Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Daeun's Perfect Memory
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I'd heard that among billions of people, there are extremely rare cases where someone is born with perfect recall.
The ability to remember everything they've seen, heard, or felt as if taking a photo or video—never forgetting anything they've witnessed even once.
But if Daeun had that kind of ability...
'No, no... Maybe she's just drawing from memory.'
Just in case, I calmly watched Daeun as she drew.
Scribble, scratch.
My expression gradually hardened as I watched her draw without hesitation.
Birds flying in the sky, the shape of trees, even the statue of the Virgin Mary we'd only glimpsed in passing.
But the most shocking part was me, talking to the Sister far off in the distance.
If she was drawing something that didn't need to be included...
'No doubt about it.'
Gulp.
I had to admit it.
Daeun possessed perfect recall.
That's when the thought suddenly struck me.
Did Hyorin know about Daeun's ability?
"Daeun, have you been coming here a lot with Mommy?"
Just in case, I asked, and Daeun replied without taking her eyes off her drawing.
"Yeah, lots of times."
"Did you draw pictures like this every time?"
"Yeah! Mommy said Daeun can draw as much as she wants if she feels like it!"
It probably wasn't just because of her talent that she'd asked her to draw.
Hyorin must have known too. About Daeun's ability.
Of course, most people would envy the ability to remember every scene and moment like a photograph.
But that's knowing only one side and not the other.
Excess in anything becomes poison.
Happy memories are fine even if they don't fade.
But if they're unhappy ones... she'll carry them for life.
That's what worried me.
That she might end up with a past she wants to erase.
"Daeun, having fun?"
Scratch, scribble.
The drawing was nearly complete; she was just touching up the small details.
After diligently erasing with the eraser, redrawing with the pencil, and repeating, Daeun looked up at me with a satisfied expression.
"Yeah! Super fun!"
She didn't need to say it—her face said it all.
How adorable she was.
I smiled warmly at her and said,
"Then wanna watch Daddy draw now?"
Her expression changed at my words. Like intense interest sparking.
"Yeah! Yeah! Daeun wants to see Daddy draw!"
At that, I deliberately made a big show of grabbing a pencil and placing it on the sketchbook on the easel.
'First time drawing since I woke up, huh.'
It felt nostalgic to be drawing again after so long.
What should I draw? Since it was my first after the accident, I wanted something memorable.
As I looked around for ideas, I spotted the most meaningful subject right there in this moment.
The cute little life form in front of me: Daeun.
"Decided."
"What?"
I smiled at her question and said,
"Daddy's gonna draw Daeun."
"Daeun?"
"Yeah, because you're the most precious thing to me."
Five years ago, she was the most precious gift Hyorin had prepared for me, and now, five years later, she was the most precious treasure Hyorin had left behind.
And in this moment, Daeun had become the most precious and meaningful being in my life.
'If memories don't fade, then I just need to fill her head with happy ones.'
It might even become the goal of my life.
I...
"Daddy will draw you looking pretty."
I wanted to make Daeun happy.
So that this moment would be one she never forgot for the rest of her life.
So no unhappy memories could torment her.
"Like a princess, all pretty."
Yay!
Daeun responded energetically, beaming with joy.
"Yeah!"
On the way down from the studio.
With the sketchbook tucked under my arm, I asked Daeun, who was waddling along.
"Was it fun?"
She replied, her mouth curved up to her ears.
"Thanks, Daddy! You drew Daeun so pretty!"
"It's not that I drew you pretty—you're just pretty."
At that, she twisted her body shyly as she walked.
"Am I really, really pretty?"
"Yeah, really. You can believe everything Daddy says. Daddy never lies."
"Everything Daddy says is true?"
"Of course!"
"Wow! Daddy's awesome!"
Whether she liked my drawing or the Daeun in it, I wasn't sure.
But seeing her happy made my mood lift automatically.
We descended the alley like coming down a mountain and arrived at the mart she said they went to often.
"This is the mart you came to with Mommy."
"Bigger than I thought."
I'd imagined a small neighborhood mart, but the inside was surprisingly spacious.
Still, with plenty of staff, it seemed like a good place to buy most things.
"Shall we go in?"
"Yeah!"
Just as we were about to enter the mart together.
Bzzz.
My quiet phone rang. Checking the caller on the sudden call, I...
'Huh?'
My eyes widened at the unexpected name.
I let Daeun go ahead first, then followed while answering.
"Hello?"
Hey, Kanghyeok Lee. You really doing this?
The sharp voice from the receiver belonged to none other than my best friend, Jungeun Park.
"Yeah, long time no talk."
Long time? How could you do this to me?
It had been five years since we last spoke, and the first thing out of his mouth was like banging on a window in the dead of night.
"What do you mean?"
If you woke up, you should've called me first, obviously.
"Oh, that's why."
Man, I called the hospital earlier and nearly had a heart attack. You know, just three months ago you were still on the brink of death, and suddenly you're gone!
Honestly, I'd forgotten about Jungeun. No, I hadn't even remembered.
Back at the hospital, I was struggling just to accept Hyorin's death.
Still, not contacting him was inexcusable.
"Sorry. Forgot to call."
Well, since you can pick up, you've probably heard the gist already.
"Yeah, heard roughly from your mom."
Silence fell for a moment after my reply.
Then Jungeun spoke.
Hyorin waited for you a long time. Those five years you were lying there.
"I know..."
Everyone wanted to give up, but Hyorin stopped them. Said you'd definitely wake up.
I already knew that too.
"Yeah, waking up like this is all thanks to Hyorin."
No way... You know that too?
He was my closest friend, after all. Seems Jungeun knew how Hyorin's accident insurance payout was used.
"Found out somehow."
...
Another silence, then I spoke.
"But it's okay. When I woke up, the world's most precious treasure was waiting for me."
Jungeun asked in surprise.
No way, you've met Daeun too?
"Of course. She's my daughter."
So how's Daeun? She doing okay?
"Daeun, um... seems... okay-ish."
His sudden question puzzled me a bit.
Why ask out of the blue?
"But why?"
Well, when I heard Hyorin passed and went to the funeral, Daeun was crying her eyes out.
"What? Daeun..."
Yeah, you know that small room in the funeral hall? She wouldn't eat and just cried all day. Your mom was really worried too, I remember.
Swish.
His words were a bit shocking.
Sure, I'd only met Daeun two days ago, but I'd never seen her that sad.
Rustle!
Then Daeun thrust out a bag of yellow banana-flavored snacks and asked,
"Daddy, can we buy this?"
Craving banana snacks, huh.
I smiled and replied,
"Of course. Buy whatever Daeun wants."
She hugged the banana snacks with a look like she'd conquered the world.
Seeing her like that, I told Jungeun,
"She seems fine now. No need to worry too much."
Daeun's grown up well. Impressive.
"Yeah, better than me."
I meant it sincerely, but it must've sounded funny.
Of course she's better than you. She's Hyorin's daughter, after all.
"Yeah, can't deny that."
Good. Seems like you're shopping, so call me later when it's quiet.
I widened my eyes at his words.
"Why call?"
Guess since you haven't come looking for me, you don't know everything yet.
"What do you mean?"
Who do you think handled Hyorin's accident insurance money?
"No way, you?"
Yeah, I took care of your hospital bills and even found the house you're in now. You're probably busy, so call when you get home.
Jungeun hung up after that.
The call left a bit of unease, but right now I was shopping with Daeun.
Rustle.
I asked Daeun, still clutching the banana snacks like treasure.
"Anything else you want?"
She hesitated, then mumbled,
"Want... chocolate snacks too."
"I'll buy them all."
"Really?"
"Yeah, all of them."
What parent wouldn't buy snacks their daughter wants?
Pointing to the chocolate snacks on the shelf, I asked,
"This the one?"
"Yeah..."
Her reluctant nod made me resolutely toss the chocolate snacks into the basket.
We added meat and veggies for dinner, plus necessary seasonings, and headed to the checkout.
Beep! Beep!
As all the items were scanned, the total appeared on the screen.
[110,850 won]
'P-prices have gone up?'
I hadn't fully grasped how much time had passed since waking up.
But right now, those five years hit hard.
'More expensive than I thought.'
Over 110,000 won. I hurriedly pulled out my wallet and opened it...
Gulp.
'Sh-short...'
Not enough cash. Taxi from hospital to orphanage, then orphanage to home—about 40,000 won spent.
Only a bit over 50,000 won left in the wallet.
'Th-then card... use the card...'
No, that wouldn't work either.
All the credit cards in my old wallet were expired.
"110,850 won. Card okay?"
The clerk announced the amount curtly, with customers waiting behind. I smiled awkwardly and said,
"Uh, one moment. Could you let the people behind go first?"
Her expression darkened slightly.
But she quickly composed herself and replied,
"Yes, please come up after them."
"Ah, thank you."
Beep!
I'd bought some time. Now I had to figure out how to pay.
'Any money in the bank?'
If there was, I could withdraw from an ATM... No. Even the debit card was expired.
Only option left was a transfer... No, better come back later.
'If I explain well to Daeun...'
Swish.
Then my eyes met Daeun's, clutching the banana and chocolate snacks tightly.
Gulp.
Her sparkling eyes weakened my resolve.
'She'll be disappointed.'
I thought Daeun would understand, but she was only five.
With perfect recall, she'd remember this moment too.
Already sorry it wasn't a happy memory, and now this embarrassing situation with stares from others...
'No! Absolutely not!'
No way. Only one option left.
Swish.
I pulled out my phone and dialed somewhere.
Soon, Jungeun's voice came through, and without hesitation, I said,
"Lend me some money."