Chapter 232
Chapter 232
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: A Dream with Mom
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He remembered the question his dad had asked about what he liked.
That memory had become a cherished one for Junsu.
It was the kind of question any father and son should share.
But at least for Junsu, it wasn't.
Realizing this late, Representative Kim seemed lost in thought.
I quietly spoke to him.
"It's not too late."
Mr. Kim turned to look at me.
It would have been nice if he'd noticed when Junsu was a bit younger.
But that didn't mean it was too late now.
There were plenty of days ahead for him and Junsu to share.
"You think so?"
He smiled faintly.
"Yes. Junsu still needs his dad right now."
The worry lines on Representative Kim's face softened a little.
He smiled lightly and asked Junsu.
"Junsu."
"Yes, Dad."
"Besides cream pasta and shrimp pizza, is there any other food you like?"
Junsu's face brightened.
"Me, me! I like ice cream too!"
"What kind of ice cream?"
"The one with strawberries!"
"And what else do you like?"
From that conversation, Representative Kim and Junsu talked about what Junsu liked all the way until the meal ended.
To get a little closer to Junsu.
Representative Kim made the effort.
Watching them, I smiled and asked Daeun.
"Daeun-ah."
"Yeah!"
"Is the cod roe pasta tasty?"
Daeun beamed and replied.
"It's super spicy!"
And so, the final day of Daeun's solo exhibition drew to a close.
The department store was nearing closing time.
Daeun's exhibition naturally came to an end as well.
"You've all worked so hard."
"Oh, you've done most of the work, President Jeong. Thank you sincerely for all your help."
At those words, Daeun bowed to President Jeong.
"Thank you!"
She smiled brightly.
Finding her adorable, he patted her head and asked.
"Do you have any plans after this?"
"Ah, I'm planning to take a break for now. We've been running nonstop."
"I figured as much. It ended successfully, but it feels a bit regrettable."
I could guess what he regretted without him saying it.
"If you ever plan another exhibition for Daeun, please let me know. Interest in her from upstairs has spiked because of this. They're even thinking of collaborations with our affiliates using her paintings. If you're interested..."
President Jeong's offer was incredibly grateful.
But I had no intention of doing it.
If it were for money, I might have jumped at it multiple times.
But I wasn't going to force Daeun to paint.
"We'll probably take a long break. She's worked so hard painting all this time."
"Ah... I suppose so."
"But if we change our minds, I'll reach out."
I smiled.
President Jeong smiled back.
"Yes, I'll be waiting."
We politely said our goodbyes and left the department store together.
The sun had set, and dusk had fallen.
The store was closing, but the streets were still bustling with people.
On that street.
I gripped Daeun's hand tightly and walked slowly.
Maybe because of Junsu's family situation.
My mind wandered.
It felt like a waste to just let time slip by like this.
A sense of emptiness, something lacking.
Thinking about why, on such a joyful day, one person came to mind—someone I wanted to share the happiness with.
"It would have been perfect if Mom were here too."
Daeun, walking hand in hand, looked up at me.
"Yeah, Daeun misses Mom too."
It seemed I wasn't the only one feeling this.
She hadn't said it, but Daeun missed her mom too.
A void that couldn't be filled no matter how hard we tried.
Even in moments that seemed perfect.
Without Hyorin, Daeun's and my life would always feel empty.
In that emotion, a good idea suddenly struck me.
So I said to Daeun.
"Shall we go see Mom?"
To make this seemingly perfect moment even more perfect.
"Mom?"
"Yeah, there's the painting of Mom that Dad made at Director Go's gallery. Let's go see it. What do you think?"
I wanted to fill that empty space with memories.
"Yeah! Let's go! See Mom!"
Just as I pulled out my phone to call Director Go.
Buzz!
A text came in from one person.
It was from An Eunju, secretary to Chairman Kim Soonbae, who had bought Daeun's 'Love' painting.
Confirming the text, my eyes widened.
'Okay.'
-Good work. Feel free to use my office if needed. Take your time.
"Thank you, Director."
I'd gotten permission from the director.
The door creaked open.
Entering the dark gallery, an employee turned on the lights and said.
"The director said to rest as long as you need. Let me know if you need anything."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
After exchanging greetings, the employee smiled and headed back to the security office.
Watching him go, I said to Daeun.
"Still, I'm glad she allowed it. Right?"
"Yeah! I wanna see Mom! Let's go quick!"
"Okay."
Our footsteps echoed as we headed to the second-floor exhibition hall where my painting was displayed.
It was a familiar path, but the atmosphere felt different tonight.
Quiet and cozy.
With no one around, it wasn't a bad feeling.
Then Daeun asked.
"Is Mom waiting for Daeun too?"
"Of course. She's probably been waiting more than anyone for us."
"Hee, cool!"
Chatting like that, we entered the deepest part of the second-floor hall.
And just like the first time we'd come here, Hyorin greeted us with a radiant smile.
'Thank goodness this painting is still here.'
If even this one had sold... Ugh, I didn't want to think about it.
Of course, there was also the painting of Hyorin that Daeun had made.
But each painting held different emotions.
"Mom! Daeun's here!"
Seeing Hyorin, Daeun started chattering about everything that had happened.
"Mom! Daeun did what you said! Took naps too! And super fun stuff happened! Dad showed a water dragon too...!"
Was she trying to tell her everything?
But I didn't stop her.
She was just talking to the painting.
Yet Daeun's face looked happier than anyone's.
'This might take a while.'
Daeun's story didn't seem like it would end soon.
Well, we weren't planning a quick visit anyway.
"Daeun-ah, shall we sit here?"
"Ah! Yeah! Okay!"
I plopped down right in front of the painting of Hyorin.
"It was so much fun! Mom would like it too!"
Even so, Daeun kept talking nonstop.
I looked at her lovingly.
The emptiness in my heart felt a little filled.
Daeun's story went on for a long time.
How she felt while painting.
Who she met, what happened.
She kept sharing.
'She looks so happy.'
How great it is to share joyful, happy moments with family.
It wasn't really Hyorin there, but even this...
This alone was enough...
Enough...
" So I went to the kids' cafe with Junsu oppa too."
"Yeah! Oppa was super excited!"
"It would have been great if Mom came too!"
"Yeah yeah! Next time Daeun wants to go with Mom!"
"Yeah, let's go together. Now Dad's here too."
...What?
I rubbed my eyes.
The space had been empty moments ago.
I doubted my eyes at Hyorin's sudden appearance.
What was happening?
Was I dreaming?
No, wait... Hyo, Hyorin?
Then, Hyorin turned her head slightly to look at me.
She smiled brightly and asked.
"What're you doing? Why aren't you saying anything, honey?"
"Uh... yeah."
"No way! The kids' cafe with Daeun wasn't fun? Is that true?"
It was the Hyorin I knew.
At her words, Daeun pouted and said.
"Dad! Is that true? It wasn't fun with Daeun!"
"Ah, no... It, it was fun..."
I had no idea what was going on.
Hyorin... why...
But it seemed only I sensed something off.
"So you ate cod roe pasta without me, huh?"
"Ah, no, that was..."
"That's too much!"
She playfully turned away, sulking.
But soon she giggled and said to Daeun.
"Next time, just you and Mom. Leave Dad out, okay?"
Daeun shook her head vigorously.
"No way! Gonna go with Dad!"
"Oh? What, Daeun's forgiving Dad?"
"Yeah! Daeun loves Dad super super much!"
"Then what about Mom?"
"Hee! Loves Mom tons too!"
"Really? So who do you like more, Mom or Dad?"
At Hyorin's question, Daeun answered with a smile so bright her eyes squinted.
"Both! Love 'em both!"
I was happy.
So full-hearted it overflowed.
Even if it was a dream, it was fine.
No, if this was all a dream, I prayed it wouldn't end.
I'd live in this dream forever...
Please don't wake up...
Tears streamed down.
Huh?
Tears of happiness?
I wiped my eyes with my hand.
And then I realized.
The two of us, asleep in front of the brightly smiling Hyorin painting.
"Ah..."
The next day.
I came with Daeun to a restaurant in Seoul's most famous hotel.
'Whoa, the prices are steep.'
I'd arrived early and was waiting, but checking the menu gave me a sense of who Chairman Kim Soonbae was.
It made sense—he'd spent that much on one painting.
The issue was that the buyer wanted to meet Daeun.
What reason could he have?
All sorts of thoughts flooded my mind.
Then Daeun asked.
"But, Dad."
"Yeah? What?"
"Daeun had a super happy dream last night."
"Oh, you had a dream?"
"Yeah! The one when we went to see Mom yesterday!"
Daeun spoke excitedly.
"In Daeun's dream! I met Mom!"
"Uh... you met Mom?"
"Yeah! Mom hugged me tight! It was really really happy!"
Hmm...
Nah, probably coincidence.
Of course, similar dreams were possible.
We'd been looking at the same painting.
But had Daeun dreamed the exact same dream as me?
"Yeah, that's amazing. Dad dreamed of Mom too."
"Really? For real?"
"Yeah, Daeun was talking a ton to Mom, and Mom was smiling at her."
"Wow! So weird!"
Being a kid, she didn't grasp how strange it was.
She just called it amazing and moved on.
But I couldn't comprehend it.
I hadn't even realized when I'd fallen asleep.
I'd barely slept during the exhibition, sure.
But not remembering falling asleep was odd.
Still, it was impossible to verify.
Just then.
Buzz!
The restaurant door opened, and people in black suits poured in.
Among them was An Eunju from the department store.
Behind them came an elderly man in a wheelchair.
He approached us, who were waiting.
Normally, I'd stand to greet him...
"......"
But I froze in place, like I'd seen a ghost.
The old man in the wheelchair...
'Hyo, Hyorin?'
He bore an uncanny resemblance to Hyorin.