A 45-Year-Old Family Man in School Uniform (2)
“Waaah…”
“Just wait a sec, okay? I’ll have it ready in no time.”
“Sure thing, mister.”
The woman looked around in wide-eyed wonder. For some reason, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I could feel myself improving bit by bit. My words were coming easier, more naturally. It was probably thanks to this awkward young neighbor who’d warmed up to me so sadly at first.
On the way to our house, she’d practically begged me to drop the formalities and speak casually. Must’ve felt awkward for her… Anyway. I quickly heated up the food and set the table, like always.
Using a touch of telekinesis was par for the course. That’s the secret to being a househusband dad without breaking a sweat. Mana moves like an extra set of limbs, handling the chores. After over twenty years, it’s second nature—no effort at all.
“Wh-what are you doing…?”
“How do you do that?”
It was overwhelming. More than anything, it was hard to put into words. I was a mage… or more precisely, a buffer-type. Even if I was just an F-rank hunter.
Anyway. What I used was just conveniently called telekinesis, but it was really pure mana manipulation.
Well, in this world, there was one condition for using mana.
It had to be a skill. Since the power came down under the name of the system, most hunters relied on skills.
That was a concept from a year after the original story started, right? Depending on talent, unlocking the passive skill Mana Operation required grueling effort or whatever. Twenty-five years in, the memories were getting fuzzy. I should dig out that hidden notebook again.
“I’m a mage, so…”
“That’s so cool. I’m a martial artist, though.”
“A martial artist?”
The word “martial artist” instantly brought back the past. Bronze skin, golden hair. Not dyed—physical changes like that were common upon awakening as a hunter. I mean, I had purple hair myself.
Anyway. One person came to mind. It felt like grasping at clouds from so long ago. I’ve seen her somewhere…
“Um. Why don’t you sit there?”
“Sure, mister. Thank you.”
My neighbor took a seat—in my daughter’s usual spot. She wasn’t my daughter, but seeing a girl her age there stirred up mixed feelings. I wondered how Ji-ah was doing.
“Thanks for the meal.”
“Thanks for the meal.”
She chewed away. I couldn’t focus on my own food, too busy staring at the woman in front of me.
Someone eating my cooking? Aside from my daughter, it had been ages.
“It’s d-delicious! So, so delicious!! Mister.”
“Hehe… really?”
A goofy grin spread across my face without me realizing. My mouth curved up, and I worried I looked a bit dopey.
Our eyes met. Her mouth still worked steadily, but her gaze went blank toward me. Then… a flush crept over her cheeks.
What? Was she sick?
I tilted my head, and she frantically shook hers.
“N-no, it’s just… it’s so tasty, it made me blissed out.”
“I see…”
Why did that sound like an excuse? Didn’t matter. I was pretty confident in my cooking! She probably meant it.
The meal continued. Obviously, it wasn’t just about eating. She was an academy freshman like my daughter. Call it a hunch, but I had a feeling this neighbor girl would get along great with Ji-ah. That’s why I invited her—hoping they’d bond. Yeah, it’d be good for Ji-ah in all sorts of ways.
“What’s your name? Come to think of it, I never asked.”
“Oh, I’m… Da-eun Kwak.”
“Kwak?”
Da-eun Kwak. She gave a wry, familiar smile.
I got it. After the gates appeared, there was only one Kwak family in Korea—and everyone knew what role the Kwaks played.
Tiger Fist Kwak Family—Ha-rang Kwak. Master of one of Korea’s top three guilds, the Mountain King Guild.
Anyone with the surname Kwak was connected to them. And moving into a place like this… It all started clicking. No wonder she looked familiar…!!
“Ha-rang Kwak?!”
“Sh-she’s my mom.”
A bright smile bloomed on my face unbidden. I even stood up without thinking.
It made sense. If I had to pick one of the happiest times in my life, it’d be my academy days. Before raising Ji-ah, the time I spent with Seola was pure bliss.
“Really? You’re really Ha-rang’s daughter?”
“Y-yeah… Mister. Um, do you…”
Whoops. Got too excited? I reined in my smile and breath, sitting back down. But the grin wouldn’t fade.
“Yeah. I knew your mom from the academy. She was my junior.”
“Oh…”
Sob… O-oppa, won’t you date me instead of Seola unnie…?
H-Ha-rang…?
I can treat you way better than that unnieee… sob…
…Of all memories, it had to be that one. Wonder how she’s doing. After graduation, she devoted herself to the guild, while I devoted myself to family. Truth is, I cut off contact, so I had no idea. Well, I heard updates whether I wanted to or not—turn on the news, and there she was.
Anyway.
“So you’re Ha-rang’s daughter…”
A contented smile formed. Tension melted away in an instant. From wary stranger to my junior’s kid.
A child born of old ties. Life really throws everything at you.
“……”
“S-sorry. Got carried away on my own? That was sappy of me.”
“No… Mom’s actually kinda hard to approach.”
“…Is she?”
“Yeah. Always so stoic… a bit scary, even.”
“I see.”
We talked back and forth. The topics got a little serious. The Ha-rang who’d lived with me back then was worlds apart from the one who’d weathered the storms to claim the guild master’s throne.
We’d just met today, but Da-eun opened up about a lot.
Like worrying her thuggish looks might cause trouble.
“Don’t worry. Your mom was the same way.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, her first impression was so fierce… everyone misunderstood her.”
In the end, it all worked out—that was the story.
“You really take after your mom…”
“Nah, I don’t think so. Haha.”
Da-eun’s cheerful voice dipped a little. But her sad-yet-bright greeting earlier was just like her mom’s. A frank girl beneath the tough exterior. I corrected her.
“You can believe me. Back at the academy, your mom was even more like that.”
…I didn’t mention how she’d confessed despite knowing about Seola. A mom’s dignity and all.
Anyway, it was a truly happy evening. Lately, dinners with Ji-ah had been too quiet.
The meal wrapped up. I saw off Da-eun, who offered to help clean.
“Get home safe.”
“Yes! Mister! I’m heading in!!”
Such a good kid. Glancing at the time—7:30. We’d eaten for a full hour and a half. That’s social recovery, right?!
Feeling great. This morning I was full of worries, but tonight I drowned in old memories.
Maybe that’s why. Soon as I got home, I headed straight to the dressing room.
“Here, is it here…? Ah, found it.”
Clothes hidden deep in the closet. Not on purpose—just old stuff.
“Will it still fit?”
The academy uniform, called the “Uniform.” There were three academies in Korea total. The one in Seoul was the biggest, world-class.
I could brag about it. Only elites got in.
Anyway. Clutching the uniform close, I thought of Seola.
Thanks to those old memories, maybe. Or the uniform stirring up times with her. My hands didn’t shake.
“I miss you…”
No. No lingering in sentiment. It’s a happy evening, right?
I looked down at the clothes again and started trying them on.
“I-I’ve gained some weight…”
Age weight, I guess. Not unwearable, but snug. Hips, thighs.
The black pants were tight. And that wasn’t all?
“Hngh, hup! Th-there.”
The crisp white dress shirt. The name tag reading [Yuseong Na] was still there. Add the knit sweater and jacket to complete it. But…
“S-so stuffy…”
Definitely snug. Undo one button at the collar, and it might work.
“…Should I lose some weight?”
The shirt was definitely small. Especially my lower belly pooching out a bit— that patch of pale skin bugged me.
That moment.
-Bang bang bang!!
“Mister!! I forgot something!!”
“Wha—huh?!”
Crash. I toppled over. But I couldn’t just stay put.
Go out? Change first?
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!
Three mini-Yuseongs rampaging in my head. Her smartphone on the dining chair—yep, she’d left it.
Thud thud. Like this morning, no time to change. I grabbed her phone and rushed to the door in the uniform.
“Wh-what do I do, what do I do…”
I wanna die. My face already burned like fire.
That instant.
Quiet outside.
I reached the door to open it.
-Beep, beep-beep, beep.
The door opened.
Huh? The door… opened?
She even punched in the door code…?
“Ah, ahh…”
There stood Ji-ah. And… Da-eun behind her.
Their eyes locked onto me.
I-I’m dead… Somebody save me….