Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 95

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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 095

 

Pink cotton candy.

 

A child with fluffy hair that reminded one of exactly that sweet treat appeared at Ocean Kindergarten.

 

And somehow, holding the hand of Na Hwi-yeon, who had been sent away for recovery and rest but returned with an even more gaunt face.

 

“…So there was a child.”

 

“It’s not my child.”

 

At Park I-deun’s admiration, Na Hwi-yeon smiled bitterly and gently pushed the child’s back.

 

Then, the cotton candy-haired child stepped forward and lifted their head up brightly, saying:

 

“Hello! I’m Nabi!”

 

“…Nabi, I told you to use formal speech with adults.”

 

“Oh, right right…! Hello, I’m Nabi!”

 

Everyone was flustered by the sudden appearance and even more sudden greeting.

 

However, these teachers professionally broke the ice first, as expected.

 

“Hello, is your name Nabi?”

 

“How old is Nabi?”

 

“Wow~ Nabi’s hair color is so pretty.”

 

Even so, their gazes were fiercely directed at one place.

 

As if demanding an explanation immediately.

 

And unable to withstand those burning stares, Na Hwi-yeon confessed the truth with an awkward smile.

 

“This child is my…”

 

No, he tried to confess.

 

If only Park I-deun hadn’t beaten him to it.

 

“Ah~ Your younger brother?”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“Isn’t he your younger brother? You said his name is Nabi. Same ‘Na’ surname.”

 

Na Hwi-yeon.

 

Nabi.

 

Ah?

 

“A single-character name… So, is the name ‘Bi’? How pretty~”

 

Clap clap clap.

 

That cheerful clapping sound seemed to Na Hwi-yeon’s ears like this:

 

‘Wouldn’t it be strange if you weren’t siblings?’

 

So at that moment, Na Hwi-yeon quickly discarded the existing plan he had set up in his mind.

 

Specifically, the plausible background he was going to give Nabi.

 

A ‘cousin’ he had no choice but to take care of due to circumstances.

 

This was originally the explanation he planned to add when introducing Nabi, but…

 

Na Hwi-yeon quickly nodded at Park I-deun’s words.

 

“Yes, he’s my younger brother… A late-born child. Late-born, yes.”

 

It was a somewhat hastily changed course, but thinking about it, this seemed better.

 

‘No need to make up more circumstances, and it’s more natural too.’

 

Even if it seemed like he was being overly concerned about Nabi, everyone would probably understand and overlook it to some extent under the relationship of family…

 

‘In reality, I’d be watching closely in case he causes trouble… Anyway.’

 

For that, being a ‘real younger brother’ rather than a ‘cousin’ might seem more natural.

 

Besides, though it wasn’t intentional, they had the same surname, didn’t they?

 

Suddenly Nabi had become a real member of the Na Family.

 

‘This feels strange.’

 

Anyway, regardless of Na Hwi-yeon’s feelings, the other teachers who heard the explanation didn’t harbor any particular thoughts.

 

And for good reason…

 

“So, due to circumstances, your younger brother couldn’t attend the kindergarten he was going to as of yesterday?”

 

“Yes… Besides, there’s no one suitable at home to watch my younger brother.”

 

That pitiful face.

 

He was clearly a man approaching thirty, yet his mysteriously sympathetic atmosphere and appearance made everyone quietly fall silent.

 

As if he carried the pitifully heavy weight of being a family head.

 

And ridiculously… it worked.

 

“What are you so worried about? If it’s Teacher Hwiyeon’s younger brother, then he’s our child too.”

 

The teachers, especially the Principal who felt particularly sorry for Na Hwi-yeon, gave permission right on the spot.

 

“He can stay as a student at our kindergarten for the time being.”

 

“But… would that be okay?”

 

“Of course!”

 

The other teachers didn’t object either. There was no particular reason to, and more importantly… this child called Nabi.

 

“My name is Nabi! I came because I wanted to meet friends! I mean, I came!”

 

Was quite adorable.

 

‘Cute is the best.’

 

Thus, ‘Nabi’ became a student at Ocean Kindergarten without much difficulty.

 

And coincidentally, Kwon Hae-seong, who had called in sick with a fever and cold that day, was unaware of this fact.

 

***

 

‘Why is this so easy.’

 

Honestly, I was flustered.

 

Even while holding Nabi’s hand and walking up the stairs to the 3rd floor, I felt dazed.

 

I had prepared by running simulations several times for answers to all kinds of expected questions…

 

 

Honestly, I had been thinking about what to do if they demanded a family register copy or family relationship certificate.

 

 

For now, I politely postponed the Principal’s suggestion, saying I would think about it.

 

Since we’d only be staying temporarily, I didn’t think there was much need for official registration.

 

‘Phew… I’ll think about that later. For now, the important thing is that I succeeded in bringing Nabi in.’

 

But when you put down one worry, another one arises.

 

‘I should focus on what’s right in front of me first.’

 

I knelt on both knees in front of the closed Dolphin Class door and made eye contact with Nabi.

 

Not the single eye that used to be there.

 

But the real, human-like two pupils.

 

Surprisingly, Nabi’s appearance now completely resembled that of a human.

 

‘I still can’t get used to this.’

 

I thought about how things had come to this point.

 

…Last night.

 

Nabi had finally gotten permission from me with a bombshell declaration.

 

None other than playing with the children in a form that wasn’t a doll!

 

I had tried to avoid direct contact between the children and Nabi as much as possible, but seeing Nabi’s earnest pleading and ‘that appearance,’ I had no choice but to give permission…

 

 

With that sudden request, the White Dog Doll that was left alone in my room appeared again after some time had passed.

 

In a completely different form.

 

Even seeing the door handle turn by itself was unbelievable, but the scene visible through the crack of the opened door was even more unbelievable.

 

A fluffy, light pink head of hair.

 

Short legs and arms.

 

And round, circular eyes.

 

Yellow irises with black pupils above them.

 

The appearance reminded me more of a wild cat than a human, but I swallowed my scream at the even more shocking overall appearance.

 

‘A little child?!’

 

 

A 7-year-old child with a mischievous and adorable appearance.

 

Nabi appeared before me with this appearance perfectly complete.

 

So in the end….

 

‘I had no choice but to allow it.’

 

After going this far, I couldn’t refuse Nabi’s request any longer.

 

‘Besides, I had just received a gift right before….’

 

Surely, it wasn’t deliberately fed to me like a bribe to prevent me from refusing…. No, I want to think it wasn’t.

 

And thinking rationally, I judged this would be safer.

 

Maintaining a cooperative relationship with steady emotional exchange like this would benefit both of us.

 

‘A mutually beneficial relationship can’t be easily broken.’

 

I had thoroughly drilled repetitive learning just in case, so it should be fine.

 

Just like right now.

 

I looked into the pitch-black pupils and said.

 

“Nabi, what did I tell you to call me at the Kindergarten from now on?”

 

“Teacher and hyeong.”

 

“Not hyeong, but Hyung.”

 

“Yeah, hyeong!… My tongue is weird. It does whatever it wants.”

 

…That’s because you haven’t been speaking for long, so pronunciation implementation isn’t familiar yet.

 

However, I set aside such trivial matters and focused on ‘this’.

 

“Nabi, you absolutely must not get excited. If you feel like you’re going to pop out, quickly return to doll form. Got it?”

 

I took the White Dog Doll from the Bag and hung it on the waistband of the Pants Nabi was wearing.

 

These Pants were also something I hurriedly ran to the Department Store to buy last night.

 

“Absolutely, absolutely, you must not get excited.”

 

What could be the reason I’m emphasizing this so much?

 

“Got it!”

 

-Pop.

 

“….”

 

You, an arm just came out of your back.

 

This is exactly why.

 

I should have noticed from when Nabi was grumbling that her appearance wasn’t completely perfect yet.

 

‘No, she pops out like that even with just a little excitement.’

 

I wouldn’t mind if animal ears or a tail popped out like in manga clichés….

 

The problem is that our Nabi has other things pop out when excited.

 

“Ooh? Hahaha! Go back in!”

 

A giant human black hand that popped out through the small back.

 

It would be a blessing if only one came out.

 

When I reached out to brush back the pink bangs….

 

“…Let’s put the eyes back in too.”

 

Nabi’s ‘real eyes’ had also popped out.

 

Roll roll.

 

The rolling pupils turned red, then redder again…. Then slowly disappeared.

 

‘At least the legs didn’t pop out.’

 

I swallowed a sigh and earnestly pleaded with Nabi.

 

“You absolutely must not get excited. If you feel like you’re going to pop out….”

 

“Return to doll form! I know too, I’ve heard it ten times already!”

 

Nabi laughed while spinning and showing off the doll hanging from her Pants Hem.

 

‘I don’t have much faith in this…. But fine.’

 

I finally gently grasped Nabi’s shoulders. Even the high body temperature like a real young child felt identical.

 

“You have to get along well with your friends. You can’t use your strength. If there’s anything you don’t know, you must ask me.”

 

Since Nabi isn’t a real young child, I educated her thoroughly to what might seem an excessive degree.

 

‘There must be no incidents where the Kids get hurt because of Nabi.’

 

In that state, I pulled Nabi’s shoulders and embraced her in my arms.

 

And slowly patting her back, I spoke.

 

But still, as a friend, I can at least say this much.

 

“Congratulations on your enrollment. My friend.”

 

“…Yeah! Thank you, my friend!”

 

Hearing Nabi’s voice that seemed slightly proud, I smiled softly.

 

***

 

The Children of Dolphin Class let out cheers mixed with excitement at the appearance of a new friend.

 

“Woooooooo!!”

 

It was like listening to the harmony of monkeys encountered in the Amazon Jungle, but Na Hwi-yeon deliberately didn’t add any words.

 

Because everyone looked happy and excited.

 

However, there was also someone who couldn’t fully enjoy that excited atmosphere.

 

Naturally, ‘Na Hwi-yeon’ who had great responsibility as Nabi’s guardian….

 

And…. Baek Cheonji, the self-proclaimed and acknowledged ‘mediator’ and model student of this class.

 

Baek Cheonji’s heart raced for a moment as he saw the new friend before his eyes.

 

“Hello. I’m Nabi!”

 

Please, I hope this friend is well-behaved….

 

It was a thought unbefitting a young child, but being stuck between formidable friends, his troubles were considerable.

 

So Baek Cheonji kept his small wish firmly in his heart and observed Nabi.

 

After observing for half a day like that….

 

He realized that his small wish had once again blown away like Confetti Powder with a single breath.

 

“I can eat tons and tons of Snacks! Want to compete? Okay!”

 

“Seo-ro, launch me too! All the way to the End of the Sky over there!”

 

“What’s this? Is it food? Ah~ you die if you eat it? Why? I can even eat Dirt. It just doesn’t taste good. Hehe.”

 

It seemed like an even more amazing friend than Seo-ra, no, perhaps even more than Noah had arrived.

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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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