Chapter 27. Parent-Approved(?) Polygamy.
Chapter 27. Parent-Approved(?) Polygamy.
"In that case, we'll need to split our people and scout each sector separately."
"No. Most Awakened wouldn't be able to handle them either. I intend for us to move as a single group."
"But that will slow our progress considerably."
I explained to Seo Ji-hoon, who wasn't getting it. His opinion was reasonable in some ways. Tying everyone into one team and checking each location one by one would take forever.
'That kind of complacent thinking nearly got Chaeyeon killed last time.'
"All of you saw the giant one and the one with the tentacles last time. In open ground, you can suppress them with indiscriminate firepower, but inside buildings or confined spaces, you are at a severe disadvantage. The tentacled one especially is so fast that not even ordinary Awakened can track it, let alone civilians."
I told them about the creatures' attack patterns and approximate speed. And the giant one that summons zombies through some unknown method. Apart from me, our group could barely handle a single one. If two or more showed up, there was no answer.
"So I intend to scout with a small number of people while the rest of the combat forces hold the district office. Once we confirm exactly which of the two schools they're in, we're done."
"Why not just coordinate with the military and flatten the school with artillery?"
"There might be survivors. And the enemy might scatter and flee."
"Hah... this is more of a headache than I thought."
"And the worst-case scenario is that the one we suspect is intelligent takes advantage of our absence to attack this place. They already know their attempt using the cult leader failed."
Checking each zombie individually was impossible. We didn't know which zombies were connected to that thing, and killing every single zombie was no easy task either.
"First, I think our priority should be grouping up with the church people. I told them before we left, so you just need to go fetch them."
"Understood. I'll head out then."
The meeting ended. To share news and catch up, our group gathered separately for a meal and started chatting.
"Son, are you dating Chaeyeon?"
"Huh?"
"No, I just... got a feeling the dynamic between you two had shifted a bit, so I brought it up."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Everyone here, except for those two blockheads, probably already guessed."
So that's why everyone gave us knowing looks when we walked in. Especially Chaeyeon's father, who stared at me like he wanted to bore a hole right through me. Then the old man whispered even more cautiously.
"So what happens with Jia?"
"Huh? What do you mean... I have Chaeyeon..."
"Tsk, tsk... what do you youngsters call it these days, an 'old fart'? The world's gone to hell. What's wrong with dating a few more? It's not like there's a government around to stop you from polygamy."
'Every so often he says something that makes me think he keeps up with slang better than anyone else here...'
"You know as well as I do that our Chaeyeon isn't slow. She knows exactly what Jia is thinking."
"...?"
While I was having this whispered exchange with the old man, Chaeyeon's parents walked up beside me.
"Oh my, what are you two chatting about so quietly?"
"Heh heh, we were talking about your son-in-law here."
"!!!"
"Brother, honestly I already knew because my wife told me most of it. And I know the rice has already been cooked, so to speak."
I had no idea when they'd gotten so close, but Chaeyeon's father was already calling the old man 'brother.' And it seemed everyone already knew we were essentially lovers.
'They say an office romance is known by everyone, including the copy machine...'
"Still, we're happy to have such a dependable son-in-law~"
"Ahem, hem!!!"
"He's happy too, he just pretends not to be~ Anyway, our son-in-law must be pleased to have two pretty wives~"
"Hold on. From earlier, Mr. Chu and now you—what exactly are you talking about..."
"Everyone here knows Jia likes you. Are you going to seriously pretend you didn't know?"
Considering the looks and actions she'd directed at me all this time, you'd have to be a complete fucking idiot not to know. On the outside she's all innocent and sweet, but the things she does are pure fox.
'Did I get played by her flirting...?'
"Um... I know it's not my place to say this, but doesn't it bother you that your daughter's boyfriend is tangled up with another woman...?"
"Hem!!! I find it deeply displeasing. To think, with my daughter right here...!"
"He only says that. The truth is, he and the teacher here took care of Jia like she was their own daughter more than anyone."
"Hem... Frankly, everyone here understands because we all know what kind of experiences you've been through. Over there, that kind of thing is supposedly normal, isn't it?"
'My god. So this is a parent-approved polygamy...? In the Republic of Korea?'
"Anyway, they say a woman knows a woman's heart best, and this old lady is one too. Why don't you try thinking positively about Jia for once? In a world like this, it's good for her to have a man she can trust and rely on."
Starting with Choi Jae-hyeok, why did everyone seem to know I supposedly had two lovers?
Could it be that bastard Choi Jae-hyeok...?
"And there's nothing more heartbreaking than watching the man you love whisper sweet nothings to another woman."
As she said that, the lady glanced sideways at the old man. He flinched and averted his gaze. Nothing like that would ever happen, but no way...
"Hoho, whatever you're thinking, that's not it. What happened was, while I was hesitating, some bitch snatched him away. But I got him back in the end anyway."
Chaeyeon's strong choice of words that sometimes came out definitely took after her mother. The meal slowly wrapped up, and we headed into the motel next door to sleep. On the way, Jia saw me and gave a sly little smile. For some reason, it made me freeze up, feeling guilty.
I went up to the rooftop to sort out my thoughts. Handling the church people, supply tensions with the military unit, various things...
"Oppa, what are you doing up here?"
"...!"
"Why do you look like that? Like you got caught doing something wrong?"
She grinned up at me, and because of what I'd heard during the meal, I suddenly became acutely aware of her.
"Just sorting out my thoughts on what to do next."
"Then I guess you were thinking about me too?"
"Huh?"
"I like you, Oppa. You already know that. Probably everyone here knows, right?"
'What the hell? How did everyone else find out... It's not like the person herself went around spreading rumors that she liked me...'
"Actually, I did go around making it super obvious that I like you."
So she did go around spreading it herself.
"And after seeing you and Chaeyeon-unnie being all lovey-dovey, I just couldn't sit around waiting anymore. Hehe."
"You... you're really okay with knowing I'm already with someone?"
"Yes, because you wouldn't treat me differently because of that."
"No, but still, there's Chaeyeon, and your parents..."
"Actually, I already told Unnie and her parents in advance. And they were all fine with it. Her parents actually loved the idea."
She really is a total sly fox... She'd methodically worked the perimeter beforehand.
"And over there, it didn't matter if a capable man had several women, right?"
"..."
"Heehee. But I'm not planning to fight Unnie over you. We already agreed to share you nicely."
'What do I do with this audacious girl... Seriously...'
As I was pressing my throbbing brow, she went up on her tiptoes and wrapped both arms around my neck.
— Mwah♡
And she gave me a short bird-kiss. She must have been embarrassed herself, because her face turned as red as a carrot.
"Th-That was my first kiss...!"
At that cute gesture, I stopped pushing her away and pulled her into a tight embrace. Then I was the one who initiated the kiss.
— Chuuup... Churp... Mwah♡
Her eyes flew wide open in surprise when I kissed her, but soon she let herself melt into me and gently closed her eyes. Our lips stayed together for a brief kiss, then parted.
"Hah... kissing makes you feel so... hazy..."
"Why, what did you expect?"
"I've never done it before, so I have no idea..."
I stroked her cute head, told her to sleep well, and returned to my room.
Back in my room, I meditated for a while and pondered various ways to handle those creatures. At that moment, Choi Jae-hyeok knocked and came in.
"Sihu, I apologize for disturbing your rest. I have something to tell you."
I looked him in the eye and spoke.
"Was it you who went blabbing to the whole neighborhood?"
"Excuse me?"
"Never mind... What did you want to say?"
"Sihu, when the others relocate to the district office, do you intend to keep living as we do now?"
Truthfully, I'd considered taking them all away once it was safe here, but both options had pros and cons. This place was farther away, so the chances of an attack were lower, but if we were attacked, it would take a while to get back. The district office was much closer, so the risk of attack was higher, but being next door meant we could be here instantly.
"So what is it you really want to say?"
"Public institutions like the district office have places for storing important things, or server rooms. It'll be cramped if everyone goes in, but it will definitely be safe."
"So you're saying everyone should just hunker down in there with no guards?"
"Yes, because it's the most certain method. Even if they have the destructive power to break through a steel door, it will delay them considerably."
I talked with Choi Jae-hyeok for a while longer. He excused himself and left the room, and then I heard Chaeyeon's voice and a knock from outside.
— Knock, knock
"Sihu, I'm coming in."
Chaeyeon opened the door and came in, with Jia right beside her.
"What's this? Why are you both here?"
"Jia had something to say. Hoot! Jia, fighting?"
"Heehee, thanks, Unnie."
They exchanged words like that, and then Chaeyeon shut the door and left.