＜Episode 134＞ Again, a double date
“I’m here?”
“yes? are you here?”
As soon as I entered the cafe, my friend and Ina waved and greeted me.
Si-eun and I each raised our hands and greeted each other.
“Uh, hello?”
“yes? Were you here first?”
“right!”
As if learning from us, Hana also raised her hand and babbled.
Did I say hello in my own way? In any case, it seems that we are truly geniuses.
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Me, Si-eun, and my friend Ina. It is a composition that is reminiscent of a memory of one day.The reason we gathered like this again was simple.
Today is a couple of friends… … No, it was the day of another double date with the couple.
Last month, I attended a friend’s wedding.
Just like the promise we had one day, I gave a generous gift of money and greeted the friend next to the counter. A friend came up with a suggestion as if he had thought of something.
“Because he helped us a lot when we were preparing for our wedding. When would you like to have a meal with you?”
“Oh, yes.”
It wasn’t a bad offer. It was accepted immediately without any hesitation.
But weddings are a pretty busy time. Since we’ve already experienced it, we decided to meet up after our honeymoon and get things done.
Then, a few days ago, I got a call from a friend asking me to set a time and place.
I don’t know if it was before, but now I have one. It’s just hard to go to an expensive restaurant. In the end, we decided to meet briefly at a cafe and just talk.
I searched the internet, and it seems that there is a cafe that welcomes even small children 30 minutes away by car from my house.
Normally, I would have taken a taxi and moved around comfortably… … Today I used my car instead of a taxi.
Needless to say, the hands holding the steering wheel were shaking all the way.
Anyway, it arrived safely and without incident. Thanks to this, I was able to meet my friends and couple in a friendly way.
The friend who saw us got up immediately and opened his wallet. There was no one to refuse, and there was no sign of wishing for it in the first place. I happily asked for two glasses of iced tea and sat down.
I sat in the seat by the window, and Si-eun sat in the seat outside.
A stroller with Hana was placed next to Si-eun. One of the wonders of the unfamiliar scenery was that he was looking around Yeonsin.
“Wow, the baby is so cute.”
Ina, who was sitting across from him, said with a smile. His gaze was fixed on one of us.
Although she wasn’t praised, Si-eun shrugged her shoulders.
“Is not it? We don’t know how pretty we are.”
“I know. How old are you now?”
“It’s still eight months.”
When I interrupted and answered, Ina tilted her head while overlapping her palms. “Ummm~” he utters a shrill sound. He seemed to be very fond of the one of us.
After placing the order, the friend returned to his seat.
Looking at her face, a question immediately came to mind.
“hey. By the way, what did you do in the military?”
“Oh~”
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My friend scratched his head at my question. However, the answer did not come easily. It looked as if it was difficult to get it out of his mouth.What the hell are you doing this for? Did you even try to avoid military service because of your connection with a high person? Even if that’s the case, I have no idea what to do.
I waited patiently for the story to follow.
After a while, the friend said with a shy tone.
“in fact… … I went to graduate school.”
“What?”
like that He covered his mouth and asked.
“why?”
The friend laughed bitterly.
“Somehow.”
“Huh.”
I don’t know how I’m going to go to graduate school.
When I asked on the day of the wedding, he said he had not made a decision yet. Behind the scenes, he must have made such a miserable choice.
He lowered his eyes and bit his lip in sorrow.
Si-eun, who was watching me, clicked her tongue.
“Why are you so fussy? Graduate school isn’t the place to go to die.”
That’s it. He raised his gaze again.
When our eyes met, my friend laughed out loud.
“no. I liked the computer. In the past, I had no interest in studying, but working hard to come to the same school as Ina made it fun. So, I think this is the right fit for me again.”
“Well, then.”
What’s bad about it if it suits your aptitude? My friend has always had good grades. He has a very sincere personality, so in a way, he gets along well with graduate school.
In the first place, a friend is not someone who decides everything arbitrarily. You must have had enough conversations with Ina, who became his wife. It would be better for the third party not to gossip.
Then, aside from a friend who made a choice that he will regret someday.
The first thing we had to talk about when we met was something else. Just as she was about to open her mouth to change the topic, Si-eun hit the player.
“Did you two have a good honeymoon?”
“yes!”
The person who answered was Ina with a smile.
“It was really fun. It wasn’t much different from the usual date. Thinking that we are married, everything makes me more excited than usual.”
“Um, I think I know.”
Si-eun nodded loudly, expressing sympathy.
I also agree with this. At that time, happiness overflowed just by hugging them in the room. It was so much fun to go to a new destination together. I was so happy when I ate delicious food.
In fact, it doesn’t seem that different now… … .
Then my friend fidgeted with the vibrating bell and talked.
“I walked around and saw a lot of good things. I also go to the zoo. What kind of museum do you hear? It was fun in itself, but it was even more fun to be with Ina.”
“Ugh. It will be like that for a while. Even just the two of us standing still together brings out a lot of laughter.”
If I compare my married life, I am a senior. You might as well tell me a little bit as if you were teaching.
But out of nowhere, Si-eun’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t.”
“What?”
no it’s not what How come you all lie It’s all an expression of embarrassment.
He smiled and patted Si-eun’s back. With this alone, Si-eun showed a shy smile.
Look. I’m right.
The friend who was looking at us like this burst into laughter.
“You guys are still so close.”
Say everything you’re supposed to
“No. What if it doesn’t get better already? I got married.”
“It is. He is someone I will stick with for the rest of my life.”
Then he looks at Ina.
“right?”
“Sure.”
Ina replied with a smile.
Hmm, it seems like we and these guys exude sesame salt too much.
After a while, the vibrating bell rings. Me and my friend got up from our seats and got our food.
On the tray were a glass of Americano, three glasses of iced tea, and a few pieces of cake. I never asked for a cake. Could it be that you did it as a bonus?
As soon as she put the tray down on the table, Si-eun’s eyes began to twinkle. Like a puppy with food in front of him, the corners of his mouth were also raised. It was a compassionate reaction that couldn’t use his four legs if it was a snack.
“Ke, can I eat the cake?”
“I made you eat it. Eat quickly.”
When a friend gestured for permission, Si-eun happily grabbed the bowl and fork.
Then he tried to pick up the cake while even making a laugh.
However, at the same timing as if he was aiming, Hana burst into tears.
At the same time, Si-eun put down the object in her hand. Then he immediately turned around and hugged one of them.
“Oh, one. mom is here What is it? Where are you uncomfortable?”
It was a face full of sorrow. After all, in front of maternal love, it seems that appetite is quickly fading away.
I also got up and stood in one view.
“Dad is here too. One, why?”
Of course, asking is not the one to tell. Naturally, the crying never stopped.
He whispered into Si-eun’s ear.
“Are you hungry?”
“No. Because I haven’t eaten in a while. Diapers too… … It’s probably fine.”
“Then are you bored?”
“Well, it could be.”
After analyzing the cause, Si-eun grabbed Hana in her arms and tapped her body.
A single smirk soon ceased to confirm that the prediction had come true.
Rather than having an uncomfortable place, it seems that mom and dad’s attention was needed.
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My heart was set and I took a deep breath. If this is the case, I have no place to help. From now on, it would be better to leave it up to Si-eun.When I went back to my seat with this thought in mind, my friend and Ina were admiring each other with their mouths curled up.
“Both of you, mom and dad are done.”
“I know. Both are parents.”
After Ina, a friend said.
Si-eun’s eyes, who had been soothing Hana, slowly turned towards us. After confirming that the three of them had their eyes fixed on him, they tease their mouths.
“… … Don’t look at me like that.”
No one listened to Si-eun’s stuttering appeal. The three of us still had our eyes fixed on Si-eun.
“It’s a little bit like my mother.”
“What does it mean to be like your mother? … .”
“You’re so pretty, but you’re already a mother of a baby. Nonsense.”
“Yeah, don’t say I’m pretty… … .”
Si-eun seemed to collapse at any moment at the offensive of her friends and Ina. As a husband, I should be helping, but unfortunately to me, it’s just cute. I decided to join in quietly.
Soon, Si-eun glared at me with reproaching eyes.
“Stop it now.”
“no. I didn’t say anything… … .”
Si-eun completely ignored my reasonable excuses and made only a sullen expression.
Am I ashamed of showing myself as a mother to my friend’s couple?
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Meanwhile, despite Si-eun’s dislike, the admiration of the couple did not stop. In those eyes, even a kind of awe could now be read.Si-eun and Hana, a friend who was observing a good mother-daughter relationship, eventually parted their lips.
“Did you say your baby is now 8 months old?”
“uh.”
As soon as I answered, my friend patted his chin.
“It’s great to see you. It’s not like I’ve been a parent for eight months now. When we met in the classroom, he looked just like me. Because of this, I think I have already become a very good adult.”
“Ugh.”
well Si-eun is a great mother, but I’m still a mess… … . Well, in the eyes of an inexperienced friend, I must look great too. I just decided to thank you.
Soon, Si-eun put Hana back in the stroller. As he sat down again, he breathed a sigh of relief.
When I tapped her on the head to signify that she worked hard, Si-eun snorted.
“Even though I told you to stop watching… … .”
“Ahaha. sorry.”
When Ina apologized, Si-eun smiled the same way.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like it was stinging at all.
Then, my friend and Ina watched Hana all the time.
When Hana wiggled, her face was full of laughter, and when Hana was nodding, she looked so cute that she couldn’t stand it.
Did you like babies from the beginning? Or did you become interested in the baby after you got married?
As I stared at it, I thought of something to ask.
“This may be a sensitive question.”
When I broke my luck, the eyes of my friend and Ina turned to me.
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Make eye contact with a friend of the two and continue talking behind the scenes.“You don’t have children?”
“… … uhm. It’s definitely a sensitive question.”
The friend who was laughing at me soon scratched the brow.
“Well.”
“Well, what is it? I want it right away.”
Ina said looking up at her friend, wondering if the vague answer bothered her. The tone was very sloppy.
Could it be that the reconciliation between the two has not been completed yet? It feels like I’ve touched something. sorry. It’s my fault for my lack of communication skills, so please understand.
The friend drenched his throat with an Americano and then parted his lips.
“no. Raising a baby isn’t easy. If we have a baby that resembles us, we will be very happy and happy. Wouldn’t it be difficult to take care of me when I start my graduate school life? Graduate students usually leave work at night or early in the morning.”
“it’s okay. I can take care of myself.”
Ina straightened her flat chest and patted her with her fist. It looks like he’s trying to show his overflowing confidence, but to me, he’s just pretending to be a strong kid.
The friend who was looking at Ina like that with pitying eyes soon turned to look at us.
“As an experienced person, what do you think? Would it be okay if I was alone?”
“Ummm”
Si-eun crossed her arms and let out a sound like this. He seemed to be contemplating what to say to a friend who was asking for advice.
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My arms were not crossed, but I also thought about it.“There is nothing that I cannot do alone.”
After a while, Si-eun stopped and gave up her luck.
I took over
“It will be very difficult. Especially in the beginning, I wake up once or twice an hour. Even now, there are times when Hana crawls around and makes a fuss in the house.”
“look. Is that so?”
It was a friend tossing stories with Ina.
It sounded like an old, tiring voice, but I guess that wasn’t enough. Ina pursed her lips. Complaints did not show any signs of dissipating easily.
Is this normal?
It seems unlikely that married couples like us will end their children’s plans without arguing. It’s not just about children’s plans, but it’s always common for couples to have conflicts of opinion.
“still.”
As I was thinking so, Si-eun added a word. Everyone’s eyes are on Si-eun again.
Irrespective of this, Si-eun continued the story.
“If you can take responsibility, I think it’s okay to have it early.”
“okay?”
Ina responded by raising her eyes wide.
Si-eun smiled at Ina like that.
“Having a child is such a blessing. We also had many difficult situations, but you don’t know how happy we are now. So, if you can take responsibility, I think it’s good to give birth early.”
“Um, okay, okay.”
Ina nodded her head several times.
“look. Is that so?”
This time, he tossed the story to his friend.
The friend sighed with a puzzled expression. They even glance at me asking for my side, but… … .
well Because I have a similar mind.
As Hana was born, the time we spent together as a brother and sister decreased. The time for dating and quiet conversations has decreased significantly.
Considering this alone, there are, of course, some disappointing parts.
But I have never regretted having one, arguably never.
One was the perfect gift for us. As babies who resemble us gradually grow up, they even show cute aegyo. It is impossible to harbor regrets in any way.
And what… … What the former president said was not wrong.
It is said that the later you get married, the better, but the earlier you start raising children.
Until one reached 100 days, I reaffirmed this fact dozens of times.
So I came to a similar conclusion as Si-eun.
If you can take responsibility, it’s good to have children early.
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My friend, who had been staring at me resentfully for not helping me, finally shook his head.“okay. okay. … … Let’s go home and talk.”
“yes!”
After winning, Ina looked back at us and bowed her head.
I didn’t know it well, but it seemed to be accepted as a thank-you note.
The friend took a sip of the Americano placed in front of him.
“At first, I didn’t hate it either. Seeing you guys made me want to have children right away. I want this too, but it’s hard to refuse.”
“right? Can’t you refuse? I want to have my baby soon.”
Ina tapped her friend with her elbow with a bright smile on her face. The friend said, “Yeah.” He wrapped his arms around Ina’s shoulder.
As a newlywed couple, they seemed to get along really well.
After watching the warm scene silently, he opened his mouth.
“Wow, the child is going to have a child.”
“Didn’t you just look at me and call me a child?”
“sorry.”
Apologizing immediately, Ina giggled and waved her hand.
Perhaps it was some kind of flare, and Si-eun and her friends began to laugh together.
So our table was filled with vain laughter.
In such a playful atmosphere.
I got a very, very, very emotional feeling.
At the end of an unusual meeting, they share their hearts and start dating.
Soon after, they promised to get married and had a grand wedding.
On their honeymoon, they have a child at once… … .
It must have been an impatient step for anyone to see.
Now, there are people who want to follow in our footsteps.
That being said, we must be looking very bright now.
I hope that this happy feeling can last forever.
Like the troubles that once passed… … I hope you can be happy until the end.
With my own determination, I embraced Si-eun next to me.
“… … Why?”
Si-eun, who was suddenly held by me, tilted her head as if she did not understand the English language.
I opened my mouth to answer this, then shut it again.
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Maybe it’s still too earlyBecause I want to convey this feeling straight to you later.
That’s why I do my best to be ignorant.
“Nothing.”
“What?”
Si-eun shot the eyes of a strange person. It must have been absurd to suddenly hug and say that it was nothing.
But for a while. In the end, Si-eun quietly brought her into my arms.
As if asking for a more cozy hug, while giving me strength.
And a couple of friends were looking at us like this with bitter smiles.
Hopefully it won’t be the same this time around… … .