Ch.272272. Just Like Any Other Time

After our third trip together, just the two of us—a week-long honeymoon that held special meaning unlike our previous travels—and finally returning to Korea, my relationship with Hwa Nabi grew even closer, or rather, much stronger… and small changes came to our daily life. That change was that all my priorities shifted to Hwa Nabi.

There was no helping it—in July, August, September, October, November, as the months passed, Hwa Nabi’s belly grew larger and larger, and by December, a month before her due date, she reached the point where her movement became restricted.

With her like that before my eyes, how could I, her husband-to-be, just stand by and watch? So I put everything aside for Hwa Nabi and worked hard to fulfill whatever she wanted.

…Saying I “worked hard” sounds a bit strange. Of course, I don’t mean it in that way, but rather things like running errands. For instance, if she said she wanted to eat something, I’d rush out to buy it, or if she needed something, I’d quickly get it for her.

Anyway, about half a year has passed since I started prioritizing Hwa Nabi while waiting for her due date as I mentioned. It’s now early December, with about a month left until the expected delivery date. The end of our vague waiting period is finally approaching.

So Hwa Nabi and I started preparing various things for Woo-ah, who will be born soon. We started by going around nearby marts to gather items needed for childcare and bought everything said to be good for babies. A mobile for the crib that helps with emotional development, Korean language study books for language learning, non-shedding dolls for babies…

Woo-ah hasn’t even seen the light of day yet, but we’ve prepared dozens of items for her, no exaggeration. That’s more than all our personal belongings combined.

Some might think we’re being excessive… but actually, we’ve shown a lot of restraint. If I had my way, I would have prepared twice as much. But when my mother stopped by our newlywed home to bring side dishes, she scolded us for buying so many miscellaneous things, saying childcare items should be purchased as needed.

I mean, having too much would just create clutter, right? When we heard that, it made sense, so we agreed and prepared only what was necessary. Not too much—just enough to fill the storage room.

“…You really have it tough, don’t you?”

Im Hansol, who had been listening to my long story, took a sip of coffee with a bitter smile. Watching him, I also took a sip of my coffee.

It’s been so long since I could drink coffee this comfortably. The sweet café latte sliding down my throat feels like heaven. Even the hip-hop or whatever music playing in the background sounds so good.

“Come on, it’s not tough. Isn’t this what everyone does?”

“If all parents in this world were like you two, the word ’emotional neglect’ wouldn’t exist on Earth.”

“Really? Are we being that excessive?”

“Hmm, not excessive exactly? Being well-prepared is good. Having too much is better than not having enough, right?”

“Right, you think so too?”

“Yes, I do.”

Im Hansol, dressed in civilian clothes, nodded while glancing at his watch. The reason he’s in civilian clothes rather than a military uniform despite being an active soldier is because he’s on leave.

Coming on leave and the first acquaintance he meets is a guy like me. I wondered if this was appropriate, but the reason we’re meeting now is because Im Hansol was the one who set up the appointment. When a soldier serving the country asks if he can see your face for a bit, it would be impolite to refuse, right?

Besides, Hwa Nabi, who had gone to the hospital with me in the morning, said she was tired and wanted to take a nap. She’ll probably be asleep for at least an hour or two, so it’s the perfect timing to meet someone.

“I can always count on you to understand. Park Sehyun told me I was being too excessive and should restrain myself.”

“Sehyun has always been a bit, you know, indifferent? From his perspective, it might seem like you’re overreacting.”

“Right. Well… people can think differently. Anyway, that’s enough about me. How about you? You’re a Sergeant now, right? How’s military life treating you?”

“Yeah, I’m more comfortable now. I only have two seniors above me. My enlistment timing worked out well.”

“Oh, really? Then you must be quite influential? That must be really comfortable.”

“My body is comfortable, but my mind isn’t. If I were physically exhausted, I wouldn’t have other thoughts, but since even my body is comfortable, all sorts of idle thoughts come to mind. These days, as soon as I open my eyes, I just wonder when I’ll be discharged.”

“Ah…”

Having been discharged from the military myself, I fully understand that feeling. It’s like being a veteran player in an RPG game who has accomplished everything possible and is just waiting for the next update.

That emotion, sometimes called the “sage time,” is usually felt when you’re a senior sergeant, but Im Hansol seems to be experiencing it already because his enlistment timing worked out so well. I’m not sure whether to congratulate him or not.

“…Well, let’s stop with the gloomy talk since we’re seeing each other after so long. Do you need anything?”

“Huh? Need anything?”

“Next month is Woo-ah’s due date, right? I thought I should give a gift as a friend. I’ll buy you something as long as it’s not too expensive.”

“What? No, no. Really, it’s fine. I’ll just accept your good intentions.”

As much as it’s for Woo-ah who will be born soon, it feels a bit uncomfortable to receive a gift from an active soldier, of all people. It’s not like I’m short on money.

“Don’t just accept my intentions, take something. I genuinely want to do something for you as a friend. If you refuse like that, I’ll be a little hurt.”

“Hmm… really?”

When Im Hansol puts it that way, I can’t just keep refusing. If I reject him here, he might misunderstand. Like, ‘Why is he acting like this? Does he dislike me?’

Right, well. It would be impolite to just keep refusing when someone wants to give a gift with good intentions. After thinking about it briefly, I suggested a few inexpensive and practical childcare items.

“Then get some diapers and tissues. I hear you need a lot of those when raising a child.”

“Diapers…? Hmm, I’m not sure which brand to buy. Ah, but you know, right? Send me a link on KakaoTalk. I’ll pay for it, and you can put in your address.”

“Sure. I’ll send it later. Thanks.”

“Don’t just say thanks, actually send it. Got it?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll send the most expensive ones.”

Just as Im Hansol and I were exchanging jokes and smiling, my phone in my pocket vibrated. When I checked, it was a call from Hwa Nabi.

What’s this? She said she was taking a nap, but is she already awake? It’s probably nothing, but there might be an urgent matter, so I should check.

I gestured to Im Hansol for understanding and quickly answered the phone. From the other end came Hwa Nabi’s voice, sounding heavily drowsy.

“Yes, Nabi.”

[Husband… where are you right now?]

“Me? I’m at a café near our house. Are you already awake?”

[Mmm, husband. I was eating, you know? But you weren’t in front of me. So I closed my eyes again, and this time I can’t see you, but I can hear your voice.]

“…Huh?”

What kind of nonsensical talk is this? It’s too incoherent. She’s practically speaking in stream of consciousness.

Is she still half-asleep? Or is she making strange statements while calling in her sleep? Not sure, I asked again to confirm.

“Nabi. Are you fully conscious right now?”

[Husband, I’m lonely.]

“…Lonely? Wait, then I’ll come right now…”

[Ah, I’m hungry. I want to drink milk with you.]

“…”

Considering that Hwa Nabi normally doesn’t touch milk, it seems she really is drowsy or in a similar state. Deflated, I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

“What’s wrong? Did something urgent happen?”

“No, she just seems drowsy. Says she’s hungry and wants to drink milk with me.”

“…Why would she drink milk if she’s hungry?”

Im Hansol’s expression suddenly turned serious. Is he drowsy too? Obviously, it’s just nonsense spoken while half-asleep.

Even after I explained that, Im Hansol’s expression remained serious. As if he sensed something ominous.

“Hey, Siwoo. Shouldn’t you go home right now?”

“Huh? No, she’ll probably just fall back asleep soon…”

“No, that’s not it. Could this be some kind of signal she’s sending you?”

“Signal? What signal all of a sudden?”

“You know, like those stories you see on YouTube where someone calls 112 and says strange things, but it turns out it was a distress signal from someone seeking help.”

“…Huh?”

Now that he mentions it, it is a bit strange. I’ve rarely seen her drink milk, but suddenly she calls and says she wants milk.

…Maybe, just maybe. It’s unlikely, but what if these incomprehensible words are Hwa Nabi’s call for help? What if she’s facing some threat I’m unaware of and can’t directly ask for help?

“Nabi. Are you perhaps in a situation where you can’t speak freely?”

[Husband, I want to drink milk…]

“…She’s not answering and just saying strange things.”

“Siwoo. I don’t think… this is the time to be sitting around.”

After hearing Im Hansol’s near-certain statement, I became anxious. I stood up abruptly while keeping the call connected.

“Hey, I’m sorry. Let’s meet again next time. …Nabi, are you listening? If you’re in danger, cough once.”

[Mmm, milk from husband…]

“Yeah, go quickly. Be prepared to contact me just in case.”

I told her to cough, but she just keeps saying incomprehensible things about wanting milk.

Could it be that the situation is so serious she can’t even signal with a cough? If that’s the case, I shouldn’t be wasting time here.

I left the coffee shop without even saying a proper goodbye and headed almost at a run toward home, where Hwa Nabi would be waiting.