My Girlfriend's Fortune: 3,141,592,653,589-Chapter 79: Water Ghost

TL: Aniea

A very simple task.

Kim Eun-ha definitely said so.

Of course, I’m not naive enough to take her words at face value, but there’s a limit to everything. This was a bit too much, wasn’t it?

“Waaah-! Eun-ha unnie!”

“Why are you so late!?”

“Who’s the oppa next to you?”

“.......”

As usual, we became the center of attention for a crowd of people. However, there was a slight difference this time, their gazes were quite low.

Most of them barely reached my waist, making it quite awkward to figure out where to meet their eyes.

"...You said it was a fancy place."

“It’s been recently remodeled.”

“Ah, so that’s why it’s so grand and flashy. At first glance, I thought we were at some kind of luxury villa again.”

“It’s better than most villas, you know?”

Well, of course it would be.

What kind of orphanage in the world also operates a spacious outdoor swimming pool along with a garden park?

And judging by the perfectly designed building exterior, the recent remodeling must have been real. It felt like a place straight out of an SNS main feed.

Honestly, staying even one night at a place like this would cost hundreds of thousands of won. In that sense, it was indeed a “fancy” place.

‘This is completely different from the orphanages I imagined.’

The kids surrounding us couldn’t stop smiling, and their clothes were all brand new, without a single worn-out thread to be seen.

Judging by their chubby cheeks, it seemed like they were well-fed too, regardless of gender. It was heartwarming enough to bring a smile to my face.

‘This must be a special case.’

Most orphanages rely solely on government subsidies. And even then, the funds are so limited that they often can’t provide proper meals, let alone decent clothes for the children.

These days, distrust in charitable organizations has grown widespread, making the situation even worse, or so I’ve heard.

“Oppa, are you unnie’s boyfriend?”

“How long have you been dating?”

“When and where did you have your first kiss? Who made the first move!?”

“.......”

The kids in front of me seemed quite distant from such hardships. At a glance, their emotional stability appeared remarkably high.

Of course, I can’t carelessly judge their lives or the pain they may carry inside, but at least in terms of material well-being, they were far better off than I was during my school days.

“Huh? Huh? Quickly.... Wuaaah!”

“You rascals. Don’t bother oppa too much.”

Kim Eun-ha stepped in to wrap up the kids’ barrage of questions. She playfully pinched their cheeks and skillfully took control of the situation.

‘...She’s clearly done this more than a few times.’

Of course, I already knew that Kim Eun-ha regularly donates to orphanages.

I also knew that, at least once or twice a month, she takes time out of her schedule to do volunteer work personally.

At first, I thought it was just a part of managing her public image, but seeing the scene in front of me, it didn’t seem like that was all there was to it.

Kim Eun-ha was smiling.

Based on the big data I’ve gathered from observing her closely over the past few months, that was a genuine, unadulterated smile, free of any pretense.

Was she also defenseless in front of children? It seemed like she wasn’t even aware that I was standing right next to her, watching.

‘Or maybe she just doesn’t care.’

Considering Kim Eun-ha’s usually meticulous personality, the latter was more likely.

If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t have brought me to the orphanage in the first place. Maybe it meant she trusted me enough for this.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Well, about you, Eun-ha ssi.”

"Ooooh-!!"

It was just a light joke, as usual, but the kids next to us made strange exclamations, making the atmosphere awkwardly peculiar.

The children's sparkling eyes, brimming with the unique anticipation of wanting something, felt extremely burdensome as they gazed up at me.

If the opponent were an adult, I could maintain my usual concept and ignore them appropriately.

But responding to children in that way could risk making them cry, which would leave me in an awkward situation.

“Woo-ju ssi.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to make it so difficult for yourself. Here, there’s no need to go out of your way to maintain a concept. Just be comfortable.”

“...Even if you say so.”

Ziiiing-

Facing the eyes of the children, which seemed as if they could shoot lasers at any moment, my mind went completely blank.

It’s no surprise, though, since I’ve rarely had opportunities to deal with children.

It wasn’t like I had the time to go out and volunteer like others do, nor did I have siblings with a significant age gap to take care of.

“Eun-ha, you’ve arrived.”

“Director-nim!”

The one who rescued me from the situation was none other than the orphanage’s director.

She was an elderly woman in a nun’s habit. Just from the kind smile on her face, it was clear how much virtue she had accumulated over the years.

Proving this, the children who had been staring at me rushed toward the director in a swarm.

“Director-nim! Director-nim!”

“Unnie’s boyfriend came!”

“Is noona getting married now!?”

Seeing how naturally they clung to her skirts, it was clear how much love she must have given them on a daily basis.

Well, if she weren’t such a person, there’s no way Kim Eun-ha would personally support this orphanage.

I wouldn’t be surprised if, in addition to the remodeling, the orphanage grounds themselves were owned by a foundation operated by Kim Eun-ha.

“Now, now, save your questions for later and let’s head inside. Wash your hands and feet properly, and Sister Delphine will hand out some chicken.”

“Chicken!?”

"It's chicken-!!"

The kids screamed in unison and rushed into the building. It was fascinating how quickly their focus shifted.

“Sorry, it must’ve been overwhelming for you.”

While I was staring blankly at the children’s backs, the director approached me at some point and spoke kindly.

“No, not at all. Rather, I should apologize. I’m just not very experienced with interacting with children, so I was a bit out of it for a moment.”

“Oh my, your image is quite different from what I’ve seen in dramas.”

“Ah, well....”

“Hoho. I’m just teasing. Eun-ha has told me a lot about you. I’m Sister Kim Francisca, the one managing this orphanage.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Woo-ju.”

Sister Kim Francisca lowered her head in greeting, and I quickly bowed my head in response. She then gave me the warmest smile imaginable.

“From the way the children approached you without hesitation, I can tell that rumors circulating in the world are not to be trusted. As expected, Eun-ha must have....”

“W-We should head inside for now!”

Kim Eun-ha, unusually flustered, pushed gently at the director’s back. Sister Francisca quietly lifted the corners of her lips in amusement.

I was quite curious about the words she was about to say next, but from the looks of it, she had no intention of continuing.

“...Woo-ju ssi, hurry up and come along too!”

“Yes, understood.”

Following the rare sight of Kim Eun-ha urging someone, I quietly raised the corners of my lips and followed her.

As I entered the building behind them, I could immediately sense that not only the exterior but also the interior had been meticulously designed.

From a state-of-the-art computer room equipped for digital learning to a library and even a ball pit, the facilities were all in place.

‘Managing all this must not be easy....’

Although the diocese provides nuns with basic living expenses and wages, it’s hard to believe that such a facility could be maintained with only a meager amount like one million won.

It was a moment that once again conveyed just how much care Kim Eun-ha poured into this place.

“As you can see, the facilities here are so excellent that I almost feel sorry for other orphanages. This is all possible because Eun-ha makes generous donations for the children every year.”

As if reading my thoughts, the director naturally explained. At this, Kim Eun-ha turned her head slightly and muttered.

“...It’s just money that would’ve gone to taxes anyway.”

"No need to be shy."

"I'm not being shy!?"

Pfft-

The sight of Kim Eun-ha getting defensive made both the director and me laugh at the same time. She pouted and grumbled, clearly annoyed for no reason.

Perhaps influenced by the children around her, she was unusually unguarded today.

Maybe it was because of the stark difference from her usual self, but she seemed absolutely adorable. I nearly let out a laugh without realizing it.

But I held it back with all my strength, knowing that if I showed it, she would quickly revert to her prickly self.

This side of Kim Eun-ha was rare. I wanted to take in as much of it as possible while I had the chance.

“This is the dining hall.”

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the dining hall. As we entered, we were greeted by the sight of tables and chairs tailored to adorable children’s sizes.

Younger kids, around kindergarten age, sat at the chairs for their meals, while the slightly older ones sat on the floor, where the setup was just the right size.

At the entrance, several nuns were stationed, checking if the children had properly washed their hands and carefully tying bibs around each one’s neck.

Given the size of the orphanage, the number of children was beyond imagination, so the process seemed to take quite a bit of time.

“Can we help you?”

“Eun-ha! If you’d help us, we’d be so grateful.”

Seeing this, Kim Eun-ha stepped forward without hesitation and offered her assistance. The nuns, recognizing her, nodded gladly.

"Min-ah, did you wash your hands properly?"

“Yep! Look!”

“Let’s see. Wow~ They’re really clean!”

"Can Min-ah have chicken?"

“Of course! Unnie brought sooo much, so eat as much as you want. But wait, wait. Before you go in, you have to wear a bib.”

"Min-ah's not a baby anymore."

“This isn’t just for babies. Even adults wear these.”

“...You’re lying.”

“I’m serious! Look at this.”

Kim Eun-ha motioned toward me. Half-dreading what was coming, I leaned toward her.

As expected, she smirked mischievously and tied a bib around my neck.

My face flushed as I wore a bib for the first time in my life, but under the curious gazes of the children, I decided to accept it humbly.

“See? Oppa’s wearing one too. Even adults do it.”

“What about unnie?”

“Huh?”

Her actions even stopped the other children who were resisting the bibs from complaining.

‘She’s really good at handling kids.’

It seemed she had done something like this before. Otherwise, there’s no way she could blend in so naturally among the nuns.

Watching her interact with the children brought an involuntary smile to my face.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

Among the kids, many were shy with strangers, and since I had zero experience in childcare, it was impossible for me to act as naturally as Kim Eun-ha.

So, I cautiously asked the director if there was anything I could do. She said it would be helpful if I assisted with setting up the food inside.

“Thank you for helping. Please place two sets of pizza and chicken, of each variety, on each table!”

“Understood.”

I walked toward the mountain of chicken and pizza stacked on one side. These were the foods Kim Eun-ha had pre-ordered in advance.

On the way here, I learned that the children usually eat a “healthy” diet prepared by a professional nutritionist.

Since the orphanage is located in a remote area and has its own school bus system, it’s not easy for the kids to snack on junk food outside.

Because of this, the days when Kim Eun-ha visits once every two to three weeks are the only days they can eat “unhealthy” foods like chicken.

‘...She really knows what she’s doing.’

Kim Eun-ha truly excelled in dealing with people, regardless of age or gender. It was a remarkable talent.

While I was lost in thought, all the preparations were somehow completed, and a very special dinner with everyone began.

“Before you eat, what do you say to Eun-ha unnie?”

“Thank you-!!”

“Alright, everyone, enjoy your meal.”

“Yes-!!”

With the children's enthusiastic voices, the meal commenced. Watching the kids hurriedly reaching for the chicken, we quietly held back our laughter.

.

.

.

When the meal was over, we spent a few more hours surrounded by the children, playing with them. Eventually, with the director’s help, we managed to slip away.

“...The kids are so cheerful.”

“Hoho. They’re full of energy, aren’t they?”

“Yes. Moments like these really make me think all the parents in the world who fulfill their responsibilities are amazing. And even more so the nuns here and Eun-ha ssi.”

I shook my head with an utterly exhausted expression. The children’s energy levels were truly beyond imagination. If not for the director, I would probably have become a zombie by now.

Hoho-

My reaction must have been amusing, as both Kim Eun-ha and the director stifled their laughter.

After that, as if planned, the two of them raised the teacups sitting on the table and moistened their lips.

Following their lead, I took a sip of tea as well and waited. After taking a drink, Kim Eun-ha spoke softly.

“Woo-ju ssi, aren’t you curious?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Clink-!

Startled by my firm answer, Kim Eun-ha’s hand flinched noticeably as she placed her teacup down. She opened her eyes wide in disbelief and spoke.

“...Normally, wouldn’t someone respond with ‘Curious about what?’ in a situation like this? I didn’t even properly set up the context, you know?”

“Unnecessary curiosity shortens one’s life.... But! It’s also curiosity that has most greatly contributed to the advancement of humanity. Hmm-hmm.”

Halfway through, her gaze became so sharp that I quickly changed my tone. Watching us, the director burst into laughter.

“Hoho. Eun-ha, don’t push him too hard. After all, right now, we’re in a position where we have to ask Woo-ju ssi for a favor.”

“A favor?”

Tilting my head in confusion, the director gave me her signature warm smile and explained.

“Soon, there will be a small event for the children who are graduating from our orphanage and preparing to live independently. At that event, the children usually perform things like talent shows, and this time, a theater group has been formed.”

“A theater performance....”

“The children really want to perform the play with you, Woo-ju ssi. That’s why I asked Eun-ha to bring you here.”

“.......”

For a moment, a strange sense of déjà vu crept up my body like a snake. There were too many suspicious aspects to agree to this so easily. Among them, the most concerning was:

‘The kids didn’t seem to recognize me at all, though?’

At that moment, a hypothesis flashed through my mind, a highly plausible one. I immediately turned my head toward Kim Eun-ha.

“Don’t tell me, is this a water ghost strategy?”

(TL Note: "Water ghost strategy" refers to dragging someone into a situation they didn’t intend to be part of, like how a drowning person pulls someone else in.)

“.......”

Kim Eun-ha’s silence confirmed my suspicions.

When I gave her a drowsy glare, Kim Eun-ha, uncharacteristically embarrassed, avoided my gaze with a sheepish expression.

*****

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