Annyeongz One-shots

4. Fate ( 2 )

Yujin stood outside the kindergarten gates, hands in his pockets, waiting for the familiar burst of energy that was Leeseo.

When she spotted him, she came running, arms wide.

“Hello, princess,” he said warmly.

“DADDY! DADDY!!!”

“Hey, slow down, don’t run, princess.”

“Daddy!!”

To anyone watching, it was clear why Leeseo called him “daddy.” She was the daughter of Yujin’s close friends, Ryujin and Chaeryeong. Six years earlier, when Leeseo was only six months old, her parents had died in a plane crash on their way to London for work. They had entrusted Leeseo to Yujin and his mother before leaving. From that day on, Yujin had stepped into the role of guardian—and, in every way that mattered, father. He raised her as his own.

One afternoon years ago, when he picked her up from kindergarten, she had been in tears. Her classmates had teased her for not having parents. Heartbroken, she had asked if she could call him “daddy.” He hadn’t hesitated. Of course she could. And so she did—every day since.

Now six years old, Leeseo had grown used to it, and so had he.

They were supposed to head straight home, but Leeseo kept begging for donuts. He could never say no to her pleading eyes. So they detoured to their usual café.

At the counter, Yujin ordered.

“Give me two donuts and one cappuccino, please.”

Leeseo bounced on her toes, eyes sparkling at the display case full of colorful treats.

While they waited, Yujin guided her to a nearby table and sat down.

“Daddy, where’s my lollipop?” she asked.

“Here.”

“Yay! Lollipop! I have two of them!”

He smiled at her joy, letting his gaze drift around the café. Then it landed on a familiar face.

Their eyes met.

Wonyoung.

Wasn’t she supposed to be in LA? The shock hit him hard. Memories of their last fight flooded back in vivid detail—the shouting, the accusations, the way everything had shattered because of a misunderstanding.

“Wonyoung?” he murmured under his breath.

She noticed him too. The moment he said her name, she quickly turned her head away, pretending not to see.

Yujin looked back down at Leeseo, trying to act normal.

“Daddy, when can I eat my donut?” Leeseo whined.

“Wait, okay? Hmm?” he replied.

She pouted. “Why is it taking so long…”

“Princess.”

“Hmm?”

“You have two lollipops now, right?”

“Yes… why, Daddy?”

“Hmm… why don’t you give one of your lollipops to the unnie sitting in front of us?”

“Hurm, why would I do that, Daddy?”

“What did Daddy always say about sharing, hmm?”

“Ermmm… sharing is caring.”

“Good. Now go. You also think she’s a pretty unnie, am I right?”