episode_0095

“Thank you for granting my request, husband.”

On the way back home, I expressed my sincere gratitude to my husband, who was holding onto the steering wheel. If I had been alone, I wouldn’t have had the courage to go find Junseok hyung, and I would have probably just turned a blind eye to our past connection that had already ended.

But last night, as soon as my husband heard my serious and strange request, he immediately suggested that we go together as soon as possible, giving me the opportunity to hold onto the thread of fate once again.

In truth, I had told my husband that I wanted to find my deceased older brother, but about half of it was a lie.

What I wanted to find was not the remains of my deceased self, but the presence of Junseok hyung, who had always been like an older brother to me.

Although I could no longer call him hyung, if he couldn’t be a hyung, I hoped he could at least become a part of my family as an older brother.

Of course, Junseok hyung, who hesitated at my request to become an older brother again, only gave me a vague answer. Well, it wasn’t the answer I had hoped for, but considering the unreasonable demand I suddenly presented, Junseok hyung’s attitude was understandable.

Asking him to return the remains out of the blue was an outrageous request, even if he had driven me away with no words.

“It’s my duty to help. But can we just leave it at that?”

As we stepped outside, my husband made a puzzled expression and narrowed his eyes before asking me, “What do you mean?”

“Your sister’s older brother. Are you okay with leaving it to a man like that? You asked to find your brother.”

I felt a sense of animosity towards Junseok hyung, who hadn’t softened his guard. He had seemed resentful ever since he tried to push me away, and it seemed like the grudge was deeply rooted.

“It’s okay. He needs time to think.”

I wanted to tell my husband that he was not a bad person, just confused, but regardless of the reason, since he had tried to harm me, my husband couldn’t see him in a positive light.

Personally, I hoped the two of them could get along well, but since Junseok hyung hadn’t fully accepted me yet, it seemed even more difficult for my husband.

Still, I kept the phone number he gave me to be a younger brother, so he would probably give me an answer soon. Let’s wait until then.

“Okay, then… I’ll leave it at that, honey.”

“Thank you for understanding, husband.”

“Just doing what my wife asked, can’t do anything else.”

“Hehe~!”

Oh, it’s embarrassing to be called a wife by him! My face must be turning red, and if he hears the sound of my heart pounding, he might tease me again.

“I hope Grandpa knows that I’m not an outsider.”

As I was lost in thought, I heard my husband muttering softly. But I didn’t feel the need to ask him what he said, as I was too focused on admiring his serious face.

Hmm… my man is the most handsome.

“Oh.”

As I leisurely enjoyed the features of my man with a sweet gaze, I noticed the restaurant signs passing by outside the driver’s seat window one by one.

We must be passing by the market area. There were several simple and decent-looking restaurants like noodle shops and kimbap places that seemed quite popular.

Among them, the place that caught my eye was an old tteokbokki restaurant.

I didn’t think I was particularly hungry, but just seeing the word tteokbokki made my mouth water as if my stomach was expressing a strong desire to eat.

Could it be that our baby Byul has already started?!

“Uh… tteokbokki sounds delicious.”

“Tteokbokki? Got it! I’ll go right now. Just wait a bit!”

Changing lanes abruptly as soon as the words were spoken, the husband made a U-turn and parked the car in front of the tteokbokki restaurant we had passed by earlier.

“Wow!”

It happened so quickly that I was taken aback, but fortunately, we didn’t break any traffic rules, and a near-accident was avoided.

We ordered tteokbokki and fried snacks, and as soon as I received my tteokbokki, I started devouring it bite by bite right there.

Mmm! This sticky, spicy-sweet, cheap taste is so satisfying! I can’t help but want more with each bite! And dipping the fried snacks in the tteokbokki broth is just perfect! Nowadays, it’s hard to find tteokbokki with this unique taste, as everyone seems to prefer just the spicy flavor. It’s lucky that I didn’t eat something too spicy with my pregnant body!

I used to often buy tteokbokki with Junseok hyung when I was young. Hyung would buy it first, or I would buy it after finishing work… We also used to buy bungeoppang and hotteok, and now I’m suddenly craving all sorts of snacks. There are too many things I want to eat!

“Haha, you’re really enjoying it. Did you really want to eat it that badly?”

The husband showed me a smile of approval as I indulged in the tteokbokki after a long time. Watching him with his mouth full of tteokbokki, I couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed.

Munch, munch… I don’t know what to say. Was I enjoying it too much on my own?

“Yeah… I guess so…”

Swallowing the contents politely, I replied as if nothing had happened. Yes, I’m going to be a mother soon, so I need to be polite. I was lost in old memories, but it’s time to come back to reality.

“It’s okay, don’t worry and eat more. If you’re still hungry, we can order more.”

If he says so, I can order one more serving without hesitation. It’s actually more of a welcome gesture, but he’s taking care of me too much.

“Aren’t you going to eat, husband? I feel like I’m the only one eating.”

“I’m fine. Just watching you eat makes me full.”

“Uh…”

He said such embarrassing words without changing his expression. I don’t mind, but if he keeps doing this, it’s bad for my heart, husband.

“Don’t just sit there, husband. You should eat too. It’s tastier when we eat together. Here, say ‘ah!’”

“Should I?”

It’s not a question of whether you should. I’ll pick the one with the best seasoning for you, so just open your mouth obediently.

“Is it delicious?”

“Mmm! It’s good, right? It tastes like the tteokbokki we used to eat in the old days, unlike the ones from tteokbokki restaurants these days.”

Indeed, the husband’s taste buds are quite discerning. Yes, I’ve trained my taste buds well over time. Or maybe he naturally has a similar taste to mine… I hope it’s the latter.

“Huh? Husband, why are you suddenly quiet?”

The husband, who was eating what I handed to him, suddenly stopped moving. What’s going on in his mind?

“Huh? Oh, well… It’s just that… eating what you give me feels like indirect kissing…”

“…It’s a bit late for that. We’ve been doing kisses, even deep kisses, every day.”

As he continued to eat the food I gave him, he suddenly stopped and looked at me with a serious expression.

Ahem. It’s inevitable that I keep being conscious of it.

Are you still conscious of that and saying that? Just because of a simple indirect kiss?

Alright. Then when we get home, I’ll make sure to erase any thoughts of indirect kisses with a deep, direct kiss.

Setting down the chopsticks on the table, he confidently spread his arms wide and shouted.

“Ugh… there’s nothing I can’t do in front of people.”

For a moment, his face turned pale, but soon he blushed and looked around nervously. Even though he’s making that face now, he was fine just a moment ago, right? I saw everything.

“Whether people see it or not, what does it matter? Whatever you’re doing now, I can also—”

“Excuse me, the bill please!! Alright, thank you for the meal. I’ll come back next time. Goodbye!”

I hadn’t even finished speaking, but my husband quickly finished paying and desperately cut off the words I was about to say. If he’s feeling this embarrassed just by this, even though he’s the one who proposed in front of people, it seems like he still lacks immunity. I guess I can use this embarrassment against him in the future.

*

Unintentionally, we headed straight home and after a quick shower, we got ready for bed.

Even though I say getting ready, it’s just changing into comfortable clothes to sleep in and lying down on the bed together, but until recently, we used to do a lot of things, so sometimes there were embarrassing skinship moments that made my face turn red.

When we were in the heat of the moment, we didn’t even notice those things… I want to get heated up again, but I have to endure it for the sake of our little star.

“Is your body okay? Anywhere not feeling well?”

My husband gently laid me down in a princess-like embrace, showing his concern. He’s already so caring, and with Star around, his worries must be even greater.

“Yeah, I’m perfectly fine. Full of energy.”

“Really? Then… can I check on Star to see if they’re doing well?”

“Huh?”

It hasn’t even been a month yet, and he already wants to communicate with the baby in my belly? It’s too soon! Isn’t it too early!

“Can… can you hear anything?”

My husband pressed his ear against my belly, fully concentrating. I agreed even though it’s rushed, but I’m worried if he’ll be able to feel the baby already. What if he’s disappointed?

“I guess not yet. I don’t feel anything.”

Of course, that’s how it is. It can’t be helped. They say you need almost 20 weeks to feel the first movements, so there’s still a long way to go…

“Then while Star is unaware… I should claim you as mine, right?”

I could tell that my husband’s face, which had been against my belly, had now moved up to my chest.

Well… alright. While Star is unaware, you can claim me as much as you want! Come here, Star’s dad!