Saving Soeun's Mother from Fate
The trigger for Yoo Soeun's tragic end in that future was her mother getting into an accident. Knowing that prophecy, facing her mother right now felt like an opportunity I couldn't miss. Protecting her and preventing the accident to come—that was the surest way to safeguard the girl by my side. I was convinced of it.
"Here, have some juice. Oh, would you prefer something else? Let me see... We've got coffee, black tea, green tea, and... um..."
"Ah, no. Juice is fine."
"Right, right. Oh, I forgot the snacks! What kind of cookies do you like? The ones loaded with butter? Or chocolate biscuits?"
"Uh, anything's okay."
"My goodness~ You're such a good kid who doesn't picky eat! As a reward, I'll bring out the fancy guest cookie set. Dig in!"
...She had way more energy than I'd expected. Still, I needed to make a proper impression, so I sat down across from her and started on the refreshments. That's when Soeun's mother, her eyes sparkling from the opposite seat, cut straight to the chase.
"So, how far have you gone with our little Soeun?"
"Pfft!"
"Oh, that reaction! It means you've progressed even further than I imagined!"
"N-no, it's not like that."
"Ehh~? But it sure felt pretty steamy just now. Soeun climbing on top and trying to undress you~"
"That wasn't..."
"Our Soeun's usually so proper, but once she gets into something, she ignores everything else and charges ahead. I figured if she got a boyfriend, she'd make the first bold move—and look, she really did~ You two must've done all sorts of things where Mom couldn't see, right? Yeah, yeah~ I bet you did~!"
"Please, just let me..."
"So, how many kids are you planning? Got savings? Oh, maybe we should talk to both sets of parents first?"
Where was she trying to take this after just meeting? I let out a deep sigh, waving both hands frantically to deny it all.
"Please stop. Soeun and I are just classmates—nothing more."
"Aww~ Of course I know that."
"No, listen."
"Sorry~ It's just the first time she's brought a boy home, so the teasing bubbled up. Kyahaha~!"
...Sigh. Her personality tires people out in a whole different way from her daughter. I felt like an idiot for taking it seriously. Just then, she turned her attention to Soeun.
"But if she's gotten that close, she must see you differently... Soeun, what about you? Just friends with him?"
"......"
She glanced at me silently, then turned her eyes to the snacks. The way she chewed wordlessly felt almost frantic. Seeing that, her mother grinned mischievously.
"Aigoo. Acting shy now after showing off like that? Come on, sweetie~ Once you push forward, own it with confidence! Mom can't keep shoving you forever~"
"......"
Her face grew redder, beyond embarrassment into outright humiliation. I'd thought she was pretty forward, but she clearly wasn't used to others seeing her like this.
"Hehe."
A bit later, after teasing her daughter to her heart's content, Soeun's mother wore a satisfied smile.
"I'm really relieved. She's lived without any boys until high school, and now she's making friends right away... Yes, she's adapting well. Mom feels so much better."
From her sigh of relief, I could tell how deeply she loved and cherished Soeun. Yeah, that's why it hurt so much that in the future, Soeun fell into despair over this thoughtful woman's fate.
"Mm, perfect. Mom can't just sit idle on such an auspicious day."
As that bittersweet feeling lingered, she stood up and grabbed a nearby shopping basket.
"Hey, young man~ Why don't you stay for dinner?"
"Uh, sure. Is that okay?"
"Of course! To celebrate, I'll hit the market. Any favorite dishes? Chinese, Western—anything. I may not look it, but I'm pretty good in the kitchen."
"Well, I eat pretty much anything."
"Oho, so you want Mom's special full-course feast~! No choice then!"
No, not eating picky doesn't mean eat a ton...
"Hehe, lots of shopping today~"
She swapped to a bigger basket, fully committed. It was burdensome in several ways, but a chill ran through me at her actions. Come to think of it, she died in an accident on the street. I didn't know the details, but maybe while shopping.
"Um, ma'am? A moment?"
Calling out to prevent it, she smiled sweetly but her voice sharpened.
"Hmm~? Ma'am? Who's that for?"
"Uh, well..."
"Strange~ No one here old enough for ma'am~ Hmm? Seeing a ghost~?"
Sigh, why are older ladies such a pain?
"......Soeun's mother."
"Too long—shorten it."
"Yes, Mother."
"That's better. Should've started there. 'Mother-in-law' would be ideal, but we'll work up to it~ You sure have demands."
Pushing those thoughts aside, I got straight to the point about protecting her.
"Mind if I tag along to the market?"
Probably today or tomorrow she'd meet her end. Couldn't pinpoint the time, so best to stick close on main roads and prevent accidents.
"Oh, really? I'd love that~ Wanted to chat more anyway~"
Good, no suspicion. But as I relaxed and moved to follow—
"Don't go."
Soeun grabbed my sleeve just as I stood. Surprised, I turned to see her pouting stubbornly.
"Stay. With me."
"No, just helping your mom a bit..."
"While gone... continue what we couldn't earlier......"
"......That's tricky."
She didn't know her mom could crash anytime. I wanted her to stay put, but my refusal seemed to hurt—her face darkened.
"You hate me, right?"
"......Hng."
She'd seemed like a quiet girl at first, but now this obsessive clinginess was over the top.
"Just helping Mom, back soon. And..."
For her sake, I had to be firm. Instead, I took her hand and spoke seriously.
"When I'm ready, I'll seriously consider what you want. Can you wait a little?"
"What I... want......"
"Yeah, just a bit... Then I'll face it head-on, no dodging."
"......"
Silent for ten seconds or so. Finally, she released my hand, her face relaxed.
"Okay. I'll wait."
"......Thanks for understanding."
With her okay, I could properly protect her mom. Heading to the door where Mother waited, she gave me a surprised look.
"Hehe, I expected some, but this exceeds. Impressive."
"......What do you mean?"
"Soeun seems quiet but stubborn. Once hooked, she doesn't let go easily... Nice~ Youth~"
She hummed toward the door. Following, a premonition formed: alone with her meant preventing the accident, but also learning untold things about her daughter.
After following her to the market, I packed the cart-full of groceries into baskets and bags, walking home with her.
"Hehe, our Kim Cheolsu is a real champ~ Lifting all that weight like nothing."
"I've got some strength. But 'hubby' feels heavy—could you use something else?"
"Hmm, true. Too early for wedding bells. But future-wise, 'prospective hubby'?"
"...Just Cheolsu, please."
She acted like my marriage to her daughter was set. But if I saved her, I might have to think seriously about it.
As that future hinted, walking side by side, she tossed casually:
"Thanks. For being friends with my girl."
Her voice carried weight, serious about her daughter.
"Of course. She's my seatmate."
"Hehe, seatmate. Yeah, proximity breeds bonds."
Her eyes grew wistful as they walked. Parental worry—her daughter not fitting in.
"But she probably didn't approach you first. Not just you—from day one, distant from classmates. She waits for others to reach out."
Yes, she knew her best. Eager to learn more, I probed gently.
"Has Soeun always been like that?"
"Yeah, alone since young. Had 'friends,' but never initiated. Goes if called, stays away otherwise... Surprised seeing her with you. Never that proactive."
"Actually, she's never fixated on people before."
"Fixated... on people?"
"Seen it? When absorbed, stares endlessly."
True. Her future diary noted her immersion trait.
"Kindergarten: always alone, not playing. Asked if bored—'never.' Watched ants all day. Kids that age smash or drown them."
"......Extreme example?"
"Countryside once: stared at sky forever. 'Finding constellations.' Daytime? 'They're there, just invisible.' Kept gazing till night, slept only after spotting them."
"That's... intense focus."
"Yeah, odd kid from start. Often alone while I worked, lost in thoughts."
"......Worried?"
"If she's fine, she is. Topped elite high school entrance."
Flaws with perks. Pride-worthy, yet her face stayed bittersweet.
"Still worries me. If that fixation turns to people..."
Yes, now it had—on me. Seriously, she asked:
"She burden you?"
No more teasing. Genuine, wanting my true thoughts.
"Speak honestly. Won't force you to date her."
As her lifelong guardian, most anxious. Her fixation harming someone—or herself.
"It'd be a lie if no burden."
I was frank. "But I don't hate it."
It's okay. What you fear won't happen. That's why I walked with her, hearing about her daughter.
"Thought to keep distance at first, but lately changed."
"How?"
"......Can't brush off her feelings lightly."
Future uncertain. But past betrayal can't rule forever. Second life now, surrounded by genuine people unlike my first love.
Dismissing them hurts us all. "Now, facing her feelings head-on."
So, step forward, change this second life bit by bit.
"Hehe, good. Relieved."
At my sincerity, she smiled satisfied, slapped my back playfully.
"Still, mom-worries. Time for son-in-law test?"
"Uh, test?"
"Carrying bags shows good, but need more. Rack up points with this mother-in-law today!"
...Mother-in-law? Too fast. But positive view not bad. Hoping it lasts, I walked on.
But then—
-VRROOOOMMMM!!!
A blaring horn from the side, intensifying second by second. Everyone, including me, whipped toward it.
Cars lined the road. But behind, vehicles shoved aside, centered on a massive truck barreling through—swerving from road to sidewalk, ignoring cars.
"Wha...?"
And right in its path: Soeun's mother. Her dazed reaction too slow—I flung the basket, grabbed her, and yanked us away.
Yes, this moment—the turning point of fate.
-KABOOMCRASH!
Destruction roared behind. Everything in path demolished, truck slamming into a restaurant before stopping.
Chaos erupted as people snapped to, crowding the absurd scene.
"Wh-what happened!?"
"Truck plowed sidewalk! Anyone hurt!?"
"Can't see well... Driver out cold?"
"Call cops! Ambulance!"
Panic everywhere. Regaining senses, I straightened, checked her beneath me.
"You okay?"
"Huh...?"
"Accident just now. No injuries?"
"Y-yeah, but..."
"......Good. Really."
Alert, unbroken. Sensed fate averted. Relief poured out—then she lit up, yelling.
"100 points!!!"
"Huh?"
"Perfect son-in-law for Soeun! Mom approves—destined lovers, century of bliss!"
No. Why's the near-death survivor this hyped?