Ch.162162. No Secrets Between Spouses

Right, how could I have forgotten that? Come to think of it, that was true. This weekend, I had plans for lunch with my parents. I’d made the appointment when I called them yesterday evening, and since my brother happened to be there too, we’d decided to all meet up together.

“That’s right. I had plans this weekend…?”

I’d completely erased the fact that I had plans from my mind. Normally, I’d never forget something this important, but honestly, the events of yesterday and today had been so shocking.

I’d been so focused on whether Hwa Nabi was really pregnant or not that I hadn’t had the mental space to think about anything else.

“Ah, ‘that’s right’… what? Siwoo, how could you forget something so important?”

Hwa Nabi narrowed her eyes in disbelief and tapped my arm. I wanted to make some excuse, but she was right, so I just kept my mouth shut and nodded.

“Honestly… when I look at you, you’re surprisingly scatterbrained. How am I supposed to let you out in public with peace of mind?”

“‘Let me out’? Anyone who heard that would think you were my mother.”

“Well, I am going to be a mother now, aren’t I?”

The sudden comment caught me off guard. Well… she wasn’t wrong. If all goes well, she’ll really be a mother in about 8 months.

Still, that was one thing and this was another, and it was an awkward topic to respond to. As I was trying to figure out what to say, a question formed in my mind.

“Nabi, can I ask you something?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“The doctor said you’re 10 weeks pregnant now. From what I’ve heard, symptoms usually appear around 6 weeks, but you didn’t know?”

I’ve heard that awareness of symptoms varies from person to person, and some people miss them entirely. But I was still curious.

At 10 weeks, she should have noticed something different from usual. I asked casually while gently tapping her back with my finger.

“Hmm, actually, it’s not that there weren’t any signs. I didn’t get my period last month. But I had reasons to think it definitely wasn’t pregnancy.”

“Yeah? What reasons?”

“You know I got the Implanon procedure, right? That contraceptive implant in the arm. It was because of that.”

“Implanon? What does that have to do with not getting your period?”

“Well, when I got the procedure, the doctor told me about potential early side effects, including missed or delayed periods. More specifically, my cycle could become irregular, and I might not get a period for months, so that’s what I thought was happening.”

“Ah… I see.”

Hearing her explanation, it made sense. The side effects of the Implanon procedure overlapped with early pregnancy symptoms.

Normally, if your period stops without any external factors, pregnancy would be the first thing to consider. But Hwa Nabi had recently gotten the procedure, so she thought it was a side effect rather than an early pregnancy symptom. In the end, it was a misunderstanding, but I probably would have made the same mistake.

“After getting the implant, who would think about pregnancy? I naturally assumed it was a side effect. The doctor even told me that side effects after the procedure are very common, so I shouldn’t worry too much.”

“Well, it’s understandable that you’d be confused. No, you couldn’t help but be confused, right? And you said all the days we did it were safe days.”

“…Right? It’s understandable, isn’t it?”

I was looking for her agreement. But Hwa Nabi’s eyebrows twitched, and she slowly avoided my gaze. Plus, she didn’t answer right away, taking her time before responding.

Something seemed off, so I watched her quietly, and she couldn’t look me in the eye, staring intently at my neck instead. We’d been making eye contact just fine until now, so this sudden change was strange.

I didn’t think it was the case, but just to be sure, I grabbed her waist as she tried to subtly back away, brought my face close to hers, and asked:

“You’re not hiding something from me, are you?”

“H-hiding? What would I be hiding? There’s nothing like that.”

In the three years I’ve been with Hwa Nabi, I’ve learned a few things about her, one of which is that she can’t lie while looking someone in the eye. Her inner feelings show on her face. She’s not good at hiding her emotions, so I can tell right away with just a little probing.

But… she’s lying right now? The evidence is in the way the corners of her mouth are twitching. Convinced by that reaction, I held her tightly.

“Be honest. You are hiding something, aren’t you?”

I looked into her eyes, silently asking, “Really, are you sure?”

“N-no, I’m not…”

“Really, really not?”

If she continued to deny it, I was prepared to tickle her armpits to get the truth. As I waited with that in mind, Hwa Nabi glanced at me and met my gaze.

“…If I tell you now, will you let it go?”

“Yeah, tell me.”

Of course, I’d decide after hearing it, but I kept that to myself and waited quietly.

Hwa Nabi seemed troubled, repeatedly swallowing, then finally spoke with a slightly reddened face.

“Well, you see… actually.”

“Yes, actually?”

“Actually… it wasn’t true.”

“What wasn’t true?”

“I mean, that day… when we first moved into this apartment.”

If we’re talking about the first day we moved in… was it mid-February? I don’t remember the exact date from a few months ago, but it was definitely around then. But why is that coming up now?

“Yeah, what about that day?”

“We set the mood with candles and celebrated various things. I even wore that sexy cosplay outfit… anyway, you remember, right?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

That was the day she came out in that provocative bunny girl outfit. I couldn’t forget that if I tried.

“Back then, I told you it was a safe day, right?”

“Yeah, you did…”

“The truth is, I had gotten the procedure the day before. That’s why I said it was a safe day.”

Wait… I think I just heard something very concerning. Does the procedure normally take effect immediately? I hadn’t looked into it in detail, so I couldn’t be sure.

“The doctor said the effect starts right after the procedure. But she also said it’s safest to wait at least a week before doing anything. But we…”

“…Did it right away.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

If Hwa Nabi’s memory is correct, we had sex less than a day after she got the procedure, despite the doctor’s advice to wait a week.

“Well… I guess it makes sense that it happened then.”

“Honestly, I was uncertain too, but considering the timing… thinking about it again, that must be it…”

Looking embarrassed by her own admission, Hwa Nabi blushed deeply and buried herself in my arms. As I stroked the back of the woman who had completely hidden her face, I thought to myself.

Ah, I see. Something about the timing seemed off. So that’s what happened. This isn’t anyone’s fault. If we had to assign blame, Hwa Nabi might be slightly more at fault for not explaining the details beforehand.

But what’s the point of figuring that out now? What would change by arguing about who’s more responsible? Fighting loudly would only be bad for prenatal care.

So I just reached out and gently caressed Hwa Nabi’s side. Feeling like I shouldn’t let it go without some consequence, I tickled her with my fingertips, making her giggle.

Thump. Hwa Nabi tapped my chest and looked up. Her narrowed eyes showed she was reproaching me for suddenly teasing her, but she didn’t say anything. She probably knew she was at fault too.

I gazed at her quietly, then bent down to kiss her forehead. Hwa Nabi rubbed her forehead against my chest where my lips had touched.

“…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand.”

“What are you sorry for? It couldn’t be helped.”

I gently rubbed the earlobe of Hwa Nabi, who was rubbing her cheek against my chest like she was being affectionate. Pleased by this, she let out a strange nasal sound as she laughed and pressed even closer.

“Nabi.”

“…Yes?”

“About the baby, do you think it’ll be a boy or a girl?”

As I stroked the back of her head and asked, she responded with “Hmm…” while thinking. After waiting a moment, she seemed to finish her thought and tapped my back.

“The doctor said we won’t know until after 12 weeks, so we don’t know yet… but I have a feeling it’s a girl.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know why, but that’s just the feeling I get. At some point, I just had this sudden premonition.”

Is this a mother’s intuition? It’s not a scientific method, but since Hwa Nabi, the mother, said so, it really seemed like it could be true.

“Really? A girl…”

“What? Don’t you want a daughter?”

“No, that’s not it. I was just thinking if it’s a girl, she’ll be pretty like you.”

She’ll probably be the first crush of every boy in kindergarten. As I patted her back and muttered this, Hwa Nabi looked at me as if I’d said something embarrassing.

“This man, saying such things with a straight face again…”

“What? I’m being sincere. Those genes have to go somewhere.”

“Ah… really, let’s stop this conversation, it’s embarrassing. And don’t you know they say the first daughter takes after her father?”

“That’s even better.”

It might sound like self-praise, but I don’t have looks to be ashamed of anywhere. If she’s born with a face like mine, she’ll have to thank me when she grows up.

But maybe that’s going too far. As I was reflecting on this internally, I heard a small growling sound from Hwa Nabi’s stomach, which was pressed against me.

“…What? We haven’t had lunch yet. I’m allowed to be hungry.”

Today is Hwa Nabi’s day for housework, but I can’t just leave it to someone who’s pregnant. I raised my upper body and asked:

“It is about time to get hungry. Should I make you something?”

“I want something sour.”

Wanting sour food when we don’t have many ingredients on hand. It seemed like a challenging request, but not impossible. I could show off my cooking skills for once. I tapped Hwa Nabi’s hip, signaling her to get up.

But instead of getting up, she turned away primly. I stared at her in disbelief.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I can’t just get up like this, can I? Other people might see.”

Well, that’s true. She’s completely naked. Even though we’re in a high-rise apartment, walking around naked inside is still a bit risky.

If someone were determined to peek, they might be able to see. While it might be different for a man, a woman especially needs to be careful.

“Your underwear is right here, below us.”

“I don’t want to move.”

“…What do you want me to do?”

With her fair back fully exposed, she glanced at me and calmly demanded:

“Dress me.”