Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 155

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 155

 

“Suddenly, you almost filed a missing person report while trying to give a surprise?”

 

Even with Park I-deun’s annoying teasing, I couldn’t bring myself to argue back.

 

The banquet hall I had struggled to return to.

 

I looked around lightly and eventually let out a shallow sigh before answering.

 

“Yes, yes, it was my fault.”

 

Right, I had actually planned a small surprise today.

 

While Tae-jae was distracted having fun at this party hall, I would gather all of Tae-jae’s acquaintances I knew and present them with a “ta-da” right before the child’s eyes…

 

That kind of surprise, you know.

 

But.

 

I never dreamed that the kid would disappear while I was distracted communicating in real-time to carry out the surprise.

 

I barely finished all the phone calls and turned around, only to find that the person who should definitely have been there was gone.

 

‘Honestly, I wanted to drop to my knees on the floor and scream.’

 

For a moment, that’s what I felt like doing.

 

Later, I quickly came to my senses and sought out Nabi to ask about Tae-jae’s whereabouts first.

 

‘But that Nabi guy wasn’t much different from me.’

 

-Tae-jae! Where’s Tae-jae? Wasn’t he playing with Nabi? I told you to stick close to Tae-jae…

 

-Ah…? Right! I forgot! Sorry!

 

At least the apology was quick.

 

Anyway, I immediately picked up Nabi with one hand and searched the hallway thoroughly.

 

At the same time, I contacted the teachers coming to the hotel to look for Tae-jae.

 

Then, I was the first to find him.

 

Tae-jae running alone down the hallway.

 

‘But I just couldn’t bring myself to catch him.’

 

Anyone who saw a child running with a face that looked like they were about to cry would have acted exactly like me.

 

Instead of rashly grabbing the child, I just quietly followed behind Tae-jae with quick steps.

 

And only after confirming that the child had entered some dark hall alone did I contact Yu Jin-chae first.

 

‘If I had gone in at that timing… it might have had the opposite effect.’

 

After roughly following Tae-jae and understanding the situation… it seemed like I had unintentionally hurt the child.

 

‘No matter how hectic it was, I should have checked on him regularly.’

 

So, the person I chose to send in instead of me was Yu Jin-chae.

 

‘She’s quick-witted and above all, has good speaking skills.’

 

Plus, she has the talent to instantly refresh a gloomy atmosphere, so I thought she would definitely be helpful.

 

And this time too, my judgment was accurate.

 

“It was fortunate that Teacher Jin-chae came quickly.”

 

“I did run here as fast as I could~”

 

Oh, by the way, the children suddenly rushing into the hall saying they would find Tae-jae was absolutely not something I intended…

 

It was a stroke of luck that the result turned out well.

 

“Ah, geez…”

 

“There it is. Teacher Hwiyeon’s signature sigh.”

 

You really, you’re going to get your head smacked by me someday.

 

I glared at the teasing Park I-deun and turned my gaze.

 

I could see Tae-jae surrounded by friends nearby.

 

“Nam Tae-jae, my mom wanted to come too but she said she couldn’t because she has to work tonight. But, but she said she’ll make braised ribs later! Come eat!”

 

“Tae-jae, what kind of place is this?”

 

“Lee Seo-ra, you came without even knowing that? I told you we’re having a party today.”

 

“Seo-ra, Seo-ro, don’t fight… Let’s eat snacks and play.”

 

“Me too! Me too, snacks!”

 

Listening to the rushing conversations of his friends, I caught a glimpse of fleeting happiness on Tae-jae’s face as he smiled gently with his eyes.

 

‘Thank goodness.’

 

Although the situation got tangled up in the middle, it seems the meaning of the surprise I intended was definitely conveyed.

 

I wanted to let Tae-jae know.

 

From the moment I heard about Tae-jae’s heartbreaking circumstances.

 

Hoping that the absence of a guardian wouldn’t remain as a big void for you.

 

That even if those people aren’t there, there are other people by your side.

 

That I’m here, and your friends are here too.

 

I wanted to show you that there are so many people who care about you.

 

Although the past me didn’t know, I wanted you to know.

 

I wanted to let Tae-jae know this fact with all my might, to the best of my ability.

 

And… that was successful.

 

‘It’s a nice sight.’

 

I naturally became quiet, getting caught up in sentiment for no reason.

 

And someone who noticed my silence with perfect timing deliberately spoke up in a cheerful tone.

 

“Still, it’s surprisingly fun when we all gather together on the weekend like this, right? Always seeing each other in apron-wearing hermit mode, and now we get to see these new sides too.”

 

That’s… true.

 

I chuckled at Yu Jin-chae’s words and finally looked around at my colleague teachers.

 

Everyone had made an effort, different from usual.

 

“Teacher Hae-seong really dressed up intensely too.”

 

Kwon Hae-seong, who had completely slicked back his usually messy hair, was particularly noticeable.

 

‘Now that I look at it, this guy’s build overshadows it, but his looks are actually quite…’

 

“But Hae-seong’s appearance is really boyish.”

 

Hey, that’s what I was going to say, Park I-deun.

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“You finally noticed? He’s built like this now, but when he didn’t have muscles before, everyone really thought he was a teenage hunter.”

 

“Wait, so… all that is built-up muscle? No, um, well, wouldn’t it make more sense to say original muscle? Or not?”

 

Everyone’s getting excited about subtly teasing him.

 

But I also joined in on the Kwon Hae-seong teasing without exception.

 

“Teacher Hae-seong, I am curious about how you looked without muscles. Kind of like, a pretty boy? That kind of feeling?”

 

“Right? Jin-chae, do you have photos from back then?”

 

“Just a moment.”

 

“…Sister.”

 

Watching Kwon Hae-seong panic and try to stop Yu Jin-chae as she pulled out her phone, I turned my head. Then I called out to Lee Gyeon, who was right next to me, quietly smiling while watching Tae-jae.

 

“I didn’t expect even Team Leader to come. It’s even nicer seeing you here.”

 

“Ah, I didn’t expect Teacher to come either… Nice to see you.”

 

This clueless guy.

 

‘Actually, I didn’t invite Team Leader Lee Gyeon.’

 

I didn’t even have his contact information, and I hadn’t thought as far as Team Leader Lee Gyeon.

 

But he came even without being invited.

 

‘It seems he came after hearing what Tae-jae said before.’

 

I patted his shoulder and said with a raised corner of my mouth.

 

“That outfit. It suits you well. Really, you look like Tae-jae’s dad.”

 

I don’t know where he bought and wore it, but if it weren’t for his face, I don’t think he could have pulled it off.

 

‘What’s with the anchovy-colored suit.’

 

“My team member said this was all he had and gave it to me… Wait. Are you teasing me again right now?”

 

“Your intuition is quite slow.”

 

Since you never know about people’s affairs, it would be good to get Team Leader Lee Gyeon’s number while I’m at it.

 

“Tae-jae likes Team Leader Lee Gyeon. You know that, right?”

 

“…Listening to what he says to me, I don’t really get that impression.”

 

That’s understandable, but he really does like you.

 

Look over there.

 

“Tae-jae, who are all these people!?”

 

“They’re my friends and hyung and noonas. And that person is my dad. I’m a little more handsome than dad.”

 

He says ‘my dad’, not ‘our dad’.

 

Look at Tae-jae’s proud smile as he confidently introduces us in front of Hae-cho.

 

“If Team Leader Lee Gyeon is Tae-jae’s father, then he’d be our father too. All the teachers here today are Tae-jae’s temporary hyungs and noonas.”

 

“…Are you serious?”

 

“Please take care of us, Father.”

 

“Teacher, I’m not good at distinguishing between jokes and serious talk.”

 

Haven’t you ever thought that’s exactly what makes it funny?

 

I laughed inwardly while enjoying Lee Gyeon’s confused expression.

 

And at that moment, several messages had arrived consecutively on my phone in my suit pocket.

 

-Baek Cheonhyeong: We’ve identified two people who kidnapped Cheonji.

 

-Baek Cheonhyeong: The dungeon we entered was also an abandoned dungeon. It was an unconfirmed dungeon that wasn’t even officially registered in the first place.

 

-Baek Cheonhyeong: More importantly, you haven’t had your mana examination yet, right?

 

-Baek Cheonhyeong: I’ll contact the Emergency Center for you, so get it checked. Oh, and eat the fruit I sent to your home. I sent it instead of medicine since I heard you like fruit. ^^

 

***

 

“All the Healing Type Awakeners are at that grand festival today, right?”

 

“Yeah, they’re probably doing it right now. Why? Did you get hurt somewhere?”

 

“Oh, no. That’s not it~ My shoulder’s been a bit stiff since yesterday, so I was going to ask them to take a look if they had time.”

 

Finally, human voices could be heard in the silent research lab that had only been filled with keyboard sounds.

 

Everyone had been buried in research, but they lifted their heads at the trivial chatter and added a word or two.

 

“Speaking of which, the grand festival must be fun. Don’t we do something like that? A researchers’ grand festival?”

 

“…We have seminars and academic conferences.”

 

“Ugh. Not that kind of thing! Something where we actually play and have fun!”

 

Amid the outcries and silly laughter that erupted, it was then that someone suddenly let out a scream-like sound from a desk at the end of the research lab.

 

“Section Chief!!”

 

A researcher with tightly tied hair kicked back their chair and stood up, walking aggressively straight toward someone.

 

The target was the only senior researcher currently remaining in the lab.

 

Product Development Team member, Section Chief Lee Won-woo.

 

Father of Lee Won-gang from Ocean Kindergarten’s Seal Class… and the person who had pawned off discarded products to Na Hwi-yeon as gifts.

 

“Huh? What?”

 

With all eyes focused on them, the approaching researcher handed Section Chief Lee Won-woo a document file and asked urgently.

 

“Th-that, by any chance, what did you do with those old trace walkie-talkie and phantom gun samples?”

 

“…I was told to dispose of them.”

 

“Yes, yes, I did say that! But you didn’t dispose of them as gifts to company visitors like last time, did you?”

 

“…”

 

“I just found out while checking the documents again, but it seems like only those two items had their tags left incomplete. I was so busy that day that I left the tag writing and attachment to an intern, and it seems the verification wasn’t properly done… Sigh… There are more side effects…”

 

“What kind of… side effects?”

 

At the section chief’s question, the researcher looked troubled and glanced at the document file before speaking.

 

“Well, first of all… about the trace walkie-talkie.”

 

The researcher snatched the document folder from Section Chief Lee Won-woo’s hands, flipped through it, found the problematic paper, and handed it over.

 

-*Turn dial 1, and when you find the target you’re looking for, immediately turn dial 4. (I don’t know why! That’s just how you use it… But if we’re going to dispose of it anyway, why do I have to write this stuff?)

 

*Use of dials 3 and 4 is not recommended. (Sometimes it recommends routes to strange places!)

 

What’s the problem with this?

 

“No, this part about ‘turn dial 1, and when you find the target you’re looking for, immediately turn dial 4.’ This part.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“If you don’t turn it, there’s trouble. This is really serious, so I told them several times to add and mark the side effects…! It is my fault for not checking properly, but we need to retrieve that even now-”

 

“Wait a minute, wasn’t this an item that retired Section Chief Kwak Cheol-man was in charge of?”

 

“That’s right! That’s right, but! Wait… retired?”

 

“Huh? He retired. He did it right after I transferred to the Product Development Team, so it’s already been several months…”

 

“What are you talking about, Section Chief? The section chief went missing. That’s why he was automatically processed as retired…”

 

“Huh?”

 

“What?”

 

At that moment, the researcher and Section Chief Lee Won-woo’s gazes crossed.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

After a moment of chilling silence… Finally, Section Chief Lee Won-woo, who had finished all his calculations, asked.

 

“What exactly happens with this thing?”

 

The researcher’s face had now turned completely pale.

 

“When you find the target you’re looking for, immediately turn dial 4. If, if you don’t… the whereabouts of the walkie-talkie holder cannot be guaranteed.”

 

“…Just like Section Chief Kwak Cheol-man.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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