When My Daughters Called Me Oppa
With that, we finished our meal and left the restaurant. But even as we stepped outside, a nagging unease lingered in the corner of my heart.
"…."
I stayed silent for a moment, then forced myself to act casual as I spoke up. "Anyway… shall we head back?"
Psi and Dmol nodded without a word. We picked up the clothes we'd left for alterations and returned straight to the dormitory.
Back in the room. The moment I opened the door, Psi and Dmol sprang into action.
"Dad, we're gonna go first."
"…We'll be out soon."
With that, they grabbed their new outfits and slipped into the room. The door clicked shut.
I stared at it for a second before setting down my bag. Then, slowly, I pulled out the incubators.
Two softly glowing incubators. I sat down in front of them.
"Kids…."
I murmured softly.
"Psi and Dmol…."
"Why are they acting like that?"
I reached out and fiddled with the incubator.
"…Am I the only one who doesn't get it?"
"…There's something going on, right?"
The quiet room. At that moment, the eggs inside the incubators gave a faint shake.
Tap, tap.
As if answering me. I watched for a bit, then chuckled.
"…Trying to comfort me?"
"…Or telling me something?"
No response. But oddly, my heart felt a little lighter.
Then.
Creeeak. The door opened.
I looked up. And for a moment, I was speechless.
"…Huh?"
Psi and Dmol stood there in their new clothes. Psi wore a bright-colored dress, and Dmol was in a neat, cute outfit. They both looked perfect.
I stood and walked over slowly. Then I pulled the two girls into a hug.
"My daughters…."
I said with a smile.
"The new clothes look amazing on you."
"They suit you so well."
Psi and Dmol froze in slight surprise, then quietly leaned into me. I gently stroked their heads.
"…Really."
"They suit you perfectly."
My hands moved softly. The heavy atmosphere from moments ago was easing away bit by bit.
For this moment, at least, it felt okay to pretend I didn't know anything.
We spent the time quietly like that. No words, but just being together was enough.
Then it happened. Psi and Dmol glanced at each other. They whispered something briefly, and their expressions hardened at the same time. Then they looked at me.
"…."
My body tensed. The vibe was different from usual.
"…Dad."
Psi spoke first. I swallowed hard.
"Yeah…"
"What's wrong?"
A brief silence. Then Dmol said quietly,
"…What happened today."
"Didn't you… notice anything?"
I couldn't respond right away. I averted my gaze, hesitating.
"…Um."
I tried to laugh it off.
"…Not really sure."
But it didn't work. Suddenly, Psi and Dmol grabbed my face from both sides, trapping me.
"…Dad."
Psi's eyes locked onto mine.
"Don't run away."
Dmol added softly.
"…Even a clueless dad like you."
"Must have figured out something from today."
I looked down.
"…That's."
"…But."
The words wouldn't come. Slowly, I opened my mouth.
"…Dad…."
But Dmol beat me to it.
"…We know."
"How much you cherish us, love us, adore us."
Her voice was quiet but certain.
Then Psi continued.
"…That's why we want more."
I looked up. Psi's eyes were trembling.
"We want to be… more than daughters."
"…To you."
"More important than anyone."
A suffocating silence. Psi went on slowly.
"You…"
"Gave us names,"
"Gave us affection,"
"Gave us love,"
"…Brought us into the world."
Those words sank deep into my chest. I couldn't say anything. The emotion was too vast, too heavy to touch easily.
"…."
After a long hesitation, I finally spoke.
"…Psi."
"…Dmol."
My voice trembled low.
"…Dad…."
As I started, Psi and Dmol spoke first.
"Dad."
Psi said quietly.
"More siblings are coming soon, right?"
Dmol nodded.
"…And probably."
"A lot of them will feel the same as us."
I couldn't respond. They looked at me as if they knew.
"That's okay."
Psi said.
"We're okay with it…"
"And the siblings will be too."
Dmol added.
"…Even if they feel the same."
"…It doesn't matter."
A pause, then they said together,
"But."
"No one else."
The air grew heavy. The meaning was crystal clear. I swallowed.
Psi stepped closer. In a softer voice, she said,
"You don't have to answer…"
"Right now."
Dmol nodded, adding,
"…You have a lot to think about."
"We know you need time."
I just stared at them, speechless. Psi smiled faintly.
"…But."
"Just know how we feel."
Before I could respond, they both beamed brightly, as if nothing had happened.
"So."
Psi said playfully.
"Think hard about it, Dad."
Dmol chuckled softly, adding,
"…And get a little nervous too."
And then, so naturally,
"…Oppa."
I froze.
"…What?"
My heart skipped a beat. They looked at me casually. But that one word left a heavy echo.
I stood there, unable to reply.
Psi and Dmol quietly got up. They carefully picked up the incubators and headed to the room.
Psi paused at the door, turning back.
"Come on."
"You need time to think alone, right?"
Dmol smiled faintly, adding,
"…We'll step out for a bit."
The door closed. I was alone in the room.
"…Haa…."
I let out a deep sigh. Slowly, I walked to the window and opened it. Cool wind blew in.
I stood there, letting it wash over me.
"…My daughters…."
The words trailed off. My mind was a mess. Thoughts wouldn't settle.
They were precious, without a doubt. Beings I cherished, loved, wanted to protect. That hadn't changed.
But suddenly accepting it rationally?
"…That's…"
Not easy. I closed my eyes.
Then it hit me.
"…Oppa."
That word. Had I really felt nothing back then?
"…No."
I murmured. I couldn't deny it completely. That made it even more complicated.
I shook my head and sighed.
"…Haa…."
No one to ask. Not a question I could even pose.
In the end, I had to decide.
Then. A faint voice from the next room.
"…Sis."
It was Dmol.
"…What if Dad pushes us away…."
Her voice trembled softly.
Silence. Then Psi.
"…We had to say it."
"I was scared too."
"…But."
A short breath.
"…It feels better now."
Hearing that, I chuckled.
"…Jeez."
I closed the window. Lifted my head.
"…What can I do."
I murmured.
"They're my daughters."
"The ones I cherish, love, and raised."
I walked slowly to the door. Paused, then opened it.
"Girls."
They both looked up. I approached and hugged them wordlessly.
"…Dad too."
I said slowly.
"…Can't accept it all at once."
Honest words.
"But," I hugged tighter.
"…I'll try."
"…A little."
Short, but clear. In that instant, Psi and Dmol burrowed into my arms.
"Dad…!"
"Dad…."
Their voices shook.
"…We were worried."
"…Scared you'd push us away…."
I held them tighter without a word. Stroked their heads gently.
"I won't push you away."
I said softly.
"…Never."
A moment later, they lifted their faces from my chest. Eyes a bit damp, but smiles radiant.
"…For now."
Psi said.
"Just trying is"
"…Enough."
Dmol nodded.
"…No."
"That's…"
"…Even better."
I smiled faintly at that. Stroked them once more.
I still didn't fully get it. But I decided not to run.
As we spent the quiet time together, the incubator shook faintly.
Tap.
I turned. The softly glowing eggs. I approached carefully and cradled the two incubators.
"…Right."
I smiled softly.
"You guys too."
I stroked them gently. The eggs shook again, as if in response.
Looking at them, I said warmly,
"I won't leave you out."
"We're all family."
I held them closer.
"…Hatch soon."
"Let's play together."
I chuckled. So much had happened today. Confusing, complicated, tough.
But I felt it. We'd grown closer. A little tighter as a family.
I closed my eyes, then opened them. Murmured softly,
"…It's okay."
"Like this."