Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Memories of the Baby Dinosaur Museum
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We went inside.
But Minji and Daeun's chatter didn't stop.
"Daddy and Mommy did this stuff here."
"Yeah, Mommy and Daddy worked here, and it was so funny back then."
"How funny?"
"Daddy was always trailing right behind Mommy like a little puppy..."
This couldn't go on. I had no choice but to cut in.
"D-Daeun-ah. How about we check out this way? Looks like there's lots of fun stuff over here."
"Daddy! Daeunie wants to talk with Auntie Minji!"
At that, Minji grinned mischievously and said to me,
"Why? Don't wanna hear more?"
That's why quick-witted people are so scary...
But I couldn't exactly come out and say it.
"Ah, no. I just thought we should look around first and talk later."
Shrug.
Minji shrugged her shoulders and said,
"Well, shall we explore first and then chat, Daeun-ah? Wanna go inside with Auntie?"
"Yes! Daeunie wants to go with Auntie!"
With that, Daeun grabbed Minji's hand and scampered off inside.
Seeing them go, I let out a small sigh of relief, only for Jun-geun, standing beside me, to burst out laughing.
"You're sweating bullets, huh."
"Feels like I accidentally opened Pandora's box."
That's when a sudden curiosity hit me.
"But... was I really that bad back then?"
Jun-geun gave me a look like, why even ask? and replied,
"Yeah."
"Really bad?"
"Yep."
"Obviously?"
"That's what I said."
"Why?"
"No idea. But it felt like watching a nervous husband bringing his new wife to meet the in-laws for the first time."
"......What?"
The metaphor hit way too close to home.
I got it instantly.
Of course, the job Hyorin had back then was seriously tough.
I thought I was just providing some conveniences...
But from others' perspectives, it must've looked exactly like what Jun-geun described.
Though honestly, I didn't remember acting that way.
I was just watching out for Hyorin.
"Still, it was nice to see."
"Huh? What was?"
"If everyone else knew but it was just you two oblivious... at least that day, it felt like you were both true to your feelings."
"True to each other's feelings..."
Jun-geun seemed to recall the past, smiling faintly as he said,
"Maybe it was because of the kids."
Then he walked off after Minji.
Staring at his back, I repeated his words in my mind.
'Thanks to the kids...'
Inside, baby dinosaur drawings covered the walls everywhere.
An old cartoon beloved by so many, now enjoyed by kids born today.
I'd felt it during volunteer work before, but it was still a fresh vibe.
"Wow! Daddy, there's a bird here too!"
"Daddy! This one's got a red nose!"
"Wow! This one's super tall!"
Spotting characters from the baby dinosaur cartoon, Daeun was thrilled.
Seeing her excitement, Minji said,
"All these guys are Baby Dinosaur's friends."
"Really?"
"Yeah, this one's from another planet, and that one can sing like crazy. We even entered a singing contest with friends back in the day."
"Wow!"
"And this Baby Dinosaur friend can use magic too."
"Magic?"
"Yep! Pretty amazing, right?"
"So it can do amazing stuff?"
"Amazing stuff?"
"Yeah! Like poof! Making chocolate and stuff!"
Chocolate, huh.
If Daeun could use magic, first thing on her mind was chocolate.
Minji laughed at that and said,
"Probably could. So, Daeun-ah, if you could use magic, you'd make chocolate?"
Daeun thought for a moment, then shook her head vigorously.
"Nope!"
"If Daeunie uses magic! Daeunie make Mommy!"
'Ah... Daeun-ah.'
Mom was number one in Daeun's heart, as expected.
Well, I wasn't much different when it came to Daeun.
Minji pondered Daeun's words, then said,
"Then how about Auntie uses some magic?"
Whoosh!
Daeun's eyes went wide.
"Auntie can use magic?"
"Hmm, can't call your mommy, but I can make you think of her."
"How?"
"I'll tell you stories about Mommy you don't know. The ones I was gonna tell earlier. Wanna hear?"
Daeun's face lit up.
"Yes!"
"Then let's take a little break and chat."
"Yes!"
Minji came over to me, winked with one eye, and asked,
"It's okay, right?"
Honestly, there was nothing I wanted to hide from Daeun.
I wanted her to hear more, even.
The issue was Minji telling it from her perspective, not mine.
Though it probably wouldn't differ much.
Still, it felt a bit embarrassing.
Nod.
I nodded, and Minji, as if she'd expected it, held out her hand to Daeun.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes!"
Minji took Daeun's hand and headed to the rest area inside.
Right then.
Shh!
A certain someone appeared before us.
A giant baby dinosaur.
"Daddy! Baby Dinosaur is alive!"
As the costumed figure appeared, Jun-geun nudged my side.
"You did that too, remember?"
Of course I did.
I was probably the star attraction at the Baby Dinosaur Museum back then.
Hyorin said to Kanghyeok,
"You gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, why?"
"The costume."
She glanced at the baby dinosaur headpiece in his hands.
"What, it'll be fine. They have AC on, so it shouldn't be too hot."
"I heard the inside is super stuffy."
"I'm good. Anyway, I'm worried about you."
"Me? Why?"
"You're on kids' pool duty. With all those kids, you sure?"
"I'm fine with kids. I like them."
"Liking them is one thing, but I heard mascot and kids' pool are the toughest gigs here."
Sure enough, Kanghyeok and Hyorin had landed the two hardest roles at the place.
That's why Kanghyeok was worried about Hyorin.
But she didn't seem fazed at all.
"Worry about yourself. I'm worried about you."
"Still..."
Jun-geun and Minji, standing behind, chimed in with exasperated tones.
"Oh, come on."
"Who'd think they're doing hard labor."
"Yeah, really."
I stiffened my expression and shot back,
"If you snagged easy spots, at least don't brag."
"Brag? Jun-geun-ah, did I brag?"
"Nope, did I?"
They turned to me in unison and said,
"When did we ever brag?"
Jeez.
Can't even talk back without seeming petty.
Ignoring their gloating, Kanghyeok said to Hyorin,
"Anyway, let's do our best."
"Yeah, you too. If it gets too hot or stuffy, take it off, okay?"
"Got it."
And so the four began their volunteer work.
Once opening started, kids flooded in.
Minji and Jun-geun smoothly guided everyone, and visitors began experiencing the baby dinosaur drawings and activities.
Giggle-giggle!
Kids' laughter echoed everywhere, heating up the museum's atmosphere.
And then.
Rumble-rumble-!
"Wow! Dinosaur!"
"Daddy! Mommy! Dinosaur!"
"Mommy, Mommy! I wanna hold the dinosaur's hand!"
Kanghyeok, in his baby dinosaur costume, faced the swarm.
Who could be more popular here than him?
Kids surrounded him, touching his costume body and hands nonstop, delighted.
Some even grabbed and shook the tail sticking out the back.
Then, one mom asked Kanghyeok,
"Excuse me, could we take a photo?"
He nodded.
Before starting, staff had said no talking in costume.
Adult voice from a baby dinosaur would've been weird.
She brought her child over and positioned them beside him.
Hesitate-hesitate.
'What's this? Scared, maybe?'
The kid kept looking up at Kanghyeok, trying to back away, but Mom kept trying to place them next to him.
"Just stand still a sec. Mommy'll take your picture."
"Nooo... scary..."
"Aw, what's scary? Just a sec. Quick photo."
Shake-shake!
Despite Mom's pleas, the kid tensed up, refusing to budge.
Finally, Mom apologized to Kanghyeok,
"Ah, sorry. My kid hates it."
Kanghyeok paused, then reached out to her.
The costume was big, sure to scare some kids, but...
He wanted to make a memory since they were here.
No need to, but he'd try coaxing the kid.
Shh.
He crouched, nodding his head repeatedly.
Then turned, offering the protruding tail to touch.
Mom seized the chance:
"Touch it once. Super soft!"
The kid was wary but less terrified now.
Wiggle-wiggle.
Kanghyeok shook his hips, enticing the kid.
Did his intent reach them?
The kid slowly reached out and touched the tail.
Started with a light poke, but gaining courage, now groped it with both hands.
Kanghyeok thought,
'A bit more.'
First times are always tough.
Once over that hump, it'd be fine, he figured.
Shh.
He turned, arms outstretched toward the kid.
Like waiting for a hug.
Mom smiled and said,
"Baby Dinosaur really likes you! Go give it a hug."
Shh.
'Her name's Bichna.'
Kanghyeok shook his hands more boldly.
The kid inched closer, bit by bit.
'Just a little more.'
The kid mustered courage.
Kanghyeok waited patiently.
Finally, after agonizing,
Hug!
The kid embraced him.
For this precious memory, Kanghyeok hugged back firmly.
Did his feelings get through?
Snuggled in, the kid said,
"Mommy, it's warm."
Mom beamed at Kanghyeok,
"Thank you."
No words, but he nodded anyway.
Nod-nod.
Thus, Kanghyeok made one kid's memory.
At Minji's words, I blinked and asked,
"What? You saw all that?"
"Saw all that?"
I'd assumed she hadn't.
Our stations were in separate spots.
But Minji laughed and said,
"Of course I did."
"O-Of course?"
Suddenly embarrassed.
No way she'd seen the whole thing.
But her follow-up made my face burn hotter.
"But it wasn't just me watching."
I turned to Jun-geun,
"Did you see too?"
He shook his head.
"Nah, I missed it."
"Then who..."
Minji grinned brightly,
"Hyorin saw it too."
"H-Hyorin did?"
Then it hit me—her words after volunteering ended.
-You'll be a good dad.
Ahaha, so that's what she meant...
My face flushed beet red.