Daughter's Decisive Victory
Today was a decisive victory for my daughter. …………… The order took a while, probably because they were backed up. This cafe does a booming business. I get why Lee Jin-ah recommended it as a good spot.
……If I started a business these days, would a cafe be better than a chicken joint? Ah, damn. Seeing a successful restaurant—even if this one's a cafe—naturally sparks thoughts of going into business for myself. It's a sad habit of middle-aged guys like me, eyeing retirement as the years pile on.
"Order up—!!"
I loaded three drinks onto a tray amid the server's strangely beaming smile.
Friendly service is nice. Living as Han Kang has shown me a different side of people's kindness compared to when I was Moon Yujin. He was—what can I say, it's awkward admitting it myself—a delicate pretty boy who looked like a scared rabbit. Han Kang, though… probably just the sheer bulk of him.
Han Sol got iced Americano, Lee Jin-ah caramel macchiato, and me decaf Americano. A guy like Han Kang's tongue welcomes Mix Coffee or Nescafé the most, but they don't sell that here, so no choice. Straight Americano would keep me up all night, though.
Am I getting old? Han Kang's body and mind are the manliest of all the possessions so far, but little things like this make me hyper-aware of my age.
I shook off the gloom, picked up the tray, and headed back to the table.
As I approached, laughter drifted over from the two of them.
"Ah, I see. So that's why—"
"Right? My dad—"
Han Sol and Lee Jin-ah were smiling at each other. Their expressions suggested the earlier awkwardness had melted away.
What? They already buddies? Guess people in their twenties just click. I'd worried for nothing. What a relief. If my daughter and my junior hit it off, that's perfect for me. Slowly rebuilding Han Kang's isolated relationships, one step at a time.
You're doing great. Keep it up. I encouraged myself as I walked up.
"Sorry to keep you waiting?"
The moment I spoke, both froze unnaturally. Then they turned to me in perfect sync.
"—No, it's fine."
"……We were having fun, actually."
Hm. Good chemistry.
I set the tray down and slid their drinks forward.
"Here, iced Americano."
"Thank you."
"Caramel macchiato."
"Thanks, sunbaenim."
I grabbed mine and sat.
……………
We stepped out of the cafe. To be honest, the chit-chat was pretty bland. We stuck to safe topics: weather's getting chilly, coffee's good, that sort of thing. Felt like I carried most of it, too.
Can't be helped. For Han Sol and Lee Jin-ah, sharing personal stuff with near-strangers feels iffy, and they probably don't care about this ajusshi's private life. No shared hobbies among the three of us, either.
I struggled too, suppressing the urge to yap about politics or stocks—Han Kang's instincts whispering away.
At least we're acquaintances now. Big age gap, sure, but it's a giant leap for Han Kang. A monumental step. Still, maybe avoid group hangouts next time. Might get boring and scare them off.
Dusk was falling; time to split.
"Lee Jin-ah, sorry about this."
"Yes?"
"Should walk you home, but gotta take my daughter first. Let's call it here. Really sorry."
I meant it. We'd spent the whole day together, and now I couldn't even see it through.
"No, it's okay! I can go alone."
She waved it off, but couldn't hide the disappointment.
Then warmth enveloped my hand. My beloved daughter, Han Sol. She'd grabbed it.
"……Hm?"
I glanced at her. Her expression was odd. A smirk? She stared at Lee Jin-ah with the corner of her mouth quirked up.
Haha, no way. My sweet girl wouldn't make that face. Must be the lighting. Or my old eyes going dim.
I looked back at Lee Jin-ah.
……Holy shit. Her face—hard to describe. Like she was about to commit murder. Even through Han Kang's battle-hardened eyes, it was terrifying.
But the instant our eyes met, she flashed her usual smile.
……Weird. Both of them. No joke, time to check my eyes. Or get some tonic food. Hallucinations at my age are bad news.
"Sunbaenim."
Lee Jin-ah stepped closer, wrapping my free hand— the one Han Sol hadn't claimed—with both of hers.
"Take Friday off next week… let's work out in the evening."
"Ah, yeah. Sure."
"Yes. Just the two of us, late into the night."
Late-night workout. If we grab dinner first, yeah, could go till eight or nine.
"Got it, got it."
I brushed it off casually. A promise is a promise.
She let go and turned away. I watched her back for a moment—felt bad not walking her after today's hassle.
Then my hand tugged. Han Sol, still holding on.
She looked up, cheeks puffed, pouting like she was complaining. Through Han Kang's eyes, just cute.
"What's up, sweetie?"
"……Let's go home. Now."
"Uh, yeah?"
"Now."
She seemed sulky for some reason.
……………
"Tch."
Lee Jin-ah clicked her tongue. Her 3-inch secret weapon heels—prepped for the shy ajusshi—clacked angrily against the sidewalk.
That bitch.
Rage bubbled inside her. The blue-twin-tailed girl clutching Han Kang sunbaenim's hand. That smug, mocking face as she stared her down.
Lee Jin-ah ground her teeth.
Grabbing her own dad's hand and pulling that face?
Incest freak. Crushing on her biological father—who's divorced, no less—and now blocking his shot at romance. World’s full of crazies.
Sure, she herself was gunning for an ajusshi twenty years older. But that's normal dating. Incest is another level.
Today was supposed to be the day. Baby-making day. Second-kid special.
How much prep had she done? Nabbed lunch plans, synced half-day leave, greased the wheels so team leader wouldn't nix his PTO request.
Lunch, workout, shopping. Then booze-fueled dinner at a cozy spot. Tipsy Han Kang and her. He'd offer to walk her home, no doubt. Into her place, door shut, play dizzy on the bed: 'Don't go, sunbaenim.' Done.
A guy who hadn't touched a woman post-divorce, alone in a closed room with a young one? Instinct wins. Navel to navel, easy.
Flawless plan. Anyone could see.
Sunbaenim's recent changes were obvious. She'd spotted them first.
Old Han Kang: Grunted "Hm" at her coffee. One-word replies if she spoke first. Always solo lunches. No joining tables ever. Seemed soulless.
Lately? Says "Thanks" first. Asks "Something to say?" Invites lunch. Historic shifts.
Even his vibe changed. Old him: Drama's drug-lord chem teacher. Now: Movie Italian-New York mafia boss. Still gruff and taciturn, but human—hard-boiled ajusshi with soul.
Cause unknown. But jackpot for her. She pounced, closed the gap fast.
Harvest day: today.
Ruined by the incest pervert.
Fuck.
……………
Han Sol. Blue twin-tails. Acts cool, but a daddy-obsessed incest case.
Hated admitting it, but pretty. No—gorgeously so. Wouldn't lose much to her looks-wise. Taut skin, big eyes, looks younger than her age.
Age unknown exactly. Sunbaenim rarely mentioned her. From snippets: early twenties. Twenty-two, twenty-three maybe.
Ha.
Heat rising again. Four or five years younger. That age: bouncy skin, pulls all-nighters fine.
Her? Twenty-seven. Late twenties… no, mid-to-late. Still young. Plenty young.
But versus a five-year junior….
Argh, pisses me off more thinking about it.
She shook her head hard. That girl's rotten to the core anyway. Incest.
Her probe at the cafe:
Attack and check. Like 'No way you actually like your dad like that, right?'
Expected shock, disgust, firm denial from Han Sol.
Reality? No outright yes, no denial. Her vibe: clear as day.
Chills.
"What a psycho bitch."
For real. End times. No wonder COVID gen's doomed.