NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66: Not Enough
“May I call you my son-in-law?”
“Then, can I call you father?”
I felt a bit of a connection with the father, just like I did with Eunwoo Hyung.
I was relieved. I had worried he might not like me and asked us to break up.
Even if he had said that, we would have continued our relationship in secret.
“Hahaha! Yes! That’s great! It’s refreshing to see such heartiness.”
“Aren’t we disturbing you on your rare day off?”
“Not at all. Don’t worry about it. Honestly, it’s my first time seeing my daughter’s boyfriend, so it’s quite fascinating. I should take a good look.”
Father looked at me intently.
I straightened my back and smiled slightly, looking up at him.I tried to look as respectful and dignified as possible, meeting his gaze.
“Well, what kind of questions should I ask my daughter’s boyfriend?”
“Feel free to ask. I won’t lie.”
“What if I ask something difficult?”
“Then I’ll honestly say it’s hard to answer.”
“Ha! I like your honesty. Then, I’ll start with what I’m most curious about.”
“Sure. Please ask.”
I wonder if he’s going to ask about my parents?
No, it’s probably too early for that kind of question.
What is my dream? That’s a bit hard to answer.
I haven’t decided on a career yet.
“How far have you and my daughter progressed-”
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“Daaad!”
Eun-ha, who was sitting next to me, quickly covered Father’s mouth.
“Why would you ask that-! Really-!”
“Daughter! As a father, don’t you think that’s a reasonable question?!”
“We haven’t crossed any student boundaries, so don’t worry! We’re dating properly, like students should!”
“If that’s the case, I’m relieved. But still, as a father, I’d advise you to date properly like students should.”
“We’ll keep that in mind. You don’t need to worry.”
He didn’t say it gravely, but I chose to take it seriously.
But when he said to date like students, he must be referring to how it is in high school, right?
“Hahaha! Don’t take it too seriously. But do keep it in your heart.”
It seemed right to take it seriously after all.
He wasn’t frightening but spoke kindly, a clear indication he was Eun-ha’s father.
His gentleness and consideration were palpable.
“Are you hungry? Let’s order some food. Don’t worry about the price.”
“Yes, I understand. Eun-ha, let’s order.”
“Oh, the flatfish sashimi from the restaurant near our place is really good. I’d like to have it after so long.”
“Then, I’ll go out and get it to-go.”
“Eh? No, let Eun-ha go.”
“Okay. Han-gyeol, let’s go together.”
“No need for both of you to go. Eun-ha can go alone.”
I felt a bit nervous at his words.
Even so, it might be a bit awkward to be alone together.
I looked at Eun-ha, sending a signal for help.
“It’s boring to go alone. I’ll go with Han-gyeol.”
“Don’t trouble the guest. Go on now.”
“Ah-”
Eun-ha glanced at me slyly.
With him saying that, there was nothing I could do.
I had to give up.
“Be careful. The flatfish sashimi will be delicious.”
“I’ll be back soon, so Dad, don’t say anything weird to Han-gyeol, okay?”
“Daughter, I really like Han-gyeol. I won’t say anything strange, so don’t worry and go.”
“Really, don’t say anything weird to Han-gyeol... Got it?”
“Yeah, yeah. Go on now.”
Eun-ha stood up from her seat.
“Han-gyeol, I’ll be back quickly. Just wait a moment.”
“Take your time and be careful. You might trip if you rush.”
“I’ll be back quickly-!”
As soon as Eun-ha hurried out the front door, an awkward atmosphere set in.
I constantly thought about what to talk about, but nothing seemed right.
If only I knew what Eun-ha’s father liked, I could keep the conversation going.
But as I was thinking, her father initiated the conversation.
“So, you’re a student preparing for exams. Any difficulties? It must be hard balancing love and studies.”
“I can’t say there are none, but I’m not giving up on either. Eun-ha helps me a lot, too.”
“Is that so? That’s good to hear. Where do you usually go on dates?”
“We mostly spend time studying together at Eun-ha’s house. When we go out, it’s just ordinary stuff like eating delicious food, watching movies, or going to karaoke. Sometimes, when we have more time, we venture out of the neighborhood, but not too often.”
It seemed he was curious about how his daughter was spending her time.
Did I sound too report-like in my response? I hope it was okay.
“Where do you go when you leave the neighborhood?”
“Ah, we went to the amusement park after the midterms were over. Eun-ha wanted to go.”
“Oh? Eun-ha suggested going to the amusement park?”
“Yes. She’s really good at riding scary rides... We were lucky it wasn’t crowded, so we rode almost everything.”
There was a moment of silence from her father after my response.
Then, with a slightly puzzled tone, he asked,
“Eun-ha wanted to go to the amusement park?”
“Yes. She really enjoyed herself there.”
“I see... You went to the amusement park. Must have been fun.”
Father smiled wistfully.
Did I say something wrong?
“We went to the amusement park with the family once.”
“Yes, Eun-ha told me about a family trip to the amusement park when she was in elementary school.”
“Right, around that time. But we haven’t gone since then.”
“Oh, were you very busy?”
“It was Eun-ha’s birthday then, and my wife and I were extremely busy. We managed to make time, but we were so tired that day, we couldn’t enjoy ourselves. Our kind daughter saw us and didn’t insist on going on many rides, suggesting we go home instead.”
“Oh, I see...”
I recalled Eun-ha’s particularly joyful face that day.
If I had known earlier, I would have made it even more fun for her.
“It’s bittersweet and admirable, a fifth grader asking to go home because her parents looked tired. We thought we’d go back another time and just went home. But since then, whenever I suggested going to the amusement park, she refused. She didn’t want to disturb our rare moments of rest.”
Eun-ha’s kindness and thoughtfulness had been there since she was young.
It was a part of her charm, but somehow, it also felt a bit sad.
“Since then, she would say it’s okay even if she wanted something or wanted to do something as a family. She would say it’s okay to speak her mind, but how could she, raised by parents like us? She would just nod her head, saying it was all right. And you’re telling me she suggested going to the amusement park? That really makes me happy. Thank you for indulging my daughter’s whims, for showing me this new side of her.”
I felt a bit shy at his words, but it was a good feeling.
“I don’t think I’m just indulging Eun-ha’s whims. It might be me who is being indulged. Whenever I’m even slightly down, Eun-ha goes all out to cheer me up. I’m just returning what I’ve received to Eun-ha. It’s not her whims; it’s the kindness and consideration she learned from her wonderful parents.”
At my words, father just stared into my eyes, speechless.
“Is that so? I appreciate you saying that.”
“No, I’m the one who should be grateful for being accepted to date a person like Eun-ha.”
“Hahaha! Is that so?! Well then, keep up the good relationship.”
“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll make sure she’s happy and take responsibility.”
As I smiled contentedly, the sound of the door lock’s keypad being pressed came from the entrance.
With a click, the door opened and Eun-ha rushed in.
“Dad! There was no flatfish, so I bought flounder!”
Eun-ha, who dashed into the living room and sat next to me, immediately checked on my well-being.
“Han-gyeol, did Dad say anything weird?”
“Daughter, does your dad look that unreliable?”
“Brother always says weird things to Han-gyeol.”
“Is your brother the same as Dad?”
“Exactly the same...”
“Daughter?”
Despite her father’s questioning look, Eun-ha stared intently into my eyes.
“He only said nice things.”
“Really? He didn’t make it difficult for you?”
“Yeah, you came back really fast.”
“I told you I’d be quick~”
Eun-ha beamed a bright smile.
“Since Eun-ha bought it, I’ll set the table.”
“No, let’s do it together.”
“No, it’s rare for you to be home. It’s nice to spend time together.”
“Right, right. Daughter, how far have you two progressed- Uh!”
Eun-ha sprang up like a spring and covered her father’s mouth.
“Why would you ask that-! We’ll handle it ourselves, okay?”
“Now that you mention it, daughter, what are your plans for children?”
“Ugh, don’t ask that! That’s still a long way off-!”
“You’ve thought about it?”
Eun-ha’s face looked like it was about to explode at her father’s counter-question.
Finding her so adorable, I playfully chimed in.
“Eun-ha~ I’d be happy with just the two~”
At my words, Eun-ha puffed up her cheeks and looked at me.
Then she whispered softly.
“For me, that’s not enough.”
At Eun-ha’s words, I froze.
What?
--- The End OF The Chapter ---
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