A large Tanniping toy set in her hands.
It must have been heavy, but Sojin’s steps were lighter than ever before.
“Mom! Hurry up!”
“Alright, alright.”
The moment Sojin entered the house, she forgot all about washing her hands and opened the toy box.
Her movements were so careful that anyone watching might have thought she was defusing a bomb.
“Wooooow…!”
The Tanniping toy she had dreamed of.
Not just one but a deluxe set with two Tanniping figures.
Sojin’s eyes sparkled like stars.
“Sojin, did you really want a Tanniping toy that much? You used to say they were childish.”
“Well… it’s just nice to have it…”
“Really? You look so happy you can’t hide it.”
“There are toys from when you played with them, unni. I didn’t really need it. Besides, we have younger siblings at home. Diapers and clothes cost a lot, don’t they?”
Her mom was overwhelmed with emotion.
Sojin was a particularly thoughtful child.
As the firstborn, her older sister had been raised with tender care.
The youngest siblings were still little, cherished like precious treasures.
Meanwhile, the second child, Sojin, had matured early and even helped take care of her younger siblings.
Who would’ve thought she’d worry about the cost of diapers?
She had been forgoing the toys she wanted because of that.
“Lee Sojin. Why are you worrying about diaper costs? From now on, if there’s something you want, just tell me.”
“But Mom and Dad are always fighting about money.”
“T-that’s not… fighting; it’s just discussing things… Anyway, leave diaper costs to Mom and Dad. You just focus on what you want to be when you grow up, your dreams for the future… Got it?”
A second child who seemed far too mature.
Although it was admirable, there were times when it broke her mother’s heart.
Especially when compared to her peers.
Sojin’s friends wanted to be soccer players, idols, or YouTubers—perhaps fanciful, but lively dreams nonetheless.
But Sojin had no dreams.
When asked, she’d answer as if she had lived a full life, “I’ll do something, I guess.”
In truth, Sojin already had a dream.
“Office worker.”
Perhaps she had grown up too soon.
Sojin didn’t dare to dream of something beyond her reach.
Because doing so would be heartbreaking.
It was like looking at the display case of toys she wanted but couldn’t have.
“If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed.”
She wrapped herself in a tough shell to protect herself.
It kept her from looking outside, but it also shielded her from getting hurt.
That was how Sojin lived.
—
Dinner Time
Her dad had come home from work, joining her mom, older sister, and younger siblings.
Sojin’s family gathered around the table for a meal.
“Alright, let’s eat. Put away the toys, turn off the smartphone, and what does Mom say during meals?”
It was a proper big family.
The dinner table was always lively and chaotic.
As always, Sojin made sure her younger siblings were taken care of first before eating.
But then, a familiar face appeared on TV.
“Huh? That girl…”
– In today’s presidential election news, the pink whirlwind, candidate Kang Jiwou, has broken into 15% approval ratings and launched her first street campaign today…
Her mom and dad weren’t paying much attention to the news.
After a long day at work, they were too exhausted, focused instead on taking care of the kids and eating.
But Sojin couldn’t take her eyes off the TV.
– How was your first street campaign today?
– It was fun…
– What’s your relationship with the girl you met in the toy section?
– A… friend.
– I see! We wish you two the best in your friendship!
A beautiful girl with pink hair.
Someone who could acknowledge and compliment others,
And someone who knew how to give.
A presidential candidate at that age? Truly remarkable, Sojin thought.
“Sojin, stop watching TV and eat.”
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
Sojin’s eyes sparkled.
It was as if an entire galaxy was flowing inside them.
“I think I’ve found a dream.”
That day, Sojin’s world collided with a great destiny.
The tough shell that had surrounded her cracked,
And now, she could finally look up at the sky.
—
Having finished her campaign, Han Seoyoung parked the car.
Instead of getting out right away, she turned to look at Kang Jiwoo.
Kang Jiwoo was sound asleep in the passenger seat.
Perhaps it was from talking to so many people after walking around all day?
She had dozed off barely five minutes after getting in the car.
Han Seoyoung smiled warmly.
“I should sneak a photo.”
Kang Jiwoo usually ran away whenever someone tried to take her picture.
But this was the perfect opportunity while she was asleep.
Plus, when Kang Jiwoo was sleeping, her cuteness increased by 1.5 times—a passive skill of hers.
Just as Han Seoyoung carefully moved to take the photo, Kang Jiwoo squirmed and shifted in her sleep.
“Umm…”
It felt like someone desperately searching for something with their hands.
Han Seoyoung found a fallen Tanniping toy on the floor, picked it up quickly, and handed it over.
“Ugh…”
Only then did Kang Jiwoo calm down, as if reassured.
‘While they gave their friend such an expensive gift, they chose the cheapest one for themselves.’
The toy Kang Jiwoo selected was the least expensive series.
As a result, it wasn’t their favorite, HeoChuPing, but a less familiar one they picked simply because it resembled SilJangPing.
Han Seoyoung gently stroked Kang Jiwoo’s face.
Thinking about what had happened at the mart today, she couldn’t stop smiling.
Running off with the toy in hand,
only to reveal later that it was meant as a gift for a friend—it was such a kind gesture.
‘At least I’m sure there’s something special inside them.’
Han Seoyoung chuckled softly, which unfortunately woke Kang Jiwoo.
“SilJangPing…”
“We’re here now. Let’s go upstairs and sleep.”
“Haaahm… I’m not going to sleep…”
Carrying Kang Jiwoo, she returned home.
The moment she laid them on the bed, Kang Jiwoo immediately fell asleep.
Presidential Candidate Kang Jiwoo.
My first street campaign video was released.
The highlight was, of course, the toy gift incident.
The video spread rapidly through online communities.
Title: Presidential Candidate Kang Jiwoo, Shocking Toy Theft Incident!
(GIF of Kang Jiwoo handing over the toy)
The branch manager said it was cute and offered to buy one, but Ji-woo ran off with it. LOL
If you watch the video, you’ll see it was a genuine spur-of-the-moment action.
Everyone was in a panic chasing them. LOL
Turns out they ran off to give it to a friend because they didn’t have any TaniPing toys.
So touching!
I’ve decided to vote for them after seeing this.
Honestly, they’re so kind and adorable.
It’s hard to believe that such a cute being is the same species as me…
Feels like a sitcom in Nowon. LOL
NoDaeJiWoo (Kang Jiwoo of Nowon District)
Title: Disqualified for the Gyro Drop Height, Qualified for Presidential Integrity!
“Nooooooo! LOL”
Too short for the Gyro Drop ride. LOL
If they had been tall enough for the ride, no amount of Tanniping gifts would’ve won my support.
Commentary:
Teacher, please hold your breath for 10 minutes.
The public’s response was explosive.
Not only was it adorable, but the story was heartwarming, making it highly shareable.
Of course, there were also critical perspectives.
Title: Isn’t this a violation of election law?
You can’t accept gifts during the campaign period.
The moment the branch manager gave it, it became a legal issue.
And since they even passed it on, it’s clearly a problem.
How do these supporters not even know basic laws?
Rebuttal:
Where exactly is the illegality here? Any proof?
Cute actions can’t possibly be illegal.
Exactly, LOL. If it’s cute, it’s forgiven. That’s the golden rule!
Do these people even know how election laws work? After the election, aides often get arrested for political funding violations.
Whisper: “Ping the judge said they’ll look the other way…”
Title: Agricultural Presidential Election Law Violation Controversy: Facts Only
I called the Agricultural Party to confirm.
Spoke directly with their administrative secretary.
They said there’s no way this violates election law because there’s no record of the toy being purchased with public funds.
After the campaign, the branch manager paid for it with their own money.
No transaction record, no audit, no punishment.
Summary: No problem whatsoever. End of story.
Rebuttal:
Then it’s not Kang Jiwoo’s good deed but the branch manager’s. Why is this little kid taking the praise?
What’s wrong with these people? Why are they even thinking?
Stop thinking. Just support blindly, LOL.
“This isn’t a class president election, it’s for the presidency. Why are people supporting them just for being cute?”
Reply:
“Talking about Kang Jiwoo but bringing politics into it. Political junkies banned.”
Narrator Voice: “And that’s how the controversy fizzled out.”
In truth, even if there was no legal responsibility, there could’ve been ethical concerns.
After all, it could be interpreted as an act of induced gifting.
However, no active politician dared to raise the issue.
“Are you trying to point that out and end up in trouble?
Anyone who criticizes this heartwarming story is either overly sensitive or a hopeless political fanatic.
That’s how the public was labeling them.
Besides, nitpicking on such minor issues would only make them more vulnerable.
No matter how transparently election funds are managed, no one is completely spotless.
And since it wasn’t an act of direct personal gain, anyone who made a fuss over it risked exposing their own dirty laundry.
As I watched the video with Bong Su-hee, she suddenly spoke up.
“Ddu-tta… ddwi-tta-tta oo-tta…!”
Bong Soohee, regressing into childlike behavior out of nowhere.
Actually, this was a sort of game.
It was called the ‘Dda Language Debate.’
The idea was to pretend to have a conversation while uttering gibberish like “dwi-tta-tta.”
I don’t even know why I’m playing along with such a childish game.
Leaning my head back, I looked up at Bong Soohee, who sat on my lap.
“Dwi-tta~?”
“Woo… dwi-tta-ee…”
“Dwi-tta dwi-tta!”
I responded to her nonsense.
As much as I hated how silly it was, I felt sorry watching her babble alone.
It’s definitely not because I find this ‘Dda Language’ fun.
“Woo-tta-tta woo-tta?”
“Dwi-tta~”
Bong Soohee really had a unique character.
Normally, she was extremely cynical, like a cat too indifferent to care about anything.
And yet, she was the one who played along with me the best.
Could it be that her mental age matched that of an elementary schooler?
“Ddu-tta-ee!”
“Woo-tta-tta!”
“Dwi-tta dwi-tta~ woo-tta woo-tta?”
“Ah~”
The office was filled with the sound of “Dda Language” for quite a while.
Eventually, Han Seoyoung couldn’t take it anymore and let out a sigh.
“What are you two doing…?”
“Dwi-tta-tta woo-tta!”
“No, seriously, what is that supposed to mean?”
“You don’t know this? It’s the trending ‘Dda Language Debate.’ Dda-dda!”
Snap.
A vein popped on Han Seoyoung’s forehead.
“What kind of debate even is that?! Did you pick this up online again? It’s not some inappropriate slang, is it?”
“Dwi-ee. It means no.”
“You need to check these things properly! One wrong word nowadays can ruin you!”
“Dwi-tteh! It means I don’t want to.”
Bong Soohee showed no signs of stopping.
Once she got hooked on something, she didn’t let it go easily.
“You look ridiculous, so stop it! Adults babbling ‘dwi-tta’ is just absurd.”
“You should try it. It’s addictive.”
“I will never do that.”
“Ddu-tta… it means I’m disappointed.”
“Heh.”
It was amusing to see Han Seoyoung getting riled up, so I chuckled.
Just then, there was a flash outside the window, followed by a loud crash.
Kwarung!
Thunder roared.
“Eek!”
Startled, I instinctively clung to Han Seoyoung’s thigh.
“There’s no need to be scared, Candidate. It’s just thunder.”
“I-I’m not scared! It just caught me off guard…”
It was a night of relentless pouring rain.
The kind of weather that felt ominous, as if something bad was bound to happen.
It was the kind of night when you could imagine a criminal with a bag full of money sneaking onto a boat at Incheon Port.
The air itself was damp, sticky, and gloomy.
On nights like this, it was hard not to feel a little sluggish.
“Manager Han! Manager Han! Are you here?”
Park Seokji entered the office, his voice grumpy as usual.
“What’s the matter?”
“Well, you see! The local campaign office requested some supplies, but that stingy Goo Doseok is completely ignoring them! The whole organization headquarters is in an uproar!”
Goo Doseok, the head of the Planning and Finance Department.
His job was managing the funds.
In our party, no money could be spent without Goo Doseok’s stamp of approval.
Even I, the candidate, couldn’t spend freely without his consent.
“Are you sure it wasn’t rejected for being an unnecessary expense?”
“Unnecessary?! Snacks and drinks for the volunteers! Sure, the legislators can manage without, but shouldn’t we at least treat the volunteers decently?”
Park Seokji had a point.
The people volunteering for the campaign deserved at least some refreshments.
Especially for a third party like ours, people who volunteer often step forward with pure intentions.
If we can’t even provide proper snacks for them, I’ll be the one who gets criticized in the end.
“Got it. Then I’ll go meet them.”
“Can I come along too…?”
“Of course.”
I followed Han Seoyoung.
It was definitely not because I was scared of the thunder and lightning, but because I was curious about what was going on.
Clunk.
The office of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance was locked.
“Huh? Did they lock it from the inside? Director! Are you in there?”
There was no response.
At that moment, a building security guard passing by explained,
“They vacated the room.”
“What? Vacated? That can’t be right!”
“They cleared it out a couple of days ago. Packed everything in a rush at dawn and left quickly.”
“…???”
Rumble!!!
Lightning flashed.
Han Seoyoung’s face, pale with shock, flickered under the flashes of lightning.
“N-no way…?”
Click.
Our finance director ran off with the election funds?
No way.
That’s gotta be a joke… right…?