SIDE STORY 1.9

It was summer.  

The season when the scorching sun embraced everyone with its warmth.  

Seojun got into his car, feeling good after having drinks with a friend for the first time in a while.  

His relationship with Lee Seungjo, Vice Chairman of Jaekyung Group, had started as purely business but had evolved into a friendship over the past two years.  

For the first time in his life, Seojun had a real friend. Although technically, Seungjo was a year older, age didn’t matter to them.  

As a tipsy Seojun pulled out a wad of cash from his wallet and offered it to Chief Secretary Yoon, the latter refused outright.  

“Vice Chairman, is making drunken gestures your new hobby?”  

“Isn’t this kind of gesture okay?”  

“No, thank you. You already gave us generous bonuses last month, and I’m still full from that.”  

“Chief Secretary Yoon, you’re no fun.”  

“Yes, and that’s precisely why you like me, Chairman.”  

“Ah, you caught me.”  

“Let’s head home.”  

“Of course.”  

As Seojun tapped lightly on the car seat, his phone suddenly rang. Seeing the name on the screen, his lips curled into a wide smile.  

He answered the call. 

“I’m sorry I’m late today. I’m on my way now.”  

• It’s okay. You mentioned meeting Vice Chairman Lee Seungjo of Jaekyung Group today. Did you have fun?

“Yes, I did. What were you doing? I miss you, Seo Moonkyeong.”  

It had been a while since he called her by her name. Recently, he had been addressing her as “honey” or “darling,” but now, intoxicated, old memories washed over him.  

Whether it was the young Seo Moonkyeong who had once captivated him or the mother of his two children she had become, her name was always alluring to him.  

• I was helping Inyoung with her journal since she’s on summer vacation. I miss you too. 

“I love you.”  

It was a shy confession, but it seemed like it wasn’t Moonkyeong who received the words.

Now, Inyoung, who was 8 years old, teased Seojun.

• Whoa! Did Dad just confess to Mom? And while drunk? 

Seojun, caught off guard, straightened up in his seat.

“No. Even when I don’t drink, I often tell Mom that I love her.”

• Is that so? I thought you only said ‘I love you’ to me!

“Is Mom nearby?”

• Why? Do you want me to send her away?

“Yes, just for a moment.”

• Alright.

Through the receiver, Inyoung’s voice was heard asking Moonkyeong, 

“Mom, could you step out of my room for a bit?”

• Dad, Mom’s gone.

Seojun scratched his forehead and began to tell a little white lie.

“The truth is, the person Dad loves most in this world is you, our Inyoung.”

• Really? Really? Really?

“Of course.”

• Then what about Jinwoo?

“I love Jinwoo too, but in Dad’s eyes, Inyoung, you’re the most lovable. If Mom and Jinwoo find out, they might feel hurt, so let’s keep this a secret between us, okay?”

• Of course! I also have a secret: Dad, you are my favorite person in the whole world!”

“Wow. Dad feels amazing.”

• By the way, Dad, I want to eat fried chicken.

Seojun couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Unlike someone else, Inyoung used polite language whenever she made a request.

Moonkyeong, on the other hand, use informal speech when she was being confrontational.

Seojun softened his tone, letting affection seep into his voice.

“Ah, so that was the conclusion?”

• Hehe. Mom says it’s too late, and we already had it the other day, so she won’t let me have any today. But I really want some.

“Alright. Dad will bring some home.”

• Mom’s going to scold you. Are you sure it’s okay?

“It’s fine! Totally fine! Dad will be back soon with the chicken. Wait for me, my daughter.”

Seojun immediately asked Chief Secretary Yoon to head to a fried chicken shop. 

Holding the chicken, he swallowed nervously at the doorstep. Though he still felt tipsy, somehow, standing in front of his house made him feel completely sober.

Moonkyeong often worried that Inyoung wasn’t eating a balanced diet and had been favoring instant food lately. This habit had developed because Seojun would occasionally take Inyoung out on weekends for father-daughter dates, letting her eat whatever she wanted. Still, Seojun cherished those moments.

He straightened his posture, determined to focus.

“Inyoung, Dad brought chicken!”

Inyoung greeted him with a loving smile and threw herself into his arms. Then, she whispered into his ear.

“Dad, lean down.”

When Seojun bent down, Inyoung quickly kissed his cheek. Seojun laughed out loud, feeling like he owned the world.

While Moonkyeong felt pleased, she still shot him a glare as he came into the kitchen to grab a cup.

Her nagging began and didn’t stop until he left the kitchen.

“Because you keep feeding her instant food, Inyoung doesn’t want to eat vegetable side dishes anymore. She says they’re too bland. Did you know that?”

“….”

“She needs to eat a balanced diet to grow properly.”

“Isn’t she already one of the taller kids in her class?”

“What’s the point of just being tall? She’s too skinny!”

“Wouldn’t being slim be good if she’s going to be a ballerina?”

“Dear!”

“My bad. Just let it slide this once.”

Watching her dad get scolded in the kitchen, Inyoung couldn’t hide her joy as she picked up a chicken drumstick.

Jinwoo, who had been rolling on the floor, crawled over to her, unable to speak but drawn to the smell, and clung to her side.

Inyoung stopped him.

“No, you can’t. You don’t have teeth yet, so you can’t eat this.”

Tears welled up in Jinwoo’s eyes, and he began to cry loudly. Seeing this as an opportunity, Seojun quickly picked Jinwoo up while glancing at Moonkyeong.

“Thank you, Jinwoo! You saved Dad.”

Even as he patted Jinwoo’s back to soothe him, the baby wouldn’t stop crying, leaving Seojun a little flustered.

Inyoung, who had been enjoying her chicken, set it down and turned to look at her dad.

“Jinwoo probably peed. Should I change his diaper?”

“Do you know how?”

“Of course!”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Inyoung put aside her craving for chicken and went to grab Jinwoo’s diaper.

Seojun watched her with pride before walking back to the kitchen where Moonkyeong was.

“Aren’t you eating?”

“I’ll eat after I finish this.”

“I’ll do it. Go eat.”

“You didn’t drink much, did you? You don’t seem drunk.”

Seojun hugged her from behind and kissed the nape of her neck.

His warm breath spread over her like a fever, making Moonkyeong momentarily hold her breath.

Seojun wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her close with a passionate grip.

“No, I’m drunk.”

“Drunk?”

“Yeah. I’m in a good mood. So, I was wondering…”

“….”

“Moonkyeong, do you want to play with me?”

When she pulled away from his embrace, Seojun reached out his hand.

She didn’t ask, 

“How long will we play?”

But Seojun answered anyway.

“Until the end of the world.”

Let’s do that.

Instead of answering with words, she willingly took his hand. Seojun spoke again.

“I love you.”

As he kissed Moonkyeong, Seojun glanced at Inyoung, who was busy changing Jinwoo’s diaper, her tiny hands working diligently.

It wasn’t daytime, and there was no sunlight, yet everything felt dazzling.

Their mutual attraction turned into love, and their deep love brought them overwhelming joy.

So, it was only natural for them to shine so brightly.