Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Hyorin's Scrapbook
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A few days had passed since our trip to the zoo.
Maybe it was because we'd been so busy lately, but both Daeun and I needed some time to recharge.
And so, after spending a few days at home playing with Daeun without stepping outside, that's when it happened.
A newspaper was delivered to our house.
It was from the professor.
"Hello?"
Ah, Kanghyeok. Did you get the newspaper I sent?
"Yes. I just received it and I'm looking at it now."
It had been a while since I'd held a paper newspaper. The texture, the smell...
"But why did you send the newspaper?"
The photo came out great. So I sent it.
"Photo?"
At the mention of a photo, I hurriedly flipped through the pages.
There was an article about the charity art contest special exhibition from a few days ago.
And alongside it, a large photo of everyone together.
How about it? Daeun came out super cute, right?
From the professor's words, I immediately knew which photo he meant.
The group photo taken midway through, with all the volunteers gathered together. Daeun and I were in it.
"It came out great."
That's why I sent it. Thought it'd be good to scrap it or something.
I already had a few photos of Daeun and me on the wall, even if it wasn't intentional.
"Yeah, the wall's been feeling a bit empty, so this is perfect. I'll cut it out and frame it."
Good, it'll make for some nice memories. Anyway, thanks for helping out this time. If there's another chance, lend a hand again.
"Sure, call me anytime."
Hearing a high-priced artist like you say that really puts my mind at ease. Talk to you later.
The professor, honestly.
"Yes, Professor. Take care."
Click.
As I hung up with the professor, Daeun, who had been drawing at her desk, asked,
"Daddy, what's a scwabby?"
"Scrap."
"Yeah, that."
When Daeun asked about scrapbooking, I thought for a moment before picking up the newspaper and going over to her.
Then I showed her the photo of us.
"Remember when this was taken?"
"Yeah! I wemember this one."
"This is a photo of Daeun and Daddy together. To commemorate it, we cut it out and keep it somewhere special. That's called scrapbooking."
Even though Daeun remembered everything like a video, it wouldn't hurt to teach her about commemorating special moments.
"So we cut out this photo?"
"That's right. We cut it out, put it in a frame like a picture, or stick it in a notebook."
"Stick it."
"Yeah, and write notes about it. Like when and where Daeun did what."
"Like Mommy."
Mommy? Her sudden mention of Mommy made me blink and ask,
"What about Mommy?"
"Daeun saw Mommy looking at hers."
Mommy's? Curiosity piqued, I asked Daeun,
"Do you know where it is?"
Nod.
"Over there."
Daeun pointed to the bookshelf with fairy tale books.
I got up and checked where she pointed. I found several kinds of notebooks.
Pulling one out and opening it...
"Wow..."
It was full of scraps about me.
'When did she make all this?'
Another notebook had not just my photos, but tons of info about me.
It was surprising, and gratitude welled up.
I could feel Hyorin's love and devotion.
"Mommy always takes it out and looks. So Daeun knows too."
Daeun was just stating facts, but why did it feel so heartbreaking?
After the accident, the scrapbooks I'd seen while with Daeun.
What kind of feelings had Hyorin had when she looked at them?
It probably wasn't with joy, I thought cautiously.
Even setting aside the longing, how much effort must she have put into pushing away the negative thoughts that would inevitably arise?
Flip.
As I turned the pages of the notebook full of my photos, I stopped at one part.
Unlike the neatly organized others, this page was crumpled like paper soaked in water.
Grip.
'Hyorin...'
It was clippings about my accident.
My face from the representative piece at the exhibition I'd been preparing for back then, and below it, a brief note on the situation.
Why on earth had she clipped this article? The question crossed my mind briefly, but soon I understood Hyorin's heart.
'She believed I'd definitely come back.'
Looking at this scrapbook, I could be certain.
Hyorin had been waiting for me.
It was heartbreaking.
The depth of sorrow in Hyorin's scrapbook was almost too much for even me to bear.
If I felt this sad, how much greater must her pain have been?
I couldn't even fathom it.
Just then, Daeun spoke.
"But when she looked at it, Mommy told Daeun."
What Hyorin had said while looking at the scrapbook with Daeun?
"What did Mommy say?"
Her next words made me bite my lip hard to hold back tears.
"Mommy said she weally, weally loves Daddy."
"Thanks for telling me, Daeun. Thanks to you, I could understand Mommy's feelings."
I thanked Daeun.
If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have fully grasped Hyorin's heart.
Her story let me feel so much.
The Hyorin I knew was different from the Mommy Daeun knew.
That's why we needed these conversations, and through them, we could keep Hyorin in our hearts.
"Daeun likes talking about Mommy. I'll tell more later."
"Yeah, Daddy will tell lots of Mommy stories later too."
And so, Daeun and I each remembered Hyorin in our own ways.
Right then.
Bzzz.
The phone in my pocket vibrated.
"Daeun, hang on a sec."
"Okay! Daeun's dwawing!"
"Alright."
I nodded to Daeun and quickly checked the smartphone screen.
President Jeong's name was on it.
"Ah, hello."
Hello, Artist Lee. Have you eaten?
"Yes, President Jeong. I hope you have too."
After the usual pleasantries, President Jeong got to the point.
The reason I'm calling is about the studio I mentioned before.
President Jeong had said the company would rent a studio for artists scheduled for exhibitions.
On the day we parted, he'd sent a list, and I'd chosen one not too far from home.
It's all sorted out just in time. If you're okay with it, you can visit anytime after today.
"Oh, really?"
Yes, basic supplies are set up, but you'll need to buy your own materials for your work.
"Ah, I have what I usually use, so that should be fine."
I'd bought some recently, and I could always get more if needed.
For us, having the studio space was what mattered; the rest wasn't a big deal.
You have the address, right?
"Yes, I have the one you sent."
Will you head over today by any chance?
"Today?"
At the word "today," I glanced at Daeun, who was drawing.
'Should we go today?'
We'd been cooped up at home for days and I was feeling a bit stifled.
If we went out for a quick visit, Daeun might enjoy it.
And we could grab a meal out while we're at it.
"Hang on, let me ask Daeun."
Ah, if you decide to go, just let me know. I need to tell the staff managing it.
"There's staff on site?"
President Jeong laughed as he answered.
Of course. Even if it's a studio, it's managed directly by the department store.
That really drove home how prestigious the exhibition venue was.
"Yes, let me ask her right now."
As I said that and turned back to look at Daeun—
"Daeun wants to go!"
Daeun had come over at some point, beaming.
"Yeah?"
"Daeun's going to the studio!"
She must have overheard my call with President Jeong.
'Well, no need to ask after all.'
I'd half-expected this, but Daeun's feelings mattered most.
President Jeong must have heard her too, because he chuckled over the line.
Glad Daeun's excited too. I'll let the staff know, so come whenever it's convenient.
"Thanks for looking out for us."
No, no. This is all thanks to artists like you creating great work. Talk later.
Click.
As the call ended, Daeun rushed into the family room, grabbed her yellow bag, and started packing her art supplies.
Then she looked at me standing there blankly and urged me on.
Like she wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Daddy, hurry! We gotta go!"
I smiled and replied,
"Alright, let's go."
And with that, we headed to the studio where Daeun's works would be born.
The studio provided by the department store wasn't far from our house.
About 30 minutes by bus.
Rock, rock.
Daeun must have been really looking forward to the studio, because she kept swinging her legs in the air.
"Daeun's so excited!"
"Yeah."
"Yeah! It's Daeun's studio!"
Even at not quite five years old, getting her own space like an adult must have been thrilling.
"Right. Daeun's studio. Lucky Daeun."
"Yeah!"
She giggled, unable to contain her joy.
Smiling at her, I asked,
"But aren't you hungry, Daeun?"
We'd had breakfast, but the departure time was awkward.
Lunchtime was in that weird in-between, so I'd thought we'd eat near the studio, but we'd already run late.
It was well past 1 p.m., so she had to be hungry.
I pulled out a pre-prepared candy and offered it.
"Want some candy?"
"Candy."
At the word "candy," Daeun's eyes lit up.
She snatched it from my hand and said,
"Daeun wants to eat candy!"
"Got it. Give it back for a sec, I'll unwrap it..."
Right then, crying came from the front of the bus.
"Waaah!"
Everyone on the bus turned to look at the sudden wail.
There was a boy who looked about four and his fidgety mom.
"Soo-jung, stop it."
"Waaah!"
"Mommy will buy you a new one as soon as we get off the bus. Please stop crying..."
"Caaandy!"
Tears streamed down.
From the mom's words, I could guess what happened.
'Dropped his candy?'
The bus motion had sent the candy rolling on the floor.
The kid was crying over it, and though Mom tried to soothe him, it was too dirty to pick up now.
'Should've brought a couple more.'
I'd only brought one, worried it'd trigger Daeun's snack obsession again.
If I'd known, I'd have grabbed an extra.
It was a pity, but for now, the mom had no choice but to promise to buy another after getting off.
Rustle.
As I unwrapped the candy to give to Daeun—
Something unexpected happened.
"Daddy, Daeun give candy to that kid."
"What?"
Maybe because I knew how obsessed Daeun usually was with snacks.
"I'll be back!"
Handing her unwrapped candy to the crying boy felt utterly surreal.
"Here, for you."
But what felt even stranger was Daeun's expression as she gave it.
'Why does she look so happy?'
Daeun's face beamed with a huge smile as she offered the candy.