Debut (4)
As a rookie idol, you might think we're making a huge fuss, but in this world where men are so rare, hiding my face has become everyday life. And since I'm an idol with flashy hair coloring, I layered on a mask, beanie, and even sunglasses.
Are the sunglasses overkill? My face is small enough that a mask covers it completely.
Thanks to all the expert care I've been getting lately, my already handsome face was shining so brightly it was practically glowing—I figured it was best to cover up as much as possible.
Walking down the street, I noticed something different from before. Now I could see the results of my idol work right there in public. Spotting my face plastered on big posters felt awkward and embarrassing at first, but soon it filled me with a real sense of pride. I'm actually a celebrity now.
"Kyaa! Come in already!! Haesol~!!"
The moment I stepped inside, Jua noona greeted me with explosive enthusiasm right at the entrance. I hugged her tight as she threw herself into my arms, feeling her belly definitely bulging out more now.
"Your belly!"
"Hehe, it's really sticking out, right?"
"Whoa~! This is so amazing. Can I lift your T-shirt to see?"
"Sure!"
I gently pulled up Jua noona's T-shirt to check out her adorably protruding belly.
"How's the morning sickness?"
"With Mom around, it's bearable."
"Don't just say you're fine—throw a tantrum if you need to. I came ready to spoil you today."
"As long as I have you, I'm good. Everything's fine."
I held Jua noona close and swayed like we were dancing, pouring in my apologies for not being around and all the longing I'd felt. We clung to each other for a good while before Jeonghwa appeared from inside.
"Mother-in-law!"
The memories with her were still vivid. She looked flustered as I greeted her warmly, managing an awkward bow.
"Oh, uh, come on in."
"It's been too long. I'm sorry I haven't visited more."
"I know your situation—no need to apologize."
"I'm so sorry and grateful that you've been taking care of things in my place. Thank you for looking after Jua noona so well."
"She's my daughter. Who else would I take care of if not her? It's late, so I can't feed you dinner, but you two go to her room and spend some time together."
"Sounds good? Let's go."
Jua noona bounced ahead, eagerly leading me to her room. I was just as eager for some alone time with my noona after so long.
"Don't run! What if you trip?"
"Oops! I was being careful, but seeing you made me forget."
"That happy to see me?"
"Yeah! I've missed you sooo much."
Jua noona snuggled into my arms, acting all cute. We rolled around on the bed, savoring our sticky reunion. I especially couldn't keep my hands off her swollen belly.
"That fascinating, huh?"
"I just can't believe something's growing so strong inside that little bump."
"The hospital says it's healthy and growing great, so don't worry."
"How's your body holding up?"
"Weight's a bit low. So I'm eating hard."
She said she was eating a lot, but she didn't look any heavier to me.
"Oh yeah, I got something for you."
"A gift?"
"Ta-da."
"A bracelet?"
"Wear it all the time. It's not just any bracelet—it's a health charm talisman."
"Pfft! What? You believe in that stuff?"
"I paid top coin for it, for you and our baby. Keep it on even when washing up or sleeping. Got it?"
"How much?"
"Talking price jinxes it. No way."
I hammed it up so she wouldn't even joke about taking it off.
"Thanks."
"Haven't pulled out the main event yet."
"Huh? Main?"
"Ta-da~"
A luxurious ring case. Jua noona froze in shock when she saw it. But as I opened it for her, she tremblingly lifted out the ring inside.
"W-what's this?"
"I can't marry you yet because of my situation, but I figured I should at least make it official like this."
"...My mind's blank. I'm too shocked."
"Hope you like it. Not sure if I picked right."
"It's so pretty. No, fantastic. I don't even know how to describe it... ha... my eyes are tearing up. I never asked for this..."
"Here, let me."
I took the ring from her stunned hand and slipped it onto her finger. The sparkling diamond looked stunning there. 500 coins well spent.
"You didn't go overboard for me, right?"
Jua noona's eyes were welling up now. I draped an arm around her shoulders.
"If I can't even do this much, what kind of dad would I be? Gotta save face for our Blessing, right?"
(For the record, Blessing is the pet name for our first kid in Jua noona's belly. We brainstormed it over texts—meaning a blessed child.)
"You don't need to do stuff like this to qualify as Blessing's dad."
"Nah, I'm way short. I wanna be an even better dad. Gotta work for it."
Since I can't be by her side, little things like this build up goodwill so she won't resent me later.
"Is this ring all mine? Nothing for you?"
She eyed my bare hand wistfully.
"With idol activities, better not. Just got yours."
"Yeah... can't wear one on stage."
Activities were part of it, but the real reason was lack of coins. When we actually get married someday, I'll buy the matching one from the shop then.
"I'll get yours later. Cool?"
"You will?"
"Yeah! At our wedding, I wanna pick yours. No refusing—it's what I really want."
"...Okay. Do whatever you want, noona."
After fondling the ring I'd given her, Jua noona finally let the tears flow. Since they were happy ones, I patted her shoulders and back to comfort her.
"Wanna brag to Mom."
"Yeah?"
She looked ready to bolt out, then suddenly deflated with a sigh and flopped back on the bed.
"What's up?"
"Nah, not gonna say anything."
"Why?"
"Feels bad bragging to Mom about this."
"Bad how?"
"Truth is, things between Mom and Dad haven't been great lately."
"...What's going on?"
Now this was intriguing.
"Dad's youngest stepmom—he just married her recently—got pregnant. And she just gave birth to a boy."
"A boy?! That's huge!"
"Yeah. So this super young girl's all smug now, keeping Dad glued to her side and not letting him visit other houses."
"Super young? How old exactly?"
"...Three years older than me."
Whoa.
Never met him, but Father-in-law's got some serious skills.
Marrying a girl young enough to be his daughter and knocking her up? Impressive feat with this world's lame male stamina.
"Normally he'd shut down jealous wives hard, but her having a son changed everything."
"Is a son that big a deal? I don't get it."
"You're too young to understand. It really is. She even got Dad an award from the state."
An award? Let's flip it: Like the youngest daughter born in a rich family with all boys? Yeah, I get it now. That baby boy's getting spoiled rotten.
"Still, she should've at least greeted Mom, the first wife. But no contact, and worse—they cut off Dad's phone to her too. And dumb Dad just went along with it."
Crunch—her fist clenched tight, anger unspent.
"I won't stand for that. Listen up. I don't care if you see other women besides me. But any bitch who disrupts the hierarchy like that? I'll crush her. I'm the first to get pregnant with your kid, so I deserve that authority. Right?"
"...Yeah, right."
Anyone saying no here, step up. Not me.
Noona smiled, satisfied. But was that a glint of murderous intent? Nah, probably imagination.
"Mom's usually the type to storm in and drag Dad out. But weirdly, she's doing nothing—just sighing."
"......"
Something told me I was part of why Jeonghwa wasn't acting.
"Since Mom's not fighting back, she's strutting around the other stepmoms. Guess even first wives can't touch a boy-mom."
"Yeah, her position looks messy. How were things between them usually?"
"Hard to explain—like any other family. He'd vanish for months chasing some woman, then slink home. They'd get cozy again, he'd dip out, come back, repeat."
Usually when he left, a new woman was involved. But he didn't marry them all. Unless she got pregnant, he'd lose interest and move on. Love's just hormones, right? So women try desperately to get knocked up.
"Guard your junk well. Other girls won't be as nice as me. They'll flip out and do anything to marry you if they get the chance."
"If that happens, you protect me."
"Duh! My man's mine to guard."
Her fiercely pumping fist was more cute than reassuring, but I overplayed it: "Whoa, so cool!"
We chatted away, her giggling, until night deepened. Pregnancy must've hit; she conked out suddenly.
I watched her sleep beside me, then quietly got up.
Got some juicy info—gotta use it.
Whether Jeonghwa avoided us to not interrupt or because meeting me was awkward, I didn't care. My head was full of plans to see her, so I strode right over.
I knew exactly where her room was.