Chapter 80
We'd never actually said the words, but we were obviously in a relationship—or something even more than that. Neither Yoo Seol-ah nor I had ever used the terms "girlfriend" or "boyfriend," not even once. If anything, we'd gone out of our way to deny it. That's why everyone we'd met got so confused, except for Doyun hyung and Lee Seo-yeon, who knew the full story and just smiled and accepted it.
But just now, for the first time ever, Yoo Seol-ah had brought up the word "girlfriend" herself.
Of course, up until now, we'd just been too embarrassed or it felt too cringey to say it out loud. So it made sense that Seol-ah, who'd been worried about introducing herself to my parents, would come out with it like this. Still, I couldn't help the inexplicable rush of excitement. She really took marriage seriously, after all.
"We were due for a visit home anyway."
"...Uh, when?"
"I already put it off this week once. Tomorrow or next week at the latest."
Seol-ah's eyes started shaking wildly. Why was she so adorable, getting this tense over a single sentence? I chuckled lightly and continued.
"You don't have to go tomorrow. We'll just say we're dating for now."
"...Right."
Honestly, given Seol-ah's personality and my parents', she'd relax right away after one meeting. She tended to be shy around new people anyway.
I'd messaged Mom earlier asking if we could talk, and a reply came almost immediately.
...Was asking to talk such a big deal? Sure, I hadn't called first in years. No urgent matters, so I'd just texted. Baek Sia, the baby of the family, was the one who chatted with our parents about everything, even trivial stuff, which probably made them react like this.
"But I can't call right now?"
"...W-Why?"
The moment I pretended to panic, Seol-ah started freaking out openly. It was just to ease her nerves, and I turned the phone to show her the exchange with Mom. At first, she barely glanced at it, fearing bad news, but then she let out a sigh of relief.
Then she smacked my thigh.
"Ah, you really scared me..."
Remembering the messages and her own tension, she burst into disbelieving laughter.
"...Haa..."
At least she seemed a bit more relaxed now. That gave her a glimpse of Mom's personality.
"Shall I call?"
"Yeah. Hold on."
Seol-ah even cast a sound-blocking spell. I could see her moving, but not a single rustle. I got why, but she was thorough.
She seemed ready, so I hit call. Mom picked up after a few rings.
"How much do I need to wire to get him back?"
"Three million won."
"Just keep him. Please."
Was I really the type of son more likely to be kidnapped or voice-phished? It was better than before—she asked the amount—but getting rejected at three million stung a little.
"So, what's up, son?"
"Got something to tell you."
"You actually called instead of just texting? Must be important."
By importance, it was the biggest thing in my life.
Mom's tone shifted, curious.
"How important to make you call—something you do maybe once a year?"
Here it comes. I took a deep breath and spoke.
"I have a girlfriend."
I'd said it. Glancing sideways, Seol-ah looked lost, trembling despite urging me on.
Silence from the phone.
"...You're not the type to call just to joke, so it must be real?"
"Yeah. It's real."
Mom knew me well—no shock, just quick acceptance. But her tone perked up with interest.
"Girl from your school?"
"Yeah, our school."
"I know you have high standards. How'd you snag a girlfriend?"
"Seo In-ah's impossibly high bar made it tough."
Laughter erupted from the phone. Mom and Dad were both stunningly attractive, ageless beauties. Mom, a hair designer, had once subbed for a no-show model on a magazine shoot.
"Still, I raised you well. So, how pretty is she?"
Her voice brighter, higher-pitched. I turned to gaze at Seol-ah's face. Not on speaker, so she widened her eyes curiously. Already huge, they looked straight out of a manga. Cool, sleek when expressionless, framed by long lashes. Plump lips always softly pink, no makeup needed, and features too striking for her small face. A mystical mix of cute and icy.
I meant every word.
"Insanely pretty. You'll be speechless at first."
I kept scanning her face as I spoke, so I caught her horrified head-shake. Her lips mouthed What the hell?, but her sound block left her helpless. It was just the truth.
"How pretty to make you say that? Anything else?"
"Super kind, cute, smart. Basically, the whole world to herself."
Watching her face crumple in real-time was hilarious. Now hiding behind a hand. But all true—just her being this shy was cute.
"I worried you'd end up alone forever. Glad it worked out. Twenty years single—parents have a right to worry."
Then came the curveball.
"Sounds serious, huh?"
"...How'd you know?"
I got what "serious" meant. No marriage talk yet, but Mom's intuition was sharp.
"If it was casual, you wouldn't call. You'd hide it."
"..."
Spot on. No full trust or beyond "talking"? I wouldn't tell them.
"Been dating a while?"
"Yeah. We knew each other before."
"You keep to yourself unlike Sia. When'd you meet this pretty girl...?"
She guessed from my reserved nature.
"I raised you right, so anyone you praise this much will win me over. No weird worries."
"...Okay."
"Name?"
"Seol-ah. Yoo Seol-ah."
"Yoo Seol-ah?"
"Yeah."
Long silence, then:
"You were coming this week anyway."
"Planning tomorrow."
"Ask her and bring her. Let me see my future daughter-in-law's face."
"Got it. I'll ask."
"Ask what food she likes. I'll prepare a feast."
"Okay."
Future daughter-in-law. Our families got along great, so it'd go well—but tomorrow was the real stage.
"Oh, Mom. Bringing kimchi tomorrow. Just a little."
"Got it. Big batch. Sia's joining dinner—cool?"
"Fine. She already knows about us."
"...That girl didn't say a word. Whose daughter is she...?"
Sia kept promises perfectly—no hints after meeting us. But having her there would help, especially easing Seol-ah's nerves.
"Talk tomorrow then."
"Yeah. Hanging up."
Call ended. I set the phone down.
"Done. You can drop the spell."
"...Dude, how could you introduce me like that?!"
"I held back."
She'd bottled it up. It might burden her, but my words barely captured her charms anyway.
"She says come tomorrow if you're free. Okay?"
"It's here."
That was my first thought. But Baek Sion looked happy on the call, and his mom seemed bright and cheerful, so I felt a little less worried.
"...Yeah. I want to meet her too."
"Cool. I'll tell her."
Sion, tapping away on his phone, suddenly piped up.
"Sorry for making you wait again. You must be hungry."
"Nah, not that bad."
"Nothing to drink at home. I'll run out and whip something up quick. Convenience store's close."
"Want me to come?"
"It's super fast. You used a lot of energy today. Rest on the bed if you're tired."
He'd remodeled the room with magic earlier. Pointing to the innermost bed, he stood.
...He said to lie down, so it's fine, right?
After he slipped on slippers and left, I lifted the covers and slid into bed.
Insanely pretty. And cute...
His introduction echoed relentlessly. More importantly, beds hold the strongest scent of their owner.
...Baek Sion's unique body smell. Faint upon entering, but overwhelming here. The comforting aroma from hugs clouded my head with one breath. Just the covers felt like being held tight in his arms.
"...Hah."
Unconsciously, my hand drifted toward my thigh. Self-loathing hit hard.
You crazy bitch...
...Not even heat season. He'd just stepped out to the store briefly...
Doing that on someone else's bed while the owner's gone? Total pervert. And parents tomorrow...
"Hoo..."
But partly his fault. Flirty lines while glancing at me on the call. And as his girlfriend, no big deal. Just... down there... if I don't touch...
Angels and devils erupted in my mind, battling fiercely.