episode_0096

After a brief interview with the kindergarten teacher, Park Gwang-deok turned around and caught sight of his daughter and benefactor together.

“Hanbyeol, teacher.”

“Appa! Come quickly!”

“Are you here?”

Is this a consideration for children who enjoy riding on a doll or a horse?

Before he knew it, his daughter was sitting on the shoulder of a tall man, laughing like a cicada clinging to a funeral procession. Her small, delicate hand, like a ginkgo leaf, patted and stroked the earlobes and jawline of the man wearing a beanie. Although it might have been annoying to be touched, Park Gwang-deok’s teacher did not show any sign of displeasure, and instead, he added a rare small smile to his stone-like face.

The two people who matched well with each other were like uncle and niece, and it was a very heartwarming sight to see. Park Gwang-deok loved his precious daughter, who he could not bear to put in his eyes, and he was grateful for the teacher who played with Han Byeol.

But no matter what, it was too much trouble. He moved around and talked so much that his throat became a little dry, and he spoke politely to Shihyuk.

“Excuse me, teacher. I’m sorry I took up more time than I expected. Hanbyeol’s kindergarten teacher and the principal said they had something to ask her.”

“Okay. Did you finish the conversation well?”

“Yes, it’s not something else. This time, there’s a kindergarten field trip planned, but since we haven’t decided on a location, some parents said it would be better to go somewhere close rather than far away, so we asked for a public opinion poll.”

“Hmm.”

Park Gwang-deok almost burst out laughing as he watched his daughter, who was hugging Si-hyeok’s head tightly as he nodded, shaking it.

“Ahem, Hanbyeol. Stop bothering the teacher and come down.”

“Hanbyeol, don’t bully your friend! Your friend is the one who gives you the reward!”

“Oh, this guy. He’s grown so much lately that he’s gotten heavier, so your shoulders must be hurting, teacher. Don’t be like that, come down. Daddy will do the fishing for you.”

“Oh no! Hanbyeol is light!”

That little girl was also a girl, and the way she puffed out her cheeks while talking about her weight was quite pitiful and refreshing. The child turned her head slightly and pouty, but she glanced at Shihyuk as if to see if what her father said was true, and then she patted the seat she was sitting on with her palm.

“Hanbyeol, come down! Friends shouldn’t do this!”

“… That’s right.”

Dalgrak.

As the child requested, he gently lowered him to the ground, and the child ran into his father’s arms and was held in his arms.

Park Gwang-deok, who had skillfully lifted his daughter up by supporting her buttocks and lower back with his one remaining arm, stuck out his chin in place of his other missing arm and coaxed the child. As he pushed her cheeks with both hands, the child smiled softly, turning into white cotton.

“Hehehe, stop it! Let’s be rough!”

“Hanbyeol, you came back safely. You didn’t give me a kiss. Dad must be upset.”

Then, an unripe cherry touches Park Gwang-deok’s cheek and falls, and the good-natured father and daughter burst into laughter together without anyone saying anything first.

It’s really nice to see.

These were the words that came to Sihyuk’s mind as he watched it.

The happy family scene became a paper boat folded neatly into a paper boat, and it was rowing small oars while staying at his side. In the warm breeze that tickled his chest and made him feel a little chill, the paper boat drew small circles while fluttering its spread sails affectionately.

Those pitiful and unsightly things that looked like they would sink even in the ripples of someone splashing water were sailing steadily through the harsh storms of the world. They were bumped into and scratched here and there, and were dented and staggered, but they endured and moved forward all winter, using each other as landmarks, and the sight of them doing so was so heartbreaking.

Shihyuk silently acknowledged the emotion that had entered his heart without permission and was hovering around as a lifeline anchoring a strand of longing. It felt like he was encountering a precious treasure that he could never lose, like carefully rolling a gold nugget that had barely managed to get out of the water with his fingers.

Dalgrak.

Sihyuk, who had been silent, finally opened his mouth.

“… Okay, I guess I’ll be going now.”

The task of welcoming his daughter back home was completed without any problems. Park Gwang-deok, who had a relatively relaxed expression compared to when he stayed at [Chakgapsa], looked embarrassed and regretful.

“Yes? No, sir. You’re already leaving. You’ve caused me a lot of trouble inside and outside the gate, and if I send you off like this, I’ll be too heartless. You should have a meal or a cup of tea before you go.”

Although he had little to share in these difficult circumstances, he was willing to give back a little to his father-in-law, who had spent so much time with him.

A man who knew his true circumstances but did not deny or ridicule his beliefs, but instead nodded silently. For the first time, Park Gwang-deok felt acknowledged by someone other than his tinker brother. He was grateful, sorry, and thankful again.

“Hey, can you come a little later? Let’s have some food with Hanbyeol and Gachi!”

His daughter was no different. The look of disappointment on her face was evident when she heard that her big friend was leaving right away instead of staying like before.

The only things that a pure child’s mind can think of are eating and playing. However, the child is so happy with his new friend that he has already given him the most precious [courage] and the most delicious snack.

Could it be that he didn’t want to play with himself because he had nothing more to give? The child’s eyes became wet as he thought so, and his nose became itchy.

Dalgrak.

Shihyuk put his hand on the child’s head. He carefully rubbed the acorn-like forehead with his thumb and politely opened his mouth to Park Gwangdeok.

“I’m sorry. Something urgent came to mind. I guess I’ll have to leave soon.”

“Well… . If that’s the case, then there’s nothing we can do.”

What can I do if I have circumstances? It would only make me more disappointed if I nag Si-hyuk, who seemed to have already made up his mind. Park Gwang-deok nodded.

“It’s a shame about the tea, but I’ll drink it next time.”

“I will definitely treat you then.”

Although he felt like staying for a while due to the woman’s entreaties, he ultimately declined.

I saw good things, heard many things. I made a decision in my heart, and my will burned. That was enough. There was work to be done. If I delayed a little longer, the inspiration that came to me, the precious emotions I held in my hands, would fade and disappear.

“… … .”

“Heeelp… .”

A small hand was clinging to Sihyuk’s fingers, which were about to fall off. The warm body temperature unique to children, the moist and plump breasts, and the faint but rich and sweet smell of powdered milk made it difficult to shake that hand off.

Park Gwang-deok consoled his young daughter on behalf of the embarrassed Shi-hyeok.

“Hanbyeol, the teacher is in trouble. Let him go.”

“… Yeah. Sorry, mister.”

“… No.”

Although he would cry and throw a tantrum if things didn’t go his way, the child was as admirable as he was bold. He was less demanding and stubborn than other children his age, and he was a little more considerate of others.

Shihyuk thought it was admirable, but also a little sad.

It may be because of his pure and kind nature, but he was more used to giving than receiving. He tried to get what he wanted through bartering rather than asking for it. I don’t know much about parenting, but it’s probably an age where being spoiled and selfish is considered natural.

The small warmth hanging from his fingers was the limit of the child’s foolishness and greed.

Since things rarely go as planned and we have never had as much as we wanted, our demands have decreased and we have become accustomed to transactions, and only our longings have grown. Giving up, accustomed to the harsh reality, takes away our childhood.

Pain and deprivation make people grow, and the child was already a little bit of an adult.

Dalgrak.

Because he didn’t like it, Shihyuk pressed his red nose hard like he was soothing a child.

The child, startled by the wind, swallowed his snot and sniffled briefly. He gave a word of advice to the child, who had calmed down a little but was still breathing unevenly.

“Don’t cry like that. Didn’t I promise to grant your wish? If you cry, your voice won’t reach you, so you won’t receive your gift.”

“… Really?”

“Really.”

“Hanbyeol isn’t crying.”

“Right.”

Shihyuk nodded his head as he watched the child hiding his tears with his sleeve. The father, who couldn’t keep up with the conversation between the two, asked alone, bewildered.

“What are you talking about, Teacher? A wish? A gift?”

“I have a separate promise with the child. It’s hard to explain, but you’ll understand when the time comes.”

“I don’t understand what you are saying… .”

Park Gwang-deok scratched the back of his head and looked back and forth between himself and his young daughter, but no one answered.

Dalgrak!

… Don’t whine too much. I’m also very anxious. It’s almost time, so just bear with it a little longer.

Shihyuk smiled faintly as he tried to calm down the [love] and [courage] that kept swaying in his arms.