15. Somehow It Ended Up Like This
15. Somehow It Ended Up Like This
"Somehow it ended up like that."
I said it with unwavering eyes, dead serious.
"Oh my god~! You little punk~~! For real!"
And then Mom smacked the shit out of my back.
I tried to sit there stoically like a badass and take it, but no dice.
"Ow! Oww! M-Mom! Wh-Why's your hand so damn heavy! It h-hurts!"
"Somehow? Somehow? Why don't you say you even stood as guarantor and sold yourself while you're at it!"
Only after the chaos died down could we finally have a proper talk.
"Poor kid, what to do."
The "kid" obviously wasn't the baby in her belly—it was Ina, sitting right next to me.
Even to my eyes, she looked young and cute. Wonder how she looks to actual adults.
"Look at her, baby fat hasn't even melted off yet, skin all soft and smooth, just! Absolutely!"
"Ow! Wh-Why! Why hit me while you're talking!"
Mom's smash came flying again.
On the flip side, Dad rubbed his forehead and muttered.
"Ina-ya, did you tell your parents?"
"N-No..., not yet."
"......When were you gonna tell them?"
At Dad's question, Ina glanced at me.
"I was gonna go with you when sunbae-nim said to tell them."
"I see."
Honestly, I thought Dad would chew me out big time, but when shit hit the fan, he stayed quiet.
"Just out of an old man's worry— you did this out of love, right?"
"Y-Yes? Yes, yes! Of course!"
We were in girlfriend-act mode, so saying we were in love was par for the course.
"I lo~ve him so much!"
Ina looked super tense too.
Well, who wouldn't be?
"Alright. That's what matters. Honey, drop it. They're in love."
Then Dad looked at me and said quietly.
"You know raising a kid ain't no joke, right?"
"Yup."
"If you can't take responsibility to the end, don't even open your mouth."
"Yup."
Thanks to the Hashtag, we're in it for life, but obviously I didn't say that.
"Life being created is something to celebrate, so I won't say more. Since you're here, let's eat some good food. Kiddo, got any favorite dishes?"
"Um..., I like whatever oppa likes."
"......."
At Ina's answer, Mom and Dad stared blankly at each other.
"......."
"......."
Awkward silence.
"Sigh~, such an innocent kid snagged by this worthless brat of mine!"
"Ow! Oww! St-Stop!"
Mom and Dad canceled all the dinner plans and since we were already at it, we headed out for some eats.
Then they started fussing over Ina, doting on every little thing.
"Been to Obstetrics and Gynecology yet?"
"Y-Yes? N-No, not yet."
At that, even the quiet Dad glared at me like he wanted to kill me.
"When'd you find out?"
"Um..., about a week ago."
"......."
We're fucked. That's the face Dad makes when he's seriously pissed.
"No good. Tomorrow, go with your auntie."
"Wh-What about me, Mom?"
"You stay with Dad."
Totally fucked.
Back home, after washing up and lying down, Ina asked.
"Is this the room sunbae-nim used to use?"
"Yeah. Kinda dirty, right? Haven't thrown out these old books."
"No way, it's cleaner than unnie's room?"
Ina burrowing into my arms.
"Your parents seem like really nice people."
"Yeah, they are. They are... but...."
Dad's bat hurts like a motherfucker, that's the issue.
Still, I did what I wanted.
Next day, Mom dragged Ina to Obstetrics and Gynecology bright and early.
"Son."
"Yup, Dad."
Clink, clink.
Dad rummaging in the pantry attached to the apartment unit.
"Here it is."
Should I be glad Dad's not into golf?
Or bummed he's a die-hard baseball fan.
"Been a while since we bent over."
"I'm an adult now. Marriageable age, even. Dad, I'll take responsibility...."
Thud.
Dad dragged over the bat and said.
"House?"
"Studio Apartment...."
"Living expenses."
"Part-time job...."
"School."
"Doing it alongside."
"Right."
Gripping the bat, Dad added.
"Just one good whack. Dodge and I'll break your bones."
"Yup."
Whack--!
"Hngh!"
When was the last time I got hit like this for real.
"Son. Take responsibility to the end. Make that kid cry, and your skull cracks next."
"......Yup."
But it's settled.
After a few more hours of nagging, Mom came back with Ina.
Wondered why it took so long—turns out they went shopping too.
"Bought some clothes for the kid too. It's cold, and her so-called boyfriend didn't get her a single gift, ugh! You punk!"
Shopping bags bulging in both hands.
"Can't say 'What about mine?' huh, Mom?"
"Right, son. Gotta have some shame as a person."
Got the check-up results too—no issues.
But they're gonna do regular check-ups at the hospital.
Stuff like this, you don't know unless you're taught.
"And lastly, one more thing."
Before heading to our place (Studio Apartment), Dad said.
"You two ain't officially married yet. Go to the kid's house and get proper permission."
"Yup."
"Man to man, son."
"Yup."
All that's left is the in-laws.
"Say 'somehow it ended up like this' and it's instant dismemberment.
Don't need to see it to know.
Precious daughter they raised turns 20 and hooks up with some jobless loser, gets knocked up— who'd stay calm?
§
<Lee Hana>
"Mooom~, Daad~."
"Mom's washing up, Dad's asleep."
Hana sprawled on the sofa, scratching her thigh with her foot while watching TV, and Ina didn't even glance her way.
Only after Mom came out and woke Dad did Ina speak.
"Wanna introduce you to my boyfriend."
"Yawwn, that's why you woke me?"
Dad tried heading back to bed, Mom gave a slight smile.
"Oh my, heard from Hana you got a boyfriend—one of Hana's friends~?"
At that, Ina shot Hana a death glare.
Whatever, sue me.
"Wanna introduce him. Wanna eat together."
"Like Hana, date him a year first then bring him."
Mom treated it like a joke and headed to the master bedroom.
"Eek!"
Ina stomped her feet.
"Why introduce him? Dad drops you at uni, you'll see him plenty."
"......Shut up."
Advice falls on deaf ears.
"What, pregnant or something? You're acting all urgent like there's a bun in the oven."
"......."
"......."
Huh?
What's that reaction.
Rustle.
Her body rises from the sofa on its own.
"No way......."
"What're you on about."
No wonder!
Few days ago, she came home loaded with gifts!
"For real? Holy shit."
Too absurd for words.
She'd partied pretty openly herself, but pregnancy's a whole other level.
"You nuts?"
"What're you saying, butt out."
"You? Calling your unnie 'you'?"
"......Unnie, butt out."
Push a little hard, and she folds.
"For real though?"
"......."
"Where's that Inmok bastard."
This crossed the line.
This ain't right.
And naturally, in this vibe, parents came out too.
"What's up?"
"Hey, tell 'em yourself."
"Huh? Tell what?"
Parents looked puzzled, all staring at Ina.
Could tell she fucked up from the mood, but no clue what.
"Daughter, bass... broken? The one we got you for college entrance?"
"Nah."
Not that, then what serious...
Parents' faces hardening.
What a 20-year-old like Ina could wreck was pretty much set.
Loves music, so maybe smashed some pricey instrument or gear for a student.
Stings, but forgivable.
Anything else... boyfriend from a month ago...
"......."
"......."
Everyone got it, but no one could say it—super awkward, tough vibe.
"I... got a baby on the way."
"Ah...."
Mom clutched her forehead and flopped sideways.
Dad clutched his and asked.
"Who? Inmok?"
"Yeah."
"......Bring him."
§
Fuuuuck.
Even in scary-game vibes, you can save and see the ending somehow.
But reality? YOU DIE and it's over.
Reality's a roguelike.
And my legs are going numb. Been kneeling, blood ain't flowing.
"......."
"......."
Nearly a half-hour of silence.
Hana watching from afar with an "oh dear" face.
Say "somehow it happened" here, and I'm tossed out the apartment pronto.
After a beating first.
"I'll take responsibility."
"Oh really? College kid's taking responsibility now?"
"I truly cherish and love Ina."
"Love after barely a month?"
Hana chimes in from afar.
Ina glares murder at her unnie but cowers under Mom's gaze, head down.
"Told your parents?"
"Yup, told them first."
"What'd they say."
Whoa, vision going black.
Even "they permitted" feels like death, "got beat first" means more beating.
"......They permitted it."
"Figures. He's their son."
"......Yup."
Suffocating.
But gotta push through.
Even contract route had scenes like this. But game's a game—skip button spam.
Who gives a shit about heroine's parents in a game, even one.
Hell, I'd Hashtag the mom to make her the heroine.
"......No plans to abort, right?"
Quiet Mom asks softly.
"Yup, I wanna take responsibility and raise it for sure."
"Daughter, you answer."
Mom's so refined in speech.
"I wanna have it too...."
Almost slipped to casual, switched to polite.
"You know what that means? Been to the hospital?"
"Y-Yes, with oppa's mom...."
"Why'd you... haa~. I dunno, honey. Handle it yourself."
Then Mom gets up and leaves first.
"......Nothing more to say. Raise it or not, your call."
Whoa, can I leave now? Think that, don't say it.
Think "leaving now means fucked" instead.
"Please permit it."
"Daddy, please say yes~."
Ina tries aegyo, but Dad shakes his head.
"No Mom permission, can't anyway."
Ended up stuck in the living room like some warlord.
Clink, clink.
After a while, they start cooking and eating, us kneeling there or not.
No beating, so lucky seven, but.
Starving.
Dinner ends, they ignore us kneeling and head to rooms.
"Shoulda been more careful."
"Shut up...."
Hana scratches by, but gotta take it.
Murmurs from master bedroom for ages.
Stretching knees now and then to get blood flowing—barely tolerable.
Around 10 PM.
Door opens, parents come out.
"First, let's meet your parents."
"So you're permitting, Dad?"
Ina asks, Mom side-eyes her smooth. Ina cowers, head down.
Looks so kind and refined... but Ina fears her bad.
Plus, looks way younger than expected?
Well, Hana and Ina—sisters with killer pretty, youthful faces. Gotta come from somewhere.
"Yup!"
Kneeling all day paid off—managed to set a date.
§
"Sorry for our son, what to do...?"
"Oh my~, no need. Future's what matters."
Huh? Why's the mood so bright.
Dads trying to set serious tone with ahems.
"I see~."
"Oh my~, hehe, you're so funny, sa-buin-nim."
"Oh dear, sa-buin-nim speaks so refined too~."
Feels like I shouldn't butt in that convo.
"Guess marriage is in order."
"Yes. Hmm..., daughter's starting school in March...."
Dads speak, moms' chat ends like magic.
What the, scary.
"Turns out same school, same department as our son."
"Yes. My daughter's entrance ceremony ain't even happened yet."
Fucking terrifying.
"I'm sorry."
Then my dad bowed his head in apology.
"My son fucked up. No words can soothe parents who raised a jewel-like daughter."
Makes me feel too bad for Dad.
"But......."
Dad slowly lifts his head, shoulders back proudly.
"Taught him responsibility from young, so no shame anywhere. It'll be fine. Please permit."
Fucking cool.
My dad's the best.
"Was 19 just a month ago. You know what that means."
"Of course. Won't cause trouble. And if......."
Dad eyes me.
"Any issues, I'll break his legs myself to make him responsible."
"......."
In-law uncle finally exhales, nods.
"Thought bad thoughts at first... but seeing the baby pic in her belly, couldn't go there."
"......."
No need to explain bad thoughts—everyone knows.
"So, best regards, sa-don-eopsi."
"I'll properly educate my son, sa-don-eopsi."
Handshake.
Of course, me and Ina shut up till meal's end.
Heading back, Dad got an earful from Mom.
"What'd you do wrong? Why bow there?"
"It's our daughter."
"Hah~, mine too~. Raised him like gold and jade. Like we'd say no."
Dad tuned out Mom's grumbling whole ride.
Ina's side getting chewed out in their car too.
"Honey."
"......You bowed first."
"Bow to someone, hand over your daughter? Honey~."
"......Nooo."
And the meeting of families ended.
Ah, where's the character card? Forgot?
Nah, used it today.
Didn't explain—obviously, me and Ina got there early, waiting.
When Ina's parents arrived, guided them and used it.
Hashtag character card—no need to smack hard for sound. Light touch suffices.
- Mother, this way.
Palmed the Hashtag, guided while slyly touching shoulder.
Winter, thick clothes—no notice. Nerve-wracking.
Wanna get along with mother-in-law, y'know.
Seen those vids of fun, sweet son-in-laws.
Purely wanna bond innocently.
No suspicions. Clean. For real.