Ch.277277. Still the Same, Even in a Place Like This

“……Huh, huh? Two lines?”

Though I had been expecting it deep down, hearing it directly from her mouth, and in a tone that suggested it was obvious, was quite shocking.

Two lines? Surely she wasn’t talking about a disease test, but rather a pregnancy test with two lines… Still, there was a possibility remaining. Maybe Jinhee was joking?

Unconsciously widening my eyes, I turned to look at Im Hansol. I was silently asking with my eyes if what Jinhee had just said was true.

I hoped he would say no, that it was just a joke… but my hopes were in vain. Im Hansol gave a bitter smile and nodded.

“Yeah… that’s how it turned out.”

“What do you mean ‘that’s how it turned out’? Hey… this isn’t something to just brush off, no. Never mind. Uh, right. First, congratulations. But this is….”

I don’t know what to say. Since there’s a possibility of new life, I should probably congratulate them, but is congratulating them really the right thing to do?

As my words trailed off, Im Hansol patted my shoulder. His expression seemed to say he understood exactly how I felt.

“Siwoo, why are you more flustered than I am? Anyone watching would think you’re the father.”

“No, of course not….”

I was well aware that Jinhee was staring at us, but I couldn’t help myself. I tapped Im Hansol’s arm and leaned close to his ear to whisper quietly.

“…It’s not certain yet, right?”

“It’s probably certain. Jinhee said she hasn’t had that for two months.”

In this situation, “that” must refer to her period. If she hasn’t had her period for two months, there’s a high chance that either something is wrong or she’s pregnant.

“Really? Two months… Hey, I’m just asking because I don’t know. If Jinhee is really pregnant.”

“Yeah, if she is?”

I know it’s rude to ask such questions even to a friend. But I just can’t help asking. If Jinhee is really pregnant, what does Im Hansol plan to do?

I had already made up my mind to marry Hwa Nabi from the beginning, and with everyone around us encouraging it, we got married when she got pregnant… but that’s not the case for him, is it?

Twenty, no, twenty-one years old and becoming a father. It’s not my place to say, but as a friend, I was worried and curious. So I asked very carefully.

“What, what are you going to do?”

“What do you mean what am I going to do? I have to take responsibility, of course.”

“Take responsibility?”

By responsibility, does he mean what I think he means? When I asked with just my eyes, Im Hansol nodded readily.

“Yeah, I’m planning to get married.”

My head turned involuntarily. Im Hansol followed my gaze, and our eyes met at the same point.

That is, both Im Hansol and I were looking at Jinhee.

“What? Marriage? You, with Jinhee?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan. Marriage.”

He muttered it in a tone that suggested it was as obvious as eating when you’re hungry, and for a moment I thought it made sense.

Im Hansol, who had muttered as if it was no big deal, took Jinhee’s right hand. I had never seen them show physical affection before, but surprisingly, Jinhee didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she gripped his hand tightly as if to show me, and covered her mouth with her other hand.

“…Ahem!”

With slightly flushed cheeks, Jinhee covered her mouth and pretended to clear her throat, hiding her expression. It seems like she’s embarrassed… but whether she’s embarrassed or not is none of my business.

I turned my head to look at Im Hansol. His face was full of smiles, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but say something.

“Hey, you’re still in the military.”

“Yeah, so I’m planning to get married right after I’m discharged.”

“…What? Right after?”

“With a baby on the way, the sooner the better, right? There’s public perception to consider too.”

“Hmm, that’s true. There’s public perception, and it’ll be incredibly busy after the birth. It might be better to have the wedding quickly before the baby is born.”

“Oh, speaking of weddings, I just realized my discharge date and Jinhee’s due date are pretty close. Just a week apart? Seven is a lucky number, isn’t it? Isn’t that interesting?”

“Oh, really? That is interesting.”

I found myself agreeing before realizing this wasn’t the time for such talk. Interesting my ass, a mere soldier got the four-star general’s niece pregnant and you’re calling it interesting? Coming to my senses belatedly, I hardened my expression and grabbed Im Hansol’s shoulder.

“Hey, Im Hansol. Do Jinhee’s parents and her uncle know about this? What about your parents?”

“Huh? No, none of them know yet. I only found out recently myself. We’re planning to go greet them as soon as we get the test results today.”

From what I heard before, Jinhee’s uncle, the active-duty general, seems to care a lot about her. If something goes wrong, Im Hansol won’t be the only one to suffer.

If things go well, the rest of his military service will be comfortable, but if not… I don’t even want to imagine.

Involuntarily shuddering, I gripped Im Hansol’s shoulder tightly.

“Make sure you speak well when you go. If you say something wrong and make a bad impression… it’ll be a real disaster.”

“Yeah, I made this mess so I need to speak properly. But why are you like this? You suddenly look like someone who ate something bad.”

“I think my stomach is upset because of you….”

Why does my stomach feel so sour when I haven’t eaten anything? The reason is probably Im Hansol standing in front of me. Seeing him smiling as if it’s someone else’s problem despite it being his own makes my stomach churn even more.

“Hey, it’s fine. Don’t you know Hansol? He’s always so decisive, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

Still holding hands tightly, Jinhee, who had been quietly listening from the side, added a comment.

Well, it’s not my business anyway, and even as a friend, saying anything more would just be meddling. I let go of his shoulder and took a step back. Looking at them from a distance like this, they actually seem to match well.

“Siwoo is just worried, that’s why he’s like this. He’s concerned about us, so there’s no need to be sharp.”

“Still, saying unnecessary things….”

“Jinhee.”

Im Hansol’s hand went to Jinhee’s waist. Then he gently embraced her and whispered quietly, and I could see Jinhee’s face turning bright red.

“…Okay, I won’t.”

Unlike before, she muttered in a very docile attitude. Anyone could see she was completely smitten with Im Hansol.

…I expected something like this, but this is beyond my imagination. To see Jinhee, who was always so confident, change this much—what effect does love have on people’s brains?

“Well… you two look good together, so live happily. Make sure to contact me first when the wedding invitations are ready.”

“We haven’t even greeted the parents yet, and you’re already talking about wedding invitations?”

“Didn’t you say the sooner the better? And if you’re getting married right after discharge, you need to start preparing now. Do you know how much there is to prepare for a wedding?”

“Oh, right. Siwoo, you’re our senior in marriage, aren’t you? If you’re not too busy later, help us prepare for our wedding. I won’t make it too troublesome for you.”

“Sure, I’ll help when I’m not busy, so contact me when it’s convenient.”

Despite appearances, Im Hansol seems to have a wanderlust, so this might be for the best. With a baby and marriage, he’ll have to settle down in one place whether he likes it or not. He was already like a rare Pokémon that was hard to contact, but at least now we’ll be in regular touch.

Im Hansol smiled gently and extended his hand. I also reached out and grasped it. As we shook hands lightly a few times, Im Hansol suddenly added as if he just remembered.

“By the way, Siwoo. Weren’t you on your way somewhere? I saw you earlier heading to the entrance and then coming back.”

“…Oh, right.”

*

I hurriedly left the hospital, bought the rice porridge and a bag of tangerines that Hwa Nabi had asked for, and returned to the hospital room. Since I was much later than expected, I was almost running, so I’m out of breath.

I handed over the bag while catching my breath. She accepts it with thanks since it’s a gift, but Hwa Nabi looks at my face and is surprised.

“Husband, why is your face so red? Did you fall on your way here?”

“No, I didn’t fall, I ran here.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s a relief, but you could have just come slowly. It’s cold outside.”

“I’m buying food for you, so I should hurry back. And I promised, didn’t I? That I’d come back as quickly as possible.”

As I say this, I actually met a friend on the way, chatted, and even gave some advice. Not knowing my circumstances, Hwa Nabi fidgets with her lips as if touched.

“Husband… thank you so much.”

“Come on, enough. Why are you thanking me for just buying a meal…?”

My conscience pricks me for hearing this after dawdling on my way back. Feeling awkward, I pulled out the table attached to the bed. I need to feed her the porridge quickly to end this awkward situation.

I opened the well-packaged porridge and scooped up a spoonful. Then, saying “ah,” I carefully extended it toward Hwa Nabi’s mouth.

“I can eat by myself….”

“Tut-tut, this isn’t a service you get every day. Eat quietly, madam.”

“Hmph, suddenly calling me ‘madam’.”

Though she pretends to dislike it, she eats it gently. It’s nice to see her eating well. After feeding her a few more spoonfuls, I handed her the spoon. I let her eat the porridge by herself and peeled a tangerine for dessert.

“Are you going to feed me the tangerine too?”

“Why, would you like me to?”

“Not really, I was just curious.”

That means she wants me to feed her. Smiling slightly, I waited until Hwa Nabi finished eating the porridge, wiped her mouth, and offered her a piece of tangerine.

Again, she accepts it readily. I eat one piece myself and give the rest to Hwa Nabi.

“Is it good?”

“Yes, it’s delicious. Where did you buy this?”

“Over there, at the mart across the street.”

“When we go home after the birth, shall we buy another bag?”

“Sure, let’s do that. But for that, you need to give birth healthily first, right?”

“Don’t worry about that. Who do you think I am?”

“Heh, who are you?”

“Umm… your wife?”

That’s not wrong. As she speaks cutely and winks one eye, I kissed that eyebrow. Then I carefully got up from my seat.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going home for a bit.”

“Home? Why?”

“I need to pack some things. We left in such a hurry that I couldn’t bring a lot of stuff.”

Since we won’t be staying just for a day or two, I need to bring my phone charger and also pack some underwear for Hwa Nabi to change into. Although the maternity ward is said to have spare underwear… as I know from experience, Hwa Nabi’s figure is non-standard in many ways, so ordinary ones won’t fit.

I kept it vague to avoid sounding strange if I was too specific, but she seemed to catch on as her cheeks turned slightly red.

“Ah… right? I don’t have any underwear to change into right now….”

“…If anything happens, press the emergency button right away. Got it?”

“Oh, wait a moment! Husband!”

As I was trying to leave to escape the awkwardness, Hwa Nabi suddenly called me back. Wondering what it was, I turned around to see her checking if anyone was around before quietly murmuring.

“Um, please bring pretty underwear. Please…?”

“…I’ll bring them.”