A Returnee's Parenting Diary

Prologue

Translator: Roshi

Blink.

Blink.

A pure white ceiling came into view.

What happened?

He was sure…

"Kim Do-yoon? Are you awake?"

"Kim Do-yoon…?"

It was a name that felt unfamiliar, as he hadn't heard it in such a long time.

He had been called by a different name for so long.

"What…?"

"Are you feeling disoriented? You were sucked into a Dungeon Storm and then rescued."

"…."

"Wait! You can move, but your body is still in rough shape, so please try to avoid any sudden movements."

Swoosh.

A strangely kind explanation and voice.

He sat up and looked around.

Memories from a long time ago came rushing back.

Memories from when he was known as Kim Do-yoon.

"…A hospital?"

"Yes, this is a hospital. Here, I'll leave your meal here. For now, try to eat. The doctor will come by to explain your condition in more detail."

"A nurse…."

The person who had just smiled at him and spoken warmly was a nurse.

Hospital, nurse, and Kim Do-yoon.

This wasn't that place.

He had returned.

He had thought it would be absolutely impossible, so he had long since given up on the idea…

‘Strange. So much time has passed, hasn't it?’

It was all very strange.

After he had crossed over to another world with nothing but himself, he hadn't counted the days, but he was certain he had spent a very long time there.

So why was everything he was seeing now exactly the same as what he remembered from back then…?

Just as he began to question it, a familiar smell, buried deep in his memories, wafted over.

‘Hospital… food?’

Kim Do-yoon turned his head and looked down at the tray on the bed table in front of him.

A meal tray.

And on it were Seaweed Soup, Spicy Braised Tofu, Stir-fried Anchovies, Seasoned Bean Sprouts, a bowl of white rice, and a packet of Seasoned Seaweed.

And finally… a small yogurt drink.

Gulp!

It was a simple, unassuming meal.

But to him, it was anything but that.

At this moment, no delicacy in the world could surpass this.

How much he had craved this.

Pause!

Just as he was about to pick up his spoon, he hesitated.

He remembered that he had lost his sense of taste.

What if he ate this now and couldn't taste anything?

The disappointment would be huge.

Slurp!!

As he was debating, he heard someone beside him slurping soup.

Crunch!

That was the sound of someone eating seaweed.

‘Just eat it. Let’s at least try.’

Maybe his sense of taste had returned too.

He wouldn't know until he tried.

Hearing the crispy sound of seaweed being eaten, he could no longer resist and moved his hand.

Saving the best part for last.

Swoosh.

Kim Do-yoon slowly lifted his spoon and took his first scoop of Seaweed Soup.

Slurp!

The unique ocean aroma of seaweed filled his mouth, and the salty yet savory broth tantalized his taste buds.

It was mild, without any strong seasoning, but…

"…!"

He could taste it.

"Ahhh....."

How long had it been since he tasted something?

He trembled, overcome with emotion.

The sensation, starting from the tip of his tongue, traveled to his brain and spread throughout his entire body.

It was a shiver-inducing thrill.

"Haah....."

After savoring the sensation for a moment, he regained his composure and scooped up some white rice.

He wasn’t done yet.

His intense hunger was only just beginning to be quenched. Chomp!

Munch... munch.....

The warm white rice softened in his mouth.

As the grains mixed with his saliva, a chemical reaction occurred, releasing a sweetness.

The more he chewed, the more the nutty and sweet flavor of the rice intensified, but before he could swallow all of it, he eagerly added Stir-fried Anchovies.

The salty flavor of the anchovies, which seemed like it could burst his salivary glands, blended with the nutty, mild white rice to create a perfect harmony.

Mmm-

A taste that everyone knew.

Bean sprouts, too.

And the Spicy Braised Tofu.

Though they were all familiar flavors, to him, they were tastes he had craved for such a long time… each bite was an overwhelming sensation.

He was salivating so much that his jaw felt numb.

And so, he savored each bite slowly, with utmost reverence.

Like a sommelier tasting the finest wine.

"Hm?"

Maybe it was because his behavior was unusual.

Gradually, the gazes of the people around him turned toward him.

‘What’s up with him? Is he eating something different? But no, it’s the same food…’

‘Why is he eating Spicy Braised Tofu as if he's savoring the flavor of gourmet cheese?’

‘The crunch of those bean sprouts sounds so refreshing and delicious…’

Each person was having slightly different thoughts, but there was one thing they all shared in common.

"Why does this suddenly taste good?"

"It’s actually not bad."

"Oh, the soup is seasoned better than I thought."

What they had dismissed as bland hospital food was suddenly appealing to their appetite.

Crunch!

When Kim Do-yoon placed a piece of crispy seaweed on top of his white rice and took a big bite, the sight alone made the others' mouths water.

It was amazing how he could make it sound so delicious just from the sounds of eating.

Even people passing by couldn’t help but stop at the sound of Do-yoon’s little eating show.

Slurp!

Oblivious to all this, Kim Do-yoon mixed his rice into the Seaweed Soup and took a spoonful.

White rice with Seaweed Soup.

And if you add just a bit of Stir-fried Anchovies on top…

Mmm…

It’s so good.

Simple, yet the combined umami flavors created a perfect harmony.

He took his time savoring that last bite, chewing slowly and thoroughly.

Gulp!

How long had he done that?

As he swallowed the final spoonful of rice, a hint of regret appeared on his face.

The main meal had come to an end.

But there was still one thing left.

A small bottle of sweet yogurt.

It was so small it would only take one sip to finish, so he carefully opened the cap.

Handling it as delicately as if it were a diamond.

Cautiously, slowly…

Pop!

The cap came off without a single drop spilling.

And then-

Gulp!

Despite his delicate handling, he tossed it all into his mouth in one go.

Yogurt was meant to be downed in one shot, after all.

‘Sweet!’

The yogurt filled his mouth with a sugary sweetness.

It was almost addictive, drenching his palate in sweetness before he finally swallowed it down with a big gulp.

‘Ah…’

A lingering sense of regret.

Just one bottle wasn’t enough to satisfy his craving.

Smack…

As he licked his lips, feeling the bittersweet end of his meal.

Suddenly!

Another yogurt bottle was plopped down on his tray.

"Here! Have more!"

When he looked down in confusion, he saw a little child holding out a yogurt bottle, their small hand barely able to grip it properly.