Chapter 250
Is that from personal experience? My mom and dad always preached to me and my sister about living as "friendly parents," repeating it until their mouths wore out, and I'm always grateful for parents like them. I think the reason our family gets along so well all stems from their gentle personalities. The fact that we can be like friends without ever hurting each other's feelings really proves how amazing they are. But honestly, sometimes they embarrass me—there's no helping it. Back in elementary school open classes, I never escaped hearing "Your parents are so fun~" from my friends, and I even knew the parents of kids I wasn't that close to. Heck, sometimes they knew more about what was going on at school than I did. And right now, more than anything, my face was burning so hot it felt like it might catch fire.
"...Please, both of you, don't act like that with people you've just met..."
How did a kid with my personality end up under parents like that? I couldn't help but wonder a little. They were just grinning ear to ear, but I was the one dying of secondhand embarrassment.
"This is Roha unnie, and this is Aisaka. Both from Japan."
I figured introducing them upfront might stop the grandchild talk, so I gave the basics myself.
"Oh, friends you made on the trip? But that's weird. The daughter I know isn't the type to make friends abroad..."
"The girl who said she had no interest in guys comes back with a husband—making friends is hardly surprising now."
"Urk..."
My face was too hot for any comeback. I quietly slipped over to Shabu, who was watching us all silently, to regain some peace of mind.
Luckily, this almost-couple was both polite and kept the conversation flowing smoothly with my parents.
"I'm Nagi Iroha. I work as an illustrator like Seol-ah."
"Oh, Seol-ah told us about some super talented Japanese illustrator. Spica, right? The name stuck since she wouldn't shut up about it. Do you know her?"
"Ah, that... that's me."
This time, even my parents looked shocked, their mouths slightly agape as they froze.
"She said the person was crazy famous—how'd our Seol-ah meet someone like that...?"
"Seol-ah's super famous too. Probably the most popular illustrator right now."
...Phew, good. At least that's not black history—it might even boost Roha unnie's favorability.
"But your Korean is amazing."
"I've studied it since I was little. Please feel free to speak casually with me."
Roha unnie even had this sharp, no-nonsense vibe when dealing with adults. Learning new sides to her.
After Aisaka revealed he was a novelist too, my parents sat us down at the table, saying lunch was ready. Baek Sion, already super close with them, and even Lee Seo-yeon were chatting like she was their new kid.
...What's this feeling, like they've stolen my parents? I had a firm rule against NTR doujins, but now I kinda get the vibe.
"We eat a ton of those dumplings and yukgaejang anyway."
"Oh, they're so good... especially the dumplings. I love them."
Stuff like Lee Seo-yeon being the daughter of some CEO—still hard to believe no matter how many times I hear it.
"But our girl never tells us her username. Any chance you could...?"
"Oh, really?"
"Unnie, don't tell them."
"...Haha. Well, kids keeping secrets from parents is pretty normal."
I couldn't share my Yukinyang account—too much my parents shouldn't see. Even if it's in Japanese, those screenshots from weird games would raise eyebrows. I only played for art reference, but it could be misunderstood.
"We get a lot of viewers from Japan on our channel. Stats show plenty."
"...My parents watch yours too—they say it's fun. Subtitles in every language."
Even the chit-chat made the world feel small. Their easygoing, never-running-out-of-steam personalities explained why their gaming channel was so popular.
"We could hang longer, but y'all must be busy, right?"
"Yeah, holding up young folks too long is tacky."
Not just politeness—they really wanted to chat more, but eyeing our luggage, they wrapped it up. No more black history spilling, so I relaxed a bit and put Shabu in his carrier.
"Sion-ah, didn't you say your parents miss us?"
"Yeah. They wanted autographs, but I said it'd be better to get them in person."
"Tell them to come whenever's convenient. We should set a date for the wedding soon anyway."
...Wedding?
"W-What, the wedding already...?!"
Of course I wanted them there, but rushing it? No way. I'd already gotten one proposal in Astasia from Baek Sion, but I wanted to do the Earth one myself. Before a second proposal, no wedding talk—that was my personal wish.
And above all, I wanted to draw out a real "I love you" from Baek Sion during the proposal. We heard "I like you" sporadically lately, but never "I love you." Our unique relationship meant neither had said it, so I'd always thought the wedding should come after we exchanged those words.
"We'll handle it ourselves, so let's talk about that later..."
"Just tossing it out there. Got a timing in mind?"
"......Ah, I'm outta here for real."
Being around my parents dragged me into endless teasing, so I decided to bail quick. We had unpacking anyway.
"When do you wanna do the wedding?"
"...Hey, not you too... Haven't really thought about it..."
Back at our place, Baek Sion asked innocently. ...How do I even get an "I love you" from this guy? "Say you love me" would be fastest, but it didn't sit right. His "I like you"s already made my heart race— "I love you" might be too dangerous...
Plotting in my head, our group of five arrived at a super familiar spot.
"...So unnie's place is here too?"
"I don't have tons of properties I can set up."
...Owning a whole floor—no, a whole unit—is plenty. And this wasn't even where Lee Seo-yeon lived.
"Whoa, we can really stay here?"
"Yeah. Seol-ah's on the top floor, unnie's on 7."
Neighbors in the same building? Great for hangouts, but one question popped up.
"But Seo-yeon, isn't there just one unit per floor? So two floors empty?"
Pricey, but popular for the perks.
"Huh? Only 7's left now."
"...What?"
Hearing me and Lee Seo-yeon, Roha unnie and Aisaka suddenly scanned around awkwardly.
...We'd pushed them hard since the pool, but this fast? Cohabiting after one day? No word on them dating yet.
"It's huge for two, tons of bathrooms and spare rooms anyway? Easy not to run into each other. So I asked."
Lee Seo-yeon, the root cause, explained casually.
...Just 'cause a floor was left and it seemed fun? After all this time together, she seemed born to stir pots. Pot-stirring saintess... People kept calling me succubus grand mage, but wasn't she the weirder one?
"Unnie?"
"...Y-Yeah?"
Lee Seo-yeon laid the groundwork, but they decided. I called softly, but Roha unnie dodged my eyes like she was guilty.
...Her stuttering was rare... Gotta praise the courage, I guess.
"C'mon, let's head in and talk. Furniture's all set, no worries."
Lee Seo-yeon led us to 7 like it was no big deal. Fine, they might not bump into each other. Good for their work talks too.
...But I knew what living together meant for a guy and girl.
"...How much was this again?"
"Mm... like 200 million yen?"
But Aisaka and Roha unnie, seeing the complex earlier and now the interior, looked head over heels.
The other three started touring without me and Roha unnie, so I poked her.
"Unnie's gotten bold."
"W-What do you mean?"
...Playing dumb. She teased me on the plane once—no mercy from me.
"Living next door vs. same house? Big difference."
"...We agreed not to interfere normally..."
"Still."
She's a grown adult—she had to know.
"Hearing shower noises from the living room, coming out with wet hair for dinner..."
"......"
"Then sleepy bedhead looks cute, one day sharing a beer leads to eye contact and boom..."
"S-Seol-ah?"
Roha unnie, unusually red, covered my mouth.
...This reaction's kinda fun. But she wasn't one to stay quiet.
"...You're awfully detailed. Personal experience?"
"...P-Personal? Just general stuff... y'know..."
...Definitely not thinking of wet-haired Baek Sion or his bedhead. Nope.
Moments later, the three emerged from the kitchen. Lee Seo-yeon glanced over, tilting her head.
"Why're you both so red? Getting warmer out?"
"...J-Just a bit? Weather's warming up."
No winner in this fight.