The World’s Strongest Daughter.

“Ji, Ji-hwan. Today was so cool…! There are so many other kids…”

The longer I talked with Kong Hye-sun, the more my neck prickled.

Feeling awkward, I waited for the right time to cut in and end the conversation.

“Thanks, Hye-sun. You worked hard today, too. The vortex you made was cool.”

“R-Really…?”

Her lips curled up at her shyly smiling face, even at my random praise.

I wanted to shower her with every compliment I could think of, but unfortunately, I had a busy appointment today.

After chatting briefly with Kong Hye-sun, I told her I had somewhere to go first.

“Ah… Y-You’re busy… Sorry, I held you up…”

“No, I wanted to talk. See you next week. I’ll contact you.”

“O-Okay! Good luck with your part-time job…!”

Looking somewhat sorry and reluctant, Kong Hye-sun’s face brightened slightly at my words that I’ll contact her and she said goodbye.

After parting with Kong Hye-sun like that, the moment I left the classroom.

Ugh…

I ended up making eye contact with Min So-yeon, who was glaring at me with a displeased expression.

She looked just like her mother, arms crossed and glaring.

“Sh-Shall we go…?”

I casually spoke as if I didn’t know anything, and she snorted and walked past me.

Looking at her back dripping with disappointment, I suddenly had a thought.

“S-So-yeon, let’s go together!”

If she acts like this to me, I wonder if she’ll cause an accident if she gets a guy she likes…

She couldn’t possibly resemble her mother that much too, right?

***

Shhhh-

The door on the other side opened, and more and more passengers began to board.

Perhaps because it was the inner circle line, many people got on and off.

I slightly approached Min So-yeon near one of the corners and spoke in a small voice.

“Look at this. Isn’t it super cute?”

When I handed my cell phone to Min So-yeon, she glanced at the screen and said,

“What is this?”

“It’s a newly opened pop-up store where we’re going, and they sell a lot of really cute stuff. Want to stop by in a bit?”

“Whatever.”

Contrary to her indifferent words, her eyes didn’t leave the cell phone.

Our destination today is Pia Tower in the center of Seoul.

It’s a large shopping mall with various stores, restaurants of various nationalities, and even a movie theater.

Right next to Pia Towe is a large amusement park and zoo.

The original plan was to have lunch first and then watch a movie.

But the zoo I looked up yesterday was quite appealing, so I hurriedly changed the plan.

[ Stopping at Courthouse Station. Please watch your step… ]

An announcement sounded through the cabin, and the speed slowly decreased.

Peeking at the window slightly protruding behind Min So-yeon, I could see numerous passengers waiting on the opposite track.

Shortly after, the train stopped.

As many passengers got off, the cabin became more spacious.

But only for a moment.

More than twice the number of passengers who got off started to fill up.

It’s a bit…

I lightly pulled Min So-yeon into the corner and stood as if to shield her.

“Please move inside!”

“Can you make some space!”

However, too many passengers got on, so I had no choice but to slowly approach Min So-yeon.

Little by little, little by little, we got closer, and before I knew it, we were practically hugging…

“Hng…”

Min So-yeon let out a soft moan, tightly wedged between my body and the wall.

Her face was flushed red, perhaps frustrated at not being able to move.

“Are you okay?”

When I spoke to her, she looked up at me with a reddened face.

“…”

She stared at me with somewhat hazy eyes, then bumped her forehead against my chest instead of answering.

She seems to be having a hard time.

Maybe we should have taken a taxi?

I purposely took the subway because I thought there would be traffic, but it was my mistake.

Feeling sorry, I spoke to her softly.

“Just a little more and it’ll be okay.”

Without giving any response, she took a deep breath and leaned her body against me.

Stuck to Min So-yeon like that for about 15 minutes.

“Phew…”

Mixed among the people getting off in a rush, we could finally get off.

“So-yeon, are you okay? Want me to get you something to drink?”

Min So-yeon, her face flushed red, shook her head roughly while breathing heavily.

“N-No…”

Slightly taken aback by her strange forcefulness, I suggested we have lunch first and headed inside the tower.

*

Just as we were finishing the baguette that came out as an appetizer.

“Excuse me. May we remove the basket and bring out your orders?”

Right on time, the food came out.

Margherita pizza, two kinds of pasta, and two fruit ades.

It was apparently the most popular combination among young people these days.

Oh… It’s better than I thought?

Not bad visuals for the low price range.

I can see why students come here a lot.

Min So-yeon must have been hungry too as she picked up her fork and glanced at me.

As if her gaze told me to let her eat quickly, I unconsciously smiled and opened my mouth.

“You must be hungry. Let’s eat.”

“Thanks for the food.”

Watching Min So-yeon twirl the pasta, I also picked up my fork.

While filling our hungry stomachs like that…

Huh? There are a lot of young couples.

I noticed that all the tables around us—no, the whole restaurant—were occupied by male and female couples.

As a result, even affectionately feeding each other food or having loving conversations felt rather natural.

I guess it’s only natural since they said it’s a famous place not only for unique food but also as a dating spot.

Thinking, ‘Oh well,’ I rinsed my mouth with ade and tried to continue my meal…

“…”

I ended up making eye contact with Min So-yeon, who had put down her fork and looked expectantly into my eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

When I asked her what was going on,

“I don’t know.”

She let out a deep sigh and quietly picked up her fork.

What’s going on?

She didn’t seem to be in the mood to tell me even if I asked.

After finishing the meal in that ambiguous atmosphere, I led her to a clothing mall.

“Why are we going here? Let’s go to the zoo.”

“Huh? Let’s just look around a bit and then go.”

Min So-yeon made an expression as if she couldn’t understand my intentions.

Actually, I had no intention of coming here either.

But when I saw clothes I thought would look pretty on So-yeon while passing by, I purposely changed the route.

I have the card my wife gave me, so what’s so great about buying one outfit for my beloved daughter?

“Oh… What about that?”

Min So-yeon looked where I pointed and slightly distorted her expression.

“That?”

It was an expression as if she was having impure thoughts.

“I think it would look pretty on you. Let’s try it on before we go.”

“What? No way.”

Ugh…

I was about to feel discouraged by her firm rejection, but I couldn’t back down.

I subtly linked arms with her and pulled her.

“Just once? You’re already pretty, but I think you’ll be even prettier if you wear that. Let’s try it on, just once.”

I thought it was a bit too much to go this far just to have her wear pretty clothes, but thinking about it, she had never really liked clothes shopping since she was young.

Min So-yeon glared at me, then let out a short sigh as if she had no choice and followed me.

As a result…

“I don’t know whose daughter you are, but you are really pretty.”

“Wh-What are you saying…”

Extremely satisfied.

My eye for fashion wasn’t wrong – the clothes suited Min So-yeon perfectly.

Light blue jeans and a long-sleeved knit top.

I chose the outfit because So-yeon resembles my wife, and sure enough, the feel was very similar.

Thank goodness she doesn’t take after me.

“Please ring this up.”

“Huh? You’re buying this?”

“One-time payment, please.”

Min So-yeon belatedly tried to stop me, but I had already handed over the card.

Before she could say anything, I quickly pushed my cell phone at her and made the first move.

“So-yeon. This is a bit awkward, but you’re so pretty, can we take one photo?”

“Y-You crazy bastard! You bought it on your own, so what…”

“I’ll take it.”

“Hey you…!”

Click-

The image of her glaring at the camera with a red face, seemingly embarrassed to have her photo taken, was captured as is.

Hmm. It came out well.

Since I bought my daughter’s clothes with my wife’s card, I plan to send her a verification photo.

Min So-yeon got angry, huffing and puffing, but I brushed it off appropriately, retrieved the card, and gently coaxed her out of the store.

“Have you gone crazy? You don’t even have money, so what…”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind spending it on you at all.”

“What?”

I understand why she was reacting like this.

It’s probably because she knows I’m poor.

But she probably doesn’t know that I’m not poor anymore.

Behind me, I have a massive balance like an army and an endless stream of benefits from a black card.

I can’t explain the circumstances of how I obtained this enormous wealth…

But it’s not like I did anything strange, and anyway, isn’t it good if it’s good?

Like that, I gently coaxed So-yeon and headed to the men’s clothing store.

So-yeon is wearing casual clothes, so I can’t be the only one in uniform, can I?

I know my usual style, so I was able to pick out clothes quickly.

Swoosh-

I came out of the fitting room and showed her the clothes.

“How is it? Is it okay?”

Then she slightly opened her mouth, looked me up and down, and nodded.

Judging from her not-too-bad reaction, it doesn’t seem strange.

I chose light-colored jeans and a sweatshirt.

After choosing, I felt it was similar to the outfit I picked for Min So-yeon.

After finishing the short shopping trip, just as we were finally about to head to the zoo.

Buzz- Buzz-

The cell phone I had tucked in my arms began to vibrate.

Huh?

Wondering what it was, I took out my cell phone and checked…

[ Unnie ]

My wife was calling.

Today is Friday.

Normally, it would be the day I go to my wife.

“Ah…”

As I unintentionally let out a sigh and stopped, Min So-yeon, walking beside me, stuck her face close and spoke.

“What is it?”

Oops.

Startled, I hurriedly hid my cell phone and said,

“H-Hang on, I need to go to the restroom for a bit!”

“Huh? O-Okay then…”

Min So-yeon showed a somewhat subtle reaction, but I quickly forgot about it, blinded by my wife’s call.