Chapter 382: Devoted Love
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 382: Devoted Love
“Oh, my... my poor, sweet Woo-jini.”
They were still at the hotel.
Since it wasn't check-out time yet, they were spending a little more time in the room.
Seo Ye-rin sat on the edge of the bed, pulling Kim Woo-jin into an embrace.
She stroked his hair, letting him bury his face in her chest as she tried to soothe his fragile state of mind.
“Once you leave, when will you return~?”
It was annoying how she was acting like she was singing some mournful folk song, but it seemed to be working as a form of comfort.
Whether it was because his face was buried in her chest or because of her singing, it was hard to tell.
“...”
“...”
Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin watched the two of them, lost in deep thought.
What on earth were they supposed to do?
If they had made the first move, it might have been different, but the news of Kim Woo-jin’s enlistment had made the timing for revealing their lie incredibly awkward.
“Aaaaah! How can I leave my babies behind?!”
Woo-jin suddenly bolted upright and pressed his ear against Seo Ye-rin’s stomach.
“Our child is waiting for their daddy like this! If I go, I won’t even be able to see them being born.”
“...”
“Wait! I think I just heard something!”
Even Seo Ye-rin was forced to fall silent at that.
The three of them thought simultaneously:
This guy has it bad.
He was already struggling so much; what would happen if they told him the pregnancy was a lie now?
Who among them could actually do it?
“Right? Ye-rin, don't you feel something in your stomach?”
“I think that’s just because I’m hungry.”
“Hungry? What—what do you want to eat? Oh, wait a second.”
Woo-jin, who had been moping about the military just a moment ago, suddenly beamed and pulled a notebook from his pocket.
He began reading through the densely packed notes.
“It says pregnant women should never eat raw food. I see there’s a list of forbidden foods here. It’ll be tough, but I’ll help you through it.”
“Huh?”
“Of course, it’s still early, so we don't have to be this careful yet. But I’m just so worried. Let me be a little overprotective, okay?”
“U-huh.”
“Oh, right! I also learned how to do massages. Want to stretch out your legs? This is supposed to help with the swelling—”
Was this really the same person who had been depressed just seconds ago?
Every one of his devoted actions was filled with consideration, and the smile on his face suggested that the pressure of enlistment had long since vanished.
He prepared all that?
In just one day...
Normally, they would have been moved by his actions.
Even if he usually joked around or acted a bit strange, they could always feel how kind and caring he was toward his family.
But as they watched him, practically dripping with warmth...
The three of them began to feel lightheaded.
It would have been better if they were actually pregnant.
Woo-jin was being so sincere that the thought actually crossed their minds.
“How is it? Does it feel good?”
“Yeah, it’s refreshing. It feels nice...”
Even Seo Ye-rin scratched her cheek awkwardly, unable to say anything else.
“Really? I’m glad.”
Woo-jin rejoiced with a bright smile.
Was he always a young man capable of such an innocent expression?
They were seeing a whole new side of him.
“Oh, right. How many classes do you guys have today? I have one in the morning.”
At Woo-jin’s question, the three of them answered promptly, almost as if they were standing at attention.
“I have two in the afternoon.”
“I have classes all day today.”
“One in the morning, one in the afternoon.”
Seo Ye-rin, Choi I-seo, and Yoo Ah-rin—all three stated their schedules, and Woo-jin nodded.
“I see. Honestly, on a day like today, I want to stay with you guys the whole time... but that’s not really an option, is it?”
Woo-jin looked at them pleadingly.
Normally, they would have given in, but right now, the three of them found being around him incredibly uncomfortable.
“I—I have to go! If I miss this one, I’ll have to retake the course!”
“Ahem, I have no choice if I want to keep my full scholarship.”
“Me too! My parents said I have to get good grades if I want their permission to keep doing Neutube.”
“Ah, right. Of course you should.”
He looked openly disappointed for a moment, but his expression quickly shifted.
“Then let’s all have dinner together tonight. That’s okay, right? I’ll reserve a nice restaurant. I should ask them to prepare something specifically good for pregnant women.”
Just how nice of a place was he planning to book if he could customize the menu like that?
They were naturally grateful because they could feel his love for them through his kindness and care, but...
“Shall we go then?! I need to stop by my house first!”
“We’re going to be late!”
“Let’s move!”
Shouting awkwardly, the three of them hurried out of the hotel. As Woo-jin followed behind, Yoo Ah-rin sidled up to Choi I-seo and whispered.
“Hey, what are we going to do? He’s totally hyped up right now. Shouldn't we tell him the truth before it goes any further?”
“I know... but...”
It was hard to tell him it was a lie when he looked so happy.
And of course, there was another reason.
“Ah, honestly, I was really depressed about enlisting. But thinking about our kids gives me so much strength.”
“...”
“I was worried about whether I’d do well in the military, you know? But for the sake of our kids, I feel like I can really power through anything.”
Hadn't they all just witnessed how Woo-jin, who had been struggling with the thought of enlistment, immediately cheered up the moment the "kids" were mentioned?
“...If you can say it, then go ahead. Preferably when I’m not around.”
When Choi I-seo uncharacteristically tried to shift the responsibility, Yoo Ah-rin grit her teeth and shook her head.
“I—I can’t do it, damn it... I didn't know the bastard would be this happy.”
The two of them glanced back.
Ye-rin, thick-skinned as ever, was clinging to Woo-jin’s arm.
“Woo-jin-ah, how about a morning coffee? My treat!”
“Pregnant women shouldn't drink stuff like that!”
“O-oh, really?”
Seeing Ye-rin, the other two began to wonder.
They thought that maybe Ye-rin could pull it off and tell him shamelessly, but...
“I see...”
The tears welling in the corners of Ye-rin’s eyes were filled with a deep sorrow, as if she didn't know how to explain the tragedy that was about to unfold.
“Hm? Ye-rin, are you cold? You’re shaking.”
“N-no, I’m not.”
Her trembling body was a rare sign that even Seo Ye-rin was feeling genuine fear.
“Sigh.”
“We’re screwed.”
In the end, the two of them couldn't say a word and headed toward the campus, as if pushing each other along.
* * *
“Huh?”
It was the break between lectures.
Choi I-seo, who was briefly reviewing what she had just learned, spotted Kim Woo-jin holding a tumbler in each hand.
“I-seo!”
Upon spotting her, Woo-jin ran over immediately.
Without a care for the eyes around them, he approached and handed her a tumbler.
“What’s going on? You have a class too.”
“Ah, I’m going to the military anyway. I just decided to skip for the day.”
“Still, you should manage your grades.”
“I know, I’m sorry. More importantly, here, take this.”
He brushed off her words and handed over the tumbler.
“It’s chamomile tea. I heard this is a good tea for pregnant women.”
“...”
“It’s hot, so let it cool down before you drink it. We don't want to startle our baby.”
“Woo... jin-ah. You don't need to go this far.”
Choi I-seo bit her lip and tried to resist.
But Woo-jin responded with a radiant smile.
“I know, I know. It’s still early, so I don't really have to worry this much. But how can I just sit still?”
“...”
“I’ve been thinking. Honestly, I thought the time before enlistment would be miserable. But I’m going to do my absolute best for our kids until I leave. It actually gives me more energy, you know?”
“...”
“Anyway, good luck, I-seo! Study hard! I’m going to go give this to Ah-rin now!”
Since Seo Ye-rin had two afternoon classes, she wasn't on campus yet.
Woo-jin was busy taking care of Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin.
A few minutes later.
Looking at the text from Yoo Ah-rin, Choi I-seo felt a rare, deep sense of empathy for her.
I really have to tell him next time. No matter what.
She felt like she was going to develop a stomach ulcer at this rate.
She felt bad about taking away his happiness, but the truth had to come out eventually, didn't it?
An hour later.
Another break.
Woo-jin appeared again before Choi I-seo, who was half-forcing herself to focus on her studies to forget the current situation.
“...”
“I-seo!”
He approached with the same innocent smile as before.
This time, he was carrying snacks and a blanket.
“This is red bean jelly. I saw that it’s made specifically as a snack for pregnant women. Try it, and if it’s good, I’ll order more.”
“...”
“And I looked it up—strenuous exercise is out, but there are protein shakes specifically formulated for pregnant women. I ordered those too.”
“...”
“And wrap this around you. Why are you sitting by the window? It’s cold. You have to keep your body warm.”
Woo-jin even draped the blanket over her shoulders.
Ah...
She had definitely intended to tell him next time.
But she hadn't expected him to show up again during the very next break, so Choi I-seo couldn't say a word.
She wasn't quite ready to steal his happiness yet.
If only I were actually pregnant...
Then all these actions would have looked adorable, and she would have loved how much he cherished her.
She would have even praised herself for catching a good man, even if he was a bit of an oddball.
Tears welled up in her eyes before she knew it.
Seeing this, a startled Woo-jin pulled her into a hug.
“I-seo, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
The nearby students glanced their way, but Woo-jin didn't care.
“No... it’s just... I never imagined you’d go this far for me.”
She really hadn't.
Before she sent the text, she had worried that he might abandon her like in some drama or movie.
Now, she wanted to smash the phone she had used to send that message.
“Of course I would. I’m the husband and the father, aren't I?”
Woo-jin whispered proudly into her ear.
“I-seo, I really love you. And thank you so much.”
Hearing that, tears streamed down Choi I-seo’s cheeks.
“I... I love you too.”
However, these were not tears of joy.
They were tears of lamentation for a situation that felt utterly hopeless.