Chapter 43: The King of the Playground (1)

Around age 10.

When I was young, I also went to bookstores with my parents.

'Will he read if we buy him books…?'

My parents wondered about buying me books there. They felt like a boy would just play outside and not read. Back then, I confidently shouted at my doubtful parents.

'I read well! I'll read them all!'

Though still doubtful, my parents made the big decision to buy a complete world classics fairy tale collection. The fairy tale books full of children's fantasies filled my room's bookshelf. The young me felt satisfied seeing the full bookshelf.

'...Don't think I ever actually took out and read those fairy tales myself.'

Anyway.

Remembering my childhood, it seemed strange seeing Suryeon quietly reading in the living room.

"How can a child sit still and read?"

How amazing! It’s absolutely impossible in my time.

As I watched Suryeon like a somersaulting monkey, she glanced up from her book and said.

"Dad, isn't it abnormal to not be able to read quietly?"

"Don't criticize Hwaryeon."

"When did I criticize…?"

Suryeon looked at me like I was ridiculous. I gently lay down beside her and checked her book.

"Ah, you’re reading The Little Prince."

I don't remember when I read it, but vaguely remember the content.

"What was the ending...? I think at the end..."

Just as I was searching my memory for the ending…

"...Dad."

Zap-

I felt Suryeon's sharp gaze beside me. She glared at me coldly and said with her small mouth.

"I haven't finished reading it yet."

"Ah, I almost said it out of habit. Sorry."

"...Be careful next time."

So scary. Suryeon slightly showed her hidden teeth then went back to reading. It felt like she'd become a dragon rather than my daughter if I spoiled the ending.

I carefully got up to avoid disturbing the sharp Suryeon.

"But wasn't there another book? The Stranger? What happened to that, Suryeon?"

Pause-

Suryeon stopped mid-page turn and avoided my gaze as she answered:

"...I'll read this first."

"Any particular reason?"

"...I just want to read that one later."

"Hmm, I see."

It feels like she's making excuses, but I ask more questions now, Suryeon will clam up. So, I decided not to bother her anymore.

'I better let her concentrate.'

There’s no need to give more attention when she's quietly focusing. The one needing my attention right now is that one over there shouting while reading. She wasn't just concentrating, but completely immersed.

"W-what?! What's with this Titanosaurus! Why is a herbivore stronger than carnivores!?! I can't accept this!"

Bang-!

Hwaryeon threw the Y Dinosaur Series book at the wall.

'Here we go again.'

I picked up the fallen book and approached Hwaryeon.

"Hey, Lee Hwaryeon. Why are you throwing the books so dangerously?"

"Because it's saying nonsense! I'm punishing the book!"

"What's bothering you now?"

I opened the book to check the content. Hwaryeon pointed at a section and shouted.

"Look at this! Titanosaurus is a herbivore, but it's bigger and stronger than carnivores!"

"Ah."

"This makes no sense!"

Grr- Grr-

Hwaryeon ranted about why Titanosaurus couldn't be strong. She couldn't understand how a vegetable-eating herbivore could beat carnivores.

"And it looks so slow, and not strong at all! It's not cool!"

"Style is an important evaluation factor."

Hwaryeon refusing to accept a slow herbivore winning, maybe because she likes fighting. She’s already showing her talent for taking sides. I wonder if she'll hate elephants later too.

Snap-

I closed the book for Hwaryeon's mental health.

"That's enough dinosaur tier lists."

"Who says so?! I'm going to keep reading!"

"Want to keep reading books, or go outside?"

Hwaryeon shouted without hesitation.

"Let's go outside!"

Pitter-patter-

Hwaryeon immediately started preparing to go out.

"What about Suryeon and Choryeon?"

Suryeon glanced at me over her book and answered lightly.

"I'll stay home. I want to read."

She didn't ask for books for nothing. It’s her new hobby. Seems she's gotten a taste for reading.

I shook awake Choryeon, who was napping after meals.

"Choryeon."

"Y-yes... Father..."

"We're going out now. What do you want to do?"

"I want to sleep at home today... I'm sleepy..."

Choryeon said this and immediately closed her eyes. I can't help it if she's sleepy. So, I approached Hwaryeon who was waiting at the front door, ready to go.

"Today it's just you and me, Hwaryeon."

"Hmph, it doesn't matter! Let's go quickly!"

Hwaryeon stood at the door stamping her feet. I opened the door for her eager anticipation.

"Let's go fast!"

Pitter-patter-

Hwaryeon excitedly ran toward the playground. I chased after her, shouting.

"Slow down! You'll fall!"

"I won't fall!"

10 seconds after Hwaryeon said she wouldn't fall…

Thud-!

"Aaah!"

Hwaryeon fell hard on the asphalt.

"I told you the roads are dangerous from poor maintenance..."

Sigh.

I quickly ran to the fallen Hwaryeon and carefully helped her up.

"Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"

"I-I'm fine...! It doesn't hurt...!"

Hwaryeon said this while clenching her fists. Tears seemed about to well up in her red eyes.

"Not hurt? Your knee's scraped."

"D-dragons don't feel pain...!"

"Hold still. I'll put a bandage on."

I knelt down and took a bandage from my small bag and carefully put it on her skinny knee.

"It'll hurt a bit, bear with it."

"I-I said it doesn't hurt...!!"

Hwaryeon got angry instead. I stood up after finishing with the bandage. To prevent her from getting hurt running alone again, this time I held her hand.

"Let's walk slowly without running, Hwaryeon."

"I-I can handle myself!"

After saying that though, Hwaryeon held my hand tight as we headed to the playground. Slowly, while matching my pace.

***

Hwaryeon and I arrived at the playground holding hands, but Hwaryeon frowned unhappily and shouted.

"This is my territory!!"

Because there were prior visitors, Hwaryeon shouted at the five children from before.

"Who gave you permission to play in the playground!?!"

Freeze-

The children stopped and looked at Hwaryeon. Their eyes seemed full of fighting spirit.

"She's here! The Dragon Girl!"

"It’s finally time for revenge..."

Step step-

The children gathered and approached Hwaryeon.

'...Better stay back this time.'

I'll intervene if things get serious. I decided to watch from behind as much as possible. Their spiky-haired leader-type stepped forward and said.

"Hey, remember me?"

The boy shouted confidently. Hwaryeon snorted and answered.

"Who are you?!"

"W-what...?"

"Who do you think you are!"

Did Hwaryeon really not remember? The boy flustered and introduced himself.

"M-me! Gu Mingu, number one at Bong Kindergarten!"

Hwaryeon answered indifferently.

"What's that?! I don't remember!"

"Y-you hit me last time-"

"Ah, I remember that!"

Hwaryeon's eyes lit up, seeming to really remember. Mingu, his pride hurt badly, stepped back slightly.

"H-how can you not remember someone you hit...?"

"You're weak! I only remember really strong people!"

"Ugh..."

Thump-

Was the emotional damage too great? Mingu fell to his knees before even fighting. His companions put hands on his back and raised their voices.

"Boss! Don't give up! These things happen!"

"You went down in one hit! Of course it's hard to remember!"

"This always happens, Boss! Why are you acting different now?!"

...Though unintentional, They seemed to be sincerely trying to encourage him. Maybe their support helped somewhat, because Mingu slowly stood up.

"Right, that could happen... i just need to make her remember..."

"Why do they talk so much?! Move! I don't have time!"

"No time...? Then, I'll end this quickly...!!"

Maybe steeling his resolve, Mingu swallowed hard and clenched his fists. Then, he shouted at Hwaryeon.

"Dragon Girl! I lost last time! But I won't lose this time!"

"What are you saying?! Shut up and get out of my territory!"

"Here I come!"

Pitter-patter-

Mingu ran at Hwaryeon with clenched fists. Hwaryeon stood still until he approached. When he got in range, he leaned back and shouted.

"Dieee!!"

Hwaryeon stared at Mingu's fist then.

"So noisy!"

Swoosh-

She slightly twisted her body to dodge. And.

"Dragon Punch!"

"Guhk-!"

She planted her fist in Mingu's face.

Thump-

Mingu fell onto the sandbox from that punch. Like last time, he lay unconscious with a nosebleed. Hwaryeon looked down at him and sneered.

"Hmph, so annoying! I told you this is my territory!"

"..."

The children lost again, and the defeated children…

"...Should we change bosses?"

"Let's serve her as boss."

"A defeated boss is no longer boss."

Started plotting to usurp the throne.

That's how the position of neighborhood boss worked. Kids these days were cold.