Ch.36My Mom Was Awesome (1)

<Half of Half-Do> is a world within a webtoon.

According to my friend Bural, who used to be a scenario writer, I had heard that the artwork was exquisite,

and I proved that statement true by possessing the body of Ban Do-young, the main heroine.

Of course, perhaps due to the artist’s exceptional drawing skills,

Do-young’s friends and even other characters with relatively less interaction

all had attractive faces with their own unique charms and appeal, though not quite as striking as Ban Do-young.

Even An Seong-kyung with her freckles, red glasses, and curly hair had a large chest,

and the delinquent transfer student Lee Jeong-gyu was tall with a handsome face.

They call themselves perfectly ordinary high school students that could be found anywhere.

When looking at the male protagonist with his extraordinary appearance that kicks off the story with such deception,

I wonder what “ordinary” even means.

Such thoughts would involuntarily make me clench my fists.

But now that I’ve entered the world of <Half of Half-Do>,

I understand a little bit of what that sense of “ordinary” feels like.

Of course, even so, if I were to rank them,

I would without any hesitation place the Ban Do-young I see in the mirror every morning as the number one female.

Ah, currently Do Ha-min ranks dead last among the males.

Since this ranking is based solely on facial appearance, excluding personality, wealth, fighting ability, and spirit,

his comeback probably won’t be easy.

Until I saw the end of the story,

I thought this ranking in my heart wouldn’t change.

Even if that Ha-min guy improved and moved up,

how could the great main heroine Ban Do-young ever fall from her first place position?

“Nice to meet you, Do-young’s mother. I’m Cheok Jun-sook.”

Oh.

This could be a bit dangerous.

.

.

.

“F-first, get in the car. It’s better than standing here talking all day. Don’t you think? Ha-min, you get in too. I’ll drive you to the station.”

“I-it’s okay. It’s not far, so I can walk… You’ve already bought me new glasses.”

“No, let’s go together. I have many things I’d like to ask Do-young’s friend.”

“Just get in. It’s not like the gas price will skyrocket because four people ride instead of three.”

“…Th-thank you.”

After finishing our business at the optician’s,

Ha-min and I got into my father’s car, and the four of us moved together.

“I heard from your father on the way from the airport. You’ve started kendo again?”

“Yeah, to teach this guy.”

“I see… Well. Sometimes the beginning of something can be triggered by small things rather than grand occasions.”

This person who is Ban Do-young’s mother,

Cheok Jun-sook—it’s not my first time seeing her face.

When I first possessed Ban Do-young’s body,

I saw a family photo at home with all five family members together.

Of course, until then, I didn’t feel much about it.

I had just briefly looked through it to gather information about Ban Do-young,

and at that time, my interest was solely focused on Ban Do-young, whom I had possessed, and the protagonist, Do Ha-min.

However, meeting her face-to-face in person,

the impression was quite different from just seeing her in a photo.

Perhaps this is how Ha-min feels when he gets to see Ban Do-young’s face up close.

Something fatally captivating that I hadn’t noticed when looking in the mirror,

something that momentarily confuses people, regardless of gender.

It’s fortunate that I’ve possessed the world’s most beautiful girl who can counter this,

otherwise, I might have been stammering and blushing in front of her like Ha-min is doing now.

“You’re Ha-min, right? I heard Do-young damaged your glasses and had to compensate you urgently. I’m truly sorry my daughter caused you trouble.”

“N-no, it’s fine… I-I wasn’t hurt anywhere else besides the glasses.”

“That’s quite curious. It sounds like she deliberately targeted just your glasses.”

*Gulp*

“I heard you’re learning kendo from Do-young? Isn’t it difficult for a beginner?”

“No, I haven’t even reached the stage where I could say something is difficult yet…”

“Don’t worry. You’ll catch up quickly. Once you fall for its charm.”

“D-do you really think I can?”

“Of course, Do-young’s father, our Master Ban, was the same. He’s become so much more dignified compared to when he first held a sword.”

“Hey, why bring up old stories unnecessarily…”

Despite clearly praising Dad, for some reason,

Dad kept staring ahead with anxious eyes.

Of course, it’s natural to look straight ahead while driving,

but he seemed reluctant to continue the conversation that was unfolding.

“T-that’s enough. Do-young’s mom.”

“Why? Isn’t it nice to talk about old times? I think it was around Do-young’s age. When you and I first met at the dojo.”

“Huh? Really? Mom and Dad, you first met at the dojo?”

“The current dojo was originally run by your maternal grandfather. I think I told you once before. I was the one who first taught your father kendo.”

“Oh, so it was like me and the honor student?”

“Hehe, I suppose so.”

This was quite a significant discovery.

The fact that Mom and Dad naturally unfolded stories of the past and immersed themselves in nostalgic memories.

And that a similar connection from the past was being applied to me and Ha-min now.

In other words,

it was a signal that I was following the flow of <Half of Half-Do> appropriately.

Perhaps the first meeting between Ha-min and Ban Do-young in <Half of Half-Do>

was a story where, just like Mom and Dad, their relationship began when Ban Do-young taught Ha-min who had coincidentally visited the dojo.

If so, that’s fortunate.

It means I haven’t deviated from the main framework of the original work.

Despite some protruding parts, the overall direction was flowing correctly.

“Ahem…! I’m driving now, so don’t talk too much.”

“What’s with you, Dad? Why do you keep interrupting when Mom’s trying to share old stories?”

“T-that’s not what’s important right now…!”

If there was one concerning element, it was Dad’s unusually tense attitude.

Unlike Mom, who was immersed in nostalgic feelings while talking about memories,

Dad couldn’t hide the feeling of being stiff throughout the entire time he held the steering wheel.

It’s as if he feared bringing up old stories with Mom.

And that somewhat connected with the feeling I had when I first met Mom.

As if I feared this elegant and cultured Mom.

At least, that fear was felt by Ban Do-young’s body, not by me.

But, for now, I only knew that Ban Do-young’s body felt a strange fear when seeing Mom,

I didn’t yet know where that fear originated from.

“W-would you be interested in the old-fashioned love story of an old man and woman? You guys probably don’t care either, right? Should I turn on some music if you’re bored?”

“Maybe that’s true, we’re becoming old uncles and aunties now.”

“Isn’t it a bit much to say you’re old with that face? There’s a poor kid here who’s going to age with this face.”

“I don’t want to agree with that… but I had similar thoughts. When I first met you, I didn’t get that impression at all…”

“Maybe we could pass as sisters if we tried? Maybe.”

“Hehe, I see Do-young needs some pocket money.”

“Tch, busted.”

To some extent, I did expect such a reward,

but I wasn’t just saying empty words that I didn’t mean.

Mom really did resemble the Ban Do-young I had seen enough to be called sisters.

However, the resemblance was only in genetic appearance.

The atmosphere itself felt quite different.

Should I say it comes across as more intimidating?

A height as tall as Ban Do-young’s and an ideal proportion,

black hair neatly rolled up, a black suit with a tidy skirt,

Looking at Mom,

rather than a kendo master’s wife, she gave off the impression of

a high-ranking executive at a major corporation or a wealthy madam.

Her calm and cold voice, unlike Ban Do-young’s high-pitched playful tone,

also contributed to creating such an atmosphere.

With such contrasting vibes,

it’s no wonder Dad finds it difficult to converse with Mom like this.

Could this fear possibly come from such a disparity?

Although she’s displaying elegance and culture in front of Ha-min now,

could the reality behind that mask be a domineering mother who disrespects her husband and oppresses her child?

Thinking that way, I could understand the pressure I’m feeling from Ban Do-young’s mother right now.

“I’ll give it to you when we get home. Is 100,000 won enough?”

“Woohoo, I love you, Mom!”

“I’ll take it from Dad’s wallet later.”

Why would anyone fear a mother who is this beautiful, kind,

and well-endowed?

As a filial child like Ban Do-young, I really don’t understand.

“A-aren’t you all hungry? It’s already lunchtime. Shall we have lunch together before heading back?”

“That sounds good. Ha-min, join us too.”

“M-me too…?”

“Since the kids are here, let’s eat something they like! There’s a hamburger place near the station…”

*Thud*

At that moment, Mom grabbed Dad’s hand on the steering wheel.

“No, Do-young’s father. Let’s go to our usual place.”

“…B-but with the kids, that place is a bit…”

“Ha-min. Do you know how to eat eel?”

“Huh…? I’ve only had it once.”

“Perfect. Auntie knows a place that makes great eel rice bowls. Let’s go together.”

“…Ah.”

It was then that I realized.

Why Dad kept trying to avoid the sweet love story with Mom.

Why a father who wouldn’t even let his menstruating daughter commute by car

would think to find the optician’s where we were and join us.

“D-Do-young’s mom…?”

“Do you think I’d split my busy schedule to return to Korea without a reason? Turn quickly.”

“Y-yes… Sister Jun-sook.”

[Destination changed to ‘Unagimochi, Eel Rice Bowl Specialty Restaurant’]