episode_0055

Arriving at the pharmacy, I stepped inside.

To think a guy like me, a clueless man, would be buying that… I don’t even know what to call it.

Standing there awkwardly, I approached the pharmacist and asked what I was looking for.

“Um… do you have that?”

As I inquired with the pharmacist, he tilted his head and said, “That?” with a smirk.

Then, as if understanding, he simply said, “Ah,” and handed me what I was looking for.

“How did you know I needed this?”

“A lady came by asking if we had it, mentioning either sanitary pads or this.”

Saying that, the pharmacist swiftly calculated the price.

Me, a clueless guy, buying this.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I thought I had no choice but to go through with it for proper confirmation, made the purchase, put it in my bag, thanked him, and left the pharmacy.

Honestly, it’s scary. If this turns out to be the golden answer… am I causing trouble for Jihoo again?

Returning home, I found Jihoo inside.

“Why are you here?!”

“I said I didn’t have anything to do today, so I’m resting at home.”

Why today of all days!

I feel like I should get tested right away…

First, let’s handle this in the bathroom.

Ignoring Jihoo, I went straight into the bathroom.

Once inside, I followed the instructions on the pregnancy test kit.

After a moment, one line appeared.

And then…

“Damn…”

Why are there two lines?

I was certain one line meant negative.

But I know two lines mean positive.

Right now, unmistakably, there were two lines.

What… what should I really do about this?

Taking a deep breath, unsure of what to say,

“Jiwon! I’m in a hurry, come out quickly,” Jihoo banged on the door, urging me to come out.

“Uh… yeah, I’ll be out in a moment.”

I have no choice. Let’s go outside now.

Exiting the bathroom, Jihoo thanked me, and we stepped outside.

Outside, pondering how to address this, I reached for the pregnancy test I had just used, but…

“Why… isn’t it in my pocket?”

Oh… did I leave it at the sink?!

**

“Ugh… I almost had a heart attack.”

Suddenly feeling a stomach ache, I felt embarrassed for calling Jiwon.

Next time we move, I want a place with two bathrooms, I thought, washing my hands at the sink.

“Milk~ I love milk~”

Humming the milk song while washing my hands, just as I reached for the soap…

“Can I have some milk… more please…?”

As I reached for the soap, I noticed a stick next to it.

And then, seeing the pregnancy test beside it.

“Yikes!! Damn it! Don’t give me more!!!”

I asked for milk, why are they giving me weird things!

I went outside and showed Jiwon what I was holding.

“Hey! What is this!”

Seeing it, Jiwon looked momentarily confused before bursting into laughter.

“Tada~! Surprise~ Were you surprised?”

“I was so shocked I almost had a heart attack!”

I almost had a heart attack and died. Seriously.

Looking at Jiwon like that, she tried to pass it off with a smile, but…

“Hey, this is really serious. Tell me quickly!”

Grabbing Jiwon, I spoke earnestly.

Her expression immediately shifted.

“That… that happened. It seems like, maybe, that day wasn’t a safe day after all.”

I remember her saying something like ‘probably’ back then.

I was… enjoying the situation at that time.

I don’t think I can say anything.

“So… what does Jihoo think? If you don’t want it… I’ll manage on my own… so…”

Jiwon’s words sounded a bit strange.

“Hey. Idiot! Do you think I’d let you handle it alone!”

Grabbing Jiwon, I made it clear that I never intended to raise it alone.

However, I thought it wasn’t true, but when it turned out to be, I was a bit puzzled and surprised.

I had already anticipated it.

Looking at Ji-won like that, I told her not to say such things again.

Upon hearing this, Ji-won said she understood and apologized.

As I spoke to Ji-won, she began to hug me tightly.

I also hugged Ji-won and looked at her.

Normally, Ji-won, who was somewhat light-hearted, felt unusually heavy today.

Well… I should probably visit the hospital once.

Since even using a pregnancy test can sometimes be inconclusive, I decided to stop by the hospital.

“Congratulations, it’s twins! Congratulations… right?”

When we asked the doctor at the hospital, they placed a machine on Ji-won’s belly, and an image started to appear.

That small thing is a baby, isn’t it?

The doctor, with a surprised expression, asked if everything was alright.

Of course, it’s fine.

I feel good, but I don’t know what to say.

I don’t know how to express this feeling of unease.

It feels like I might finally understand why Homer pulled his hair out when he had Bart and Lisa in The Simpsons.

I wanted to grab my head because of this uneasiness too.

“Ji-hoo… are you okay?”

Seeing Ji-won calling me… I didn’t know what to say.

“Ha… I’m fine. Of course, I’m fine!”

Saying that I’m fine, I raised my thumb and smiled at Ji-won.

“Um… is this strange?”

The doctor said it was strange while looking at something.

Not understanding, I asked, “Yes?”

As the doctor continued to touch Ji-won’s belly.

“It’s twins, isn’t it?”

“Yes…?”

With the doctor’s smile and the mention of twins,

my head started to ache even more.

From now on… I really have to work hard.

Twins… these twins…

Ji-won kept staring at the ultrasound picture, lost in thought.

She probably can’t accept this fact.

Born a man, now a woman.

And suddenly becoming a mother.

My head hurts from suddenly becoming a father too.

What would Ji-won say in this situation?

After staring blankly for a while, we returned home.

Ji-won looked at me and said, “Ji-hoo… I’m a mother now.”

“Yeah… that’s right.”

“Are you okay?”

Ji-won’s words prioritized my worries over hers.

“Don’t worry about me getting more stressed because of the kids…”

“Hey. Don’t worry about that.”

I told Ji-won not to worry about such things and gently stroked her head.

You should worry about things you need to worry about.

“Just focus on taking care of yourself from now on. If you’re in pain, tell me.”

Ji-won nodded in understanding at my words.

Holding Ji-won again, I lifted her up.

“Hey?! Why are you suddenly lifting me up!”

Then I laid Ji-won on the bed.

“Today, just rest. You shouldn’t get tired.”

I laid Ji-won on the bed and told her to sleep.

She understood and pulled the blanket over herself.

Still, she listens well!

As I laid Ji-won down, I pondered what I should say as a father.

What should I say in this situation…

Should I scold her?

I don’t think parents should hit their children.

But the anxiety of ruining someone’s life by saying so and hitting them started to creep in.

There are many scenes like that in dramas.

I don’t know what to say.

Quietly picking up my phone, I thought about calling my mom first, but as I was about to make the call…

Ding-dong!

The doorbell at home started ringing.

Who could it be? I checked the intercom.

“Mom?!”

My mom was at the front door.

They say speak of the devil and he doth appear.

This is too soon.

So, I asked my mom through the intercom why she came.

“For side dishes.”

In a very brief statement, she explained why she came.

“What’s wrong? Is something going on?”

지원이 asked me what was going on.

“Can I let our mom in?”

Jiwon looked at me, momentarily surprised.

“I’m fine,” I said.

Even though Jiwon said I was fine,

I didn’t want to let her in.

Since she had already come, not opening the door would be unfilial.

Feeling like I had no choice, I eventually opened the door.

“Here’s the side dishes.”

Mom handed me the side dishes and approached Jiwon.

“Jiwon~ How have you been lately?”

In stark contrast to when talking to me, she smiled and spoke to Jiwon.

Excuse me, is the head of the household here?

Looking puzzled, she stared at Mom.

Mom patted Jiwon’s head, asking if anything hurt and if living with me stressed her out.

“Stress? I feel like I’m causing trouble instead. I’m sorry.”

Jiwon smiled and denied it.

Then Mom said she would leave quickly and got up from her seat.

Yeah… It was great that she was leaving so soon, especially since I had a headache.

As I hoped for her to leave quickly…

“What’s this?”

Mom held up a picture and looked at me.

Then, glaring at me, she came closer, grabbing my collar.

“Just a moment! Why are you like this, Mother!”

Seeing my bewildered face, Mom grabbed my collar and shouted.

“Em..Emergency! Family meeting!!”

And then I realized. The picture Mom was holding…

It was the ultrasound picture taken today.