Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: To the Department Store Solo Exhibition
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I decided to look for Hyungchul, the main culprit behind Daeun's gluttony, later.
Even if I went searching for the kid right now, it wouldn't solve anything anyway.
'Other than that, there aren't any major issues.'
And today was Daeun's first-ever invitation to a solo exhibition, wasn't it?
Daeun seemed incredibly excited, striking exaggerated poses in the dress she'd bought yesterday.
"Daddy! How do I look?"
Daeun was so adorable that I smiled and said,
"You look perfect. Like a little princess."
Hee!
Daeun tugged the corners of her mouth into a big grin and kept staring at herself in the mirror.
Watching her, I asked Daeun,
"So, what about Daddy?"
"Yeah, Daddy?"
I didn't have the means to buy new clothes yet, so I'd picked out the best-preserved outfit from before the accident.
It had a semi-formal vibe—not too dressy, but not casual either. Just right.
"Thanks."
"Yeah?"
"Daddy's super handsome!"
With that, Daeun gave me a big thumbs-up.
"Because you're Daeun's daddy, I love it!"
My heart fluttered so much it tingled in my left chest.
She liked me because I was her daddy.
"Thanks."
I gently ruffled her hair at her words, but then my eyes drifted to my reflection in the mirror.
'Is my hair getting a bit long?'
After the accident, the nurses had cut it for me while I was in the hospital.
Of course, the shape was off, and the lines were uneven. It had grown out shaggy enough that it didn't show too much yet, but I'd need to get it trimmed soon.
'While I'm at it, I can fix Daeun's hair too.'
Thanks to Mom's care, it wasn't messy, but if I suggested we go get haircuts together, Daeun would surely love it.
As I mulled over these thoughts while getting ready,
Bzzz.
My phone rang.
[Aram Go]
It was Aram Go, who'd said yesterday we'd go together.
"Oh, hello."
Good morning, sunbae.
She was technically my senior, but since she'd graduated ages ago, the title felt awkward.
Not that I let it show.
"Have you finished getting ready?"
Yes, I've been ready for a while now.
"You got done faster than I expected."
I started early. I figured it might be tough for you to travel with Daeun, so if it's okay with you, sunbae, tell me your neighborhood and I'll come pick you up.
I stopped her when she offered to come here.
"I don't know where you live, but it'd be a big detour. Let's just meet at the exhibition venue instead."
Aram Go kept insisting a few more times, but I firmly turned her down.
"By the way, I heard Painter Son Jeongsun's solo exhibition is at the department store—is that right?"
Yes, that's correct. It's at the art gallery on the 13th floor. It's been ages since I've been to a department store solo show.
A solo exhibition at a department store.
Before my accident, I'd gotten an offer from a department store to hold one too.
Of course, it wasn't anything special just because it was at a department store, but they had a slightly different structural vibe, so to speak.
Still, that's impressive. I can't wait to graduate and have my own solo show.
"Can't you hold a solo exhibition right after graduation, Aram?"
Since her aunt was Director Go Yunmi.
At my words, Aram Go's voice darkened.
Probably not.
"Why not?"
You'd know better than me, sunbae. What kind of person my aunt is.
Hmm, Director Go Yunmi was the thorough type who couldn't tolerate even the tiniest flaw, and if there was an issue, she'd pull an all-nighter to fix it...
"Isn't it just that Director Go's standards are really high?"
The problem is I don't measure up to those standards.
Well, she didn't need to put herself down that much.
Oh, by the way, I called my aunt after coming back from school yesterday. I asked why she hadn't told me you were my sunbae.
She called the director?
"And what did she say?"
Aram Go let out a long sigh at my question.
What could she say? She told me there's no reason she had to tell me. And if treatment changes just because I know, then that's on me for being wrong.
Haha, that sounded exactly like something Director Go would say.
Oh, and the reason I'm telling you this is because at the end, she asked me something. If the school has any projects or events going on. Like with that mural last time—I have no idea why she's suddenly asking about stuff like that.
"......"
Projects, huh. It seemed Director Go was determined to give me that mission of two exhibitions a month no matter what.
"Hmm, I'm not sure... Did the school have any projects like that?"
Still, if I knew what kind of project it was, I'd feel more at ease.
Aram Go sounded surprised by my question.
You must be really interested in that stuff too, sunbae?
"Oh, no, I was just suddenly curious. So there is some kind of project?"
Well, it's not exactly a project—more like a tie-in event?
"A tie-in event?"
Yes, it's an event linked with other universities. They call it the Social Contribution Special Exhibition, aimed at kids, where they hold an art show. Professor Lim Hayoung is a judge there, and I mentioned some students might be asked to help as assistants.
An art exhibition for kids?
Oh! The participation is for under 14, so Daeun could join too.
At her words, I glanced at Daeun, who was making cute faces in the mirror.
'A Social Contribution Special Exhibition...'
I had a feeling I knew what Director Go's next request would be.
Vroom.
'Whoa, it's huge.'
The department store was massive. Tons of foot traffic, and plenty of shoppers too.
If I hadn't had the accident, maybe I'd have had a chance to exhibit here.
Squeeze.
Just then, Daeun gripped my hand tightly, looking nervous.
"Daddy, so many people."
I turned to see her huddled up, tense.
"Yeah, this is your first time in a place with so many people, Daeun."
Nod.
Daeun nodded faintly, then tugged my hand to cover her face.
"A little scary."
From a kid's perspective, it was understandable.
Strangers everywhere, everyone rushing by.
To reassure her, I smiled and said,
"It'll be better once we're inside. Let's head in first."
With that, I took her hand and walked into the department store entrance.
Bzzz.
The inside wasn't much different from outside, but maybe because it was enclosed on all sides.
Daeun's expression looked a bit more relaxed when—
"Daeun!"
Aram Go, who'd arrived early and was waiting, came running over happily.
Daeun spotted her and—
Beam!
'Looks like she's fine now.'
Daeun's face was back to normal.
"Auntie!"
Unlike yesterday, Aram Go was dressed neatly.
"Auntie looks super pretty!"
"Oh my, Daeun! How can you say such sweet things? Are you an angel?"
Hee.
"But it looks like Auntie picked out Daeun's outfit perfectly. It suits you so well."
"Daeun thinks so too!"
Then she turned to me and said,
"You look great too, sunbae."
Oh, she meant my clothes?
Well, I always prioritized comfort for work or daily life.
At her words, Daeun shrugged proudly and said,
"Our daddy's super handsome!"
Daeun bragging about me was the cutest thing.
"You think so too, Daeun?"
"Yes! Daeun thinks Daddy's the coolest!"
My shoulders nearly touched my ears.
Sure, you could say it was just about the clothes, but every moment with Daeun was precious to me.
Even now, I wanted to tease her a bit.
"So you didn't think I was handsome before?"
Whoosh!
Daeun's eyes trembled slightly.
Then she shook her head vigorously.
"No! Daddy's always handsome! Super... um, really handsome!"
I'd just asked jokingly, but her reaction was intense.
Like I'd really caught her true feelings.
"You really thought that?"
When I asked, flustered, Daeun made a big X with her arms.
"No! Daddy's handsome! For real!"
They say strong affirmations are just strong denials...
"Hahaha! Looks like I poked at something I shouldn't have. A-anyway, shall we head up? The exhibition's about to start."
"Daeun's gonna go with her handsome daddy!"
Daeun clutched my hand tight, as if to forget the whole thing.
I grinned like nothing happened and said,
"Alright, let's go."
"Yeah!"
We headed straight up to the 13th floor where the exhibition was.
At the entrance, we met Professor Kwon Woochul and Painter Son Jeongsun greeting arriving guests.
"Oh my, Daeun's here!"
"Hello. I hope you've both been well."
It'd only been a week, but it felt great to see them.
"Thanks for coming. I hope I didn't drag busy people here."
Aram Go shook her head at Professor Kwon's words.
"Oh, come on, what are you saying? Of course we had to come."
She handed Painter Son Jeongsun the flowers she'd prepared in advance.
"This is my gift for a successful exhibition."
"Oh dear, you didn't have to. Thank you."
Watching from the side, Daeun's eyes sparkled as she said,
"Daddy! Daeun too!"
Nod.
I nodded and handed her the small paper bag I'd brought from home. She scampered over confidently and held it out.
"This is from Daeun and Daddy!"
"You brought a gift too, Daeun?"
"Yes!"
Exhibitions were a key event for artists to introduce themselves to the world.
People usually brought bouquets, but since Daeun was still little...
I'd thought of something memorable instead.
"Wow! What is this? Did you make it yourself, Daeun?"
"Yes! Daeun made it!"
Out of the paper bag came a tiny paper flower, folded origami-style.
We could've bought fresh flowers, but everyone else would do that.
It was fun making memories with Daeun.
"Thank you so much, Daeun."
Hee!
Daeun beamed at the thanks.
"Wow, I want a flower Daeun makes too. Gift me one when I have my exhibition someday."
Daeun nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Auntie, I'll make one later!"
"Auntie will work hard and have an exhibition for sure!"
"Yes!"
It was an impressive resolve in a different way. Everyone smiled warmly.
A moment later.
Click.
I turned at the familiar sound of heels.
"Everyone's here?"
"Yeah, Auntie."
"Oh, Auntie!"
It was Director Go Yunmi, as expected.
But I was shocked right away. By the person standing next to her.
"P-President?"
"I, Painter Lee! Is that really you?"
President Kwak Cheolun.
The man who'd bought more of my paintings than anyone else.