Ch.229Side Story – I Became a Heroine After the Pure Love Ending (20)

“Ah, we’re here. Driver, please stop here.”

12:35 AM.

The taxi we were in arrived near my house right on time, exactly when I had planned to return.

Seeing that only the lights on the second floor were off, it seemed that Mom and Dad had already gone to sleep.

Well, considering Leon’s bedtime, they couldn’t stay up late waiting for me anyway.

I bet only Si-young is still awake waiting for me as Mom asked.

Hopefully, a wooden sword won’t come flying at me when I open the front door.

“Oh, so this is Do-young’s home? It’s quite close to your school. An excellent environment for studying.”

That was the Chairman’s impression as he looked at our house.

The most important factor in evaluating a house wasn’t whether it was newly built,

or if the transportation was convenient, but whether it was a good environment for studying.

If I only knew him as the Chairman,

‘This guy really can’t talk about anything but studying’

I would have dismissed him as study-obsessed.

“The neighborhood is quiet, hardly any distracting shops around. And you even have a dojang at home to strengthen your body after long hours of studying. You’ve been in the optimal environment for healthy studying.”

“…”

“Did… did I say something inappropriate?”

“No, not really. It’s just that you keep reminding me of Do-hamin’s father.”

“…That doesn’t sound like ‘not really’ to me.”

But now, I could only think,

‘This man is definitely Do-hamin’s father.’

“Do-hamin used to come here often, right? Especially during exam periods, he practically lived here.”

“I-is that true? Are you saying the two of you were living together before even becoming adults?”

“They have many secret dawn memories together. Hehehe.”

“C-could it be that my mistakes have been passed down to Hamin as well… Because I failed to properly guide him, this has happened again…”

“Ah, Dad, please stop saying things that could be misunderstood. We were just using Sol-young’s brother’s room with our parents’ permission.”

“But you were under the same roof, correct?”

“Well… that’s true.”

Do-hamin, who was bad at lying even when raising his voice, reluctantly nodded.

“I should head in now. If I’m even one second later than promised, our Scarlet might grab a clothes hanger instead of a wooden sword. It’s a shame I couldn’t say goodbye to Do-hami.”

“Hmm-nyah…”

“Good night, Mom. Sleep well.”

I waved at Do-hami, who was sleeping with her head on Do-hamin’s lap, then gathered my things and got out of the taxi.

“Thank you for driving me home and for packing up the leftover cake.”

“Please be careful going in. Even though it’s right in front of your house, watch your step on the stairs. I’ll make sure Hami and Hamin get home safely.”

The Chairman seemed to plan on taking the taxi all the way to Do-hamin’s house.

The way he said he would “see them home” rather than “go with them” gave me the impression that he didn’t consider himself part of their household.

And yet he had been so eager to tell Do-hamin he was his father.

Perhaps it wasn’t so easy to immediately integrate into the space where the two of them lived.

“Well, Do-hami and Do-hamin will figure it out. Hey, Do-hamin, I’m going in first, okay?”

“Yeah, you worked hard with the CSAT today, Do-young. Sleep well, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Don’t cry because you miss me.”

“W-we’ll see each other at school anyway.”

Why, you might miss me in that short time.

I often did.

“Did you get everything? We packed all the cake. Are you forgetting or leaving anything behind?”

“Hmm… Ah, I forgot one thing.”

“What is it, your phone?”

“No, you.”

“Huh?”

*kiss*

I quickly approached him and planted a kiss on his lips before he could understand my intention.

“Since it’s past midnight, I need to get my daily kiss quota in early.”

“I-I thought you really forgot something!”

“Hehe, don’t worry, I’ve got everything except you! I’m really going in now!”

*slam*

After completing my daily quest requirement in advance, I closed the taxi door.

As much as I wanted to bring Do-hamin and Do-hami home with me as a set, I needed to hold back today.

Regrettably, Do-hamin would have to make do with just the warmth of my lips tonight.

After all, today was reserved for a guest who had probably been waiting at least 20 years longer than I had.

“Are you finally coming home, thief sister?”

“Yes, Scarlet?”

Just as I was about to climb the stairs, Si-young, who I thought would be waiting in her room, was standing in the front yard waiting for me.

“What? You were waiting outside?”

“Just… I came out for a bit thinking you might arrive around now while taking a break from studying.”

Ah, right. While today marked the end of exams for me after finishing the CSAT,

Si-young, a first-year high school student in her prime, was in the middle of preparing for her final exams.

“And… I also wanted to make sure you and Hamin oppa didn’t do anything weird in front of our house and embarrass us in the neighborhood. That was part of it too…”

“In other words, you wanted to spy on me and Do-hamin having a goodbye kiss before parting? Not studying like you should be, you little pervert…”

“D-don’t make me sound like the weird one! Besides! Who’s the most perverted one in this house?!”

“Okay, okay, just don’t shout in the middle of the night. You’ll wake Leon up.”

Rather than scolding her for her perversion, I wish she would acknowledge

the effort it took to maintain my virginity while keeping my promise to Do-hamin despite having such desires.

“So, what were you doing with Hamin oppa until this hour?”

“Huh?”

“If you just had dinner and went to places like the arcade or karaoke, there’s no reason to be out until now. Those places close by 10.”

“Ah, so what we did was…”

How could I explain Do-hamin’s complicated family situation quickly and concisely without mentioning it?

Right, this explanation would be easiest.

The first keyword that came to mind gave me something to tell Si-young without elaborate background explanations.

“Let’s just say I spent time meeting Do-hamin’s and my new ‘family’?”

“…”

“…Oh.”

“Mom! Dad! Thief sister and Hamin oppa had an accident!”

“Wait, wait, wait! Not below, above! I meant family above!”

Si-young was still just a child in a grown body, too young to understand that family can be gained in ways other than having children.

**

The taxi sped down the empty road in the middle of the night.

Though the road was clear and they were making good time, the distance to Hamin’s house still took quite a while.

Normally, it would take at least an hour and a half by subway, or easily over two hours including walking.

“Hmm-nyah-nyah…”

“Is Mother still sleeping?”

“Ah, yes. It’s her usual bedtime anyway.”

“I see. I must have kept her out too long.”

“But she’s sleeping with a smile. Not the tired face she usually has after work.”

“…Is that so? That’s good.”

The Chairman lowered his head with a faint smile, seeming relieved at Hamin’s words.

“Today has been quite an ordeal for both you and me, Hamin.”

“Hahaha… When you’re with Do-young, days like this are normal. Though it’s just as enjoyable.”

“It must have been a challenging high school life. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to work so hard dealing with a single student. Of course, I could tell that beneath that strong, firm personality, she cares for and likes you very much.”

“Yes, I’ve received so much from her. That’s why I want to be someone who can give back to her this time.”

“…I’m sure you will. If it’s you, Hamin. You’ve already proven twice that you’re a much better person than someone like me.”

As they alternated between silence and conversation in the car,

the taxi carrying the three of them finally arrived in front of Hamin’s apartment.

“That took quite some time. It’s late. Please go up with your mother now.”

“…What about you, Dad? Aren’t you coming with us?”

“I’ll be fine. I plan to stay at a motel nearby and head back in the morning. I can’t just barge into the home where you two live. Please take good care of your mother.”

“…Alright. Mom, we’re home. We need to get out now.”

“Hmm-yah… I love you, my son.”

“I love you too, but you need to wake up now…”

Though Hami was small and light, she seemed to be in a deeper sleep than expected.

Hamin struggled to lift her, finding it more difficult than anticipated.

“Is there a problem?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. Could you open the door for me? It’s a bit hard to support Mom with just one hand.”

“Of course. Just a moment.”

“If all three of you are getting out, you need to pay the fare first.”

“Ah, of course. Here’s my card.”

The Chairman took out his card to pay the fare, then got out of the passenger seat

and opened the back door where the two were sitting.

Shortly after, Hamin lifted the sleeping Hami in a princess carry and exited the back seat.

“Oh, right. Mom’s bag. Could you hold her for a moment? I left her handbag inside.”

“S-sure, I can do that.”

Wait, did Hami bring a handbag today?

Despite the momentary doubt, the Chairman took Hami into his arms as Hamin requested.

“Um… Did Hami bring a handbag today…?”

“Now’s the time! Driver! Please head home!”

“H-Hamin?”

*vrooom!*

As soon as Hamin finished speaking,

the taxi closed the back door and drove away from the apartment without taking the Chairman back.

“W-what are you doing? Why did you send the driver away…”

“I’m sorry, Dad. But sons usually listen to their mothers more.”

*grab*

At that moment, Hami, who had seemed peacefully asleep in the Chairman’s arms, suddenly grabbed his necktie.

“H-Hami…?”

“…Where do you think you’re going? You said you’d eat mango.”

“H-how long have you been awake?”

“Since Do-young and Hamin kissed goodbye.”

“Y-you’ve been awake since then?”

Hami had sharper ears than expected.