Ch.161Because It’s Summer (4)

“Sob… sob sob.”

“D-don’t cry, Teacher. At least you became the protagonist in that final moment.”

“A tragic female lead, though.”

“Ban Doyoung.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sob… this isn’t what I wanted. I’m sorry, Solyoung.”

“It’s okay, noona. You did it for us, after all.”

Solyoung kept one hand on the steering wheel while using the other to pat the shoulder of Teacher Miso, who was crying dejectedly in the passenger seat.

“I don’t mind being disrespected myself… but somehow I felt like you and Solmi were being disrespected too, and before I knew it, I just…”

“That’s a nice thing to hear. It means Solmi and I have become your priority.”

Right after the end-of-term ceremony, Teacher Miso’s sudden announcement of her premarital pregnancy naturally led to complaint calls from parents.

What was she thinking, making such a declaration in front of children who should be focusing on their studies?

What if their children started imitating such behavior after seeing a teacher act that way?

When was the wedding and due date? Would she take responsibility if her teaching duties were neglected and affected their children’s academic schedules?

One father was particularly angry… and so on.

There were various other complaints as well.

Of course, there were many calls.

Fortunately, not that many people actually called.

Usually, negative complaints didn’t represent the majority’s voice,

but rather began with the unpleasant grumblings of a vocal minority.

“If others hadn’t helped me then, that memory wouldn’t just be embarrassing… it would have been a more painful… more terrible moment.”

Fortunately, despite the initial uproar, the incident was resolved relatively quietly.

Since Teacher Miso’s wedding was scheduled during summer vacation, and Solmi’s due date fell during spring break,

they were able to convince everyone that her pregnancy wouldn’t cause her to neglect her teaching duties.

Thanks to that persuasion, along with support from senior teachers, students who celebrated Teacher Miso’s marriage and pregnancy,

and those students’ parents who opposed the complaints against her,

the situation didn’t escalate into a major controversy.

“That’s fortunate at least. Other teachers and parents who thought well of you responded to those complaint calls.”

“Yes, really… I’m so glad I came to this school. Meeting you, Solyoung. Having Solmi. Thanks to all this, I’ve learned how many grateful people I have around me.”

“Ahem! Aren’t you going to thank me?”

“Ah, Student Doyoung…!”

Unable to bear their lovey-dovey exchange any longer, I quietly cleared my throat and looked at the two of them.

For side characters to show this much pure love while the main heroine was clearly watching from the back seat—

The readers of “Half of Half” wouldn’t stand for this.

…

“Ban Doyoung, Ban Siyoung. Open the window. You can see the ocean.”

“Oh, blue screen!”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the sea here. First time since our elementary school trip to Busan, I think.”

“You remember well. Wasn’t that when you were quite young, Siyoung?”

“Well, yeah.”

“I still vividly remember when Ban-thief unnie was flailing around screaming for help in water that barely reached her ankles.”

“Ban Si-fu—”

On the first weekend of summer vacation,

we—or more precisely, the Ban siblings and Teacher Miso—

embarked on a trip to Namhae, Teacher Miso’s hometown.

The primary purpose was, of course, to ask Teacher Miso’s parents for permission to marry.

Naturally, she had already informed them by phone about having found someone to marry, and they had roughly planned the wedding schedule.

Apparently, when Teacher Miso’s parents saw Solyoung’s photo, they immediately gave their OK.

They said he had a face that would succeed at anything.

It was somewhat irritating, but I couldn’t argue with it, so I let it slide.

‘Wow, Teacher, your family runs a guesthouse too?’

‘Yes, that’s right. It’s not very big, but… I thought we could all go together like a vacation? Especially for Student Doyoung, as a reward for studying hard all semester.’

‘Woohoo! The sea! Travel! Teacher Miso in a bikini!’

‘N-no, I don’t wear things like that!’

Teacher Miso’s family had been running a guesthouse in their hometown.

The guesthouses with ocean views were highly praised by all visitors.

I did wonder how someone could fail to date for 26 years while running a guesthouse frequented by young couples,

but I decided not to bring that up in front of Solyoung as it seemed somewhat inappropriate.

Unfortunately, Mom and Dad couldn’t join us on this trip.

They had an important workshop scheduled with the Kendo Association.

In the end, only Siyoung and I from our family accompanied Solyoung to Namhae.

Well, since permission for the marriage had already been granted,

there shouldn’t be any problems.

Our parents had also said they would visit Teacher Miso’s parents separately later.

“I know you said it was okay for me to come, but are you sure? This is still basically a meeting between families.”

It wasn’t really my place to ask, considering I was already wearing a swimsuit under my clothes and had packed tubes, swimwear,

and an ice box full of zero cola in the trunk, but I still asked Teacher Miso just in case.

“O-of course it’s okay! If anything, I think this isn’t enough to thank Student Doyoung… If you and everyone hadn’t come together to oppose those complaints after the closing ceremony, I don’t know what would have happened by now…”

“Ahem… It’s a bit embarrassing to hear such praise, even if it’s true.”

I reflexively rubbed my nose at the sudden compliment.

It was true that I had played a part in fending off complaints against Teacher Miso.

Since only Doha-min and I knew about incidents like the Lee Jeongkyu case, where she had struggled behind the scenes for students without other students or parents knowing, naturally we had to be the first to step up.

As Ban Doyoung, whose influence and reach within the school were on another level,

it wasn’t difficult for me to focus people’s attention and spread word of Teacher Miso’s previously hidden good deeds to change public opinion.

“You did well. Helping noona when I couldn’t be there.”

“Hmph, the child bears no sin.”

“S-Student Doyoung… you were that concerned about our Solmi…!”

“New sister, don’t be fooled. That line Ban-thief unnie just said is from One Piece.”

“Ah, really. I almost fell for it.”

Setting aside whether Teacher Miso’s premarital pregnancy was right or wrong,

I genuinely wanted to minimize any harm that might come to her.

Whatever the outcome of those complaints might be,

the stress and hurt that Teacher Miso would endure would inevitably affect Solmi too.

With this bracelet that had Doha-min’s command to love family programmed into it,

I had no choice but to do my best for Teacher Miso, who had gone beyond the teacher-student relationship to become family(-in-law).

“As I said before, thank you again, Student Doyoung. Just now, Solmi also said thank you from inside my belly.”

“Oh, really? Our Solmi is so smart. Already knows how to agree with her mom. Let me try listening too.”

Sitting behind Teacher Miso, I reached forward to the front seat.

I placed my hand on Teacher Miso’s slightly protruding belly, but couldn’t feel anything special through my fingertips.

“Hmm… I don’t feel any response though.”

“Ahaha, you won’t feel it that easily. It’s probably only noticeable to the mother.”

“Hmm… I wonder if stroking a bit higher would get a response. Like this?”

“S-Student Doyoung…! That tickles, please stop…! Eehee!”

As Ban Doyoung’s fingers, eager to sense traces of Solmi, crawled up Teacher Miso’s belly like a spider climbing a rope, heading upward—

-Tap!

“Ouch.”

A casual flick, like brushing away an insect from the back of a hand, knocked my fingers away from Teacher Miso.

It was Solyoung’s free hand, while his other hand remained on the steering wheel.

“Ow… why did you hit me? I was in the middle of bonding with Solmi.”

“She’s mine. Don’t touch her carelessly.”

“S-Solyoung?”

“O-ooh…”

“…This is the first time I’ve seen Solyoung oppa so firmly push away Ban-thief unnie.”

“Why do you sound secretly pleased about it?”

Solyoung answered indifferently without even looking at me.

Of course, he had to keep his eyes on the road while driving.

Nevertheless, that cold statement delivered without eye contact

struck Ban Doyoung’s heart quite powerfully.

“S-Student Doyoung… what Solyoung just said wasn’t meant in a bad way…”

“Haha. It’s fine. He didn’t say anything wrong.”

Politely declining Teacher Miso’s halfhearted consolation,

I placed my hand on Doha-min’s waistband beside me.

“Whoa! Ban Doyoung, what are you doing?”

“You said not to touch what belongs to others, so I’m trying to touch what belongs to Ban Doyoung instead.”

“W-why would my body belong to you…!”

“Unlike Solmi, this one responds immediately.”

Ah, of course I brought Doha-min on this trip too.

Can’t resist a swimsuit [Summer-min High Rush].