Chapter 249

〈 Chapter 250 〉 244. Return. And Greetings.

*

I stayed there for a while even after Christmas.

The reason was simple.

Because my body hadn’t fully recovered yet.

“You seem to be recovering a bit slowly, except for the lower half.”

“……If nobody had been making a fuss, I would’ve already recovered.”

[Don’t live face down! You’ll die standing up!］

‘That’s why I’m always standing up!’

“Shut up, you little bastards.”

Ayeon didn’t hesitate to squeeze me even while I was in a wheelchair.

It was as if she was determined to make up for everything I had missed at the Academy.

Thanks to that, it took a lot longer to get back home than planned.

In fact, if I wanted to stay longer, I could have.

I just felt overly conscious about it.

“Surely the main lady is the goddess of fortune. Winning free events everywhere she goes.”

“More like the goddess of plundering, you little brat.”

Ayeon’s house was still under repair, making it difficult to stay there.

So every day, we hopped from one hotel to another.

It was only natural for the expressions of each hotel manager to turn stiff each time.

[Isn’t this just a f*cking cartel!］

‘Even a cartel wouldn’t rip off its own family.’

Unable to endure their heart-wrenching gazes, I eventually fled home.

Even though I tried to stop her, Ayeon insisted on escorting me to my house.

As we moved in front of the door, Ayeon looked at me with half-closed eyes.

“No matter what, isn’t it a bit awkward to meet your parents while in a wheelchair?”

“Are you really devoid of conscience?”

To cut to the chase, I hadn’t been able to get out of the wheelchair.

I had recovered to some extent compared to the beginning, but my condition was still messed up.

It seemed I wouldn’t be able to escape from this for a while.

Then, a sudden worrying thought crossed my mind.

“I think I need to return this?”

“Take it. The hotel said it was a giveaway.”

“Where the heck is this a giveaway? I need to return it.”

“And.”

Ayeon pressed the doorbell for me and smiled brightly.

“It’d be better to have it since you’ll be using it often, right?”

“You little b*tch.”

Anyway, Ayeon had pressed the doorbell.

I quickly opened my mouth to let Mom know I was back.

“Mom! Your son has returned!”

As if welcoming my return, the door swung open, and Mom whacked my head with a frying pan she had in both hands.

Naturally, the frying pan crumpled.

[The Blade of Chaos was with Mother.］

‘I should’ve brought the Frost Hank.’

It was a more intense welcome than I had expected.

*

­ Bang!

A sound that shouldn’t echo in an apartment rang out.

At the same time, a pair of sharp eyes pierced through me, glaring intensely.

“Have you prepared your last words?”

“…At least tell me before you shoot.”

I had heard that often, but today the sound of the gun clicking felt especially cold.

About a week had passed since I returned home.

Due to Hyeji’s invitation to come to her house, I visited.

And the moment the door opened, Kim Baekhong jumped out to give me a rough welcome.

But that welcome didn’t last long.

“What are you doing, Dad?”

“Um… I was just having a little welcome ceremony…”

“What do you mean?”

Thanks to Hyeji, who appeared behind Kim Baekhong.

“Do you welcome guests with a gun nowadays? Should I really give my dad a proper welcome?”

“……I’m sorry. Please spare me.”

As Hyeji glared at Kim Baekhong with sharp eyes, he quickly put away the gun.

And when Hyeji looked at me, her fierce expression softened into a smile.

“Shinwoo, welcome.”

“……It’s a bit uncomfortable, can I not go in?”

Of course.

“Come in.”

“…Yes.”

Hyeji’s smile quickly faded, though.

I obediently followed Hyeji into her house.

It looked no different than before, but there was one slight change.

“Husband! It’s been a while!”

“My dear, come in.”

The fact that Elcia and Ayeon were also inside.

Honestly, I expected Elcia to be there, but I never imagined Ayeon would be.

The moment Elcia saw me, she grinned and hugged me, while Ayeon smiled faintly.

Just as I was about to ask why Ayeon was here, she spoke first.

“The main lady said she would come.”

“……Why? Are you planning to make this a hellish place?”

“I came to greet you, and I have something to say to you as well.”

I wondered what Ayeon had to say to me, but I decided to ask later.

There was something more urgent at hand.

“Everyone gather. Shinwoo, you hurry up too.”

“Got it.”

At Hyeji’s signal, we all sat around a square table.

Hyeji and I sat side by side, while Kim Baekhong sat across from us.

Elcia and Ayeon each took a seat beside us.

‘I feel like beams are going to shoot from Hyeji’s dad’s eyes.’

[Rest in Peace, the deceased! Action Beam!］

‘I’m not dead yet, you bitch.’

Honestly, I had considered this situation, but facing the fierce expression of Kim Baekhong made me tense up.

Kim Baekhong’s gritted teeth slowly opened.

“So. You’re dating my daughter, huh?”

“Yes. I’m dating Hyeji with the intent to marry her.”

“I get that much.”

Soon after, Kim Baekhong switched his gaze between Elcia and Ayeon.

“This brat is being this extra with women!!! Is our Hyeji not enough for you!!!”

“…I didn’t intend for it to happen… but it turned out that way.”

Honestly, I had no words.

Even I thought it was an excessive situation.

However, Kim Baekhong seemed unable to hold back his anger as he continued.

“What’s wrong with our Hyeji! Tell me!”

“…..There’s nothing wrong. She’s too good for me.”

“Then why is this brat accumulating more women? Is it because our daughter doesn’t have a big chest that you’re looking at other women!”

“Dad? What did you just say?”

At Kim Baekhong’s words, Hyeji reacted instantly.

It seemed a sensitive word had triggered her.

But.

“What’s wrong with not having a bit of chest! That isn’t all there is to a woman’s charm!”

“Dad, stop.”

Kim Baekhong was already unable to control himself, continuing to speak.

And finally, just as he was about to utter the brutal truth,

“Of course, I’ll admit that our daughter’s chest isn’t exactly big—!”

­ Bang!

“Shut up.”

Hyeji’s gun spat fire.

With the sound of something shattering behind Kim Baekhong, silence descended in an instant.

That uncomfortable silence began to dissipate when Hyeji finally spoke.

“Dad. Do you really want to see me go insane?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Hyeji, don’t say that line. It’s f*cking dangerous.”

[In this case, you should also say to Hyeji, ‘After all, Father has no intention of accepting me.’]

‘Shut up, you b*tch. Do you really want to die?’

That line was absolutely off-limits.

If I messed up, I might see ‘Pyuㅠㅠ’ again in the comments section.

No way.

Every time I saw that, I felt my mental state wavering.

No, I had already wavered halfway.

[This guy!!! His mental state is shattered!!!］

‘Shut up, damn it. It was really scary.’

Anyway, Hyeji’s words made Kim Baekhong shrink back again.

Feeling a bit sympathetic, I turned to see Kim Baekhong glaring at me sharply.

“Well… In this day and age, it’s fine to have multiple girlfriends. So at least Hyeji is your direct consort, right?”

“I have no intention of picking favorites. They’re all my precious girlfriends.”

“…….Huh…”

Kim Baekhong sighed deeply and turned his gaze back to Hyeji.

“Hyeji, are you okay with this? Honestly, I’m not one for multiple girlfriends.”

“To be honest, it’s annoying to share Shinwoo with them.”

At Hyeji’s words, Elcia and Ayeon showed slightly nervous expressions.

In this relationship, the actual power rested with Hyeji.

After a brief pause, Hyeji opened her mouth heavily.

“But if Shinwoo is okay with it, then I won’t mention it further. They like Shinwoo just as much as I do.”

“…Sis…”

“…Hyeji, you idiot…”

“Of course.”

Soon, Hyeji grinned wildly, sending glances between Elcia and Ayeon.

“You all have a way to give up. What do you think? It’s never too late even now.”

“Our husband can’t give up, of course! Not in this life!”

“Same for me. I’d rather give my life.”

“You little bitches.”

Hyeji said with a slightly complex expression while smiling.

Elcia and Ayeon responded with touched looks.

Meanwhile, Kim Baekhong showed a complicated expression as well, but he couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

“Well… Hyeji, if you say so, I won’t protest any further.”

“Anyway, Shinwoo and I are dating.”

“…I understand.”

I was so grateful to Hyeji for accepting Elcia and Ayeon.

She hated the situation enough to say it herself, yet she still made a respectful choice for me.

With a sense of gratitude, I gently held Hyeji’s hand.

“Thank you, Hyeji.”

“Just make sure you treat me well, dear.”

Anyway, thanks to Hyeji, the situation was progressing warmly.

The initial tension had vanished.

Now, I felt like I could answer whatever Kim Baekhong said without feeling burdened.

“So, how far have you two gone?”

“…….”

This was incredibly burdensome.

If I were to be honest, my life could be in danger.

But I couldn’t hide the truth; I’d already done too much.

As my silence was noted, Kim Baekhong’s fist began to tremble.

“Surely you haven’t gone beyond holding hands, right? You didn’t, by any chance, do various things, did you?”

“……Well, about that.”

“You brat! You didn’t take advantage of Hyeji, did you!”

At that moment, Hyeji stepped in.

“Dad. Shinwoo didn’t take advantage of me.”

“…Really? Dad’s a pre-marital purity believer, so I’m so relieved.”

Kim Baekhong gave a slight look of relief.

“No, that’s not it.”

“……Then?”

The relief in Kim Baekhong’s expression faded, replaced by a slow-growing look of unease.

Then Hyeji slammed her palm hard on the table and shouted strongly.

“I took advantage of him!!!”

With that declaration, no one could voice a word.

Only uncomfortable silence reigned over the table.

*