Chapter 9

I looked at Ha-yeon. She was diligently listening to the class. Of course, she occasionally checked if I was still behind her.

Every time, I smiled brightly and waved at her. It was to reassure Ha-yeon. Today was the parent observation class, so I could see how Ha-yeon usually attends class. It was a rewarding and good experience.

It’s just a pity that it only happens once or twice a year. I even thought it would be nice if it happened more often. That way, I could see how Ha-yeon lives her life in kindergarten. She was getting along well, chatting with her friends.

Well, with Ha-yeon’s bright personality, it was impossible for her not to make friends. In fact, someone like Ha-yeon could easily become popular. Unlike me, she was smart and mature. She might even be the type to set boys’ hearts on fire. Still, I hoped she’d at least give me a heads-up if she got a boyfriend.

Someday, I’ll have to send Ha-yeon off to get married, but still, as her mom, I’d probably cry if I found out about her having a boyfriend only when a marriage proposal came. Maybe it’s because of the bond I’ve built raising her since she was little.

“Alright, kids~ Shall we do the [Introducing Our Parents!] activity we prepared with the teacher?”

“Yes!”

It was time for the kids to introduce their parents. Starting from the front row, each child began talking about their parents.

“My parents’ names are…”

One by one, the kids spoke with their tiny voices. It was so adorable. Maybe because I’ve become a woman, my sensitivity has become richer compared to when I was a man. Is it the hormones? Humans are inevitably influenced by hormones, and now that I’m in a woman’s position, it seems plausible.

Even with their slightly twisted pronunciations, the kids spoke clearly. The parents clasped their hands and watched their children speak with deep emotion. They probably had never seen their kids speak in front of so many people like this before.

And I was the same.

As I waited, it was finally Ha-yeon’s turn.

I turned on my phone’s video recording. Other parents had also recorded their kids’ presentations, so it was a natural thing to do.

“Where’s the video button again?”

I managed to find it without Ha-yeon’s help. I’ve recorded videos before, like during Ha-yeon’s birthday parties. Recording her blowing out the candles on her cake was an annual tradition. It had been that way since she started talking and walking.

I focused the camera on Ha-yeon. She hesitated a little, perhaps noticing me recording. But I gave her a thumbs-up and waved my fist to cheer her on. Encouraged, Ha-yeon picked up her paper and began speaking.

“I’ll introduce my mom! My mom’s name is Kim Ha-yul. And my mom is good at a lot of things.”

“Oh? What is Ha-yeon’s mom good at?”

The teacher chimed in.

“She’s good at cleaning, cooking, laundry, and dishes. And when I’m sick or having a hard time, she’s always by my side, taking care of me.”

Watching Ha-yeon speak so clearly, I was moved. Despite being only six years old, she was very composed, perhaps because she grew up without a father. At six, most kids are still throwing tantrums, but Ha-yeon wasn’t like that at all. Other kids stumbled over their words or even teared up during their presentations.

But Ha-yeon showed no such reaction. She spoke calmly and peacefully, like a college student presenting a project. It was completely different from the nervous glance she gave me before starting.

“Really? Ha-yeon’s mom sounds very kind and caring!”

“And my mom loves chicken. She’s happiest when she has chicken and cola.”

“Chicken and cola?”

I felt a little embarrassed that my favorite things were so modern. I was the youngest parent here. I’d chatted with some of the other parents, and they were all at least in their early 30s. There were no 20-somethings, not even late 20s.

“But my mom loves me the most. I asked her, so I’m sure of it!”

Ha-yeon’s presentation was wrapping up. Everyone clapped.

I clapped enthusiastically too. Watching Ha-yeon’s presentation made me feel good.

—

“Excuse me, are you Ha-yeon’s mom?”

I turned at the voice calling me. It was a woman with an intelligent smile. I nodded and replied.

“Yes, I’m Ha-yeon’s mom.”

“We’ve made a parents-only chat group for our Grape Class. You should join…”

“Oh, really? Then I should!”

A parents-only chat group? She mentioned that even our teacher, Lee Si-eun, was in it. So there was no reason for me not to join. And it seemed like the teacher might forget to share important notices with the parents, so having a separate chat group made sense.

“Give me your number, and I’ll invite you.”

“Thank you…”

I gave her my number and sent it. Just then, Ha-yeon came over to me. She looked at me and asked.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

“Huh? I just gave my number to join the parents’ chat group.”

“Really? You’re not doing this for some other reason, are you?”

“Hey~ It’s just between women, what’s the big deal?”

Ha-yeon narrowed her eyes and looked at me. She seemed a bit sensitive when I was with other people. I understood because I was like that when I was young. Maybe it’s the feeling of something being taken away when your parents get close to others.

Ha-yeon must have felt the same way. I hugged her and said.

“Ha-yeon, you did so well today! I was so surprised! It didn’t even feel like you!”

“Hehe! I practiced a lot in my heart! I wanted to show you my best side!”

“Really? Ha-yeon, you’re already amazing!”

As I said that, I showed her the video I’d recorded earlier. It was a long clip of Ha-yeon’s presentation. Ha-yeon’s face turned a little red as she watched herself. Even so, she watched the entire video.

“This is a bit disappointing…”

It was impressive that she could find areas for improvement in her own presentation. Most kids would just glance at it and be done, but Ha-yeon wasn’t like that. Little kids usually don’t have the concept of feedback.

“No, no. You were amazing today.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Ha-yeon hugged me tightly. I gently patted her head. Ha-yeon was so small, it felt like she’d fly away if the wind blew. I wished she’d grow up quickly. For now, she was still such a tiny, young child.

After the break, the parents were gathered and led to the auditorium. Since we’d seen the class, now it was time to hear about the kindergarten’s roadmap for teaching and nurturing the children’s growth.

Sitting in the back, I covered my mouth and yawned. This kind of talk was boring and uninteresting. The other parents listened intently, their eyes sparkling, but for me, it didn’t resonate much.

After all, Ha-yeon was destined to awaken and go down a path far removed from academics. And the hunters in this world weren’t dangerous. Plus, Ha-yeon was the protagonist of this world. There might be some crises, but she’d never lose.

She’s the protagonist of a novel—there’s no way she’d lose to the villains. Since it’s not a tragic story, I could relax. All I had to do was raise Ha-yeon without any wrinkles. Judging by her reactions, I wasn’t raising her in a weird way.

So, in contrast to the principal’s passionate speech, I listened comfortably. I’d rather play with Ha-yeon. What was she doing now? It was exercise time, so she was probably dancing with the teacher. I wanted to see Ha-yeon dancing. Her tiny body moving around would be so cute.