113 - How a Mini Heena Suddenly Appeared (4)
TL/Editor: looloo
Status: ongoing
Illustrations: posted in discord
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After the conversation with my mother-in-law ended, we went outside to discuss our future plans together.
Of course, right before that happened.
"...Yeonho, your face... did you cry? Mom! Why did you say something to Yeonho! Sniff..."
"I didn't scold him, silly girl!"
"Really, Heena. I just got a bit emotional."
"Hic... really...?""Yes. So calm down. You'll scare the baby."
Heena was about to start another argument when she saw my probably slightly red eyes.
The first thing we decided on was Heena's living situation. She was already two months pregnant, and we were worried about her staying here for a few more days, so we decided to finish moving by tomorrow. We also planned to take some things back with us today.
During this time, Heena sat next to me with a swollen face, still sniffling. I stroked her hair while listening to the adults talk, trying to help her recover her mental state.
Finally, when the conversation was about to wrap up, Heena bowed her head in front of her parents.
"I'm sorry for showing such an embarrassing side..."
"It's because you're pregnant. The first trimester is the most important, so don't overdo it. If anything happens, make Yeonho do it. Got it?"
"Yes, mother... Thank you."
My mom comforted Heena, who couldn't lift her face after today's disgrace. Then, we decided to handle the serious matters starting tomorrow, and the parents went back home.
When it was just the two of us, Heena apologized to me with a guilty expression.
"I'm sorry..."
"No, it's okay. You were just feeling anxious again, right?"
"Yes... Now, I feel like I can't live without you by my side..."
"Don't worry. I told you, I'll always be with you."
"I'll trust you... Thank you for coming with me. I love you."
"I love you too. Let's go to bed early today. I'll hold you until you fall asleep."
It had been an exhausting day in many ways, so we went to bed early.
I held Heena tightly, who didn't want to be apart from me for even a moment.
The next day was an incredibly busy day. Since it was the weekend and they didn't have to work, my parents came back early in the morning to help us with the move.
I seated Heena on the bed and worked hard to assist with the move.
"I want to help too..."
"Heena! You stay put!"
"Yeonho, stop Heena if she tries to do anything."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Heena wanted to help, but everyone dissuaded her, so she just sat there watching with a frustrated expression.
In the midst of the move, Heeseong joined us a bit late. As soon as he arrived, he clung to me and started whispering.
"What’s the baby's name?"
"We haven't decided on a name yet, but the baby’s nickname is Sarang."
"Oh, that's pretty. Hey, show me the pictures."
For some reason, my brother seemed very happy. I told him I'd show him the pictures and videos after we finished moving and managed to brush him off.
He seemed genuinely pleased about having a niece or nephew.
His reaction made me feel better. He probably had a lot to say, but he was holding back for our sake.
Anyway, with two cars and several people helping, we managed to finish the move in less than half a day.
The only thing we couldn't move was the queen-sized bed. Since it wasn't a modular bed, it was difficult to move unless we called a ladder truck. So, we decided to donate it to our landlord uncle.
When the move was almost finished, and it was getting close to dinner time, we all gathered together for a meal. We even invited the people who were at home.
In the private dining room, my parents took another room to discuss more matters, while my brothers and Yoonjung, who I hadn’t seen in a while, gathered around.
"Wahahaha!! He actually did it?!"
"Ha... Han Yeonho, you crazy bastard."
"I had faith in you, Yeonho...!"
"What the hell, you guys? What kind of crazy bet did you make?"
As soon as they heard from me that Heena was pregnant, they all reacted like that. Apparently, they had a bet on whether Heena would get pregnant before I went to the military or not.
Sunhoo and Yoonjung bet on before, while Jeongwoo bet on after.
I was dumbfounded. I thought I might get some scolding or at least some worried comments, but all I got was the result of their ridiculous bet.
"Heena, are you feeling okay? No pain or anything?"
"Yes, I'm fine, unnie."
"You called the baby Sarang, right? That's such a pretty name! Oh my gosh, I can't wait to see our niece or nephew!"
Of course, Yoonjung was soon fussing over Heena.
"Han Yeonho. How does it feel to be a dad with no answers?"
"......."
"Hey, what's with that face? I'll be generous and buy you a stroller."
"Well... thanks, I guess..."
"That's hilarious. I didn't think you'd actually screw up. Thanks to you, I made 100,000 won~"
"If you have any conscience, use that to buy Yeonho a meal."
"I said I'll buy a stroller for my niece or nephew."
Sunhoo teased me, while Jeongwoo frowned, clearly upset about losing 50,000 won.
Should I thank them for treating me the same as always, or should I avoid these guys altogether?
"You guys are seriously heartless. Making bets about kids?"
"Heeseong hyung...!"
Heeseong, who came in late after parking the car, seemed like he might scold them on my behalf.
"What are you waiting for? Jeongwoo, unnie! Pay up!"
"Sigh..."
"I must be out of my mind..."
"You too, hyung?!"
Seeing him naturally collecting money from them, I was speechless. He was in on the bet too?
Wait, was he happy during the move because he won the bet?
"100,000 won is so sweet~"
I had thought he was genuinely happy about having a niece or nephew, but seeing this, I felt a deep sense of betrayal.
As I stood there trembling with rage, Heena, who was stroking her belly with a smile, decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.
"Oppa."
"Yes?"
"Can you give me half? I earned that money by carrying Sarang."
"...What?"
"Hurry. Yeonho's been studying hard, he needs to eat something good."
"You should be the one eating well, what are you talking about?"
"Give it to me, now."
"......Here."
He couldn’t resist for even a minute before handing over half of his winnings to Heena. Sunhoo, seeing this, quietly fiddled with his phone, probably afraid he’d be next.
Watching this scene, I couldn’t help but laugh. They were such a funny and lovable family. Truly.
Heartless bastards.
After the meal, although I was planning to stay at Heena's house from now on, I didn’t go there immediately.
I stopped by the cafe to inform them that I was quitting my part-time job.
Heena wanted to come with me, but I insisted she stay behind since I would only be delivering a message and coming right back. I was also worried about her health and asked her to tidy up the room for me.
When I met the manager and informed him that I was quitting, he was shocked.
"Yeonho, you're quitting? Why?!"
Originally, I intended to give a month's notice to help find a replacement. However, I had decided to study intensely and also needed to take care of Heena, so I decided to quit immediately.
Of course, I didn't quit without a plan.
"My brother Heeseong agreed to cover my shifts until you find a new part-timer. Is that okay?"
"Really?! Heeseong?! Then it's fine!"
The manager seemed very pleased, which was a relief. Over the past few months, I had sensed that he liked Heeseong a lot. Although I thought they were a good match, my brother had never mentioned anything about it. Unfortunately.
I also briefly explained the situation to Jia, who was taking a break in the office. We had become close, so it didn't seem right to gloss over it.
After I told her the short version of the story, the manager nodded approvingly before leaving to attend to the hall, and I stayed to talk a bit more with Jia.
"You're a good person, Yeonho. Really good. I think you've made a wise choice."
"I don't think it's something to be praised for..."
"Your careless actions certainly deserve scolding, but what's done is done, and what matters now is the future. Heena is really lucky to have you."
"Anyone would have done the same. I don't deserve such words..."
Jia shook her head at my response.
"Yeonho, do you know why people get praised for doing good deeds?"
"Because they did something good?"
"Exactly. But while everyone says people should naturally be good and do good deeds, it's not easy to see that in real life."
"Yeah..."
"Everyone knows it's good to be kind and do good things, but if everyone in the world did that, it wouldn't be something to be praised for."
"Uh... I feel a bit embarrassed."
"What you did on the day of the college entrance exam last year, and now working hard for your future with Heena, are truly commendable. Be proud. You're amazing, Yeonho."
"......"
My face grew warm, and my nose started to tingle as Jia looked me straight in the eye and praised me directly.
"Thank you, unnie."
"No need to thank me. You've worked hard."
"You've worked hard too, covering for me all this time. Can I come visit later?"
"That's fine, but please explain well to your girlfriend. Sometimes it was a bit scary when she stared at me."
"Um... I'm sorry about Heena..."
My girl gets jealous even of a lesser panda.
"I haven't been pregnant myself, but I hear the early stages are quite unsettling. Take good care of her. I know you will. It was fun working with you."
"I enjoyed coming to work because of you, unnie."
"Thanks for saying that. Just don't say it in front of your girlfriend."
"Isn't she being a bit too cautious?"
It's not entirely unreasonable, though.
Anyway, I finished my farewells with Jia. It would be hard to come back here for a while, so I wouldn't see her often. I wasn't even sure if she'd still be working here when I finished my college entrance exams.
Still, I was very grateful to Jia, who was always kind and gentle. She showed me what an ideal older sister could be like.
I definitely wanted to bring a gift and visit her later.
After wrapping up things at the cafe, I headed home feeling a mix of emotions. Not to my parents' house, but to Heena's house.
The place I would call home for a while.
Thankfully, and somewhat naturally, they had given me the passcode to their house. With a nervous heart, I unlocked the door and stepped inside.
-Click
"Welcome home, honey!"
"...I'm back."
Heena greeted me with a bright smile. Despite her family watching from behind, she called me by that enormous title.
Thinking that this would be my new daily life, I was already worried.
I'll study my math before the exam.