709

 [Chapter 181]

[Daddy Long Legs (3)]

Recently, she met an unknown man.

The man seemed excited about something and.

That actually made her more wary.

Honestly, she never thought she'd experience an unknown man approaching her and offering to buy her food, just like her mother had warned her about when she was young.

"Hmph, do you think I'd fall for such an obvious kidnapping trick?"

The anti-crime whistle her mother gave her.

She never thought she'd actually use it.

Anyway, Ha Baekryeon blew the whistle and successfully repelled the man.

Separately from that, she worried if another unknown man would appear after that day.

At some point, she became cautious when going to and from school.

Of course, as days passed, her wariness gradually faded.

"Still, it's fortunate he hasn't appeared again since then."

Ha Baekryeon sighed like that and.

Returned to her peaceful daily life.

That day, she was choosing books at the school library.

Mom is busy with work so I can't bother her too.

She lived alone with her mother.

Entering elementary school and broadening her perspective, she could tell their family circumstances weren't very good.

She also knew her mother was working late into the night for her sake.

She couldn't disturb such a mother.

She wanted to help with her mother's work but as someone still small and young, there wasn't much she could do to help.

So Ha Baekryeon would quietly read books at the store so as not to disturb her mother.

"I've already read Daddy Long Legs..."

Recently she was in the middle of reading world literary classics.

She had already graduated from world classic fairy tales long ago.

So she walked to the literature corner and looked at the books displayed on the shelves.

She enjoyed reading Daddy Long Legs.

The story of an unknown man with no face or name supporting the protagonist in every way fulfilled her fantasies.

If only I had someone like Daddy Long Legs too...

She enjoyed reading Cinderella too but.

She empathized more with the female protagonist in Daddy Long Legs.

So she harbored such thoughts.

It would be nice if someone like Daddy Long Legs appeared and supported her and her hardworking mother in every way.

There's no way that would happen though.

Soon Ha Baekryeon denied it.

She knew reality now too.

You shouldn't rely on others.

It was a world where you had to seize wealth and happiness yourself.

She would work hard herself, earn money, and make her mother happy.

Ha Baekryeon snorted and resolved.

Soon she was about to head to the shelves with world literary classics when─.

"─Huh?"

"Ah..."

A boy.

He was leaning against the shelves where the books she was looking for were gathered.

She couldn't look at the books like that.

Her surprise at making eye contact with the boy was only momentary.

Ha Baekryeon pouted her lips and spoke.

"I need to take out a book... Can you move aside?"

"Ah, sorry."

The boy readily moved aside.

Ha Baekryeon said thank you and carefully looked at the bookshelves.

But the boy didn't leave and quietly stood behind her back.

Huh? What is it? Does he have a book he's looking for too?

It seems the boy is looking at her.

Ha Baekryeon just felt awkward.

But she couldn't leave without choosing a book.

Ah, I should read that one.

Originally she would stand there and carefully read the summaries before choosing a book but.

Ha Baekryeon decided to choose a book just by looking at the cover since it felt awkward being with the boy.

The book she chose that way was Night on the Galactic Railroad.

She reached out her hand to pull out the book displayed on the shelf.

Right at that moment─.

"─You like Daddy Long Legs, right?"

"Huh?"

"Here, this is it right?"

The boy behind her suddenly approached and pulled out a book one level below where she had reached.

It was Daddy Long Legs.

The boy smiled and handed over the book.

Ha Baekryeon was stunned.

"..."

"I enjoyed reading that too."

"...Really?"

I've already read that though.

Ha Baekryeon who received the book in a daze was thinking what to say.

At that time, the boy suddenly spoke.

Ha Baekryeon's curiosity welled up.

He read Daddy Long Legs.

A sense of kinship arose.

So she didn't realize.

That the boy was certain she liked Daddy Long Legs.

At this time, Ha Baekryeon just wanted to know about the boy who might have similar tastes to her.

"─My name is Ha Baekryeon. What's your name? Ah, I'm in 2nd grade..."

"..."

Somehow I feel like I'll become friends with this boy.

She introduced herself feeling an inexplicable emotion.

☆

At this time, the boy, little Eunha, was flustered.

He had infiltrated the elementary school naturally using his elementary school student appearance and was looking for Ha Baekryeon.

Then he saw her enter the library and followed.

I just happened to come this way but I didn't expect her to come right here...

In fact, the reason little Eunha stopped in front of this bookshelf was because he saw a familiar book while passing by.

Daddy Long Legs.

It was a book Ha Baekryeon enjoyed reading before the regression.

In the end─.

'─Oppa, do you know?'

'What?'

'How Daddy Long Legs ends.'

'I don't remember well since I read it so long ago... What is it?'

Before the regression, Ha Baekryeon who had grown into a lady smiled brightly and said.

At that time, Eunha regretted asking.

'Later, the protagonist ends up marrying Daddy Long Legs.'

'What?'

'She was completely won over by the person who supported her in every way. It turns out the person she had feelings for and Daddy Long Legs she was exchanging letters with were the same person. She fell completely in love, both materially and emotionally. Wasn't she conquered on both sides?'

'There must have been an age difference...'

'That means Daddy Long Legs was just that charming. Then what does age matter? As long as a man has enough charm to not lose to a young woman even if he's older, that's enough. Of course, there are hardly any such men in reality. It's probably only possible in novels.'

'So what are you trying to say?'

'But oppa is charming.'

'..."

'You're very manly.'

'Don't joke around.'

'Tsk, I'm not joking. You know, I used to think Daddy Long Legs was only possible in novels. But you know, I never thought such a thing would happen to me. Oppa picked me up and has been protecting me until now.'

'..."

'Oppa is my Daddy Long Legs.'

'There's a 12 year age difference between us. And Daddy Long Legs at least had money.'

'Instead, oppa is vigorous.'

'...! You, where did you learn that word?'

'The twin unnies taught me. When those unnies were alive... And I know everything now. I heard from Yujung unni too...'

'What did you hear from Yujung.'

'That it's no joke.'

'Yujung talks about such things too?'

'Fufu, don't underestimate the Fairy's conversation skills. Oppa probably can't win with words either. You probably can't win against my heart either.'

A conversation he had with Ha Baekryeon before the regression.

Little Eunha who was briefly lost in reminiscence didn't even notice Ha Baekryeon approaching him.

"─My name is Ha Baekryeon. What's your name? Ah, I'm in 2nd grade..."

"..."

And so the two met.

Not with a 12 year age difference.

But at the same age as each other.

Little Eunha blankly looked at Ha Baekryeon who was introducing herself with a bright smile.

It was a smile that remained in his memories.

"I'm..."

Ha Baekryeon finished her introduction and.

Now it was little Eunha's turn to introduce himself.

For a moment, little Eunha hesitated.

He couldn't introduce himself as Noh Eunha...

Eunha was silent.

He needed an alias.

He rolled his eyes trying to find a suitable name.

At that moment, a book caught his eye at the edge of his vision.

Little Eunha covered the book's title with his hand so it wouldn't enter her eyes.

Then he opened his mouth.

"─My name is Jean Valjean."

☆

Leaving Ha Baekryeon to little Eunha.

Eunha decided to somehow create a connection with her mother.

"─Then I'll leave from here."

""""What?""""

Gyeonggi-do, Seongnam City.

Eunha told the clan members upon arriving at the point where the body was said to have been found.

Choi Eunhyuk, Kaede, Kang Sihyung, Bae Subin.

The four people made surprised expressions at the sudden words.

Nevertheless, Eunha was nonchalant.

"I'll walk around the area and try to get information from residents."

"You're going to do the easy work?"

"Because I'm the Clan Lord."

""""..."

Bae Subin frowned and complained and.

Eunha shrugged.

The clan members couldn't say anything because Eunha's attitude was so brazen.

Soon Eunha changed his expression.

"A body was found around here, and missing persons are increasing. I'm certain there are monsters hiding here. Not just one, but monsters in cluster units."

""""...!!""""

The Mana Management Organization was speculating.

But Eunha advised the clan members in a confident tone.

They each made serious expressions hearing Eunha's words.

They had learned by now that Eunha's groundless convictions were likely to come true.

"So absolutely don't search alone, and consider the possibility of encountering high-tier monsters."

Meanwhile, they became alert.

Eunha continued speaking.

The clan members nodded.

"Search assuming there's a cluster... Then the search location is decided. We shouldn't look above ground but thoroughly search below."

"That's right, please do."

"Even so, it will take time to search with our numbers..."

At that time, Hoshimiya Kaede spoke.

Eunha could tell what she was worried about.

Saying this worked out well.

Eunha heard her words and soon opened his mouth.

"I'll request support from clans in Seongnam City too. Such support is... something only I can do, right?"

""""..."

He obtained a legitimate reason.

The clan members made expressions like something was wrong.

But Eunha quickly took the initiative before they could speak.

"Then dismiss!"

Eunha suddenly clapped his hands.

Then he left at a quick pace before the clan members could call him.

I will make support requests.

The Mana Management Organization gave me authority to mobilize Seongnam City's clans with that in mind too.

He had no intention of neglecting his duties.

But before meeting the clans, there was a place he wanted to stop by.

Eunha moved his steps according to the information Isipo gave him.

Soon he was able to find his destination.

"A handmade hamburger shop..."

It was a small shop in the city.

A handmade hamburger shop.

It was the shop Ha Baekryeon's mother Ha Jieun was operating on lease.

Eunha looked up at the sign and murmured softly.

Soon he opened the door.

"─Welcome!!"

The bell rang and.

Ha Jieun who was in the kitchen got up and greeted loudly.

Eunha looked around the shop.

"Please sit wherever you're comfortable!"

"..."

The shop was quite empty.

It seemed business wasn't going well with the recent frequent missing person cases.

Thinking that, Eunha turned his head to Ha Jieun.

"...Customer?"

Eunha stared at Ha Jieun.

Her profile said 33 years old but she looked like she could pass for late 20s.

She showed signs of being flustered receiving Eunha's gaze.

Baekryeon does resemble her mother.

She looks like an adult Baekryeon.

Whether Ha Jieun was flustered or not.

Eunha was lost in thought.

He thought she had an appearance reminiscent of Ha Baekryeon when he saw her photo too.

Soon Eunha realized he had made Ha Jieun uncomfortable.

"Ah, I'm sorry."

"Ah, yes..."

"I'll sit over there."

Eunha apologized to Ha Jieun.

Then he deliberately sat at the bar seat, leaving the table seats.

The shop was empty so he could have sat in a comfortable seat.

It was quite intentional.

He didn't just come to eat.

My goal is to get somewhat close to this person...

The bar seat had a convenient distance for conversing with Ha Jieun.

Anyway, Eunha who sat down quietly opened the menu.

There weren't many menu items.

"I'll order."

"Yes."

"Cheeseburger and fries set please."

"What would you like for your drink?"

"Cider please."

"Yes, understood."

The order was completed swiftly.

She who had initially shown wariness towards him quickly regained her original expression when Eunha ordered.

Eunha smiled slightly seeing Ha Jieun head to the kitchen.

Seems she shows wariness the same way.

A while later, the food was ready.

Ha Jieun brought the hamburger set.

Eunha ate the hamburger.

"...It's delicious."

The cheese was properly melted and.

The hamburger bun was savory and sweet.

He could understand why Ha Baekryeon liked hamburgers.

It was good he ordered a cheeseburger.

Eunha was satisfied.

Meanwhile─.

"─The hamburger is delicious."

"Is it?"

Stealthily.

Eunha spoke to Ha Jieun.

She must have been bored too.

She who had been spacing out in her seat responded.

"The interior looks new, did you open recently?"

"It was last September... It's been about half a year now."

"Is business going well?"

"Sigh, we're barely getting by. But looking at how you speak, you don't seem to live here?"

"I came up from Seoul."

"Ah, Seoul... I'm envious. Actually, if I had money, I'd want to take my daughter and go up to Seoul right away..."

"Ah, you have a daughter? You don't look like it at all..."

"...I had her early."

The conversation flowed smoothly.

It was because Ha Jieun spoke smoothly even though Eunha didn't say much.

Then she looked at Eunha with drowsy eyes.

"You're not trying to seduce me, are you?"

"...Pardon?"

"I'm joking."

At some point she leaned her arms on the shelf above Eunha and.

Ha Jieun even played a joke.

Eunha was dumbfounded.

"Sometimes there are customers who come to the shop like that. But when I said I had a child, your expression changed slightly..."

"...Aren't you being too self-absorbed? To say that with your own mouth..."

"That's why I said it was a joke. By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"

"You're not trying to seduce me now, are you?"

"Oh my, I've been found out. It's a joke."

"I got married last year."

"Really? You look younger than me, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you..."

"21 years old."

"Wow, a 12 year age difference with me... Did you speed too?"

"We don't have kids yet."

"Ah, I see. But what brings you here?"

"I heard there have been a lot of missing persons here recently."

"Ah..."

Eunha cautiously brought up the topic.

 Ha Jieun was just dealing with him as a customer.

At this point, he needed to reveal his identity and gain her trust.

Eunha naturally transitioned the conversation and subtly handed over his business card.

"I'm from here. The Mana Management Organization asked us to investigate on their behalf."

"Ah, you're from Pandora Clan... As expected, I thought you might be a player since your body looked sturdy at first glance. But wait? Pandora Clan? It feels like I've heard that a lot somewhere..."

Ha Jieun who received the business card.

She tilted her head.

Then she stared intently at the card and made an "Ah!" sound.

"I, I know! Pandora Clan! Isn't that the clan that ended the calamity in Gangbuk last year? It was a hot topic here too. I think the Clan Lord there was..., huh? ...Are you the Clan Lord?"

"It's written right there."

"Really ? I'm a fan..."

"You're a fan but you didn't recognize me?"

"Seeing on TV and seeing in person are different. Wow, it's the real thing. Can I take a photo and promote it for the shop? Ah, could I also get a few autographs..."

With a clattering sound.

Ha Jieun who realized Eunha's identity brought a pen and paper from somewhere.

She requested an autograph.

Eunha readily accepted.

He was now used to autograph requests after receiving many.

"What's your name?"

"Jieun. Ha Jieun. Ah, my daughter is a fan too. For my daughter too..."

"What's your daughter's name?"

"Ha Baekryeon."

"Ah, Ha Baekryeon."

"By any chance... would it be okay to take a picture together? It's my first time seeing someone who appeared on TV in person..."

"You're going to hang it in the shop, right?"

"Oh my, I've been found out. In exchange, I won't charge you for the meal."

"I'll pay for the meal. Instead, let me ask a few things. I need information from residents for work..."

"If it's just that, I'd be happy to help. It was about investigating missing persons, right? I should definitely help since business has been even worse because of that. Ah, I'll open the camera app now."

"...Take your time."

She's quite a scatterbrain.

Eunha thought as Ha Jieun suddenly came over from the kitchen and sat right next to him.

Soon she leaned towards Eunha to take a selfie.

Eunha accommodated her.

Right at that moment─.

─Ding

As they were about to take the photo.

The bell suddenly rang.

The two's gazes turned to the person who entered the shop.

"...Mom?"

"Ah, Baekryeon."

"..."

"Who's that man?"

"Ah, this person is..."

Ha Baekryeon.

She stood frozen in the middle of the shop with her school bag.

She asked in bewilderment.

Ha Jieun didn't think much of it and.

Eunha was stiff.

Regardless, Ha Baekryeon soon approached the two.

She glanced at her mother and.

Stared intently at Eunha.

"The face looks very familiar..."

"..."

"Of course you've seen him a lot. Baekryeon, actually this person is..."

"Ah, elementary school!"

"Huh?"

"..."

Ha Baekryeon recalled her memory.

Disbelief filled her gaze.

Eunha flinched and.

Ha Jieun tilted her head.

"Mom! It's this person! This man!"

"I'm not a man..."

"Anyway, it's this man!"

"That's right, this is who appeared on TV."

"Huh?"

The three's conversation got tangled.

Baekryeon who was about to expose Noh Eunha's identity was dumbfounded by the unexpected words.

Eunha was momentarily stunned hearing himself called a man.

Ha Jieun kindly introduced Eunha to Baekryeon, seeming quite pleased for some reason.

And once again─.

─Ding

The bell rang.

The three's heads turned.

Four people entered the shop.

They were people Eunha knew too.

"This won't do. It's too wide... Let's eat first and think."

"I agree."

Choi Eunhyuk and Kang Sihyung.

The two sighed heavily.

The clan members who entered with their heads down didn't seem to notice Eunha.

"Ah. Noh Eunha."

"""Huh?"""

At that time, Kaede who was hidden behind Choi Eunhyuk spotted Eunha.

The clan members raised their heads.

Their eyes widened.

"...Hello?"

Eunha greeted awkwardly and.

In contrast, the clan members regained their composure seeing Eunha.

Their eyes rolled.

Noh Eunha and some young woman intimately close together.

And one young girl.

The clan members grasped the situation.

"─Aha, so that's what it was? While we were working, you were slacking off here? And laughing and chatting too?"

"""Noh Eunha..."""

Bae Subin sneered and.

The three growled.