episode_0045

#45

The restaurant was decent, as expected.

It wasn’t one of those ultra-trendy places you see on Instagram, but it had an upscale vibe—the kind where businesspeople might gather for a meal.

So this is what the uncle came up with after putting thought into it. It’s not 100% to my taste, but… well, he did put in the effort. The menu seems tailored to my preferences, at least.

“Shall we go in?” “Yeah! Papa.”

After handing the car over to valet parking, the uncle and I headed inside.

The uncle walked a step ahead. I followed behind him.

There was still a slight distance between us.

Maybe I should… be a little bolder. Act natural, like a real father and daughter.

I lightly grabbed the uncle’s arm.

“…S-Sarang?” “What? Papa.”

I didn’t fully link arms with him—just held onto his wrist lightly.

Surprisingly firm. Does he work out? Doesn’t feel like an uncle at all. Hogu Oppa was always on the skinny side.

“Uh, um… H-Holding onto me like this…” “Hm? It’s fine~. I’m your daughter, so what’s the big deal?” “I… I see?”

He’s so flustered. This uncle. It’s not like he’s a kid or anything, getting worked up over this…

I kept holding onto his arm as we were guided to our seats.

The restaurant was quiet, with private rooms, giving off a very exclusive vibe.

Once we entered the room, a waiter set the table for us.

We were seated facing each other. But the table was a bit large, so there was still some distance.

“Papa. Can I move a little closer?”

I slid the table setting and utensils over to the uncle’s side.

“S-Sarang?” “Hmm~. This spot’s much better.” “Uh… sure?”

Secured the seat next to the uncle. This way, we’ll look more like an affectionate father and daughter, right?

Sitting across from each other makes it feel like some awkward blind date.

See? Sitting side by side makes it easier to look at the menu together, too.

“Papa, what do you want to eat?”

“Anything’s fine… if it’s what Sarang likes. Ah, don’t worry about the price.”

“Then……”

I called the waiter and ordered a set of dishes with fancy names. Two tiers below the most expensive option.

He said not to worry about the price, but this should be within a comfortable range, right?

“…So. What should we do this afternoon?”

“Anywhere you want to go, Sarang.”

…Sounds like something straight out of a drama. Just because he says stuff like that doesn’t mean I’ll fall for it.

Hmm. But if it’s something we can both enjoy…

“Hmm~. Papa, how about this? There’s a car I’ve been wanting to try, so maybe a long drive?”

“Sounds good.”

“And… oh, one of the things I wanted to do on my day off was go to the beach. Wanna go there?”

“Sure.”

“Once we’re there… well, maybe not swimming, but we can grab some good food.”

This should be more to a 50-something uncle’s taste, right?

“Ah! Let’s hit up a karaoke room, too. Blow off some steam. I’ll take requests.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah! It’s a service just for you, Papa.”

It’s a bit haphazard, but I think I’ve come up with a date plan that’ll satisfy this uncle, too.

We’ll have fun, eat, and head back late in the evening.

“O-Okay, then I’ll cancel the other reservations…”

The uncle took out his phone and started tapping away.

“Papa, your wallpaper is a picture of me?”

“Huh? Ah. Uh, yeah.”

“Thanks~. For always supporting me.”

Half of that was genuine. Hearing that he likes me gives me this inexplicable sense of fulfillment.

While waiting for the food, the uncle fiddled with his phone for a while before scratching his head.

“Hmm……. How do I cancel this reservation?”

“Cancel? Let me see.”

I leaned closer to the uncle’s phone. Naturally, the distance between us shrank.

Hm.

He’s wearing nice cologne. No weird smells. It’s a bit… middle-aged, but it’s a masculine scent. Different from the cool, fresh fragrance Hogu Oppa wears—this one’s more mature and deep.

“Ah, here. Press this button. Yeah, there.” “Ah~. Like this?”

Doing this makes us feel like a real father and daughter. Well, ever since I became a trainee, I haven’t been able to go home much… I never got to do stuff like this with my dad.

I think I kinda get the uncle’s feelings now.

Let’s play the daughter role a little more. Keep it natural.

I lightly placed my hand over the uncle’s as he tapped the screen.

“……S-Sarang?” “Papa, not that button. This one. You have to check here first.”

Holding his hand, I pressed a few buttons on the screen.

A message popped up: *Refund request completed.*

“…Ahem. Th-Thanks, Sarang.” “Huh? For something like this? Of course~. I’m your daughter.” “Daughter……” “Today… I’m Papa’s daughter, okay?”

I lightly rested my head against his shoulder.

Sturdier than I expected. Not bad. For an uncle, he’s pretty decent. Seriously. Maybe it’s because I’m used to seeing pot-bellied uncles all the time?

“Uh, yeah… Sarang…”

Slooowly.

The uncle’s arm moved behind my back. His hand rested on my shoulder as I leaned against him.

Hmm…….

Technically, idols shouldn’t let people do this, but… Well, I leaned in first. This feels more natural than leaving his hand awkwardly hanging.

I was ready to stop him if he tried anything weird, but it’s more like a pat than a touch. Just a dad patting his daughter’s shoulder… that’s normal, right?

This is as far as the service goes. Consider it a favor.

While we were like that, the waiter came in and served the food.

The presentation was even better than I expected. Worth the price.

The uncle even cut the steak into small pieces and placed them on my plate.

Glancing sideways, I saw him still focused on cutting.

This kind of kindness… isn’t bad. Someone should take notes. Especially Hogu Oppa. Though I’m sure he does this for Harin Unnie… right?

Ah. I’m getting annoyed again.

I speared a piece of meat with my fork.

“Papa.” “Yeah?” “Ah~.”

I held the piece of meat close to the uncle’s face. His face turned red instantly.

I thought a guy in his 50s would be used to this, but he’s acting like a kid.

“Ah, uh…”

As the uncle slightly opened his mouth, I popped the meat in.

“Oh? You got sauce on you. Hold on, let me wipe it.”

I grabbed a napkin and wiped the sauce near his lips.

“Hmph. How’s that? Your daughter’s treating you well, right?” “Y-Yeah.”

This much… should be enough to repay his kindness.

I think this’ll be a good memory for him, too.

Since I have to do this anyway, it’s better if we both enjoy our time.

Yeah. That’s for the best.

*

After that…

We went for a drive. It was a convertible, so I got to enjoy the wind in my hair for the first time.

At the beach, we took a walk, played in the sand a bit, and took some photos.

At the karaoke room, I sang without stress for the first time in forever. Singing without the vocal coach watching over me felt so freeing. I sang all the songs from *Sepia*, plus a few requests from the uncle. It wasn’t bad. This part, too.

For dinner… I went with the uncle’s preference: a raw fish restaurant.

By now, we were naturally clinking chopsticks with slices of fish instead of glasses for a toast.

After spending the day together, I’d relaxed enough to chat and joke around with him easily.

The uncle’s expressions were much more natural now, too. It’s nice that he’s trying to accommodate me for this “date,” but… I think he needed this kind of healing, too. Not anything grand—just these little moments.

Seeing him smile comfortably made me feel satisfied with how the day went.

The uncle, after eating a slice of fish loaded with wasabi, sighed regretfully.

“Agh… This kind of fish really calls for soju.”

“…? Papa, should we order some?”

“No. We have to drive back to Seoul today.”

“Ah. Right. True.”

Can’t drink and drive. I don’t know how to drive.

After this, if we head back to Seoul… we’ll probably get to the dorm around 10 p.m. And when I get back……

When I get back——

Ah.

———It’ll just be Hogu Oppa and Harin Unnie.

For a moment, it felt like time had stopped. I’d completely forgotten.

Eunchae Unnie went out of town, so she won’t be back until tomorrow. Sea’s definitely staying out with friends.

Which means… right now, the dorm only has Harin Unnie and Hogu Oppa.

Ah. Seriously.

If I go back now, I’ll be the world’s biggest third wheel.

They probably think… no one’s coming back tonight. If I show up……

I don’t want to annoy them and make them hate me. No, more than that…

…I don’t want to see them together.

What’s wrong with me?

———Nowhere to go tonight, huh?

Misery wrapped around me.

No.

I feel like crying.

“S-Sarang…? What’s wrong? Your face……”

I looked up to see Papa staring at me with concern.

Ah. Seriously.

Don’t look at me with dad-like worried eyes right now.

I’m holding back from hugging you and crying, you know?

“Papa.” “Huh? Yeah…” “Can I drink, too?” “Huh?” “Auntie! Two bottles of soju, please!” “…Sarang?”

I ignored Papa and just ordered.

Alcohol… I’m not good at it. I’ve sneaked sips at the dorm before, and it tasted awful.

But today, I feel like I won’t make it through without it.

Papa wanted to drink, so… I’ll match him, right?

Two bottles and two glasses arrived at the table.

I opened one and poured him a shot. Then one for myself.

We clinked glasses and drank.

Another shot each.

Another.

Surprisingly… it’s not bad. I never understood when people said alcohol tasted sweet, but today, I think I get it.

Another shot. Clink.

Another.

This time, a love shot.

People around us glanced over. Whatever. Let them look.

Another shot.

Already running low. Ordered another bottle.

Another.

One more.

One…….

By the time we left the restaurant, the sun had set.

When the uncle tried to drive, I stopped him.

No drunk driving.

Instead…

“…Let’s rest a bit before going, Papa.”

I don’t have anywhere to go tonight anyway.

I need a place to stay.

“……Sarang. …Are you serious?” “………Yeah.”

No.

We’re father and daughter. Spending one night together shouldn’t be a big deal.

As long as we don’t cross the line. Just don’t cross it.

I leaned into Papa’s embrace as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. Hiding my face, exhausted… I buried it against his chest.

We walked a little further, heading toward a shabby motel nearby.