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.

But she didn’t fall behind.

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"Are you going to work again, Papa?"

"Yes."

"What ti are you coming ho later?"

"You ca ho really late last night."

I raised my hand.

Gently patted her head.

Her hair got a little ssy.

"Maybe in the afternoon."

I paused for a mont.

"...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 imdiately.

"...but only one."

"...yay."

Her voice was quiet.

But clear enough.

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We kept walking.

The school gates ca into view.

A few other kids were already going inside.

Yuna stopped.

Turned to face .

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 mont 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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So ti later—

I arrived.

In front of —

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 mont.

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 fla 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.

tal scraped against tal.

People started moving.

Without much talk.

Used to the routine.

Cables were pulled.

Connected.

A mic was turned on.

Soone spoke.

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

The voice echoed slightly.

Then—

"Everything’s ready!"

A few people answered.

"Ready!"

"Ti to work!"

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Music was turned on.

An instruntal track.

Heavy.

Building up slowly.

Like sothing being constructed.

Like preparations for war.

Or...

a ritual.

I stood in silence for a mont.

The corners of my lips lifted slightly.

A faint shiver ran across my skin.

I took off my jacket.

Set it aside.

Leaving in just a t-shirt.

"Ti 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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