Chapter 26
‘Ah. It’s not me.’
Kim Haseon rubbed her lower abdomen as she spoke softly.
She was speaking gently to her little one, who still couldn’t hear well.
Suddenly, she tilted her head, as if something had come to mind.
“So, what about kindergarten today…?”
Her expression darkened slightly.
It was a morning when she didn’t feel very well.
The thought of having to take care of Chaeri all day made her eyes sharp.
Of course, Chaeri was an easy child to take care of.
Still, even if she wasn’t annoying or tiring, being home all day would naturally make her more conscious.
“Captain Choi Deokgyu said we could use the temporary building.”
“Oh, really? That’s a relief, truly.”
In fact, this information had been sent to all parents yesterday via KakaoTalk and text messages.
Kim Haseon just hadn’t checked it yet.
‘He must have called several times, too.’
She had been avoiding her phone, thinking it might not be good for her prenatal care.
Because of that, she hadn’t received proper contact from the kindergarten.
‘Don’t be disappointed. Don’t expect too much.’
At times like this, she couldn’t help but resent her own body.
Her mind understood, but her body still couldn’t accept it.
‘So the saying is true: for a little child, parents are their whole world.’
Even after all that, Chaeri still liked her mother.
It was instinctual.
‘Still, at least it’s morning.’
Her body was relatively okay at this hour.
Morning was the best time to gather mental strength and maintain calm.
“So, she’s going to kindergarten today too?”
“Yes.”
“Her dad left early today. What should we do?”
“Don’t worry. Chaeri can go on her own.”
Kim Haseon smiled warmly.
“Good girl.”
Chaeri was already neatly dressed in her kindergarten uniform.
There was nothing she needed help with.
Her yellow ribbon was a bit crooked, but all children’s ribbons are like that.
“Have a good day.”
“Yes.”
She checked her outfit in the hallway mirror one more time.
‘All set for today!’
She quietly greeted Greenie, her favorite dinosaur plush.
‘I’ll be back.’
It made her feel less lonely, like someone was seeing her off.
Now she had to open the front door.
Chaeri raised her arms.
‘Ugh… the door is heavy!’
She groaned as she pushed it open.
Her dad would usually open it for her.
Today, she was alone.
She mustered her strength to open the door and stepped outside.
A small feeling of sadness and loneliness crept in, but Chaeri was a child who could control her own emotions.
Especially in the morning, her mental strength was stronger.
She used the Chaeri-style emotional control method following ‘Danaka’—the “singing therapy.”
“Even if I’m lonely or sad, Chaeri won’t cry~”
She hummed the tune through her mouth, and her heart calmed a little.
She pressed the elevator button (▼) boldly.
‘I’m… taller!’
For a child, that was a very satisfying feeling.
Ding!
The elevator arrived.
[1st floor. Doors are opening.]
The doors slid open, and there stood a tall man.
From Chaeri’s eye level, she could only see his feet and knees.
She craned her neck.
“Good morning, Chaeri.”
A familiar voice, as always, with a gentle expression.
Even though there was no sunlight, the interior suddenly seemed bright.
“Wow.”
“Why?”
“You’re handsome.”
Chaeri shielded her eyes, as if dazzled.
“Why are you here?”
“I knew your dad’s schedule.”
Lee Jiseok had left early this morning.
Davies knew Chaeri would be coming out alone.
“Chaeri, shall we hold hands?”
“Yes, please.”
Chaeri lifted her arms.
The same arms that had been so heavy at the door now felt as light as feathers.
“Davies, remember? We’re not supposed to be seen outside.”
“Yes. That’s why I’m sad.”
The time Davies could spend with her was short.
From the elevator to the apartment lobby, that was all—just until the lobby.
The automatic doors opened, and Davies spoke to someone.
“Please take good care of Chaeri.”
“Huh?”
Chaeri was startled.
She hadn’t expected anyone else to be standing in the lobby!
“Kim Myeongja! Teacher?”
“Chaeri, what do we do first when we see a teacher?”
“Good morning.”
Chaeri quickly bowed.
“That’s right. When you see an adult, you greet them first, okay?”
It felt completely different from being scolded by her stepmother.
Light, warm, somehow funny.
Kim Myeongja bent her knees to match Chaeri’s eye level.
“Crooked.”
Before she could speak, her hands were already moving.
Skillfully and gently, she straightened Chaeri’s ribbon.
“All done.”
Chaeri felt slightly embarrassed.
She thought her outfit was perfect, but children’s hands often missed small details.
“You’re pretty, Chaeri.”
Instantly, her confidence soared.
“Am I pretty?”
“Yes.”
Kim Myeongja held out her hand.
A familiar hand, one she had held hundreds of times.
Chaeri grabbed it without hesitation.
“Why are you here, Teacher Kim Myeongja?”
Davies stepped in.
“Chaeri, I’ll tell you later. From now on, Teacher Kim Myeongja will help you and your friends a lot.”
“Teacher Kim Myeongja. Did you get a job at Sullivan Kindergarten?”
This scenario wasn’t part of an L-level child’s calculations.
But it felt good.
Kim Myeongja walked slowly alongside Chaeri.
Her pace was gentle, and their steps matched perfectly.
Even softer and more comfortable than walking with her adoptive father.
And then, the apartment front gate.
“Teacher Kim Myeongja! Over there!”
Something truly amazing awaited.
A yellow van was parked outside.
Cute duck characters were drawn all over it.
[Sullivan Kindergarten.]
Even the letters were colorful.
Her heart raced.
“A yellow duck van!”
Why was she so excited?
Instead of a bus, a yellow duck van had arrived—it felt like magic.
The van doors opened.
“Huh?”
Chaeri’s eyes widened.
“Davies. Are you a magician?”
The Davies who had been beside her just moments ago was now inside the vehicle!
It felt like watching a magic show, and Chaeri burst into laughter.
“Hello, Chaeri!”
A loud, deep voice.
A huge silhouette almost filled the driver’s seat.
Wearing a white suit, the man behind the wheel was the Seoul Governor, Choi Deokgyu.
“Captain, relax.”
“I’m not nervous… right? Same thing?”
The van echoed with his booming voice.
“Now, follow Chaeri. Hoo—Ha—”
“Hoo—Ha—”
Choi Deokgyu took a deep breath, following Chaeri’s lead.
Chaeri was also taking deep breaths.
Davies, Kim Myeongja, the yellow van, and Choi Deokgyu—a fantastic combination.
Thanks to this dream team, all the morning’s troubles were instantly forgotten.
“Davies, what’s going on?”
“These two are trustworthy.”
Davies couldn’t do everything alone.
Pyrion’s time on Earth was limited.
Potion making and childcare alone were overwhelming, and his appearance and personality made public activities difficult.
Davies needed helpers.
That’s why he chose these two.
“They’ll help Chaeri.”
Still, using the Seoul Governor as a van driver?
This was something that would never happen in a regular novel.
“And this van is exclusively for Chaeri. If anything’s uncomfortable, you can tell us anytime. We’ll do anything.”
At that moment, Kim Myeongja stepped in.
“Sveta?”
She touched a small yellow duck badge pinned to her chest.
It was the “Imperial Spy Communication Jammer” that Davies had given her in advance.
“This isn’t really a good idea.”
And then:
Susu su super ■ba!
A fun rhythm and altered lyrics hit Chaeri’s ears.
She raised her head, captivated by the melody.
“Ma, main vocal material?”
Sveta tended to be overly accommodating and permissive.
Ah■t! Ahpa■! ■Part! Ah■t!
The combination of Kim Myeongja’s singing and the addictive melody was incredible.
Chaeri genuinely admired it.
If the kindergarten teachers became an idol group, she had already decided to give the main vocal spot to Kim Myeongja.
