By Zephyria 
A long meeting was underway, just like any other day. Reports continued in a serious atmosphere, and Kwon Young-je listened with a cold expression. Of course, he occasionally threw in some cutting remarks.
It was while the R&D team leader of the research institute was doing his utmost to resolve Kwon Young-je’s doubts. Suddenly, Kwon Young-je checked his watch and raised his hand.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
“…Pardon? Ah, yes.”
It was unusual for Vice President Kwon Young-je to cut a meeting short. He had a tenacious side to him; unless his questions were answered, he tended to hound a person to the very end. Moreover, the topic of the meeting wasn’t so trivial that it could be interrupted halfway.
He surely had another important schedule. Even now, he was preparing to leave quickly, as if he couldn’t afford any further delay.
“Secretary Kim.”
At the short call, Hui-won, who had been verbally discussing the schedule for the next meeting, reacted immediately.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Vice President.”
The two of them left the conference room just like that. Their footsteps echoing down the hallway were somewhat urgent—enough that they only gave cursory acknowledgments to the employees they passed.
As soon as they stepped into the executive elevator, Hui-won pressed the button for the first floor. He found himself instinctively checking his wristwatch. Fortunately, it seemed they wouldn’t be late.
“The preparations?”
“Yes, I’ve prepared a generous hundred sets. Since I increased the unit price more than before, the size has gotten larger, so it might be difficult to hand them over secretly.”
“I suppose that can’t be helped.”
While the conversation continued in a businesslike tone, the elevator reached the first floor. The sound of their clicking dress shoes was quite combative. The two of them stepped forward again with hurried strides, looking only ahead.
Next to the main headquarters building was a small annex. Its triangular roof and colorful hues caught the eye immediately.
Apex Sunshine Daycare Center.
In front of the daycare entrance, a banner reading ‘Parents’ Observation Day’ fluttered. A photo zone, cutely decorated with balloons and colored paper, was also an exotic sight.
Since it was an on-site childcare facility, most of the parents were also Apex employees. When Kwon Young-je appeared, everyone bowed deeply as if royalty had arrived.
The fact that the Vice President was a fellow parent was nothing short of a tragedy. Fortunately, they rarely crossed paths coming and going, but it was bound to be a concern. They lived in fear of what might happen if their child ever had a conflict with the Vice President’s child.
The couple had tried their best to keep it quiet, but rumors were inevitable. In fact, from the day after Kwon Ji-wan enrolled, word had spread everywhere that she was Kwon Young-je’s daughter.
For that reason, they were now participating openly. Of course, this was the first daycare event for both of them. Their backs, as they passed through the balloon gate in formal attire, looked similar to people attending a symposium.
“Ji-wan’s fathers, welcome!”
The daycare teacher welcomed the two of them without prejudice. Her bright, blooming smile and clear voice were truly professional.
They followed the signs inside. The hallway was covered with bouncy mats, and the air was very pleasant. Since the daycare had been built when Kwon Young-je was an Executive Director, it still had a distinct modern feel.
“The facilities are really great.”
“It was worth the investment.”
While walking, Hui-won glanced sideways. Feeling the gaze, Kwon Young-je met his eyes.
“What.”
“Do you have some kind of foresight?”
“I do?”
“You were a believer in staying single, yet you completed the daycare center and made the facilities so nice.”
“It was just for welfare. I didn’t know I’d end up enjoying it myself.”
With a handsome smile, Kwon Young-je took Hui-won’s hand. Forgetting that this was still strictly within the company, he didn’t hesitate to act like a husband.
Upon entering the Rabbit Class, the parents who had arrived first bowed their heads. Kwon Young-je gave a light nod and scanned the surroundings. Among the long rows of chairs, the two frontmost seats were wide open.
“You… can sit here.”
One of the parents guided them politely.
“Thank you.”
Kwon Young-je naturally took the prime seats and sat down. He gave a subtle glance to Hui-won, who was still standing, signaling him to sit beside him.
“Our Rabbit Class friends are currently having playtime in the auditorium. They’ll be returning to the classroom soon under the teacher’s guidance, so please wait just a moment!”
The teacher delivered the news in a soft voice, as if speaking to the children. By now, the time was almost up, and the back seats were completely filled.
Perhaps because it was the once-a-year Parents’ Observation Day, the attendance rate was high. Since it was the first time many parents had actually come inside instead of just watching from the entrance, they were busy looking around with sparkling eyes.
Hui-won also quietly observed the classroom. The bookshelves, which reached knee height, were packed with fairy tale books, and the low desks and palm-sized chairs were truly adorable. From the daycare bags and personal items lined up by the window—everything was so tiny that it felt like stepping into a dollhouse.
“Rabbit Class friends, attention! Let’s be quiet as clams!”
“Haaap!”
As the clock struck the hour, voices were heard from outside the door. The babies had arrived.
The lead teacher gave the children a stern reminder: since their parents had come to see the wonderful side of the Rabbit Class friends, no playing around and no talking!
It was uncertain how much children who were only three or four years old could understand these words. Soon after, the classroom door opened, and the children began to enter in a line.
As soon as they entered and saw their families’ faces, the children’s expressions brightened. Some jumped for joy, and some tried to dash straight toward their parents. As if anticipating this, the teachers skillfully calmed the children and seated them.
Kwon Ji-wan’s mouth was hanging open. She was overwhelmed that her two busy fathers had come to see her in broad daylight. Hui-won made eye contact with the child and crinkled the bridge of his nose. It’s okay, look ahead. When he conveyed the silent message, Ji-wan pressed her lips tight and turned her head.
The teacher at the front opened a fairy tale book and began a storytelling session. With a flavorful performance, the children were completely captivated, as if they had forgotten everything else.
Suddenly, Kwon Young-je tilted his head slightly to the side.
“The teacher’s skill is impressive.”
“I heard she used to do children’s theater.”
Hui-won quickly shared the information he knew. Whispering back and forth, it almost felt like they were exchanging top-secret intelligence.
As the children were immersed in the vivid storytelling, the parents all took out their phones. They were busy capturing the entranced expressions of their own children.
Scanning the surroundings, Hui-won looked beside him. Kwon Young-je was also filming a video.
The screen was filled with Kwon Ji-wan’s protruding chubby cheeks. He didn’t film the whole picture, but instead focused on close-ups of her cheeks or lips.
A smile naturally formed. His child was cute, and Kwon Young-je, capturing it, was cute too. There was no trace of the Vice President’s dignity in him as he held the phone. Regardless of who saw, his softened, affectionate gaze was striking.
Then came the afternoon snack time. Four halves of Shine Muscat grapes were distributed into round corn bowls. It was a happy time for everyone. The sound of chewing grapes echoed throughout the classroom.
Kwon Ji-wan had devoured her share of grapes in the blink of an eye and was licking her lips. Suddenly, the child stood up, went to her homeroom teacher, and shook her snack bowl up and down.
“Oh my, Ji-wan. There are no grapes left, what should we do?”
“Teacheeeer!”
“I’ll share some of mine.”
As a reward for her begging, she managed to get two more. Ji-wan chewed the grapes as she walked back and even drank the moisture pooled in the bowl.
“My, she’s a girl but her appetite is amazing. That house must have to buy and bring in fruit diligently.”
Suddenly, the sound of whispering was heard from behind.
“Ah, Mom. Be quiet!”
One of the parents gasped and scolded his mother. He then began to walk on eggshells. The two sitting in the center of the front row pretended not to hear. Instead, they merely wore subtle smiles.
The middle-aged woman, who was unaware of the company’s internal affairs, had no way of knowing who they were. She simply craned her neck, focusing only on her grandchild.
“Goodness, why are the people sitting in front so tall? I can’t see our Tae-woo because he’s blocked.”
Her complaining voice was quite loud. It was essentially a subtle hint. At that, Kwon Young-je glanced back.
“Would you like to switch seats?”
“No… they’re just so tall that I can’t see a thing. I’d be so grateful if you switched.”
As the middle-aged woman quickly stood up with her handbag, the man presumed to be her son reached out and stopped her.
“No, no. It’s really fine. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
The man apologized almost as if he were begging. At her son’s behavior, the mother’s expression hardened in bewilderment. However, after he whispered the situation to her, her reluctant face turned pale.
Hui-won felt uneasy about the situation behind them. He carefully twisted his waist and offered again to the woman.
“If it’s uncomfortable, would you like to sit here?”
“Oh, Ma’am, no.”
At the word ‘Ma’am,’ Hui-won looked as if he had been hit. He quickly returned his creaking waist to its original position.
A small laugh was heard beside him. Kwon Young-je was covering his lower face, his shoulders shaking.
“Don’t laugh.”
Hui-won spoke through gritted teeth as if using ventriloquism, but he couldn’t stop laughing. He would probably be teased about this for several days.
Because the children were young, most of the Rabbit Class lessons were conducted through play. When it became 4 o’clock, they slowly began preparing to go home. Usually, it was common to stay until 6 o’clock, the parents’ clock-out time, but today, everyone had been granted early leave by the Vice President’s order.
As soon as the children put on their bags, they rushed to their respective parents. In their tiny hands were gift bundles prepared by the Secretary’s office.
Despite the commotion, Kwon Ji-wan just stood there with her bag on, staring at her fathers. Since she always stayed until the evening, she naturally thought it wasn’t time to go home yet.
Kwon Ji-wan was clever and smart for her age, but she had also realized many things. For example, that her parents were busier than anyone else, and that she had to endure and not throw tantrums even when she missed them.
“Kwon Ji-wan, it’s time to go home.”
Kwon Young-je knelt on one knee and opened his arms wide. At that, the child’s large eyes widened. Ji-wan ran over with a wadada and jumped into his arms.
“Daddy too? Young-je Daddy too?”
“Yes, we’re all going together.”
At those words, the child looked as happy as if she owned the whole world.
The entrance was crowded with people. There was a temporary congestion because people were taking photos at the photo zone.
Ji-wan didn’t seem interested in that and focused on finding and putting on her shoes. Meanwhile, awkward smiles and nods were exchanged among the parents.
On the other hand, the babies exchanged friendly greetings like “Bye-bye” and “Bbye,” waving their tiny maple-leaf hands. In the world of children, everyone was a friend and equal.
When they stepped outside, it was still broad daylight. A refreshing breeze blew through the clear May sunshine. It was a perfectly pleasant afternoon.
“Leaving work at this hour isn’t bad.”
“Ah, then would you like to clear your schedule more often?”
“I’ll consider it.”
Kwon Young-je replied with a thin smile. Then, he lifted the child who was clinging to his knee high into the air.
“Kwon Ji-wan, what do you want to do with your daddies?”
“Kisses!”
The request was quite bold. Kwon Young-je snorted and gave a nod toward Hui-won.
“What are you doing, Secretary Kim?”
“Honestly, both of you are obsessed with kisses.”
Hui-won approached with a laugh, as if he couldn’t win. Then, he overlapped his arm over Kwon Young-je’s and hugged the child tightly.
The two fathers, wrapping around her like a fence, showered her with massive kisses simultaneously. The child let out a high-pitched scream, and her chubby cheeks were squished.
Kwon Young-je held the child lightly with his left arm and reached out his remaining hand. Normally, he would have checked for other people’s gazes first, but Hui-won held his hand without a second thought.
It was after work now. It was time to return to being an ordinary family.
Eating dinner together, washing up, and lying in one bed, rubbing skin against skin while chatting—these were extremely simple yet happy daily routines.
The family he built with Kwon Young-je would likely continue to be this smooth. Even if a crisis arrived, as long as there was a hand holding his tightly like this, there was nothing to worry about.
Hui-won squeezed the interlaced hand firmly. Kwon Young-je, who read that meaning like a ghost, gently stroked the back of his hand with his thumb.
As if promising future happiness.
<End>