In earnest, five employees were wholeheartedly recommending various toys to me with their skilled words.

It must be because of this.

I carefully read the back of the gift card I received from Senior Kang Suho.

[VIP Silver Gift Card.]

It was written in tiny letters, so I didn’t notice it when I received it.

I thought it was just an ordinary gift card.

It turns out it’s a gift card sent every month as a token of gratitude to customers who spend a lot at the department store.

“This is an educational toy that is sturdy and can be used for a long time. When you press the chick here…”

*cheep-cheep* *cheep-cheep* the chick chirped. Then, a familiar song I heard a lot in my childhood came out of the toy that looked like a laptop, recommended by a young employee.

“Next, when you press the calf…”

“I know that one! Next is ‘Eummae Eummae Calf’! Hehehe. It’s a song my Appa used to sing to me!”

Before the employee could press the button, Yuna sang the song.

“Huh? I sang that?”

“Yes. A long time ago.”

“Your daughter sings very well!”

Knowing they do the same for all customers visiting here, I still felt proud and happy.

Trying to hide my smile, I responded nonchalantly,

“Do you think so?”

“With such cuteness and beauty, if she sings well too, she could be raised as a singer.”

“How adorable. You must be so happy to see her every day.”

“Hehehe.”

With my daughter enjoying it so much,

I couldn’t help but buy it.

“Ahaha. I’ll take that one, please.”

The employees’ compliments about Yuna were persuasive. I originally planned to buy only two toys, but feeling uplifted by their praise, I ended up buying everything that matched the gift card.

Of course, since I couldn’t take all the purchased toys with me, I arranged for delivery and left the store with just one toy.

‘But why is this so tiring?’

As soon as we stepped out of the department store, I let out a deep sigh. Just choosing toys brought by the employees.

I felt exhausted.

“Hehehe. Appa! Let’s go home quickly!”

“Yeah. Sure.”

I walked alongside Yuna’s small steps, staring blankly at the sky.

Gradually, as the sky darkened, the surrounding streetlights flickered on one by one.

Right now, Yuna’s smile seemed brighter to me than those lights.

Is this what it feels like for a father looking at his daughter? I shrugged and asked Yuna, who was holding the toys.

“Yuna, should I carry them for you?”

“It’s okay. Yuna can carry them.”

It might be difficult for her to walk like this…

Well, if Yuna is okay with it.

Just seeing her enjoying herself…

My tired body and mind instantly relaxed.

“Do you really like that?”

“Yes! I really like it because it reminds me of the song Appa used to sing to me!”

“So, which Appa do you like more?”

I wonder…

Does Yuna truly like the current me, who has taken over this body, just as much?

I waited for Yuna’s answer.

“Hmm, I like the current Appa more!”

Yuna’s answer, accompanied by the word “current,” was heartwarming.

That means…

She prefers me as I am now, even more than her real father before the possession.

With a heart full of contentment, I tousled Yuna’s hair.

“Appa likes Yuna the most too.”

“Hehehe.”

If moments like this continue, I felt like I could handle any difficult situation without losing my smile.

As we walked together, we suddenly found ourselves in our neighborhood alley.

‘What’s this…?’

Was it always this dark here?

Today, with no moonlight to be found, the alley was pitch-black, and we couldn’t see a thing ahead.

“Appa… I’m scared.”

“Should Appa carry you?”

“Yes…”

I lifted Yuna up and reached into my pocket for my phone.

This is what this function is for.

When I turned on the flashlight, the previously invisible path became clear. Relying on that light, we cautiously moved forward, and my footsteps sounded louder than usual.

Step. Step.

‘This place is dangerous at night. I need to earn money quickly to buy a house…’

Hastening my pace, I finally reached the front door where bright light enveloped us.

The darkness was no longer frightening.

“Alright, I’ll put you down now.”

“Yes!”

Yuna, now on the floor, immediately kicked off her shoes and dashed into the room.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Rustle. Rustle.

Rustling sounds of unwrapping echoed.

‘If I knew she’d be this excited, I would’ve bought them earlier. I should thank my seniors.’

Carefully removing my shoes and leaving them neatly in the entrance, I slowly entered the room.

“Yuna, it’s late, time to sleep.”

I wondered if she heard me.

Yuna was busy pressing buttons, absorbed in playing with her new toy.

However, Yuna’s expression gradually hardened, and she began to look on the verge of tears.

“Appa… it’s broken.”

“What?”

I immediately examined the toy.

“Oh, it’s just because the batteries are dead. See here?”

“So, it won’t play the music?”

“Just a moment. I’ll put in some new batteries.”

“Yes…”

After inserting the batteries, I handed the fully functional toy back to Yuna.

“It’s a new toy. Hehe.”

“Okay, done? Let’s sleep now and play with it tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

After we both showered and changed into our pajamas, I laid a blanket on the floor.

Even though it was time to sleep, Yuna kept playing with the toy I bought her today.

“Yuna, it’s time to sleep.”

“But what if it disappears?”

“If it does, I’ll buy you another one.”

“But still…”

“Hmm, then… how about I sing you a lullaby?”

Finally, Yuna turned her head to look at me directly.

“Really?”

“Yeah, so… let’s go to sleep quickly.”

“Hehe. Okay!”

I gently patted Yuna’s belly while singing a memorable lullaby.

“Rock-a-bye, baby…”

***

On the quiet bus, I unfolded the script and practiced with Yuna.

Since we were the only passengers, there was no need to be cautious.

“What did Appa say you should do here?”

“Appa! That lady tried to kidnap So-ah! Like this?”

“Yeah, you did great.”

I gently stroked Yuna’s head and continued speaking.

“Next, Appa will scold Seol-hwa Unnie. Then Yuna should join in and say, ‘Yeah, yeah!’ like this.”

“Hehe! Okay! I can do it!”

“Hahaha! Let’s see how it goes next, young man.”

The jolly bus driver glanced at us through the rearview mirror.

Sir, please focus on the road.

The words were on the tip of my tongue.

Hop!

“Next, Yuna will do this!”

Yuna, standing inside the moving bus, energetically kicked her foot into the air.

“Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!”

“Hahaha! That’s really scary.”

“Really? Hehe.”

Suddenly, the bus slowed down.

It seemed like the driver had reduced the speed for Yuna, who was standing inside the running bus.

“Now it’s Appa’s turn!”

Yuna, nestled in my arms, looked at me with sparkling eyes.

What should I do…

My lines for the role I took on had a lot of swearing initially, so I felt a bit embarrassed to show them to others.

“Hmm… Oh!”

Fortunately, we arrived near our destination.

I quickly got up and grabbed our belongings.

“Sir! We’re getting off here!”

“Are you filming something here?”

“Yes, we’re filming a sitcom called ‘Protect the Food Cart.’ You must watch it when it airs!”

“Sure, kid. Work hard!”

“Yes! Have a good day!”

After getting off the bus and looking around, I saw the tranquil scenery of the countryside.

Small hole-in-the-wall shops I saw when I was young.

Loud, bustling tractors.

And the familiar scent of the fields gently wafting through the air. Closing my eyes and smelling that scent, I felt a sense of peace wash over me.

“Indeed, the smell of the countryside is really nice.”

I wish I could stay like this a little longer.

“Appa! Appa!”

Yuna suddenly tugged at my sleeve with strong force.

“Why did our Yuna call Appa so urgently?”

“What’s that?”

Yuna pointed to a spot with sparkling eyes. The tiny finger pointed to a drone used for filming.

In modern times like these, drones are used for filming. Even though I’ve been inactive for five years, I knew that well.

“That’s called a drone.”

“Dlong?”

Uh oh…

I forgot that I shouldn’t use difficult words with Yuna.

“A drone is like… um…”

How should I explain this…

I racked my brain as much as I could.

Wasn’t it said that when explaining to children, you should get down to their eye level?

“A drone is… um, like a fairy.”

My hands and feet were trembling as I made up the explanation, and my face flushed with embarrassment.

Later, when she grows up, she’ll realize my explanation was a lie…

Fortunately, Yuna seemed to believe me.

“Yuna know fairies too!”

“Really? Our Yuna is so smart, huh?”

I was relieved by Yuna’s innocence.

“That fairy sometimes appears in front of us and then disappears.”

“Wow! Really?”

Yuna let go of my hand and ran ahead, raising her hand and jumping up and down in place.

“Fairy! Yuna is here!”

Whirrrr!

The drone descended slowly.

It was at a height where I could reach out and grab it now.

Just watching her jumping up and down in place, trying to catch the drone, made me smile.

I took out my phone to capture this precious moment of Yuna interacting with the drone.

Indeed…

What would Yuna’s reaction be when she sees this when she grows up?

Even though it’s a distant future event, it made me smile.

***

After bidding farewell to the drone, we stepped into the filming site.

The staff still seemed busy with preparations. It looked like we had arrived too early.

“Hmm, did we arrive early?”

“Appa, when will the unni oppas arrive?”

Unni and oppa…

I wanted to correct her and say aunt and uncle right away.

But…

This was the result of the seniors winning Yuna’s favor.

I didn’t want to incur their wrath by ruining it.

“Well, they should be arriving soon, right?”

Just then, Yu Seol-hwa arrived and greeted the surrounding staff as she came in.

“Oh my! Yuna! I missed you!”

I was taken aback by her speed as she rushed over to embrace Yuna.

“Uh, Unnie! Yuna can’t breathe.”

“Oh, sorry.”

After letting go of Yuna, Yu Seol-hwa, who had noticed me, smiled brightly.

“So, our junior who went from a small role to a supporting role. How have you been?”

“Ahaha! I’ve been doing well.”

“Judging by your expression, you don’t seem nervous, huh? It’s your first time in a supporting role, after all.”

Is she still suspicious of me?

She looked at me with suspicion for a moment before returning to her usual expression.

Honestly, I still think it’s too early for a newcomer to take on supporting roles, but since the opportunity came knocking, giving up would be foolish.

Well, if there are those who envy me…

It would be enough to silence them by showing high-quality acting that leaves them speechless.

And the biggest reason for putting aside such worries was that all the people gathered here were kind and good-hearted.

Meeting such good people in my first work couldn’t be a better start.

“What are you staring blankly at?”

“Oh! What did you just say?”

“If you’re free now, how about we practice together and sync our lines?”

“Oh! That sounds great to me.”

“Hurry up and follow me. Yuna, let’s have fun acting together with Unnie.”