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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: First Steps
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A staff member carried me up the stairs. It was the moment all eyes gathered at the edge of the stage.

Suddenly, the staff member flinched.

“A-a bee!”

The staff member didn't know what to do.

‘Is this because of the coin?’

Panicked, the staff member quickly put me down. And just then, the stage lights flooded over me.

‘Wow, the timing on this is killer.’

The staff member was in a frenzy trying to avoid the bee, while I was left alone on the floor. Seeing this, Mom put down her microphone and started to stand up.

‘Mom, stop. Don't come over here.’

Because, you see…

I placed my hands on the floor and lifted my bottom. I wanted to do it quickly, but my body wouldn't listen.

After a struggle, I finally stood up and took a step. Then I toddled forward.

‘Because I'm coming to you.’

I could hear the crowd murmuring. I beamed and walked toward my mother.

‘Mom, this is the first time you've seen me walk, right?’

That's why I prepared this.

‘Well, I didn't realize it would be this far when it's just a few steps.’

It wasn't a large stage, but for a baby's steps, it was quite a distance.

The MC's voice rang out.

“Oh, the baby is walking on his own!”

Yes! This is exactly what I was aiming for.

With every step, the flowers in the backpack I was wearing swayed.

‘Props are great. They really double the cuteness factor.’

In moments like this, the more dramatic the presentation, the better.

I intentionally wiggled my bottom more. Thanks to that, the artificial flowers tucked into my backpack swayed even more.

‘That's right. Look at me, everyone in the audience.’

I could feel the gazes on me with every toddling step. Soon, I could see myself walking on the large screen.

‘Everyone's holding their breath.’

It was all going according to plan.

‘Now it's time for a little crisis.’

Just as I took my tenth step, I plopped right down on my bottom.

The crowd gasped. I could feel the tension in the air.

I deliberately furrowed my brow. My expression was shown vividly on the screen.

The audience would be expecting it.

‘For me to cry, that is.’

But, ladies and gentlemen of the audience, you love a good twist, don't you?

I gave a bright smile, pushed myself up with my legs again, and toddled forward just like before.

The MC, excited, spoke quickly.

“Oh, the baby didn't cry and got back up!”

Yes, that's right.

‘Heh heh. Just as planned.’

I could feel the buzz from the audience.

‘Well, it couldn't be helped, though.’

In exchange for making the Sister healthy, I have to fall once every ten steps.

‘I didn't create the crisis on purpose. Though I did take it into consideration.’

I continued on. Soon, I was right in front of Mom.

I held out my hands and said,

“Mama!”

Mom covered her mouth and blinked. The MC quickly brought a microphone to her.

“Ma Sujeong, your son has brought you flowers.”

I thought Mom would break into a wide smile. But she just stood there, looking down at me.

“My Gongja...”

A tear fell from the corner of her eye. ‘Huh? Wait a minute.’

No. Why are you crying!

Mom rubbed her eyes with one hand, but the tears kept coming.

The MC asked in a fluster,

“Oh, no. Sujeong! Why are you crying!”

“It's my Gongja.”

Mom slowly bent her knees. The MC holding the mic also had to crouch down.

I looked into my mother's eyes. Tears kept welling up in her beautiful eyes.

‘What is she about to say?’

I reached out my arms. Mom took my hand with her other hand.

She murmured softly, but thanks to the microphone, her voice echoed widely.

“I don't know his birthday.”

Huh.

‘Well, of course.’

I don't even know it myself.

Mom held my hand and shook it gently.

“So I was planning to pick a good day and have a first birthday party for him.”

Tears welled up in her eyes again.

“But I've been so busy lately. I just couldn't find the time.”

The MC quickly tried to console her.

“Ma Sujeong, you have been busy. *City of the Dead* is about to be released, and you're starting a new drama, too.”

Wow, he managed to sneak in a plug for the movie even in a moment like this.

‘That MC is a real pro.’

Mom gave a slight nod.

“Yes. I happened to come across a lot of good projects all at once. So lately, I've only been able to see Gongja when he's asleep.”

I blinked.

‘That's true.’

But Mom, you have to strike while the iron is hot.

‘It would be even sadder if you couldn't take on a project because of me.’

I don't want my mom's filmography to be ruined because of me.

‘The actress Ma Sujeong is a treasure of the film industry.’

Don't worry about me and take on lots of projects.

Mom let out a small gasp. She pressed her lips to both of my hands.

I felt their soft touch.

“I didn't even know my Gongja could walk this well.”

Oh, no...

“To think I couldn't even be there for his first steps...”

I frantically shook my head.

“Bu-bu!”

That's not it.

‘Damn it.’

Ansan-daek was the one who hid the fact I could walk.

‘I misjudged the situation.’

How did she find out? Did I walk too well?

I thought she'd just be happy to see me walk! Why is she sad!

‘Ah, honestly, it's fine! An actress is supposed to live a busy life!’

What's the big deal about a baby walking!

‘They just walk and talk when the time comes.’

Mom pulled me into her arms. I let out a small breath.

‘I still don't really get it. No, I've been feeling it sometimes these days.’

Getting so moved and saddened by something so trivial.

Is this what a mother's love is?

What in the world is this all about?

‘So, Mom.’

I muttered inwardly.

‘Use coin!’

‘Make Mom healthy!’

<30,000 coins are required to make your mother, Ma Sujeong, healthy. Proceed?>

I've probably collected all thirty thousand coins by now.

My mother's embrace was warm. I whispered softly.

“Ba!”

Execute!

Huh.

‘That's a random price to pay.’

I let out a long breath.

‘Well, it's not like I was planning on becoming a singer anyway.’

Besides, it's only for six years, not my whole life.

Mom stood up, holding me. I gently grabbed a strand of her hair.

‘Compared to Mom being healthy for the rest of her life, it's a cheap price to pay!’

To think that the person who loves me this much won't be sick anymore!

‘Coins are the best!’

I recalled my mother's final moments from my past life.

‘The reporters had taken pictures of her funeral portrait without permission.’

The final photograph of the beautiful and talented actress was so sad that I remembered it clearly.

‘She's avoided that death now, right?’

I stared intently at my mother.

Her finger gently brushed my cheek. I kicked my legs and reached up to touch the corner of her eye.

Don't cry. Don't be sad.

‘You're going to live a long, long life with me.’

I've never done it before in my past life, so I don't really know how, but I'll do my best to be a good son, Mom.

Our eyes met. We smiled at the same time.

I don't know how much time had passed.

The MC spoke in a flurry.

“I see. Ma Sujeong. Your son has given you flowers. How do you feel!”

Jeez.

‘He was doing so well, but that was a bit random.’

Still, he has to follow the script, so I get it.

Mom held me and caught her breath.

“I'm happy.”

The artificial flowers sticking out of the white backpack dangled.

“I'm so happy that no matter how hard things get, I think I'll always be happy just remembering this moment.”

Wow, all I did was show up with a few flowers!

‘What's so special about this that you'd remember it for the rest of your life!’

“I see! That was the flower presentation from Ma Sujeong's adorable son. Now, let's move on to the next segment.”

Mom met my eyes and shifted me slightly in her arms. I smiled brightly and looked for my reflection in her pupils.

‘Strange.’

Is it because Mom said she's happy?

‘I feel pretty good, too.’

In fact, I was the one who felt happy.

Just then, someone called my mother's name. I looked up and saw Director Heo Bongpal.

“Sujeong. Are you okay? You were crying a lot.”

“Ah, I'm sorry, Director. Crying was a bit much, wasn't it? On such a happy day.”

The director immediately shook his head.

“Not at all. If anything, it'll create buzz and get the movie's name out there, so it's a good thing. But...”

The noise of the premiere filled the air. The MC was interviewing another actor.

“Maybe it's because he's your son, Sujeong. He's really different.”

Well, now.

‘You certainly know how to judge a person.’

Mom adjusted her hold on me and replied,

“That's because my Gongja is an angel.”

“Of course, he's as cute as an angel. But Sujeong, I've never seen a baby who doesn't cry under the lights in a crowded and chaotic place like this.”

Mom nodded.

“My Gongja is a brave one.”

“No, it's more than that. This kid is strangely unafraid of the lights. It sounds funny to say, but he seems like he was born for the stage. It's fascinating every time I see him.”

You've seen correctly. That's exactly it.

I grinned at the director.

‘How about it? Are you interested in casting me, Director?’

You're going to make a lot of great films from now on. Cast me in a bunch of them.

Mom laughed and replied,

“Oh my. I guess Gongja takes after me. Gongja, do you like the stage?”

I kicked my legs furiously.

“Ba!”

Yes!

Mom looked at Director Heo Bongpal and asked,

“Doesn't it seem like he's saying yes?”

“I guess so. Hey, kiddo. Do you really like the stage?”

“Ba!”

Yes!

The director grinned.

“Wow, if you play your cards right, we might be seeing each other again.”

Wow.

‘You're saying exactly what I wanted to hear.’

I'd love that.

‘Since you're about to churn out hit after hit.’

Director Heo Bongpal patted my cheek a couple of times, then looked back toward the front. I dangled my legs, still held in my mother's arms.

‘Everything went according to plan today.’

I could hear the crowd cheering. Listening to the MC, I blinked my eyes.

‘Ah, I'm sleepy.’

I rubbed my cheek against my mother's chest. She smiled and said,

“Gongja. You can sleep if you're tired.”

My eyes closed on their own.

‘Babies sure do sleep a lot.’

That was my last thought.

* * *

Ansan-daek smiled at me.

I waved a hand as if to say I was fine and got up from the carpet.

‘Time to walk.’

Although the price I paid means I'll be forced to fall once every ten steps for the next year, I still needed to exercise.

‘Maybe it's because I'm a baby. Controlling this body isn't easy.’

As I pushed my bottom up and stood, Ansan-daek clapped her hands.

“Our Gongja, you get up so well! Oh, the mistress should see this again!”

She saw it at the premiere. Hmm, does she want to see it again?

‘Ah, speaking of the premiere...’

A sigh escaped me.

‘Was it because of the price I paid? I slept like a log.’

When I opened my eyes, I was already home.

‘What a shame. It had been a while since I was on a stage.’

I wanted to enjoy it a little longer.

Ansan-daek said,

“Auntie is going to step out for a bit! Be a good boy!”

“Ba!”

Ansan-daek was gone.

‘Well, it's safe enough.’

The only thing on the carpet was a sofa with child-proofed corners. And every place I could get to was blocked by a safety fence.

‘Now, if Ansan-daek is gone...’

A grin spread across my face. I toddled over and pressed a button on the remote sitting on the sofa.

‘It's been so long since I've watched TV!’

I could hear the cast members laughing.

‘A variety show? Ah, it's an entertainment news program.’

I'd rather watch a drama than this.

I was just about to change the channel.

The MC's voice came on.

“This next segment is ‘Juri's on the Go.’”

“Juri, I hear you went to a premiere this time?”

“That's right! I, Juri, went to the premiere of the most anticipated film of the first half of the year, *City of the Dead*!”