30. "Mom has something to ask... Mi-na, are you... by any chance pregnant...?"

After Seo Mi-na's marriage announcement bomb dropped, a brief silence fell over the penthouse dining room where Kim Seo-yeon sat.

"Wow...!"

Starting with the youngest Seo Ji-eun's reaction,

"Oh my, unni...!"

Seo Da-hye's properly flustered response,

"W-what did you say, our daughter?"

Kim Seo-yeon's frozen smile,

Clatter!

Seo Hye-jin dropping her chopsticks—the reactions followed one after another.

'Did I hear wrong?'

The problem was that even Geum Tae-yang looked utterly bewildered as he stared at Mi-na.

That's right.

The topic of marriage had never come up between them.

This was a 100% pure Seo Mi-na solo bombing run.

Sneaky glance! Sneaky glance!

Meanwhile, house manager Bae Hyeon-jeong, who had been serving food, froze like ice while observing the table.

"I'm getting married. Planning to marry in early autumn. There aren't any regular university classes in the second semester anyway."

The sole perpetrator of this situation, Seo Mi-na, continued speaking nonchalantly while picking at side dishes as if nothing had happened.

"Hmm... Mom understands. Mom married that way too. But... by any chance, is this something you and Tae-yang have discussed?"

Maman Kim Seo-yeon always tried to see things from her child's perspective, no matter the situation.

Though her brain was currently buffering so hard she needed time to organize her thoughts.

Once slightly collected, she began questioning carefully.

"We've talked about it in... multiple meanings, ma'am. Hahaha..."

Like a skilled diplomat, Geum Tae-yang gave an ambiguous answer to cover for his unpredictable woman, Seo Mi-na.

'They haven't! As expected, our eldest unni is bold!'

Genius Seo Ji-eun immediately saw through Geum Tae-yang's lie.

'They clearly haven't discussed it enough—did unni speak too rashly...?'

Seo Da-hye, trying to interpret things positively, let her imagination run wild.

'Ah...!'

At that moment, something flashed through Geum Tae-yang's mind.

"I was... hng! Hahhng! Tchhng! Preparing a surprise gift for mom and the family... Hahhng! Hngk!"

Schlorp!♡ Splurch!♡ Squelch! Squelch!♡ Splurch!♡ Schlick! Squelch!♡

This was what Mi-na had said yesterday while straddling Geum Tae-yang and devouring his cock.

"Your gift, Mi-na? Shouldn't I be the one bringing something? You told me to go empty-handed."

Squish...!♡ Squish...!♡ Pat pat...! Squish...!♡

Enjoying the jiggling of Mi-na's plump buttocks, Geum Tae-yang tilted his head in confusion.

He'd thought about bringing something when visiting Mi-na's house tomorrow.

But Mi-na had stopped him with a serious expression.

Realistically, what could he possibly bring that would be appropriate?

Going empty-handed was cleaner.

Yet suddenly, Mi-na herself claimed to be preparing something.

"Hngg... It's nothing grand... Hngk! Hahhng! Just something to remind mom of small memories... Hngk! Hahhng!"

Schlurp!♡ Schlurp!♡ Slurp!♡ Schlurp!♡ Schlurp!♡

Slap!♡ Slap!♡ Slap!♡ Slap! Slap!♡

"Khhh! Our Mi-na's doughy butt!"

Seo Mi-na shifted into a squatting cowgirl position and began enthusiastically slapping her 41-inch bangdengi against him. The way her plump buttocks smacked rhythmically against Geum Tae-yang's groin—

His six-pack abs quivered violently, the muscles straining savagely to withstand the impact of that supple flesh. 'So... this was it...? ? ?'

In the throes of that overwhelming sensation, he had completely forgotten. That sudden remark from Seo Mi-na about preparing a gift. "Uh, by any chance...?"

In any case, Kim Seo-yeon's reaction to her eldest daughter's surprise gift leaned closer to the youngest's opinion. "Mi-na, are you pregnant?"

Since she had rushed into marriage like that. Because she had gotten pregnant, no less. And this was exactly what Seo Mi-na had meant by "a little something to remind Mom of old memories." "Oh my! ♡"

Wasn't this the pivotal event that led to this family's creation? At the keyword pregnancy, the youngest, Seo Ji-eun, let out a tiny, dopamine-fueled squeal. 'Brother-in-law definitely said he was careful with contraception! Mom's misunderstanding! What do we do?!'

Meanwhile, Seo Da-hye's face twisted into the most anxious expression in the world as she fiddled with her mediator's card, glancing back and forth between her mother and sister. 'Say no! Say no! Say no! Say no!'

An impromptu marriage was shocking enough, but if pregnancy was involved, the eldest sister's former comrade-in-arms, Seo Hye-jin—whose head would've exploded—kept her eyes glued to her rice bowl, desperately chanting under her breath. "No way. It hasn't even been two weeks since their first time, how could she be pregnant?"

"Ah, r-really? ?"

Seo Mi-na confirmed it wasn't true,

but her confirmation was downright provocative. Even in the case of that risky creampie a week ago,

she had taken the morning-after pill. In any case, about five days after their first time, Kim Seo-yeon had visited Geum Tae-yang's semi-basement, and now, a week later, they were gathered like this. 'Fuck me sideways, this is insane. I was preparing for the third sister to stir things up, but I never expected Mi-na to drop this bomb.'

Meaning, they were talking about getting married a mere twelve days after doing the deed. Beads of sweat formed on Geum Tae-yang's nose, his forehead, even his armpits. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠"Why are you sweating so much? Do you have a fever? It's June?"

Swish...! Swish...!'Having fun, Seo Mi-na?'

Shiver, shiver, shiver—

Seo Mi-na gently wiped the sweat from Tae-yang's forehead. It was pure teasing. That earlier remark had been deliberately thrown in to fluster him. "Say something that makes sense, unnie!!"

Snap! Finally, the hot-tempered Seo Hye-jin exploded. "No matter how great your boyfriend is, rushing into marriage like this is insane!!"

But before she knew it, her inner thoughts slipped out. "Really? That's unexpected... Thanks, Hye-jin. I appreciate you acknowledging Tae-yang's a good guy."

Even Seo Mi-na hadn't anticipated Seo Hye-jin's assessment. Naturally, she seized the opportunity to twist the knife. 'Right? Why would she say that?'

'What's going on? Was all that terrifying verbal jabbing from Hye-jin unnie earlier just part of some grand concept?'

'What kind of twisted game is this... Ugh... My head's spinning...'

Under normal circumstances, the others might've let it slide. But because Seo Mi-na pointed it out, question marks bloomed in Kim Seo-yeon's, Seo Ji-eun's, and Seo Da-hye's minds. "T-that's not the point! You're talking about getting married after just two months of dating!"

"We met seven years ago."

"You can't count it like that!!"

If Seo Hye-jin was giving Geum Tae-yang a positive evaluation,

then from Seo Mi-na's perspective, there was no reason to keep antagonizing her like before. She had already yielded on the sore spot—the man in question. "What about you, brother-in-law? Do you want to marry our unnie?"

"W-well, of course I want to marry her..."

"Ji-eun, can you please shut up for once?"

"Okay! I'll be quiet. I already asked everything I wanted to, heheheh!"

Seo Ji-eun had struck first. Clever as she was, she knew that once the third sister lost the verbal battle with the eldest, she'd latch onto Geum Tae-yang like a leech. So she preemptively asked a question—one that Tae-yang could answer comfortably—to steer the conversation. "Tae-yang, do you really want to marry our Mi-na?"

"Huh? Mom, why are you asking too?!"

"Stay out of this, you."

"Uuuuu..."

"Answer me, I'm curious."

And there was another motive—to pull in the MILF, Kim Seo-yeon, who was dead serious about love. This was something Seo Hye-jin hadn't anticipated, leaving her utterly flustered.

Though Kim Seo-yeon saw the third sister as a thorn in her side, she shut her down decisively. 'Marriage...'

The moment the word left Kim Seo-yeon's lips,

it pierced through Geum Tae-yang's eardrums, burrowing deep into his skull and then his heart. 'Even now, I'm with Mi-na—so what difference would marriage make? Why...'

"Does hearing the word 'marriage' make my heart tremble little by little?"

Geum Tae-yang listened intently to the emotions resonating from his heart, like an echo. "I want to make Mi-na happy."

Then, he spoke again. "As family, I want to make her happy."

Marriage meant becoming an official family with that person. "And I want to be family with everyone here too."

With her mother, her sisters, and those closest to her. "That's why I want to marry Mi-na, Mother."

Having lost his own family long ago, Tae-yang wanted to share in the miracle of a family created by marriage. "Wow...!"

Seo Ji-eun, who had been waiting for her brother-in-law's answer with dopamine-charged eyes, let out an admiring gasp, her lively, childlike eyes sparkling. "Family...!"

Meanwhile, Seo Da-hye, who had been restless with worry, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠murmured the word family under her breath as if sinking into thought. "......"

On the other hand, Seo Hye-jin stood frozen with an inscrutable expression, staring at Geum Tae-yang. "Hmm... I feel like Tae-yang's sincerity is reaching me somehow."

Kim Seo-yeon had never predetermined an answer. What she wanted was to experience the kind of person Tae-yang was. "If Tae-yang becomes family by marrying my daughter Mi-na, I truly believe this house will be filled with happiness."

Tae-yang, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠who had shown his sincerity, had already secured a place in Kim Seo-yeon's heart as family. "I approve too!! I wish big sis and brother-in-law could start living here together today!"

She had given her blessing to the marriage. Seo Ji-eun, the first to catch on, raised her hand as if to drive the point home. "M-me too... I think it'd be nice if brother-in-law became our family too..."

Seo Da-hye, who usually avoided direct opinions for fear of leaving someone out, couldn't hold back this time—something restless and impatient made her timidly raise her hand in approval. "......"

Seo Hye-jin watched the domino effect of the two raised hands with half-resigned eyes. "Fine, whatever. I'm not taking responsibility, though."

She turned her head away, waving the white flag. "Thank you, Sister-in-law Hye-jin!"

"Me too! Say you're thankful to me too, brother-in-law!"

"Hah! Thanks, Ji-eun! And thanks to you too, Sister-in-law Da-hye!"

"Someone as good as you becoming our family is something I should be thankful for..."

Having masterfully defused the marriage bomb Seo Mi-na had thrown, Geum Tae-yang had gained a new family. "Then I'll start calling you Tae-yang from now on. Because you're family."

This was Maman, with assets worth 560 billion won, and her daughters, born with the DNA of a top girl group center. "Uwaaah...! I'm sad... Stay just one more day, brother-in-law..."

"Ji-eun, don't make things difficult for brother-in-law..."

"I'm sad too, Sister-in-law Ji-eun. But we'll be able to see each other more often from now on."

"Mom, we're heading out."

"Alright, be careful. Tae-yang, I was really happy you came today."

"Hah! I was this close to being overwhelmed with happiness!"

"Hohoho! I love how bright our Tae-yang is!"

With overtime scheduled for Sunday, Geum Tae-yang headed to the penthouse's underground private parking garage elevator after dinner and conversation. And on the way back to his semi-basement—

"This is weird..."

Rather than rejoicing over the marriage approval, Seo Mi-na kept chewing over a question that wouldn't leave her mind. "There's no way that brat Hye-jin would just give in like that. What's she scheming?"

What was the question? The unexpected reactions of her sisters. "Why? She just seemed tough yet cute. Maybe facing a proper, charismatic adult man like me changed her mind. She is twenty now."

"Cute? Her abs are like a damn washboard."

"Oho! A tomboyish tsundere! Overflowing with charm!"

"You lunatic."

Meanwhile, Tae-yang puffed up with pride, shoulders lifting smugly—as if he'd just cleared a dungeon Mi-na had hyped up as impossible with sheer overpowered stats. "Honestly, Da-hye surprised me more than Hye-jin."

"Huh? Why? Wasn't she just being her usual self?"

"That's why it's weird."

"How so?"

Soon, Mi-na's doubts shifted toward the second sister, Seo Da-hye. "She's sweet to everyone in the family, but she doesn't take sides. Like, if Hye-jin felt isolated, she'd be the one to comfort her."

"Really?"

"Yeah. If Ji-eun raised her hand in approval, Da-hye wouldn't just follow—she'd have tried to look out for Hye-jin."

"Ooh, now that you mention it..."

Not that it mattered—Seo Mi-na had been planning to marry him regardless of her family's objections. Just like her mother had.

So she didn't dwell too much on having gained their approval,

and true to her eccentric, artist-like nature, she indulged in the situation from her own perspective. Swiish...! Seo Mi-na, who had been tilting her head at her younger sisters' unexpected behavior, turned to look at Geum Tae-yang in the passenger seat. "What? Why? I didn't do anything. I haven't done a thing."

"You couldn't have. You've been with me the whole time."

"You know me so well."

After all, hadn't Geum Tae-yang secretly met Seo Da-hye and Seo Ji-eun behind Seo Mi-na's back before? Given that track record, he insisted on his innocence,

and Mi-na accepted it. In fact, now that everything was out in the open, it was easier to manage. "You've got occupational disease. You overcomplicate normal things. Thinking it's shady or whatever. She just sent a text asking if her brother-in-law is doing well, right? That's all there is to it."

Geum Tae-yang showed her the text he'd just received from Da-hye, lecturing his terminally artistic noona.

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]Brother-in-law, are you doing well...?

[Me]Riding comfortably next to your big sis while she drives~

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]Hahaha

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]You worked so hard today...

[Me]Compared to me, you and Ji-eun had it tougher in the middle~

Originally, it had been a three-person chat including Ji-eun. But after everything was exposed, Seo Da-hye began meticulously greeting him every time he got off work,

and naturally, a private chat between the two was born. 'Brother-in-law is really kind...'

At Geum Tae-yang's playful reply, Da-hye couldn't help but smile. Her father, Seo Min-jun, her maternal grandfather, Kim Il-do—

the men Seo Da-hye had interacted with the most in her life, having attended all-girls middle and high schools, were either gruff or indifferent.

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]I didn't really do anything though...

[Me]Just having you as my ally gave me the courage I needed.

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]Really...?

[Me]Of course!

But Brother-in-law Geum Tae-yang credited all of today's success to Seo Da-hye. Very sweetly. In truth, it was precisely because she, who had always remained neutral, had tilted to his side that the defenses crumbled so easily.

'Me? Did I really help brother-in-law...?'

At Geum Tae-yang's unreserved gratitude,

Seo Da-hye felt a catharsis she had never experienced before.

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]Brother-in-law, you're such a good person. I'm almost jealous of the sister by your side...

[Me]Our Da-hye will meet someone even better than me! You're such a pretty and kind sister-in-law!

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]Mmm... There's no one in this world better than you, brother-in-law...

[Me]Pffahahaha! Our future teacher is still so young!

[Angel Da-hye Sensei]Even though it's just a one-year difference...

Wasn't this just the kind of warm exchange a close brother-in-law and sister-in-law could share? Geum Tae-yang, happy to have gained a family he could say these things to, simply enjoyed it.

"Mom."

"Hm? What is it, sweetheart?"

Seo Da-hye, sitting on the sofa completely absorbed in her chat with Geum Tae-yang,

called out softly to her mother, who was standing opposite her, reviewing some documents.

"I think you were right—there really is such a thing as a destined match."

"Hohoho! See? I told you!"

"Yeah."

To the pure, romance-dreaming Seo Da-hye,

her mother Kim Seo-yeon had always given her hope, telling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her she'd meet her destined match someday.

'I've met him... My destined match...'

Giggle...!

The flower of that hope bloomed in Seo Da-hye's heart.

'Sensei, thank you for everything until now. Thanks to you, this ignorant student is even getting married.'

Geum Tae-yang logged into the Black_Teacher account for the first time in a while.

For their future plans, Kim Seo-yeon had suggested that Geum Tae-yang and Seo Mi-na move into the penthouse, and agreeing with her, he informed them that he would take some time to wrap up his semi-basement life.

Though his stay in the semi-basement hadn't been long—just about a year—there were still quite a few things to sort out.

But the first thing Geum Tae-yang needed to attend to was the Black Teacher account, the grateful presence that had satisfied his primal desires.

'Before parting ways with you, Teacher, I'll indulge one last time, taking it all in.'

Now that he was getting married, he couldn't exactly keep enjoying this deviant account, could he?

This would be his final, solemn visual indulgence.

With that grave resolve, he savored the account—

'Huh?'

His eyes widened at an intriguing post on the Black Teacher account.

[Brother-in-law... I'm liking him more and more...]

A single line of soft pink text against a white background—

The Black Teacher had begun harboring dangerous feelings of love.