episode_0002

Thinking back now, it seems like Taeyang has been popular since he was young.

Unlike me, who was just an average student, did he take after his popular mother more?

From kindergarten to elementary school, Taeyang was truly the idol of the school.

With the distinctive looks and overwhelming physique typical of the Geum family, he gave off an intimidating vibe that could easily be misunderstood as a delinquent, yet surprisingly, he was a hit with the girls, mature beyond his years.

Wherever he went, he was surrounded by people who admired him like he was some kind of pied piper, and those little female classmates were even bold enough to confess their love to Taeyang.

Despite feeling the weight of the many eyes on him from a young age, Taeyang remains indifferent to such popularity and attention.

Should we say he wields this popularity instead?

At first, I didn’t think much of it.

I thought, “It must be nice to be so popular,” not realizing that my son was beginning to stray in a different direction…

The realization hit me when Taeyang entered middle school.

That day was exceptionally lucky, with everything going smoothly with business partners and wrapping up work early to head home quickly!

Excited about how well things were going, looking forward to enjoying a can of beer at home, I ran into Taeyang wearing a stylish school uniform in the bustling downtown area, heading home from school.

Just as I was about to greet my son with a smile on my face, I noticed a strange girl standing next to him.

Despite her young age, she was a beautiful girl with a promising future ahead of her.

Laughing and hanging onto Taeyang’s arm, almost leaning on him, she seemed to be in high spirits.

As I thought, “Finally, our son has a girlfriend,” Taeyang spoke up.

“Oh? Dad, did you finish work early today? Great! Let’s eat out tonight! Let’s dine out!”

Completely ignoring his girlfriend beside him, Taeyang clung to me as if nothing else mattered.

“Oh… I finished work early today by chance. But isn’t the girl next to you your girlfriend?”

“It seemed like they were on a date. Maybe Dad shouldn’t have interrupted, haha.”

Before I could scold him for speaking so rudely to the girl, I heard a shocking response.

“Um… Taeyang, sorry, I’ll leave soon. Please don’t be mad.”

“See you tomorrow…”

???

Did I hear that correctly?

Before I could reprimand him for speaking so disrespectfully to the girl, Taeyang smoothly suggested going to a barbecue restaurant, seemingly unfazed by what just happened.

Am I overthinking this?

Taeyang casually insulting his friends as if it’s nothing and his girlfriend accepting it without a second thought—was it all too natural, or was I simply in denial about my son behaving like that?

Thinking that I might be misunderstanding the situation, I continued to spend enjoyable moments with my son.

But that shouldn’t have been the case…

As time passed and Taeyang reached the second year of middle school, I noticed that the girl by his side changed every time we met.

And they were all incredibly beautiful.

When I asked Taeyang about it, he said he gets bored meeting the same girl for too long, so he rotates through different types of girls.

Even as a parent who believes in not interfering too much and only offering help when necessary, I felt that enough was enough. I went to Taeyang’s room to confront him about his relationships with girls.

However, Taeyang responded coldly and indifferently, as if asking, “Dad, why is it wrong for me to meet other girls because I don’t like one?”

“Words come out harshly because it’s annoying if you don’t do so.”

“Isn’t Dad the one who thinks too rigidly?”

A rebuttal without words.

While contemplating a response, Taeyang, who was pursing his lips, kicked me out of the room.

Thud!

Taeyang, after being shut out of the room,

Without exchanging any further words, I left for work as the day dawned.

“What should I do…”

My son has changed so much.

Being a father and not knowing what my son is up to… It’s just…

After work today, what should I do next?

Worrying, worrying.

“Sigh…”

“Manager Kim, do you have something on your mind?”

As I sighed deeply at work, Assistant Choi spoke up.

“It seems like my middle school son is already making girls cry…”

“Huh? Your son? Hmm… He doesn’t seem like he’d do that if he takes after you.”

…Is that a compliment?

“He doesn’t listen even if I talk about puberty coming early… It’s really worrying.”

“Hmm… Come to think of it, I’ve only heard about your son but never actually seen him. Can I meet him?”

I haven’t shown him before? I think I’ve only talked about him and never showed a picture.

“Here.”

Huh?

As soon as she saw the photo, Assistant Choi’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Manager Kim’s son really is a middle schooler?”

“Yeah, why?”

“No matter how you look at it, he looks like a high school or college student in terms of height and appearance…”

“Wow, he’s really muscular too…”

“He’s attractive enough for girls to flock to him… Just like in cartoons…. *cough cough*!”

…I almost mentioned Geum Tae…

“You mentioned earlier that you were worried about your son’s relationships with girls. Could you tell me more about it?”

After explaining some general issues,

Assistant Choi nodded as if understanding.

“I think you don’t need to worry too much.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Just suppressing without addressing it won’t work.”

“Boys at that age are like bullfrogs. If you tell them not to do something, they’ll want to do it even more. It might backfire.”

“And there are many girls around your son?”

“Young girls easily admire and fall for mature men, right? It seems like that’s exactly what’s happening here.”

“Childish love games will end quickly, and if you believe and wait patiently, things will return to normal.”

“He’s not going off the rails with smoking or drinking, right? Kids grow up while doing those things, you know~”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

Actually, I’m not sure either.

Maybe I don’t understand Taeyang’s mindset because the only person I dated during my school days was my wife.

Instead of understanding Taeyang as a father, I’m just getting angry.

When I get home, let’s have a sincere conversation and reconcile.

“But Manager Kim…?”

“Yeah?”

“After work today, would you like to have a drink together? My treat.”

Oh, free drinks? Nice. Even if I’m tired, free drinks are hard to resist.

But… I have to make up with Taeyang tonight, so unfortunately, I’ll have to drink next time.

“Sorry, Assistant Choi. I plan to have dinner with my son and try to reconcile.”

Assistant Choi seemed disappointed.

“Oh, that’s a shame. Let’s do it next time then! Since I’ve also given advice about your son~”

“Sure, let’s definitely do it next time.”

Just as I tried to focus on work again,

“Tsk, he didn’t fall for it.”

..?

Turning around, instead of the sound I just heard, Assistant Choi was smiling brightly.

Did I mishear something?

At the end of a tiring day,

While many office workers relax and unwind at home,

The first thing I did when I got home was prepare the meat.

Instead of the vegetable side dishes I usually put for health reasons, I planned the menu solely based on what Taeyang likes after a long time.

My wife wasn’t good at cooking,

So using the cooking skills I had mastered from being responsible for meals, I meticulously prepared dishes that could break a leg.

And thus, the result was a protein-rich table filled with colorful meats!

Hmm… Okay! Even the sun would like this much!

As we enjoy delicious food and the atmosphere improves, it’s time to bring up the conversation we didn’t finish yesterday!

How long have I been waiting for this moment?

Click clack click-

The sound of the front door opening echoes, and Taeyang walks in.

“…I’m back, Dad.”

Perhaps due to what happened yesterday, there’s a slightly awkward air about him.

To avoid making things more awkward, I suggest to Taeyang in the most natural way possible that we should both wash up and eat together.

“Son, you’re back? Let’s wash up and eat together~”

I didn’t expect him to greet me with a smile.

Although he seemed momentarily surprised, Taeyang quickly agrees to wash up and join for dinner with a smile. It seems my mood lightened quickly, which is fortunate.

Having dinner with Taeyang, I smoothly bring up the issue we argued about yesterday.

Following Manager Choi’s advice from earlier, I offer guidance not in a commanding tone but in a gentle manner.

Encouraging Taeyang to enjoy his youth by having various experiences during his school days, I give him the carrot of understanding.

As a perfect parent, I also wield the whip by advising him not to engage in adult activities like drinking or smoking prematurely.

This should be enough for Taeyang to understand and agree, right?

Or maybe not? Taeyang listens attentively to my words and nods in agreement, showing that he will do as I say.

Just when I was thinking he’s a good son, despite veering off course a bit, Taeyang asks,

“Dad, is it okay to date multiple people at the same time?”

“It just feels too limiting to only date one person, don’t you think it’s okay?”

..Excuse me?