Ch.304304. Because I’m Still Happy

“So, what happened next?”

“Nothing much. Just got a bit of nagging and that was it.”

In truth, I also received a one-sided kiss disguised as punishment, but I swallowed that part to myself, feeling no need to mention it.

Ah, my neck hurts. More precisely, the area around my neck where Hwa Nabi’s lips touched feels a bit stinging.

Why my neck feels sore after being kissed… well, that’s not worth explaining.

“Really? You must be having a tough time too.”

Anyway, I took a sip of my americano and glanced at the person across from me.

Sitting opposite me in a coffee shop near my home, staring at me intently, was none other than Lim Hansol. He’s an active-duty soldier with about half a year left until discharge.

“It’s something I brought upon myself, so I wouldn’t call it tough… but still, you must have it harder than me.”

“Me? Nah, what’s there to be tough about? I’m almost done with my service anyway.”

“Still, being confined in the base alone is tough, isn’t it?”

“Ah, that’s true. Really true.”

Lim Hansol nodded seriously. He seems to really hate being confined to the base.

Well, that’s natural. Who would enjoy being forcibly confined somewhere against their will? Anyone who does might have something wrong with their head.

“It’s really inconvenient having to check in only by phone. I want to see them in person at least once a day.”

“Who, your parents?”

“Well, I do want to see my parents too. But they live abroad, so I can’t see them often.”

“Ah, right. They live in America.”

I was agreeing without much thought when I suddenly realized. If not his parents, who does he want to see every day?

“But if not your parents, then who? Do you have a secret child or something?”

“Not yet, but maybe soon?”

“Huh? Ah…”

Right, he’s getting married to Jinhee soon. He’s so low-key about it that I momentarily forgot.

I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck, then took the opportunity to ask:

“By the way, I’m a bit late in asking, but how are the wedding preparations going?”

“Good, I think. We’ve booked the venue and set the date. The day after my discharge.”

“Really? That’s good. Have you looked into invitations or studios? There’s that place I recommended before.”

“Jinhee is looking into studios, but we haven’t done invitations yet. You said it’s fine as long as they’re done and distributed two months before, right?”

“Yeah, that’s the standard, but you can give them earlier to really close friends or family. It’ll be easier for them to clear their schedules if you give them plenty of notice.”

Since I’ve been through a wedding myself, I shared various tips with Lim Hansol based on my experience. From insisting on choosing the dress together in person to the tiniest details.

When he had questions, he’d ask me, and I’d answer. Lim Hansol would note everything down. After several rounds of this Q&A, he shook his head as if getting a headache.

“There really is a lot to think about and choose. Did you do all this by yourself, Siwoo?”

“Not by myself. Nabi chose some things, I chose others. And we chose some things together. A wedding isn’t something you do alone, right?”

“Hmm… that’s true. It’s not something you do alone. Okay, got it. I’ll check with Jinhee again when I meet her later.”

Lim Hansol muttered quietly, then suddenly looked up at me. Our eyes met. I frowned for no reason.

“Why the sudden eye contact?”

“No, I wasn’t trying to make eye contact. I was just noticing how much darker your under-eye circles have gotten since your student days.”

“…Well, they can’t help but get darker.”

Since Woohee is still not even a year old, Hwa Nabi and I have no choice but to cut back on sleep to take care of her. So it’s natural that I don’t get proper sleep, and even what little I get is frequently interrupted. Woohee doesn’t give advance notice when she cries.

The last time I had a good night’s sleep was months ago. Probably at least two months? During that time, I’ve heard so much crying that I now hear phantom cries. I’ll rush to the bedroom thinking Woohee is crying, only to find her sleeping peacefully. No joke, it really happens.

“Is parenting that hard?”

I put down my coffee cup and pointed to the area under my eyes.

“Look at this. I’m someone who didn’t have dark circles even right before the college entrance exam. But they got really dark after starting to raise a child.”

“Hmm, that bad?”

“Yeah, that bad. But it’s rewarding in its own way.”

Since she’s a precious child born from a precious person, there’s no way I wouldn’t find fulfillment in caring for her with my own hands. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I often feel proud even when changing Woohee’s diapers. It’s proof that she’s healthy.

“Besides, when else would I get to take care of a baby? It’s not like we’re going to have two or three kids.”

“Oh? You’re not having more?”

“Nabi said the other day that raising one child is hard enough, so she doesn’t think she could handle two.”

It was said in passing, but it wasn’t just a joke. So unless Hwa Nabi changes her mind, there are no plans for a second child.

“I guess… that makes sense? Not only is it hard, but raising kids costs a ton of money these days.”

“It costs money and effort. That’s why people aren’t having many kids these days.”

“Yeah, they say having even two kids these days makes you a patriot, and it seems true.”

While we were having this somewhat serious conversation, a female employee approached from the counter area and placed two bags of cookies on our table.

“Oh, we didn’t order these.”

“Um, they’re… on the house. On the house.”

“Ah, complimentary. Thank you.”

If they’re complimentary, it would be polite to accept gratefully. I opened the cookie bag. For something given for free, these chocolate chip cookies looked quite pretty and delicious.

I quickly took a bite. They melt in my mouth.

“Wow, these are really good. Hey, Hansol. Try them quickly. They’re really delicious.”

“…”

Hansol stared at me without touching the cookies. He seemed to have something to say.

“What?”

“This doesn’t seem like a service but more like a bribe… right?”

Hansol glanced at the female employee as he asked. My gaze naturally followed his. She looked to be in her early twenties with a cute face.

The female employee fidgeted with her apron, hesitating before holding out her phone to me.

“Yes, it’s a bribe. So… could you maybe give me your Instagram?”

“Oh, our Siwoo is popular!”

“…Are you kidding me?”

To think what I thought was a service was actually a bribe. I feel bad for accepting it and then saying something else, but I need to draw the line. I showed her the couple ring on my left ring finger.

“Oh, do you have a girlfriend…?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend, but I have a wife, so personal contact would be difficult…”

“Ah… you’re married. I’m sorry. You look so young that I didn’t realize you were married…”

“No, it’s okay. I get that misunderstanding often.”

“Wow, smoothly bragging about yourself too. Siwoo’s become quite the bad boy.”

“…”

The female employee who had been withdrawing her hand burst into laughter. I took Hansol’s cookie too, since he was being so snarky, and took a bite.

“Hey, that’s mine.”

“This is punishment for talking nonsense. Take it gracefully.”

“Fine, I need to eat a proper meal soon anyway. You can have it all, Siwoo.”

“Are you eating with Jinhee?”

“Yeah, since I’m on leave after a long time, I should go on a date. She should be arriving soon. Do you want to see her before you go?”

“I’d like to, but I should head home soon. Woohee might wake up and Nabi would be struggling alone.”

“I see. Get home safely then. I’ll contact you again later.”

“Yeah, enjoy your date. Send my regards to Jinhee.”

“…Wait a moment, Siwoo.”

As I was about to get up after our light farewell, Hansol suddenly grabbed me. Wondering if he had something more to say, I stared at him, and he hesitated before moving his lips.

“What does it feel like… living under the same roof with your wife and child?”

“Hmm, the feeling? I’m not sure, I’ve never seriously thought about it so I can’t really say…”

“Ah… I see?”

“But, well.”

Standing in place, I looked down at Hansol quietly. There could be many reasons why he’s asking me this, but the biggest one is probably anxiety about the future.

I had been living with Hwa Nabi before Woohee came along, and I was prepared for having a child, but Hansol isn’t in the same situation. It’s natural to feel anxious, regardless of taking responsibility and dealing with the consequences.

…Fancy words wouldn’t help in this situation. So I spoke with a completely nonchalant face, as if it were nothing special. But I made sure to convey my sincere feelings.

“It’s fun.”

“Fun?”

“Yeah, it’s fun. It’s rewarding, and there are occasionally awkward situations… but seeing the other person’s face first thing when you open your eyes every morning is really fun.”

“Really? Fun…”

“And also, it makes you happy.”

“Happy…?”

“Yes, happy.”

Having finished speaking, I put on my coat that I had taken off. Then I looked around. I should buy something sweet that Hwa Nabi likes from that bakery across the street when I go home.

“Siwoo.”

“Yeah, what?”

“So, how happy are you right now?”

…How happy am I?

There’s no need to even ask that.

“Well, of course.”

“Of course…?”

“I’m incredibly, incredibly happy, man.”