episode_0021

Episode 20: I’ll go pick you up. On my way.

“Then, wait a moment, okay?”

“Yes, yes, Father…”

“Sein?”

“Yeah…?”

As I opened my mouth, everyone froze.

Wasn’t this normal?

I borrowed knowledge from the original world, but I felt like I had done something wrong.

The slightly blushing face of Jeong A-yeong.

Her father, who momentarily stiffened but soon displayed a gentle smile.

“Haha, call me as you please.”

“Oh, Dad…?!”

Even her mother, who had a solemn expression, cleared her throat a couple of times.

“Have you contacted them? You shouldn’t worry them.”

“Oh, I’m about to do it now.”

“Alright, alright.”

“Thank you… Mother…?”

A twitching corner of the mouth.

For some reason, Jeong A-yeong and Gye seemed similar.

Despite the stern facade, it was too obvious.

I couldn’t grasp why they were reacting like that.

[In this world, “Mother” and “Father” are terms used to address the parents of one’s promised partner.]

“What?”

It felt somewhat familiar from my past life.

Had it solidified to that extent?

My head felt a bit fuzzy.

I had the common sense of the original world, but there were still things I didn’t know.

It meant that situations like this could arise.

Setting that aside, there was something important.

“Sister.”

“Yes. What is it?”

Oh, man.

Why are you reading so quickly?

Is it because it’s past 5, and you’re leaving work?

I understood, but your reading speed almost made me exclaim in admiration unintentionally.

“My friend’s parents told us to have dinner before leaving.”

“…”

It wasn’t a six-dot ellipsis.

It meant they were in the middle of replying.

Yes, no, maybe later—aren’t those usually the two answers?

I don’t know why they’re pondering over this.

After staring at the screen for a few minutes, there was no reply.

Since I’ve said my piece, it should be fine, right?

Just as I was about to turn off my phone…

“Are you far from home?”

“About 40 minutes…?”

“Where are you?”

“At Ai Park.”

“The apartment. There?”

“Yeah.”

Why is this conversation dragging on?

Anxiety started creeping into my chest.

Got it, not coming. Don’t eat now. Not coming.

And…

“When you finish eating, tell me. I’ll come pick you up.”

“No, I can walk alone.”

“I’m coming to pick you up.”

……

Am I going crazy?

Was this character always like this?

Where did the hesitant and cautious Han Se-yeon go?

It’s just text, but an indescribable sense of dread washed over me.

Not simply scary, but metaphorically speaking from my past life… like a tutor from a cram school?

Feels like something you must absolutely do.

“Got it.”

Only after replying could I finally breathe.

Why is she suddenly like this?

Anyway.

Putting away my smartphone, I stepped out of the room.

The bubbling sound of stew, a set table, and Jeong A-yeong and her mother chatting in the living room caught my eye.

“Not a boyfriend?”

“No, he’s not…”

“A friend?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t have friends.”

“Mom!!”

She must have received a lot of love growing up.

Watching the mother and daughter playfully banter without a care in the world, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

If it weren’t for Kim Hyeong-min, would she have grown up as a happy person?

Anyway.

Jeong A-yeong’s family noticed me and began gathering around the table.

I tried to help, but I was politely asked to stay put as a guest.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Eat well.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Eat plenty.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Why do you like him so much?

It’s the first time we’ve met, not even an hour ago.

Jung A-young’s parents were kind to me.

And.

While we were in the midst of eating.

The deep-rooted tradition of South Korea.

The hagwon investigation began.

“How old is your mother?”

“Uh…”

All eyes turned towards me.

As I hesitated in my speech, looking puzzled,

waiting for my answer,

I started to cautiously mention my family situation.

“Well… Actually, I don’t have parents.”

Silence thickened uncomfortably.

“I’m sorry.”

Unable to find the right words, I offered an apology.

Worried about seeming strange, I cautiously raised my gaze.

To my surprise, what I saw in their eyes was not disgust but empathy.

“Sorry… It’s not your fault.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After that, there were some small questions.

If everything was okay.

If any unpleasant memories were being triggered.

“I’m fine now. I’m doing well in school… Except for feeling sorry for my sister.”

“Feel free to come over anytime. I’ll treat you to something delicious.”

“Thank you.”

Oddly, my words seemed to touch them.

Though I answered nonchalantly, tears welled up in my father’s eyes.

Receiving sympathy felt a bit awkward,

but where could they possibly dislike me?

It was a bustling evening.

Not just a fun and fulfilling time, but a warm and subtly calming atmosphere.

Could it be described as naturally cozy?

And.

Time had swiftly moved towards 8 o’clock.

[Finished eating?]

And.

A message from Han Se-yeon arrived.

Han Se-yeon’s gaze darkened.

It was just a simple message.

Sitting on the subway, listening to music as usual,

the vibrating sound carried an underlying sense of unease.

And.

The moment she checked the message content.

[“Your friend’s parents asked you to have dinner before going home.”]

Her heart raced.

Not just simple pain, but something rising from deep within her heart.

An emotion as hot as lava yet chillingly cold.

Anger? Hatred?

Han Se-yeon questioned the identity of this feeling in her heart.

Understandably so.

It was a type of emotion she was experiencing for the first time in her life.

Racing and stinging.

Gradually numbing, such emotions.

A frustrating feeling emerged.

She had to reply, didn’t she?

Though her fingers moved, it felt unsatisfying.

“Hoo…”

Han Se-yeon closed her eyes.

It’s nothing.

Maybe it’s because she’s a girl?

Since she said it’s a friend, it shouldn’t be anything serious.

But why did one side of her chest feel so tight and suffocating?

In the end, she continued typing.

She asked about the location of the house.

Under the guise of concern, she included actions she could take as an older sister.

[Let me know when you’re done eating. I’ll come pick you up.]

Had they ever talked this long?

Even combining all their conversations, they could count them on one hand.

However, her bitter heart still lingered.

Eventually.

She ended up doing something she wouldn’t normally do.

“Sigh…”

Regret came knocking.

Why am I like this?

Han Se-yeon closed her eyes with a heavy heart.

It’s not a big deal.

Let’s hurry home.

And.

About 30 minutes later.

When she opened the door.

Han Se-yeon once again faced the emotion that had tormented her.

“Welcome back.”

“Will you eat first?”

Ah.

Han Se-yeon’s mouth slightly agape.

Am I losing it?

Why am I like this?

Right now, she was genuinely confused.

The voice echoing deep within her heart.

It wasn’t an auditory hallucination or a mental illness.

Just.

It was confusion about an unfamiliar situation.

Thinking back, it was natural.

Hansei had always been with Hanseyeon.

She knew she had no friends.

The desire to care for him was strong, but reality and responsibilities prevented it.

Even if he were being tormented.

Through her teacher, she knew him as a quiet child who preferred solitude over company.

That’s all she knew.

Was that why?

Hanseyeon, too, was isolated in another sense.

Whenever she came home, Hansei was there.

It had been going on for over five years.

When did it start?

When she was pushed into society to take care of him?

One thing was certain.

It wasn’t just about supporting him.

Hanseyeon also relied on him.

“Food… I should eat.”

An awkward movement.

Seemingly empty.

Her hesitant body headed towards the kitchen.

She had to cook soup… bring side dishes…

“Food… is gone.”

What should she do?

She moved her body with vacant eyes.

It was obvious; to work tomorrow, she needed to eat well.

Dinner was quite important.

Washing the rice.

Operating the old electric rice cooker.

[Cuckoo! Making delicious rice…]

“….”

Was this normal?

The dialogue stopped abruptly.

However, Hanseyeon’s response was indifferent.

The time displayed on the rice cooker was 30 minutes.

The remaining time until it was cooked.

Hanseyeon slowly moved her body.

Sitting in front of the TV, she operated the remote control.

Excitement.

Her gaze was fixed on the TV, but her mind was elsewhere.

A gripping sensation in her chest.

It was anxiety.

-Chiik…

How long had she been dazed?

The sound echoed from the rice cooker.

Hanseyeon staggered as she moved her body.

“….”

Hanseyeon’s pupils shook.

When she opened the rice cooker, she was greeted by sticky rice.

Moist and closer to porridge than regular rice.

From Hanseyeon’s perspective, who preferred well-cooked rice, it was almost insulting.

Yet, she just took a deep breath without saying a word.

Ah, I can’t do anything.

Casually cleaning, cooking, taking care of meals.

Her younger sibling who always made breakfast and dinner while attending school.

Compared to that, I can’t do anything.

I can’t even cook a proper meal.

Nevertheless, Hanseyeon scooped the rice with a ladle into a bowl.

Fewer side dishes than usual.

There was not even a main dish, but she chewed and swallowed the food with vacant eyes.

To suppress the anxiety felt in her heart.

Doing her best to act nonchalant.

Chewing and swallowing the grains of rice, picking up the side dishes.

“Well… done.”

[Taste… was it okay?]

“I should clean up…”

[Oh, I can do the dishes. Thanks, sis.]

It was a dinner without Hansei.

As she thought of him, her heartbeat started to irregularly speed up.

Hanseyeon kept raising her head to look at the clock.

7 o’clock.

Usually, around 6 o’clock, it was time to finish eating.

-Tap. Tap. Tap.

Hanseyeon sat at the empty dining table, lost in thought.

Unable to focus on the TV.

She just sat there, tapping the table with her fingers.

Repetitive sounds.

Like her heartbeat, the anxious feeling reverberated in the small room.

8 o’clock.

It was the time she reached her limit.

Finally, holding her smartphone.

Feeling overwhelmed, she began to send messages she hadn’t sent before.

“Did you finish your meal?”

“Yeah, almost.”

“I’ll come over.”

“No, it’s tough. Rest.”

Hanseyeon got up from her seat.

She had walked all day, her body heavy with burdens.

It was a very swift movement.