Chapter 86
"I want to know everything about you, so 'Seol-ah seems way more mature than Sion.'"
"...Haha, thanks for saying that..."
...Did I say something a bit too grown-up for my age? I was a little worried that promising to make her happy might come off as overstepping. But seeing her parents give such positive feedback puts my mind at ease.
"How's school going? Semester's started now—do you two take classes together?"
"Yes, pretty much everything except our major courses. Last time, Baek... ahem, Sion and I did course registration together..."
The moment I answered, not just her parents but even Sia burst into soft laughter.
"I see. Sion's the type who never talks about his school life."
"...Yeah, that tracks."
"And feel free to just call him Baek Sion like normal."
So they already knew about our dynamic. Sia must've tipped them off—makes sense they'd wonder why I was acting all formal.
...Suddenly feeling embarrassed. My face is probably turning red...
"We get it. We've been friends since we were the same age, so we hardly ever used names. Until the wedding, it was all 'hey, you' like that."
"...Still, with you two listening..."
I brought it up thinking it might sound rude, but Mom just smiled and waved it off reassuringly.
"It's because you're so close, right? Truth is, Sion rarely opens up like this to anyone. How to put it... he always gives off this vibe of being broadly friendly but not deeply so?"
Definitely. He's got that easy smile and isn't the type to approach first, but he says such nice things in conversations that he's popular. Kind to everyone regardless. Probably no one outside our party has seen his truly icy side. When he deems someone an enemy, there's zero mercy—and honestly, thinking back now, that side of him was pretty damn sexy.
...Maybe that's why I like it when he gets a little forceful at night...
"So it'd be nice to hear some school stories from you now and then."
"Ah, sure! I'll text you if anything fun happens!"
Snap out of it. If I let something slip, it'd be mortifying.
"Thanks. I'll get your number from Sion later. And have you looked into houses yet?"
"We're just starting to check places out—planning to visit whenever we have time."
"Got it. Don't worry about money—pick something spacious and nice. Think of it as your honeymoon nest."
...Hearing honeymoon nest makes my heart soar despite myself. Marriage feels so real now.
"Sion didn't even go to cram school but got into Korea University with a scholarship—imagine how much that saved on tuition. And this guy's way more capable than he lets on."
"Seol-ah, you into movies or animation at all?"
...Honestly, I'm all about animation over movies, but I can't mention the super niche stuff a normie might not get. I recalled some famous animated films and replied.
"Ah, yeah. I've seen all the popular ones."
"What about Your Name? Ever seen that?"
"Yeah, I love it. The OST was amazing too..."
It's a Japanese animated film with romance at its core that did huge in Korea too. And Dad's a music director, right? No way...
"Aww, praising the music like that really makes my day."
"...You were the music director for that?"
"Yep. Sion must've told you a bit? I handled all the sound. Did tons of Korean films and dramas, plus Japanese animation."
"Look at you bragging away."
...Can you blame him? Your Name's OST and every tiny sound detail got rave reviews for giving chills. And he oversaw it all. Even for someone close to the industry, a Korean doing Japanese animation music direction takes insane skill and fame.
Sion's genius music talent must come from this side.
"That's how I naturally got to know manga creators too—brought Sion originals with autographs, limited-edition art books, you name it."
"Whoa..."
"Guess that's why he stayed home most of the time. Less late nights out, so fewer worries."
His otaku origin story makes mine look basic. I started with kids' TV cartoons and gradually dove in. Gotta thank Dad endlessly—if Sion had been an outdoorsy type, I never would've been his first girlfriend. He's not just handsome to me. Though I can't deny the rose-tinted glasses either.
Even though I'd already showered at home, baths are something I can do endlessly if time and chance allow. Mom and Dad used to call me an old soul for preferring hot springs over pools since I was little.
They'd never badmouth Yoo Seol-ah, so I popped in earbuds, cranked some tunes, and soaked in the warm water. Tomorrow's Monday—school day—so no lingering. Five songs from my playlist later, I rinsed off, changed into fresh clothes, and headed to the living room.
Yoo Seol-ah looked all bright-eyed—must've been having fun chatting.
"What'd I miss?"
"Ah, Dad's music director gigs—I saw a bunch of 'em, so it's wild."
"Plenty of big ones."
Success as a music director is expected, but Dad doesn't stick to one genre. Massive SF/horror scores to slice-of-life Japanese anime—his spectrum's limitless. Explains why I never locked into favorite genres young. Might help with game soundtracks now.
"Sion. Kids on your mind?"
Dad's question made Yoo Seol-ah's cheeks flush faintly. Sure, eventually—but not yet. Not till after college at least.
"Yeah, but later. Why?"
"If kids are in the plan, start with bigger square footage. Even one kid makes under 700 sq ft cramped."
She must've brought up living together first—now it's full-on honeymoon house vibes.
"Won't 700 sq ft jump the price? You covering it?"
"We've always planned to help with a place. Grateful, son?"
...Did I hear that right? I'd figured loan and jeonse, pay down debt slow. Never really talked marriage with parents since it felt unrelated to me. Jackpot.
"...Your eternal servant is humbled."
"Good. Find somewhere near school."
"I'll visit all the time after you move."
"Yeah, Sia—come whenever."
Not now, but once she's in college? Daily visits. Better not pick too far from our school—gotta think it through.
Chatting stretched to 9 PM.
"School tomorrow? Don't wanna hold you—time to head out."
"I'll come again!"
"Seol-ah, come solo anytime—no need for Sion."
"Yeah, sis. Visit me."
"Right, tutoring here once it starts."
Feels like family already. Just her folks left? She said no worries there—if we snag a place quick, move-in's soon.
"Drive safe~"
"Take care!"
"Back in a few weeks."
Out into the crisp night air.
"...My hand's cold."
"You can control your temp."
"......"
I teased as she stuck out her hand—got the full glare. Finally chuckled and took it. Her pout vanished into a beaming smile.
We walked to the stop, boarded the bus home.
"You were sick as a kid?"
"...Yeah, heart thing."
She must've heard from parents. Fully cured now—Astasia checkup confirmed. Military sorted too—net positive.
...Three years straight combat? Another enlistment would've sucked.
"Why not mention it?"
"...Not brag-worthy, and broadcasting a childhood illness feels kinda chuuni."
"Pfft, really?"
She got it, chuckling wryly. Cleared her throat, leaned on my shoulder.
"...Still, tell me everything from now on."
"Yeah."
No secrets anyway. Not hereditary, so no biggie.
Couldn't see her face, but her pale ears pinked up.
"...Wanna know everything about you..."
Same here. Marriage means putting each other first.
"......Got it, darling?"
"...What?"
She bounced off my shoulder, whipped her head to the window.
"J-Just testing it out—forget it...!"
"......"
"Total joke—erase it now!..."
Prefers darling over hubby? Unexpected.