Chapter 181

〈 182화 〉 181화 – Keep Your Act Together.

*

I briefly explained the whole situation to my mom.

I skipped over the juicy or slightly sensitive topics and kept it as concise as possible, but with so much content, it took quite a while to explain.

After hearing everything, my mom silently hugged each of the heroines tightly.

And then right away.

“Smash your head, you little shit.”

She punished me.

I quietly endured my Wonsan Bombardment.

Mom got on top of me and began her assault.

“You should be grateful that three beautiful girls like you.”

“……I’d be even more grateful if you could come out now.”

Instead of getting off me, mom put on a little more weight.

She even pressed down on my back with her elbow.

[Do it harder, Mom!]

‘You little bastard.’

“It’s hard for anyone to love someone for a lifetime, but look at you with three girls. Do you understand what that means?”

Her voice was surprisingly serious, unlike her usual self.

This time, I didn’t retort and just listened quietly.

“Do your best to love each one of them every moment, so none of them feel lacking.”

“Yes.”

“If you’re not going to give up on anyone, that’s even more important.”

That was true.

I would do the same.

If I received abundant love, it was only right to return it.

Soon, my mom let out a big sigh, looking at me with pity.

“Every time I see you, you really are such an idiot.”

Normally, I would say, ‘It’s because I take after you,’ but mom would easily ignore that kind of deal.

Because, she’s my mom, after all.

So, she took a more primal approach.

Outwardly, she looked just like she always did.

But the moment she got on top of me, I could already feel it.

My mouth immediately moving.

“Mom, you’ve gained weight?”

“DIE.”

“F*ck.”

With that response, mom’s back slap came flying.

No matter how used to being hit I became, a mom’s slap always hurt.

My back was burning.

“Seriously, how can you use your Fire Ability on your son?!”

“Since ancient times, it has been said that idiots must be burned.”

It really was fiery.

Mom delivered a Fire (real) smash without burning my clothes.

Then, noticing the heroines looking our way, mom smiled sheepishly.

“I’m sorry. Still, it’s quite the insult for a mom to call her boyfriend an idiot.”

It seemed she was conscious of everyone else’s gaze besides mine.

But the heroines didn’t hold back.

“There’s no denying that.”

“You’re right, Mom. My husband does have a bit of an idiot side.”

“That’s absolutely correct.”

“Indeed, our daughters-in-law have an eye for seeing their son.”

Already, the heroines had integrated into a true family, aside from me.

After a bit of light punishment, dinner time followed.

Honestly, other than the buffet at Ayeon’s house, we hadn’t eaten anything since then.

Feeling suddenly hungry, I hurriedly started eating.

“If you don’t want to eat off the floor, eat quietly.”

Mom scolded me, and I got back to my original pace.

Then I suddenly worried.

If it were normal food, I could imagine the spaced-out Elcia monopolizing the table.

Quickly turning my gaze to Elcia.

Crackle.

“I ate well, thank you, Mom.”

An unbelievable scene unfolded.

Unlike usual, Elcia finished her meal with a very small amount.

“Is it okay to eat so little? Is it not to your taste?”

“No, it was excellent. It’s just that I naturally have a small appetite.”

Seeing that, Peace looked shocked.

[Has the real Elcia died?! Give us back our Elcia!]

‘Revive her spirit!’

[That’s fcking a different story!]*

The heroines seemed to mutually agree as they just exchanged glances.

It was obvious that if one of them started a revelation, it would lead to a messy mud fight with an obvious end.

“Sweetheart, if there’s something you want to eat, just say it.”

“Thank you so much for your consideration, Mom.”

It was clear mom didn’t know Elcia’s age and was trying to take care of her.

Feeling a strange sense of discomfort, I unwittingly opened my mouth.

“Mom, even though Elcia looks like that, she’s actually—”

Before I could finish, Elcia suddenly fixed her gaze on me.

With a murderous look that carried an unspoken message.

[You’re dead.]

For the first time, I felt fear from Elcia.

But mom, not sensing that glance, demanded an answer from me.

“My son. So what about Elcia’s age?”

“……She’s an elf, but she’s actually just a year older than me.”

“Oh my! No wonder she looks so young!”

“Thank you very much for the compliment, Mom.”

That was a kind lie.

After all, we both kept our lives (physical) and Elcia’s life (social) intact.

Hyeji and Ayeon were thankfully turning away from this miserable scene.

Then, mom posed a question to Elcia.

“So, what did the pink girl do before meeting Shinwoo at the academy?”

It was quite a sharp question.

Elcia hesitated but responded in a casual tone.

“……I briefly worked as a personal investor.”

“Our daughter-in-law has talent too! This mom is so happy.”

That was a bit much.

[T-That shameless Goblin!]

‘Crazy btch crazy btch crazy btch crazy btch crazy btch.*’

My mouth was urging Elcia to say she’s a Coin Junkie.

But somehow, I held it back.

Because the gaze Elcia sent me was terrifying.

[Well done! You held it together!]

‘Fck, this is hard.*’

Hyeji and Ayeon were now bowing their heads and trembling slightly.

It seemed they were trying their best to hold back laughter.

But the situation flipped in an instant.

Now, mom’s arrows were aimed at Hyeji.

“Every time I see Hyeji, she looks so fragile that I worry she’ll faint or something.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

[……]

‘Fragile?’

Shyly, Hyeji clasped her hands and smiled softly.

Her fingertips were shaking, but I decided to pretend not to see.

Mom, watching that picture with satisfaction, suddenly turned sharply toward me.

“If a delicate girl like Hyeji gets bullied, you’re dead.”

Hyeji was definitely not the one being bullied.

If anything, she was the one inflicting pain.

Not just pain, but instilling unforgettable fear.

Hyeji looked anxious about what my mouth might say.

Elcia and Ayeon made a gesture from an angle mom couldn’t see, pleading me not to say stupid things.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“…Ulgissimneudeu.”

I gritted my teeth and barely managed to respond.

As Hyeji let out a sigh of relief, it was Ayeon’s turn next.

“Our Ayeon has such an interesting outfit. Is that a dobok?”

“That’s right, Mom.”

“With a dobok and demon wings, how unique! Are you perhaps a heavenly evil spirit known as the Cheonma (??) or something?”

Ayeon seemed ready to agree with mom’s words.

She’d probably say she’s a Cheonma.

At that moment, mom suddenly muttered to herself.

“Surely it can’t be. There are still plenty of idiots these days who go barehanded to suicide with monsters, who call themselves Cheonma (??).”

“…….”

Ayeon’s mouth opened but then stopped.

Noticing Ayeon’s words were halted, mom apologized to her.

“I’m sorry. I said that out of the blue; it just came to my mind.”

“……I’m the shortened version of a genius wizard, Cheonma.”

“Indeed, a half-human half-monster! Well, you’re so pretty, hiding your identity with a dobok isn’t a bad thing.”

Ayeon responded with a gentle smile.

But it seemed tears were flowing from her eyes.

Hyeji and Elcia were struggling to hold back their laughter.

“Then please show me some magic if you get the chance later!”

“I can show you at any time, Mom.”

Everyone came to greet only to poke at our painful spots.

It was a meeting full of wounds.

Just then, a sudden awkward silence enveloped us, and I decided to ask my mom about something I was curious about.

“Mom, what about Choco Hyung?”

Dad should have gone to work by now.

But even Choco Hyung, one of the reasons I came home, was nowhere to be seen.

It was only natural to wonder about his whereabouts.

So mom calmly answered me.

“He’s been living on his own for a while now. I heard he has a girlfriend?”

That’s our brother.

To think he’d become independent and get a girlfriend before me.

I must’ve picked a good brother.

[……Where should I start pointing out the issues?]

‘What issue?’

Just then, mom pulled out a kimchi container for me.

At the same time, she sent over a certain address via text.

“Since you’re going to see him, deliver some kimchi.”

“Yes, understood.”

The address I checked was not too far from here.

I told the heroines to wait at home, but…

“Shinwoo, let’s go together!”

“Don’t abandon us, husband!”

“Please take me along too!”

The heroines desperately begged, barely audible to mom.

It seemed they found it hard to keep pretending any longer.

I shot them a mocking smile.

“Hehe, this is your new prison.”

Of course, in a place out of mom’s view, I was hit hard and quickly crumbled.

After all, they’d soon be family, so I decided to introduce them to Choco Hyung.

Of course, Hyeji had met him before, but the others hadn’t.

“Let’s go together. We can buy some gifts on the way.”

So, we quickly left the house and stopped by a large supermarket to buy some simple gifts.

Chicken breast, sweet potatoes, and some supplements and vitamins.

It was the perfect gift.

“…Shinwoo, wasn’t Choco Hyung a Chihuahua?”

“I prepared things that would help him with his fitness.”

“F*ck, seriously.”

I had originally bought some dog treats and jerky too.

Gifts for Choco Hyung and his girlfriend.

However, those are gone for now.

If we’re going to blame anyone, it’s me.

I should’ve expected it.

That in that short time, Elcia would eat them all.

“Damn it, why are you eating the gift!”

“I was so hungry! It felt like I was going to die!”

“Why didn’t you eat earlier then?”

[Elcia! You’re back!]

Just then, Ayeon appeared.

Her eyes widened as she noticed me while chewing on a stray piece of jerky beside Elcia.

“What are you doing?”

“……I was hungry.”

“No wonder you ate less than usual.”

At that moment, I got a call from Caressy.

­ “Why the hell are you buying dog stuff with my card?!”

“I’m buying a gift for our Choco Hyung; should I buy a few things for you while I’m at it?”

­ “……Just buy me two boxes.”

And so, we ended our thrifty shopping with two boxes of Churu.

Anyway, having bought some appropriate gifts, we headed to where Choco Hyung lived.

The place was a newly built officetel.

Nervously, I gently pressed the doorbell.

It was time to meet Choco Hyung.

*