Chapter 167
Chapter 167
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Return to the Studio
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Time passed faster than expected.
We finished up all our business in the States, boarded a plane bound for Korea, and made it back home in just a week.
And traveling with us were Officer Kim Sucheol and Every...
"Something about this feels so fresh."
As we exited the airport, Officer Kim spoke up in response to someone's comment.
"You didn't have to rush over like this."
"It was already the plan anyway."
"You haven't even found a place to stay yet."
"There's hotels, and my mom's house too. In this vast land of Korea, you think there's no spot for little old me to crash? And if even that's an issue, Sucheol..."
"Ahem!"
I let out a rough cough to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Slept a ton on the flight, so I'm not as wiped out as I figured."
Then I turned to Daeun.
"How 'bout you, Daeun?"
"Daeun loves it too!"
"Then wanna head to the studio? Bet it's missed us."
"Yeah yeah! Love it!"
Hearing Daeun's thrilled reply, I turned to the two of them.
"We'll head straight to the studio then. What about you two?"
Officer Kim gave an awkward smile as he answered.
"Guess I'll swing by the office first and sort some stuff out. Left in a hurry, so there's probably a pile waiting."
Figured as much.
"And you, Every?"
"Me?"
Every glanced around at everyone, her face blank.
"Not much on my plate."
Their situations had flipped, in a way.
Just then, Daeun piped up with a grin.
"Then Auntie! Come play at Daeun's house! Daeun invites you!"
"You're inviting me?"
"Yep!"
Officer Kim's face lit up with relief at Daeun's words, and he asked,
"Mr. Lee Kanghyeok, that cool with you?"
"Ah, no issue. We're just doing a quick cleanup anyway."
"I'll help tidy up too."
"Whoa, no need. You're a guest. Just enjoy the artwork."
For some reason—maybe Richard's request—it felt like I'd gained another daughter.
Every shook her head at my words.
"Nah, if I'm gonna live here now, gotta pitch in somehow. Let me help."
"Well, if you insist..."
She was adamant; what could I do?
Daeun, though, seemed thrilled with the setup.
"Yay! Going home with pretty auntie!"
"I'll wrap up at the office quick and head over."
"No rush. You're in Korea now—plenty of time."
Officer Kim beamed at Every's words and gave her hand a light squeeze.
"You know it's 'cause I missed you. Make it quick for me?"
Oh lord.
"Sure thing, Sucheol."
Er, uh... maybe tell her to stay away?
My heart fluttered uncomfortably, and I looked away for no reason.
Daeun's eyes followed suit, naturally.
"A-anyway, shall we?"
Daeun whooped at that.
"Daeun's going home!"
And just like that, right after landing in Korea, we made for the studio.
Click.
We'd arrived at the studio.
'Huh?'
But I was floored.
Sure, I'd tidied roughly before leaving, but I expected some mess—and after a week empty, dust everywhere.
"It's spotless."
I nodded without thinking at Every's remark.
"Yeah. Staff must've cleaned ahead of time."
"Oh yeah, this is the studio from the department store, right?"
"Yep."
Had to be the folks always posted on the first floor.
Saved us the hassle of cleaning.
"Should head down later and thank 'em proper."
Daeun, meanwhile, bolted to the back of the studio at my words and plopped down at her easel like it was second nature.
"Daddy! Daeun wanna paint!"
"Right now?"
"Uh-huh! Daeun paint and teacher!"
"O-okay. Daddy'll set you up quick."
Every, who'd been eyeing Daeun steadily, stepped toward the back.
"Always think it, but painting's incredible. Sharing feelings with someone like that."
Clatter.
As I prepped Daeun's setup, I replied,
"It's grateful for the viewers. Painting's meaningless without eyes on it, really."
"Viewers, huh..."
Every shot me a sidelong glance.
"Might be presumptuous, but... could I give it a shot?"
I froze.
"Pardon?"
"Too forward, right?"
"N-no, not that."
"Pardon?"
Every stared at me.
Daeun and I gave her the exact same answer.
"Just paint."
"Paint!"
"Sure."
Truth was, anyone could paint.
No permission needed—just follow your heart.
Every muttered gravely at our words.
"Me, painting..."
You literally just asked to try.
But she seemed to rethink it, mumbling to herself,
"I'll give it a go."
"Wow! Pretty auntie paints too!"
She smiled.
"Grab a seat by Daeun then. I'll hook you up quick."
Nod.
Somehow, it'd turned into an art class vibe without trying.
Pat pat!
I finished setup in a flash and took a seat before them.
Every asked,
"So... what should I paint?"
"Hmm, whatever you want, right?"
"Yeah."
First time at an easel, yeah, that question hits.
What to paint.
"You ever tried before?"
Every nodded.
If zero experience, even tips on subject might not click.
Times like this...
"How 'bout some doodles?"
"Doo...dles?"
"Yep. Feel the canvas texture, the brush. Doodling might spark what you wanna draw naturally."
"..."
Every eyed the blank canvas intently.
Meanwhile...
Scribble scribble scribble!
Daeun was filling hers bit by bit, unprompted.
Every, curious, asked,
"Uh, Daeun, what're you drawing?"
Eyes glued to her canvas, Daeun replied,
"Something super super happy!"
"Yeah?"
"Daeun drawing super super happy stuff!"
Even I struggled to parse Daeun's words.
Every getting it...
"I see. Just do that, got it."
You got that?
Then Every grabbed a pencil and dove in earnestly.
I gave an awkward smile and asked,
"Settled on a subject?"
"Yep. Draw something very very happy."
So... what is it?
Wanted to pry, but she was locked in—no interrupting.
Scribble.
Daeun and Every painted in focus.
Watching...
'Ah.'
Fun idea popped up.
I rushed my own setup and slid back into place.
'Guess I'll paint too.'
Seeing them at it stirred me up.
Glanced at them once...
Scribble.
And I started.
We'd no sooner hit the studio than we plunged into our paintings.
Three hours straight, barely budging while painting.
Night had fallen unnoticed, and hunger set in—folks started stirring.
Daeun, who'd kicked off first, was long done.
"All done!"
"Already, Daeun?"
"Yep! Daeun finished!"
Every eyed her own work.
"Hmm, way tougher than it looks. You two do this daily? Impressive."
I smiled back.
"Nah. But first-timer like you sticking it out? That's the impressive part."
"Thanks."
"Rest we can finish after dinner. Wonder when Officer Kim's coming—I'll give him a ring."
Every pulled her phone.
"Ah, lemme handle it."
"Sure."
She dialed Officer Kim pronto.
"Got it."
Click.
Quicker than expected.
"Where's he at?"
"Front door."
"Huh?"
Ding-dong!
Doorbell chimed; Officer Kim Sucheol's face popped on the intercom.
[I'm here!]
Spot-on timing, I thought—hurried to buzz him in. Soon enough, Officer Kim climbed to the second-floor studio.
Sniff sniff.
'Huh?'
"Wow! Chicken!"
Arms loaded with fried chicken. Straight-up dad energy after work.
He grinned wide.
"You all hungry, right? Snuck it in for the surprise—no heads-up. Cool?"
I glanced at Every; she glanced back.
We both smiled.
"Sounds great!"
"Perfect!"
"Yay! Chicken!"
Unanimous— I dragged out the big table, threw down newspaper, and set up.
More hands made it quick; we crowded 'round and tore into Officer Kim's chicken haul.
Crunch!
"Had it before, but Korean fried chicken's unreal. Makes you question if it should taste this good."
"That so?"
I snagged a piece, chomped big.
Crunchy crust, chewy meat, juices hitting heavy—perfection.
US chicken was solid, but Korea's king.
"But still incomplete."
Every asked at Officer Kim's line.
"Needs sauce or what?"
He shook his head.
Eyes wide, Every pressed,
"Then what?"
"Beer."
"Huh?"
"Brought some just in case."
Oh.
Officer Kim unpacked three cans from his backpack.
Chocolate milk for Daeun, naturally.
"Chicken demands beer, obviously. Daeun's too young—chocolate milk for her."
"Wow! Chocolate milk!"
"Brought beer, huh."
"Yep. Chicken sans beer? Incomplete."
Fair.
"Korean brew?"
Every turned the can over, inspecting.
Click, fizz!
She cracked it.
Officer Kim grinned at her.
"Chicken first, then a sip. Perfection awaits."
Every looked dubious but trusted his word.
Tried the combo.
Moments later...
Her eyes popped.
"This... delicious."
"Told ya. Killer."
"Yeah, lighter than American stuff, but chicken pairing's spot-on."
"Chimaek's rep ain't hype."
Every gulped beer steadily with her chicken.
Officer Kim, pleased, asked,
"So what've you been up to? Painting, from the looks."
I recapped the day.
"Ah, staff cleaned our spot while gone. So we all painted."
"Yeah, Every too."
"Yep."
Officer Kim scanned the easels.
"What kinda..."
After eyeing them, he grinned and jabbed one.
"That's Every's."
"How'd you know?"
No way he sensed the emotion...
"'Cause it's awful."
"...Pardon?"
Officer Kim chuckled playfully.
"Seriously bad."
Uh, um... Off, Officer Kim