Ch.139Run Away! – 1

Rina’s parents. I’ve heard stories about those two people a few times.

They visited South Korea for different reasons, worked there, and became lovers.

At the same time, they developed such positive feelings toward Korea that they applied for naturalization.

Since neither of them were superpower users, there weren’t any particular issues.

Though they had blonde hair and blue eyes, they became more Korean than many Koreans.

And between those two who reached marriage, “Rina Lee” was born.

‘It’s an incredibly famous story that everyone in the world knows.’

How could it be a famous story when they’re just ordinary people?

That’s because their child is Rina. Undisputedly one of the strongest superpower users in South Korea.

The funny thing is that her bloodline isn’t Korean at all.

If Rina’s parents hadn’t applied for naturalization, she would have been another country’s asset.

South Korea incorporated her into the nation by a truly fortunate chance.

Thanks to that, there’s a rumor that the country that “lost” Rina’s parents was pounding the ground in anguish.

Anyway, these incredibly famous people, no less famous than Rina herself, are coming to visit today.

“Aren’t you nervous, Seojin?”

As I sat on the bed staring blankly at the door,

Rina, sitting across from me, asked with a strangely amused voice.

More importantly, why is she suddenly talking about nervousness out of nowhere?

“Me? Why?”

Why should I be nervous? If anything, it seems like it would be uncomfortable.

As I quietly looked at Rina, she let out a “heehee!” smile.

Why are you smiling? It’s making me feel ominous again.

“I knew it, I knew it. I can see you’re nervous.”

“No, I mean, why would I be nervous?”

“Why else! You’re nervous because you’re thinking about meeting your father-in-law and mother-in-law!”

“…Huh?”

Has “father-in-law” and “mother-in-law” changed to mean someone else’s parents?

As far as I know, those terms refer to one’s wife’s parents.

“Did we get married or something?”

“Haven’t we at least made a start?”

“If you’re talking about the kiss, then I should be marrying Soohyun.”

“Don’t even mention that woman!”

ZIIING!―

Holy crap. It was just for a moment, but I thought my eardrum would burst.

Glancing to the side, I saw a juice bottle trembling with a “woong” sound before settling down.

If she had raised her voice just a bit more, wouldn’t it have shattered into pieces?

“Why are you bringing up Soohyun Kim?! Why?!”

“That’s rich coming from someone who thinks a kiss leads to marriage.”

“I don’t care. Anyway, please, I’m begging you, don’t mention Soohyun Kim when you’re with me.”

“…Fine, just stop shouting. The glass almost broke.”

For Rina, it was probably just an outburst of irritation that came naturally.

But the result, if it had been just a bit stronger, would have led to things breaking and bursting.

Being strong isn’t always a good thing.

I somewhat understand why Rina once called herself a monster.

It’s like a whale jumping into a small aquarium.

At that moment, I sensed some movement beyond the hospital room door.

At the same time, I heard a careful knocking sound.

Knock knock!―

“Rina? It’s Dad. Can I come in?”

Pure Korean that wouldn’t sound strange even to my native Korean ears.

It was fitting for Rina’s parents who loved South Korea so much they naturalized.

Of course, the person who appeared as the door opened had typical Western features.

“My daughter!”

“Dad! You came?!”

“Yes, yes. Dad’s here. I heard you were badly injured, but now you’re okay…”

“Move aside. I’m really going to get that girl!”

A woman brushed past Rina’s father with a “whoosh!”

Then she immediately grabbed Rina and started pounding her back.

“Ughk! Ack! Gack! Ah, it hurts! Uwaaack!”

“Shut up, you brat! What did Mom tell you? I told you not to be so reckless with your body! What? You got a hole in your stomach? What kind of crazy child proudly announces that to her parents!”

SMACK! SLAP!―

…Wow. She’s really hitting her soundly. Looking at it, this isn’t amateur work.

That’s the beating only an expert in back-smacking can deliver!

“And! You fool! Why are you shouting in a hospital?! This isn’t your private room! How can you be so rude when there are guests?! Did you pay the full deposit for this hospital? Huh?!”

“W-well, this entire floor is empty except for me and Seojin!”

“How dare you talk back! Oh my, what am I going to do with this child! It’s so frustrating, so frustrating!”

It’s causing cognitive dissonance to see a blonde, blue-eyed Westerner speaking like this.

No matter how you look at it, her tone and content are that of an ordinary South Korean housewife.

What I’m seeing now is Rina and another Rina smacking Rina’s back.

…No, that’s not right. Strictly speaking, the original is the other one, so should I place “another” elsewhere?

“Um, honey. That…”

“You stay quiet! It’s because you always take her side that she keeps being reckless! She’s becoming more and more careless! Do you want to see our daughter getting criticized for causing trouble all the time?!”

“W-when did I ever only take Rina’s side? I’m always on your side.”

“Oh really! Very well! Have you ever joined me in scolding her when I do?! You’ve always been on our daughter’s side!”

From what I can see, Rina’s father seems to have a daughter-complex.

And her mother is constantly worried because of her husband and trouble-making daughter.

It’s a bit surprising. I never expected the family of “Rina Lee” to be so ordinary.

I thought both parents might be extraordinary people, hiding something, but…

Looking at them from all angles, they’re just extremely ordinary South Korean parents. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Ah, Mom! Please! Stop doing this in front of Seojin!”

“Ah! Th-that’s right! Honey. There’s someone else here. This is rude, very rude.”

Then Rina’s mother’s gaze slowly turns toward me.

Uh, um. I hope she doesn’t start smacking my back too?

From what I saw earlier, she was handling Rina like catching a mouse.

Adding a bit of humor, she looked scarier than Rina when she was fighting three Elders.

“Ah… Ahem! Hmm! I’m sorry. I caused quite a commotion, didn’t I?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m truly sorry. Our daughter causes so much trouble, and if I’m not this strict, she won’t listen at all. I apologize again for causing a disturbance in the hospital room.”

Then she suddenly bows her head.

Following her, Rina’s father also says “I’m sorry!” and apologizes.

Thanks to them, I was the one who became embarrassed.

“No, no! It’s fine. My body has fully recovered, and I didn’t even notice any disturbance!”

“…Rina, you.”

“Why me all of a sudden?!”

“If this gentleman says this level of commotion isn’t even a disturbance, how much have you been tormenting him in this hospital room? Are you not telling us everything?!”

“I’m really being wronged! I didn’t do anything!”

She didn’t do anything, that’s true. Yes, she didn’t do anything.

But she kept giving me looks that said, ‘The moment you let your guard down, I’ll do something.’

Thanks to that, I’ve been on high alert both day and night.

The apologies from both parents continued afterward.

They apologized in case their daughter had played any severe pranks.

They asked me to blame them for not raising their daughter properly.

…Truly, looking at these two, I found them remarkable.

How on earth could someone like Rina come from parents like these?

From what I can see, they don’t seem like they’d provide poor home education. They seem to have done their best.

“Ah, Mom, really! There’s no need for that! I told you yesterday! Seojin here isn’t just anyone, he’s going to be family soon?!”

Family? What nonsense is this now?

Incorporating me into the family without even asking the person involved?

I haven’t done anything with her yet!

“What are you talking about?”

Rina’s mother’s reaction wasn’t much different from mine.

“Family?”

“Yes! I have to marry Seojin!”

“Rina? S-suddenly saying such things, Dad doesn’t understand at all…”

“I mean! Me and Seojin over there are in that kind of relationship!”

Almost simultaneously, Rina’s mother and father turn to look at me.

Their eyes were flashing so intensely that I couldn’t help but flinch for a moment.

No, more importantly! This crazy woman is finally making me out to be a criminal?!

“That kind of relationship”! Anyone who hears that will definitely misunderstand!

And she’s saying such things in front of her parents, of all people?!

Tap tap tap!―

Shit! Look at that! Now both of them are coming toward me!

Soon they’ll be smacking my back and asking what I did with their daughter…

“Don’t do that!”

…Huh?

“Our daughter is really not suitable! Find someone better!”

Holding my hand tightly, she said Rina is absolutely not acceptable.

She said she’s sorry but can’t give permission because her daughter is embarrassing.

It was Rina’s mother who said that, of all people.

Even her father, who seemed to have a daughter complex, kept nodding in agreement.

He was strongly conveying the message that getting involved with his daughter would bring nothing good.

“Um, well… Mother. First, let me…”

I was going to say that Rina and I are nothing to each other.

That we did kiss, but it really meant nothing.

But both of them stopped me and spoke up.

“I’m not just saying this. It’s because you’re too good for her! I don’t know what that wretched girl told you, but she’ll make your life incredibly difficult. So run away quickly!”

After listening quietly to them, I glanced at Rina.

Hey, how have you been living that makes your parents react this way?

“Argh! Mom! Dad!! What are you saying?!”

Just how many incidents and accidents must she have caused for her parents to tell a man who supposedly took their daughter to “run away!”?

“Um, Mother. Father. Please listen to me first.”

I decided to clear up the misunderstanding first.

Contrary to their concerns, we’re absolutely not in a deep relationship.

It’s just Rina’s wishful thinking, so there’s nothing to worry about.

“…Ah. I see. And here I thought… Phew.”

At my explanation, Rina’s mother and father let out sighs of relief.

Not relief for Rina, but relief for me!