* * *

I was looking forward to Taeshin staying at our house, but it was a letdown when I found out we’d have separate rooms.

I imagined falling asleep and waking up together in the same room, but Mom insisted that everyone, even married couples, need their own space.

She designated one of the guest rooms as Taeshin’s room.

“Tch. My room is spacious enough. I tried to persuade Mom that it would be more convenient for Taeshin and me to share a room, but Moon Jinwoo interfered, and I failed. So, I stayed in my room while Taeshin had his own.”

“…Moon Jinwoo, I’ll get rid of him.”

“Sunwoo, are you still mad?”

While we were having a hearty meal at the cafeteria, Taeshin asked with a smile, noticing my gritted teeth.

His warm smile softened my heart for a moment, but I clenched my teeth harder to stay focused. Don’t make me weak, you fool!

This morning, Jinwoo caught Taeshin and me kissing. He barged in without knocking, and just as our lips touched, it was over.

Jinwoo’s ranting followed, and my ears still hurt from it. From now on, we’ll have to lock the door.

It’s so frustrating. Taeshin and I have done all sorts of things, even planning to have a baby and get married. But just kissing caused such a fuss. I still couldn’t let it go. I wanted more!

“I can’t live like this. I’m getting rid of Moon Jinwoo.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“Yeah. I had one before, but this time I’ll see it through.”

I still had my plan to convince Mom to make Jinwoo move out.

Though it was thwarted last time by my oldest brother’s surprise wedding announcement, my resolve was stronger now.

If I couldn’t get Jinwoo to move out, I’d make sure he goes on blind dates. He’d be so busy complaining that he wouldn’t have time to bother us.

“I won’t let him be.”

I muttered with determination, and Taeshin patted me gently.

Ah, Taeshin. His soft pheromones and touch calmed me down.

As my anger subsided, I gave up and relaxed beside him.

Bzzzzz.

“Hey? Your grandfather?”

“Grandfather?”

While hanging out in an empty classroom after lunch, Taeshin’s grandfather called.

Oh no! I had to tell him the news but had been too preoccupied to do so.

If I suddenly announced that I was having a baby and getting married, he’d be shocked. I took a deep breath and answered the call.

“Hello, Grandfather?”

“Ah, my dear! How have you been?”

“Yes, it’s lunchtime now. Have you eaten?”

“I just did. Have you eaten, my dear?”

“Yes, I ate with Taeshin. Um, Grandfather, I have something to tell you….”

“Never mind that. I heard there’s good news, and I can’t just sit still! Are you feeling well? Eating what you want? Is Taeshin treating you well?”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

“Really? You don’t sound convincing~.”

Oh no! He already knew. Luckily, he seemed very happy about it, which made me sigh in relief.

“Oh my, why don’t we meet today? How about that Korean restaurant you like? Or something else? Thanks to you, I get to see my great-grandchild in my lifetime! Let’s not wait until dinner; let’s meet now! Should I send a car?”

“Wait, Grandfather!”

Even through the phone, I could sense how excited he was.

Despite the surprising news of an unexpected baby and marriage, he was happy, which made me happy too.

After class, we went to meet Taeshin’s grandfather.

“Grandfather~!”

“Oh, my dear~! Was it hard to get here?”

When we arrived at the meeting place, Grandfather stood up and came running. He welcomed me warmly and offered us seats.

“My dear, what do you want to eat? Meat? Beef? Pork? Taeshin probably isn’t taking good care of you, so choose whatever you want.”

“No, Grandfather. Taeshin takes good care of me, don’t worry!”

“Oh, nonsense. He should be carrying you around, not making you walk.”

Grandfather, not trusting Taeshin, clicked his tongue and ordered a lot of food. Even before eating, he looked satisfied just watching us.

“I hope the great-grandchild looks just like you, my dear.”

“Huh? I’m hoping the baby looks more like Taeshin.”

“Nonsense! The baby should look like you! What’s there to resemble in that boy? Look at him sitting there quietly.”

“Taeshin is naturally quiet. Right, Taeshin?”

“Nothing to say… thank you for the meal.”

This idiot spoke thoughtlessly again. I nudged him, hinting to change his words. Although Grandfather seemed happy, he must have been surprised by the news of an unexpected baby before marriage.

“That boy. He’s useless at everything except looking at you.”

“Grandfather, Taeshin being good at studying is impressive enough!”

“Even if you say so. When he was young, he was lazy, stubborn, and never spoke a word. If it weren’t for you, he’d probably still be silent.”

“Taeshin just started talking late. Some smart kids do that.”

“That’s not all, dear. Once, I gave him some money to play with, and he did well. So, I told him to try something bigger, but he ignored me!”

“Really? Hey, why did you do that? Grandfather gave you money to play with.”

“…Money. I don’t remember that.”

“Idiot, don’t you remember? You’re making Grandfather upset.”

“See? That’s the kind of boy he is. And there’s more….”

Since Grandfather always worried about Taeshin, once the topic came up, he continued sharing his concerns. I helped by scolding Taeshin on his behalf and agreeing with him.

I shared the story about Haeju, which I hadn’t mentioned before. I told him how Haeju looks now, how we found out about Haeju, and how Taeshin confessed to me.

Grandfather listened with great interest and criticized Taeshin for not realizing my feelings due to his lack of perceptiveness.

When I mentioned, with a bit of exaggeration, that Moon Jinwoo was bothering us, he looked very serious.

“Our dear shouldn’t be stressed. Should I scold him for you?”

“No, it’s fine. It’ll be alright soon.”

“Sunwoo, where does Jinwoo work again?”

“Huh? I’m not sure. Dad keeps telling him to come to his company, but he always refuses. He must like where he is now.

Before, he couldn’t even come home because of all the overtime, but these days he keeps coming home early. Does he not have work to do?”

When Moon Jinwoo worked overtime, he either didn’t come home or came home past midnight, which I liked. Reminiscing about that time and complaining, Taeshin glanced at Grandfather while drinking water.

What’s with you, Taeshin? Did you say something because you were worried Grandfather wouldn’t? Are you starting to mature after getting an earful from him?

“Hm. Got it. Dear, should we order more meat?”

“Yes! Chuck flap tail, please!”

Grandfather nodded at Taeshin and then turned to me to ask. It seemed he noticed Taeshin’s efforts. Feeling a bit proud inside, I finished eating all the meat.

When it was time to leave, Grandfather handed me a card.

“Take care of yourself, and if you need to buy anything, use this.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I still have a lot of the allowance you gave me last time. You already gave me so much…”

“Grandfather will be upset if you don’t take it.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you, Grandfather.”

“And if there’s any food you want, make Taeshin get it for you. Even for little things like water, make him do it.”

“Taeshin is already taking care of everything.”

Grandfather repeatedly told me to boss Taeshin around, then sighed deeply and held my hand tightly.

“Dear, even though he can’t do anything right and is quite useless, please take good care of him.”

“Grandfather, don’t worry about us.”

“Of course, of course. No worries. With you around, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“You don’t need to worry, there won’t be anything troubling for Sunwoo.”

Grandfather scolded Taeshin with a sharp look. Taeshin had received several scoldings after a previous incident where he went out alone because he was frustrated with Taeshin’s complacency.

“Dear, Grandfather is always on your side, so if anything happens, make sure to call me.”

“Yes, Grandfather. Please take care.”

“Sure. Taeshin, you too, take care and get home safely with her.”

“Yes.”

We saw Grandfather off first and then headed home. I was exhausted and my body felt heavy.

I washed up and lay down on the bed, falling asleep without noticing when Taeshin came in.

In my sleep, I felt his hand soothing my aching belly.

Now, we just have to deal with Moon Jinwoo.

---

With less than a month left until final exams, I had to study. It felt like midterms had just ended, so how could it already be time for finals? Something had to be wrong.

Studying in an empty classroom before the afternoon lecture, my phone buzzed briefly. It was Taeshin’s Grandfather.

“Oh my gosh.”

“What?”

“It’s Grandfather… he’s asking me to pick a car.”

The message from Grandfather had several car catalogs attached.

The last time we met, he asked if I had a car, and I said I’d use Taeshin’s.

Now he sent catalogs saying it would be convenient for me to have my own.

“Just pick one.”

“I don’t know how to drive. I need to get my license after having Haeju.”

Even if I got a car, I’d need to have Haeju and finish my recovery, so it would be almost a year before I could use it.

It’d be better to get one after learning to drive; otherwise, it’d just sit there for months. I began to write a polite refusal, but Taeshin urged me to accept it.

“If you wait until after you learn to drive, you’ll have to wait longer to get the car. If you see one you like, get it now.”

“They don’t come out right away?”

“It depends on the car, but usually you have to wait. Adding options can take even longer.”

“Hmm.”

Understanding only a bit, I thought it was like pre-ordering a game and nodded.

I started considering which one to choose, and Taeshin told me to think it over more before deciding. So, I replied to Grandfather that I’d think about it.

“Grandfather must be really happy about Haeju.”

“Grandfather loves you the most.”

“Even if he loves me, that’s not why. He’s happy because you’re a dad. He thinks about you a lot, even if he doesn’t show it.”

“He loves you more. If it were someone else, he wouldn’t care or buy a car.”

“There you go again.”

Taeshin, seriously. Grandfather is so kind and caring. That’s why he was happy instead of angry when we had Haeju before getting married.

“Haeju, your daddy Taeshin must have already forgotten how our grandparents opposed us.”

I rubbed my belly and spoke to Haeju, teasing Taeshin while looking at my textbook when I heard a rattling sound behind me.

“Huh?”

Surprised, I turned around to see the back door of the classroom open.

Standing there were Jung Noeul, Park Kangseob, and Park Jonghoon, each holding an ice cream.

Staring at my friends with my mouth agape, I wondered when they had arrived and how the door opened.

My friends and I froze, the silence in the classroom lingering for a moment. Just as I was about to say something to cover it up, Jung Noeul and Park Kangseob spoke first.

“D-did you have a good meal?”

“Sunwoo, what do you mean Taeshin is a dad?”

“Taeshin, am I going to be an uncle?”

…It was my own mouth that got me into trouble.

* * *