This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 2

‘···Huh?’

Look at this?

You’re staring at this?

Ah, so you think you did nothing wrong, huh.

It’s not just my guess; it seems you really think like that, with your eyes full of discontent glaring at me.

And with your cheeks swelling up like that, it’s not so much fierce as it is just pitiful and cute.

In the midst of that, what amazed me was how your forehead was glossy as if something good for the skin had been applied, without even a scratch, unlike someone who had a bandage on.

All of that combined made you look completely like… a little punk.

You know, like those ancient primitive tsundere kids who pout because spring potatoes are delicious.

Thanks to that, the more I looked at you, the more I wanted to give you a light smack on the head.

‘So, what if you glare at me?’

In a silly mood, I casually cast my gaze back at you, yet somehow, you seemed to notice the frustration contained in my gaze.

“Eek…!”

With a sound that seemed quite pouty, you tightened your grip on your dad’s pant leg, trembling in your little body.

“Oh, Yoonseo. That won’t do. You have to apologize right away for hurting your friend since it was your fault, okay?”

The adults, not expecting such a standoff among kids, simply urged you, Yoonseo, to apologize, remaining calm even at your reaction.

By the way, I just learned that our little punk’s name is Yoonseo.

Is it just my imagination, or does her name give off the feel that she’ll always be small, even as time goes on?

While I was absorbed in such a trivial thought, I couldn’t quite understand what she was so upset about, but the frustration welling up from deep inside her made her mouth, which she had tightly held, open wide, letting out a roar-like sound.

Using her tiny fingers to point, it was merely an added bonus.

“I was the one who ran into you first!”

What? Is that how it was?

I thought you were overreacting… but perhaps you were genuinely upset, not just acting like a little brat.

Well, if that’s the case, I can see why you’d feel wronged.

You did nothing wrong, and yet, just because you were unharmed while I was hurt, you’re being forced to apologize.

So, it would make sense that you would slur your words out of frustration.

Anyway… I don’t quite remember, but if that’s the case, there’s no helping it.

Here, as an adult, I have no choice but to back down first.

With that cute face and those reactions, I wanted to tease you more, but seeing the tears hanging at the corners of your eyes, I knew if I pushed it any further, it would surely blow up into something big.

With the memories of my past life suddenly coming back, my mind was already a mess, and I didn’t want to add the sound of a child crying into the mix, so I quickly bowed my head, hiding where your dad’s leg was.

“I’m sorry, I should have been more careful.”

Even after going as far as bowing my head to apologize first, why do you look even more upset and furious than before?

“Geez…”

You even glared at me while mumbling to yourself.

What a hot-headed friend you are.

Anyway, as a result, the apology unexpectedly fell to the adults.

“I’m sorry. Because of our Yoonseo…”

“Oh no, it’s nothing. Kids will be kids.”

“Still… Ah, if anything unusual happens later with the child…”

With those words, a business card that looked rather luxurious, with gold trim, appeared from Yoonseo’s mom’s pocket.

“Please contact us if anything happens, and we’ll help as much as we can.”

“Yes, thank you for your concern.”

Since the injured area was on the head and there was even a faint possibility of fainting, I suppose we all had to be extra careful.

‘It’s really amazing…’

We clearly collided, yet it’s just the side of my forehead that’s bruised.

Could it be that I possess such a talent in that area?

‘They say there are cases where kids awaken their talents at a young age…’

If that’s the case, is Yoonseo’s talent something like “rock head”?

I thought that for a moment out of curiosity, but I already knew that couldn’t be true.

If that incredible toughness was indeed due to talent, then that little girl is probably closer to “hardening” than “rock head.”

I’m suggesting that she could harden not just her forehead but other parts too.

How do I know?

Well, it’s because among the heroes currently active in fighting villains and those called Another, there are those who genuinely possess such talents.

The reason I, a mere seven-year-old, know about this is pretty obvious.

Children admire heroes.

And until yesterday, I wasn’t any different.

Did I just admire them?

I knew exactly what the active heroes were capable of, just like dinosaur-loving kids know the names of their favorite species.

That’s why even while my mind was a jumble, I could easily recall—

That person’s hero name is… Iron Lady, right?

Anyway, if that little girl Yoonseo has that kind of talent… her life ahead of her will surely be a smooth road.

‘So enviable…’

While some people only have death as their only future options, “trophy or office worker.”

“Ugh…”

It was at that moment when I reflexively let out a sigh because of the overwhelming despair that suddenly revived.

“Why is our son sighing again? Are you hungry?”

Just as Yoonseo’s family was leaving, my mom returned to the hospital room.

I was taken aback by her perfectly timed entrance, but quickly put on a poker face and shook my head.

With that smile, my mom began to pull things out from the paper bag she had brought in, setting them up, so we quickly began to eat.

Maybe it was because I had been moping around with my head in my hands.

The beef porridge was really delicious.

“You said you weren’t hungry, but you were really hungry, huh? Eat slowly, or you’ll get a stomachache.”

Even though my small stomach was already full, it was too small to hold everything.

“Did you finish? Then let’s wipe your mouth.”

“I-I…”

“Hmm?”

“I-I’ll do it.”

At first, she seemed surprised, her big eyes widening, but after a moment, she smiled at me, handing over a tissue.

“Hmm… What wind blew that made our son suddenly so mature? You even apologized to your friend earlier…”

I’d been trying to make an effort, but it seemed that my mom, who knew more about kids than anyone else, saw right through me.

“Erm…”

My heart started pounding, and just as I was feeling nervous, my mom gave me a sly look, her expression suddenly turning mischievous.

“I see! That… Yoonseo, right? You like her, huh?”

“……”

“Well, she is cute. With such fair skin…”

It might be inappropriate to say this, but I was honestly relieved my mom was oblivious.

“Then it was good you accepted that business card earlier, right?”

“Y-Yeah…”

So, there was a moment of crisis, but it was short-lived, and I could safely return to my mundane life.

The only problem was that mundane life belonged to a seven-year-old.

“Alright, let’s get up and get ready for kindergarten!”

Honestly… I was fine until that point.

No matter what the contents inside me were, this body is just a seven-year-old after all. I thought I needed to adapt to a seven-year-old’s life.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right? I should live like a seven-year-old since I became one.

So I tried my best to accept it, but—

‘Whoa, this is something else.’

The bright yellow outfit that emerged as “kindergarten clothes” was already putting my patience to the test from the start.

So… I really have to wear that, huh?

“Huh? What are you doing without your clothes on, son?”

Of course, I have to wear it.

I have to wear it, but… does it have to be that?

“Oh! You want mom to help you get dressed?”

No, that’s not it.

Just the fact that I have to wear that is already making goosebumps explode on my forearms, and if I have to wear them instead of putting them on myself?

At that point, I might really just die of embarrassment.

So I unconsciously hesitated and stepped back—

“Geez… Just yesterday, you were all mature, but you’re still a kid, aren’t you?”

Whether she knew my inner thoughts or not, my mom, who had already gathered that bright yellow outfit, was closing in on me with an insufferable smile.

-Wear it… accept your fate…

At that moment, I thought I could hear a line from some game, modified to fit my situation, ringing in my ears—though I knew it wasn’t just my imagination.

And what happened was—

…Life sucks.

Well, that’s how it went down.

But that was literally just the beginning.

The ‘real’ deal was still ahead.

What boiled up from the inside was a sense of embarrassment that I forced myself to turn away from as I boarded the bus adorned with a sticker reading “Sunshine Kindergarten.”

The place we arrived at was astonishingly a breeding ground for mischief disguised as a kindergarten.

If elementary school kids could be seen as overflowing with uncontrollable energy, these kids were their prelude.

“That’s mine! It’s mine!”

“No way! I grabbed it first?!”

Is this what they call multiplex?

Incredibly, within that small kindergarten, countless genres of films playing all at once that couldn’t coexist.

There were blockbuster throw-downs started over ownership of blocks, a love triangle with two boys fawning over one girl, and little Picassos unleashing their innate genius all over the walls and floors—art films airing simultaneously, would that be somewhat understandable?

‘Wow…’

Given that all of it kicked off less than a minute after the teacher stepped out, I couldn’t help but admire it.

Not to mention, I began to respect the kindergarten teachers all the more.

Anyway, it was hardly an environment suited for deep thoughts, and experiencing this chaotic scene, I sought refuge in a corner.

After the teacher had left, someone’s shadow started fluttering above the closed door, and I thought finally a savior had returned to restore order, my heart racing with anticipation.

Then came the sound of the door creaking open—

“Alright, everyone, pay attention—!”

I thought she was merely off to the bathroom for a minute, but the teacher appeared with a little one by her side.

But one issue arose; the little one’s face looked remarkably familiar to me.

“We have a new friend in our class. Alright, Yoonseo! It’s time to say hello to your friends!”

The puffball was, indeed, a puffball today.

However, it felt a bit different than before.

Yesterday, she was all puffed up in indignation, but now it seemed like… she was awkward and didn’t know what to do.

‘Is she a shy one?’

In any case, since I unexpectedly encountered her again, I found myself a bit dazed by the surprise, and the children’s eyes were all drawn toward Yoonseo, responding to the phrase “new friend.”

Mixed with the softened, expectant gaze of the teacher?

Yoonseo’s previously sealed lips began to curve with a hint of color, and her cheeks started to plump out.

“Ahaha… It seems Yoonseo is feeling really shy. This friend’s name is Oh Yoonseo. Let’s give a round of applause to welcome her!”

With all the children suddenly realizing they made her uncomfortable, the applause resounded awkwardly.

The puffball, or rather Yoonseo, seized her bag straps with both hands, making her escape from the teacher.

‘But why…’

Is she coming over here?

Could it be she’s aiming for revenge on me during the absence of the adults?

Even though she seemed way better off after the overnight healing that allowed her to remove the bandage, if I got hit again, that could really lead to more than just a bandage.

So I instinctively covered my forehead with my hand… but her eyes flitted over to me, as if she was assessing something strange, then she settled into a spot a bit further away.

Then she loosened her backpack, pulling it into her arms, striking a defensive pose.

Everyone could see she was silently signaling “don’t talk to me.” Yet—

Peeking.

Peeking, peeking.

To fend off the interest of the little curious things, who were on the brink of evolution into elementary school children, was far too insufficient.

A new friend had just transferred in, and even though she seemed a little irritable, she was also cute and pretty?

‘This—this is irresistible.’

Children, innocent as they are, tend to be even more judgmental about appearances than adults.

And of course, they couldn’t just let such delicious prey pass by.

Just as I expected, the curious little eyes turned toward Yoonseo started to pour in like a shower, and realizing that, I moved a bit further into a corner.

After all, when faced with a typhoon, it’s wise to avoid rather than confront it.

As I secretly shuffled further from the storm’s radius, the cautious glances I began sending over slowly swelled in curiosity.

If someone made the first move from here?

That would mark the beginning.

Before I could even finish my thought, one of the kids, who had been looking at Yoonseo with glowing eyes of curiosity, suddenly jumped to her feet—

“Uh… Hello!”

And that was the start.

Just like how when someone moves at a pedestrian crossing, everyone else begins to follow without regard for the signal, one brave child moves forward, then they all rushed out hurriedly as if they felt competitive.

“Yoonseo…!”

“Yoonseo…!”

“Yun…!”

Thanks to that, questions began pouring in like torrential rain.

But what’s funny is that Yoonseo wasn’t backing down either.

Honestly, one would expect her to fluster and throw out some words when bombarded with questions, but instead, she clamped her lips shut even tighter, making the whole situation absurdly amusing.

Is this what they call the clash of sword and shield?

The dynamics of the standoff were so intriguing that merely watching made time fly, and before I knew it, it was time to go home.

And incredibly, after hours of this contest of wills, it was—

“Alright…! Did everyone pack their bags?”

“Yes…!”

“Yes…”

The one who managed to emerge victorious from this battle, defending herself, was Yoonseo.

Perhaps they had all worn themselves out with the flood of questions.

When the teacher asked about packing their bags, the responses all sounded lethargic.

The teacher seemed to prefer this side in terms of manageability.

“Okay, then let’s follow our friend and get on board, one by one!”

“Yes…!”

Anyway, just like we’d come to kindergarten, we returned home on the bus—and—

“Next up… Dogun!”

“Yes.”

“And it says here… Yoonseo will get off here, too, right? Yoonseo?”

“…Yes.”

Turns out, this Yoonseo lives near my house.

‘Speaking of which, didn’t someone move in next door a few days ago…?’

I’m quite sure that was the case… Hmm?

Could it be?