Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 29

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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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Episode 029

 

The day came to return to the kindergarten after finishing two days of rest.

 

I packed my work bag and spoke to Nabi.

 

“Nabi.”

 

Still, since we kept talking continuously for the past two days except when I was sleeping, the words came out much more comfortably.

 

‘Well, considering all that chaos we went through.’

 

I was completely exhausted trying to soothe and coax her when she threatened to go to Neverland. Moreover, from the first day of rest, I caught a fever and nearly died.

 

Even while my eyes were closing, I was so worried she might do something foolish that I woke up every hour to check.

 

Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, I proposed several rules to Nabi.

 

“What were our rules again?”

 

I’ll drill them into you before you have a chance to forget.

 

I asked while putting Nabi in the front pocket of my bag.

 

[ But don’t put me inside, hang me up. Dangling. It’s more fun. ]

 

“…Fine.”

 

I held back what I wanted to say and took the White Dog Doll out of the pocket, hanging it back on the zipper pull.

 

“So, what were our rules?”

 

[ One, speak before moving. ]

 

“Correct~ Next.”

 

I realized from the Neverland advertisement incident. I don’t know how she does it, but… this thing moves quite freely.

 

‘She opened the door by herself and went outside.’

 

Clearly, her main body is inside the doll, but it doesn’t seem like she takes it out every time she moves…

 

But every time I moved around the house, she would follow me like the Annabelle doll, which startled me more than once or twice.

 

‘At least the fortunate thing is that I haven’t seen her main body form even once since then.’

 

Is it something she can’t easily reveal? Or does she do it as she pleases?

 

…I have no idea at all.

 

So, I felt like I needed to put constraints like ‘speak before moving’ in place to feel at ease.

 

“Next is~?”

 

[ Two, get along well with friends! ]

 

This is a kind of preventive rule.

 

If I left her at home and went to work, I’d have nothing to say if she got angry at me for making her bored. Plus, I’d be anxious.

 

‘The more dangerous the existence, the more comfortable it is to keep them close and watch them.’

 

I deliberately specified the children in our class that Nabi would meet at the kindergarten as ‘friends.’

 

Then I casually added, ‘But since you and I are the closest friends, let’s keep a little distance from the other friends.’

 

When she asked why, I vaguely brushed it off saying I’d feel left out, and she actually liked the idea and agreed.

 

…Yes, this way I’ll avoid contact with the kids as much as possible and create grounds for mercy in case of an emergency.

 

“What’s the last rule?”

 

[ Ask questions when you don’t know something. ]

 

“Correct. Wow~ you got them all right.”

 

This is the most important one. The most!

 

Whatever she does, I need to create a system where I can filter things first.

 

‘Of course, whether she’ll listen just because she says she will is uncertain.’

 

I nodded vigorously and put my work bag on my back.

 

Alright. Let’s go to work.

 

With my monster, no, my friend Nabi.

 

***

 

“Oh, our protagonist has arrived~”

 

“Wow, you’re here. They say Teacher is a spy.”

 

“…! You’re here…”

 

“I heard injuries can be processed as industrial accidents.”

 

When I entered the teachers’ lounge, everyone was gathered there even though it was 30 minutes before work time.

 

Upon seeing me enter, Yu Jin-chae, Park I-deun, Kwon Hae-seong, and Kang Sa-gwa greeted me in turn.

 

I smiled sheepishly as I put on my apron. The rumors must have spread all the way here.

 

“It doesn’t look like workers’ compensation will be processed. Since everything’s already been completely healed.”

 

When I opened my eyes, they had made my body like new, so the thought of workers’ compensation completely disappeared. It was a natural result since they called in a healer whose fees are supposedly astronomical and made them do hard labor.

 

“But really, what happened?”

 

When I turned around, Park I-deun asked with an interested expression.

 

‘What happened, she says.’

 

Except for Kwon Hae-seong, they all had faces that looked like they were dying of curiosity.

 

“Didn’t Teacher Hae-seong tell you?”

 

If he came to work first, he should have roughly filled them in, right?

 

“Ah~ We wanted to hear it from you rather than Teacher Hae-seong.”

 

“Besides, Teacher Hae-seong said he doesn’t really know what happened either.”

 

“That teacher is just an idiot.”

 

I almost found myself nodding at Kang Sa-gwa’s sharp assessment.

 

‘He does have some foolish aspects to him.’

 

I approached them sitting on the sofa and pulled over a chair that was leaning against the wall to sit down.

 

When I looked straight ahead, several pairs of eyes were all directed solely at me.

 

Hmm?

 

‘But for people who claim to be curious… something seems strange.’

 

For the atmosphere of people trying to hear hot news that happened just two days ago, they didn’t show the characteristic excited mood.

 

Rather, they even seemed slightly tense.

 

Suddenly acting differently than usual?

 

Kang Sa-gwa and Kwon Hae-seong were subtly exchanging glances, and Park I-deun was smiling while pushing snacks on the table toward me.

 

And Yu Jin-chae had her usual smiling face, but… the corners of her mouth were trembling subtly.

 

“Before that, I have something to ask.”

 

Don’t tell me they’re still trying to haze me?

 

Since I’ve never been hazed before, is this how they do it?

 

‘This is at a cute level though.’

 

I calmly unwrapped the snacks Park I-deun offered and put them in my mouth, then continued speaking.

 

“Did you four all meet at the kindergarten? You seem to have a close relationship.”

 

I thought about asking Kwon Hae-seong separately, but since the opportunity presented itself, I should ask.

 

It would also be good to change the topic of conversation while I’m at it.

 

‘How am I supposed to explain all those things that happened.’

 

Tiring. So tiring.

 

“Wow, was it that obvious that we’re close?”

 

Park I-deun covered her mouth in surprise. I replied while unwrapping another snack.

 

“Yes, the way you suddenly become casual with each other’s names, and earlier you called Teacher Hae-seong an idiot. I thought you must be really close.”

 

Actually, if you’re stuck together in this kind of environment for about a year, you can’t help but develop camaraderie.

 

‘I also became close with my peers during practicum week while pulling all-nighters working.’

 

Originally, the shittier the environment, the closer colleagues become.

 

“Ah~ Hae-seong and I met at our previous workplace. Sa-gwa is my cousin. I first met Teacher I-deun here.”

 

Yu Jin-chae spread out her palm and pointed to each person one by one.

 

Oh, that’s a unique combination.

 

‘So it’s a mix of former workplace colleagues, family, and comrades.’

 

No wonder it seemed too friendly to be just simple camaraderie.

 

Then, does Park I-deun just get along well because she has a good personality?

 

“Ah, so that’s why you’re close.”

 

After that, I led the conversation with appropriate responses and some small talk-style questions. Before I knew it, the topic of conversation had wandered off.

 

I smiled with satisfaction while enjoying the conversation, then got up from my seat.

 

“Look how late it’s gotten already. I got a call that Cheonji is coming to kindergarten 10 minutes early today, so I’ll head out first.”

 

Then I gave a slight wave to those who looked dazed. As I left the room, I caught a glimpse of Kang Sa-gwa grabbing Kwon Hae-seong by the collar, but I pretended not to see it.

 

-Thud.

 

‘Good. Now Kwon Hae-seong will explain again.’

 

If I exhaust too much energy here, it’ll be hard to play with the kids.

 

I have to deal with Nabi too, and handle the backlog of work, so there’s too much to do.

 

 

Meanwhile, the teachers’ lounge that Na Hwi-yeon had cheerfully left was enveloped in silence.

 

Kang Sa-gwa, not knowing what to do, was still fuming even while grabbing Kwon Hae-seong’s collar.

 

“…Sa, Sa-gwa.”

 

Kwon Hae-seong looked at Yu Jin-chae with pitiful eyes. It meant please help me.

 

However, Yu Jin-chae turned her eyes away and slowly crossed her legs. Park I-deun was just munching on snacks.

 

“What if he quits.”

 

Finally, Kang Sa-gwa released the strength from her arms and slumped onto the sofa, muttering.

 

“…There’s nothing we can do.”

 

Sharp glares flew at him from here and there at his matter-of-fact words.

 

‘No… Then, are you all going to cling to him together?’

 

Honestly, there probably wasn’t anyone here who wanted to hold onto Na Hwi-yeon as much as Kwon Hae-seong did.

 

After all, he was the one who had lived closely with him for several days as the neighboring class, and he was also the one who had gone through all kinds of hardships together in the Dungeon…!

 

“Wow, but how does he look so calm even after going through all that chaos?”

 

“Maybe he’s making an effort to seem calm~”

 

In fact, they had already heard about that day’s events to some extent through Kwon Hae-seong. However, the reason they deliberately waited for Na Hwi-yeon to come to work and asked him about it again was…

 

“It’s not easy to get close to him~”

 

“But even if we did get close to him, we couldn’t stop him from resigning with such shallow feelings, right?”

 

“…Are we being bothersome.”

 

Trying to get close.

 

And trying to prevent Na Hwi-yeon’s resignation.

 

Kwon Hae-seong already felt from Na Hwi-yeon’s monk-like smile that all of this effort was unnecessary.

 

‘He’s reached enlightenment.’

 

That attitude was a posture that only someone without regrets could possess, just as Kang Sa-gwa had said.

 

‘It seems like he’s decided to resign.’

 

Na Hwi-yeon’s serious face that he had seen two days ago just wouldn’t leave his mind.

 

That was definitely the look of someone who felt disillusioned.

 

“But his way with words is no joke. When I came to my senses, I had even told him where I live.”

 

“I know right~ I don’t tell just anyone about the good restaurants around here, but in that short time he got five places out of me?”

 

Park I-deun and Yu Jin-chae’s admiration for his innocence didn’t reach Kang Sa-gwa and Kwon Hae-seong’s ears.

 

The more they discussed Na Hwi-yeon’s formidability, the more they felt like the barrier toward him was getting higher.

 

…Should I really grab onto his pant leg or something.

 

Kwon Hae-seong’s worries deepened day by day.

 

***

 

Seeing the children after two days made me even happier. I looked around at the children who were reading fairy tale books.

 

Each of them was sitting on the sofa or leaning against each other’s backs, completely absorbed in reading.

 

Of course, Nabi wasn’t left out of this either.

 

[ Next. ]

 

…I maintained a shameless expression while turning the page of the fairy tale book placed on the floor.

 

After seeing the children read books during morning time, Nabi said she wanted to read too, and after much consideration, I decided to grant that request.

 

‘It’s not a difficult task anyway.’

 

I took the doll out of my bag and placed it on the floor, then selected what looked like an interesting fairy tale book and placed it in front of it. And our children, who watched this, very fortunately made a fun misunderstanding.

 

 

And as a result, a scene that would warm anyone’s heart was created.

 

Next to Nabi, the children’s dolls also took their places in a circle, one by one.

 

‘This one is also quite satisfied.’

 

[ Did you finish reading? ]

 

Nabi even asks while looking at Noah’s doll beside her.

 

[ Next. ]

 

Yes. Yes.

 

As this peaceful reading time was passing by, my head turned at a small sound that stimulated my ears.

 

‘It sounds like it’s coming from the corner?’

 

In that secluded spot between the bookshelves, Noah was crouched there holding a fairy tale book. I approached that direction and squatted down in front of the child.

 

‘What could be so interesting?’

 

He was trying hard to suppress his laughter, but it seemed like he couldn’t hold it in and it kept bursting out.

 

‘Let’s see, the book title is… Fun Amusement Park?’

 

With an uneasy feeling, I turned my head to look toward Nabi, but she was focused on reading without any major changes.

 

I forced myself to swallow the saliva that wouldn’t go down and whispered quietly so only Noah could hear.

 

“Noah, what’s so interesting?”

 

The child’s sparkling eyes popped up above the fairy tale book.

 

“Teacher, I… it’s my birthday in just two sleeps!”

 

“…!”

 

Ah, that’s right.

 

I immediately recalled the children’s birthdays I had memorized in advance. Since there were only 5 of them, I memorized them after seeing them just a few times.

 

Noah’s birthday is April 12th.

 

‘It really is his birthday in two days.’

 

Usually kindergartens have established ways of celebrating children’s birthdays.

 

They either set a date each month to celebrate all at once, or if conditions allow, they also celebrate on the actual birthday…

 

‘I was so busy after starting work that I forgot about this important thing.’

 

Moreover, Noah’s birthday is on a weekend, so a birthday party on the actual day seemed difficult.

 

‘Then tomorrow is the only time available.’

 

But regardless of my concerns, Noah looked like he was floating with joy.

 

“Teacher! I’m going to Neverland with Mom on my birthday!”

 

“…Oh?”

 

“Mom promised she’d really go with me this time! She said we’d play all day long!”

 

“Our Noah must be happy.”

 

“Yes! I’m not going with Nam Tae-jae, just with Mom!”

 

[ We’re going too. ]

 

Stop.

 

I stopped smiling. I felt a presence behind me.

 

Wait a minute.

 

Surely she’s not behind me right now.

 

I desperately tried to focus only on Noah.

 

I can’t hear it.

 

I can’t hear it.

 

“This Saturday then? That’s nice. Have fun.”

 

“Yes!”

 

[ We’re going too. I said we’re going. ]

 

‘I did say that.’

 

That we’d go later…

 

[ Let’s go. Let’s go. ]

 

I held back a sigh and eventually turned around again. Wondering how I should appease her this time.

 

If we go to the amusement park already, how am I supposed to satisfy that dopamine later…!

 

“Huh? It’s Teacher’s doll. It was over there earlier? Now it’s here?”

 

But when I actually faced Nabi’s face, the words I was about to say went right back in.

 

What is this feeling of seeing a face that I can’t see?

 

‘…If you say you won’t go, then I’ll go right now.’

 

Up there.

 

I finally spat out my answer toward Nabi.

 

“Fine, let’s go…. To Neverland.”

 

Fuck, this is why loans are scary.

 

Living day by day dragging both your present life and afterlife into it.

 

This is what a true loan-ridden life is all about!

—————
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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