Accidentally become a father-Chapter 94: A Different Morning

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The morning sky.

The air was still cold.

I walked beside Yuna.

The bag on my shoulder felt full.

Heavier than usual.

The straps dug slightly into my shoulder.

Yuna walked by my side.

Small steps. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

But she didn’t fall behind.

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"Are you going to work again, Papa?"

"Yes."

"What time are you coming home later?"

"You came home really late last night."

I raised my hand.

Gently patted her head.

Her hair got a little messy.

"Maybe in the afternoon."

I paused for a moment.

"...maybe tonight."

I pulled my hand back.

"I don’t know."

Yuna looked down slightly.

"...it depends on the situation."

"...oh..."

She lightly kicked a pebble on the road.

"Well..."

"...I’ll have to cook for myself again..."

"Papa..."

"Hm."

"Can I eat noodles later?"

"Sure."

She turned to look at me immediately.

"...but only one."

"...yay."

Her voice was quiet.

But clear enough.

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We kept walking.

The school gates came into view.

A few other kids were already going inside.

Yuna stopped.

Turned to face me.

Held out her hand.

"Salim."

I stopped.

"...oh, right."

I held out my hand.

Yuna bowed slightly.

Touching her forehead to the back of my hand.

A moment later.

She let go.

"Bye, Papa."

I gave a small nod.

"Yeah."

She turned around.

And went inside.

I didn’t wait long.

I turned right around.

And walked away.

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Some time later—

I arrived.

In front of me—

a large field.

Empty.

But not entirely.

By the side of the road—

large trucks were lined up.

Their rear doors open.

Inside—

stage rigging.

Steel.

Wood.

Several massive sound systems were still on the trucks.

Yet to be unloaded.

I stopped for a moment.

Took a deep breath.

The morning air filled my lungs.

Cold.

I exhaled slowly.

Rubbed my face.

Ran my fingers through my hair, pushing it back.

Feeling a little more awake.

I took out a cigarette.

Lit it.

A small flame sparked.

Smoke drifted upward.

Thin.

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Ahead—

a large generator was turned on.

Brrrrrrm.

A heavy hum filled the area.

One of the sound systems was unloaded.

Ropes were pulled.

Metal scraped against metal.

People started moving.

Without much talk.

Used to the routine.

Cables were pulled.

Connected.

A mic was turned on.

Someone spoke.

"Check... check... one... two... three..."

The voice echoed slightly.

Then—

"Everything’s ready!"

A few people answered.

"Ready!"

"Time to work!"

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Music was turned on.

An instrumental track.

Heavy.

Building up slowly.

Like something being constructed.

Like preparations for war.

Or...

a ritual.

I stood in silence for a moment.

The corners of my lips lifted slightly.

A faint shiver ran across my skin.

I took off my jacket.

Set it aside.

Leaving me in just a t-shirt.

"Time to work."

The first step felt heavy.

The second step—

was lighter.

—

And after that—

It was as if my body were ablaze.

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