Chapter 53: The Unfamiliar Celebration

With the use of the Wish Ticket, a new window popped up on the Godflix screen.

To fulfill your wish, please follow the instructions below.

- Go to the GoX Aquarium at 2:30 PM on 20XX.05.30.

“Aquarium?”

I kept staring at the popup, which kindly displayed the exact date, time, and place.

‘Does this mean I’ll be able to meet Areum if I go there?’

It was so much more considerate than the mission windows, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious for a moment.

When I divorced Jeon Min-jeong, I had signed over all parental and custody rights on the condition that I would never see Areum again.

Of course, she wasn’t related to me by blood at all, so there was no room for dispute on that front.

And I never once thought about tormenting them by using the child as leverage.

But ironically, even after the divorce, thoughts of my daughter would suddenly cross my mind from time to time.

That old saying about how the bond formed through raising a child is scarier than the one formed by giving birth—it felt like those words were meant for me.

‘Anyway, the 30th… That’s less than a week away.’

I’d made the wish on a whim, but now I wondered if it could really be this easy to meet Areum, whom I’d thought I would never see again.

‘All I can do is wait.’

I stood up from the bench and started to walk away slowly.

---

A newly built five-story petite building in Cheongdam-dong.

It was the new headquarters of H Studio, which had just moved from Hapjeong-dong.

The beige-toned exterior, clean and modern, seemed to scream, “I’ve made it!” as if reflecting the CEO’s taste perfectly.

“If it gets stained, cleaning the building is going to be tough.”

“You’re such a stickler, Writer.”

“Haha, congratulations. The building is gorgeous.”

“I delayed our move for this place. The architect who built it is with a famous label in Rotterdam. It’s all thanks to the back-to-back success of  and . It’s thanks to you, Writer. Thank you.”

“Hm. I won’t deny it.”

“But did you dress up like this because you’re coming to our opening party? Wow. I’m honored.”

CEO Hong Ju-hee turned around and eyed my outfit as if surprised.

“Is it okay? It’s my first time in this style. Do I look younger?”

I let out an awkward smile, feeling strange in my beige knit sweater, jeans, and casual shoes.

“Yes! You look so much younger. You’ve always looked young for your age, but this style is almost dandy.”

“Phew. That’s a relief.”

“What’s this? Are you dating someone, Writer?”

“Huh?”

“No, it’s just, you’re wearing an outfit women would love. And asking if you look young—feels like you’re trying to impress someone.”

“Haha, well. I wouldn’t say I’m dating, but it’s something like that.”

“Hm, very suspicious.”

“Oh! Director Seo, hello.”

“Hello. Long time no see, Writer. You look younger than ever.”

“Hahaha.”

I glossed over the topic and went up to the second floor of H Studio’s headquarters with Hong Ju-hee and Seo Sun-ae.

The lobby space with its full-length windows sparkled under the south-facing sunlight.

The spacious marble-topped island was covered with small, colorful finger foods that looked straight out of a hotel buffet—truly like a scene from an American drama.

The hired staff, dressed in crisp suits, roamed with champagne and wine, offering them to guests so that even the employees could enjoy themselves.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“Why, Writer? I heard you’re working on a new piece. Are you on another drinking ban? We’ve got some really good stuff today. Just one for me, please?”

“Aigoo. All right.”

Reluctantly, I accepted a glass of red wine.

Back in the days when I only knew soju, but now as I took a mouthful, savoring the aroma before swallowing, letting the flavor spread—tasting the grape on my palate—I suddenly felt the taste of success.

“Mmm. This is really good wine. There’s even a hint of cheese. Where’s it from?”

“Oh? Writer, you had the red? Oh no, that one’s nothing, have some champagne. That’s the good stuff.”

“Ahem.”

For no real reason, I downed the remaining wine in big gulps.

Soju really is the best. Domestic stuff is unbeatable.

“By the way, Writer, did you get the message?”

Hong Ju-hee, now carrying an entire bottle of champagne, poured me a glass as she started speaking.

“What message?”

“There’s this Japanese director, Kudo Kei. He’s a huge name in dramas. He directed some really famous Japanese dramas in the late 90s and early 2000s. You know , right?”

“Oh, the debut work of that actor Sajimoto Won?”

“Yes. It’s the legendary romantic comedy that made a national star in Japan.”

Hong Ju-hee’s eyes became wistful, as if reminiscing about her first love.

“Anyway, that director said he’d like to meet you. Apparently he was deeply impressed by . After asking about your schedule and details, he said he’d like to invite you to Japan. He wanted to ask you personally, so I gave him your contact info.”

“I see.”

“I don’t know what’s up, but this seems out of the ordinary.”

Just as CEO Hong said, the fact that a Japanese director wanted to meet me was far from normal.

And to be invited to Japan—none of my writer colleagues or industry friends had ever mentioned anything like this, so I had no clue what he might want.

“Well, I’ll find out if I wait.”

“Hoho. You really are unfazed, Writer.”

“You’re Lee Jun-hyuk, right? Hello.”

“Wow, I’m a huge fan.”

“These are our new hires. Our staff has grown, hasn’t it?”

“Could you… would you mind signing something for me?”

“A signature? Haha. I don’t really have one.”

“Just write your name, please!”

“Gasp. Can I get a photo with you then?”

Surrounded by the new employees of H Studio, I received the kind of treatment usually reserved for celebrities.

In the middle of it all, Hong Ju-hee disappeared and sent a teasing message.

-Writer. If Director Kudo Kei gets in touch, you have to tell me what it’s about. And good luck on your date today.

Geez. I told you, it’s not a date.

---

A few days later.

The day designated by the Godflix Wish Ticket finally arrived.

With a nervous face and dressed in the same outfit I’d worn to see Hong Ju-hee, I got out of my car and headed towards the GoX Aquarium…

Of course, worried I might smell like a bachelor, I’d even taken my clothes to the dry cleaner for special care.

It was the first time in nearly two years since my divorce from Go Min-jeong that I would see Areum.

A child’s eyes are always sharp, so I didn’t want to appear shabby when seeing her after so long; I even got a haircut at a salon.

Hong Ju-hee, whose sense of style is impeccable, had complimented my look, so I figured I wouldn’t seem outdated to even a child.

‘Phew. The aquarium, huh.’

No matter where it was, I’d be nervous, but seeing that the place was an aquarium, I thought to myself: this is why Godflix is called Godflix.

During the time I lived with Areum, child-rearing was pretty much all on me.

As soon as Jeon Min-jeong gave birth, she fell into severe postpartum depression, and even after getting treatment, her mood towards the child was unstable like bipolar disorder.

Because of that, even her family didn’t let her and Areum be alone together, so I spent most of the time with Areum.

Thinking back, maybe Jeon Min-jeong felt a twinge of conscience at the time.

After all, having a child born of incest—what a contradiction that must’ve been.

‘Not that I feel sorry for Jeon Min-jeong.’

Her mental illness was just a consequence of her own sordid actions.

That was her burden to bear.

The one I pitied was Areum.

Most children’s first word is “Mom,” but Areum’s first word was “Dad.”

Areum, who learned everything quickly, next memorized the names of fish.

She’d find the fish in every picture book and encyclopedia, and rattled off names I’d never even heard before.

Only after reciting countless fish names did she finally say “Mom.”

“Dad. Let’s go see fish with Mom.”

When she was four, after seeing an aquarium special on TV, Areum said that.

Looking at her bright eyes, sparkling as she watched a tank ten times her size, I wanted to scoop her up and take her there right then and there.

But Jeon Min-jeong always avoided it, saying she was busy, and when I suggested just the two of us go, Areum shook her head—so we never went to the aquarium she loved so much.

It made me realize that no matter how much money you have, you can’t always get what you want.

If the Wish Ticket from Godflix could really let me meet Areum today, it would fulfill not just my wish, but hers as well.

“Excuse me, do I buy tickets for the aquarium here?”

I couldn’t stay lost in my feelings forever.

It was almost 2:30 PM, just as Godflix had said.

Even though it was a weekday, the aquarium was eerily quiet.

There weren’t even any staff around. I waited a long time at the ticket booth, then finally flagged down a uniformed employee.

“Ah. We’re closed to the public today.”

“Huh? Why?”

I dumbly repeated the unexpected answer.

“The whole place is rented out. We announced it on our website, but I guess you didn’t see.”

When I searched the portal map, it said the only closed days were for holidays.

Who checks the homepage thinking someone’s rented out the entire aquarium in the middle of Seoul?

But I didn’t have time to argue.

“I really need to get in.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Could you tell me who rented the place?”

“No, it’s for an elementary school field trip.”

As soon as I heard “elementary school,” the name of Areum’s school popped into my mind.

“By any chance… is it Ira Elementary School?”

“Oh, yes. Are you a staff member?”

At the employee’s words, I was suddenly certain Areum was inside.

Ira Elementary was an elite school attended by the children of Korea’s top politicians, businesspeople, and celebrities.

From the moment Areum was born, everything she would eat, wear, go, attend, and even whom she would meet was predetermined.

Areum, who started first grade this year, went to Ira Elementary, and if the entire aquarium was rented for their field trip, then just as Godflix said, I could meet her today.

‘The problem is, how do I get in when I’m not a school staff member?’

I almost asked to be let in, saying my daughter was inside, but stopped myself.

Legally, I was no longer Areum’s father. Biologically, even less so.

If I made a fuss, it could create a scandal with CL Group.

And in the process, Areum could be hurt again.

For a moment, I wondered if I’d selfishly made this wish just for myself.

‘What if Areum is shocked to see me?’

She might have quickly adjusted after her dad disappeared.

Thinking of that, fear crept in.

My heart ached at the thought that Areum might not welcome me.

“Excuse me, sir?”

“Oh. No, it’s fine. Thank you.”

I decided not to create any unnecessary trouble.

Once I’d chosen to divorce, this was a consequence I had to bear.

“Dad?”

Just as I turned to leave, giving up on seeing Areum—

A familiar voice called out from behind me.

“Dad, right? Dad!”

Areum, in a pink dress and white flats, came running and threw her arms around my leg.

“Areum? How did you….”

“Dad, Dad. I missed you so much. I really, really wanted to see you!”

I knelt down to meet Areum at eye level.

Looking at her angelic face, tears like chicken droppings rolling down her cheeks, I thought to myself.

‘Ah. I was being stupid.’

Just seeing Areum’s face made me feel like all the happiness in the world was in my arms.

“I missed you, too. Dad really, really missed you, Areum.”