Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Daeun's Playground Adventure
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Ring ring—
When the alarm went off, I quickly grabbed my phone and slipped out of the room.
Just in case Daeun might wake up, I turned it off and checked on her.
'Still asleep.'
We'd arrived in Seoul late last night after riding back with Director Go, and it was still too early to be up anyway.
She'd probably sleep another hour or two.
Click.
As I stepped out and closed the door, I glanced at the photo stuck to the fridge.
It was taken at the nurungji restaurant where we'd had dinner the night before.
Director Go, Painter Oh, the manager, Daeun, and I—we were all smiling, looking so happy.
Daeun's face especially seemed brighter than I'd seen in a long time.
'At least things worked out. They made up.'
I'd heard about the history between Director Go and Painter Oh a bit late, but they'd finally reconciled.
Painter Oh wouldn't be moving to Seoul right away, but she planned to wrap up her life in Daegu after this exhibition.
It might take time, but she'd find her place eventually.
'Good for them.'
At first, I'd worried I was being nosy, but now I was glad I'd gotten involved.
Even if Hyorin were alive, I bet she'd have done the same.
Swish.
'Alright, time to get moving.'
I'd originally planned to head to the studio with Daeun the day after getting back from Daegu.
There was still time, but preparing early never hurt.
But after seeing everything Director Go and Painter Oh had been through, I changed my mind.
What can I say?
I wanted to make more memories with Daeun while we had the chance.
Sure, we'd been out a lot lately making memories, but today was different.
No, I wanted Daeun to take the lead.
'She'd always followed me around before.'
Today, I'd follow her.
Of course, the right spot was key, and on the way back to Seoul yesterday, I'd picked one.
A place Daeun would love and could take charge of.
That spot every kid has been to at least once.
For Daeun's memories.
And for my painting of those memories with her.
So I—
Crack!
"Time to show off my skills."
I bustled around, packing lunch for Daeun and me.
[...The train now arriving has a gap between the train and platform...]
The subway pulled in from afar.
Daeun stomped her feet excitedly at the sight.
"Daddy! Train's coming! Train!"
Did she think it was the same as the one we took to Daegu a few days ago?
I smiled and corrected her.
"That's a subway."
"Subway?"
"Yeah, a train that runs underground."
"Wow! So cool!"
By then, the subway had sped into the station, stopped, and the screen doors opened.
Whoosh—!
"You heard earlier, right? There's a gap between the train and platform, so be careful getting on."
"Okay, Daddy!"
At my words, Daeun stared at the ground like she'd never miss a step and boarded as safely as possible.
We got on the subway.
Even though I'd picked a quiet time, our destination was a busy area, so there were no empty seats.
Everyone was seated.
"Daeun, come here."
"Okay."
I took her hand and pulled her to the corner by the wall, helping her grab the handle.
"Don't move when the train's going—hold on tight."
"Got it! Tight!"
She gripped it with both hands.
How cute even that was.
'Good girl.'
Worried she might fall, I stuck close and grabbed the handle too.
Once Daeun was all set, the train finally started moving.
"It's moving."
"Eek! Tight!"
As the train picked up speed, our bodies naturally leaned back. The whole car swayed along the curving tracks.
Each time, Daeun flinched big-time and squeezed the handle harder.
'Hmm, no need to grip that hard.'
Her knuckles were turning white—she was all focus on that handle.
If I left her like this, she'd be exhausted before the next stop.
I looked at her and asked.
"Daeun, you okay?"
"Daddy, shh. Daeun has to hold the handle."
"You don't have to grip it that hard."
"I might fall!"
I was bracing her with my legs, so she wouldn't fall unless it was a huge jolt.
But if Daeun thought so, that was that.
Instead, I respected her view and asked.
"How about Daddy protects you instead of the handle?"
"You protect me?"
"Yeah, hold Daddy's hand instead. Then Daddy can keep you safe— what do you think?"
I held out my hand. She looked back and forth between the handle and me.
She wouldn't say it, but her hands must hurt gripping it so hard.
So I figured she'd take mine.
"Daeun's gonna hold the handle."
"Why?"
"If Daddy gets hurt because of Daeun, Daeun will be sad."
Hurt because of her?
I hadn't expected her to think that far.
"Daddy's a grown-up, so I don't fall easy. No worries."
But Daeun was firm.
Shake shake!
"No way, it's dangerous!"
She gripped the handle with all her might again.
'Hmm.'
Her actions were so admirable.
But the idea that I might get hurt because of her—what was that?
'Felt a bit hurt.'
I felt oddly let down.
Was I not reliable enough?
Or was I not yet a sturdy dad in her eyes?
Maybe that's why I brought it up again.
"Daddy's really fine."
Still, she was resolute.
"No."
Right then, someone who'd been watching us shyly spoke up.
"Um..."
"Yes?"
It was a high school girl in uniform.
She stood from her seat and pointed to it.
"If it's okay, want to let the kid sit here?"
"Oh, that'd be too much—sorry."
"No, I'm fine. Let her sit."
She fully vacated the seat to make it easy.
Even though we could've just taken it, her kindness was touching.
I smiled and thanked her.
"Thank you. Daeun, say thank you too."
Daeun bowed to the high school big sis who'd given up her seat.
"Thank you!"
Then, totally opposite her vibe with me, she toddled over, plopped down with a big grin.
"Daddy! Daeun's not falling!"
"Good job."
I smiled back, but a tiny bit of that hurt feeling lingered.
'Am I not trustworthy to Daeun?'
The thought kept nagging. But I couldn't show it.
She remembers every word.
The subway sped on, and we finally reached our stop.
Ding—!
Doors opened, and Daeun hopped off to the platform.
I followed, saying.
"We made it safe."
"Yeah! The big sis gave up her seat, so Daeun's legs don't hurt at all!"
The world was still worth living in.
Because of that kindness?
Smiling, I told her.
"When Daeun grows up, you can give your seat to someone who needs it."
At the idea of paying it forward, she beamed.
"Like Mommy."
'Mommy?'
I hadn't expected Hyorin here.
"Daddy..."
Daeun's voice trembled faintly as she called me.
"Yeah?"
"Is this the place you said we'd go?"
"Yeah! That's right! What do you think—fun, huh?"
Her eyes sparkled as she yelled.
"How'd you know Daeun wanted to come here?"
Wanted to come here?
She'd never said so, and probably didn't even know it existed.
Must be so thrilled I brought her that she's saying it now.
"You really, really wanted to come here?"
"Yeah!"
"Then you're super excited, right?"
"Yeah!"
"You wanna go in and have fun right now?"
"Yeah yeah!"
Her answers brimmed with joy.
I'd always led our outings before.
If I'd known she'd love it this much, I'd have come sooner.
Better late than never.
"I booked ahead. Let's go in."
"Daeun's going!"
I quickly showed our tickets and headed inside.
The sight made our jaws drop.
'It said it was big, but wow—this is huge.'
The spot I'd brought Daeun to was Imagination Kids Playground, just outside Seoul.
A massive space packed with kid-friendly rides and play areas—super popular with families.
Weekends were supposedly mobbed.
'Good call coming on a weekday.'
That's why I'd reserved right away on the way up.
No point if crowds kept us from the fun.
"Daeun!"
"Yeah!"
"What first?"
She scanned around and pointed, yelling.
"That one!"
"That?"
It was a funky slide setup.
Air-filled so you wouldn't hurt if you tumbled.
Stairs up both sides, slide down the middle.
She dashed over, kicked off her shoes, and climbed up.
Moments later.
"Wheeee!"
Arms high, she zoomed down.
Face lit with excitement, I asked as she landed.
"Daeun, fun...?"
Whoosh!
Did she hear? Or too hyped?
She bolted up the stairs again, screaming gleefully down the slide.
'Now she's a real kid.'
Before, what?
She was so smart, but that grown-up vibe for a five-year-old bugged me.
I'd worried without realizing.
Seeing her play here eased my mind.
'Kids gotta play.'
Nothing more important for them.
And parents make it happen.
Whoosh whoosh!
"Daddy!"
Daeun waved wildly from atop the slide.
I waved back big, yelling her name.
"Yeah! Daddy's here!"
Hee!
She grinned wide and came screaming down again—right then.
A guy approached me and spoke.
"Excuse me..."
Startled for a sec at the sudden voice.
His next words made my eyes widen.
"Uh, did you come here just with the kid?"
'No way, him too?'
The guy seemed to be here solo with his kid.