Charter 56 : Debut (4)

You might think it's overreacting for a rookie, but in this world, men are so rare that wearing masks has become the norm. Especially since I'm active as an idol, I have to wear a mask, a beanie, and even sunglasses because my hair color is so vibrant.

'Are the sunglasses too much? My face is small, so the mask alone covers it.'

Lately, I've been getting a lot of professional care, so my already handsome face is shining brightly. It's best to cover it up as much as possible. When I walk down the street, I can see the results of my work as an idol. Seeing my face plastered on the street feels awkward and embarrassing at first, but then I feel proud that I've truly become a celebrity.

"Kyaa! Welcome!! Hae-sol~!!"

As soon as I enter the house, Joo-ah greets me enthusiastically at the front door. I hug her tightly and feel her belly protruding.

"Your belly!"

"Hehe, it's gotten big, right?"

"Wow! It's so amazing. Can I lift your shirt to see it?"

"Sure!"

I lifted Joo-ah's shirt slightly to see her cute, protruding belly.

"Morning sickness?"

"Mom is here, so it's bearable."

"Don't just say you're fine, complain to me. I'm here to listen to all your complaints today."

"I'm fine as long as I have you. Everything is okay."

I held Joo-ah tightly and danced around with her. I wanted to apologize for not being there for her and show her how much I missed her. After a while, my mother-in-law appeared.

"Mother-in-law!"

I greeted her enthusiastically, and she looked flustered but managed an awkward greeting.

"W-Welcome."

"Long time no see. I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit often."

"I understand your situation, so I can't say anything."

"Thank you so much for taking care of Joo-ah. I'm so grateful. Thank you."

"She's my daughter, of course, I have to take care of her. You two should spend some time together in her room."

"Sure, let's go."

Joo-ah excitedly led me to her room. I was also looking forward to spending time alone with her.

"Don't run, you might fall."

"Oh right! I was so excited to see you that I forgot to be careful."

"Are you that happy to see me?"

"Yes! I missed you so much."

Joo-ah snuggled up to me, and we lay on the bed, enjoying our reunion. I couldn't help but touch her growing belly.

"Is it that amazing?"

"I can't believe a baby is growing inside this little belly."

"The doctor said the baby is growing strong and healthy, so don't worry.".

"What about you?"

"I'm a little underweight. So I'm eating a lot."

Even though she said she's eating a lot, she didn't look like she had gained any weight.

"Oh, I have something for you."

"A gift?"

"Ta-da!"

"A bracelet?"

"Keep wearing it. It's not just any bracelet; it's a health talisman."

"Pfft! Do you believe in that stuff?"

"I bought it for you and our baby. So wear it all the time, even when you shower or sleep. Okay?"

"How much did you pay for it?"

"I can't tell you, or it won't work. You have to keep wearing it."

I exaggerated to make sure she wouldn't take the bracelet off, even as a joke.

"Thank you."

"But that's not the main gift."

"Huh? The main gift?

"Ta-da~"

I took out a luxurious ring box. Joo-ah was shocked when she saw it but smiled as I opened the box and showed her the ring inside.

"I-Is this…?"

"I couldn't marry you because of my situation, but I wanted to at least give you this."

"…I can't think straight. I'm so surprised."

"I hope you like it. I tried to pick a good one."

"It's so beautiful. No, it's fantastic. I don't know how to describe it… Ha… I feel like I'm going to cry. I never expected this…"

"Let me put it on for you."

I took the ring from her trembling hand and put it on her finger. The sparkling diamond ring looked stunning on her. The 500 coins I spent were worth it.

"Did you go through all this trouble for me?"

Joo- ah started to tear up. I put my arm around her shoulder.

"I had to. I want to be a good father to our baby."

By the way, "Chukbok" is the name we chose for our first child. Joo-ah and I decided on this name because it means

"blessed child."

"You don't have to do this to be a good father. You already are."

"No, I still have a long way to go. I want to be an even better father. I need to work harder."

I can't be with her all the time, so I need to make up for it in other ways to avoid any resentment from her in the future.

"Is the ring all for me? Don't you have one?"

She looked at my empty hand.

"I can't wear a ring because I'm an idol. So I only prepared one for you."

"I guess that makes sense… You can't wear a ring while you're active."

That's one reason, but the main reason is that I don't have enough coins. When we have our real wedding, I plan to buy a matching ring from the store.

"I'll get you a ring. Is that okay?"

"You will?"

"Yes! I want to get you a ring when we have our wedding. You can't refuse. I really want to do this."

"…Alright. Do whatever you want."

Joo-ah admired the ring I put on her finger for a long time before finally shedding tears of joy. I patted her shoulder and back to comfort her.

"I want to show Mom."

"Should we?"

Joo-ah was about to run out of the room but suddenly stopped and lay back down on the bed.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to show her."

"Why not?"

"I feel bad showing her this. I don't want to make her feel worse."

"Why would she feel worse?"

"Actually, things haven't been great between Mom and Dad lately."

"…Why is that?"

This sounds interesting.

"Dad's newest wife just had a baby boy. And now she's acting all high and mighty, not letting Dad visit any of his other families."

"A baby boy?! That's a big deal."

"Yeah. She's young and full of herself now. She won't let Dad out of her sight."

"How young is she?"

"…She's three years older than me."

Wow.

'I've never met her, but Dad sure knows how to pick them.'

Marrying a woman young enough to be his daughter and having a child with her is impressive, considering the poor stamina of men in this world.

"Normally, Dad would never put up with a jealous woman like that. But since she had a son, everything changed."

"Is having a son that important? I don't get it."

"You're still young, so you don't understand. It's a huge deal. That woman even got Dad a national award because of the baby."

A national award? Let's think about it the other way around.

'It's like a rich family having a long-awaited son.'

Wow, now I get it. That baby boy is going to be spoiled rotten.

"But she should still show some respect to Mom, his first wife. Instead, she's not even letting Dad talk to her on the phone. And Dad is going along with it."

*Grind*

Jo o-ah clenched her fists in anger.

"I can't stand it. Listen to me, Hae-sol. I don't care if you see other women, but I won't tolerate anyone who tries to disrupt our family like that. I'm the one carrying your first child, so I have that right. Understand?"

"…Yes, I understand."

No one could say no to that. I can't. Joo-ah looked satisfied with my answer. But I could see a hint of murder in her smile.

"Mom would normally storm in and take Dad back. But she's not doing anything. She's just sighing all the time."

"...."

I have a feeling I know why Mom isn't doing anything.

"And now that woman is acting all high and mighty around the other wives. I guess even the first wife can't stand up to a woman who has a son."

"It sounds like Mom is in a tough spot. How have things been between them lately?"

"It's complicated. Dad disappears for months when he's with another woman, then suddenly comes back home. Mom puts up with it, and they're fine for a while until Dad disappears again. It's a cycle."

Most of the time, Dad leaves because he's found a new woman. But he doesn't marry all of them. He loses interest and moves on to the next one unless she gets pregnant. Love is just a hormonal reaction, after all. That's why women here try so hard to get pregnant when they're with a man.

"You better keep your pants zipped. Other women won't be as understanding as me. They'll do anything to marry you if they get the chance."

"If that happens, you'll protect me, right?"

"Of course! I'll protect my man. No one else will."

Joo-ah clenched her fists adorably, and I exaggeratedly praised her. She giggled, and we chatted for a while until she fell asleep. I watched her sleep for a moment before quietly getting up.

'I got some good information. I have to use it.'

I don't know if Mom stayed away because she didn't want to bother us or because she felt awkward around me. Either way, I was determined to see her. I knew exactly where her room was.

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