Detached | Seungjin

Twenty-Two

Seungmin took a glance at his daughter's direction, smiling as he saw the wide grin on Minji's face as she played around the playground. He puts his books on his side and walked towards his daughter's direction.

"Minji."

"Papa!"

Seungmin cooed, putting his hand on his daughter's head, "Papa is going to a restroom for a while, okay?"

Minji nodded, "Yes, papa!"

Seungmin gave a gentle ruffle on his daughter's hair before turning his heels and walking away to go to the restroom.

Meanwhile, there was a guy in an office suit on his way to the playground, with a paper bag on his hand. He headed towards Minji's direction who was giggling in excitement, clueless that there was a guy approaching him.

"Baby."

Minji's eyes lit up as she heard a familiar voice. She turned around happily and squealed, "Uncle Jinnie!"

She ran to him immediately and Hyunjin engulfed her to a hug with a giggle, "Hello, baby."

"Uncle Jinnie! I missed you!"

Hyunjin chuckled, bringing her up to his arms and poking on her nose, "Aw, you miss me already?"

She nodded, "I wanted to play with Uncle Jinnie again!"

Hyunjin gave her a smile and showed her the paper bag in his hands, "How about you eat first?"

"Really?! Uncle Jinnie has food?!"

"Mhm."

"Yay!"

* * * * *

Minji sat on Hyunjin's lap as she ate the burger Hyunjin has bought for her. Hyunjin keeps playing with Minji's hair as he watched his daughter in awe.

"It's so good, Uncle Jinnie!"

Hyunjin chuckled, "You like it?"

"I love it!"

Hyunjin smiled in satisfaction as he saw his daughter smiling. Ever since Jihoon came, he felt a lot more insecure, and he felt like as if he was no longer the father of this little girl.

"Minji? I have a question."

"What is it, Uncle Jinnie?"

Hyunjin paused for a bit, "Why do you... call Jihoon your papa?"

A bright smile formed in Minji's face, "Because Papa Jihoon is so nice! Papa Jihoon has always been by my side. He would always visit Minji and Papa then he will play with me!"

There it was again, the pang Hyunjin felt in his heart. The fact that his daughter seems to love his rival so much makes him feel like he has long lost this competition.

"Papa Jihoon was also there when I first went to school! Papa is always busy with his school so Papa Jihoon would always watch over me and play with me!"

Another hit.

Hyunjin's lips slowly curved into a smile as he stopped playing with Minji's hair and resting his chin on the girl's head. 

As much as he hates to admit it, Jihoon helped Seungmin for the past years, considering Seungmin was still a college student and a single parent at the same time.

He hates Jihoon, just as much as he did back in high school. But the fact that Jihoon was there by Seungmin's side when he needed someone makes him feel grateful for him.

Once again, Hyunjin gently plays with Minji's hair, "You're lucky to have Jihoon by your side, then."

Hyunjin felt pained, especially that Jihoon was by Minji's side this whole time, acting as her father. But he accepted it. After all, five years had already passed, and as much as he wants to come back, he won't be able to turn back time and marry Seungmin just like how the couple had planned.