Chapter 32: Dad, Where Are You?

The ride had started so awkwardly—a tense silence between the two CEOs and Seo-woo, with the occasional odd glance. But things took an unexpected turn when the traffic ahead came to a screeching halt.

A loud crash echoed through the street. Several cars had piled up, forming an intricate web of accidents that blocked off the entire road. Fortunately, everyone seemed to be okay, with only minor bumps and bruises.

Min-ho scratched his head in frustration. "Well, this is fantastic. We'll have to take a detour."

Seo-woo leaned forward slightly, squinting out of the window. The traffic stretched for miles. "How far is the detour?"

Min-ho shrugged, looking at the mess ahead. "A good 20-minute drive, give or take."

Seo-woo's heart sank. There was no way he'd make it to the kindergarten by 6 p.m. with this delay. Not possible. No way.

His eyes darted to his watch—5:51 p.m. The panic hit like a wave.

He fumbled for his phone in his pocket, quickly pulling it out and dialing Auntie Song's number. But as soon as he pressed the call button, the phone shut off. Dead. No battery.

"Great," he muttered under his breath.

Woo-seok, noticing his unease, looked back at him. "What's wrong?"

Seo-woo's voice trembled a little as he explained. "I promised my kids I'd be there before 6 p.m. at the kindergarten. It's a big deal."

Woo-seok raised an eyebrow. "I can let you use my phone if you want to call."

Seo-woo felt himself panic more. "I don't know Auntie Song's number by heart! I was supposed to call her, but now I'm stuck!"

Min-ho sighed. "Well, we can't exactly sit in traffic forever. We have to find another way."

Then, in the corner of his eye, Seo-woo spotted something that made his heart race in a different way—a public rental bike station.

Without thinking twice, he opened the door of the car and turned to the two CEOs. "Thanks for the ride, but I'm going to take a bike. I have to make it to the kindergarten now."

Min-ho blinked. "Wait, what? You're riding a bike?"

"Yeah, it's quicker," Seo-woo said, already moving towards the bike, not waiting for their approval. "You two—find Hye-sung and get my number if you need me. Call me if anything comes up."

With that, he glanced briefly at Woo-seok, who was still staring at him. "See you."

He didn't wait for a response. Seo-woo was already on the bike, tapping his T-money card. He kicked off with a burst of energy, pedaling as fast as he could. His heart was pounding. There was no time to waste.

Less than 10 minutes until 6 p.m.

Luckily, the kindergarten wasn't far—less than a kilometer away—and Seo-woo was convinced he could make it. His legs burned as he pushed the pedals, but his focus remained sharp. His kids were counting on him.

Meanwhile, back at the kindergarten, the triplets were starting to feel the anxiety. They knew their father had promised to be there. The event had already started, and his absence was becoming more and more noticeable.

Seo-min, holding onto his stuffed toy tightly, whispered a prayer. "Please, let Daddy come on time."

Auntie Song, visibly worried, tried to call Seo-woo once again. But the phone was still dead.

Ye-joon and Jung-woo stood there helplessly, trying to offer comfort, but both men felt equally lost. They had no idea what else to do.

The program had progressed, and the emcee called for the first performance—the triplets' turn was just about to arrive. But the door to the stadium remained closed. They were all left waiting in suspense, hoping for a miracle.

Just as the emcee began to announce the opening act, the stadium door suddenly creaked open. Everyone's heads turned in that direction.

Was it?

The triplets' eyes widened, praying it was their father.

They stared at the door with a mix of hope and desperation. Would he make it in time?

---

The moment the stadium doors opened, the crowd turned their attention, expecting something grand. But instead, another parent hurried inside, looking around frantically for their child. The voice of a small child echoed through the stadium, calling out, "Daddy! Over here!" The crowd's attention shifted toward the reunion, but it only deepened the ache in the triplets' hearts.

Seo-jun, with his gaze cast downward, fought back the tears welling in his eyes. He was about to walk up to the emcee, his voice trembling as he intended to explain that their father couldn't make it in time. But before the words could leave his lips, tears spilled from his eyes. Seo-min and Seo-jin, seeing their brother about to cry, instinctively clung to him, their own tears threatening to fall.

They had waited for this moment, their hearts aching with hope that their father would be there. But now, with the door closed and no sign of him, the hope began to fade, replaced with a growing sense of disappointment. Their father hadn't arrived. Had he forgotten them?

And then, just as the emcee was about to announce their names again, the door creaked open. The room went quiet, and through the open door, Seo-woo appeared.

Disheveled and out of breath, his face flushed from the running, he wore his fairy costume, barely holding itself together, his hair slightly messy from the rush. He had made it, but barely. His panting breaths filled the air as he rushed toward his children.

The triplets looked up, disbelief flooding their faces. Was it really him? Tears spilled from their eyes as they screamed in unison, "Daddy!"

Seo-woo's heart skipped a beat at the sight of them. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees and opened his arms wide, and the triplets ran into his embrace, the reunion more emotional than words could capture. His heart ached to see their tears, and he held them tight, wishing he could turn back time and have been there sooner.

"I'm so sorry," Seo-woo whispered, his voice cracking. His own eyes welled up. He had promised them he would be there, and yet there had been obstacles, so many obstacles. But now, at this moment, nothing mattered more than holding them, feeling their warmth and love. He kissed their foreheads, wiping away their tears with the sleeves of his costume, his hands trembling.

Auntie Song, standing off to the side, couldn't hold back her tears either. Her heart swelled with love for Seo-woo and the triplets. Ye-joon and Jung-woo stood behind her, their smiles gentle and filled with affection for the family. This was a moment they would all remember — a moment of pure love and connection.

But the moment, as beautiful as it was, could not last forever. The emcee, unsure whether to interrupt or let the scene play out, cleared his throat softly.

Seo-woo gently pulled back from his children, wiping away the last of their tears with a loving smile. "Alright, my little stars," he said, his voice full of warmth, "We're going to make this one unforgettable moment, okay? We've got this."

Seo-min nodded, a small, brave smile breaking through his tears. Seo-jin sniffled, his face already lifting, and even Seo-jun, though still a bit teary-eyed, straightened up, feeling the power of his father's reassurance.

Seo-woo took a deep breath, his smile now wide and confident, as he nodded to the emcee. They were ready.

The emcee gave a small nod of acknowledgment and announced to the crowd, "And here they are, the first performers! The Ryu triplets—Seo-jun, Seo-min, and Seo-jin, with their father, ready to light up the stage!"

The audience cheered, and with a gentle squeeze of his children's hands, Seo-woo led them onto the stage. The triplets, their spirits lifted, followed eagerly, knowing that no matter what happened next, their father would guide them, love them, and remind them that family always came first.

One of the parents suddenly asked, "Is that Ryu Seo-woo?"

Another one said, "Omg, it's him."