Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Officer Kim's Dinosaur Passion
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Director Yoon looked at me.
Her expression showed no particular emotion, but at least her eyes were different.
Her gaze was clearly asking why I hadn't told her.
"Ahem."
I couldn't help but clear my throat awkwardly and turn my head away.
At that moment, Officer Kim Sucheol, who was sitting across from me, stepped in to explain on my behalf.
"It's all because I asked him to do it. So the artist is not at fault at all."
"I never blamed the artist."
"Oh."
In fact, she had just looked at me; Director Yoon hadn't said anything directly to me.
"Still, it would have been nice if you'd given us a heads-up before this unprepared meeting."
"But I'm glad the artist didn't tell me in advance."
Oh my! From what Officer Kim was saying, it sounded like she had made up her mind completely.
Well, you could tell from the fact that she had flown straight to America, putting everything else aside.
But wasn't that a bit too straightforward?
Realizing belatedly that his words might come across strangely, Officer Kim hurriedly changed his tune.
"Ah, I mean, not that it was good, but... it was a nice surprise..."
It was already too late.
No matter how he tried to backpedal now, it didn't work on Director Yoon.
"It's fine. I liked it too."
"Yes... uh, yeah..."
Wasn't this a situation where I needed to cover Daeun's ears?
It was definitely an embarrassing moment, but there was no real need.
Daeun wasn't even registering what these two were talking about.
"Daddy, Daeun hungry. What's this?"
Thanks to ordering ahead, the food arrived just a few minutes after we sat down.
What they called Kentucky chicken—similar to our country's fried chicken—was served up mouthwateringly.
At Daeun's words, I looked at the two of them and said,
"Let's eat first and talk. Even Mount Geumgang is beautiful after a meal, right?"
Director Yoon nodded at that.
"Yes, it doesn't feel right to do this with food in front of us, so shall we eat?"
"Wow! Finally time to eat!"
At Daeun's cheer, I used tongs to place a chicken leg on each of our side plates.
Since we'd ordered two chickens, it worked out perfectly.
Swoosh.
"Then let's dig in."
And so the meal began.
Before eating, I glanced at Daeun to check her reaction.
"Yummy!"
Daeun grabbed the chicken leg in front of her and brought it straight to her mouth.
Crunch!
The crispiness rang out so satisfyingly. She chewed away, then broke into a big smile.
"So good!"
'Alright, my turn.'
Seeing her reaction, I quickly brought my chicken leg to my mouth too.
Crunch!
Wow, this was insane.
The word slipped out on its own.
The crispy batter was perfect not just in texture but in sound too.
But the real magic was inside that crispy coating.
The juices burst in my mouth the moment I bit down, giving me pure bliss.
Salty, clean, and nutty chicken flavor drew out an exclamation.
"This is really delicious."
I could see why they say American chicken is the truth.
Crunch! Munch munch!
It didn't take long to polish off two whole chickens.
Like a storm had swept through, all that remained were bones, the only evidence we'd ordered chicken.
With the meal over, Daeun patted her belly.
"So full."
She looked satisfied, and thankfully, her dental trauma seemed to have faded—no trace of anxiety left.
Just then, Director Yoon, wiping her mouth with a napkin, asked,
"So, where to next? Got another spot in mind?"
"Ah, well..."
Truth be told, I had a place in mind, but I hadn't planned on going with Director Yoon.
Honestly, it was their business, and it felt weird for us to tag along.
Shouldn't the two of them talk it out alone?
Stepping aside here was the polite thing.
So I smiled and told Director Yoon,
"Let's split up from here."
"What do you mean?"
"You two probably have a lot to talk about. Don't mind us—just go off on your own and chat."
It was all for their sake, but Director Yoon didn't see it that way.
"No, I can't do that. I offered to guide you, and I can't break that promise."
"No, we're fine..."
I tried to dissuade her.
But Director Yoon even asked Officer Kim to back her up as she insisted on guiding us.
"I said I'd guide you. If I send you two off alone now, I'd be a liar. I want to keep guiding you—is that okay?"
Officer Kim agreed with her.
"We can't have that. You can't become a liar because of me. And you don't need to go out of your way like this. It was all my solo decision, so the artist shouldn't suffer for it."
With them saying that much, I had no choice.
Pushing back further didn't seem like it would work anyway.
In the end, I threw up both hands.
"So, any other place you'd like to see?"
At Director Yoon's question, I glanced at Daeun and replied.
It might even be a destination prepared for Daeun's sake.
"I heard there's a really famous natural history museum in Washington. How about we go there?"
Screech.
Director Yoon stood up and said,
"Let's go."
Watching her, I thought,
'It'll be fine, right?'
We headed straight to the natural history museum right after leaving the restaurant.
Naturally, the place was packed with parents bringing their kids.
From kids Daeun's age to older ones.
Maybe because of that, Daeun had been buzzing with excitement since getting out of the car.
"Daddy, dinosaur here!"
"Daeun knows dinosaurs."
"Yeah! Saw in book! Super big lizard!"
As expected of Daeun—her memory never forgot anything she'd seen once, so no need for detailed explanations.
"Natural history museum has tons, book said."
Officer Kim smiled and said,
"Wow, you remember that? Must be super exciting then. This is one of the natural history museums from that book."
"Really?"
At the "really?", I smiled and confirmed.
"Yeah, right. Dinosaurs and tons of other animals."
Director Yoon pointed inside and said,
"Then shall we go see the dinosaurs quick?"
Daeun shot her hand up and yelled,
"Yes!"
And so we entered the natural history museum.
It was already popular, and with free admission, the inside was absolutely mobbed.
To avoid getting separated, I held Daeun's hand and proceeded slowly.
The sight that greeted us right away made me, Daeun, and even Officer Kim Sucheol gasp.
"Wow! Daddy, elephant so big!"
Welcoming us in the first-floor lobby was an African elephant.
The massive beast seemed to be greeting us travelers.
Just then, Officer Kim beside us said,
"Wow, first time seeing an elephant displayed like this. African elephants get poached a lot for ivory, so animal protection groups..."
'Yeah, what's this?'
Officer Kim seemed incredibly enthusiastic.
Like Daeun with her favorites, he was genuinely marveling at the elephant with pure wonder.
"I saw a guide manual on the way in—second floor has insects, basement has dinosaur fossils. Shall we go quick?"
When did he even grab a manual?
Daeun nodded eagerly at his words.
"Daeun wants to see dinosaurs! Let's go see dinosaurs!"
"Oh! Uncle wanted to see dinosaurs too—shall we go?"
Then Officer Kim turned to me and Director Yoon.
"Can we head to the basement first?"
Excuse me?
I'd picked this place thinking Daeun would love it, but somehow Officer Kim Sucheol seemed even more thrilled.
'Better this way.'
And why not? Daeun was delighted, like meeting a close friend.
"Dinosaur!"
"Dinosaurs!"
The two hurried toward the stairs.
Watching them, I gave an awkward smile to Director Yoon.
"Looks like they're having fun—glad to see."
"Yeah. Didn't know Sucheol liked this stuff."
Her expression was unreadable; I couldn't gauge what Director Yoon was thinking.
Did she like seeing Officer Kim like this, or not?
Harboring that question, I followed the two ahead.
"Let's go together!"
After touring the basement, it was clear.
"Officer Kim really loves this stuff."
Coming with Officer Kim Sucheol felt like the best decision.
Exaggerating a bit, I'd spent my life painting.
I'd studied a little beforehand to explain to Daeun, but you can't beat someone who genuinely loves it.
"So this is a Tyrannosaurus, a theropod carnivore. Super fast runner basically, and top-notch hunter..."
He explained in such detail it was hard to believe, and Daeun listened with sparkling eyes.
Smiling at the sight, I said,
"So that's a relief."
I really meant it.
Daeun seemed to love it too.
At my words, Director Yoon gazed steadily at Officer Kim before asking,
"I have one question."
Director Yoon had a question for me.
A bit unexpected—I turned and asked,
"What is it?"
She glanced away briefly, then asked me,
"When did you first think you wanted to marry Daeun's mom?"
"Pardon?"
It was so out of the blue.
But her intense gaze made it feel like I had to answer.
"Wh-when I thought about wanting to marry her?"
"Yes, I'd like to hear your story."
It wasn't hard to share.
But suddenly I wondered.
Why ask this now?
So I turned it back on her.
"May I ask why you're suddenly curious?"
At that, Director Yoon glanced at Officer Kim, who was chatting and laughing with Daeun.
"Because I'm confused about my own feelings right now."
I answered her seriously.
"You're curious when I first thought I wanted to marry her?"
Swoosh.
"Can you tell me?"
"Of course. No reason not to."
But instead of answering right away, I brought up something else first.
"Instead, can we make one promise before that?"
"What promise?"
I grinned and said,
"That you won't decide right after hearing my story. Promise to take at least a day to think it over, and I'll tell you."
There was a reason I said that.
The reason I wanted to marry Hyorin.
It might not be so different from Director Yoon's.
"I promise."
With that promise, I turned to look at Daeun and said,
"Well, so... when I first thought I wanted to marry her was..."
And with that, I invited Director Yoon into my story.