episode_0045

“Am I… getting kicked out again?”

Jihwon trembled, speaking with both hands shaking.

Ah… I must have slipped up on my subject again while talking.

“No, it’s not like that. Just go out for a bit.”

It would be a big problem if Dad also came to our house.

Thinking that it wouldn’t be good to show Jihwon at that moment, I asked him to go out for a while.

After making the request, Jihwon didn’t hesitate for even a second and immediately agreed to go out.

I was grateful for his swift action in moments like this.

So, I gave Jihwon around 30,000 won and simply asked him to wait at a nearby cafe.

“Can I really leave?”

“I think I might be more of a hindrance if you stay.”

Upon hearing this, Jihwon eventually understood and said he would go out tomorrow.

**

The next day, Jihwon said he would go to a cafe near our house and went outside.

Having a conversation with Dad… It’s been a long time.

Since we don’t usually keep in touch, I’m not sure what to say if he suddenly wants to meet.

Feeling a bit nervous and unsure of what to say.

After waiting for a while, the phone started ringing.

“Hello?”

As soon as I answered the call, I knew it was Dad.

Dad answered the call and told me to come out.

Seems like it’s not something to discuss at home.

When I asked where to meet, Dad said there’s a cafe in front of the house, so come there.

Wait… There… No way.

Even though I tried to convince myself otherwise, it seemed like the cafe Dad mentioned is the one near our house.

Surely not. It can’t be.

Thinking like that, I went outside.

Dad was standing there.

“Let’s go.”

When Dad said that, I asked where we were going.

He said we should go into a small cafe near our house.

Please… I hope Jihwon isn’t inside.

I entered the cafe as it is.

“Oh… damn.”

Inside the cafe, I saw Jihwon eating honey bread.

I wished it was a different cafe, but it turned out to be the same one.

I stared at Jihwon for a while.

“Son, what are you doing? Sit down quickly.”

Dad called me over to sit down.

And right next to Jihwon…

Jihwon seemed surprised to see me but pretended not to notice and quietly changed seats.

Well done! Kim Jihwon!

At least you haven’t completely lost your sense!

After changing seats, Jihwon quietly tried to leave.

Please finish eating quickly and leave. You usually eat fast.

I waited for Jihwon to finish quickly and leave.

After finishing the honey bread, Jihwon tried to get up from his seat.

Alright… I thought it would be fine to relax now.

“So… Jihoo, Dad has something to say… Do you have a girlfriend?”

Upon Dad’s question, Jihwon sat back down.

What is going on! Why sit back down!

Even if I wanted to get angry, I couldn’t. Why sit back down…

“Jihoo? Are you listening to me?”

Dad looked at me and asked if I was listening.

“Yes, I am listening.”

“I have a girlfriend, but it might be difficult for her to come.”

I told Dad that I have a girlfriend.

His expression brightened upon hearing that.

I wanted to know why he was happy, but I didn’t ask.

We talked about how I’ve been living all this time.

As we were conversing for a while, when I was about to get up from my seat,

“So, Jihoo. Do you really have a girlfriend?”

Before getting up, Dad asked me this.

Is this guy just living in a fantasy world? Even if I tell him it’s real, why can’t he believe it?

And why is he so concerned about my girlfriend?

After contemplating for a while, I arrived at one conclusion.

Maybe this person just wants to show interest in me.

I thought my dad simply lacked interest in me and now he’s trying to show some interest. That’s what crossed my mind.

Since we don’t usually talk, I thought maybe he wanted to take an interest in me belatedly.

Well… I guess it can’t be helped that there’s no communication because he’s usually busy.

Thinking like that, as I was about to get up from my seat.

“Um.. Excuse me.”

I heard Jiwon’s voice from beside me.

Why is that idiot calling out to me?

I wanted to stop him right away, I wanted to ignore him, but…

“Yes..? Is there something you need?”

My dad immediately spoke upon hearing Jiwon’s voice.

I was about to tell my dad to leave quickly.

“Uh… This is… Jiho’s girlfriend… Hello.”

Jiwon had already finished introducing herself.

I wanted to ask why she suddenly introduced herself here, but…

With a smile, my dad looked at Jiwon and asked if it was true.

I felt like nodding quietly, but if I said that, I might hear something from Jiwon later, so I ended up nodding.

“No, our son had such a pretty girlfriend, why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I didn’t want to?”

When I said that, my dad looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it, but soon he seated Jiwon next to me.

“Oh.. right, would you like something to drink?”

“Um.. I’ll have an iced tea..”

My dad got up from his seat, said he would get a drink, and headed to the counter.

And with my dad gone, I stared at Jiwon as if I wanted to kill her and said,

“Why… are you causing a scene all of a sudden?”

Just watching from afar and staying quiet for just a minute could have solved the problem.

Why did you suddenly start talking and make a fuss?

I just wanted to send her off quickly and relax at home…

As I finished speaking, Jiwon hesitated and said,

“T-That… You and your dad looked really awkward together.”

“Your expression looked like you were about to start a fight any moment.”

I didn’t know what to say to Jiwon’s words.

I felt that way, but I just wanted to part ways quickly, did I look that bad to her?

So when I asked Jiwon if I seemed that bad to her,

“If you had kept going, I would’ve seriously punched you.”

I’m not sure if the situation was that bad after that statement.

I felt a little uneasy and wanted to go back quickly, but I didn’t think my expression was that stiff.

Jiwon nodded and said she would at least try to lighten the mood.

I have no idea what she’s trying to do anymore.

Finally, I sighed and told her to give it a try.

When my dad came back with the iced tea, he asked what we were talking about.

“We weren’t doing anything…”

“Dad! I have something I’m curious about!”

“Yeah? Go ahead, ask me anything.”

Jiwon smiled at my dad and started approaching him.

So this is what feeling clueless is like.

I started feeling anxious for no reason.

Should I stop this right now? That thought crossed my mind.

“Dad, could you tell me about Jiho?”

This guy?

Why is he suddenly talking about me?

Why does he want me to talk about myself all of a sudden?

In this sudden situation, should I just run away? That thought crossed my mind.

I tried to run, but Jiwon started laughing and grabbed my thigh.

And with force, she held onto my thigh tightly.

“Just sit down.”

And in a soft voice, Jiwon told me to just sit down.

I don’t know what she’s trying to do, but since she told me to sit, I decided to stay seated.

“Umm… So, did Jiho start talking from a young age?”

Has our dad also lost his mind?

He’s talking about his son’s past, but why does he boast about it like it’s something good?

I can’t stand this situation more than I did a while ago.

Even if I could leave right now, I’d want to run away.

Is Ji-won really this strong?

Even when I was a man, I could have beaten Ji-won.

For some reason, even though I try to lift my legs with all my strength, I can’t get up because they’re being pressed down.

Why are you subjecting me to this torture?

Do you know or not that I want to escape right now?

Ji-won and Dad started chatting happily.

Should I lay out a doormat for them? To the point where I want to say…

Please… let me escape from here… I’m begging you…

Even though I fervently plead, it seems like God is turning a deaf ear as the conversation continues.

As some embarrassing stories I knew and didn’t know came out.

My face, which I keep hearing about, began to turn even redder.

Please… please stop because I’ve already taken enough damage.

Even a slight breeze blowing or a single feather falling feels like it would make me collapse…

Please.. let me out of here!

Whether he understands my intentions or not, Ji-won keeps smiling and listening to my embarrassing stories.

While thinking that I want to smack Ji-won right now.

I kept listening to the ongoing conversation.

Should I just… die today?