By Zephyria 
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It was a weekend that had finally turned warm after several days of persistent late-winter cold. The sky was exceptionally clear. It was perfect weather for a long-distance trip.
Hui-won’s family home was in Daejeon. The two of them were driving diligently to make their appointment on time.
“My noona got married five years ago and is living in Brazil with her husband, who’s an expatriate worker. So we probably won’t see her this time.”
“It’s been quite a while since you’ve been home, hasn’t it?”
“That’s right. Almost a year? I haven’t been able to come down much since joining Apex. But we do have a video call once a week.”
Hui-won rattled off explanations about his family.
His parents were city hall civil servants, both now retired and living on their pensions and retirement funds. He was born and raised in Daejeon but became independent around the age of twenty. He wasn’t the type to visit home often even originally, and family interactions became less frequent after his noona’s marriage, but since his parents’ personalities are easygoing and family relations are harmonious, there aren’t any particular problems.
Kwon Young-je, holding the steering wheel, listened to the incessant flow of information and let out a short sigh.
“There’s so much I don’t know.”
At that, Hui-won burst out laughing.
“We can learn from now on. If you’re curious about anything, just ask. I’ll answer anything.”
He also curled up the corners of his mouth. It was a splendid-looking smile.
“Oh, you have a good expression now. Please smile like that for my mom later too. She’ll probably be completely smitten?”
“I just hope she doesn’t oppose it.”
“What’s there to oppose? She was a bit surprised during the call… but it should be fine.”
Hui-won spoke nonchalantly. He was more worried about the convoy of vehicles surrounding them. They weren’t top-of-the-line cars, but six 12-seater Starex vans were following them. As if they were receiving VIP protection.
The gifts Madam Im had prepared, as expected, exceeded the normal range. Holding his forehead, Hui-won glanced at the side mirror.
“…Won’t they faint when they see this?”
“I’ll tell them in advance.”
“Then they’ll probably feel burdened again…. I think it’s better to just hide it.”
Kwon Young-je let out a soft chuckle. His gaze fixed on the front windshield, he stretched out his right arm. He gently ruffled Hui-won’s hair once and then firmly gripped the steering wheel again.
Hui-won was still looking out the car window. His own face reflected in the side mirror was smiling so foolishly it was absurd. Since it didn’t seem so bad, he didn’t fix his expression. In front of Kwon Young-je, he could now freely show how happy he was.
It took a full two hours to arrive at the family home. It was a neighborhood densely packed with old houses, so just the large sedan entering created a strange sense of incongruity.
The vehicles loaded with gifts had already discreetly disappeared, and only the two of them got out of the car. A modest two-story house was waiting for the guests. Hui-won grabbed Kwon Young-je’s hand and stepped inside the gate.
Hui-won’s family home was somewhat old, but it was a place filled with affection. Especially the small garden was dense with signs of his mother’s devoted care. The neatly arranged pots, the clean lawn without a single weed, and the magnolia tree in full bloom warmly welcomed the family member visiting after a long time.
Hui-won stood in front of the front door and glanced sideways for a moment. Given the occasion, Kwon Young-je had paid a lot of attention to his appearance today.
To think this is the man I chose. Just stealing a glance at his handsome face made pride well up. He had a feeling his parents would undoubtedly like him too.
“Shall we go?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
He thought he would never be nervous, but Kwon Young-je’s face was strangely stiff. Hui-won hid a smile and turned his head straight.
A straightened index finger pressed the doorbell. Chirp-chirp— Along with the bell sound, similar to a bird’s chirp, came the sound of footsteps from beyond the front door. Soon, the front door swung wide open. A middle-aged couple, strangely similar in appearance to Hui-won, revealed themselves.
“We’re here.”
“…….”
“Dad?”
“Oh, uh… Hello. We are Hui-won’s parents.”
Hui-won’s parents, dressed neatly, sent an awkward smile towards Kwon Young-je. It seemed their son wasn’t even in their eyes right now. Their tense expressions clearly showed how nervous they were.
“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Kwon Young-je.”
Without showing any sign of fluster, Kwon Young-je bent his waist at a 45-degree angle and offered a proper bow first. It was the posture often seen at official events or important occasions.
“Oh my, Executive Director…”
His parents also bowed as if feeling unworthy. Somehow, their bow seemed even more deferential than Kwon Young-je’s.
Unable to bear it, Hui-won abruptly stepped inside. Unlike Kwon Young-je, who was dressed up from head to toe, he was in comfortable clothes and sneakers. Rubbing the heels of his canvas sneakers, he took off his shoes first.
“I knew this would happen.”
Whether they didn’t hear his muttering or not, his parents were solely focused on attending to Kwon Young-je. His father stretched out both hands, taking on the role of assisting.
“Please come in. You must have had a long, tiring journey.”
“Excuse me.”
He also took off his shoes and entered the house. Kwon Young-je, entering an ordinary family home, looked incongruous to anyone.
“Here, please sit over here.”
His father personally guided him towards the sofa. When Kwon Young-je sat on the four-seater sofa against the wall, his parents naturally sat on the floor. Even though they were facing each other, the picture was still very strange.
Kwon Young-je also tried to come down and sit on the floor. Seeing that, his parents waved their hands and exclaimed.
“No, no! Please just stay seated.”
“Please, just treat him comfortably. You’re not serving him, you’re attending to him.”
Hui-won sat cross-legged on the floor first. Pulling on his wrist, Kwon Young-je also sat down beside him without hesitation.
“This is more comfortable for me too.”
“Ah, yes…”
His father, who had been gauging the situation, quickly unfolded a small dining table. Meanwhile, his mother came carrying an armful of teacups and set them in front of the guest. Hui-won’s brisk and efficient mannerisms were inherited from his parents.
Even with refreshments before them, silence flowed for a moment. The time spent staring blankly at each other in silence was almost painful. Hui-won took a sip of tea and opened the conversation first.
“Dad, it’s okay to talk like you usually do. Just be comfortable.”
It’s not comfortable, you brat.
Hui-won’s father quietly glared with wide eyes. His son, visiting home after a long time, was more like a nuisance than a welcome sight.
In truth, the couple hadn’t been able to sleep properly for several days. The thought of welcoming such a burdensome son-in-law was a mountain of worry.
But they couldn’t keep acting so subserviently. As he had practiced, Hui-won’s father straightened his back and placed both hands on his knees. Ahem, ahem. With a short, false cough, a low, humble voice flowed out.
“Well… I’ve heard the story roughly, but what are your plans for the future?”
The tone of his voice was solemn, but the words coming out were polite, as if addressing a superior. This couldn’t be helped even with practice.
“We are currently living together at my residence. We plan to finalize the marriage registration within the next week or two, and as you know, the wedding ceremony is planned to be simple or omitted. Before that, I thought it would be good to arrange a family meal at least once, but I wanted to ask first if you, Father, also agree.”
Kwon Young-je’s tone was also formal in the same way. It was a clear and orderly explanation, but its stiffness and clarity were the very tone of Executive Director Kwon Young-je.
“A family meal… Does that mean Executive Director’s family will all come?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my, oh my.”
Hui-won’s father looked up at the ceiling for a moment. Just the thought of meeting in-laws from a chaebol family was already making his vision go dark.
“The formal meeting between families… do we really have to do that? We’re fine skipping it… As long as the two of you live well…”
“If you wish, we can proceed that way.”
At that, Hui-won’s mother poked her husband’s thigh.
“Dear, but they’re in-laws… We should meet them.”
“Can you handle it?”
The couple had seen Madam Im’s picture in a newspaper article a few years ago. Back then, they had laughed heartily, saying, ‘Wow, this woman is no ordinary person,’ never imagining she would become their in-law.
Hui-won’s parents were ordinary middle class. They had only seen chaebol family people in dramas, never experienced them in person.
Kwon Young-je silently raised his gaze. Reading the cautiously unfolding situation, he calmly added his words.
“I understand what you are worried about, but my parents welcome this marriage more than anyone. They both genuinely like Secretary Kim—no, Hui-won.”
“Well… Executive Director, are you also sincere towards our Hui-won?”
Suddenly, Hui-won’s mother narrowed her eyes slightly and asked. The question was close to an interrogation.
“Ah, Mom.”
Even his trusted mother was talking nonsense, so Hui-won bowed his head and sighed. At that, his mother rubbed her cheek, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“Well, you said you’re pregnant… I wondered if maybe you’re getting married because of that.”
Kwon Young-je lowered his gaze for a moment and smiled. The splendid smile Hui-won had told him to show his mother earlier was hanging on his lips.
“I was the one who persistently asked him to marry me first. I can’t do without Hui-won.”
Oh my. His mother let out a small exclamation. Whether it was because of Kwon Young-je’s words or his smile, she was clearly moved.
“Hey, are you really having a baby?”
Meanwhile, his father, who had been listening to the conversation, scratched his cheek lightly and then tapped Hui-won’s knee.
“I still don’t really believe it.”
Hui-won’s parents were Betas. The whole family were just Betas. Throughout the family genealogy, sentients were few enough to count on one hand.
It was hard enough to believe that their son, who had lived as a Beta for over thirty years, had manifested as an Omega, but to have a child on top of that was even more mind-blowing.
Hui-won picked up a tangerine that had been placed on the small table. He replied in a nonchalant voice.
“I don’t believe it either.”
“You’re such a hopeless guy, this one.”
His father pointed a finger as if criticizing Hui-won’s shameless attitude. A short, hearty laugh burst out. Perhaps because they had become more comfortable, their original way of speaking was gradually starting to come out.
His father tilted his head slightly and asked.
“So, where are you going to have the baby?”