Min Joon’s face turned red and blue as he huffed and puffed. Do Hoon cried even louder while looking around nervously.

The homeroom teacher of the 5-year-old Wildflower class held a tissue to Do Hoon’s nose.

“Why are Do Hoon and Min Joon fighting again?”

“Well……”

Min Joon hesitated and chewed on his fingernails. Do Hoon pointed at Do Hoon triumphantly and shouted.

“Min Joon hit me first!”

“That’s right. I saw it!”

“I saw Min Joon hit him too!”

Other children chimed in after Do Hoon’s words. Min Joon’s face turned redder and redder.

Tae Kyung watched the scene coldly from the side.

Though it was an unpleasant situation, he didn’t want to get involved since he didn’t like that kid either.

Seo Ha had told him not to interfere in their matters.

Min Joon protested while sobbing.

“Do Hoon provoked me first!”

“You said my character looked weird!”

Do Hoon kept pointing out Min Joon’s faults and cornering the child.

Min Joon couldn’t say a word, then mumbled as if reluctant to say it out loud.

“You said the game I made was weird, that I couldn’t do it because I don’t have a dad, because I’ve never done this before.”

Tae Kyung felt a surge of anger at Min Joon’s words.

Tae Kyung strode up to Do Hoon with a terrifying aura.

Do Hoon was thoroughly intimidated by Tae Kyung’s large shadow.

“You, did you really say he couldn’t do this because he doesn’t have a dad?”

“Well……”

Do Hoon’s arrogant demeanor was gone, and he couldn’t continue speaking. Tae Kyung asked again in a cold, flat voice.

“Did you or did you not?”

“I… I did.”

Do Hoon looked like he was about to burst into tears again. Tae Kyung ignored that and turned to the homeroom teacher.

“I’d like to request a meeting with you about this situation.”

“Pardon?”

Tae Kyung spoke while looking at the homeroom teacher. The teacher was visibly tense.

“There are children watching here, so let’s step outside and talk.”

“Oh? Ah, yes.”

Tae Kyung walked out of the classroom with elegant, upright strides, and the homeroom teacher followed behind.

Once in the hallway, Tae Kyung closed the classroom door and faced the homeroom teacher.

The aura emanating from his tall stature and solid build made one’s hair stand on end.

“What do you think is the most important area in education? Isn’t it character education? Don’t you think mocking another friend’s pain is a despicable act that should be corrected immediately when done wrong? What are your thoughts?”

“Yes, sir…”

Tae Kyung pressed the flustered homeroom teacher further.

“Are you trying to just let this situation slide?”

“That’s not it.”

“Since Min Joon showed a self-defensive attitude, shouldn’t we first counsel the friend who provoked this?”

“I understand.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Tae Kyung maintained his politeness to the end, but did not soften his sharp gaze.

The homeroom teacher felt weak-kneed at Tae Kyung’s fierce demeanor. Though Do Hoon’s parents were also difficult, Tae Kyung was even more frightening now, so she had no choice but to bring Do Hoon out of the classroom.

Tae Kyung confirmed this and returned to the classroom, closing the door. He immediately approached Min Joon. Min Joon couldn’t lift his head.

“Hitting a friend is wrong.”

“Yes… I’m sorry…”

“You should also have a meeting with the teacher after class. And apologize to your friend for hitting him.”

“Okay…”

Min Joon answered in a tiny voice.

Kyu Won quickly tried to smooth over the atmosphere and continue the class. For the rest of the class, Tae Kyung watched Min Joon from the corner of the room.

After class ended and all the Leaf class children had gone home, Tae Kyung was cleaning up the classroom with Kyu Won when he involuntarily glanced at a familiar figure passing by in the hallway.

It was Min Seop.

And he saw Min Joon being held in Min Seop’s arms. Min Joon was sobbing and clinging tightly to Min Seop’s neck, upset about something.

Tae Kyung felt an inexplicable desolation in his chest.

What had he hoped for?

Hadn’t he warned himself not to feel any sympathy?

Tae Kyung directed a bitter sneer at himself.

Yet as he gathered his things and stepped into the hallway, the scene before him made the blood drain from his fingertips.

Seo Ha was saying something to Min Seop with eyes full of apology and warmth.

Min Seop stopped Seo Ha from trying to take Min Joon, and Min Joon also refused to leave Min Seop’s arms.

Seeing the three of them together made his heart ache.

The three of them looked like a happy family. It was the scene he least wanted to see in the world.

Tae Kyung quickly walked past them. Seo Ha was flustered upon seeing Tae Kyung but soon regained her composure.

Tae Kyung bit his lip hard, trying to suppress the whirlwind rising within him.

He tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. The storm raging in his chest made the wound in his mouth imperceptible.

Seo Ha was working overtime for the third day in a row due to an audit next week.

The first day or two, she brought Min Joon along to work, but it was quite distracting.

Min Joon played well by himself and didn’t bother Seo Ha, unlike most 5-year-olds.

However, seeing the child dozing off in a corner while being mindful of her made her uncomfortable.

Moreover, since her grandfather also worked night security, it was too much to ask him to look after Min Joon.

While she was busily working on paperwork, Min Seop entered the kindergarten.

“You must be working hard. Please eat this while you work.”

“Oh my! Min Seop, what brings you here?”

Min Seop sheepishly handed two large bags to Chae Eun. Chae Eun accepted the bags and looked inside.

There was steaming hot tteokbokki, sundae, and fried foods, as if they had just been packaged.

“I was worried about Min Joon, so I stopped by briefly. Please eat before it gets cold.”

“Oh my! This looks delicious. I was just getting hungry. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Min Joon!”

“Strong Teacher!”

Min Joon’s expression brightened upon seeing Min Seop, and he ran to hug him.

Min Seop lifted Min Joon up at the sight.

“Min Joon likes hot dogs, right? I bought hot dogs for you too.”

“Wow! Strong Teacher is the best!”

Min Joon hugged Min Seop’s neck tightly. Seo Ha looked at Min Joon with a troubled expression.

She felt burdened and afraid of Min Joon and Min Seop becoming too close.

What would happen later if they got so attached?

“Seo Ha, come and eat quickly. This place’s rose tteokbokki is amazing! Min Seop really has good taste!”

Joo Ri excitedly opened the tteokbokki package. Min Seop gestured for Seo Ha to come and eat.

Seo Ha reluctantly went to sit at the table.

Min Seop was feeding Min Joon a hot dog.

He looked like a caring father.

As Seo Ha watched the scene with a heavy heart, Chae Eun handed her chopsticks and nudged her.

“Seo Ha. Min Joon really likes Min Seop, doesn’t he?”

“Ah… yes.”

“What do you think of Min Seop?”

“Pardon?”

Seo Ha’s eyes wavered greatly at Chae Eun’s sudden question.

Joo Ri added while chewing tteokbokki with her mouth full.

“Honestly Seo Ha, where can you find a man like Min Seop? He’s caring, single, and he’s good to Min Joon. Plus he runs his own business diligently. Why don’t you give it a try?”

Seo Ha could only hold her chopsticks and couldn’t bring herself to eat at Joo Ri’s casually spoken words.

“Seo Ha. Joo Ri has a point. Everyone who should know can tell that Min Seop likes you. You can’t deny it, can you?”

Seo Ha said nothing at Chae Eun’s words. Chae Eun continued speaking while gauging Seo Ha’s reaction.

“It seems like Min Joon really misses having a father figure. Last week when he hit Do Hoon during coding class, it was because Do Hoon teased Min Joon about not having a dad. Are you in contact with Min Joon’s biological father?”

“No.”

Seo Ha shook her head with a weak smile. Chae Eun asked again with wide eyes.

“The biological father doesn’t come to see Min Joon at all?”

“No.”

“Then since you’re still young, wouldn’t it be good to make a fresh start before Min Joon gets older?”

“Thank you for your concern. But I’m not yet…”

Seo Ha said bitterly.

The image of Tae Kyung flashed in her mind.

Ever since meeting Tae Kyung again, she kept thinking of him and would sigh even while working.

Moreover, he said he’d give her robot theme park tickets. She felt foolish for being swayed by mere passing sympathy.

What was the point of thinking about a married man?

If Tae Kyung found out about Min Joon’s existence, and if it ended up breaking up his family, how would she be any different from Hyung Jin, her mother’s lover?

She couldn’t do that.

But she also couldn’t open her heart to Min Seop. Forcing herself to develop feelings only for the child’s sake would be deceiving Min Seop.

Now is not the time to hold anyone in her heart.

Seo Ha just sighed and pressed her chopsticks against the tteokbokki in front of her.

“Kim, you’ll get indigestion. Why are you all saying such useless things?”

Yoon Hee, who had entered the office at some point, clicked her tongue and warned them to be careful.

“You’re here? Come and eat some tteokbokki. Min Seop brought it.”

“Chae Eun, are you in any position to be telling Kim what to do? You should get married first.”

“Director, come on! I’m a non-marriage advocate.”

Chae Eun pouted. Yoon Hee shook her head and sat next to Seo Ha.

Min Seop bowed politely to Yoon Hee. Yoon Hee nodded in acknowledgment of Min Seop’s greeting.

“Kim. Don’t listen to what others say. It’s your life, so you should decide. I’m sorry to Min Seop, but it doesn’t seem right to be forced into anything.”

Yoon Hee advised Seo Ha gently. Seo Ha answered with a small “yes” in a barely audible voice.

It couldn’t be helped even if Min Seop felt hurt.

No one else spoke about Min Seop and Seo Ha anymore. But their words had sunk into Seo Ha’s heart like heavy stones.

Around 9 o’clock, Min Joon started nodding off. Seeing Min Joon dozing, Yoon Hee said while organizing documents:

“Let’s call it a day now. Most of it is done, so I can finish the rest on my own.”

“Okay!”

Joo Ri answered excitedly at the thought of going home, even as she massaged her shoulders. Seo Ha also hurriedly organized her papers while rotating her neck. She was about to call a taxi since it was late when Min Seop approached.

Seeing this, Chae Eun quickly said:

“Min Seop, could you take Min Joon home?”

“Yes! Don’t worry.”

When Min Seop answered brightly, Seo Ha awkwardly declined.

“It’s okay. I can just call a taxi.”

“I didn’t say for you, I said to take Min Joon home. Seo Ha can take a taxi if she wants.”

When Chae Eun said playfully, Seo Ha was flustered. Min Seop quickly picked up on Chae Eun’s words.

“That’s right. Min Joon, I’m taking Min Joon home. Just ride along with us.”

“Kim, why don’t you accept Kwak’s kindness today for Min Joon’s sake?”

When Yoon Hee also added a word, Seo Ha had no choice but to nod slightly. Min Seop couldn’t hide his emerging smile.

Min Seop and Seo Ha didn’t say anything on the way home. When they arrived in front of Seo Ha’s villa, Min Seop watched Seo Ha’s reaction.

Then he cautiously opened his mouth.

“Seo Ha. I’ll try harder. Please let me be at least an uncle to Min Joon. I’m not asking you to open your heart to me right away. I can wait as long as it takes.”

“Min Seop. This makes me feel even more burdened.”

“Can’t you think of it comfortably without feeling pressured?”

“I’m sorry. Thank you for giving us a ride today.”

Seo Ha bit her lip hard. As Seo Ha opened the car door, Min Seop quickly got out first and picked up Min Joon.

When Seo Ha tried to take Min Joon, Min Seop held Min Joon tighter and shook his head.

“Min Joon has gotten very heavy. I’ll carry him to the front door.”

As Min Seop was about to take a step, a sneering low voice was heard from behind.

“Now you’re bringing men into the house with the child watching?”

Tae Kyung was leaning against his car with his arms crossed, glaring at them with a tilted posture.