PAID

“-Dad, I’m heading to work.”

“Dad, you’re leaving already?”

“Hey, you said you’d play with us today.”

“Cheh….”

At the age when they just wanted to play, his children grumbled softly, and the man who now bore the name "Dad" scratched his cheek awkwardly.

Because he felt guilty.

He had been so busy these past few days that he hadn’t been able to pay enough attention to his children.

Then—

“You little rascals, your dad isn’t going out to play; he’s going to work! Are you going to keep whining?”

A well-timed reinforcement stepped in, and the children’s complaints were swiftly subdued.

“Honey….”

“You need to be firm too. Say, ‘Hey! Listen to your dad!’ …like that.”

“I just feel bad for them….”

“Come on, you can play with them next time. Oh, and be careful. I read in the paper that the royal family and the temple are at it again.”

“…Got it, got it.”

“Just say it once! Now, go on, get to work!”

“…Alright.”

Listening to his wife’s encouragement-laced nagging, the man smiled wryly but still set off for work.

For the sake of his reliable support—his loving angel—and the three little angels that God had sent him.

A man called dad, husband, and provider.

Yes, just an ordinary man, a head of a household like any other, took another step out into the world today.

The day at work would no doubt be exhausting and difficult, but still, he could endure.

Because, after all—