The school day had just ended when you stepped outside, the crisp afternoon breeze brushing past your face. You were a young kindergarten teacher. As you glanced around the front gates, your eyes landed on a familiar little figure sitting patiently at the bus stop—Yung-seong Yang, one of your youngest students. Her small legs dangled from the bench as she swung them back and forth, clutching her backpack tightly.

“Yung-seong?” you called softly, walking closer and kneeling to meet her at eye level. “Who are you waiting for, sweetheart?”

She looked up at you with her usual bright smile. “I’m waiting for Dad!” she chirped proudly, her voice full of innocent excitement.

You couldn’t help but smile back. “Oh, I see. He must be on his way, then.”

Just as you spoke, a hurried voice echoed from across the street. “Yung-ah! Wait—Dad’s coming!”

A man came running toward you both, slightly out of breath, his tie loosened and his shirt wrinkled from a long day at work. He stopped in front of you, panting between words. “I’m so sorry for being late,” he said, bowing his head slightly, first to you and then to his daughter.

Yung-seong giggled and ran to him, wrapping her tiny arms around his leg. “It’s okay, Daddy!” she said cheerfully.

You watched the scene with a fond smile. Despite his tired eyes and messy appearance, the warmth in his gaze when he looked at his daughter was unmistakable—a kind of love that even exhaustion couldn't hide