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Chapter 8
Is She Really a Genius, Even to an Expert
“So… did the test go well?”
After Yurina finished her drawing test, only Director Jang and I remained in the director’s office.
Yurina had been sent outside to play with the other teachers while we discussed the results.
Across the table with two cups of coffee, Director Jang and I began a serious conversation.
“Yes, it was more than enough.”
Director Jang spoke confidently.
Then he leaned forward slightly, creating a meaningful atmosphere.
“Yurina is a genius.”
“A… genius?!”
“Yes. She’s the kind of genius who immediately absorbs anything she’s taught. She was born with natural talent for drawing.”
Director Jang defined Yurina as a genius with a firm expression.
“….”
Hearing an expert call my child a genius made the corners of my mouth twitch uncontrollably.
Just moments ago, I had felt half excited and half worried.
But as a father, I couldn’t help it—my ears turned red and my heart started pounding.
“S-So… what should I do?”
In my excitement, I ended up stuttering like an idiot.
I should have asked in a more dignified way—like the father of a genius.
“For a child with exceptional talent like Yurina, building a strong foundation is very important. If you entrust her to me, I will help create that foundation so she can fully develop her talent. I plan to teach Yurina personally rather than assigning her to another instructor.”
I should have been the one asking for help.
But instead, Director Jang spoke as if he were requesting it from me.
I could feel how sincerely he wanted to support Yurina.
“If you teach her personally, I would be the one who’s grateful.”
“Haha. It’s been a long time since my heart raced like this. Every time she drew a line, I kept wondering what kind of artist she would become in the future. It made my heart tremble with anticipation.”
Director Jang looked at Yurina with genuine interest and passion.
Knowing how rare it was for someone to show this much care for another person’s child, I felt like I wanted to do something for my daughter too.
“Is there anything I should do? I’ve never heard of a case like this before, so I honestly don’t know what to do.”
“You don’t need to feel too pressured. This is only the beginning. As her father, the best thing you can do is support and encourage her. That is actually the most difficult and important role.”
Director Jang calmed me with a warm smile.
“Oh… yes. Support and encouragement… that’s right. That really is the hardest thing.”
In my previous life, that was what I lacked the most.
His words struck right at the point.
And it was exactly what I wanted to give Yurina in this life.
“By the way, father… Yurina told me something interesting earlier. She said her mother was also a painter.”
I flinched.
When had Yurina even mentioned that?
My daughter really loved bragging about her parents whenever she had the chance.
“Yes, that’s right. More accurately… she lived as a painter before she passed away. Ten years ago.”
Director Jang looked startled and fell silent for a moment.
He seemed thoughtful after hearing that.
“Even so, Yurina talks about her mother so bravely. That’s admirable. Perhaps talent isn’t the only thing she inherited.”
Director Jang and I shared the same thought.
Even though Yurina grew up with just her father, she had never once shrunk back or lost confidence.
She was always proud and bright.
“If it’s not too rude, may I ask your wife’s name? I’m curious about the artist who gave birth to such a genius.”
Director Jang asked carefully.
I smiled and shook my head.
“Not rude at all. I like talking about my wife, just like Yurina does. Her name was Seol Hee-na. She mostly drew character art. I’m not sure if you’d know her, since she didn’t work for very long.”
“What? Seol Hee-na?! You mean Seol Hee-na from Yeonhwa University?”
Director Jang suddenly widened his eyes in shock.
“That’s right. Do you know my wife?”
“Haha… so she was that child’s daughter. Now I understand why Yurina is a genius.”
Director Jang laughed heartily and turned his head toward his desk.
There was a small framed photo there.
It showed Director Jang standing with students at Yeonhwa University.
“Of course I know Hee-na. She was a genius too, just like Yurina. I actually taught her for a short time in college.”
“…?!”
It was surprising.
I had no idea my wife had been connected to Director Jang.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
My wife attended a prestigious university, and someone like Director Jang would certainly teach there.
“She was bright and energetic, just like Yurina. She was always running around full of life. You could never see her tired.”
“I know. That lively personality was part of her charm.”
“But the moment she sat down to draw, she completely changed into another person. Her concentration was incredible. That’s what impressed me most about her.”
Director Jang laughed and took a sip of coffee.
“I hope Yurina grows up bright like her mother.”
“That’s my greatest wish as well.”
After that, we talked not only about Yurina but also about my wife’s college days.
I laughed a lot listening to those stories.
She was someone I always missed and longed for.
I didn’t know if I would do everything perfectly.
But I wanted to do my best to nurture the precious talent my wife had passed on to Yurina.
So that my wife could watch from the sky and smile proudly.
So that she could be happy even there.
***
“Oh my, what is all this?! Why did you buy so much?”
On the way back to our apartment complex, I happened to run into my mother.
She greeted Yurina in the passenger seat, then her eyes widened when she saw the back seat full of things.
“We went to Yurina’s art consultation today. I bought a few things on the way back.”
“A few things…?”
After the consultation, we stopped by an art supply store.
Director Jang said we only needed basic drawing paper, 4B pencils, and watercolor tools.
But as a proud father whose excitement had reached the sky, that was impossible.
I filled the cart with every art supply I had never even seen before.
The car was completely packed.
“There’s stuff in the trunk too?! Are you opening an art store or something?!”
“Mom, sorry, but can you help me carry this?”
“…Fine. If I don’t help, you’ll throw out your back.”
Luckily we met in front of the apartment.
Otherwise I would have had to go back and forth between the parking lot and the house four times.
“Grandma! I went to an art academy today and learned drawing!”
“Oh my~ our Rina went to an art academy? The teachers must have been amazed! Our Rina draws so well!”
“Yes! They praised me a lot!”
“Of course they did! Our Rina is the best~!”
While carrying the supplies, Yurina proudly told her grandmother everything.
I quietly smiled.
Later I would explain everything to my mother.
Because Yurina didn’t just get praise.
An expert called her a genius.
A genius… my daughter is a genius.
For a parent, nothing could make the heart race more than that.
A genius recognized by a leading expert in the field.
Even now, I still felt like I was floating.
The excitement hadn’t faded at all during the drive home.
“Sigh… finally moved everything. Why did you buy so much? Did the academy tell you to prepare for an exhibition already?”
My mother looked at me suspiciously after we finished moving everything inside.
But instead of feeling embarrassed, I raised my chin proudly.
“…?”
She raised an eyebrow at my strange expression.
“W-Why are you looking like that?”
Mom, your granddaughter is a genius.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you sick?”
Your granddaughter is a genius.
“Sung-woon… your face looks weird…”
Our treasure is a genius!!!
“You’re starting to scare me…”
Today nothing could ruin my mood.
Even if a stranger randomly hit me in the head, I would probably just laugh it off.
Why?
Because—
my daughter is a genius.
Flop.
I spread my arms and fell happily onto the bed in the bedroom.
In my mind, I could already see Yurina’s future.
Yurina wearing an elegant dress, standing proudly as the star of an exhibition in London, England.
People admire the paintings in the gallery.
Yurina speaks in fluent foreign languages as she explains the artworks.
And I watch the scene from afar with a proud smile.
The perfect future!
Compared to this, even becoming a writer for a ten-million-viewer movie felt insignificant!
Yes! My daughter will grow up to paint elegant masterpieces—
“I’m gonna be a webtoon artist~”
…?
My fantasy shattered instantly.
I turned my head.
Through the bedroom door, I saw Yurina walking past.
A webtoon… artist?
That strange comment stuck in my head.
I jumped up from the bed and followed her into the living room.
Yurina was lying on the floor, drawing in her sketchbook.
Since my mother left, she had been playing there alone.
But what I heard earlier kept bothering me.
I quietly stood behind her and looked at her drawing.
It was a hero that looked like me, fighting monsters.
Despite the silly concept, the drawing quality was incredibly high.
I cautiously spoke.
“Yurina…?”
“Yes?”
“What are you drawing?”
“A comic. This is Dad Ranger.”
“D-Dad Ranger?”
I was happy she made me into a character.
But something still felt strange.
I sat next to her and asked carefully.
“Do you like drawing comics too?”
“I always read webtoons on Dad’s phone.”
“Yeah, I know that. But I didn’t know you liked drawing them.”
She just likes them… that’s all…
But suddenly Yurina lifted her sketchbook and smiled brightly.
“I decided today after going to the art academy.”
“…Decided what?”
“Hehe. I’m going to become a webtoon artist.”
…!!
My body froze.
“Why… a webtoon artist? There are exhibitions in London too…”
“Huh? London?”
I felt confused.
It was the first time Yurina had ever told me what kind of job she wanted.
Of course being a webtoon artist wasn’t bad.
But what about London… exhibitions… guiding visitors…
“The academy director told me I have a lot of talent. If I study hard, I can become someone amazing someday.”
“That’s right! You can become amazing! But why specifically… a webtoon artist? Webtoon artists don’t hold exhibitions in London… I mean… they usually work in Korea…”
I really wanted to know the reason.
But Yurina’s answer was short and simple.
“Webtoon artists make a lot of money.”
“….”
I had never expected that answer.
It felt like someone hit me in the head with a hammer.
…My daughter… is a capitalist.
