Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Graffiti Heaven
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Thud.
As I stepped out of the car, a graffiti paradise unfolded right before my eyes.
One side of the building was covered in a riot of colorful paintings and letters.
"Wow!"
Daeun was clearly overwhelmed by the massive artwork too, craning her neck all the way back to look up at it.
That's when President Yoon, standing beside me, spoke up.
"I've caught glimpses while passing by, but this is the first time seeing it up close like this."
"You've never come to check it out before?"
"Hmm, no real reason to."
"Ah."
Yeah, for President Yoon, paintings were more like a tool to evoke emotions.
The dozens of my works hanging in her place back home were proof of that.
"Still, it's nice to see some different art after so long."
Her expression remained as blank as ever, though.
Well, if she says it's nice, then it must be.
We wandered along, following the murals and taking in various pieces.
Then, out of the blue, Daeun asked,
"Daddy, but is this dwawing?"
"Yeah, this is."
"Yeah, not a doodle!"
Hmm, honestly, at this scale, it felt like it had long transcended the whole "doodle" category.
Back in the day, people dismissed it as graffiti, but nowadays, it was widely recognized as art.
And for good reason—there were even anonymous artists using it to satirize society.
So I gave her a quick rundown on graffiti's history.
"It started out as real doodles. But now people see it as proper artwork."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. That's why they've put it out here for everyone to enjoy."
As I said that, I crouched down and asked,
"What do you think, Daeun? Does that graffiti over there look like a doodle to you?"
She shook her head vigorously.
"No! It's super cool!"
That's when a sudden curiosity hit me.
I wondered if even with something unconventional like a mural, Daeun could still sense the artist's feelings.
With that in mind, I asked tentatively,
"But Daeun, can you feel the person who painted this picture's emotions in it?"
How would she answer?
I waited eagerly for her response.
She glanced back at the graffiti once more to answer.
And when her eyes returned to me, she gave her verdict.
"No!"
"Yeah, you can't feel it?"
"Yeah! Can't feel it!"
*How intriguing.*
It was an unexpected reply.
I'd assumed that no matter what kind of painting it was, Daeun would intuitively grasp the artist's emotions.
I turned my gaze back to the artwork.
What made it different, exactly?
Honestly, to my eyes, it didn't look all that different from a regular painting.
Just... bigger.
Right then, as she stared at it, Daeun piped up.
"That's why it's so amazing!"
"Yeah, amazing, huh?"
"Yeah!"
I'd been about to ask what specifically, but then it clicked why she found it amazing.
This might be the first time she'd ever looked at a painting without sensing the artist's emotions.
*Just like a normal person.*
Daeun always prioritized the painter's feelings when viewing art.
But appreciating the work itself, as is, without the emotions?
That could definitely feel novel.
I smiled and said,
"Right now, Daeun and Daddy are seeing the exact same painting."
"Yeah, same painting?"
She seemed confused at first, but then it sank in.
Her face gradually lit up.
"Right! Same picture!"
President Yoon spoke to Daeun, who was beaming like a flower in full bloom.
"I'm glad I came along too."
"I was thinking the same. It's more fun with you here."
"Besides that."
"Hm?"
If not that, then why say she was glad to join?
President Yoon pointed to one spot and explained.
"I think I can treat you two to some ice cream."
At the word "ice cream," both Daeun and I whipped our heads toward where she was pointing.
There was a little eatery.
It sold burgers, drinks, and ice cream.
President Yoon asked,
"Want some ice cream?"
Her question already had its answer set.
"Yes!"
And so we followed her into the shop.
Our ice cream arrived.
I'd only grabbed a light breakfast, and walking around had worked up an appetite.
Lunch was coming up soon anyway, so we'd ordered just enough for a snack...
*'Ah, lunch.'*
The thought made me pull out my phone to check the time.
11 a.m. now.
In about an hour, Officer Kim would land in the States.
Right then, Daeun took a bite of her ice cream and puffed out her cheeks.
"Wow! Daddy, what's this? Super yummy!"
"Tasty?"
"Yeah! Weally weally weally yummy!"
Vanilla with chocolate on top—right up her alley.
President Yoon scooped a bite with her spoon, nodded, and said,
"Just like Daeun says, it's delicious. Sweet, cool, and perfect for the vibe right now."
With her saying that, I had to try it.
I took a bite.
"Wow, it really is good."
Maybe it was American ice cream, but it was super sweet.
The ice cream itself was sweet, but that chocolate topping? It melted on your tongue.
Intensely sweet, yet smooth—no cloying aftertaste.
"Yummy!"
"Yeah, for real."
Daeun grinned wide at my response, showing her teeth.
Gasp!
That's when I noticed her teeth were stained black.
Probably the chocolate, I thought, brushing it off.
But just to be sure, I asked Daeun,
"Daeun, say 'ahh'? Wanna try?"
"Yeah, Daeun say."
"Yeah, ahh!"
She opened wide without a second thought.
"Ahh."
I couldn't help but panic.
"Huh?"
She tilted her head, mouth still open at my reaction, so I hurriedly grabbed a cup of water and held it out.
"Daeun, rinse your mouth with this and open again."
"Why?"
"Daddy needs to check something. Rinse and say 'ahh'!"
Maybe she sensed the mood shift.
Daeun's face turned serious.
But I wasn't backing down this time.
"If you don't, no more."
She looked anxious as she asked, but I stayed firm—firmer than usual.
"No way. Quick, say 'ahh'."
My unusual tone left her no choice but to obey.
She rinsed with the water I gave her, pouted for a second...
"Ahh!"
And opened wide.
There it was—a black spot on her tooth.
*'Sigh.'*
I'd been diligent about brushing because she loves chocolate, but a cavity? Never imagined.
It wasn't big yet, so no pain, but it'd hurt more over time.
I had to get her to the dentist somehow.
A vision of the future flashed in my mind.
Dragging a reluctant Daeun to the dentist.
Seeing my grave reaction, she shrank back and asked,
"Daddy, why?"
I had no choice but to drop the bombshell.
"Daeun... we gotta go to the dentist."
"!!"
A shadow of pure terror crossed her face.
"For real?"
I nodded at her question.
"Yeah, it won't hurt much."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
I hated lying to her, but I had no choice.
We couldn't just leave that cavity be.
But terrifying her beforehand wasn't an option either.
Relieved by my white lie, she let out a sigh.
Just then, President Yoon asked,
"Lunch is soon—anything you're craving? Tell me the menu, and I'll guide you."
"Ah, I was thinking chicken for Daeun and me."
"Chicken?"
"Yeah, know any good spots?"
She thought for a moment, then asked,
"Hang on. Let me check with James. He knows most of the restaurants around here."
"Ah, sure. Thanks."
"Yep, one sec."
She called James, hung up soon after, and told me,
"There's a chicken place not far. Ice cream's done—shall we head over?"
She started to stand.
That's when Officer Kim crossed my mind, and I blurted out urgently,
"Ah, by the way, could I get the restaurant name?"
"The name? Why?"
I couldn't say it was for Officer Kim, so I fudged it.
"Ah, wanna check the menu online first."
"It's probably just one chicken menu."
"Uh, ah! See if there's anything else Daeun might like."
She glanced at Daeun and nodded.
"Fair point—chicken alone might not be enough. My bad."
Then she texted the shop name to my phone.
"Got it."
"Let's go then."
"Yep."
As she headed out, I quickly forwarded the text to Officer Kim.
Shop name and our rough location—she'd find us.
We piled back into the car and set off for the place James recommended.
Right then—
Ding!
A text came in.
[Hey! Landed at the airport!]
From Officer Kim Sucheol, naturally.
I glanced at President Yoon and replied stealthily.
[Heading to the restaurant now.]
[Got it! Grabbing a cab straight there!]
[Okay. Will text if anything comes up.]
Felt like we were running a covert op.
My heart pounded.
Thump-thump.
Daeun, snuggled right up against me, pointed it out.
"Daddy! Thump-thump!"
"Wh-what? What is?"
I'd play dumb, but she was fascinated, pressing her ear to my chest.
"It's beating super fast! Amazing!"
"Hahaha, what do you mean fast? Silly Daeun! Hahaha!"
Awkward laughter.
President Yoon caught my eye in the rearview and said,
"You must be really looking forward to that restaurant."
No way she'd suspect.
But I was grateful for her misunderstanding.
"Haha, yeah. Heard American chicken's amazing."
"Right away! Daeun thump-thump too!"
She mimed a heartbeat with her hands beside me.
Her cuteness drew laughs, but also a sigh of relief.
And so, in our impromptu Mission: Impossible...
Screech!
We arrived at the restaurant.
"James booked ahead, so we can go right in."
President Yoon got out first.
Wait—
*'Reservation?'*
Looking up at the place, I realized it was seriously upscale.
The entrance looked guarded—no reservation, no entry.
A staffer was checking names.
"Shall we?"
Stunned by the unexpected swank, I let President Yoon lead me inside.
Ding!
[5 mins out!]
Perfect timing, but wrong spot.
Officer Kim arriving now would complicate things.
Time ticked by relentlessly.
Ding!
[Here. Where are you?]
She'd made it.
No choice—I went for the Hail Mary.
"President Yoon."
"Yes? Need something?"
"Think I left something in the car. Could you come unlock it with me?"
"In the car?"
Best I could come up with.
No other options.
"Urgent?"
I nodded gravely. She pondered briefly, then stood.
"If it's urgent, better grab it. Let's go."
Daeun hopped up too.
"Daeun come too!"
"Uh, y-yeah. Let's go, Daeun."
Couldn't leave her alone.
We all headed back out.
Moments later—
Thud.
Panting at the entrance: Officer Kim Sucheol.
"I'm here."
President Yoon's reaction?
"Huh?"
She bolted straight into his arms.