part 34

"Do you want me to go to an amusement park… together?" 

He nodded. 

"Now?" 

He nodded again.

I tilted my head, puzzled by Seung-rok's suggestion right after the interview ended. 

"Why?" 

"The kid wants to go." 

Seung-rok's answer was as brief as always. 

It wasn't strange that Hayeon wanted to visit an amusement park. 

Though she was a rich kid, she had something she lacked.

She lived in Jeju, her father was always busy, and her grandfather was too old. 

She had never been to an amusement park in Seoul. 

Naturally, she wanted to visit Lotte World at least once. 

But that wasn't what puzzled me. 

"Why don't you take her yourself? You don't have any more schedules today, right?" 

Seung-rok shook his head.

 "I can't do it alone."

"Why?"

"I'm… a bit famous." 

He bit his lip slightly as he said that.

I understood right away. 

He couldn't take his own kid out alone. 

That's why he needed me. 

I realized Seung-rok had his own hell. 

Imagine K-pop idol Seung-rok at Lotte World. 

The whole park would turn into chaos. 

He couldn't even go to a local mart alone, let alone an amusement park. 

If fans crowded in, it could lead to safety issues. 

"But why me?" 

"Grandfather is already asleep. Manager Cha isn't here. No one else can help."

He bit his lip again, looking uncomfortable sharing his situation.

He always told his fans the truth—no dating, only seeing his family and fans. 

It wasn't a lie, just that he didn't mention he had a kid. 

I could guess his situation. 

Today, he came with only Eui-jin. 

Besides Eui-jin Lee, a fellow music producer, he brought no managers or staff. 

He didn't want anyone to see his family. 

Eui-jin was the only colleague close enough to know his family. 

I realized how close I was to Seung-rok. 

He showed me sides of himself that he didn't show to fans or colleagues. 

Thinking about it made me swallow dryly.

Seung-rok, unaware of my thoughts, continued speaking. 

"That's why I'm asking you. I'll pay extra."

"Oh… that's not necessary." 

I waved my hand. 

"Actually, I wanted to visit Lotte World too. Because…" 

"Because?" 

Seung-rok, as always, asked every detail with his usual blunt face. 

I trailed off. 

"Nothing." 

I didn't want to say it. 

I had never been to an amusement park. 

Six-year-old Hayeon had been to amusement parks in Singapore, Tokyo, and even the U.S. with her grandfather. 

I hadn't been to one in Seoul. 

Hayeon bragged about it so much that I couldn't help but know. 

Maybe that's why. 

I felt a bit embarrassed to admit to Seung-rok that I had never been to an amusement park. 

The reason was simple. 

My mom always said if I had time to go to an amusement park, I should spend it practicing or playing another round of golf. 

So, I had never been to an amusement park in my life. 

Mom said I could go as much as I wanted after my golf career ended. 

But that wasn't true. 

When my career ended, I was too busy paying off the debt Mom left behind. 

I didn't even have time to catch my breath, let alone visit Seoul. 

If I didn't go now, I might never have another chance. 

It was overtime work, but also a chance to visit an amusement park for free. 

I nodded, having made up my mind. 

"…I'll go."

***

In the taxi heading to Lotte World with Hayeon and Seung-rok, I sent a message to Jisun Sunbae,

I was explaining that I had to change our plans because the kid wanted to visit Lotte World during the night opening hours. 

I expected her to be upset about the change.

But her reaction was unexpected.

-You're going to an amusement park together? Dang! Are you on a date?

A date with a K-pop idol? 

Such an absurd idea. 

My face felt hot as I replied.

"It's not like that. I'm just babysitting."

-What are you talking about? When do babysitters and parents go to amusement parks together? It's normally the parent, or a really weird parent might send the babysitter alone.

Is that so? 

I swallowed dryly. 

I didn't want to, but I kept becoming aware of Seung-rok. 

I glanced at him in the back seat. 

He was resting with one hand on Hayeon's shoulder, wearing sunglasses and a mask like armor. 

He said he couldn't speak, fearing someone might recognize his voice.

Despite being a K-pop star loved by fans worldwide and earning an absurd amount of money, he looked frustrated at times like this. 

He seemed like a fugitive hiding from the world. 

Even his family had to be hidden. 

I wondered what such a life would be like. 

Honestly, a bad thought crossed my mind that not having a family might not be so bad.

While I was lost in these thoughts, Hayeon suddenly woke up.

"Lotte World!!"

It seemed we had arrived at our destination.

***

Lotte World, which I visited for the first time, was truly enchanting. 

As night fell, the lights illuminated the streets brightly. 

The sparkling lights made everything, from buildings to street lamps, look magical. 

Hayeon seemed to think the same.

From the carousel to the monorail, just seeing the rides decorated with lights made her happy. 

She spent time staring at the hot air balloon ride on the ceiling, but soon her attention shifted to something else—churros.

"I want that!"

I couldn't help but frown slightly. 

I knew how particular Seung-rok was about food.

"…"

Seung-rok said nothing but nodded.

"Huh?"

I was more surprised than Hayeon.

"Yay! I want the Oreo flavor!"

As I grabbed the running Hayeon, I glanced at Seung-rok. 

My look asked, 'Why are you acting like this?' 

He just shrugged.

I couldn't see his eyes or hear his voice, but it seemed he thought it was okay to relax for a day.

Indeed, we had a great time. 

It was a weekday, so there weren't many people even in the evening. 

Hayeon ran around like a little horse, riding everything from the carousel to the Viking ship. 

She had so much energy that she rode five rides in an hour. 

But what excited her the most was the parade.

"Wow!"

Maybe it was the churros, but she waved her hands excitedly, focusing on the parade. 

What caught her eye the most was Cinderella.

Seung-rok laughed as he watched Hayeon cheering for the princess in the glass slipper waving from the pumpkin carriage. 

He'd seen the best of the world. 

So it was hard for him to understand why his daughter was so excited about a simple amusement park parade.

I gently held Hayeon's hand and asked, "Hayeon, do you like Cinderella?"

"Yes! I love princesses!"

"Right~. Shim Cheong is a princess too."

Strictly speaking, she was the emperor's wife, so she was technically a 'queen.' 

After falling into the Indangsu, Shim Cheong became the emperor's wife and returned to her hometown.

"Wow!"

"Whoa!"

The parade was so loud that I couldn't hear anything. 

Seung-rok took the chance to whisper in my ear. 

He had said he shouldn't speak in public to hide his identity. 

But now he could.

Everyone was focused on the parade performers, so a little conversation was okay.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For coming with me. I can't take care of the kid alone."

After saying that, Seung-rok turned his head back to the parade. 

Watching him with his usual expressionless face, I couldn't help but smile a little. 

I had thought he was a cold person at first. 

But now I saw he was just reserved and quite considerate.

While I was thinking that, something tugged at my arm. 

It was Hayeon.

"Teacher, I'm thirsty."

"Really? I'll get you a drink. Let's go. Just a moment."

I quickly took Hayeon to a shop and bought a bottle of water. 

When I handed over my card, the clerk said, "That'll be 3,000 won, mother."

As soon as I heard that, both Seung-rok and I froze. 

Mother?

I remembered when Hayeon had called me 'mom' not long ago. 

It had felt strange then, but now I didn't mind. 

I didn't know why being called 'mother' made me smile, even though I was still single.

With a slight smile, I headed back to Seung-rok with Hayeon. 

I whispered to him, "Are you thirsty? I brought water."

Seung-rok replied bluntly, "The kid likes you more than me."

I couldn't help but laugh. 

It seemed he was bothered that Hayeon had called for me instead of him. 

A dad jealous of a coach. 

It was funny, but also something I envied, having no father myself.

"Don't worry about it. Here."

I handed him the water bottle, and our hands brushed against each other naturally.

"Oh…"

My face turned red without me realizing it. 

His touch was so gentle. I turned my head to the side, but I kept glancing at Seung-rok drinking the water. 

His delicate features could be mistaken for a girl's at first glance, especially his smooth jawline and small lips. 

But the veins in his neck and the muscles in his arm gripping the bottle showed a wild side, like a black panther.

I swallowed dryly.

The sensation of his skin against mine lingered. 

Today was a day I'll never forget.