Ch.335335. It Doesn’t Work When We’re Together

The interior of the kindergarten, which I was visiting after several months, hadn’t changed much. It had adequate facilities, passionate teachers guiding the children, and still maintained that impressive clean interior decoration that gave it the feel of an urban kindergarten.

“Hmm…”

From what I’ve heard, it seems to have a generally good reputation, and Woohee appears quite satisfied with her kindergarten life. Perhaps I should consider enrolling Woocheon here in a few years as well?

Thinking I should ask about it, I tapped Hwa Nabi on the shoulder. But to my surprise, she seemed to interpret my gesture as some kind of signal. She quietly moved closer to me, kissed me on the cheek, and quickly pulled away.

‘…What’s that about?’

Fortunately, there was no one else passing by, but why was she doing something so embarrassing in public?

As I awkwardly rubbed my cheek and questioned her with my eyes, she just stared back at me while exhaling through her nose. Judging by her expression, something was bothering her.

‘I’m marking my territory. Just stay still.’

‘What territory marking? I’m not a tree.’

‘Anyway, that’s how it is. Just shush.’

‘Ah, okay…’

I’m very curious about why she’s suddenly acting this way, but would she give me a straight answer if I asked? I’ll have to bring up the matter about Woocheon’s kindergarten later.

“Father, Mother? Please come this way.”

“Yes.”

Lost in these thoughts, I followed the teacher into the staff room. Looking around, the structure wasn’t much different from a middle or high school staff room. The main difference was that this staff room was quite large.

Perhaps because there are many children and teachers, the staff room is quite spacious. I can see about twenty individual seats, and there’s a door leading to the back, suggesting there might be another space beyond.

Exchanging nods with the other teachers who were working on their computers, I continued following Woohee’s homeroom teacher.

“We’re here.”

The door creaked open, revealing a cozy space. Seeing the table and chairs, this appears to be the kindergarten’s counseling room.

“We have green tea and coffee. Which would you prefer?”

“Coffee for both of us, thank you.”

“Please make yourselves comfortable while you wait a moment.”

Though she said that, it felt a bit awkward to just sit down comfortably. We’re not some kind of VIPs. I stood a little distance away, feeling it would be odd to just sit and wait, but the teacher smiled wryly as she turned on the coffee pot.

“Please, feel free to sit…”

“We didn’t come here to be waited on, it’s fine.”

“But it will take a little time for the water to boil… Ah, then shall we all sit and wait together?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

I seated Hwa Nabi on the inside and sat down facing the teacher across the table. It would take about 5 minutes for the coffee water to boil, so we could just make small talk in the meantime.

As I was internally debating what to talk about first, the teacher, who had been staring at me, broke the silence.

“I’ve always wondered who Woohee takes after to be the way she is, and now I can clearly see.”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, I don’t mean anything by it, just that you’re very gentlemanly. Woohee is known among the teachers for being very polite. I wondered how a child could be so mature, but now I see she takes after her parents.”

That was a long way of saying she takes after me in being polite. No reason to feel bad about a compliment. Rather, it’s nice. I nodded with a smile.

“Thank you. You seem to be just as Woohee described.”

“Oh, does Woohee talk about me at home?”

“Yes, quite often. Just recently, she was saying how pretty and kind her kindergarten teacher is, and that when she grows up, she wants to be an adult like you. So I’ve been curious about what kind of person you are.”

It’s true that Woohee praised her teacher, and it’s also true that I was curious about her. It’s only natural to be curious about the teacher who guides your child, right?

So I spoke honestly while adding plenty of compliments. Compliments are like lubricant for conversation—the more you apply, the better the atmosphere becomes.

Of course, if you overdo it to the point where it’s obvious, it can backfire, but anyway. I trailed off and quietly observed the teacher.

Now that I think about it, probably because her main job involves dealing with children, she’s dressed quite comfortably. Clothes that prioritize functionality over aesthetics, I suppose. Such attire is certainly more practical than formal wear.

As I casually looked over her outfit, the teacher’s face gradually turned red for some reason. Like a radish. With flushed cheeks, she mumbled as if making an excuse.

“Ah, thank you for your kind words. But, um, my clothes are like this because the children are so active, and it’s hard to keep up with them without comfortable clothing. I apologize if my attire seems disrespectful, but I’d appreciate your understanding…”

“There’s no need for apologies, it’s fine. This isn’t a formal meeting or anything, so there’s no need to worry about strict etiquette.”

“F-formal meeting… Ah, right. Since this isn’t a formal meeting…”

“Yes, so please be comfortable… Huh.”

I stopped mid-sentence. Hwa Nabi, who had been looking oddly sulky, moved her hand and started subtly massaging my thigh. I quickly turned my head to look at her.

‘What are you doing?’

‘What do you mean? What did I do?’

‘Why are you suddenly massaging my thigh like that…?’

Half bewildered, half embarrassed. Not understanding why Hwa Nabi was doing this, I questioned her with my eyes, but she just glared back defiantly.

‘What’s wrong with touching my own man? I can do this!’

‘That’s not what I meant! I’m saying we should be mindful of time and place…’

‘If you keep arguing, I’ll kiss you right here and now.’

‘……’

The gleam in her eyes shows she’s 100% serious. If I say one more word, she’ll probably really go for a lip-lock right here. When Hwa Nabi says she’ll do something, she really does it.

I don’t mind kissing, but not in front of others. Especially not in this moment with Woohee’s homeroom teacher present. I gave up responding and rubbed my face.

“Um, Father? Are you feeling unwell…?”

“No, I’m fine. By the way, teacher, I think the water has finished boiling.”

“Oh my, look at me. I’m sorry, could you wait just a moment?”

The teacher jumped up from her seat and went over to the coffee pot. This is a good opportunity. With no one watching, I should give a stern look and move on. I quickly turned my head to look at Hwa Nabi.

‘Nabi, you keep…’

-Smooch.

Just as I started speaking, Hwa Nabi kissed me. After connecting our lips for a moment, she quickly pulled away and faced me with a nonchalant expression as if nothing had happened.

‘Keep what?’

‘…If you keep acting like this in public.’

Smooch, she got me again. But this time I wasn’t just going to take it. Taking advantage of her upper body leaning close, I quickly embraced her and gently rubbed my hand on her lower abdomen.

“Eek…!”

Hwa Nabi’s cute scream echoed throughout the counseling room. That sound naturally reached the teacher’s ears, and she turned around in surprise, pausing her coffee preparation.

“Ah, it’s nothing. My wife thought there was a bug on her clothes and screamed, but it was just dust.”

“Oh, I see. I was startled when I heard the scream, thinking something serious had happened.”

“No, everything’s fine. Please continue what you were doing.”

Ah, I was more surprised. It’s fortunate my poor excuse seemed to work, but regardless, I need to address this. Using her lower abdomen as hostage, I whispered in her ear.

“Are you going to keep doing this or not?”

“……”

“Answer me.”

If I rubbed hard, she would scream like before, so I just lightly tapped her lower abdomen with my fingers. Though Hwa Nabi’s shoulders twitched as if ticklish, she still kept her lips tightly sealed and said nothing.

“Not going to answer?”

“……”

Exercising her right to remain silent, is she? I was about to threaten her again, saying this wouldn’t be fun, when the teacher returned to her seat with our two cups of coffee. I had no choice but to let go of Hwa Nabi.

“Thank you. By the way, teacher, I’m a bit late in asking, but what did you want to discuss?”

“Well, it’s nothing too serious. As you both know, Woohee is quite precocious, right? I know you’ve been worried about that.”

“Yes, we have.”

“From what I’ve observed so far, Woohee has adapted very well. She plays well with older children, gets along with her peers, and participates enthusiastically in class. So I wanted to assure you that you don’t need to worry about that aspect.”

“I see. Thank you, teacher.”

“…But, Father, does Woohee seem lonely at home?”

“Um… lonely?”

This is the first I’m hearing of this. I glanced at Hwa Nabi, and her expression was strange. As if something was dawning on her.

I was about to ask for more details when the teacher, after observing us, added:

“You see, Woohee sometimes asks me questions. She asks if I have a boyfriend, and if having a boyfriend makes me feel less lonely…”

“…Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“Well, I told her I don’t have a boyfriend, but Woohee doesn’t just ask me—she asks other teachers too. At first, I thought it was just childish curiosity, but observing her, it seems to be something more.”

“……”

“That’s why I thought you and her mother should know. I’m not in a position to give advice, but since Woohee seems to be feeling lonely, perhaps you could try to spend more time with her if possible…”

The homeroom teacher continued talking, but I couldn’t hear a word.

Woohee is so lonely that she’s asking about boyfriends…? A child who’s only four years old?

“Excuse me, Father? You don’t look well…”

“…Really, getting shocked over something like this.”

Hwa Nabi patted my waist. I reflexively stood up from my seat.

“Teacher, he seems to be feeling unwell. Would it be alright if we continue this conversation later?”

“That’s fine with me, but Mother, shouldn’t you take Father to the hospital…?”

“It’s okay, this happens occasionally. He’ll feel better after getting some fresh air. …Honey? Come with me for a moment.”