School Uniform Date (1)
In my life, what has been the most important thing?
Twenty years ago, it was Seol-ah. She always told me, "You have to value yourself more than me, got it?"
And now...
"Dad?"
"Uh, y-yeah...?"
"I heard family photos with a 'concept' are trending lately."
"Tr-trending..."
Trending. Yeah, trending. Come to think of it, I've never really paid attention to stuff like this since she was little. A throbbing guilt comes with the realization.
Could I do it? C-could I really... go out?
It would've been an answer I couldn't give in the past. I'd have carefully dodged it, or at worst, gotten on my knees to apologize.
But.
Along with my declaration to be brave...
"Let's go together, okay...?"
"T-together..."
I'm not alone. My daughter is pretty, so we'll draw some stares, sure... but walking out there with nothing to hold onto?
Scary. Just imagining it terrifies me!
How the hell have I survived in this world? The late regret fades for a moment.
Now it's time to really choose.
Family photos with my daughter. But we have to wear academy uniforms for it. In my past life, I'd have shrugged it off as no big deal... but it's still tough.
"Hee... h-hic."
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"N-no... I mean, um, so..."
What was that? Just now... my whole body twitched for a split second. Something so subtle no one would notice.
I glance around cautiously, then look up at my daughter. I was about to refuse... but now that I've missed the timing, it's hard again.
"Sh-should we...?"
"Yes! Dad's the best!!"
"Heh, hehehe..."
I gave permission. In the end, I... I went and did it!
That instant.
-Whoosh, whoosh!!
"Dad! This is so fun~!"
"J-Ji-ah?"
My body lifted into the air. Ji-ah's hands were hooked under my armpits.
Like an adult playing airplane with a kid. She swung my body back and forth in the air twice.
What... what is this? First time in my life experiencing it.
Even Seol-ah never went this far...
Why isn't it happening? That thing where people freeze up and can't react to something so absurd.
That's how I felt right now. A dad getting airplaned by his daughter? Does a creature like that even exist in this world?
"Ji-ah."
"Yes, Dad."
"C-could you put me down?"
"Why? 'Cause I love you so much..."
Th-that... that face is against the rules. My daughter's genuinely happy expression.
What can I say. It wasn't about pride or anything like that.
Just... normally speaking. Dads and daughters don't do this. If anything, it's the dad doing it to the daughter.
That was the reason. And.
That reason crumbles to trivial happiness.
"N-no, it's fine..."
Sag. My body went limp.
Simply put, I gave up.
The next morning—or late morning, around 10 a.m.? I confirmed yesterday wasn't a dream through two facts.
"Dad, good morning!"
"Uh... yeah! Good morning, Ji-ah."
A soft smile. Ji-ah greets me with a grin right after waking up. God, how long has it been? I'm trembling with emotion.
Breakfast was ordinary, and special.
She eats the meal I prepared with delight, chatting happily. It was everyday life back in high school, but after her late puberty hit, it was a dream I couldn't even hope for.
And.
"Dad."
"Yeah."
"I made a reservation. Just change and come out."
"Ah...?"
She wasn't bringing clothes...? I stared at Ji-ah in a daze.
I thought she was bringing outfits. Looks like we had completely different ideas. No wonder she was more excited than I imagined.
What now. Should I refuse...?
"Ugh..."
"......"
How do you say no to those sparkling eyes? It's like when I bought her toys as a kid. Buying clothes or toys for my girl never felt like a waste. Those eyes naturally bring a warm smile.
But... the problem is, it's not buying her clothes—it's me having to wear them.
No turning back now. I'm trapped.
In the end, resignation. I nod a couple times and head to the dressing room.
This feels more embarrassing than yesterday.
It wasn't a lie.
Yesterday, the academy uniform awareness and name tag made it weird, but the outfit itself was normal: black slacks, white dress shirt.
I don't wear them usually, but others do. What? Not academy uniforms? ...Let's skip that.
Lost in thoughts, I manage something close to yesterday's look. A bit tight and stuffy... but it'll do.
Academy uniforms vary by year—more like by grade or era.
Lucky, I guess. Mine and Ji-ah's match in color. They cycle through anyway. Black base with red accents. Necktie, sweater, jacket.
Looking in the mirror, nostalgia hits harder than shame. The clothes are a bit worn... but I look the same as 20 years ago.
"I... miss you so much..."
Don't cry. Gotta go out soon. Stop it.
Think of something else. It'll be embarrassing outside. People will stare at me and Ji-ah. Our hair colors scream hunter from a mile away...
Hoo. Heart calms a bit, but still trembling.
Maybe Ji-ah's helping me. Pities her shut-in dad. Like rehab therapy?
Thoughts lean that way. Makes sense. Shock therapy works best. If it goes well, really well... maybe I can go out alone after today? Not just next door—downtown!
Good. Fully calm now. Time to leave the dressing room.
I step slowly. As I enter the living room naturally.
"......!!"
S-Seol-ah?
I duck back in panic. B-back to the dressing room.
-Thump, thump, thump, thump.
My heart pounds. Chest drops, and by the time I collapse in the dressing room, it's racing faster.
"Ha, hu, huu..."
It hurts. Heart hurts. I hypnotize myself desperately—or more like face reality.
Lee Ji-ah. My daughter. Ji-ah.
The woman in uniform outside isn't my dead wife. It's my one and only daughter, Lee Ji-ah.
My daughter. My daughter. I repeat it like a mantra.
"H-huh..."
Yesterday's memory flickers. Kwak Da-eun, Ha-rang's daughter. I said she looked just like her mom. Funny, overlooking Ji-ah.
For a split second—truly an instant—I mistook uniformed Ji-ah for Seol-ah returned.
"Dad~?"
"Y-yeah! Ji-ah... coming soon...!!"
Gotta go. She's waiting. Fix my clothes, slowly exit the dressing room.
"...H-how's it look? K-kinda weird, right...?"
Calmed chest trembles again. Shame this time. Is it okay showing my daughter this?
"No... you're super cute."
"Wh-what do you mean by that!"
Squeak—! I yelp. Face burns. Ears probably red too.
About 10 seconds pass. I finally look at my daughter properly.
"Ji-ah?"
"Ah, yeah?"
Her expression seems dazed. Eyes that were staring into space turn to me. Cheeks a bit flushed—fever?
Strange. Worry overrides my own feelings, like shame.
I approach slowly. Right up close, stand on tiptoes carefully. Can't reach otherwise.
"A bit warm... low fever? Should we go to the hospital?"
"N-no! Dad..."
I touch her forehead. Hunters don't catch colds easily. Big deal if she did. I seriously suggest the hospital.
That moment.
"I-I'll wash up! Realized I put clothes on without showering."
"Ji-ah...?"
Whoosh! Wind left where she was. Wow, fast. Even my eyes couldn't track her.
"Hmm..."
Nothing to do. House chores done. Just sit on the sofa, watch TV.
Flipping channels lands on news. Could use smartphone... but at my age, TV's comfier.
Miscellaneous news. And then...
"......???"
What the hell? Head tilts. Not fake news, surely...
Just yesterday, I saw the doll Ha-rang made. News hints at reasons... but feels off.
But. The real issue: time flies watching news and phone.
Ji's been showering for an hour.
Figured it takes a bit. Magic stone hairdryer means under 30 minutes usually. Thought she's taking longer today.
Now two hours in.
"Ji-ah...?"
My daughter's showering way too long.