The Rogue, Genius, Chaebol's Daughter is a Baby Master Detective! - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A delinquent, a genius, and a rich man’s daughter—they’re baby detectives!
Episode 23
Behind the Marine Animal Museum.
“Let me check the pairs!”
The teacher counting the children’s numbers went ashen.
“Haru and Siw are missing!”
“Haru’s become a missing child?!”
Kim Ho-jun’s voice cracked with terror as he began to shout.
“Oh no, a villain must have taken her! Haru gets caught right away because she’s reckless. The villain probably gave her Choco Song-Song and she followed!”
The teacher caught Kim Ho-jun as he broke from the line and bolted forward.
“We can’t lose you too. I’ll find them. Stay here.”
“But Haru’s my friend! I have to go look for her!”
The Saessak Class Teacher, holding the thrashing boy firmly against her, thought grimly.
‘This is a disaster.’
Haru was a problem, but the disappearance of the observation target was the greater one.
As the Saessak Class Teacher’s lips pressed into a thin line, the people in the nearby bushes had turned equally grave.
Rustle—
A man in a black suit, crouched behind cover, swept his binoculars across the Saessak Class group for the third time.
“Haru’s gone.”
Gong Dae-in answered the grave voice.
“Statistically, 99.7% of missing children reunite with their parents.”
But despite his level tone, the hand manipulating the tablet trembled almost imperceptibly.
“You’ve got a leaf stuck in your hair.”
“That’s not relevant right now.”
Beep—
“Location confirmed. Heading toward the Tropical Bird Pavilion.”
“Good news—her heart rate is normal. In fact, she seems to be… enjoying herself.”
“Why would a missing child be enjoying herself? Is that reading actually reliable?”
Kang Tae-jun’s face filled with skepticism.
“We need to move to the Tropical Bird Pavilion first.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Just as he was about to stand—
Static—
Both men’s eyes snapped toward the walkie-talkie simultaneously.
—This is Panda. I’m waiting to buy churros, so why can’t I see Haru?
“This is Binoculars. Haru’s gone missing.”
“What?!”
With urgent footsteps, the transmission cut out abruptly.
***
Lee Hyun-woo ran, dragging the bulky Panda Costume along. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to spot a small back of the head quarreling with a parrot. Just as his heart began to settle—
‘Who’s that?’
A man in a lowered hat stood like a shadow behind the tree. His gaze wasn’t fixed on the animals but on a boy standing beside Haru, his expression stern.
Some unknowable instinct triggered an alarm within him.
The moment Lee Hyun-woo began to stride toward the man, a group of tourists rushed past.
‘Where’d he go?’
The spot where the man had been standing was now empty, as if he’d never been there at all.
‘Don’t tell me he went straight for Haru!’
The instant Lee Hyun-woo turned his head, his eyes met Haru’s.
“P-Panda!”
The moment Haru pointed, Lee Hyun-woo recalled the notice from LaLa Kindergarten.
To Our Guardians,
For the smooth progression of the field trip and to ensure the children’s autonomous participation,
we regret that guardian accompaniment is not possible.
We must politely decline: following secretly, hiding behind trees, disguising yourselves, watching through binoculars,
and similar measures.
Our children will enjoy the outing safely and happily under our supervision.
At home, please send your child off spiritedly, wishing them a wonderful time.
Thank you.
‘I absolutely cannot be discovered. I have to get Haru back safely.’
He adjusted his distance and began to run.
“Panda! Stop right there!”
Haru came bounding toward him, her twin braids bouncing adorably in the air.
Whoever her parents were, they’d struck gold with cuteness.
“Hey! You can’t just chase after anyone!”
A boy was chasing after her too.
“But this isn’t just anyone—it’s a suspicious panda!”
Lee Hyun-woo kept his eyes forward, adjusting his pace so he seemed always just barely out of reach.
“Aha! Haru, you caught me! What’s going on between you and the teacher!”
Misstep—
For a moment, Lee Hyun-woo’s foot caught wrong.
‘Why is the Saessak Class Teacher even here?’
Haru’s fingers just barely grazed the panda’s short fur.
Lee Hyun-woo snapped back to attention and began running faster.
“Stop right there! How far are you and the teacher planning to go with this!”
Wobble—
This time he nearly tripped over his own feet. Cold sweat beaded down his spine.
‘What do you mean, how far are we planning to go!’
What on earth goes on inside that little head of hers!
Crackle—
“This is Panda. Moving with Haru. Where should I go?”
—This is Binoculars. Marine Animal Museum, Exit A. Once more—
Click.
He killed the walkie-talkie abruptly and burst forward at full speed. The finish line was right there.
***
‘I almost had him!’
Haru gasped for breath. A tiny black tail on a white rump danced just beyond her grasp, tantalizing and impossible. She pushed her speed higher, fixing her eyes on the panda’s swaying tail as it fled before her.
“Stop!”
Around one corner, then another. Suddenly the panda vanished. There—the fork in the path she’d seen before.
That’s when Siw shouted.
“This way!”
It was the first time she’d ever heard Siw yell like that.
He’d been behind her the whole time—how could he possibly know which way the panda went? But his voice was so loud and sure, she believed him.
Pitter-patter-patter.
The moment she turned the corner after Siw,
Screech—
Haru stopped dead.
“Huh? Where’d the panda go?”
It had vanished again.
Siw caught up, wiping sweat from his chin.
“We’ve come full circle.”
“What?”
Just then.
“Haru! Siw!”
The Saessak Class Teacher came running toward them, her face ashen, and pulled both children into a tight embrace.
“Where did you go! My goodness…!”
Haru could feel her teacher’s heart racing against her own as she rested her chin on the woman’s shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open and shut.
‘Even villains have hearts that go thump-thump… right?’
“I’m so sorry. Haru was chasing after the panda.”
“The panda?”
“It ran this way, and…”
Haru looked around, but the panda was nowhere to be seen. She went rigid.
She’d nearly slipped up and revealed investigative details to a suspect. No way she could do that!
“It’s all right. I’m just glad we found you. So glad. But from now on, you can never leave your teacher’s side, understand? Not ever.”
“Yes.”
Haru apologized to the other children too.
“I’m sorry. Everyone had to wait because of me.”
Wail—
Kim Ho-jun came running over with his face streaked with tears and snot, and threw his arms around her.
“I thought you’d been kidnapped! I thought you’d been taken by Choco Song-Song!”
“Haru doesn’t fall for stuff like that.”
“Really?”
“…I suppose I could think about it.”
The other children surrounded Haru and Siw.
“I’m so glad we found you again!”
“Me too!”
The teacher lined the children up again.
“Alright, everyone—shall we go have lunch now?”
Haru held Siw’s hand and took her place in line. As she walked behind the teacher, someone stepped on her heel from behind.
She stumbled and nearly fell, but managed to catch her balance at the last moment. When she turned around, Seol-a was smiling crookedly at her.
“Oops, my mistake. Sorry.”
Haru turned back and continued walking, but heard muttering from behind.
“I’m starving. This is all Haru’s fault. We had to wait around and couldn’t see hardly any animals. And now it’s already lunchtime.”
Haru turned around again.
“Haru is sorry.”
“Does being sorry fix anything?”
Haru had nothing to say. Her shoulders drooped.
Gurgle—
Seol-a’s stomach made a sound like thunder.
Seol-a’s face turned bright red.
“This is your fault! Every unladylike sound that just came out is because of you!”
Haru lifted her downcast head suddenly.
“I get it now!”
“Get what!”
“Haru will share her yummy food with you.”
“I don’t want it!”
“There’s pork cutlet, and chicken nuggets too.”
Seol-a fell silent for a moment.
“…Chicken nuggets?”
At Haru’s beaming smile, Seol-a let out a soft scoff and turned her head away.
“Just watch where you’re going! You’re making us fall behind the teacher!”
“Okay.”
Haru began walking obediently. Behind her, she could hear someone breathing heavily.
Seol-a must be really hungry. Since Haru’s lunch bag was so full, she’d definitely share plenty with her!
Shortly after, the Saessak Class children arrived at a wide grass field.
“Everyone, we’ll spread out our picnic mats here and eat lunch together. Who needs to wash their hands before we get out the lunch boxes?”
“Me!”
Haru’s hand shot up. Good children always washed their hands thoroughly before eating!
The teacher led the children to a place where they could wash up.
At the water tap area, Haru carefully removed her gloves and tucked them into her pocket, then washed her hands in the cool water.
When she turned around after finishing, her sneakers slid across the wet floor.
“Whoa!”
She was about to fall.
Haru windmilled her arms, but her body tilted dangerously to one side.
Tap.
She felt a warm touch in her palm.

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