episode_0159

“…I told you, it wasn’t me who rang the bell.”

“Hmph, it seems like you’re not completely innocent. How unreliable do you usually have to be for Jiwoo to think that way?”

“Geez, if someone heard us, they’d think Jiwoo is the mother’s child, not me. Isn’t that going too far?”

“The one going too far is you and Jaeyeon. How come the two kids I raised for two years can’t be as obedient as Jiwoo? I should give the spoiled child another rice cake, but I don’t want to?”

“Oh, I see, hahaha…”

Due to the unexpected turn of events, I was left dumbfounded even after witnessing the scene of violence in front of me.

After struggling to gather my thoughts and explain everything thoroughly, fortunately, the misunderstanding was cleared up. Unfortunately, it was already after Jaehyuk had been scolded by his father.

Feeling unjustly punished for something I didn’t do(?), Jaehyuk complained at the dinner table, just like in the old days.

However, his complaints fell on deaf ears with a mother who was already accustomed to it, and instead, I received a lecture to behave properly.

“Well, I usually do well like that.”

“…What about you then?”

“Hmph!”

Although the guilt of the two was slightly alleviated after the misunderstanding was resolved, the atmosphere remained cold and uncomfortable.

Eating under such a heavy burden, it was likely that either Jaehyuk or I would snap.

Wanting to lighten the mood during the meal, I made a joke about not even touching a dog while eating.

Fortunately, it seemed to have an effect as my mother’s hearty laughter lightened the atmosphere.

“See, even the bird acts like that. When someone points out a problem, instead of complaining, try to understand and fix it.”

“Well, this time it really was my fault… Oops?!”

“Alright, stop sulking and eat up. Jiwoo’s special sauce, how is it, sir? Delicious?”

“…Mm, not bad.”

It was a rare opportunity that couldn’t be wasted.

As I urged him to eat the meat wrap I had carefully prepared, the lovable fool stopped complaining and started focusing on the meal.

“…The power of love is truly amazing, isn’t it? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen our child behave so quietly.”

“Haha… You should listen to me more often.”

Surprised by the transformation of her usually temperamental son into a gentle lamb, my mother looked back and forth between us.

Feeling relieved that she seemed to be looking at us favorably, I also started to eat the meal prepared by Jaehyuk with gusto.

“…The meat was cooked so perfectly. Thanks to that, I enjoyed the meal, mother.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was worried it wouldn’t taste good.”

“Oh, don’t be too modest. Excessive humility is deceitful.”

“Even if you fly a plane, nothing will come out of it? In that sense, I want to start a little talk… Is that okay?”

If I could make my mother happy, maybe she wouldn’t scold us as much in the upcoming fateful moment?

Hoping for the best, I tried my best to flatter her, but unfortunately, it was a futile effort.

Because.

“I won’t nag you… Jiwoo, you must have heard enough from your mother. Considering your lively personality… yesterday must have been quite a scene, right?”

“…Um, yes, I heard a lot.”

“Alright, let’s set aside the clichés on the table… Why don’t you guys think about what to do next? I gave you a week, so you must have thought about it by now, right?”

Whether she didn’t want to waste emotions on spilled water or simply wanted to skip the nagging time boldly, I couldn’t tell.

I was taken aback by the unexpected situation, but… well, good things are good, aren’t they?

I had already vaguely outlined the big picture due to worries about the future.

I began explaining the plans I had sporadically made in my spare time to my mother.

“…I haven’t decided on many things yet, so I can only speak in general terms. I hope you understand that.”

Since the time given was not much, and I had not prepared myself mentally, the plans were quite lacking, to be honest.

The only thing I could confidently say was that I planned to use the money I had saved so far and take full responsibility for the baby in my belly.

As I finished discussing the plans for the future, prepared for the criticism, my mother’s firmly closed lips slowly began to part with a sigh.

“I’m not entirely satisfied with your answers, as there are many vague points. But you seem to have done your best… so I guess it’s passable, yes.”

“…I could plan more specifically if I knew whether I could continue working after giving birth, I’m sorry, mother. I’m still too scared to ask the boss about it.”

“I’ve said it before, it’s enough. In a world where you can’t know what will happen tomorrow, speaking with certainty would make you either a liar or a madman. Isn’t that right?”

“I-is that so…?”

Was she evaluating my sense of responsibility highly? I expected to be scolded, but my mother instead spoke gently to me.

She even mentioned that I could ask for help anytime if there were any obstacles in the future.

I was making a dumbfounded expression because things were resolving too easily, but…

They say that crises come when you least expect them, and in the moment of complacency, another trial came upon me.

“By the way, I’ve been curious for a while… Why is our proud son not saying anything? He looks extremely flustered, could it be that he… Jieun, did you think and speak alone?”

“…That’s…”

Perhaps because I was caught off guard, the words didn’t come out immediately.

He seemed busy preparing for the proposal for a long time, so I thought about it alone to consider his feelings.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really Jaehyuk’s fault.

Discussing life after marriage, honestly, wouldn’t it be fine to do it after receiving the proposal?

…Let’s just say we decided on it together. That way, she might not scold me as much.

Although I was already practically out for hesitating in my response, in a moment of hope for a miracle, I opened my mouth.

Jaehyuk, scratching his head with a puzzled expression, took out a bankbook and placed it on the table, starting to explain the plan he had devised.

“I looked around for the past week, and if we break the savings and take out a loan, we might be able to find a rental house where we can live together. And…”

A well-thought-out plan that contained a strong determination to take responsibility for me, so much so that my anxious heart disappeared.

When did he come up with such a plan? Wasn’t he busy preparing for the proposal?

As I stared at him with wide eyes of surprise, Jaehyuk, who had finished his story, looked at me with a face full of guilt and spoke.

“It seems like we’ve been misunderstanding each other, Mom. If Jiwoo was worried, we should have discussed it together. Hey, next time, don’t keep your worries to yourself. You know I’m clueless. If you don’t say anything, how would I know?”

“…You seem really busy, how was I supposed to bring it up? I was planning to talk about it when the time was right.”

“You almost got into big trouble, you stubborn vampire. You should just say these things right away.”

“Who are you calling stubborn? Who’s the real stubborn one here!”

My voice unintentionally rose as I felt frustrated and angry at Jaehyuk, who didn’t understand my feelings.

But the brief lovers’ quarrel came to an abrupt end due to the ominous voice that echoed from the surroundings.

“Curse them all, these damn bastards.”

Unable to bear the lament of a spinster, reconciliation was inevitable.

…Oh, you were here.

I’m sorry, Jaeyeon unnie.

I hope you’ll meet a good man someday too.

Maybe… Doyo?

—–

As the weighty moment of fate passed by, we finally reached the moment of parting.

Was it because the burden in my heart had lifted? I could bid farewell to my in-laws without any hesitation.

“We’ll be heading off now, Mother! I need to catch the late-night bus to work tomorrow…”

“Hmm, you really are a tired species. Alright, take care… And make sure to coordinate the schedule for the meeting with your mom. It’s on Sunday, right?”

“Yes, we have a holiday every Sunday. We’ll see you again at the meeting! Goodbye~!”

“Just in case, I’ll say it one more time, if anything happens, make sure to contact us! Got it?”

“Yes!”

After exchanging warm goodbyes, I boarded the late-night bus and headed back to my studio apartment.

Was it because I had been through a lot emotionally for the past two days? Despite it being the peak time of the night, I felt drowsiness creeping in, and I glanced at Jaehyuk sitting next to me.

Snore –

As expected, Jaehyuk had already drifted off to dreamland.

Even the vampire known as the strongest for only one night seemed to feel tired.

Gazing at his peacefully sleeping face with a content heart, I lightly kissed his lips and whispered softly.

“Thank you for everything, truly.”

And.

“Let’s continue to endure together… No, that doesn’t sound right. Pfft.”

Anyway.

“I love you, my other half.”

With those final words.

I rested my head on his shoulder and drifted off to sleep.