201 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.201 EPILOGUE. A Certain Future "Han Yujin~ It's time for school." “Boo... I don't want to go...” Seeing her daughter who looked just like her father, Doa couldn't help but chuckle. Yujin, ignoring her mother's words, burrowed even deeper under the covers. "It's the day you go to school with Dad. Still don't want to get up?" “...Dad?” A spark lit up in Yujin's previously sleepy eyes. As expected, she was a child who couldn't resist anything related to her father. "Yes. Today is the day Mom and Dad come to observe your lesson at school." Yujin, springing to life, dashed towards the bathroom even before her mother finished speaking. "What's going on? Yujin's in the bathroom?" Doa heard her husband's voice coming from behind. It has been eight years since Doa found herself responsible for not just one, but now two people. "Oppa." "Yes...?" "Are you really going to wear that?" "...Is it bad?" It wasn't that Doa didn't like Taemin's outfit. In fact, she rather thought it was too appealing, and that was the problem. "Are you dressing like that to impress the moms at school?" Even in his mid-30s, Taemin's appearance still shone brightly. No, it seemed he was getting more handsome with age. "Still, it's the first time we're going to the school. Shouldn't I dress up a little?" In his perfectly tailored suit, he exuded an aura that could easily make him the lead in a noir film. "If you dress like that, what should I wear?" "Want to wear a dress?" Taemin teased. Ugh. The older he got, the more he resembled their teacher. He had become so cheeky. “Dad!” Yujin burst out mid-brushing, her mouth still stained with white toothpaste. “Yujin's up?” “Dad! We're really going to school together today?” “Of course. It's a historic day—I get to see my daughter's first lesson.” “Sounds great.” Yujin beamed happily. It really was an unusual occasion. Taemin had rarely been able to take time off due to his busy schedule. “To go to school with Dad, you should wash your hair, right, Yujin?” “Yes, I want to wash up quickly, Mom.” Doa warmly smiled as she guided her daughter back to the bathroom. Yujin was still at an age where she struggled to shower on her own. Since Yujin found it difficult to wash her hair by herself, Doa faithfully washed and combed it for her every morning. “How should we tie your hair today?” "Umm... I'll leave it to you, Mom." “Then how about I tie it back like this?” "Yes. But it has to look pretty." Watching her daughter gaze at the mirror with hope, Doa's heart felt warm and full. The three of them gathered around the dining table. Doa finished her meal quickly and hurried off to do her makeup. Taemin, left at the table, watched as Yujin chewed through her food, diving into the father-daughter conversation they'd missed out on. “Yujin.” “Hmm?” “Is school fun?” “No... it's not fun...” “Why isn’t it fun?” When Taemin asked for reasons, Yujin thought seriously before answering. “Playing with Dad is more fun.” Her response, almost unrelated, made Taemin find her even more endearing. "Should we quit school and go on adventures with Dad?" “But... wouldn't Mom get mad...?” "We could just make it a secret." "Our Yujin already knows~ Getting scolded by Mom and all." Oh dear, she arrived already. Doa's unexpectedly swift return made Taemin flinch. “Go get the car ready. We’ll be down soon.” Feeling awkward, Taemin quietly grabbed the car keys and headed outside. "Got it. Hurry up, Yujin!" "Okay!" Taemin went down to the parking lot first, then Doa, after one last check making sure they hadn't forgotten anything, took Yujin's bag and headed to the basement with her. "By the way, will the moms at school bother us if they find out Yujin is our daughter?" "Well... But it wouldn’t make sense for you to avoid going to her class just because of that." "You're right." Even without being active in the field, Taemin was a celebrity in his own right. Just having a slight interest in popular music would make anyone recognize the hit songs he created, and in the vTuber music scene, Taemin's songs were almost considered classics. If only it ended there, it would have been better—Taemin, handsome beyond the idols he wrote songs for, was one of the rare composers who had a fan club. "And honestly, oppa, when it comes to popularity, I used to be a step above." "Not anymore, I think." Has it really been years since Closer disbanded? There was a time when they were at their peak, but now Taemin felt he might have edged just a little ahead. "Are you saying I'm washed up now?" "Mom, what's a washed-up?" Their daughter's question paused their conversation momentarily. "Uh-uh, our Yujin doesn't need to know that yet." “Okie?" Doa realized a little bit of caution with words around children was necessary. Compared to Doa and Taemin's school days, the number of children had significantly decreased. This year, a total of 34 students entered elementary school. There were only two first-grade classes. “Yujin, how many friends are in your class?” “About 15?” “That’s very few.” “Oppa, that’s considered a lot these days.” The phrase 'era of low birth rates' had long lost its meaning. Taemin glanced around the noticeably less crowded classroom. "Hello everyone~" The homeroom teacher bowed and began the class. Each parent was absorbed in witnessing their precious child, and Taemin and Doa were no different. "...Can we take pictures?" Taemin whispered to Doa, who gently signaled 'no' by shaking her head side to side. "Let's take them after it's over." Today's class theme was future aspirations. One by one, the children stood up to introduce what they wanted to become. "I'm going to be an AI developer!" "I want to be... um... a chef!" "I'm going to be a mom!" Whether serious or playful, to the adults' eyes, the children were just adorable. Finally, when it was Yujin's turn, Taemin's eyes were brimming with sweetness. "What does our Yujin want to be in the future?" Standing from her chair, Yujin briefly turned around. Her eyes met those of her parents. Doa flashed a bright smile, and Taemin gave her a confident thumbs-up. "I want to be an idol like Mom!" The unexpected answer drew the room's attention to Taemin and Doa. Taemin struggled to suppress a laugh that threatened to burst forth, while Doa held onto his sleeve, her pale cheeks reddening. The teacher, though likely surprised as well, maintained her composure and continued the lesson steadily. "Yujin, do you like singing and dancing?" “Yes! And I’ll be on TV someday too!” In Taemin and Doa’s home, remnants of Luka still lingered everywhere. To them, Luka was the cherished character that brought them together. While Yujin didn’t fully understand what her mom used to do, her dad had explained that her mom was a very famous idol. "That's impressive! It sounds like Yujin is definitely going to be a star~ Now, shall we hear from Jinsu next?" After an awkward yet endearing 40 minutes of class, break time finally came. Yujin trotted over to her parents. "Hehe... Mom, did you see me?" “Of course. Our Yujin did a fantastic job presenting.” “Really?” "Absolutely! Dad was delighted too." Taemin, feeling no embarrassment, planted a kiss on Yujin’s cheek right there in the classroom. Inside the phone camera, the happy trio posed together. "Then, can Dad come pick you up later?" “Dad can come again?” “Of course~ Dad took today off just to see you, Yujin.” “Make sure to listen to your teacher, Yujin~ Mom will come with Dad too, okay?” As much as they wanted to stay and watch a bit longer, it was time for the next class to begin. Some other parents cast curious glances their way, but Doa and Taemin confidently made their way down the stairs. “Oppa.” Inside the car, Doa puffed her cheeks like a child. “What?” “What were you doing laughing in there?” Doa playfully slapped Taemin’s thigh with her palm. “Why can’t I laugh when my daughter’s so adorable?” “I know perfectly well what you were really laughing about, you sneaky...!” There were days when work felt grueling, but with such a cute daughter and an adoring wife, how could he possibly take a break? These were his precious ones, whom he wouldn't trade for the world. Taemin grasped Doa's wrist and pulled her gently toward him. Doa’s upper body tilted over as Taemin planted a soft kiss on her lips. "If you keep that up, I’ll show Yujin the full video of her mom’s cute antics." "Agh! Stop it!" It was a spring day filled with floral scents. - Didn't Know He Was My Favorite, So I Dumped Him. (THE END) BONUS Goodbye, Didn't Know. Hello, everyone. It feels like it's been a while since I've greeted you. This is your author, Ga-eul. What seemed like an endless serialization has finally reached its conclusion, and I am writing this epilogue with mixed emotions. First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the readers who journeyed with us. Thank you so much for all the love and support you've given. As you know, "Didn't Know He Was My Favorite, So I Dumped Him" is a tale about a talented man's love story with a virtual idol. I aimed to craft a narrative where our charming protagonist, Doa, and the awkward otaku, Taemin, grow and evolve through their love for each other. Whispering sweet words with electrifying love, sometimes stumbling and failing miserably, yet always relying on each other to ultimately find their paths. The sense of mutual dependence is something I always find beautiful and inspiring. If this one-year chaotic adventure between the two brought joy to any of you, I am incredibly happy. Some might feel that the ending came rather abruptly. However, this story was always intended to cover just a year, sticking to the core narrative I wanted to share. I wanted to show that the couple eventually achieved the fruits of their love, which is why the epilogue is set further in the future. I plan to start working on a new project after wrapping up my previous work, “The Divorced Man Returns.” I'm aiming to begin around May, but I can’t confirm the exact date yet. It will be a campus love comedy! Set in the fascinating world of an all-girl band club! I'm preparing diligently and would love to meet you all again through the new work! I wish everyone a delightful spring. Be happy, everyone!