Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: No Other Beast Like Her
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......
"Yuna?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah? What is it, Mom?"
Mom set down her spoon and looked at me with worry in her eyes.
Dad glanced at Mom, then turned to me and spoke up.
"Yeah. You usually chow down enough to put Burari to shame, so what's up with you today?"
No. Come on, even if that's true, Dad?
Isn't it a bit much to casually tell your daughter she eats like a pig?
Seeing them both puzzled by my uncharacteristic behavior... Sigh. Guess I have to tell them.
No, of course I do. Why was I even hesitating?
This was about me, after all.
Hiding something concerning your kid from your parents?
Ugh. I refuse to be that kind of ungrateful, unfilial daughter.
"Well... Yesterday, I took Jeongu and Yuri to that experience program, and someone asked if I had any plans to head to the mainland after elementary school graduation."
"...... Huh?"
"......"
Yesterday, as the flower shop owner was driving us home and dropping me off last... when it was just the two of us, she made that offer.
- Yuna. What if, after you graduate elementary school, you come to the mainland with me? We could live together... Seoul or somewhere.
- Huh? The mainland?
- Yeah. It's way bigger than Ulleungdo, tons of people, awesome place. It's still far off, but I've been thinking of opening a flower shop there someday.
"We'd live together, I'd go to middle school there, and come back home during breaks! I heard ferry fares are super cheap for Ulleungdo residents! So... I've been agonizing over what to do."
"......"
"......"
Dad's face hardened as he quietly stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Mom hung her head low.
An excruciatingly awkward silence.
Ugh, this is exactly why I kept agonizing over it alone without saying a word.
I'd felt this way before, but I hated these awkward vibes.
Especially among family. It just... feels wrong.
These were the people I'd see every day, not some fleeting connection—they were the ones who gave birth to me and raised me with care.
Things getting awkward with them... Ugh. I couldn't even imagine it.
And yet, the reason I hadn't shot down the mainland offer on the spot and was still mulling it over... was because I'd always planned to leave someday.
Honestly, if I intended to stay cooped up in Tonggumi... no, Ulleungdo forever, there'd be no point saving all that money. When I grew up, I could learn to work on fishing boats or pick up odd jobs.
Worst case, I could properly train in taekwondo starting middle school and become an instructor or demo team member—no problem.
But then I'd just live a boring, ordinary life like in my past one.
No. It might be a bit more fun than before... but it still wasn't the future I wanted.
"Well. If that's what you want, Yuna, we won't stand in your way. There are experiences you can only get by going to the mainland. Your mom and I respect your choice..."
"No."
Dad nodded, his tone a little wistful... but Mom cut in with uncharacteristic firmness.
Short, sharp, and drawing a hard line: No.
"...... Pardon?"
"Hold on, honey. Even if..., saying 'no' that definitively is a bit much."
"What's so definitive about it, oppa? Our Yuna's only eight! Even after elementary graduation, she'd be fourteen!"
Uh, w-well, that's true, but...
Dad and I fumbled in surprise at Mom's sudden outburst... while Mom scowled like she had a ton to say, her eyes welling up with tears, glaring at us in turn like she might burst into sobs any second.
"She's still a child who needs to grow up loved by her parents! What parent would be happy hearing their kid wants to leave? I-I won't allow it......"
"Ah, um... Mom......"
Part of me wondered if this was really worth getting so upset over, but then I recalled Dad saying Mom got lonely easily and always feared I'd up and leave someday. My mouth wouldn't move.
As if she'd foreseen this exact moment. As if she instinctively knew it wasn't some distant future event.
I reached out to Mom, but I couldn't muster even a "Are you okay?" or a pat on the shoulder.
I felt like a criminal on trial.
Like I'd driven a spike into the heart of the mom who loved me so deeply, scolded me when needed... and beamed with pure joy at the sight of my face.
Every tear rolling down her cheeks and dripping off made my chest ache.
Was I being too greedy?
Thinking only of myself, acting selfishly...?
Not considering Mom and Dad's feelings, just rushing into a decision because I wanted to go?
"Whew. Suyeon, come on. Why cry in the middle of dinner? Come to the room with me for a sec. Yuna, sweetie, Dad'll calm Mom down, so keep eating."
"O-okay......"
Dad helped Mom to her feet—her shoulders trembling, sniffling all the way—and led her to the master bedroom.
Alone at the now-silent table, I gazed at the cooling kimchi fried rice loaded with ham and corn cones that Mom had made—my absolute favorite—and quietly set down my spoon.
Haa, I'd half-expected a day like this would come someday.
Honestly, my girl's not the type to be satisfied forever in a tiny island village like this.
Still, I figured it'd be when she graduated high school and headed to college... or maybe when she said she wanted to move to the mainland for a job...
I never dreamed it'd be right after elementary, at the earliest when she'd attend middle school on the mainland. Who could've guessed?
I was proud of her for it and wanted to cheer her on... but at the same time, it stung that she was thinking of independence so soon.
We hadn't even gone camping together or made enough memories yet.
That said, I'd mentally prepared myself deep down.
No matter what, Yuna was my stubborn girl—she always followed through on her words and actions.
But my wife clearly hadn't braced herself yet.
"Suyeon. That's enough now."
"B-but, oppa... Yuna... Yuna's... Hic!"
No, judging by her reaction, she hadn't even imagined it.
Well, she'd always been like that to some extent.
This clingy side, refusing to let go of the people she loved... heavy affection, I guess?
It showed how much she loved Yuna, but still. Who knew she'd react so sensitively right at the dinner table?
"It's not set in stone yet. She's just thinking it over. Imagine how flustered Yuna must be."
"... You know it too, oppa. If Yuna's seriously considering it, she'll go no matter what we say."
Whoa. She gets it.
I patted my wife's back as she sat beside me on the bed, face buried in my chest, sobbing quietly. A silent, bitter smile escaped me.
Yeah. She'd go, even if we tried to stop her.
Knowing that... must be why it hurt so much.
"Exactly. So wouldn't it be better to at least send her off with a smile?"
"Even so. I... I want to live forever with you, Yuna... and our soon-to-be baby......"
Oof. Talk about casually declaring she'll never let the kids go independent.
Hey, I get it—I want that too. But does life ever go exactly as planned?
"Tch. I know how you feel. But... let's see how it goes. Watch over Yuna for the time we have left. If you're still worried then, we can talk again. Okay?"
"......"
Her face screamed she had more to say, but she swallowed it and nodded. I stroked her hair and gave a small smile.
Right? She's not leaving tomorrow—six more years. It's silly to fret over sending her off or not this early.
Instead of fighting and crying, better to make more happy memories and laugh. That way, even when she leaves, we won't have regrets or lingering attachments.
Besides, it's not like we'll never see her—she said she'd visit on breaks and we could call.
Bodies apart, sure.
But not cutting family ties.
We could even go visit her.
If I go to the mainland, it'd be seeing Yuna... and visiting my dad too.
That one's a bit scary.
No clue what face to make seeing my nearly forcibly balded father-in-law thanks to my wife's hands.
Once my wife seemed to calm down from her crying, I wiped her face with tissue and opened the door together.
Our girl must be barely eating in that atmosphere. Gotta go tell her it's okay.
She's super sensitive to vibes, so she's probably sitting there untouched, peeking toward the bedroom.
Kids need to eat well to grow tall, pretty, and healthy. Can't have her skipping meals 'cause of us.
And the moment the door opened...
"I'm sorry!! Mom!!!"
"??"
"??"
......
Am I dreaming?
There was my daughter, kneeling at the bedroom door in nothing but panties, neatly folded clothes beside her, head bowed to the floor. Ahem.
Wow. Our girl. Where'd she learn dogeza in the nude from?
"Y-Yuna?! W-why are you naked?!?"
"I thought clothes were a luxury when expressing my pure sincerity!!!"
Nice. Spot on. Spot on. As expected of my daughter—her thinking's delightfully twisted. Daddy's proud.
My wife flushed, stammering in shock at the nude dogeza, while my daughter spilled her guts with head to the floor... I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Please put some clothes on! Yuna!!"
"I'll stay naked until you forgive me!!"
"You're forgiven! You're forgiven!!"
Wow. And just like that, forgiveness achieved.
Gotta remember this for later.