Chapter 500: First Child
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 500: First Child
“Haa! Haa!”
We rushed into the hospital.
I’d heard that the OB/GYN department has the fastest emergency calls, and it was true—everything proceeded as if we were in an express lane.
The sight of us pushing through and securing an operating room was something straight out of a medical drama.
Please, please, please!
Why was I like this?
I knew things were moving quickly, but my heart remained frantic.
Faster. Just a little faster.
Even though I knew it was physically impossible, I kept pushing the gurney Ah-rin was lying on like a child throwing a tantrum.
“Hey…”
Drenched in a cold sweat and looking haggard, Yoo Ah-rin forced herself to call out to me.
“D-don’t talk! Ah-rin! It’s okay! There’s nothing to worry about.”
I reached out to grab her hand, but she ‘flicked’ it away and managed a smirk.
“Don’t be scared.”
“…!”
Her cheeks were trembling.
Even as someone as ignorant as me, I could feel just how much pain she was in, if only indirectly.
Yet, Yoo Ah-rin offered a clumsy smile, comforting me instead so I wouldn't be anxious.
“I’ll bring our kid back in no time.”
With that, Yoo Ah-rin was wheeled into the operating room.
I stood there dazed for a moment, staring at the doors she had disappeared through, before pulling out my phone.
Because it was an emergency, Choi Jin-ah had driven us, so only Ah-rin and I had arrived at the hospital first. The others were likely on their way.
When I checked my phone, I already had missed calls from every direction.
From my father and mother to my Big Hyung, Little Hyung, Ah-rin’s parents, and more.
The girls must have contacted everyone while I was on my way here.
First, I decided to call Ah-rin’s parents. They were likely the most anxious right now.
— K-Kim Subang! How is Ah-rin?!
— Is she okay?! Did you get to the hospital?
They picked up immediately.
I forced my frantic, stumbling voice to drop into a calm, steady tone as I answered.
“Yes, we just arrived. She just went into the operating room.”
— Ah, I see. Thank goodness.
— Did Ah-rin look alright? Was she in a lot of pain?
“It’s Ah-rin, after all. She actually smiled and told me not to be scared before she went in.”
— Phew, yeah. That sounds like her.
— That’s a relief. Kim Subang, we’re heading to the hospital now. Wait for us there.
“Yes, I understand.”
As expected, even Ah-rin’s parents were worried at a time like this.
Since they usually left Ah-rin to her own devices to the point of neglect, I had been a bit concerned, but I chided myself for the useless worry and caught my breath.
I felt guilty that I couldn't be with Ah-rin while she was going through the hardest part, and I prayed for her to stay strong.
Please…
I wasn't religious, but I started praying to whatever god would listen to let her come out safely.
*
They say a first childbirth usually takes about 9 to 18 hours.
I’d heard that I could have gone in with her, but Yoo Ah-rin told me not to. She said she didn't want me to see her struggling.
We had originally planned to check into the hospital together once March arrived, but Yoo Ah-rin ended up giving birth a bit earlier than scheduled.
Amidst the nerves and the shaking, there was a somewhat awkward situation.
All the parents had arrived.
And by that, I mean Seo Ye-rin’s and Choi I-seo’s parents were all there too.
“…”
The nurses looked a bit flustered when they saw our group, but for my part, I was just grateful.
In a way, they could have been awkward with each other, but I suppose the girls had built up enough of a rapport during their pregnancies to make this possible.
I guess Father’s golf outings were pretty effective.
“Seeing a sight like this…”
My mother muttered from beside me.
“It really makes me realize all over again just how crazy my son is.”
“…Why bring that up now?”
“Even for a chaebol, aren't you living a bit too recklessly? I’m going to have to set aside some separate time just to apologize to the other mothers.”
“Why don't you go on a filial piety trip or something?”
“It’s not a filial piety trip if you’re not the one sending me. It’s just my own vacation.”
“…”
She wasn't wrong.
In fact, the fathers were off by themselves, and the mothers were chatting amongst themselves to ease the tension.
They were sharing stories and using their own experiences as examples. If this hadn't been an emergency, the atmosphere felt like they might have gone out for drinks or a round of golf together.
When Mom went over to talk to the other mothers, Choi I-seo and Seo Ye-rin approached me as if they’d been waiting.
“The atmosphere is better than I thought.”
“Tell them to go home, Woo-jina.”
“…Tell who to go where?”
“We can’t talk like we usually do. There’s still plenty of time before the baby comes out.”
“Sigh.”
“I’m tired.”
When my father approached, Seo Ye-rin immediately greeted him with a bright smile.
“Father, it’s been a while. We’re always worried that staying at the main house might be an inconvenience for you.”
“…”
This was why she said she was tired.
Still, I couldn't exactly tell her to stop acting and show her true self. How on earth could I let the Sex Master descend in front of the parents?
That was likely the last thing Seo Ye-rin wanted anyway. She was even keeping it a secret from her own parents.
“You two should probably get ready to be admitted soon, just in case. We were lucky this time, but you never know how things will go.”
“Yes, we plan to.”
“We’ve already spoken with the hospital.”
At Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo’s words, Father nodded and then glanced at me.
“You should start taking your responsibilities seriously and act with some common sense. Always act with the thought that your child will learn from your behavior.”
“You’re a grandfather now, so be nice. Little Hyung won't even let you see his kid, right?”
“Ahem.”
Little Hyung’s child was already three years old.
Wait, was it?
Was it two?
I was confused, but it was definitely 2 or 3.
“I’m telling you not to teach them anything strange so they don't grow up like you.”
“You seem to be in a good mood today.”
When I spoke sarcastically out of annoyance, Father immediately looked at Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo on either side of me.
Smack! Thud!
The two of them simultaneously hit me on the back of the head and shoulder, covering my mouth.
“How can you speak to Father like that?”
“Would you like it if our kids spoke to you that way?”
“…Are you happy, Father? Now that your daughters-in-law are taking your side?”
“I’m not one for empty words.”
Father struck a dignified pose, then confessed honestly with a faint smile.
“Having many daughters-in-law… honestly, I can’t find any downsides to it.”
“…”
At those words, the two women beside me beamed. Were they really that happy about it?
It wasn't a bad feeling, but considering what Father might have meant by that sentiment, it wasn't exactly pleasant either.
“Anyway, we’ll stay here, so why don't you go grab a meal with the others? This was sudden, so you must be flustered.”
“…”
“It’s not often you all gather like this.”
It was realistically impossible for everyone to wait here the whole time, and it would be physically taxing for the elders.
Father nodded at my words, but as he turned to go back to the others, he paused.
“It will go well.”
Knowing that was the greatest encouragement Father could give me, I nodded silently.
*
After about two hours, the wait started to feel incredibly long.
My blood felt like it was drying up. Ah-rin must be suffering so much inside, and all I could do was sit here and wait?
I felt depressed and guilty.
Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo told me not to make such a fuss when it was their turn, but they also smiled and said it was nice to see me treasure them so much.
Regardless, it was a time of self-loathing for me.
The helplessness of being unable to do anything.
The futility of having to sit here as a father, twiddling my thumbs.
Seeing my depression, the nurses offered some comfort.
Though it was earlier than the due date, the margin wasn't that large, so there was no need to worry about a premature birth. A doctor known as a master in the field had gone in, and since it usually takes 9 to 18 hours on average, there was no need to be so anxious.
Even though I already knew all this, hearing it made me even more restless.
No joke, I lamented that time was moving slower than the Ministry of National Defense clock.
Amidst that deepening gloom, a question suddenly occurred to me.
Why does it take so long?
Why is the act of bringing a child into the world such a lengthy process?
40 weeks.
Roughly nine months of time.
And now, several hours until the arrival.
“Ah.”
At some point, I wondered if this was the final inspection time the child was giving me.
The moment the thought struck me—that the child was giving their father time to prepare because they were coming—I began to check things off one by one for the very last time.
From emotional things, like what kind of expression I should make for our first meeting, to the common sense of child-rearing that I had already memorized several times over.
The final, final check.
I spent the time reviewing and re-reviewing.
And then.
The door opened, and with a gesture from a nurse, I stepped inside.
The vigorous cry of a baby brought tears to my eyes, but I didn't want to ruin our first meeting as a father, so I swallowed the lump in my throat and approached.
Gasping for breath, Yoo Ah-rin forced a smile for me.
And there, held in the doctor’s arms, was a crying, tiny child.
I took the medical scissors offered to me to cut the umbilical cord.
Without a word, I cut it.
The moment I held the baby, tears flowed involuntarily. I carefully relaxed the strength in my arms, terrified I might hurt them.
It was a moving moment.
Then, I heard Yoo Ah-rin’s voice directed at Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo, who had followed me in.
“You guys are screwed.”
“…”
“…”
“I’m not joking. I killed Kim Woo-jin about thirty times in my head.”