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Chapter 21
“Uncle!”
“What are you, a ghost? At least make some noise when you walk!”
“Please don’t make offers like that to a kid when I’m not around.”
Doha spat the words coldly, shoved the grocery bag into Wooyeon’s arms, and scooped Yewon up in one smooth motion.
Yewon went willingly into his embrace.
From the arms holding her so tightly, she could feel it—unmistakable affection.
…It’s been a long time since I felt this protected.
He was the complete opposite of the “uncle” from her previous life.
That man wouldn’t have worried about her like this—he would’ve shouted at her to accept the offer already.
Doha looked down at Yewon, concern written all over his face.
“What did CEO Park say while I was gone?”
“Um. Well—”
“Forget it. Whatever he said.”
…That’s a bit much.
This wasn’t just anything—it was a good opportunity. She couldn’t just forget it.
“Lee Doha, don’t get heated for no reason. I only asked Yewon what she thought. I was planning to finalize things after you came back.”
“CEO.”
Doha looked at Park with a gaze that said he was completely done.
“You crossed a line. I’m her guardian. You shouldn’t bring things like this up without her guardian present.”
“……!”
At the word guardian, everyone’s eyes widened.
They knew Doha had decided to raise Yewon—but hearing him clearly recognize himself as her guardian was unexpected.
“I know. I know. But you’re impossible to talk to—what am I supposed to do?”
Facing Doha’s icy stare, Park raised both hands.
“Yewon here is easy to talk to. Seriously—try to be half as reasonable as her, will you?”
“Don’t ever discuss work with her without me again.”
“Alright, alright.”
Park let out a long sigh.
What was there to talk about with a rock, anyway?
“…Han Wooyeon. Is the food ready?”
“Y-Yeah! Just finished! Perfectly rolled eggs!”
At Doha’s words, Wooyeon hurriedly began bringing the dishes out.
The tofu stew and rolled omelet Wooyeon had made, along with the kimchi and side dishes Doha had bought, were laid out neatly on plates—forming a perfect home-cooked meal.
“…Let’s have Yewon eat first.”
After saying that, Doha fixed his gaze on Park.
“Don’t bring it up again.”
“…I said I got it, damn it.”
Park shook his head.
Before Yewon even picked up her spoon, Doha took a bite of the tofu stew himself.
“…You made it mild. Good.”
“You practically begged me to make it mild so Yewon could eat it! How would I make it spicy?!” Wooyeon snapped back incredulously.
Yewon stared up at Doha.
You really went that far?
Doha muttered awkwardly.
“You always make food too spicy. Kids… aren’t supposed to eat that stuff. And they said she should use these chopsticks.”
Only then did Yewon notice—everyone else had regular chopsticks, but hers were different.
These are… training chopsticks for kids?
He must have bought them while grocery shopping.
“Oh? Who told you about those?” Wooyeon asked.
“…O-Tube.”
“Which channel?” Park asked, puzzled.
Blushing, Doha answered quietly,
“…Ji-appa’s Solution TV?”
“……”
“……”
Silence fell over the kitchen.
“…You sure you’re Lee Doha? You’re not possessed by someone else or something? You actually watch that kind of stuff?”
Yeah.
When did you even watch that?
All three of them stared at Doha at once.
“I can’t believe you’d take care of things like this. Wow. I mean… you are meticulous, I’ll give you that.”
Both Wooyeon and Park looked at him like he was a rare species.
Ignoring them stubbornly, Doha cut the omelet into small pieces and placed some onto Yewon’s spoon.
Thus, the awkward breakfast continued.
“…Chew properly, Yewon. You’ll get indigestion.”
“I’m not a baby.”
“You are a baby.”
“…….”
As always, Doha looked like he was worried she might break at any moment.
“Hey, Yewon! It’s good, right?! Amazing, right?! How’s your uncle’s cooking? Forget Lee Doha and come live with—”
“Nope.”
“…….”
Wooyeon was deeply wounded.
“Ahem. Doha, about the variety show—”
“No.”
“You heartless punk.”
Park clearly looked like he was waiting for another chance to bring it up.
And caught in the middle of all this, Yewon genuinely felt like she was about to get indigestion.
…How do I bring it up again?
She glanced at Doha.
“You have to eat a balanced meal. Here. You had braised beef earlier—this time, spinach.”
Doha looked so busy taking care of Yewon that it was hard to tell whether his food was going into his mouth or his nose.
Isn’t this a bit much…?
Okay. Step one—calm Uncle down.
“Uncle. Say ah.”
“!!”
Yewon lifted her spoon and held out a bite of rice and spinach just like he’d done for her.
Startled, Doha froze.
“Ah. You have to eat too! You haven’t eaten at all!”
“…Ah.”
Reluctantly, Doha opened his mouth.
Before he could close it, Yewon quickly shoved the food in and grinned.
Spinach elimination: success.
Even fourteen-year-olds hated spinach.
“…Wow. Look at you two. Having fun. What about the guy who cooked—”
“Uncle, you too. Ah.”
“!!!”
To shut Wooyeon up, Yewon grabbed a big clump of spinach with her chopsticks and held it out to him.
“Y-You’re giving this to me? If it’s for Uncle, I’d prefer omelet—”
“Ah.”
“…Ah!”
Under the glares of the other two adults, Wooyeon finally opened his mouth.
Good. Spinach cleared.
Mission complete.
Yewon smiled wickedly and polished off the rest of the side dishes.
Alright. Time for the next stage.
“Uncle.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you… not like the idea of me being on TV?”
“…….”
Doha hesitated.
He knew Yewon dreamed of becoming an actress—and he didn’t want to stop her.
But her dream was one thing. Getting tangled up with Glit was another.
Especially now.
Even when the world loved Glit, he’d been cautious about tying Yewon to them.
And in a time like this—when things were bad—would it really benefit her?
“It’s not that. I like that you want to act. I support you. But…”
He chose his words carefully.
How could he explain Glit’s situation without hurting her feelings?
He felt completely lost.
“Then… are you ashamed that I’m your family?”
“!!!”
Not just Doha—everyone there sucked in a sharp breath.
“No! Absolutely not!! Hey!! Lee Doha!! Say no properly, right now!!” Wooyeon shouted first.
“Of course not, Yewon. That’s not what he means. He just… has terrible wording. Lee Doha. Explain yourself properly,” Park added, barely holding onto his composure.
No matter how smart she was, she was still a child.
Letting her think something like that was unacceptable.
“Of course not, Yewon,” Doha said firmly, finally collecting himself.
“Then why don’t you want to be on TV with me?”
“That’s because…”
“It’d be fun if Uncle Wooyeon and you and I all played together on TV! I can do really well on TV too!”
“…….”
Seeing how excited she already was, Doha couldn’t bring himself to continue.
How could he possibly explain that it wasn’t just innocent play?
Just as he was sinking into despair—
“And… I want to show the whole world that you’re my family!”
Yewon beamed.
Doha felt like his heart dropped straight through his chest.
“I want to say I have the coolest uncles in the world. That I have a family. That I’m not alone… I’ll be going to school next year.”
“……!”
At her words, everyone there forgot how to breathe.
How had they forgotten?
Next year, Yewon would start school.
Whether they liked it or not, she’d see how other kids lived.
“Other kids all have moms and dads. I’m not jealous at all. I already have two amazing uncles. I want to brag about that…”
“…….”
Without even answering, Doha lifted Yewon and settled her on his lap.
But doubt still lingered in his heart.
…Can I really be a source of pride for her?
Before, he would’ve been more confident.
But now—public opinion about Glit was at rock bottom after Taeyoung’s departure.
In a situation like this…
“…You want to brag about me?”
Could I really be your pride?
Doha hesitated.
But—
“Yes!”
Yewon answered without a moment’s pause.
“…!”
“Because you’re the kindest uncle in the whole world.”
She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
“So you’re the uncle I’m most proud of.”
Those words—
And the small warmth clinging to his neck—
Melted Doha completely.
