Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 349

Fluffy clouds slowly drifted across the sky. The children at the daycare were in the middle of their class, with today’s activity being painting. They sat in groups of six, dipping their brushes into paint and drawing flowers.

Byeol, fascinated by the paints and brushes she was using for the first time, was deeply focused on her painting.

Sung-Min was sitting beside her. He suddenly jumped up, grabbed his bag, and turned it upside down. Tiny flat packets spilled out—small, flat squares, about the length of two fingers, with packaging that read Vitamin.

“Who wants some?” he asked.

The children eagerly raised their hands, and he passed the vitamins around to his group.

Byeol’s eyes sparkled as she unwrapped the packaging and popped one into her mouth. As soon as she tasted it, saliva pooled in her mouth.

“This is weally sour,” she commented.

“Right?”

Byeol swallowed the excess saliva with a slurp. It felt like eating a lemon, but the sweet and tangy taste was delicious.

“Sung-Min, can I eat one more?” she asked.

“Sure. Take as many as you want. I have lots at home.”

“Weally?! Thank you!” Byeol smiled.

However, she didn’t want to take too many, or there might not be enough for the other kids. So, she settled on taking just five.

The vitamins Sung-Min brought came in a variety of flavors. Wanting to try each one, Byeol carefully selected different flavors: strawberry, grape, apple, and plum. That made four. As for the last one, she picked a packet that read “Strawberry Flavor.”

Byeol blinked, then checked the strawberry one that she was already holding and compared it to this new one. The last vitamin packet labeled “Strawberry Flavor” was slightly larger, and both its color and packaging were fancier.

“Hmm, is this one better?” She wondered aloud.

***

Do-Jun received a text message from Yoon-Hee, who had left for a practical training trip the day before, informing him that she probably wouldn’t be home until the following afternoon. She was originally supposed to return that afternoon, but another Fissure had unexpectedly appeared at the temple where the training was held, and the temple had requested additional assistance.

Do-Jun debated whether to take the afternoon off and head home. Byeol would be back from daycare soon. There was dinner to think about, and he didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.

Just then, another message arrived, this time from Ae-Kyung.

Ae-Kyung: Supervisor Lee, the S-rank Great Fissure status report you requested is ready. Should I bring it to your office now?

The Hunter’s Bureau and Seoul City Hall jointly managed the S-rank Great Fissures by conducting field inspections and updating reports every quarter. S-rank Hunters regularly submitted their findings to Do-Jun.

Normally, he would’ve simply replied, “That would be appreciated.” But this time, after a moment of thought, he typed something different.

Do-Jun: Would you mind doing me a favor?

***

Ae-Kyung picked up Byeol from her daycare right on time and headed to the grocery store. She bought plenty of side dishes for dinner before arriving at Do-Jun’s house. She placed the grocery bags on the dining table, along with her handbag containing the report.

“Mommy’s going to the bathroom for a bit, okay?” she told Byeol.

“Okie!”

Ae-Kyung stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. Then, she sank down onto the floor, pressing her fingers against the corners of her mouth.

What do I do...? I’m smiling too much, and I can’t stop...

It was just like the first time she visited Do-Jun’s home. Back then, she was too overwhelmed by unfamiliar emotions to realize her feelings for him. But now, things are different.

This wasn’t just about visiting someone she liked at their home. If it were, her heart would be pounding, but she wouldn’t be making such a silly face. This was something more.

Ah, that’s right. It is because of Byeol.

Byeol called her Mommy, and she called Do-Jun Daddy. Under such conditions, Ae-Kyung had picked Byeol up from daycare, gone grocery shopping, and then returned home. Later, she would serve the dinner she had prepared, and they would sit together at the table, chatting over a warm meal.

Even if it was only for one evening, she was getting a taste of the ideal family life she had always dreamed of. And that made her extremely happy.

***

While Ae-Kyung was in the bathroom, Byeol had already changed into her pajamas. She wiggled her bottom as she carried her daycare bag into the bedroom, wearing her fluffy baby bear pajamas.

Opening her bag, she pulled out the painting she had made earlier that day. She carefully placed it on her dad’s desk because she wanted to show him later. Then, she took out the last remaining vitamin, the one in the bright red packaging.

Sung-Min had told her that he had never seen this Strawberry Flavor before, so it must be something really special. Her stomach growled, and her instincts told her to unwrap it and eat it right away. But then, she blinked.

“No. I alweddy ate lots.” She decided to give it to someone else.

After a moment of deep contemplation, which was serious for a child her age, at least, Byeol finally made up her mind. She stepped out of the bedroom and noticed that Mommy still hadn’t come out of the bathroom yet. She then thought about how long it had been since her mom last came home. She should get a welcome-back present!

“She’ll like this, wight?” Smiling brightly, Byeol slipped the vitamin into Ae-Kyung’s handbag.

***

Do-Jun arrived home after work. He lifted Byeol into his arms and then stepped into the living room. He spotted Ae-Kyung in the kitchen, busy cooking.

Noticing his arrival, she wiped her damp hands on her apron and smiled. “Welcome home, Supervisor Lee.”

“Hello, Hunter Ae-Kyung. Thank you for coming, and sorry for asking this of you.”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. You always do so much for us... Dinner will be ready shortly, so please wait a moment. If you go wash up, I’ll have it ready for you by the time you’re finished.”

“Thank you. Really.”

As Ae-Kyung returned to the kitchen, Do-Jun glanced at the dining table. It was already full of dishes, almost to the point of collapse, yet she was still preparing more food. Feeling both grateful and guilty, he set Byeol down and headed for the shower.

Hearing the bathroom door close, Ae-Kyung took a deep breath. For some reason, facing him today felt even harder than usual. She had no problem whatsoever maintaining a neutral expression in front of others, but in front of Do-Jun, that was impossible. She sighed deeply.

***

After dinner, Do-Jun and Ae-Kyung played with Byeol for quite a while. Maybe because it had been so long since her Mommy last visited, Byeol was so happy that she fought off sleep, only to finally doze off around 9 PM.

Do-Jun scrubbed the dishes with a soapy sponge, handing them off to Ae-Kyung, who rinsed them under running water. Normally, doing the dishes was nothing more than a tedious chore, but Ae-Kyung wished this moment would never end.

Through the kitchen window, she watched the darkening sky. Rain had started to fall, initially light, but now coming down steadily. Their fingers brushed against each other as Do-Jun handed her a dish. Ae-Kyung instinctively turned her face away, not wanting him to see the faint blush on her cheeks.

They continued to work in silence as the rain outside grew heavier. When they finished washing the dishes, Ae-Kyung untied her apron and folded it neatly on the table. She kept stealing glances at Do-Jun, but whenever their eyes met, she quickly looked away.

Seeing her obvious awkwardness, Do-Jun walked into the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and pulled out one of Yoon-Hee’s pajamas.

“There are towels in the bathroom. Feel free to take a shower and change into this,” he said.

“I-is it okay for me to stay over, Supervisor Lee...?”

“It’s late, and it’s raining outside. If you want to go home, I’ll take you home. You helped me out big time today. It’s the least I can do,” he offered with a smile.

Ae-Kyung hesitated for a moment, then nodded shyly. “Then... I-I’ll go wash up.”

“Alright. I’ll be in the bedroom.”

***

About twenty minutes later, after finishing her shower, Ae-Kyung studied her reflection in the vanity mirror. The first time she had slept over at Do-Jun’s, she had gone straight to bed with a bare face. But tonight, she didn’t feel like doing that. After quickly drying her hair with a blow dryer, she applied a little lip balm and carefully stepped into the living room, where she put on the pajamas Do-Jun had prepared.

It’s a bit tight... she thought, looking down at herself.

The clothes were a bit small, especially around the chest, and felt slightly snug. However, they weren’t uncomfortable enough to make sleeping difficult.

Standing outside the bedroom door, she hesitated for a moment before peeking inside. Of course, she was never the type to barge in without knocking, but tonight, she was extra cautious.

Do-Jun found her behavior odd. Sitting at his desk, reviewing work documents on his laptop, Do-Jun decided to leave her be.

Ae-Kyung lifted the blanket and slowly slid into bed beside Byeol.

“Supervisor Lee...?” she called out.

“Yes?”

“N-never mind.” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

She pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, secretly hoping that Do-Jun would hurry and lie down. She wanted to fall asleep while watching his face. Gently patting Byeol, she waited for him.

“Actually, Hunter Moon, could you hand me the documents you mentioned this morning?” Do-Jun asked.

Just as her eyelids were about to close, Ae-Kyung jolted awake, hearing Do-Jun’s request.

“Ah, yes, just a moment.”

She stepped into the living room, picked up her handbag, and pulled out a roughly thirty-page-long report containing the analysis data for the S-rank Great Fissure. As she took out the documents, a small, bright red object floated out with them. Then, with a light plop, it landed in a smooth arc on Do-Jun’s desk.

Both of them turned their gazes toward it. Ae-Kyung stared at the object with wide eyes. The packaging, which had a distinct circular indentation in the center, was labeled “Strawberry Flavor.”

One second, two seconds, three seconds... a silence so heavy it made each second feel like an eternity.

Ae-Kyung’s face turned deathly pale. Then, in a frantic motion, she snatched the object.

She struggled to find her voice. “S-supervisor Lee, t-this... I...”

Even if someone were as inexperienced as they could possibly be, it would still be nearly impossible not to recognize what this was at Ae-Kyung’s age. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the condom in her hand.

With a voice on the verge of breaking, she muttered, “W-why... was something like this... in my bag...?”