* * *
The staff was frantically avoiding the bee, and I was left alone on the floor.
Seeing this, Mom put down the microphone and tried to stand up.
‘Mom, stop. You shouldn’t come over.
Because, you see.
I placed my hands on the floor and lifted my hips.
I wanted to move quickly, but my body didn’t follow my will.
After struggling to stand up, I took a step forward. Then I toddled along.
‘I will go there myself.’
I heard people murmuring. I smiled brightly and walked towards my mother.
‘Mom, this is the first time you’re seeing me walk, right?’
That’s why I prepared for this.
‘Well, I didn’t know it would be this long, but it’s just a few steps.’
It wasn’t a big stage. But for a baby, it was quite far.
I heard the host’s voice.
“Oh, the baby is walking on his own?”
Yes! This is exactly what I aimed for.
With every step I took, the flowers on my backpack swayed.
‘The props are great. They enhance my cuteness.’
At times like these, the stronger the presentation, the better.
I intentionally wiggled my hips more.
Thanks to that, the artificial flowers in my backpack swayed even more.
‘Yes, look at me. Audience of the premiere.’
With each step, I felt the gazes.
Soon, the screen showed me walking.
‘Everyone is holding their breath.’
It was going according to plan.
‘Now, it’s time for a bit of a crisis.’
Just as I was taking the tenth step, I fell flat on my bottom.
At that moment, people gasped. I felt the tension in the air.
I deliberately furrowed my brows.
My expression was vividly shown on the screen.
The audience must be expecting.
‘They think I’ll cry.’
But dear audience, you like twists, don’t you?
I smiled brightly and gathered my strength again.
Then I toddled forward as before.
The host, excited, spoke quickly.
“Oh, the baby didn’t cry and got up again!”
Yes, that’s right.
‘Hehe, just as planned.’
I could feel the audience murmuring.
‘Well, I couldn’t help it.’
In exchange for keeping the nun being healthy, I fall once every ten steps.
‘I didn’t create a crisis on purpose. Though I considered it.’
I kept moving forward. Soon, I was in front of my mom.
I reached out my hand and spoke.
“Mama!”
Mom covered her mouth and blinked.
The host hurriedly brought the microphone closer.
“Actress Ma Soo-jung, your son brought you flowers.”
I expected my mom to smile widely. But she just stood there, looking at me.
“Our little Kongja….”
Tears fell from my mom’s eyes. ‘Huh, what?’
No. Why are you crying!
Mom rubbed her eyes with one hand.
But the tears kept coming.
The host, flustered, asked.
“Ah, no. Actress Soo-jung! Why are you crying!”
“Our little Kongja.”
Mom slowly knelt down.
Thanks to that, the host holding the microphone also sat down.
I looked into my mom’s eyes.
Her beautiful eyes continued to fill with tears.
‘What is she trying to say.’
I reached out my arm.
Mom took my hand with her other hand.
She muttered softly, but the microphone amplified her voice.
“I don’t know his birthday.”
Oh.
‘Of course you don’t.’
I don’t know it either.
Mom shook my hand.
“So I was planning to pick a good date and have a first birthday party.”
Tears welled up in her eyes again.
“But I’ve been so busy lately. I just couldn’t find the time.”
The host hurriedly consoled her.
“Ms. Ma Soo-jung, you’ve been busy. With the upcoming release of [City of the Dead] and the new drama you’re starting.”
Wow, promoting the movie even in this situation.
‘This host is a pro.’
Mom nodded slightly.
“Yes. I’ve suddenly been getting many good roles. So lately, I’ve only seen my Kongja while he was sleeping.”
I blinked.
‘That’s true.’
But mom. You need to row when the tide comes in.
‘If you miss out on projects because of me, that would be even sadder.’
I don’t want to ruin your filmography because of me.
‘Actress Ma Soo-jung is a treasure of the film industry.’
Don’t worry about me and take on lots of projects.
Mom panted softly. She kissed both my hands.
I felt the soft touch.
“I didn’t even know our Kongja could walk so well.”
Oh dear….
“To think I missed his first steps….”
I shook my head hastily.
“Bwa bwa!”
No, it’s not like that.
‘Damn it.’
It was the nanny who hid my walking.
‘I misjudged.’
How did she find out?
Did I walk too well?
I thought she’d be simply happy seeing me walk!
Why is she sad!
‘Ah, honestly, it’s okay! An actress should live a busy life!’
What’s so special about a child walking!
‘They walk and talk when it’s time.’
Mom hugged me. I let out a small breath.
‘I still don’t fully understand. No, lately I’ve been feeling it occasionally.’
Being touched and saddened by such trivial things.
Is this what mother’s love is?
What on earth is this.
‘So, mom.’
I murmured inwardly.
‘Use coin!’
[How would you like to use the Love and Peace Coin?]
‘Make mom healthy!’
[To make mom Ma Soo-jung healthy, 30,000 coins are needed. Do you wish to proceed?]
By now, I should have gathered 30,000 coins.
Mom’s embrace was warm. I whispered softly.
“Bwa!”
Execute!
[Executed]
[Every action has a consequence]
[As a consequence of using the coin, you will become tone-deaf for six years]
Oh.
‘What an odd consequence.’
I let out a long breath.
‘Well, I wasn’t planning on becoming a singer anyway.’
‘Moreover, it’s not even a lifetime, just six years.’
Mom stood up, holding me. I gently grabbed her hair.
‘Compared to having Mom healthy for life, it’s a small price to pay!’
How wonderful that someone who loves me so much is no longer in pain!
‘Coins are the best!’
I recalled mom’s last moments from my previous life.
‘The reporters took a photo of her memorial picture without permission.’
I remembered it clearly because it was sad to see the final image of a beautiful and talented actress.
‘Now, she should be able to avoid that death, right?’
I stared intently at my mom.
Her fingers lightly brushed my cheek.
I wiggled my legs and touched her eyes with my hand.
Don’t cry. Don’t be sad.
‘You’ll live a long, long life with me.’
Though I didn’t get to experience it in my previous life, I’ll try my best to be filial.
Mom. Our eyes met, and we both smiled.
How much time passed?
* * *
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