Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Of You, By You, For You Alone - 1
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Yerim's birthday was right around the corner.
Of course, even while we were apart, we'd remembered each other's birthdays without fail and exchanged gifts.
But the fact that we could meet in person on her birthday, spend the day together, and hand over gifts face-to-face...
The fact that I could see her reaction with my own eyes when she unwrapped it...
That had my heart racing.
The old me would've agonized over what to get her.
— Han Woojin, this year is different.
I've already planned everything perfectly, from the gift to the date itinerary.
I did consider asking Yoon Do-hyun, the expert, for help, but I figured it wouldn't mean as much if I didn't plan it myself.
Sorry, Mom and Dad, but instead of studying all night like you wanted, I searched every keyword related to dates on my phone.
But since you two always told me to take care of Yerim over myself, you'll be happy about it, right? Yeah.
After all, even after Yerim returned to Korea because of me, the exam-taker, we'd focused more on just spending time together rather than proper dates out and about.
So this time, I wanted to give her a real, lovey-dovey date.
Not just the date course—I even did some preliminary research on birthday gifts in case there was something she wanted.
"Yerim, is there anything you want?"
"Oppa..."
"...You already have that."
"That's the only thing..."
"Really nothing else?"
"............."
"...Hold on. Where are you looking right now?"
Her gaze was so blatant I couldn't help but cover myself with my hand.
In the end, after that pre-research that felt good but wasn't helpful at all...
I decided on the item I'd agonized over all night.
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The day of Yerim's birthday.
— ...I'm screwed.
When I was already short on sleep even at full capacity...
I'd pulled an all-nighter wide awake.
I'd only meant to mentally review the date course before bed—Is this the right spot? Maybe that one's better? Ah, this one seems kinda meh...
But one thought led to another, spreading until it wasn't just the date course anymore; it extended to the birthday gift too, devolving into "Is this really okay for Yerim's birthday?"
In the end, I couldn't sleep.
And to top it off...
"Happy birthday to our little girl~"
"Happy birthday~"
"Oppa, what do you mean 'happy birthday' like that~! Yerim, happy birthday!"
"Sniff, thank you everyone..."
Words brimming with affection echoed warmly through the house, matched by her happy laughter in return.
We were all in the same space.
Yet somehow, those sounds felt so distant as I listened, until a deep, resonant voice cut through like it was the most natural thing.
"Woojin."
"...Yes, Father."
"...Father might be a bit too soon. Call me sir..."
"I tried that once before, and Yerim got really upset..."
"...Call me Father, then."
Father cleared his throat with a gruff hem, as if there was no helping it since Yerim had said so.
"You're wondering why I called you aside alone, right?"
"...No, sir."
— Yeah, right.
I'd originally planned to spend the whole day alone with Yerim, but her parents said they wanted to see us.
...I couldn't exactly say no after hearing that.
The man who might become my father-in-law—not just mine, but our whole family's.
Possibility? It was practically a done deal, and they wanted to see us. No way I wasn't coming.
Unless my IQ was Yoon Do-hyun level or I'd taken a bullet to the head, that'd be insane.
That's why we'd decided to spend the morning at her house.
But no sooner had we arrived than I was dragged off for a one-on-one with Father, like some interrogation room. My breath caught—choke, no, choke choke choke.
Father gave my fake reply a kind smile.
"Come on, kid, who are you fooling? It's written all over your face. Sorry about this. I didn't want to talk on a day like today either, but things are so hectic I don't have time otherwise."
...Was it that obvious?
I scratched my head sheepishly.
Curious what he wanted to say that warranted this, I met his eyes—and gasped in shock.
The Father who'd always looked at me like I was some soul-possessed intruder stealing his precious daughter...
Was bowing his head to me.
"...You've been through a lot. I really wanted to say this to you in person. I'll tell Sea separately later, of course."
I was so flustered I tried to say it was fine, that he'd been the one suffering, but...
He continued before I could, as if he wasn't done.
"I can't say sorry for keeping you apart. Even if I went back in time, I'd make the same choice. It wasn't for me—it was for a more comfortable, happier future for our family. That's...the weight and role of the head of the household."
His sincere words sank heavily into my heart for some reason.
"But that doesn't make it the right thing. You kids, our Yerim and Jinhyuk—they must've suffered so much because of it. For that, I'm truly sorry, and I wanted to tell you you've done well."
"...Have you ever regretted that choice?"
"Of course."
Father answered instantly, his eyes tinged with sadness.
"I've regretted it over and over. Just because it was the right choice doesn't mean the outcome was right. I succeeded as a dad providing warm beds and plenty of food for my kids. But I failed to comfort their hearts."
His self-deprecating tone drew a quiet chuckle from me unbidden.
I couldn't say it to his face, but...
I think I knew Yerim a little better than that.
"...I don't think so."
"Hm?"
He asked what I meant.
"Yerim would never...think of you as a failure of a dad or anything like that. Ah, Jinhyuk might, though."
She'd been upset talking about her parents a few times with me, but I'd never seen her resent them, not once.
She could give love because she'd received it—that was my girlfriend.
I could declare his words wrong.
Mixing half sincerity and half jest, I told Father firmly. He seemed a bit surprised at first.
But soon, he looked at me with a gentle smile.
"...Even I think Jinhyuk might."
"That's Jinhyuk for you."
"True."
We traded lines that would've driven Seo Jinhyuk nuts, but neither of us cared.
"Woojin."
"Yes?"
"I trust you'll keep doing well even without me saying it, but take good care of our Yerim from now on."
His quiet voice reached my ears.
What was he feeling, saying that?
It wasn't a sad line, yet...
In our back-and-forth, I felt both sorrow and affection.
His words tugged at my heart, making me feel acknowledged—and emotional.
"...Yes, of course."
Luckily, it was something I could answer with total confidence.
I managed a firm reply.
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"I hate Dad..."
Huh?
Yerim, I just told your dad you'd never say that...
After the birthday cheers, the moment we entered her room together, she puffed out her cheeks and vented her complaint.
"...Why?"
"It's my birthday, and he drags Oppa away and hogs you all day..."
...All day? It was just a little while.
But I had the smarts not to say that.
Using pure Woojin logic, I concluded it must've felt like forever to her—and successfully empathized.
"Father probably had a lot to say since it's been so long. But we can spend the rest of the day together now."
To calm her, I poked her soft cheek. It wasn't serious griping anyway, so it deflated with a weak puh...
"What did you talk about with Dad...?"
"He said to take good care of you?"
"Tch, liar..."
...It really happened?
But given Father's reactions every time he saw me, and how he was just a doting dad in front of Oppa or Yerim...
She seemed convinced he wouldn't say that.
"You're not gonna tell me...?"
"No, I am telling you?"
"Ugh..."
I was just telling the truth, but she thought I was hiding something and grumbled as she hugged me.
"Oppa is already doing great..."
"...Thanks."
Her words, full of sincerity, drew a thank you from me before I knew it.
"Yerim, time to check your birthday gift."
I wanted to savor her softness forever, but today's schedule was packed.
Mentioning the gift, she pulled back a bit, looking reluctant.
"What is it...?"
You said just having me is enough.
But her sparkling pink eyes betrayed her excitement, hyping me up too.
"The first gift is..."