* * *

A sharp voice was heard.

“I told you I don’t like this!”

The nun gently covered my ears, but it couldn’t muffle the piercing voice.

“Marie hated it when I came close. I children despise me.”

“Ms. Ma Soo-jung. It will only take a moment.”

“Even my own child hates me, so why would another kid like me?”

I moved my heavy head slightly and glanced at her.

‘Ma Soo-jung, right?’

Hidden behind the nun’s shoulder, I could only catch a glimpse of her brown hair. I knew that name from somewhere, and now I remembered!

‘The third daughter of the Sungjin Group?’

I knew her.

Ma Soo-jung. She was an actress. She had stunning looks and was a decent performer.

‘She was a pretty successful actress.’

She had a fiery personality and was often embroiled in controversies, but her filmography was quite impressive.

‘We worked on several projects together, though we never had overlapping scenes.’

That was because I was just a supporting actor with no interaction with the leading ladies.

‘Usually cast as a villain’s henchman or the protagonist’s friend number two.’

So, I never met her on set. The only time our paths crossed was briefly at award ceremonies.

‘Oh, wait!’

Suddenly, I opened my eyes wide.

‘Ma Soo-jung is dead, isn’t she?’

Five years ago, Ma Soo-jung died in a car accident.

The cause was never revealed. I only remembered the numerous rumors.

‘But… she’s alive now?’

I let out a groan of disbelief.

“Bwaaah…”

The nun tried to soothe me.

“Looks like our little Kongja was startled by the loud noise. It’s okay.”

No, Sister, that’s not it.

“Bwuppa!”

What is going on?

‘Ma Soo-jung didn’t die, or….’

A hypothesis crossed my mind.

‘What year is it now?’

A calendar hung over the nun’s shoulder. I hadn’t seen it before because I couldn’t turn my head.
Damn it!

2010?

‘It’s the past?’

It was 20 years before the year I died.

‘I thought I was reincarnated, but I didn’t realize I had traveled back in time.’

I let out a deep sigh.

“Bwah…”

‘So that’s why Ma Soo-jung is alive.’

I nestled my face against Sister Teresa’s shoulder and observed her from 20 years ago.

She looked young, beautiful, and healthy.

‘She seems to be in good spirits.’

Seeing her so energetically irritable, she didn’t look like someone who would die soon.

‘Why would someone like her make such a bad choice?’

Whether she knew what I was thinking or not, Ma Soo-jung continued to shout.

“Get someone else! I hate this!”

“Ms. Ma Soo-jung, it’s just one shot.”

So, she’s a model for the promotional photo.

I flailed my arms and pondered.

‘Well, that’s that, and this is this.’

I had no bad blood with Ma Soo-jung. I wasn’t interested in the rumors.

I just wanted the promotional photo to be taken quickly.

‘Whoever sees it, this handsome face will earn Love and Peace Coins.’

Additionally, it would promote this orphanage.

‘Corporate sponsorship is precious. The kids here need good clothes and food.’

I looked up at Ma Soo-jung again. Unfortunately, she was still yelling loudly.

“I said no!”

Excuse me, Ms. Ma, it’s troublesome if you keep doing that.

“No means no!”

Seeing her screaming, I thought we might not be able to take the photo at all.

‘Is there no way?’

Then a good idea struck me.

‘Ah, they said I could use the coins for anything.’

Surely, I could use them here too?

“Bwoo! Bwuppa, bwaaah”

Using the Love and Peace Coin!

Even though only cute baby babbling came out, it didn’t matter to me.

[How would you like to use the Love and Peace Coin?]

I quickly responded.

‘To take a photo with Ma Soo-jung!’

“Bwoo, baaang!”

This way, the orphanage’s funds would be boosted!

A caption appeared.

[To take a photo with Ma Soo-jung, you need 3 coins. Would you like to proceed?]

Oh, it’s possible!

And it’s cheap!

‘Proceed!’

[All actions come with a cost]

[As a side effect, a red spot will appear on your sole, and it will feel hot for one minute]

[Total coins: 177]

A red spot? Does that mean a scar? It felt a bit creepy, but I didn’t care.

‘Who’s going to see the sole of my foot anyway?’

If it’s too bad, I can remove it when I grow up.

‘The problem is the burning sensation, huh?’

How hot would it be?

Then, as if on cue, my sole started to sting.

‘Wow, this is no joke!’

“Bweee!”

I clapped my feet together while being held by the nun.

‘It feels like my feet are on fire!’

I wanted to rub them, but my short arms couldn’t reach.

“What’s wrong, Kongja?”

“Bweee!”

They’re burning!

My flailing caught the attention of the crew.

‘Oops, there are onlookers!’

If not now, when? I had to endure the pain for the sake of the coins and gave a big smile.

“Bwaaah…”

‘Please take care of me. Give me lots of coins.’

So I can keep Sister Teresa healthy.

Then the crew’s eyes changed.

Even the loudly protesting Ma Soo-jung began to stare at me.

‘Did it work?’

From then on, I had one goal.

‘Coins and money!’

No other choice.

Come on, Ms. Ma, look at my smile. It’s the cutest thing in the world.

Despite the pain, I flailed and kept smiling.

“Bwababaa…”

I smiled desperately, even with my eyes.
How long did I stay like that?

The burning sensation in my feet subsided. But I was waiting for something else.

‘The coins should appear soon…’

But then,

“…….”

“…….”

Everyone was still. They just kept staring at my face without moving.
I tugged at the nun’s robe.

‘Excuse me, excuse me?’

“Bwaaang?”

At that moment, the man holding the camera with a blank expression shouted.

“C-cute…….”

The other staff members around him let out low exclamations in succession.

“My goodness……. This is the first time I’ve seen such a pretty child.”

“Wow……. Look at those big black eyes and that adorable nose!”

[The camera staff are delighted by your cuteness]

[Love and Peace Coins increased by 10]

[Your manager is delighted by your cuteness]

[Love and Peace Coins increased by 10]

[A PR staff (assistant manager) is delighted by your cuteness]

[Love and Peace Coins increased by 10]

[A PR staff (manager) is delighted by your cuteness]

[Love and Peace Coins increased by 10]

[Total Coins: 127]

‘Yes, this is it. This is it!’

Indeed, I needed a larger audience. And I shouldn’t forget the after-service.

I wiggled my feet and babbled in thanks.

“Bubaaah!”

A PR staff member quickly approached me.

“Wow……. Really cute. Sister, what’s this baby’s name?”

“He’s called Kongja.”

“Kongja? What’s his surname?”

“We haven’t decided yet. We’ll attach one soon.”

Then, the camera staff, realizing their job, spoke up.

“Please, step back a bit. I need to take some photos.”

“Oh, sure.”

“Wow, I’ve taken photos of child actors before, but this baby is unbelievably cute. How can there be such an adorable baby?”

The nun, who had been wearing a gloomy expression, finally smiled slightly as she held me.

“Our Kongja, isn’t he really pretty?”

“He’s so pretty. How did this child end up here?”

“A few days ago, he was abandoned in front of the orphanage.”

“Oh my!”

The PR staff covered her mouth in shock.

“It’s cold these days!”

“Yes, it could have been terrible. He’s a child with a sad story.”

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

I chuckled inwardly. This kind of atmosphere works to my advantage.

‘At times like this, it’s best to act even brighter!’

That way, the tragedy will be even more amplified.

I smiled brightly with all my might.

“Bubaaba!”

An expression of pity crossed the faces of the staff and employees. The nun silently patted my back.

No one spoke, but I could feel it. Their eyes were getting misty.

‘Ah, if this were a human documentary, it would be a sea of tears even without sad background music. Such a pity.’

[The camera staff are sad yet delighted by your cuteness]

[Love and Peace Coins increased by 50]

[A PR staff (assistant manager) is sad yet delighted by your cuteness]

[Love and Peace Coins increased by 50]

[A PR staff (manager) is sad yet delighted by your cuteness]

[Love and Peace Coins increased by 50]

[Total Coins: 367]

Huhu, it’s rising smoothly.

‘Sister Teresa, I’ll earn a lot of coins and make sure you stay healthy!’

I was flailing my arms and legs excitedly when it happened.

* * *