The World’s Greatest Girlfriend
"So, that means it’s already been three months since you two started seeing each other. And my daughter said she likes you, too."
"……That is correct."
A calm, vast lake stretched out before us. It wasn't the same spot we’d visited last time, but the water here was just as clear, the sky just as high, and the clouds were drifting by in fluffy, lazy clusters. This was another surprise fishing trip, dragged out by Mr. Joo Young-cheol. He’d called me out of the blue, but I’d reached the point where I didn't even ask for context anymore; I just scurried out, grabbed his fishing tackle bag, and set up our spot. Truth be told, I’d developed a bit of an interest in fishing since that last outing. Not only was the thrill of reeling in my first catch electric, but I’d grown to love the tranquil scenery that acted as a sort of dopamine detox, and I was starting to understand the subtle art of the hook-set.
'Ah… the world is truly beautiful.'
Well, I suppose everything in the world felt beautiful to me right now. I’d been with Yeoeun just this morning, and she was still on my mind. She appeared even when I closed my eyes, and at work, I’d rush through my tasks just so I could clock out early and see her. It was the "dating buff." Just having a girlfriend made me happy; the simple fact that I was dating Yeoeun made me feel like I was overflowing with joy.
In the midst of my reverie, Mr. Joo pulled up his fishing rod. "Ugh, the bait got eaten and it got away again……," he muttered, hooking on a new earthworm. He went back to checking his gear and resumed our conversation. "To be honest, I never thought you and she would be seeing each other for this long."
"……To be honest, I didn't either."
"Who would’ve thought that saving me on the street and a conversation sparked by a drunken whim would turn out this well? It’s funny when you think about it. That’s why human connections are so interesting!" He let out a hearty laugh, then added, "So, tell me, have you brought up the topic of marriage with Yeoeun yet?"
"……."
He’d suddenly jumped five steps ahead. I’d felt it since last time, but Mr. Joo’s personality was incredibly impatient. He’d brought up such a blatant agenda that I didn't know how to respond.
"As I said, we’ve only just officially started dating… marriage?"
"Nonsense! Three months is plenty of time to have done everything you need to do! You’ve had your fun, haven't you? Then it’s time for marriage!"
"No matter how much you say that……."
"Isn't it about time you could?! After three months, isn't it time to get her into bed and get to work on making some grandchildren?"
"If you say things like that so carelessly, I might never be able to see Yeoeun again."
"Ha, you’re so frustrating!"
After pushing me like a petulant child, he let out a whiny sigh. It was always the same; he had no mercy when it came to talking about his own daughter. He was so obsessed with the family line that his blood pressure seemed to spike whenever this topic came up.
"Ha… right. I just put the bait in; if I pull it up too fast, I’ll ruin the whole thing."
He calmed down and cast his line back into the lake. After placing the rod back on the tripod, he seemed to regain his composure. "Anyway, I have huge expectations for you. …No, I’m all-in on you now. My daughter has just turned thirty, and now, there’s only you, Son Seungwoo."
*Ahem!* He cleared his throat. I wondered if he had more to say, but then, "In that sense, next time—" He whipped his head around. "No! Strike while the iron is hot. Since we’ve brought it up, let’s go right now."
"……? Go where?"
"Follow me. Since we’re already here, I absolutely must verify one thing."
With that, he jumped up. Even when I mentioned we needed to pack up the fishing gear, he insisted it was urgent and that we could pack it up later, hurrying me into the car.
***
"Hmm, the facilities here are quite decent, I must say."
"Y-yes, they are."
The place we’d come to was a spa. A massive, large-scale spa located near the lakeside. It seemed designed for vacationers, as it was quite spacious, and surprisingly, it was packed with people. 'Wow… everyone here is walking around in swimsuits?' Furthermore, the attire was incredibly liberal. As we arrived and I took a sip of water in a café chair, most people were walking around in robes or bikinis. They moved freely through the vast spa area in quite revealing, casual outfits.
"You! Are you not listening to me? Where are you looking?"
"No, no, it’s just that this is my first time in a place like this!"
"Ahem, a man with the most beautiful woman in the world as his partner shouldn't be— (glance) ……shouldn't be glancing around like that!"
'…His eyes just darted left and right incredibly fast.'
He’d scanned a woman in a red bikini who had just walked by. If you asked me how I knew it was red, I wouldn't have an answer, as I’d instinctively followed his gaze.
"*Ahem!*"
"*E-ehem!*"
After clearing our throats to cover up our primal instincts, I asked, "So, why did you insist on coming here?"
Since he’d been in such a rush to get to his business, we’d agreed to meet back at the lounge after changing. Mr. Joo downed his coffee like it was rice water and revealed his true purpose.
"Obviously, we have to check it together."
"Pardon?"
"What are you waiting for! Let’s get in the water."
***
While the spa had co-ed areas for water play, there were separate bathhouses for washing up. As I wondered why he’d chosen the bathhouse over the various spa courses, he asked, "……Why are you still wearing your bath towel?"
"That’s…."
I had that feeling. It was hard to strip down when we were both professionals who had only ever met while fully clothed. Above all, I was a bit self-conscious about being completely naked in a public place. …Ever since I was a kid, especially in middle school, I’d developed a bit of a trauma, so I was quite sensitive about it.
"Phew… let’s just enjoy the bathwater first."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Mr. Joo dove straight into the water. After submerging himself until he was completely covered in the 43-degree-Celsius (109°F) hot water, he said, "Phew… you know? It might seem like a useless gesture, but when you talk after taking everything off, you end up revealing your true intentions more than you’d think."
"……."
"Even men who can't speak their minds because they lack courage can talk honestly when they’re naked. You’ll understand when you get to my age."
He even washed his face with the hot bathwater. Then, turning his head slightly, he asked, "Are you going to marry my daughter?"
"……Look, as I said before, that issue is—"
"I’m not asking for some trivial answer like that; I’m curious about your resolve!"
"……!"
He sighed, floating on the hot water. "Tell me right now. Do you want to marry my daughter, or not?"
"……."
"I’m being serious. Don't beat around the bush; I need to hear a man’s resolve to put my mind at ease. If you lack confidence, say so now."
I hesitated for a moment. With my chest submerged in the water, I looked down and pondered before giving my answer.
"I think… I’ve really come to love Yeoeun."
"Is that all?"
"I don't want to lose her anymore."
*Splash!* I lightly struck the water with my fist. "I used to think she was out of my league, but I’ve decided not to think that way anymore. I’ve started to want to be truly greedy."
"Well, of course! She’s the most beautiful woman in the world! Hahaha!"
Mr. Joo seemed pleased with my honest answer. He showed his yellowed teeth, likely from years of drinking, as if my response satisfied him. *Whoosh!* He stood up. Whether it was because the water was too hot or he felt he’d heard enough, he looked down at me with the heat radiating off his body. "That was a man’s answer. I like it."
"……Is that so?"
"That is so." He cleared his gravelly throat. "Now, take it off."
"Y-yes……!?"
I stood up, startled, and asked him to repeat himself. He looked me straight in the eyes with a serious expression and answered once more.
"What are you doing? Take it off."
"But, why… why!?"
"Come now, why do you think two men came to a bathhouse together? I’ve heard your resolve, so I need to verify if you can properly carry on the family line."
"……!?"
He demanded I strip for such an absurd reason, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. A hot, tense sensation crawled up my spine at his sudden demand.
"What are you doing? I told you to take it off."
"No, wait a minute……!"
"Good grief, why is a man so lacking in confidence! You only need to show it once, so hurry up and take it off!"
He seemed frustrated and leaned in. Mr. Joo looked ready to tackle me just to see my back. I tried to hold out, but the bathhouse floor was slippery, and I was off-balance. The towel I’d loosely wrapped around myself was soaked through, and with the strength of a middle-aged man, it was pulled away with ease.
And so,
"……."
"……."
—It was revealed.
From the man in front of me to the other men bathing nearby, and even the children playing in the cold plunge pool—I felt like I wanted to crawl into a mouse hole as the whole world stared at *that* part of me.
"……."
Mr. Joo, in particular, examined it closely. He stared at it with his mouth agape, scrutinizing it intently, before shouting one word at the top of his lungs.
"Approved!"
He shouted it for everyone to hear, like a judge at the Olympics. A few of the men enjoying the hot water even clapped in agreement. Mr. Joo stroked his chin, genuinely impressed, and added to himself, "Hmm… I see. So that’s what Yeoeun fell for."
"……."
"If you’re hooked on something like this… no other guy will ever stand a chance. A-ahem!"
He casually handed back the towel he’d snatched. As I shyly wrapped it back around my waist, he smiled with a much more refreshed expression.
"My worries have been put to rest."
"……."
"From now on, call me Father-in-law—no, let’s skip the formalities and just call me Father!"
"……Father?"
"It’s already over! My daughter is as good as married off, having been caught by a monster like you! Hahaha!"
"……."
He slapped my back as if to show off to everyone else. He seemed even more proud than I was, beaming with a wide smile. At the very end, he added this in a whisper:
'You know the more the merrier, right? Please, make sure to have as many children as possible before it’s too late.'
'…….'
'With that, your water gun should be more than enough, right?'
He was getting ahead of himself again. After that, he treated me like a son-in-law, as if we were already married.
+ + +
Everything was moving in a good direction. I was now in a relationship with Yeoeun that I could proudly shout about, and in a way, I’d already become close with her family. Everything was going smoothly, like an upward-trending graph. I didn't want to get ahead of myself, but it really felt like we were headed for marriage. But there was just one thing. A memory from the past had surfaced once, and suddenly, my luck felt like it had turned. Because of this one thing, I felt a pang of guilt every time we met. It felt as uncomfortable as swallowing a sharp bone, and I was anxious that it might turn into a bigger problem later on.
"……Yeoeun."
"Yes♡ What is it now, honey?"
"Actually, there’s something I need to tell you."
"Yes?"
So, before it could become a seed of even greater misfortune, I decided to come clean. I decided to discard the risk that could harm us in the future. And that was—