Overslept and Puppystruck
I'd finally realized the truth. I'd overslept. It wasn't part of the plan, obviously—who plans to sleep in? What was done was done. The only question now was how to fix it.
I'd already apologized twice last night. And now, the very next morning, I was about to give them another reason to forgive me? How scatterbrained could I be?
First things first—I had to reassure the president so he wouldn't worry. At least send a text. "S-sorry... Slept... in. I'll... start... streaming... soon." Would that work...?
Hmm... Even if I texted the president to explain, what about the viewers? Making excuses was a last resort, but admitting the truth felt too embarrassing to handle. Caught between a rock and a hard place.
Fine. If it had come to this, I'd need to make a bold decision. I deleted the draft for the president and started typing something new.
"President... Today's... plan is..."
Current time: 1 PM. I'd told Grandpa I'd visit a day early, hopped in the camper van, blown past Boseong, and was now heading to Mokpo.
Needless to say, the stream was still off. How did this happen?
It all stemmed from one idea that popped into my head. No matter what I did, I'd get flak—stream now or later, same result. So why not take the heat all the way to my destination? If I turned on the stream right as I arrived at Grandpa's place, maybe the viewers wouldn't have time to complain?
I glanced in the rearview mirror and caught myself smirking wickedly. 'Hmm, still pretty cute, though.'
Of course, I'd posted a notice on the community board.
It had a bit of an excuse mixed in, but it was within acceptable limits. The scrolling comments were mostly friendly: "Fair enough," "Yeah, it's risky," that sort of thing.
In the end, I hadn't defused the time bomb—I'd just extended the timer a little. But maybe weakened the blast a tad? They wouldn't explode at me in front of Grandpa, right?
'Those folks might just do that... kinda scary.'
A chill ran down my spine. Brr, something felt ominous.
"Oh, toll gate at last."
Lost in thought, I'd arrived in Mokpo in no time. Grandpa lived on the outskirts, even by Mokpo standards—a real The Countryside Home vibe.
Spacious yard, a disused little barn on one side, and a few hens clucking around. Plenty of room for this big camper van.
Had the meat I'd ordered arrived okay? How long had it been since I'd seen him? Four years? Five? As Han Areum, just one year...
The camper turned onto the narrow country road. I rolled down the window—fresh air mixed with a hint of fertilizer, classic rural scent.
"Ah, there it is."
Finally arrived. Pulling into the wide yard, a tied-up country dog came to greet me—barking like mad, hopping around.
Drooling, growling... wait, growling? Was it happy or on guard?
I parked in the big yard and stepped out. Looking around, not much had changed from my memories. Felt just like coming home.
"Grandpa~ I'm here~!"
Was he not home? I'd said I'd arrive around this time...
Woof! Woof! The dog had energy to spare, barking nonstop.
A bit noisy—better calm it down. I headed straight to the tied-up pup without hesitation.
As I approached, it suddenly went quiet. I squatted down and offered my hand. Panting happily, it rubbed its face against me—adorable.
Its tail wagged so furiously, a bit faster and it could power an engine. Why had such a sweet dog been barking like that?
Playing with it as it climbed my arm, the gate creaked open—someone entering.
"Oh my, our baby's already here?"
"Grandpa~ I'm here."
Grandpa came in, hands full of bags. I rushed over for a hug. Back then, I was his spoiled grandson, so this shouldn't seem weird.
For some reason, Grandpa made me drop all pretenses. Even as an adult, I'd whine and fuss around him... Anyone might call a grown man clingy, but family bonds aren't one-size-fits-all. A grandson can be affectionate with his grandpa.
"What'd you buy all this for?"
"'Cause our baby's comin', got some side dishes~"
"Did the meat I ordered arrive? Said it'd be here yesterday."
"It did~ Looked mighty tasty just sittin' there~"
I took one of his bags and we headed inside together.
Stepping in revealed the countryside house's twist. Outside, pure tiled-roof traditional, but inside? Fancy antique European furnishings, even a chandelier.
As a kid, I thought it was normal. Nope. Must tie into Grandpa's wealth.
"Oh, what's the yard dog's name? Not the one from when I was little..."
"Oh, that one? It's the grandpup from the dog you had as a kid. Three years old."
"So its name's Alexander III?"
"Yup~"
...Even as a kid, I thought it was an odd name. Passing it down like royalty.
Alexander III. ...Kinda cool. Jindo blood made it look majestic.
In the kitchen with Grandpa, sorting groceries and ingredients, something tickled at my feet. Looking down—a white fluffball attached to me.
What the...? Grandpa making pillows now?
I reached to peel it off, but it twitched, revealing big black round eyes buried in the fluff.
...Huh? What is this creature?
My hand froze. Could I even touch it? This thing defied biology. How could it exist...?
Staring at my suspended hand, then it licked my fingers. So cute I nearly squealed, but I held it in and finally asked Grandpa.
"G-Grandpa... what's this...?"
"Oh, that fella? Friend's dog had pups, couldn't keep 'em all. I had room, so I took one~ Breed's... Pom... Pomer somethin'?"
"Pomeranian... D-does it have a name...?"
Grandpa looked at me, grinned, and said,
"Maximus."
"Pfft...!"
I'd half-expected it, but that name hit harder on this fluffball. Didn't match at all... Or did it? Compared to Alexander...
Maximus... Maximus... Yeah. It fit. Those sparkling eyes looked fierce up close?
Glancing down again, Maximus's cuteness overloaded. Couldn't hold back anymore.
I scooped him up. "Whoa... so tiny..."
"Yup? Just a month old. Been here three days."
A one-month-old Pomeranian's power was immense. I had questions for Grandpa, needed to start streaming—but none of that mattered now.
I flopped onto the sofa, cradling Maximus. So small, even right in front of me. Ahh, this was healing.
Staring at him, he seemed awkward and licked my nose. 'Guh... my heart...'
So cute. Saying it didn't capture it—this was unbearable adorableness.
Wanted to squeeze tight, but he'd hate that, right? Argh... what do you do with a creature this precious!
"Like him?"
"Haa... too cute..."
"Then take him along?"
"Huh?"
Take him? This little guy?
"If ya like him that much, head up to Seoul together."
"Gasp."
I sat up, staring at Grandpa. Shocking words, but he calmly tidied the kitchen.
Honestly, I wanted to desperately... But rental campers don't allow pets. Sneak him in? Tempting, but it was under the company's name—not just my promise, but theirs.
...Then drive back in my own car?
The thought hit me. If not the camper, come down again...
"Really okay to take him?"
"'Course~ Seems he likes ya too."
Maximus, what about you? Okay to come with me?
His serene face showed zero thoughts. Even that blankness was lovable.
"Then... not right now, but I'll come back for him."
"Sure~ Take yer time~"
Decision made. Once hooked like this, backing out was impossible. Holding him eased my mind.
"Oh, right. Grandpa, got a question."
"Hm? What?"
Should I ask now? Money talk felt awkward...
"Uh... about that land in Geoje-do. Bigger than I thought..."
"Yup? Wanna build a house now?"
Grandpa chuckled heartily. Not a house—an apartment complex.
"Ugh... Grandpa, asking this feels so pushy. But I'm curious."
"What? Why beat 'round the bush?"
"Grandpa... are we rich?"
"Huh? Ya just figurin' that out?"
Huh? So straightforward?
How was I supposed to know? Grandpa...
"W-when from?"
"Never been short o' money my whole life. That's why I sponsor the orphanage and live idle like a bum~"
Gasp. Then why... did Dad live bouncing between rentals?
"When living with Dad, it was always month-to-month..."
"That was yer daddy's bullheaded stubbornness!"
Grandpa's voice rose. Ah, so Dad refused.
"He opposed yer ma's marriage, said no support if ya wouldn't let 'em wed—so he stuck to his word!"
"Huh? Grandma opposed the marriage?"
"Yup! So yer ma suffered, had ya, and passed. Yer dad was frail young, overdid it, heart gave out!"
"Whoa..."
"Told that bullhead to drop the pride and take help! Wouldn't listen, drove a nail in his parents' hearts!"
Lots I didn't know. Dad was stubborn, sure, but that much... And he and Grandma weren't on bad terms?
"Grandpa, but Dad and Grandma seemed okay?"
"After yer ma passed, he grieved hard... Felt guilty for opposin'. Reconciled after."
"But still wouldn't budge?"
"Don't get me started... 'A man's word is his bond'..."
Ah... Dad... why...
Not my place as the clueless one, but my feelings cooled. From respected friend to immature friend I didn't want to emulate.
"Ah... so that's it..."
"Ya really just now? When yer dad passed, I said come to Mokpo—or I'd buy ya a Seoul house. Nothin'?"
Huh...? Grandpa offered that and I forgot?!
No way—even dazed from grief, how could I blank on that?!
"..."
"Eatin' it up?"
"...Yeah."
"Hohoho, figures. Looked tough, but wouldn't take handouts—thought ya took after yer dad! Hohohoho."
...Not funny, Grandpa.
"House now?"
"...No. Got a job. If things get rough, I'll ask."
"Right, right. Try alone, but tell me if ya can't."
"Yeah. Oh, one more thing."
"Hm? What's that?"
"Grandpa... why's our family so loaded?"
Hmm... too materialistic? Oh well.
"Real estate. Speculation."
"...? Huh?"
"Real estate~?"
"...Like, property investment?"
"When I was young, sold rice paddy money for some Gangnam land. Sold high when Seoul developed."
"Ah...! Grandpa! That's not speculation—foresight!"
"Then bought more in Pangyo with proceeds. Redeveloped, sold high again~"
I thought illegal for a sec! Grandpa's eye for property's insane—not some chaebol youngest son living a success saga...
Wait. How rich is he exactly?
...I decided to stop thinking.