Chapter: I’m Gwuuwoot
Even though something huge had happened in Jeju Island, the everyday life at the kindergarten didn’t stop.
At Saebom Kindergarten, the kids were busily preparing for the end-of-year recital.
The class younger than Guru’s was already practicing their fan dance.
And while Guru had been away in Jeju, the 4-year-old Chick Class had apparently decided on doing a play.
“Here you go, this one’s for you, Guru.”
“Nyeng!”
Guru took the script that Teacher Jungyoon handed her.
After distributing the scripts to all the kids, the teacher raised her voice and said,
“Make sure to show your script to your parents when you get home!”
“Nyeng!”
First play! First role!
Thump-thump!
Come to think of it, there was someone she could ask for help with a play.
Guru grabbed her phone right away.
Woojoo-yah!!
Woojoo-yah, Woojoo-yah, you busy?
Woojoo
Nope!!!
Why?
Help me!
Guru got a huge role in her kindergarten class.
Woojoo
Kindergarten? What are you doing?
A play!
It’s The Fairy and the Woodcutter.
So I’m asking... Woojoo-yah...
Wanna come over to Guru’s house?
The Fairy and the Woodcutter.
In this play, adapted to suit the children’s perspective, Guru’s role was none other than “Tree 1.”
However, to avoid upsetting kids with minor parts, each role came with an elaborate character backstory...
“Tree 1” was a character who dreamed of revenge on the deer that munched on its baby leaves every day—and then, one day, an unexpected chance came along.
A hunter appeared to catch the deer.
So the single line of dialogue was:
“Mr. Hunter, over there! The deer is over there!”
Woojoo, sitting on the living room sofa, looked over the script Guru handed him, then raised his eyes.
“How is it?”
Asked Guru, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Pretending to stay cool, Woojoo replied,
“Not a bad role.”
Not the fairy, not the woodcutter, not the deer or the hunter—but “Tree 1,” the tree that sells out the deer...
Still, Woojoo made up his mind to teach Guru some serious acting.
If she ended up enjoying acting from this play, maybe they could film something together someday.
Then, as her senior, he could guide her...
And they’d get to spend more time together too.
Perfect.
“To act well, you gotta immerse yourself first.”
Putting on a serious face, Woojoo raised his arms like tree branches.
“Mm!”
Guru lifted her arms the same way.
“Woojoo, you pwayed a twee before?”
“Nope. First time...”
Woojoo mumbled.
“But I can do it. Just trust me.”
“Mm-mm!”
“From now on, think like you’re a tree.”
“Okey!”
I am a tree... Gwuu is a twee!
Just as Guru was about to completely dive into her role, Woojoo suddenly asked,
“Hey, by the way. That thing you mentioned before.”
“Mm?”
“Preschool. You’re really going?”
“Huh? Mm. Gotta take a test da week aftuh next.”
Though it was called a test, it was preschool-level, so it wasn’t hard—as long as Guru paid attention to a few things.
Read da questions carefully... Don’t write “Supreme One” anywhere...
She recalled the warnings Seol Yeo-jin gave her. Then Woojoo suddenly spoke fast:
“About that—I’m taking the test too. I got permission from my dad.”
Guru’s mouth dropped open. Woojoo? Taking the Yustitia Preschool test?
“Reawwy weawwy?”
She leaned in close, and Woojoo’s shoulders twitched.
“Y-Yeah... You don’t mind, right?”
“Nooo! If Woojoo goes too it gonna be super fun! Gwuu sooooo excited!”
“R-Really?”
Woojoo’s face turned tomato-red and he turned away.
Actually, the moment he heard Guru would be going to preschool, he begged his dad and submitted an application.
But he’d spent the last three days and nights agonizing over how to tell her.
He’d been worried she might hate him for “following her around”...
But she’s this happy about it.
Well, of course. Gwuu wuvs me.
His heart filled with warmth and excitement, pounding faster in his chest.
Feeling great, Woojoo tried to glance over at her—but then suddenly sensed a stare and turned his head away fast.
A hamster was drooling and staring intently at Woojoo.
What the—why is it looking at me like that?
The hamster never took its eyes off Woojoo, wiping its drool away with the back of its paw.
...?!
Just as that odd, sticky feeling was starting to sour his mood...
Beep-beep—
The door lock clicked and Jurim stepped in.
Youngran trotted over from the kitchen to greet him.
“Welcome back, sir.”
“Thanks. Everything okay? Did Guru get home alright?”
“Oh, our little darling...”
Youngran covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Jurim, puzzled, peeked into the living room.
He froze at the sight of two preschoolers standing with their arms raised.
Guru had said she’d be playing with Woojoo after school instead of going to the office today...
“What... are you two doing?”
“Tree.”
“Tree.”
They answered in unison.
“...Tree?”
Jurim repeated blankly, and Youngran helpfully explained:
“Our little puppies are practicing their roles for the kindergarten play. They’re playing trees.”
“Trees?”
Jurim looked at his daughter—the one who brought home a professional child actor with awards—practicing tree acting.
“They have lines—”
Just as he was about to ask if there were any lines, Woojoo cut in:
“Mister, we’re in deep immersion, please don’t interrupt.”
Guru nodded firmly, the sprout on her head bobbing.
“I’m Gwuuwoot.”
Youngran chuckled and patted the dumbfounded Jurim’s back.
“You should go get changed, sir.”
Mouth agape, Jurim walked ★ Novelight ★ past the little trees and went into the dressing room.
▶ Hyeonak Minor Squad Group Chat
Sehri Oppa! When are you getting discharged?
Gidan
Ser-ser, when you leavin?
Sehri
Why are you talking cutesy like that
Are you four?
Gidan
Baby-Dani 16 year owd
Baby-Gwuu 4 year owd
Gidan
🤣🤣🤣 So cute
Sehri has left the chat.
Gidan has added Sehri back.
Gidan
Sehri
Ugh...
(squirrel emoticon looking shy with hands behind back)
Hey, Ser-ser Oppa...
Sehri
You too?
Guru’s doing a play next Saturday at her kindergarten...
Can you come?
Gidan
Jurim hyung and Nayeon noona are both going
You should ditch the hospital and go too
Sehri
Okay, I’ll go
I’m getting discharged today anyway
Yay!
Gidan
Go Sehri!
What’s the play about though?
What role does she have?
Gidan
“...Tree?”
At Sehri’s mumble, Jin Siwon, who was helping him pack for discharge, echoed back.
“Guru?”
“What, you knew?”
“I was invited... to the, um, kindergarten... recital thing.”
Tripping over the unfamiliar word, Siwon finished with a sheepish smile.
“But are you sure you’re ready to leave? You could stay a few more days.”
“I already feel great.”
Sehri stretched lightly and pulled up his status window.
[Recovery in progress due to elixir... 98%]
The elixir Guru gave him had even regenerated the hardened calluses on his hands to baby-smooth skin.
His body felt so light he couldn’t even get used to it. He was getting antsy just staying in the hospital.
'Though... that’s not the only reason.'
He glanced sideways at Jin Siwon, who was packing next to him.
The elixir restored all damage—including any flaws in memory.
And so, even Sehri’s fragmented memories were restored.
When one of his orphanage memories returned unexpectedly, Sehri lowered his gaze.
He’d remembered the young boy who used to bring him bread and pat his head.
His hand paused as he brushed his nape.
'Shit! I shouldn’t be thinking about this!'
Sure enough, when he looked up, Siwon was quietly wiping away tears.
Sehri pressed a hand to his forehead.
'Figures.'
Over the past few days, he’d learned the hard way—not to think freely in front of someone with reading skills.

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