Bo Mi swallowed her breath as if trying to hide the pounding sound of her heart.

“Director.”

When she raised her head, the face she liked was gazing at her with warm eyes.

Ah… I missed this man.

Bo Mi’s heart overflowed with joy and gladness at seeing Jae Kyung.

“I memorized the number.”

Even while reviewing presentation materials and conducting the exhibition, Bo Mi did not neglect memorizing Jae Kyung’s number. It was to ask him to play the role of Yeo Reum’s father, with no other ulterior motive.

For Yeo Reum, this level of homework was easy.

“010-****-***7. Is that right?”

Bo Mi looked up at Jae Kyung with a proud expression, like a child seeking praise.

Jae Kyung was covering his mouth, trying to hold back laughter.

He wished only he could know this cute and lovable side of Han Bo Mi.

“You did well, so I should give you a reward.”

“Then you’ll grant my request, right?”

Bo Mi urged Jae Kyung’s answer as if she had been waiting for it.

Jae Kyung had no intention of refusing Bo Mi’s request from the start. He just disliked the situation where she had memorized Su Young’s number. Imagining Bo Mi thinking of him while memorizing his number to go on a date with him filled him with utmost satisfaction.

“What time and where shall we meet?”

Bo Mi’s expression brightened.

Yeo Reum! Mom has finally found the dad substitute you wanted.

Thinking of how the listless Yeo Reum of the past few days would be happy, Bo Mi became elated, forgetting even her burden regarding Jae Kyung.

Moreover, the two who resembled each other would look like father and son to anyone who saw them.

“Is early morning okay with you?”

In her joy at finding the most suitable father substitute, Bo Mi overlooked the fact that she had not mentioned the most important detail.

“I suppose Bo Mi needs to match Yeo Reum’s schedule.”

A household with a child would probably be better to move during daytime, right?

Jae Kyung felt sorry for monopolizing Bo Mi from Yeo Reum. He’d make it up to Yeo Reum several times over later.

“From 9 AM to 3 PM…”

“I’ll clear my schedule.”

About 6 hours? Though he knew it couldn’t be helped considering Bo Mi’s circumstances, it might be an appropriate time for a first date. He should look into a good restaurant for lunch.

“May I pick you up at home?”

He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Bo Mi.

“Our apartment parking lot isn’t very suitable, so it’d be better if you come directly to the daycare center.”

“Yeo Reum’s daycare center?”

Jae Kyung raised one eyebrow, wondering if he had heard wrong.

“Yes. Mureung Daycare Center. It’s an event at the citizen’s stadium next to the library sponsored by the Dowon Foundation.”

“Yeo Reum’s daycare center event.”

Jae Kyung tried to act nonchalant to avoid revealing he had jumped to conclusions.

“It’s an event called ‘Happy Day with Dad’… As you know, Yeo Reum mistakenly thinks you’re his dad.”

Bo Mi realized in the middle of the conversation that she had not explained the most important part of her request.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I forgot to explain what kind of favor it was.”

She blamed herself for failing to convey the important fact, caught up in Jae Kyung agreeing to any request.

“So I need to play the role of Yeo Reum’s father.”

“Yes… You can refuse if it’s uncomfortable. It’s not like you’re his real dad… It’s quite a brazen request, isn’t it?”

Don’t be disappointed. Even being needed like this is a big improvement.

Jae Kyung consoled himself, deliberately ignoring the sound of a deflating balloon in his chest.

Dating once is really difficult.

Jae Kyung was now curious about how others start dating.

“I see.”

“I’m sorry.”

Bo Mi slumped her shoulders, thinking Jae Kyung had refused. No. Don’t give up. I don’t want to see Yeo Reum sad.

“I’m not asking for help for free.”

“What can Bo Mi…”

Jae Kyung looked down at Bo Mi intently as he spoke.

“I look forward to what you can do for me.”

“Um…”

What could Han Bo Mi possibly do for Do Jae Kyung, a man who lacked nothing?

Bo Mi frowned in deep thought.

Jae Kyung reflexively raised his hand and pressed between Bo Mi’s eyebrows, rubbing gently.

Just as Yeo Reum had once done to Jae Kyung.

Bo Mi’s plump lips parted slightly.

“You’ll get wrinkles.”

‘You’ll get wrinkles.’

Bo Mi stared at Jae Kyung with surprised eyes. Creasing her brow was Nakwon’s habit. It was what Bo Mi used to say while pressing between Nakwon’s eyebrows.

Even young Yeo Reum would furrow his brow when thinking seriously. Seeing the same expression as his father, Bo Mi would press her finger to smooth out Yeo Reum’s forehead.

Jae Kyung probably did it without thinking…

Bo Mi was reminded of Nakwon again. Was it wrong to ask Jae Kyung after all?

Bo Mi brushed her forehead, pretending to sweep it, conscious of where Jae Kyung’s finger had touched.

“I’m sorry. It’s okay, really.”

“I’ll grant your request.”

“Really?”

Bo Mi’s expression brightened again.

“Can you do something for me in return?”

Bo Mi nodded.

“Tell me.”

Rather than being disappointed that Bo Mi’s request wasn’t a date, seeking ways to advance their relationship was more like Do Jae Kyung.

“There’s only one thing I want from Bo Mi.”

My spring. For her to become my complete spring.

To push out the memory of that man lodged in her heart and fill it entirely with me, Do Jae Kyung.

Bo Mi blinked and stared at Jae Kyung. His dimpled cheek somehow felt annoying.

The morning of “Happy Day with Dad,” an event planned by Mureung Daycare Center, dawned.

“Wow! The rain stopped.”

Yeo Reum shouted excitedly at the clear blue sky.

“Are you that happy, Yeo Reum?”

Bo Mi spoke to Yeo Reum while taking out the lunchbox.

“Yes! Dad is com… Oops.”

Yeo Reum covered his mouth with his hand.

It was a secret that he had called an uncle to be his dad without mom knowing.

‘I really do have a dad!’

‘They say Yeo Reum is a liar.’

‘No, I’m not!’

‘I heard your mom is an unmarried mother.’

Min Hyung, whose mother was the class representative and gossip of the Peach Class, snorted and said.

‘What’s an unmarried mother?’

Someone asked the meaning of unmarried mother. Yeo Reum wasn’t the only one who didn’t know the term.

‘An unmarried mother is a woman who makes a baby without a dad.’

‘Is that bad?’

The children started murmuring, and Yeo Reum’s expression gradually darkened.

‘It’s bad. If you’re divorced, you have a dad, but unmarried means there’s no dad.’

Min Hyung started explaining to the children, showing off.

‘Ah… Is Yeo Reum’s mom a bad person?’

Seo Rim, standing next to Yeo Reum, asked. Yeo Reum shook his head and shouted.

‘My mom is not a bad person! Yeo Reum has a dad too! If Yeo Reum asks, he’ll definitely come on Saturday.’

‘Yeo Reum is a liar! He says he has a dad when he doesn’t!’

‘It’s true, just wait and see!’

Yeo Reum’s dad is incredibly handsome, tall, and kind. Everyone will surely be jealous.

Why does mom keep fighting with dad so Yeo Reum can’t contact him?

If only mom would be as kind to dad as she is to Yeo Reum…

Next time he meets dad, he should ask him to get along well with mom. Yeo Reum thought Bo Mi couldn’t contact Jae Kyung because they had a big fight.

He thought his mom was too harsh on the dad who had come from heaven with such difficulty.

Still, it was fortunate that the rain had stopped.

He had told his friends he would bring his dad, and if it had rained, the Happy Day event with dad would have been canceled, and Yeo Reum would have been called a liar for not being able to show his dad.

Yeo Reum cheered with his arms raised to the blue sky, thankful that the sun had granted his wish.

“It’s really fortunate the weather cleared up. We’ll see a lot of our Yeo Reum’s great performances.”

“Yes! Mom, look forward to it!”

Yeo Reum puffed out his chest and strutted in front of Bo Mi.

“Then Athlete Han Yeo Reum will change clothes and come out.”

“Yes! Understood.”

Yeo Reum saluted Bo Mi with a solemn expression and headed to his room.

“I’m glad he’s in high spirits. He’ll be even more excited later, right?”

Bo Mi smiled and diligently rolled kimbap.

“Elder sister. Are you making tuna kimbap too?”

“Yeah. Might as well while I’m at it.”

“I’ll help too, so let’s pack a lot. We can share with Yeo Reum’s friends and…”

Mi Rae made up the excuse of Yeo Reum’s friends to secretly pack lunch for Su Young, whom she had invited without Bo Mi knowing. She could clearly imagine how happy Su Young would be if told the kimbap was made by Bo Mi.

Actually, she wanted to invite elder brother Jae Kyung…

But she held back, fearing she might really be kicked out of the house. Besides, it would be troublesome if inviting a man with a fiancée led to a love triangle.

Mi Rae was lost in thought, considering her invitation to Su Young a masterful move.

Though Bo Mi kept it a secret from Mi Rae and Yeo Reum, she planned to pack plenty of kimbap for Jae Kyung’s share too.

Would someone like Do Jae Kyung eat kimbap? She wondered what someone born wealthy would eat on a day like this, but Bo Mi couldn’t think of anything but kimbap.

The real Won would happily eat anything Bo Mi made… Nakwon somehow disliked the burdock root in kimbap. But he would force himself to eat the burdock root in Bo Mi’s kimbap.

She suddenly recalled his disgusted face when she first packed him kimbap. Mr. Won back then… He was so cute…

‘Open your mouth and close your eyes.’

‘Can I look forward to what you’re going to do?’

Nakwon closed his eyes, joking around.

‘Ah! Hey.’

She popped a piece of kimbap between his parted lips. Bo Mi burst out laughing seeing the wrinkles form between his brows.

‘If you swallow it, I’ll give you a real reward.’

When Nakwon opened his eyes after forcing himself to swallow, Bo Mi gave him a smacking kiss on the lips.

Nakwon laughed and said that with such a reward, he might come to like kimbap with burdock root…

“Mom! Please put only a little burdock root.”

Yeo Reum popped his head out of his T-shirt when he heard talk of kimbap.

Who knew Yeo Reum would dislike burdock root just like Nakwon. Yeo Reum too would gulp it down when Bo Mi kissed his lips, saying it tickled.

I hope Jae Kyung eats the kimbap deliciously too…

Bo Mi kept smiling as she cut the kimbap.

“Elder sister, did something good happen?”

“I’m happy thinking about how excited Yeo Reum will be today.”

“Hmm… Me too.”

Mi Rae smiled broadly, her eyes curving gently.

Every year, Mureung Daycare Center’s Happy Day with Dad event was held at the citizen’s stadium next to the public library.

Balloon decorations and banners were hung at the entrance, and garlands fluttered in the wind overhead, creating a festive atmosphere.

Families who had dropped off their children to the teachers at arrival time and were watching from the guardian seats would participate in family games according to schedule.

“Mom. Wait a minute… It should be time.”

“Yeo Reum, who are you waiting for? A friend?”

“No… Dad.”

Yeo Reum answered, looking at the two with an expectant expression.

Mi Rae and Bo Mi’s expressions darkened for a moment. To think he would wait for a father who wouldn’t come…

The two nodded at each other when their eyes met, as if to reassure each other.

To Jae Kyung.

To Su Young.

That it was really good to have asked them to play the father role.

They smiled, unaware they were thinking of different people.

“Elder sister. I’ll go out to greet someone for a bit.”

Mi Rae looked at her phone and hurried to leave her seat.

“Who?”

“You’ll see. Just wait a moment.”

Mi Rae disappeared into the crowd to find Su Young.

“Dad!”

Yeo Reum waved his hand towards a man.

Mr. Jae Kyung. Bo Mi shifted her gaze to where Yeo Reum was waving.

A tall man with light brown hair, wearing a purple short-sleeved T-shirt and gray jogger pants, carrying a shopping bag, was walking over waving his hand.

“Kiddo!”

Yeon Ga Jin… Why is elder brother Ga Jin here?

Bo Mi covered her mouth in shock.