111 - How a Mini Heena Suddenly Appeared (2)

    TL/Editor: looloo

    Status: ongoing

    Illustrations: posted in discord

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    The moment I woke up the next day, I meticulously cleaned the house. I planned to gather everyone after our fathers returned from work this evening to break the news. My heart had been racing since morning as a result.

    Fortunately, both families seemed free, readily agreeing to my request for an evening visit.

    They''d wanted to check on us occasionally anyway, though they didn''t drop by often, likely out of consideration. They''d just stop by sometimes with side dishes or necessities.

    "What should I do, what should I do, what should I do..."

    "Don''t worry so much. I''ll tell them it was my fault."

    "What are you saying? We did this together, why pin it on you?"

    "Still, I was always the stubborn one..."

    "Enough. I agreed to it too, so what''s the point?"

    As I started to shake my leg slightly from nerves, Heena chimed in unnecessarily.

    Honestly, while Heena might have initiated things, I became equally responsible the moment I accepted. In hindsight, we were careless, but in the moment, it was impossible to consider such things.

    Blaming it all on Heena made no sense, and as a man, I absolutely refused to do that. I dismissed her misguided words and took deep breaths to calm myself.

    Right. Life doesn''t always go as planned or expected. Just like on my CSAT day last year, it always flows in unexpected directions.

    What''s done is done. I''ll approach this with sincere apology and firm commitment to take responsibility. Though obvious, actually expressing my determination makes a big difference.

    With that resolve, I spent time researching pregnancy precautions with Heena. Still tense, I waited for our parents to arrive, and before I knew it, half the day had passed.

    Then evening came.

    -Ding dong.

    The moment of judgment had arrived.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    "......"

    "......"

    An awkward silence that made me want to bolt dominated our little love nest.

    Moments ago, as if by prior arrangement, both sets of parents arrived almost simultaneously. As they entered, they looked at us and sighed, seeming to already know what we''d say.

    As soon as we gathered in the living room, I knelt beside Heena and cut to the chase.

    "I''m sorry! Heena is pregnant!"

    I bowed my head deeply.

    Strangely, our parents didn''t say a word. They just stared at us impassively.

    In that suffocating atmosphere, just as my hands and feet started to tremble.

    Auntie broke the silence first.

    "Sis, I''m so sorry about our kid..."

    "What can we do? We thought this might happen when they started living together."

    "Still, I didn''t expect it so soon."

    "True, but."

    Auntie and Mom exchanged words as if they''d anticipated this, seemingly unfazed. But I couldn''t relax yet, as their conversation lacked its usual ease. Clearly, this wasn''t something to brush off lightly.

    "Then we''ll just register the marriage... and give up the room. It might be for the best. Heena can use her old room again, and Yeonho should go back home to focus until the CSAT."

    Auntie roughly outlined the plan. Indeed, rather than staying here with me, it would be better for Heena to return home and receive Auntie''s care while resting.

    Living together for so long, I''d unconsciously only thought about us working hard here, but objectively, it made sense for Heena to return home.

    At least until the birth.

    I was nodding in agreement, but surprisingly, Heena urgently objected.

    "Can''t Yeonho come too? Or I could stay...!"

    Even now, unable to bear separation, she clung to my arm and cried out. While I understood her feelings, I honestly thought Auntie''s suggestion was right, so I found it hard to speak up.

    With Heena''s stubbornness, the atmosphere suddenly changed. Auntie, who had been speaking relatively gently until now, even if not as cheerfully as usual.

    "Lee Heena! Is this the time to be stubborn?!"

    She finally raised her voice.

    Startled by that unexpected anger, I clamped my mouth shut even tighter, but Heena didn''t back down and started raising her voice as well.

    "But I can help Yeonho study!"

    "How is Yeonho supposed to concentrate in someone else''s house! And with you constantly whining next to him! How can he focus on his studies?!"

    "Why is it someone else''s house! We''re family now! Then I can go! And I''ll be quiet next to Yeonho!!"

    "How much of a burden are you trying to be by squeezing in there!"

    "It''s not a burden!! I''ll help with all the housework too!! I can do it!!"

    "What can you do when you''re pregnant?!"

    As the mother-daughter argument continued, not just me, but Dad, Mom, and even Uncle remained silent, watching the scene unfold.

    Uncle seemed to be keeping quiet, thinking it wasn''t the right time to intervene, but Dad and Mom looked quite shocked. And for good reason.

    Until now, Heena had never thrown tantrums, made a fuss, or raised her voice like this in front of them.

    For over two years, she had tried her best to be polite and show only her best side, at least in front of my family.

    Of course, they probably didn''t think that was all there was to Heena, but the gap with her usual behavior must have been enormous. Mom even said things like ''Is she really a high school student?'' about Heena back then.

    "That''s enough! You''ve already made one mistake, how much more trouble are you trying to cause Yeonho!"

    "No!! I''m staying with Yeonho!!"

    "Why are you being so stubborn today?! This won''t do. You''re coming home right now! Heena''s dad! Pack her things!"

    With that, Auntie rose as if ready to leave immediately. As she approached us and grabbed Heena''s arm, Heena resisted, screaming as if having a fit.

    "No!!"

    "Are you going to get up or not?! How long are you going to embarrass yourself in front of your in-laws..."

    Suddenly, Auntie''s movement, as if she was about to forcibly take Heena away, stopped.

    -Drip, drip. At the sight of Heena suddenly bursting into tears.

    "No... I don''t want to... *sob*... I, without Yeonho... *sniff*... I can''t..."

    "What, what is she doing now..."

    "*hiccup*... I won''t let go! *sob*... Waaaaaah..."

    Clinging to me with both arms as if she''d never let go, she breaks down crying. At this sight, everyone in the room except me froze.

    Not just my family, but even Uncle and Auntie, who knew Heena far better than we did, seemed to have never expected this. That Heena would break down crying so loudly in front of everyone.

    All the more so because she had often shown a mature side even when being stubborn at times.

    Author''s Note:

    After writing, I realized it was enough for two episodes, so I split it up!