A busy morning, as usual, with preparations for work.

“Business trip?”

“Yes, for 2 nights and 3 days. The company is introducing a new personnel management program, and there’s a seminar to learn about it.”

Yeon-woo cautiously brought up the business trip schedule with Jun-hwi, who was having breakfast together after a long time.

“Food! Food!”

“Yeah, here it is, Seung-hyo, rice.”

Feeding rice to his son Seung-hyo with one hand and feeding himself with the other, Yeon-woo seemed very distracted.

“Maybe going on an overnight business trip is too much?”

“Of course, I have to go.”

Jun-hwi, feeding anchovies to Seung-hyo instead of Yeon-woo, added, “Kim Yeon-woo, it’s an important matter for your career.”

“Really? Is it okay? Honestly, I’ve never been apart from Seung-hyo since he was born, so I’m a bit worried for no reason.”

“It’s okay. Seung-hyo has grown up a lot. Go on the business trip without worries.”

The two’s son, Kwon Seung-hyo, is now four years old.

Inheriting Jun-hwi’s superior looks and Yeon-woo’s lovely personality, he has grown up as a bright and lively child.

Lately, Seung-hyo, in the phase of explosive curiosity, has an overwhelming amount of energy that is challenging to handle.

“What’s a business trip? What’s a business trip?”

Seung-hyo, stirring a spoon in seaweed soup, grinned with a face covered in rice.

“A business trip is when you work at the company, doing something for a longer time. Mom has to stay at the company for two nights because there’s a lot of work.”

Before, he used to throw more food than he ate, but now he puts it in his mouth properly as he has grown a bit. Yeon-woo smiled and patted her son’s admirable bottom just by breathing.

“No! Don’t do it! Mom, don’t do it!”

“Seung-hyo, Mom needs to go on a business trip to become an important person at work.”

Jun-hwi, who was picking up the scattered rice grains, calmly explained. But Seung-hyo started to sob.

“Don’t become an important person! If Mom grows taller than now, it’ll be hard for Seung-hyo to hug her!”

Phew. Laughter almost burst out.

But if you laugh in front of Seung-hyo when he’s serious, it turns into crying and a fuss. Yeon-woo quickly suppressed a cough and raised his index finger.

“Seung-hyo. So even if Mom goes on a business trip, she won’t grow taller. Promise!”

“Really? Promised not to grow taller?”

“Yeah. Mom won’t grow taller. Really.”

Seung-hyo, who had been white with worry, smiled again with a relieved expression, then swirled the soup bowl.

Yeah, the child can communicate now, and Jun-hwi is also quite experienced in childcare. Let’s not worry too much. They will manage well on their own.

Yeon-woo tried to shake off the uneasy feeling and focused on the meal again.

Ding-a-ling!

Jun-hwi got up and turned off the alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual.

“······.”

It was the first morning after Yeon-woo’s business trip.

Jun-hwi looked slowly at the empty space beside him, and a slow blink passed.

The morning routine with Seung-hyo played in his mind.

Wake him up, wash his face, warm up the prepared rice and feed him, then brush his teeth and dress him.
In preparation for a delightful morning between a wealthy couple, Jun-hwi ran a simulation and lightly loosened his stiff neck.

Taking over for the tirelessly busy Jun-hwi, Yeon-woo was in charge of Seung-hyo’s preschool commute. While simultaneously managing her own morning routine, Yeon-woo thought she was quite remarkable. Now, the opportunity to experience it firsthand had come.

Having confidently declared that he could handle it, Jun-hwi knocked on Seung-hyo’s door.

“Seung-hyo.”

“Mmm.”

“Let’s get up, Seung-hyo.”

However, his determination was in vain from the start. Seung-hyo, who had fallen asleep hugging a puppy doll in his room, didn’t react as if he heard anything.

“If you sleep more, you’ll be late, Seung-hyo.”

“I’m sleepy…”

Wrapped in a sky-blue blanket with clouds, Seung-hyo rolled up tightly, avoiding Jun-hwi in a corner.

At times like this, there was a tip Yeon-woo had shared. When Seung-hyo refuses to get up, just blow kisses. Yeon-woo’s advice came to mind.

Maybe because he likes imitating his dad, he enjoys kissing his mom. Jun-hwi chuckled and lightly kissed Seung-hyo on his soft, chubby cheek.

“Waaah!”

The reaction was the opposite of what he expected. Seung-hyo suddenly burst into tears.

“Why, why are you crying?”

“I don’t like Dad!”

Thunk. It felt like lightning struck Jun-hwi’s head.

“Why, why don’t you like Dad…?”

“It’s too prickly. Mom isn’t prickly. Seung-hyo hurts because of Dad!”

Ah. Because of the beard, perhaps. Jun-hwi, who had stiffened in embarrassment, wiped his chin.

It’s not even that scratchy. Anyway, to resolve the issue quickly, Jun-hwi rushed to the sink.

“Seung-hyo, Dad is not prickly anymore.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

After finishing shaving diligently, Jun-hwi approached Seung-hyo again. Seung-hyo touched Jun-hwi’s cheek and chin with a suspicious look.

“But still, you have to be gentle.”