Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 57

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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 057

 

Fortunately, my body was fine. After parting ways with An Param, I returned home and immediately went to the restroom to wash my face and body, which were a mess from dust and soot.

 

The hair on the back of my head was stiff with dried blood, but there was no further bleeding or dizziness, so I didn’t go to the hospital right away.

 

‘Thank goodness I had the potion Noah gave me.’

 

I never dreamed it would be used like this, but thinking that heaven had helped me, I threw it into my mouth, and I could feel my body getting better like a lie.

 

Thanks to that, I was able to go to work safely.

 

After sending all the Dolphin Class children who were coming to school upstairs and entering the 1st floor, I saw a figure half-sprawled on the long sofa bed by the window area.

 

As I approached closer, Yu Jin-chae, who had been sprawled out like a zombie, noticed my presence and turned to look at me.

 

“What should I do… I completely forgot… Was the ‘overnight camp’ next week? Or not? This week? Huh. Was it tomorrow? Should I just die right now…”

 

I barely managed to stop Yu Jin-chae, who was about to collapse onto the hallway floor with an expression reminiscent of Munch’s Scream, and patted her shoulder.

 

‘I was just trying to change the subject once and now someone’s going to die.’

 

I never thought Yu Jin-chae would forget about this substitute work and mentioned it purely as an excuse…

 

“It’s the week after this one. It’s okay. We can prepare together. How could you handle all that by yourself anyway? The other teachers all said they’d help too, so if we work quickly, it’ll be fine.”

 

And if you die now, it won’t help anyone.

 

There’s a mountain of things to do. Every single person’s manpower is precious.

 

“Teacher…”

 

With a face almost ready to cry, Yu Jin-chae dabs tears on the hem of my apron.

 

‘I feel bad for abandoning her, so I should at least do this much.’

 

For about a week ahead, I’ll have to work overtime without fail… But I have to endure this too.

 

As I comforted Yu Jin-chae and walked toward the 3rd floor, I could see teachers appearing in the hallway one by one like wild animals.

 

“Oh! Teacher, do you happen to have any spare handkerchiefs? Moon-su caught a cold but I don’t have any handkerchiefs!”

 

I handed the flower-patterned handkerchief that was habitually tucked in my apron to Park I-deun, who came rushing out of the 4-Year-Old Class.

 

“There are more in the classroom. I’ll bring them to you later.”

 

“Wow~ As expected, you’re so thoughtful. Thank you.”

 

Going up to the 2nd floor was the same. I could see Kang Sa-gwa struggling with hair ties in front of the hallway restroom.

 

‘It looks like she’s trying to copy Elsa’s hair after watching the kids’ YouTuber I recommended last time.’

 

Even from behind, it was obvious that it wasn’t going as well as she thought. I quietly approached from behind and spoke softly.

 

“Turn it back and…”

 

“…Like this?”

 

“Yes, hold it there and pin it. Yes, yes, that’s right.”

 

“…Oh, it’s done. Thank you.”

 

“Your skills have improved a lot.”

 

Going up to the 3rd floor, if anything, there was more rather than less.

 

Kwon Hae-seong was standing in front of the Seal Class holding a newly acquired notebook with seals drawn on it.

 

“Today it’s hot, so… I prepared indoor learning rather than outdoor…”

 

“Yes, that’s a good choice. What kind of learning is it?”

 

After 20 minutes of brief briefing and feedback time, I could finally arrive at my class, the Dolphin Class.

 

-Click.

 

“Now, everyone, is anyone sick today?”

 

As I opened the door and asked in a higher tone, I immediately heard vigorous voices.

 

“No! Noah is healthy today!”

 

“I’m healthy too. Are you healthy, Teacher?”

 

“Lee Seo-ra is healthy too!”

 

“Seo-ra, you’re healthy every day.”

 

“I’m not sick anywhere today either.”

 

The same answer came in various ways. I looked at them warmly and chuckled.

 

“Teacher, what are we doing today?”

 

“Let’s play aliens today! Seo-ra and I are aliens, and Nam Tae-jae and Lee Seo-ro are human astronauts! And Baek Cheonji is a rich tycoon who invested money in space travel!”

 

“No, I want to be a tycoon too.”

 

“Okay, Seo-ro can be the tycoon. I’ll be an astronaut with Tae-jae.”

 

“Are you going to space? Then I want to go to Mars. You can grow potatoes on Mars too. I know because I watched it on TV with Grandmother about growing potatoes on Mars.”

 

“Wow! Tae-jae, really? But can aliens eat potatoes too?”

 

“Yeah!! Of course, what will Teacher do? Should we let Teacher join too?”

 

…It’s chaotic. It’s chaotic.

 

But rather than disliking it, I actually like it.

 

‘Yeah, this is peace.’

 

I nodded to myself, satisfied.

 

Getting caught up in dungeons, almost appearing on the news, being kidnapped…. These things aren’t part of my daily life.

 

“…Teacher, are you really going to be Ttori? Ehhh~ It doesn’t suit you.”

 

“Our Ttori at Home doesn’t look like that.”

 

“Then let’s give the Ttori role to Teacher. Teacher wants to do it.”

 

“But didn’t Seo-ro and Seo-ra say their dog is a girl?”

 

…Right, playing the dog role in pretend play is my daily life.

 

[ You want to become a dog? Your taste is really weird~ ]

 

***

 

Lee Seo-ra had been thinking that her body was strange lately.

 

‘It’s cold.’

 

Her whole body felt chilly and shivery. Just like when you come out of a bath and feel the cool air conditioner breeze.

 

“What is this?”

 

But it didn’t hurt! It’s just that her hands and feet were cold like ice and she was so cold when sleeping that she had to cover herself tightly with the Blanket.

 

Sometimes her nose almost started running….

 

‘Older Brother can’t find out.’

 

Older Brother acts like he’s going to fall over backwards even if she just coughs, so she absolutely must not get caught.

 

And being healthy is the only thing I’m good at!

 

Older Brother and Lee Seo-ro said so. They said being healthy and energetic is my greatest strength.

 

Even thinking about it carefully, Lee Seo-ro had more strengths than herself. He was smart, got lots of praise for using his ability well, was also calm, and also….

 

‘Anyway, he gets more praise than me.’

 

In the past, before Teacher Na Hwi-yeon came, all the other teachers only said the same things to her.

 

Your voice is too loud, you run around too much, stay still.

 

‘I like that Teacher Hwiyeon doesn’t say those things.’

 

Every day she says I answer well, eat well, and also says I’m kind!

 

However, Lee Seo-ra recalled the conversation between Teacher and Older Brother before going Home from Kindergarten yesterday.

 

 

Even then, he said being healthy is the best. Then to become the best herself, she had to be healthy.

 

‘I definitely won’t get caught.’

 

“…Doing this again. Did you play in water at Kindergarten today?”

 

Lee Seo-hyeok said while shaking out Lee Seo-ra’s Bag. From inside the yellow bag, a whole basin of water along with various supplies and trash fell onto the floor.

 

“No!”

 

They didn’t play in water at Kindergarten today. The Bag was in the Locker the whole time?

 

“But yesterday too, why does your Bag keep having water in it? Seo-ro’s Bag isn’t like this.”

 

“I don’t know?”

 

“Is there a leak in the Locker…. I should ask Teacher.”

 

After that, Lee Seo-ra ate the dinner Older Brother made deliciously, washed up, and fell asleep.

 

And she had a dream.

 

In the dream, she was lying on a big Ship eating Rice Ball while sailing the Ocean. The calm Ocean was certainly peaceful.

 

Until the storm hit.

 

She struggled for three days and nights on the swaying Ship and barely opened her eyes….

 

It was morning.

 

“Wow. It felt so real.”

 

The Ship was swaying back and forth and it felt so real with the moist and cold feeling just like the Ocean.

 

The moment she tried to get up to tell her older brother and Lee Seo-ro about this incredibly realistic dream, she finally realized that the bed was damp.

 

Huh? It wasn’t just the bed. Half the room around the bed was soaked with water.

 

Little Lee Seo-ra was startled.

 

‘What on earth is going on?’

 

She tried to come up with an answer using her 7-year-old brain, but a clear answer wouldn’t come easily.

 

Then, she finally came up with what she thought was the most realistic and plausible answer.

 

“Ah! I must have sweated a lot! Oh my…”

 

To sweat this much, oh dear, this summer must be really hot. Hahaha.

 

“…But I’ll get in trouble if they find out.”

 

After laughing, she realized this wasn’t the time to laugh.

 

Whatever it was, it seemed like she’d caused trouble. What if Older Brother scolds her.

 

But… is it right to get scolded for sweating?

 

‘But Lee Seo-ro will definitely say something! That I’m being sloppy again.’

 

Her worries grew longer. Then, she quickly raised her head at the sound of Lee Seo-hyeok calling from outside the room.

 

“Seo-ra, come out quickly and eat. Older Brother has to go to work early today.”

 

What should I do? How should I handle this? Should I wipe it up? But I don’t have a towel?

 

“Seo-ra! Are you still not awake?”

 

After desperate consideration, Lee Seo-ra finally pulled the blanket from the bed and carefully covered the chaotic water on the floor.

 

‘Perfect, right?’

 

Then she answered Lee Seo-hyeok’s call from outside the room quite calmly.

 

“I’m awake! The weather is incredibly hot! I’m coming out now!”

 

However, the phenomenon of water appearing out of nowhere and her body being ice-cold continued after that.

 

Rather, the frequency and severity gradually worsened.

 

***

 

‘Something feels off.’

 

It’s been unusually peaceful these past few days. Except for being on guard in all directions on the way to and from work to avoid running into Lee Gyeon, the Field Team Leader, there wasn’t anything particularly concerning.

 

‘Of course, I was also frantically busy preparing for the overnight camp.’

 

After work, watching the news about newly revealed facts and punishment processes regarding the pseudo-religious fanatic group I barely escaped from while drinking beer had become a small hobby, showing how peaceful things were…

 

‘But… why does something feel so off.’

 

As if I’ve missed something important.

 

“So only the shark class, seal class, and Dolphin Class are doing the overnight camp?”

 

Park I-deun asked while sitting on the sofa in the Staff Lounge, sipping coffee.

 

“Yes, it was decided to proceed with only the 5-year-old, 6-year-old, and 7-year-old classes.”

 

“Oh~ As expected, the older classes get to do lots of fun things.”

 

She’s saying things she doesn’t mean. Right now her smile is so wide it could pierce the sky.

 

“Then Teacher’s class could also… join in…”

 

Kwon Hae-seong, who had been quietly eating snacks nearby, looked at Park I-deun and suggested.

 

“Sorry. I just want to assist.”

 

“…That’s too bad.”

 

The fact that he asked that with pure intentions is like a real black comedy.

 

I just quietly shook my head. By the way, how long has it been since work was this leisurely.

 

“Really, I’ve been waiting just for this day.”

 

“Teacher I-deun is probably the only person who would welcome the monthly external instructor with bare feet~”

 

However, even Yu Jin-chae seems to be in a good mood as her smile doesn’t fade.

 

That’s right, we came out to rest after entrusting the Children to two external instructors who come once a month.

 

To the First Floor Faculty Lounge.

 

Magicians, Storytelling Performance specialists, child art therapy specialists, etc… Since we’re inviting people who can educate in more specialized fields than us, it would be better for the Children.

 

‘It’s good that we can rest too.’

 

Today they said they’re having origami class in the Annex Audiovisual Room.

 

Park I-deun had been pacing around the Entrance like someone waiting for a delivery since after lunch, so I wondered what was up…

 

“Teacher I-deun really looks happy.”

 

“I’m over the moon… But can three-year-olds even do origami?”

 

Park I-deun, who had been smiling with pure happiness, suddenly turned to Yu Jin-chae with a curious expression as if something had just occurred to her.

 

Yu Jin-chae, who was in charge of the 3-year-old Jellyfish Class, raised her eyebrows slightly in a playful manner as she replied.

 

“Our Hae-sol may be three years old, but she can fold paper with her tiny little hands, you know?”

 

“Hae-sol… is so capable.”

 

“Unnie, didn’t you say Hae-sol almost ate tissue yesterday?”

 

“Sa-gwa, I heard about that too. But I think it’s better to pretend we don’t know right now.”

 

A break time that was no different from any other office workers—80% casual chat and 20% work talk about the overnight camp.

 

However, at some point, I found myself completely unable to smile.

 

[ Seo-ra is my friend too, right? ]

 

Because Nabi had suddenly mentioned Seo-ra.

 

Since she kept pestering me about being bored, lately she’d been accompanying me everywhere, tucked not in the back of my bag but in my apron pocket.

 

‘Suddenly?’

 

I was too surprised by that sudden statement to react quickly, but Nabi continued speaking as if it didn’t matter.

 

[ Then I should let her know, right? ]

 

[ Since Seo-ra is my friend too. ]

 

Let her know what?

 

Just as I was about to get up pretending to go to the restroom, a notification sound rang out and a Status Window appeared in mid-air.

 

-Ding!

 

 

What?

 

 

“…Second Awakening?”

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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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