, her excitement for Daeun felt genuine, so it wasn't bad...
Swish!
The curtain parted, and for a split second, it was like a halo flashed... no, not a halo.
Daeun's beaming smile just made it seem that way.
Daeun asked,
"Daddy, how's Daeun?"
How? Wondering if it suited her, I guess. For that, I had only one thing to say.
Smooth.
A pink dress with a big ribbon on top that matched perfectly with the dolphin hairpin Hyorin had done that morning.
I got why Aram Go reacted like that.
One word for this Daeun:
"Ugh. You're too cute!"
...Super duper cute.