episode_0151

During his high school days, Jaehyuk used to visit often, but since graduating, he had been so busy that he hadn’t been able to visit Jaehyuk’s house.

They say that even Mount Kangsan changes in 10 years, right? I thought many things would have changed over the passing time.

Contrary to my expectations, the place I revisited after almost 5 years had not changed much from the last time I saw it.

As soon as I entered the front door, a warm and savory smell wafted in.

Unlike my house, there was not a single messy spot, the living room was neatly organized.

And just like when I used to visit during high school, the aunt greeted me while cooking in the kitchen.

…Amidst many changes, there was something that remained unchanged.

Suppressing the overwhelming emotions of seeing the familiar scenery after a long time, I cautiously greeted the aunt.

“Oh, it’s been a while, aunt. This is the first time you’re seeing me like this, right? I’m Jaehyuk’s friend, Bbeonjili. Oh, you recognize me, right?”

For some reason, I kept stumbling over my words awkwardly, contrary to my planned greeting, feeling a bit deflated.

But thankfully, the aunt seemed to find it cute, as she ruffled my hair and smiled.

“Hmm… You don’t really look like Bbeonjili. The Bbeonjili I know isn’t this polite, and not that pretty either.”

“Haha! Well, I’ve been to the military, so it’s time for me to grow up a bit! And about being pretty… well, you see…”

“Hehe, you’ve changed a lot since I last saw you, huh? Anyway, you must be tired and hungry from the long journey, so sit at the table first. We can talk over a meal.”

…Did she hear that I’ve turned into a vampire from someone else?

Why doesn’t she seem surprised at all?

No, before that.

Was the aunt… always this gentle?

“Aunt…?”

“Yes? Did you call me?”

“Oh, it’s nothing! Hehe…”

“Hmph, how boring. Jaeyeon? I told you to stop playing with your phone and put down the chopsticks! Do you not want to live in this house?”

“Just tell Jaehyuk to do it! Does he not have hands or feet? Why is he only telling me to do it?”

“So Jaehyuk is going to move out, right? If you don’t want to do it, then get your own room and move out. You keep sitting around the house all the time, that’s why I keep telling you to do things.”

…”

Seeing Jaeyeon being scolded by her sister, it seems like the aunt I know, but…

Why is she treating me so kindly, unlike before?

Feeling a sense of unfamiliarity, I hesitated for a moment, wanting to earn some points, and got up from my seat to head to the kitchen.

And as I checked the number of people and was about to put down the chopsticks…

“Hey, what are you doing right now?”

“Uh, me? Well, it seems like everyone doesn’t want to put down the chopsticks, so I thought I’d do it…”

“…Guests don’t do things like that. Are you going to be our daughter-in-law? Sit quietly and wait. You’ll just embarrass me like this.”

“Okay…”

I ended up listening to the aunt’s scolding.

Even if not right now, maybe someday I’ll become a daughter-in-law, so she could at least give me a chance to earn some points…

Feeling disappointed, I sat back down, and not long after, a sumptuous feast was laid out on the table.

Seeing the table filled with my favorite foods, I couldn’t help but drool, and the aunt smiled happily, urging me to pick up the spoon.

“Go ahead and eat. I’m not sure if it’ll taste good since I haven’t made it in a while, but I hope it suits your taste.”

“Wow… The smell alone is amazing, right? It looks delicious! I’ll enjoy it, aunt!”

“Yes, don’t rush to say it’s delicious. Eat slowly. Enjoy it.”

“Be careful. Hehe…”

I glanced around for a moment, then quickly scooped up a mouthful of delicious soy sauce bulgogi and a sesame leaf onto the fluffy white rice.

Even after just a few bites, the taste of the lovingly prepared meal filled my mouth.

Without suppressing the smile that naturally formed, I laughed heartily, and the lady let out a sigh as if relieved, then slowly began to speak.

“Does it suit your taste? I’m glad.”

“It’s incredibly delicious, isn’t it? It tastes much better than the food at my house.”

“Can you pass that message on to Seongju as it is?”

“Um, that, that might be a bit awkward?”

The lady knows very well that my mother is not one to be trifled with.

Scratching my head awkwardly, I chuckled and nodded as the tense atmosphere eased with our light banter.

As the awkwardness dissipated, the lady looked at me intently and soon began to show a keen curiosity.

“So… how far have you two gone?”

“Cough…! Cough cough…!”

“What? What?!!”

Jaehyuk, who was sipping on his soybean paste soup, was caught off guard.

Despite his coughing, it seemed like he was in pain.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the energy to deal with him right now.

From the lady’s words, it seemed like she already knew about our relationship.

“Why are you so surprised? Is there something to hide? I mean, it’s not unusual for a man and a woman living together to have nothing going on, right?”

Should I play dumb? Or should I spill the truth?

As I hesitated in the face of this unexpected variable, the lady’s words cut through my thoughts.

“Even if you want to pretend you don’t know, you’re giving yourself away. How can I not notice when you’re so obvious?”

“I, I really don’t understand what you’re talking about…!”

“Sorry, but just looking at Jaehyuk is enough to figure it out. He was in a bad mood for three days, but as soon as you came, his face lit up. Can you really pretend nothing is going on?”

I wanted to refute the absurd accusation, but it was definitely strange to be happy to see my ‘roommate’ again.

Judging by the lady’s confident attitude, I felt like she could come up with even more evidence if I tried to deny it.

Glancing at Jaehyuk with a resentful look, I nodded and admitted to our relationship.

“Um… I’m sorry, ma’am. So, what happened was…”

My mind went blank.

In the midst of overwhelming darkness and confusion, I carefully crafted and re-crafted my words.

Where should I start? How can I say something that might salvage the situation?

“Sigh…”

I knew it wasn’t polite to sigh in front of an adult, but every time I tried to speak, a sigh escaped.

Unable to say anything, I weakly shook my head, and my helpless appearance seemed to frustrate the lady, who scolded me in an angry voice.

“I asked how far you two have gone, and why are you suddenly looking like you’ve lost your country? Have you committed some crime against me?”

“No, no, ma’am… Do you… do you not want me to date Jaehyuk?”

“Is there a reason for me not to? Oh, don’t tell me it’s because he used to be a man?”

Nodding cautiously –

I nodded my head in affirmation, and the lady chuckled in disappointment, then let out a deep sigh.

She then looked at Jaehyuk, who was still coughing, with a pitiful expression, and began to speak in a slightly softened voice.

“My life is my life, and my son’s life is his own. As long as I fed you before you went to the military, that should have been enough. Do I need to worry more?”

“…”

“I want to say this, but the truth is, I do worry. I don’t have a problem with you dating. It’s a bit awkward for me to say this in front of you, but I still see you as that grateful child from five years ago.”

“S-So, does that mean…”

“But my desire for my son to be happy outweighs any reservations I may have. I’d rather see Jaehyuk happy with you than him ending up unhappy with some strange girl.”

“So, in summary…”

Are you saying you approve of us dating now?

In the midst of my anxiety about whether you would allow us to date, those two words of salvation I heard.

I barely contained my overwhelming happiness and expressed my gratitude to the lady.

“T-Thank you, ma’am. Oh, no! Should I call you ‘mom’ now?”

“Isn’t that a bit too soon? Someone might think we got permission to get married.”

“Haha… R-Right? So…”

“Just kidding, just kidding. Call me whatever you’re comfortable with. Now, let’s get back to where we left off… No, we should talk while eating fruit. Jiwoo, do you still like apples?”

“Yes! I still love them, mom! I can’t eat them if they’re not around!”

With a bright smile, I answered, and after a moment of absence, the lady brought over some fruit to share.

It seems like we have received permission to date, so I took a bite with a slightly relieved heart before trying to talk about what had happened in the past 7 months.

Crunch-

“Ugh?!”

The nauseating taste of the rotten apple hit me as I took a bite.

I vomited out the apple with a dry heave, awkwardly pointing at the plate with a forced smile.

“Mom? I-I’m sorry, but this… seems to be rotten?”

“Rotten? No way. I just had some, and it was fine.”

“R-Really? Well, then, let me try another piece…”

I picked up a fresh piece with my fork, but once again, the disgusting taste overwhelmed me.

“Ugh…!”

Why is this happening? I didn’t have this reaction when the boss gave me an apple a month ago.

Does my taste change so quickly?

With a worried expression, I stared at the vomited apple piece, feeling the hot gazes around me.

Unable to understand why all eyes were suddenly on me, did I look around with a puzzled expression?

“…I think I have a good idea of how far you two have progressed.”

Soon, the lady’s thunderous words echoed in my ears.