Ch.215Side Story – I Became a Heroine After the Pure Love Ending (6)

“Now then. Let’s toast to celebrate Siyoung’s commendation from the Kendo Association, and Hamin’s academic excellence scholarship for the second consecutive year. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

-Clink

The pleasant sound of glasses clinking together.

On the table, Joonsook’s home-cooked dishes and the Papa Katsu pizzas Hamin brought were spread out colorfully.

Amid blooming smiles, our family sat around the table in harmony

and took refreshing gulps of the cola in our glasses.

This was a celebration for Siyoung, who had won the World Kendo Championship for the second consecutive year,

and for Do Hamin, who had likewise received an academic excellence scholarship for the second year in a row.

Huh? You think there’s too much difference between their achievements?

It’s fine. After all, Do Hamin is the protagonist of this world.

He’ll do greater things later on.

Until then, isn’t it a heroine’s job to properly acknowledge and praise even small accomplishments?

“Mama, mama!”

“Wait a moment. Solmi is still too young for pizza and meat, so let’s have the food mommy gives you, okay?”

“Da!”

As expected.

No matter how festive the day, mothers’ top priority is always their babies.

The mothers, each with their youngest on their laps, only picked up their chopsticks after nursing their hungry babies.

“Here, Mom. I’ve put some grilled meat on the plate in front of you, so eat some in between.”

“Thank you, my daughter.”

“Bandoduk unnie! How do I cut the watermelon from the fridge?”

“Scarlet, how can a world kendo champion not know how to cut watermelon?”

“I never learned how to use short blades like kitchen knives!”

“Hehe, it’s so nice that the girls are growing up and helping their mom. Right, Leon?”

Since Siyoung and I understood the mothers’ priorities,

we kept going back and forth to the kitchen during the celebration party, helping our mom who couldn’t use her hands.

“Mmm… nice.”

“Oh, it’s the first time I’ve seen Dad making that sound while drinking Zero Lime. Nothing beats Zero Lime with delicious food, right?”

“Yeah, beer would have been better, but this isn’t bad either. I think I understand why you’re always singing about it, Doyoung.”

Dad let out a sigh of satisfaction while drinking Zero Lime, making an exclamation that sounded just like his daughter’s.

Dad had been abstaining from alcohol for nearly a year since learning that Mom was pregnant with Leon.

Of course, he wasn’t much of a drinker to begin with, only enjoying it moderately when he had the chance, but…

‘Dad decided not to drink alcohol anymore.’

With a late child and a grandson arriving simultaneously,

he proudly declared that he wouldn’t touch alcohol until Leon grew up a bit, wanting to set a good example as the head of the family and avoid showing any undignified behavior.

“Mom, since today is a happy occasion, couldn’t we take out some beer for Dad? It seems like Dad’s the only one who can’t properly enjoy himself. Our eldest son and teacher too. Since they said they’re leaving tomorrow, wouldn’t it be okay for them to drink a little?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure.”

“I saw beer when we were shopping earlier. Didn’t you buy it for occasions like this?”

“This girl… when did you see that? What do you two think, Solyoung and Miso?”

“I, I’m fine. I’m nursing, and more importantly, I can’t show myself drunk in front of my former students!”

“You had no problem showing it during the school trip…”

“D-Doyoung…! That’s supposed to be a secret…!”

“I’m fine too. With two babies, we need at least one person who can drive at all times. We might need to rush to the hospital or somewhere else in the middle of the night.”

You never know what might happen when raising children.

A child might develop a fever in the middle of the night, or fall while climbing out of bed.

Solyoung’s thought process had completely shifted to that of a married man within a year.

“If you’re worried about not having a driver, I could—oomph!”

“Hahaha. That joke went too far, little brother. Just eat your pizza.”

“Ugh… something this big doesn’t fit in one bite, onii-chan.”

For reference, Ban Doyoung’s minor transgression from a year ago when she first met Teacher Miso was still a secret from her parents.

“If your father really wants it, I wouldn’t refuse.”

“Hmm….”

“If you want, shall I open a bottle for you? It is a special day after all.”

“No, it’s okay, Doyoung’s mom. You don’t have to do that.”

“Are you sure…? I bought a few bottles of imported beer on sale.”

“I don’t need alcohol to enjoy this time with family. I want to be fully present, with a clear mind, to see each of your faces distinctly.”

“…Alright. I respect your choice, Doyoung’s dad.”

-Clap clap clap

Applause erupted from around the table.

“Wow, you two just looked like an incredibly cultured and dignified couple.”

“Father, Mother, you’re so cool!”

“D-don’t embarrass me… it’s only natural for spouses to respect each other.”

“I feel like I’ve learned a bit about how to maintain a good relationship for a long time by watching you two!”

“Bandoduk unnie, instead of always telling Hamin oppa to learn from others, maybe you should learn things like this first.”

“It’s fine. Do Hamin’s pepper is big enough that we won’t get divorced.”

“W-what kind of standard is that?!”

Mom giving Dad a chance to enjoy himself a little on this celebratory day after he had abstained from drinking for so long for the sake of our youngest.

And Dad, smiling wistfully but ultimately sticking to the promise he made to his family.

And then the mutual respect for each other’s decisions.

From the outside, it was truly a heartwarming scene.

“Ah, Doyoung. Could you pass the cola over there?”

“Oh, sure. Wait. I’ll pour it for you.”

I picked up the bottle in front of me and went to where Dad was sitting to pour some Zero Lime into his cup.

“You’re quite impressive, Mr. Bando. Saying such wonderful things.”

After filling Dad’s glass with carbonated bubbles just before they would overflow,

I nudged his side and said:

“But are you really okay not drinking? What Mom bought earlier seemed like an expensive brand.”

“Hmm? How would you know that, Doyoung? You’ve never had it before.”

“Ah, well… just the vibe?”

“Dad’s really fine. I promised your mom, remember? No alcohol until Leon grows up a bit.”

“Oh, the responsibility of a family man… huh?”

While admiring Dad’s unwavering resolve, I suddenly had a question.

As far as I knew, Dad had never made major mistakes or shown particularly undignified behavior when drinking.

“But Dad, your only drinking habit was telling Mom she’s pretty. Was there ever anything particularly undignified about that?”

“That’s precisely the problem. Somehow, when Dad drinks, I only say things your mom likes to hear.”

“…Huh?”

Dad, sipping his Zero Lime, whispered to me in a voice only I could hear.

“Dad would prefer if Leon remained our youngest.”

“…”

“Your mom is too healthy. If I drink and say something that might tempt her, what do you think would happen?”

“Well, I don’t mind as long as I keep my ‘Lime’ nickname.”

“Sigh… why is it that when I drink and look at your mom’s face, she just looks so pretty and makes me so happy?”

That was the moment when his commitment to being a good father sounded a bit different.

“Ah, Doyoung’s mom. Should I bring you some more meat?”

“Oh, would you? I’m sorry, I can’t use my hands right now while nursing.”

“No, you shouldn’t be near hot oil while holding Leon. I’ll bring it right away.”

“Hehe. I always feel that men become more devoted after having children. Your father certainly has.”

“…”

Should I tell her the truth?

Or let her believe what she wants to believe?

“Well then, since the children’s father has volunteered to drive, how about a drink, Solyoung?”

“It’s okay. If noona isn’t drinking, there’s no point in me drinking alone…”

“S-Solyoung. Don’t refuse on my account. You haven’t had a drink since Solmi was born either. With Mother, Father, and Doyoung here, wouldn’t it be okay to have just one light drink?”

“…If noona says so.”

“Ah, I’ll get it. I was planning to bring another bottle of Zero Lime anyway.”

On behalf of Mom and Teacher Miso who had difficulty getting up, I headed to the refrigerator to get the chilled beer and Zero Lime.

“Beer… it has been a while.”

It had indeed been a long time since I’d handled a beer bottle.

Perhaps because I hadn’t particularly craved or missed this taste despite my regression from adulthood to youth,

the reunion didn’t feel particularly significant.

In my original world, I was a somber middle-aged man, but I wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol.

Given the choice between alcohol and Zero Lime, I always chose Zero Lime unless the drinking occasion was unavoidable.

‘Why is it that when I drink and look at your mom’s face, she just looks so pretty and makes me so happy?’

Just then, Dad’s sincere sigh from earlier flashed through my mind.

-Psst

-Pop

“Doyoung? Did I just hear the sound of a beer bottle being opened?”

“I’m just pouring it into glasses to bring over!”

How would Do Hamin look after I’ve had some alcohol?

Honestly, I was a bit curious.

He already looks amazing through my love-struck heroine eyes,

but what would it feel like if he looked even more handsome?

If I’ve chosen Do Hamin as my only hero,

isn’t it natural to be curious?

“Oh, this dark beer is the same color as Zero Lime. Maybe I can drink it without feeling weird about it.”

By the time I came to my senses,

I was already downing the dark beer like an actress in a commercial.

.

.

.

“Eh.”

“What the…”

Ban Doyoung, in this world or the other, couldn’t handle alcohol well.