I grinned with delight while patting So-Yeon’s head. I took out my notepad and wrote on it again.

- Is this Daddy?

“Yeah! You beat up bad monsters and save people! Just like Superman. So, Daddy, you’re Superman.”

I hugged So-Yeon without saying a word. I felt her warmth. I felt like I didn’t deserve this kind of love from her. I closed my eyes and remained there for a long while.

I felt So-Yeon squirming in my arms. She wasn’t trying to escape my hug, but was trying to hug me even more tightly. As the subtle scent of her shampoo tickled my nose, I suddenly felt sad. I couldn’t figure out why the shampoo’s scent had triggered this emotion, but my heart felt suddenly heavy.

I took out my notepad.

- So-Yeon sweetie.

“Hmm?”

- Do you still like Daddy?

“Hmm? Why wouldn’t I like you Daddy!? You’re my Daddy!”

- Well, Daddy’s been too busy to even play with my sweetie.

“I’m all grown up now! And the uncles and aunts are nice to me too. I have a lot of friends.”

- Then, you aren’t lonely even when Daddy doesn’t come back after going outside?

I followed up with a rather sensitive question. I was worried that she might take it the wrong way.

So-Yeon stared blankly at the sentence I wrote, and after a moment, she turned her bright...