twenty-three.
[flashback]
Just before Seolmi turned 6 years old

Seolmi continued to stare at the window for an hour straight, cautiously peeping whether a black car had already parked near the playground she'd always go to play. Huffing a sigh because there was none, she slumped her body on the couch, which eventually made her dada squint his eyes on her.

"What are you doing, Seol? You've been like that for an hour and it's bothering me. Will your friends come over?" Taehyung asked, worry evident in his voice. His daughter pouted at him before shaking her head slightly.

"They won't, dada. Can I go play outside?"

"Just be back before dark, okay? Don't go too far because I'll call you once the cookies are done."

Seolmi kissed her dada before storming out of the house, her favorite stuffed bunny glued in her hands. Upon arriving at the playground, Seolmi made her way up the tree house, careful not to step on some dead branches and released a breath of relief when she already arrived on top.

She curled her body on the floor, knees pressing against her chest before she decided to take a quick nap. However, she heard a car honk and she immediately beamed towards the person who got off the car.

"Seolmi~ Are you here?" He shouted.

"Daddy! Here!"

Jeon Jeongguk snapped his head upwards, squinting his eyes as if trying to find Seolmi. He then showed his bunny smile when he saw Seolmi's little hands, waving from the window inside the tree house.

"My baby. Come on down! I have something to give you."

"Daddy catch Seolmi!"

Jeongguk laughed before positioning himself under the tree. His arms outstretched, ready to catch his daughter whenever she jumps down from her little sanctuary. Seolmi finally went outside the treehouse, and trusted his dad to catch her when she falls down.

Seolmi landed with a soft thump against her father's chest, giggling.

"How's my baby girl?"

"Seolmi's okay now she sees you!"

"How's your dada?"

Seolmi frowned upon mentioning her dada's name. She settled her face on the crook of Jeongguk's neck before whispering.

"Dada always lonely. You can't live with us, daddy?"

Jeongguk released a sigh and lifted Seolmi's chin, looking at her straight in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, Seolmi. Now is still not the time. But I promise I'll live with you soon," Jeongguk assured her. Seolmi just nodded and decided to let her dad carry her towards their favorite spot in the park near the playground. In front of them is a lake, surrounded by beautiful swans. They sat on the blanket laid on the grass that Jeongguk used to bring all the time when he visits Seolmi.

"Tomorrow is your birthday, right Seol?" The little girl nodded.

"I came here to celebrate your birthday in advance because I can't be here with you tomorrow. That's why I brought you your favorite cake."

"Is it chocolate cake, daddy?!" Jeongguk smiled warmly when he saw how his daughter's eyes glimmer with so much joy.

"Yes, dear one. It's chocolate cake."

"You brought strawberries, right?"

"Of course, sweetie. I secured the strawberries even before coming here so you don't have to worry about it."

"Uhuh. Last time you only brought chocolate and no berries."

Jeongguk fed Seolmi with her favorite, laughing when the little girl tried feeding herself but always ended up getting chocolate on either side of her face.

After eating, the two decided to play for awhile before taking a nap under the big tree. Cuddled inside his warm embrace, Seolmi looked up to see her father's face before smiling and pecking up his cheeks.

"I love you, daddy."

Jeongguk opened his eyes, and almost melted when he heard what Seolmi just said. He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer.

"I love you too, my little snowflake."

It was almost 5 in the afternoon when Jeongguk woke up to the loud music coming from his phone. Careful not to wake the little girl that was still sleeping, he immediately reached for his phone and answered whoever the fuck was disturbing their sleep.

"What the fu-"

"Jeongguk! I'm really sorry that I disturbed you and Seolmi but I need you here like right now! Please hurry!"

"I swear to God, Lalisa. This better be worth leaving my daughter. What happened?"

"Well, dad gave me a surprise visit and Jennie was here! He almost caught us making out on the couch but good thing the door's locked. Jennie already left but now he's looking for you!"

"The fuck is the problem with that old hag of yours?!"

"I don't fucking know. So if you want to save your ass from this crazy man, come here quickly! Please say Hi to Seolmi for me!"

The younger screamed from the other line before ending the call. Jeongguk could only roll his eyes before deciding to nudge the little girl gently.

"Seolmi, it's almost dark. I think you should go back home before your dada looks for you," he whispered in her ears. Seolmi rubbed her eyes before pouting. Jeongguk panicked when tears started forming in her eyes.

"Daddy leaving me again?"

"Oh no, baby. Don't cry, please. I will come visit you again soon, okay? Just wait for daddy. Can you do that, my princess?"

Sniffing, Seolmi just nodded her head in defeat before hugging Jeongguk limply. Jeongguk carried her again back to the playground and settled her on the swing before bending down to kiss her forehead  goodbye.

"We will be together soon, Seolmi. Just wait a little bit more."

Jeongguk muttered to himself before starting the engine.

❄️

Seolmi celebrated her birthday simply. She had some pre-school friends and teachers to come over their house to celebrate with her.

Jeongguk, on the other hand, was just hiding inside his car, happy enough to take a glimpse of whatever they are doing inside the house. He made sure that everyone was busy before he got off the car and left a package on the doorstep. He rang the doorbell once then scurried his way back inside his car.

Taehyung opened the door, confused when he didn't see anyone. He was about to close it again when his foot bumped into the package. He picked it up, thinking that maybe it was from one of Seolmi's classmates who couldn't come and just decided to leave a gift for her.

"Seolmi! Someone left you a gift!"

Seolmi ran her way to the door and before she even accepted the gift, she looked at the direction where Jeongguk's car was parked, and she gave her father the sweetest smile she could give, making her dimples visible and dragged her dada inside their house.

"Dada I will blow my candles now!"

Seolmi closed her eyes, and pictured out herself, along with her dada and daddy.

"Please," She said inwardly before blowing out the candles.

Seolmi was always hopeful.