Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 70

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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 070

 

“Principal, good morning~”

 

“Principal… Hello.”

 

“Oh? Principal~ That apron looks great on you? It’s perfect for your personal color!”

 

“Hello.”

 

“Good morning, Principal.”

 

Kang Beom-seok was overwhelmed by the flood of morning greetings as soon as he arrived at work.

 

‘It’s been so long since I’ve had such a lively morning.’

 

It felt quite different from the dead corpse-like office workers he always saw when coming to work.

 

Perhaps because they live with children, everyone seems more energetic than their actual age.

 

Kang Beom-seok scratched his head and unconsciously greeted them cheerfully.

 

“Ah, hello! Good morning! Let’s spend another hard-working day today!”

 

…Was that too much?

 

“Oh~ Principal, you know what’s up? A kindergarten without spirit is just a corpse. Fighting!”

 

“Maybe it’s because you’re the new principal, but suddenly the kindergarten feels so much brighter?”

 

Were they Teacher Park I-deun and Teacher Yu Jin-chae?

 

‘They respond so well, I might cry.’

 

The other teachers were no different. The seemingly quiet Kwon Hae-seong and Teacher Kang Sa-gwa personally brought him a kindergarten uniform and apron.

 

And… Teacher Na Hwi-yeon.

 

“If you get confused about anything while working, you can ask me or Teacher Yu Jin-chae. It’s your first day, so you don’t need to overwork yourself.”

 

He treated him like a kind mentor.

 

He was respectful and polite, but just standing in front of him made him feel like he was a junior by far.

 

However, contrary to Na Hwi-yeon’s concerns, kindergarten management work wasn’t as difficult as expected. After all, Kang Beom-seok had years of experience working as an operations director at BOND.

 

‘I think I’m done…’

 

Before he knew it, a full day’s work was finished.

 

All those years buried in paperwork paid off.

 

Unlike other directors, he rarely attended meetings in person unless it was a mandatory board meeting.

 

And for good reason…

 

‘There was too much work.’

 

To leave work, or at least to eat lunch, he had to glue his butt to his chair and work non-stop from the moment he arrived.

 

So Kang Beom-seok didn’t know.

 

The fact that two hunters from the field team who were active until last year were at this kindergarten.

 

And as kindergarten teachers, no less.

 

And Kang Beom-seok, who didn’t even know the company intranet existed, also didn’t know that one of Ocean Kindergarten’s teachers was a hot potato—no, a blazing fire—recently.

 

In his eyes, he just saw…

 

“Hey, Sa-gwa. This tastes amazing? That’s it.”

 

“Older Brother, that trend ended quite a while ago.”

 

“Trends sure change fast~”

 

Young.

 

“Snacks… There’s more. Principal, please have more too.”

 

“I heard freeze-dried food is popular these days. It seems better than snacks for feeding the kids, so I ordered some. I’m glad I did.”

 

He only saw them as wholesome, good young people.

 

***

 

Taking advantage of Kang Beom-seok’s brief absence, Kang Sa-gwa scanned the surrounding people with a serious expression.

 

“How did the Principal seem? Did you see any signs that he might try to run away?”

 

Park I-deun put down her half-finished drink bottle on the table and hardened her expression.

 

“We’re gently coaxing him with food for now. But this isn’t easy.”

 

The other two humans were equally serious.

 

“…It’s our first time with a normal principal.”

 

“Like with Teacher Hwiyeon, if we act carelessly, we might create misunderstandings instead. Let’s keep our wits about us.”

 

Wait a minute.

 

No, it’s not like we’re taming wild beasts or anything.

 

‘Why is the conversation like this?’

 

I furrowed my brow but kept my hand propping up my chin, quietly listening to their conversation.

 

‘I get why Kang Sa-gwa and Kwon Hae-seong are like this, but why are those two going along with it?’

 

“This time we’ll really treat him well. So well that he’ll want to settle down here permanently!”

 

Kang Sa-gwa clenched her fists and shouted with an unprecedentedly loud voice.

 

“I, I too…! Let’s do it together, Sa-gwa!”

 

Kwon Hae-seong’s enthusiasm is no joke either.

 

Maybe it’s because they’re both young.

 

“Right, right. Let’s just make him live here permanently~”

 

“How about this? I’ll just transform into the Principal and transfer his residence to the kindergarten.”

 

I see… From what I can tell, Park I-deun and Yu Jin-chae seem to just be playing along because they find those two’s reactions amusing.

 

I looked at the two who were eagerly sparkling with determination, and the other two who were dying of laughter watching them, and thought simply.

 

‘Even if we just stay still, half of them will leave.’

 

But I was also somewhat worried myself.

 

Baek Cheonhyeong had said so.

 

-For now, I sent him there, but if he says he can’t do it, there’s nothing I can do about it.

 

-He’s like a father to me. Of course, that’s just my personal opinion. ^^

 

I shouldn’t have taught this guy the smiling emoticon.

 

Anyway… The conclusion is that the moment Principal Kang Beom-seok declares he can’t do it, it’s all over.

 

‘If that happens, we’ll have to look for a new principal again.’

 

Finding a decent person isn’t easy, you know.

 

What I look for is just three things: ‘quick commute’, ‘good character’, and ‘liking children’.

 

But surprisingly, there aren’t many people who meet all three of these conditions.

 

So…

 

Separate from Kang Sa-gwa and Kwon Hae-seong’s enthusiasm.

 

I nodded as if subtly joining in and said.

 

“We must definitely keep him here.”

 

I too was in a position where I had to grab onto the Principal’s pant legs if necessary.

 

***

 

Kang Beom-seok held five cups of coffee in a holder in one hand and took a deep breath in front of the door.

 

‘Since I decided to do this, I should make a good impression.’

 

And above all, he wanted to buy at least a cup of coffee for the teachers who were working hard all day.

 

He went to the Jellyfish Class on the 1st floor first.

 

After taking another deep breath, he opened the door…

 

“Our Hae-sol made a cloud? It’s so big~! But Teacher’s face is getting too wet, so could you reduce the rain a little…”

 

Kang Beom-seok doubted his own eyes.

 

A 3-year-old baby had created a large dark cloud above Teacher Yu Jin-chae’s head.

 

‘…Wh, what is this.’

 

Did I see wrong? Am I dreaming right now?

 

Crackle. Crackle. Finally, when lightning flashed above Yu Jin-chae’s head, Kang Beom-seok screamed in shock.

 

“Ahhhhh!! Teacher Jin-chae! Lightning above your head!!”

 

“Huh? Oh? When did you come in, Principal? Oh my~ You bought coffee for everyone?”

 

That’s not what’s important!

 

“Lightning! Lightning! Lightning above your head!”

 

“Ah? Lightning? Hae-sol~ Is it okay or not okay to make lightning crackle above Teacher’s head?”

 

“No good!”

 

When Yu Jin-chae lightly waved her hand above her head as if shooing away a fly… amazingly, the cloud and lightning disappeared like magic.

 

His breathing became rough from the tension that had made his whole body tense up.

 

“Here… coffee.”

 

With trembling hands, he barely managed to take out the coffee and hand it to Yu Jin-chae.

 

“Thank you~ Principal!”

 

…So spirited.

 

Though he had worked as a director at BOND for quite a long time, it had been truly ages since he’d seen an Awakener use their ability right in front of him.

 

Being a civilian buried in paperwork, he rarely had opportunities to face hunters in the first place.

 

Perhaps that’s why, even after several years had passed, he still couldn’t get used to such scenes.

 

Moreover, Kang Beom-seok was secretly surprised inside.

 

While he had been frightened first, Yu Jin-chae seemed completely unfazed—just how many times must she have experienced such things?

 

As he’d heard, all the children in this kindergarten must indeed be Awakeners.

 

Seeing it in person, he could understand why BOND had created such a kindergarten.

 

It was both a welfare measure to reduce the childcare burden on employees with Awakener children, and an investment for future human resources.

 

As a former operations director, he had quickly grasped even the hidden intentions behind the welfare.

 

‘If they had such intentions, they should at least manage it properly!’

 

Knowing their ulterior motives made him even angrier.

 

Suppressing his regret and anger, Kang Beom-seok headed to the next classroom.

 

The 4-year-old Turtle Class and 5-year-old Shark Class on the 2nd floor were generally quiet.

 

Only gentle classical music playing like white noise tickled his ears.

 

However…

 

“Why is all the wallpaper like this…?”

 

“Ah~ We have a very cute curse-type attribute Awakener named Kang Moon-su in our class. He’s still inexperienced at controlling his ability, so sometimes? When he’s in a bad mood, the wallpaper turns black like that due to the curse’s influence.”

 

“…Is it dangerous?”

 

“As long as you don’t touch it! Ah… But Moon-su is in a bad mood today, so you might get cursed if you touch it. I wouldn’t recommend getting close.”

 

Looking around at the pitch-black wallpaper transformed by the curse made him feel dizzy.

 

…Is this right?

 

However, such doubts didn’t end there and continued. After barely managing to hand coffee to Park I-deun and going to the Shark Class.

 

“Why is there nothing here…?”

 

The tables and chairs that were in other classes, even the common coat hangers, were nowhere to be seen.

 

All that was there were… cushions and blankets?

 

“Both kids in our class are Awakeners with Flight Skills. When we put furniture, they kept having accidents bumping into things, so we cleared out as much as possible.”

 

Kang Beom-seok was momentarily speechless.

 

The cushions and blankets seemed like nothing more than temporary measures, and without furniture, it would be twice as hard on the teachers who had to serve as the children’s hands and feet.

 

Seeing Kang Beom-seok’s dazed expression, Kang Sa-gwa began hurriedly making excuses.

 

“Uh… Oh, originally they lived on the bare floor. But Teacher Na Hwi-yeon said laying out cushions and blankets would be better for safety, so we did it hastily! Thanks to that, the kids don’t get hurt as much lately…”

 

Good heavens.

 

Such… harsh conditions.

 

If only Kang Sa-gwa weren’t in front of him, Kang Beom-seok would have held his forehead countless times.

 

He didn’t even know what state of mind he was in when he gave the coffee to Kang Sa-gwa and came out.

 

Moving his trembling legs with effort, he entered the 3rd Floor Seal Class.

 

“Ah… Principal.”

 

With a small boy and girl behind him, he could see Kwon Hae-seong approaching.

 

Kang Beom-seok widened his eyes and looked around the classroom for anything strange.

 

‘Nothing’s broken.’

 

No lightning either! The wallpaper is fine! All the furniture is there!

 

…Is it okay? Is it really okay?

 

Kwon Hae-seong smiled slightly as he received the coffee.

 

“Thank you for the coffee… This is the first time I’ve received something like this.”

 

…How could this be.

 

Like a child receiving a Christmas present, Kwon Hae-seong’s eyes lit up as he carefully clutched the coffee.

 

From Kwon Hae-seong’s perspective, it meant he never expected to receive ‘coffee’ from the new principal when he’d never received it even once from the previous principal, but…

 

Kang Beom-seok, whose heart was already torn with regret, interpreted it differently.

 

‘They didn’t even buy him coffee!’

 

Buying coffee for others whenever you feel like it is part of workplace culture. Kang Beom-seok, who was older and held a higher position, made it a daily routine to buy coffee for his subordinates who worked under him…

 

With his soul half-drained, he left the Seal Class. And finally, he headed toward the last classroom, the Dolphin Class.

 

And there, he heard an unusual conversation among the children.

 

“Is this all the snacks we have today?”

 

“Seo-ro, compared to usual, this is a lot. We can all share little by little and save some.”

 

“I’ll share mine too!! Sharing during hard times is what friendship is about!”

 

“Noah, just sit still. If you move around, you’ll lose energy and get hungry.”

 

“I’m hungry too, but I’ll endure it!!”

 

Kang Beom-seok now closed his eyes.

 

Oh, God.

 

What kind of trial is this supposed to be?

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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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