MDSW 2

Chapter : 02

The Surprise Presentation

“Yurina~ Breakfast is ready, come sit down~”

“Okay~!!”

On the morning of the day I returned three years into the past, I had breakfast with Yurina.

Since our relationship had completely fallen apart by the time she turned twelve, it had been a very long time since we’d shared a meal alone like this.

“Guess what I made~?”

I asked proudly as I placed a plate on the table.

It was steaming scrambled eggs.

“Ta-da!”

Seeing 10-year-old Yurina again reminded me of the past, so I made the scrambled eggs she used to love when she was little—Dad-style.

Her eyes sparkled when she saw them.

“Wow! Egg poop!”

“Egg poop,” huh… I smiled softly, filled with nostalgia.

She used to jokingly call my scrambled eggs “egg poop” all the time.

And every time, I’d play along and give her the reaction she wanted.

Like this—

“What~? What do you mean egg poop? I told you not to call it weird names!”

“Kya-ha-ha!”

Her high-pitched laughter tickled my heart.

No massage in the world could relieve fatigue like this angel’s laughter.

“It’s hot, so blow on it before you eat, okay?”

“Okay~!”

Instead of chopsticks, Yurina scooped up a huge portion with a spoon.

Then she stuffed so much into her tiny mouth that it looked like it might burst.

“Haha, your mouth’s going to explode!”

When I laughed, she smiled shyly, clearly enjoying herself.

Full of playful energy, Yurina stood on her chair while eating, hummed to herself, wiggled her hips, and even played messy tricks like showing food in her mouth.

She was excited from finally receiving attention from her parent again.

Are you really that happy, my daughter?

Her sunshine-like smile warmed my heart.

It was just an ordinary breakfast and a bit of attention.

Yet I never realized before that something so small could make her this happy.

“Yurina, want Dad to walk you to school today?”

“Really? Aren’t you busy?”

“I promised, didn’t I? I’ll stay by your side from now on. Once you’re done eating and ready, let’s go together.”

“Yes! Dad’s the best!!”

Now that I finally understood what truly made Yurina happy, I wanted to give her everything I couldn’t back then.

That’s what this second chance was for.

Just grow up happy, my daughter.

* * ***

“Hehe.”

Yurina walked along the sidewalk with her backpack, smiling nonstop.

She seemed really happy that I was holding her hand and walking her to school.

“Yurina, how’s school these days? Anything fun or difficult?”

I was genuinely curious about her school life.

From this point in time, my memories of her were almost nonexistent.

I wanted to know what she had been thinking… how she had been living.

Especially after seeing her go astray right before my death, I couldn’t help but worry even more.

“Hmm… nothing hard, but something fun.”

“What’s fun?”

“I’ve been drawing at school. The art teacher says I’m really good.”

“Our daughter draws too? Must take after your mom.”

Then I remembered.

Three years ago, her homeroom teacher had called me.

I thought Yurina had gotten into trouble, but thankfully, the teacher sounded cheerful.

The message was simple:

Yurina seems to have talent in drawing. She’s very good. Even the art teacher was surprised.

I felt proud, but I didn’t think much of it.

I just thought, Oh, she’s good at drawing. She takes after her artist mother.

That was all.

“Oh my, Yurina’s father?!”

While we were walking and talking, a familiar voice suddenly called out.

Her teacher, on her way to work, rushed over when she saw us.

“What brings you here?! You actually came to school!”

She smiled brightly, clearly happy to see me.

It was a bit awkward—but understandable.

After all, I was the indifferent parent who hadn’t shown up even once since Yurina turned ten.

“Hello. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

I bowed awkwardly.

I had only heard her voice over the phone before, so seeing her in person felt unfamiliar.

“I’ve heard so much about you from Yurina! I really wanted to meet you.”

She matched what I had heard—kind, bright, and warm.

A young teacher in her late twenties, with long black hair and a gentle presence.

“I’m sorry… I’ve been too busy to attend school events.”

“That’s very common these days. I’m just glad to meet you like this. If you have time, would you like to come inside?”

“Inside the school?”

“Yes. We’re having a surprise presentation today.”

At the words surprise presentation, Yurina flinched slightly, then grabbed my sleeve and bounced excitedly.

“Let’s go, let’s go! I have something to show you!”

“That’s right. You’ll be very surprised when you see what Yurina prepared.”

Both of them looked at me expectantly.

Unable to refuse, I nodded—and somehow ended up entering the school.

“Dad, see you later~!”

Yurina waved and went into her classroom.

I followed the teacher toward the staff room.

“Please wait in the counseling room for a moment. I’ll tidy up and be right there.”

“Okay.”

I had only planned to drop her off…

But now I was stuck attending a parent meeting and observing a class.

I need to go see Director Hwang too… this is troublesome…

My phone had been vibrating nonstop.

It was Director Hwang calling.

Even after I texted that I’d come in the afternoon instead of morning, he kept calling insistently.

This is exactly why I gave up parenting before…

But this time—

I wouldn’t make the same mistake.

I shut off my phone.

“Would you like some coffee?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Sitting in the counseling room, we talked.

“Don’t worry—I’m not here to scold you.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m joking. You look like you’ve committed a crime.”

Her light joke eased the tension.

“I just wanted to talk. I was curious what kind of parent Yurina has.”

“I see…”

She truly seemed like a dedicated teacher.

Even on the way, she greeted students by name and checked how they were feeling.

I’m glad Yurina has someone like her.

After talking for a while, I realized—

She knew more about Yurina than I did.

And she genuinely cared.

As a parent, I felt deeply grateful.

“You’ll stay for the presentation, right? Yurina might get upset if you don’t.”

“Yes, I will. But what exactly is it?”

“It’s just students sharing things they created or prepared this month.”

Like a mini talent show.

Then she leaned in and whispered:

“Yurina’s presentation is the highlight.”

“…?”

* * ***

“Today, Yurina’s father is here with us! Everyone, give him a round of applause!”

Clap clap clap!

I stood awkwardly at the back of the classroom as third graders applauded.

I was embarrassed—but Yurina looked happy, so I didn’t mind.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

“Yes!!!”

The presentations started.

Kids showed jump rope tricks, dances, soccer skills—

All kinds of talents.

They’re so cute… I thought they’d be shy, but they’re doing great.

“Next is Yurina.”

Finally.

I clapped loudly to cheer her on.

She hesitated for a moment, then walked forward holding a sketchbook.

Ah, so hers is a creation, not a performance.

I had a rough idea—it must be a drawing.

After all, her teacher had praised her skills a lot.

Even suggested art academy counseling.

Is she really that good?

I found myself looking forward to it.

“I prepared a drawing from art class.”

She spoke stiffly, like a robot.

Even that was adorable.

“This is my drawing.”

She opened the sketchbook.

“…?!”

Something about it felt… strange.

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

“You’re so good, Yurina!”

“Draw me next time too!”

Her classmates praised her loudly.

Yurina blushed and smiled happily.

Then she glanced at me, checking my reaction.

“…?”

She tilted her head.

Of course she would.

Because my face had completely stiffened.

No way… This is way too good!!

I was so shocked that I couldn’t control my expression.

The drawing showed—

Me, Yurina, and her grandmother…

All smiling together.

At a glance, it looked like a simple child’s drawing.

But—

It wasn’t.

Not at all.

This isn’t just “good for a kid”…

This is on another level entirely.