Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Hyorin's Magic Show
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Click!
It was a nonstop barrage of photos.
I'd heard that wearing a costume like this draws a ton of attention from kids, but...
This was beyond expectations.
'Whew, it's hot.'
But the real problem was this sweltering heat.
Thanks to the poor ventilation inside the costume head, sweat wouldn't evaporate, and the heat building up from my body made it feel like I was dying.
Even so, kids kept coming up asking for photos, so I couldn't catch a break.
After dealing with that for a good while...
Step.
Minji and Hyorin approached and spoke up.
"Our baby dinosaur has to head home for a bit. So we'll see you all soon!"
"Yeah. He'll be back before you know it, so everyone wait just a little, okay?"
This must be what a savior looks like.
I nodded repeatedly at their arrival and waved to the kids.
Then I quickly slipped away from the spot and returned to the break room to take off the costume.
Swoosh.
"Ughhh! So hot!"
The moment I removed the head, cool AC air brushed across my face.
If heaven exists, this must be what it feels like.
Just then, Hyorin came over with a towel, her voice full of concern.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, now I can breathe. This thing has way worse ventilation than I thought. Super hot."
"I told you. If it's too tough, want me to take over?"
"What?"
"If you're struggling, I can do it instead."
Hyorin wearing the costume?
Of course, she could probably pull it off.
"No, I'm good. I can handle it."
"I'll do it for an hour. Take that off."
"No, really, I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"I said I'm really okay."
But Hyorin still looked worried.
Staying there longer would just lead to more reassurances, so I tried changing the subject.
"Anyway, isn't there anything to drink here?"
Click.
Right then, Jungeun Park, who'd been handling announcements, came into the break room.
"Oh, everyone's here."
He took one look at me, drenched in sweat, and said,
"Whoa, check out all that sweat. This costume's no joke."
"Yeah, feels like I'm dying. Wanna switch?"
"Yeah, sorry. Can't do that."
Not that he couldn't— he just wouldn't.
Maybe because I hadn't expected him to anyway.
"Tch, figured as much."
Then he headed to the fridge, grabbed a drink, and chugged it.
Gulp.
Seeing that, I held out my hand to him.
"Hey, give me one too."
"Sure, one sec."
He opened the fridge again, peered inside, and said,
"Huh, this was the last one."
"What?"
"The one I just drank was the final one."
"......"
Ugh, that jerk. Always lucky with food.
I pouted at him, and he must've felt bad because he pulled out a bottle of water and offered it.
"Want some water at least?"
Better than nothing.
I was about to nod and take it when...
Swoosh.
"Drink this."
Hyorin handed me the drink she'd been holding.
"But wasn't this the one you were gonna have?"
"Nope, I grabbed it for you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, so drink up quick."
Minji, who'd been watching, asked in surprise.
"Hey, isn't that your favorite?"
Hyorin shot her a cold look.
"Minji."
"Yeah?"
"Let's not do this."
"Do what?"
"Can't you just play dumb and let it slide?"
Minji grinned mischievously.
"Why? I was just telling the truth."
"Sigh."
Hyorin let out a deep breath, placed the drink in my hand.
"I'm not having it, so you drink."
Then she glared coldly at Minji and stormed out.
Minji giggled like she'd seen something hilarious.
"She's always so fun."
Then she looked at me.
"Kanghyeok, when you put the costume back on later..."
"Yeah?"
"If you're up for it, come to the kids' ball pit."
"Why there?"
She gave an enigmatic smile.
"Just come if you can. Got it? I'm heading out first."
With that, she hurriedly followed after Hyorin.
I just stared blankly after them.
Click.
I cracked open the drink Hyorin had given me and downed it in one go.
Jungeun sat down next to me and asked,
"Wanna switch?"
Why's he suddenly offering?
"You serious?"
"Yeah, if it's tough, just say so. I'll take over."
I chuckled.
"Nah. How much are you planning to milk this for?"
"It's not like that— I really mean it. Say the word if you need to."
Sure, it was rough, but I was already soaked in sweat.
Taking off the costume now wouldn't make it comfortable anyway.
Plus, I'm the type to see things through once I start, and stopping midway felt off.
"I'm good. But I have no idea why Minji wants me at the ball pit."
Jungeun scowled at me.
"Why?"
Curious about his reaction, I asked, and he stared at me for a long moment before saying,
"You're really something. How do you not get it?"
"Get what?"
"Never mind. Even if I told you, you wouldn't, so I'm not saying."
Then he stood up, finished his drink, and said,
"Just go along with it. You'll figure it out then."
Figure what out?
The costume didn't have a fixed spot anyway, so it didn't matter.
"Alright, I'm out. Rest a bit more before you come."
Thud.
Jungeun left the break room, leaving me alone.
Swoosh.
'What the heck?'
I spent a good while pondering what I was missing.
After a sweet 15-minute break, I put the costume head back on and headed out.
I considered going back to the previous spot, but with Minji's words in mind...
I made my way slowly toward the kids' ball pit.
And, predictably...
"Wow! Baby dinosaur!"
The kids came running over with huge grins.
To fulfill my role today, I mustered as much energy as I could for them.
Swish! Swish!
I waved, posed for photos with the kids.
While trying to make good memories for them, I gradually approached the ball pit.
And just as I was almost there...
'Hm?'
I spotted Hyorin working hard.
She was pushing escaped balls back in, wiping up the messes the kids made, and patiently answering their questions.
Her dedication was impressive— and kinda cool.
My pre-event worries felt unfounded now.
Swoosh.
Then the kids spotted me and crowded close, chattering away.
"Dinosaur! Dinosaur!"
"Can we take a picture?"
"Me too, please!"
I wanted to watch quietly a bit longer, but that wasn't possible.
Reluctantly, I played with them and took photos to do my job.
Had word spread that I'd reached the ball pit?
Kids from inside came rushing out, clinging to me.
There were nearly 20 of them.
'Ugh, too many.'
Maybe coming here was a mistake.
I regretted it instantly, but it was too late— no turning back.
Swish! Swish!
I gestured desperately for them to take turns, but these hyped-up kids wouldn't listen.
While wrestling with them for a while...
A savior appeared again to calm them.
"Okay, everyone, we have to take turns. Or the baby dinosaur will get tired."
It was Hyorin.
She smoothly soothed the kids and gently pulled them away from me.
But with so many, they weren't listening easily.
"I wanna touch him! I love baby dinosaur, Marie!"
"Me too!"
Rumble!
They wouldn't settle.
Even Hyorin might struggle here, I thought.
But...
"Everyone can touch and talk to the baby dinosaur. So step back, please."
"Nooo!"
"I wanna touch!"
"Even if you say that, some things are no-gos. What if there's an accident and your friends get hurt?"
"We won't!"
"No hurts!"
They were kids, after all.
Explaining logically was pointless— it was instinct.
But Hyorin stayed completely calm, never getting frustrated.
"Then I guess the baby dinosaur won't show his magic."
Drop.
'...What?'
Her words worked like magic.
"Baby dinosaur magic!"
"Magic! Wanna see baby dinosaur magic!"
"Wow! Mommy, baby dinosaur's doing magic!"
The kids who'd ignored her backed off in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, they lined up neatly. Hyorin nodded.
"Everyone wants to see the baby dinosaur's magic?"
"Yes! We do!"
"Baby dinosaur, magic!"
What was she planning with the magic show?
It hadn't happened yet, but I was already worried.
Hyorin, unfazed, kept lining them up with the same expression.
"Okay, then let's take turns touching and greeting the baby dinosaur one by one."
"Yes!"
I had no idea her intentions.
But with one word, she had the kids under control, bending everything to her will.
Swoosh.
Under her guidance, a kid approached and reached out.
I silently took the hand, hugged, and struck a pose for parents' photos.
Just like that, all 20 kids took turns with me.
Gulp.
Even after photos, they didn't leave.
Their eyes sparkled even brighter now.
Waiting for the baby dinosaur's magic.
As their intense stares made my worry grow...
"Everyone wait just a sec. I'll check if the baby dinosaur's magic is ready."
The kids beamed.
"Yes!"
"Wow! Magic!"
Swoosh.
In the meantime, Hyorin came to my side. I whispered to her softly.
"H-Hey, what're you gonna do?"
"I've got a plan. Just say 'Hoi!' to me when I cue you. Got it?"
"You really have a plan?"
"Yeah, all figured out."
Her determined look eased me a bit, but I was still anxious.
What on earth was she up to?
No time for details, though.
"Alright, the baby dinosaur's gonna do magic now. You all behaved, so shall we watch?"
"Yes!"
"Okay, everyone shout together: Baby dinosaur, do your magic!"
"Baby dinosaur, do your magic!"
With their loud cheer, I threw up my hands to Hyorin, yelling,
"Hoi!"
At my call, Hyorin twisted like she was transforming, acting it up...
Flutter!
Suddenly, a white cloth billowed from her hand.
'M-Magic trick?'
A magic trick out of nowhere?
I was utterly baffled when...
Minji sidled up and whispered,
"Cool, right?"
"Don't tell me... this is why you called me here..."
"Yeah. Hyorin said she practiced a ton to show the kids. Didn't expect her to pull it off like this, though."
Haha, she'd even practiced just for the kids.
"But magic? How do you master that in days?"
Minji smiled oddly.
"She said she's been practicing since way back, to show it after we get married and have kids."
"I see."
Then Minji asked,
"Nothing it makes you feel?"
Feel?
Watching Hyorin's magic act, I thought and said,
"She's cool."
Minji smacked her forehead.
Smack.
"That's it. I was dumb for expecting more."
As we talked, Minji looked at me and asked again.
"One more time. Anything it makes you feel?"
Her question made me scratch my head with an awkward smile.
My answer, revisited after about ten years.
I'd finally grasped the meaning behind her words.
"I like Hyorin even more."