chapter 4

Princess

"it's my dad. can I call you?

Yeondoo chose a father who was neither an older brother nor uncle.

I was speechless for a moment at Yeondoo's

question.

It wasn't because I didn't like the title dad.

"I don't want to call you dad, I don't want to

call you dad. Can I call you Dad?"

It's only a kick, but something got on my

mind.

I wanted to call him dad, but at the same

time I felt afraid of it.

I wanted to know what the reason was.

"Of course. Yeondoo, you can call me

whatever you want. If that's your dad, that'

"Hehe."

Huh? He laughed. I could definitely hear a

chuckle.

You know, the way you talk with high

tension.

It was my first time laughing.

It felt strangely good to hear Yeondoo's

laughter.

"Dad... Dad! Dad! Dad!"

Yeondoo murmured the word "dad" over

and over again to make her feel good.

Wow, that's so cute. And on the other hand,

it's amazing.

The fact that you're calling me dad makes

me so happy.

I can't.

Aside from being happy, I think I should

check it out as well.

I sneaked a question at Yeondoo.

"Yeon-du.

"Yes, Dad."

But I was speechless again before I could

ask.

This time it wasn't because I was embarrassed, but for another reason.

Was it this exciting to be called dad?

I thoughtI would have difficulty breathing

for a moment without exaggerating.

Imanaged to get my breath together and

asked.

"You know what? Did you think l'd say no to

calling you Dad?

Then Yeon-du nodded slightly down.

l asked one more time.

"Can I ask you why?"

".. because I'm angry."

"Huh?

"I'm angry when I say dad."

"What do you mean..

I stopped to ask more details.

I was going to ask you if you get mad when

someone calls you dad.

I didn't think I had to ask.

There was someone in my head.

Uncle.

My uncle, or the cub, showed his presence

again.

In a way that makes me feel dirty.

I didn't even let you call me Dad.

Seo Yeon-du, a child in front of me, was not

my uncle Kim Dong-seok's biological

daughter.

In other words, the reason why I wouldn't

let you call me Dad was obvious.

She drew the line because she's not her

own daughter.

Thinking that I would have raised my child

like that for five years, I split my teeth.

Thave to erase it.

Thave a goal.

The possibility of my uncle being a little bit

of a good person has completely disappeared from my mind.

Then there is no need to hesitate.

From now on, in Yeondoo's head.

I will erase the existence of my uncle.

Perfectly without leaving any of the trash

you can never call dad.

Well, then, the problem with the title is that

it's a good thing.

All

Calling me Dad would help me forget him a

little bit.

Then I heard Yeondoo's trembling voice.

"Oh, I won't sing it. Don't be angry. I don't

know."

I realized one thing only when I saw

Yeondoo crouching and talking.

That I'm making a very fierce face right now.

I was thinking about my uncle, and I didn't

mean to.

It looked like it came out.

Yeondoo seemed to have seen my

expression through a gap in her hair.

This would have been a routine.'

Looking at uncle's eyes between hair that

hasn't been cut for a long time.

It would have been Yeon-du's routine.

'No.'

You shouldn't do this.

Yeon-du should not let me and his uncle overlap.

I have to be different from him.

"No, Dad, I'm not angry at all. Oh, I'm so

happy. Yeondoo called me Dad."

"Really?"

"Of course, it's true. You have to call me Dad

from novw on?"

"Yes!

Yeon-du's two hands caught my eye.

* * *

"Yeon-du, are you sure you don't mind if I go

out?" You can rest at home if you're tired."

"I'm fine, Dad!"

"Ha ha.."

Actually, l'm asking because I don't look

okay.

Just a moment ago I went through quite a

rough patch. It was because of Yeondoo's

washing problem.

I'm so sick that I need to wash up.

There was, and I was going to wash you.

But Yeondoo refused, saying she didn't like

it. This time, he didn't tell me why he didn't

like it.

I'm not afraid to wash up.'

It's not like I didn't wash up at all.

l asked Yeondoo, who refused to say no, to

wash her hands and wash her face, and she

listened right away.

It's not like l'm afraid of water, considering

that I even washed my face with a fluttering

sound.

Maybe it's because it's the first day, but

there's a lot of ambiguity.

Come to think of it.'

You haven't even seen him yet.

A father who doesn't even know his

daughter's face. It's kind of funny.

Anyway, what I want to say is that Yeon-du's washing mission failed heroically.

But the good thing is.'

Yeondoo's clothes were in the house.

It's true.

Why do you have clothes for a five-year-old

boy in your house?

The answer is rather simple.

Because it's my clothes.

Strangely enough, the clothes I wore as a

baby were crammed somewhere.

It was a bit tacky, but it was like silk compared to what Yeondoo was wearing.

First of all, you're accepted because you

don't smell like cigarettes.

'Huh?

Come to think of it, Yeondoo changed her

clothes.

It took me a long time to change in a place i didn't see.

I don't think...

Were you just ashamed?

Well, no matter how young you are, you

deserve it because you are a girl.

Maybe I thought it was too light because l'm

five years old.

I didn't want to wash my body if you thought

So.

I was convinced that he threw it.

You didn't want to wash yourself because

you didn't know how to wash yourself.

I didn't care about washing my face and

hands, so l accepted your request.

"Ha ha, I'd say it if it were."

I stroked Yeon-du's hair walking next to him.

Yeondoo tilts her head and smiles.

I'm suddenly curious. What kind of

expression does Yeondoo have now?

I can hear the laughter, but the face is the

head.

I can't see because l'm covered by a knife.

"Let's see."

I reached out to Yeondoo's face and quit.

There's no need to rush.

You'll find out in a little while anyway.

I'm going to cut it now.

Those messy bangs that cover the baby's

eyes. I'm on my way to cut it now.

"Let's cut our hair pretty. Like a princess."

"Princess...?"

"Yes, like a princess."

"Hehe."

I feel excited at Yeondoo's footsteps.

That made me smile too.

* *

"Welcome."

When I entered the hair salon, a young

female employee greeted me.

I was greeted roughly, too.

"Yes, hello."

Actually, it was my first time to visit a hair salon.

Due to the situation, I tried to go to my usual place, but it was closed unexpectedly.

So I was just trying to go back and I came here as the next best option.

It's bigger inside than where I used to be.

It was a little burdensome.

Yeondoo grabbed my hand as well.

"Can I cut it right away? Or should I wait?

The staff looked at Yeondoo next to me.

She frowned a little, then, aching, fixed her face and opened her mouth.

"What's your relationship with the baby next

to you?" Are you, uh, your daughter?"

"What?"

At the moment I was embarrassed and stuttered.

"Yes, daughter. No, it's like a daughter.

No, what is this crazy guy saying?

It's like a daughter. No matter how recent

you haven't talked to people, this isn't it.

Of course, the female employee had a

bewildering look on her face.

The stinging eyes of the surrounding staff

and guests.

I felt likel could feel it.

With my face red, I quickly fixed it.

"That's right, daughter. That's right. I mean... I'm the father."

For a moment, I don't know if it was an illusion, but Yeondoo seemed to hold hands tighter.

I don't know why.

"Oh, I see. You look so young, I asked you just in case, and you were a real dad.

"Hahaha... well, yes."

"Oh, you can cut it now, sir. Your daughter's

hair condition is a little too much to cut right

away. I think I need to shampoo first."

Despite my reaction like Mojiri, the female

employee responded professionally.

"I see. Well, wait a minute."

I crouched down and told Yeondoo.

"Yeon-du, can you wash your hair? I can cut

it pretty like a princess.

But, uh..

"Yes, Dad! I can wind it up.

"Ha ha, yeah?"

Surprisingly, Yeondoo said she would wash her hair right away.

So you didn't have a problem washing your hair.'

He said he didn't want to wash up, so I thought he meant he wouldn't wash his hair.

If I knew this would happen, I would have washed my hair.

I spoke to the staff with a sorry look on my

face

"Then, please. Yeondoo's hair is so long that

it's hard to cut it in many ways. I'd like to pay extra."

I don't usually say this because I'm a beggar. Based on the condition of Yeondoo's hair, I didn't think it would be a good idea to pay a regular price, so l brought it up.

Then the employee replied with a smile.

No, it's okay. Instead, bring Yeondoo to the hair salon often! It's not good for your baby if you raise it like this."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry."

It's an unfair situation for me, but I wanted to let it slide now.

Anyway, I'm glad you're a good employee. I

thought I might get kicked out in the worst

Case scenario.

"Then sit down with your daughter fora

while."

"Oh, wait a minute."

"What?"

"Can I go to the bathroom for a second?"

"Yes, you can go that way."

"Yeon-du, I'm going to go to the bathroom

quickly."

"Yes, Dad....

Maybe because I was nervous all day, I

suddenly had to pee.

I rushed to the bathroom and did my business.

Eeeeeing

I was about to go back after washing my

hands, but I got a phone call.

Who is it? There aren't that many people who can call me.

I took my cell phone out of my pocket and checked my foot.

-Choi Yoonwoo

What's up with him?

This is one of my few friends.

We used to be close, but we haven't met in recent years.

To be exact, I didn't mean to.

Or even though I intentionally avoided meeting you every time.

"Hello."

When I answered the phone, I heard his

unique voice.

"Juwon,

"Ha ha, my ears are going to drop."

"Long time no see. How are you?"

"Somehow."

"LOL, I don't think it's right from your voice."

"Ha, you ghost. How are you?"

Yoonwoo replied.

"LOL, I can manage it."

"I think you're too excited for that."

"Come on, no. What's really wrong with you? Your voice sounds exhausted."

"I can't say I don't have one. It's a little complicated to talk about right now."

It was too much to stretch everything that happened today over the phone.

I didn't want to do that.

I've been on the phone for a while, and he said,

"That's why I called, man."

"Huh?

By the way, I wonder if we can meet again this time.

I don't think I have much time for the time being because of Yeondoo.

Oh, right'

I was so late talking to Yoonwoo on the phone.

I was just going to do my business and go

back.

l'm sure you've been well-behaved when you're washing your hair.'

I hurried to the hair salon because I was worried.

While opening the salon door, I looked inside through the window and stopped moving.

Something was out of the ordinary. People huddled around a chair.

I couldn't even see who the customer was

cutting his hair.

But I saw a hairdresser cutting his hair.

..the woman she was working for?

Anxiety intensified at the moment.

If that hairdresser is cutting, the previous customer was likely to be Yeondoo.

Don't tell me something's gonna happen in a minute.

Did you grow up?

Yeon-du may have made a fuss because he was afraid of cutting his hair.

Why didn't you think of that?

Many children are afraid of cutting their

hair.

I had a lot of memories of seeing those kids at the hair salon.

If it happened without me, it would be a complete nuisance.

Squeak.

I hurriedly opened the door and went in.

And ran towards the people who gathered.

If there was a problem, we needed to fix it.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was a little late talking on the phone...."

All the eyes of the people turned at me.

SomehowI felt like I was looking at myself in a strange way.

That's when Yeondoo's voice came to my ears.

All

"Dad...

I turned my head towards the sound.

Then Yeon-du, who was sitting with a bright smile, was reflected in the mirror.

"Year Green You***"

At that moment I could tell.

Why people gathered around Yeondoo.