Father, I'll Still Shoulder the Responsibility, so It's Fine, Right?
"We've prepared quite a bit."
"Thanks. I'm sure it'll be a delight."
No matter how hard you try to make a regular family dining table look lavish, there's only so much you can do. Even if the main dish is plentiful, it rarely goes beyond five, leaving the rest filled with side dishes. But what if the household is anything but ordinary? If the table is a spitting image of an exaggerated scene plucked from the pages of a manga party hall, adorned with an abundance of food?
That's when things get a bit excessive.
This is way over the top.
Even though I'd love to portray a charming eating scene, the amount of food was just too much. The casual remark "we've prepared quite a bit" wasn't an exaggeration. They probably went the extra mile because it's been a while since they had a guest.
As we relocated and learned that the table was meticulously set, something felt off. It seemed excessive to have so many servants catering to just one guest.
I'm not an ordinary guest.
I should have caught on when reporters started referring to me as a ‘hunter' instead of a ‘student.' This must be what Melanie harped on about – the qualifications of an awakened.
I'm not in the position to receive standard treatment.
I might need to get accustomed to receiving such treatment that goes beyond the ordinary hospitality. Of course, in today's scenario, Soojin might have gone all out to make the food so extravagant. But from now on, I've realized exactly how to handle such special treatment.
"Noona, would you like me to fillet the lobster for you?"
"Huh…? Um… Sure, if you want to…"
Soojin was squirming in her seat next to me. It might be due to the seating arrangement; she and I were side by side, with her parents across from us. It might give off a formal vibe, making her unconsciously tense.
She was sporting a white floral-patterned lace blouse. The harmony between her calmly flowing black hair and the blouse, paired with the denim skirt, was genuinely fantastic. Whenever she felt embarrassed, the fringe of her skirt shifted, offering a glimpse of her inner thighs. If her parents weren't there, I might not have been able to resist reaching out my hand immediately.
"Hunter Baek Taeyang, my darling Soojin knows how to savor lobster, there's no—"
"Dear?"
"Dad?!"
"Um, the lobster seems a bit… resistant today. Darling, I'll take care of it for you."
"Thanks."
The conversation always unfolded in this manner. Every time I played the knight in shining armor for Soojin, she would smile bashfully with a small grin playing on her lips. Witnessing this, Yoo Minhyuk would react, and his wife and daughter would always apply the brakes.
Observing this heartwarming dining scene…
What about me?
I tried to recall a particular memory or conjure up a scene, but what was it again? There's surely something that should cross my mind in the midst of such a heartwarming moment. Yet, my mental archives remained blank. Looking out over the clear river, nothing else seemed visible but me. My head turned white, and all memories, except ‘me,' were painted with a translucent color.
"Taeyang, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh… I'm fine. The food is just so delicious; it got me emotional."
"Really? Hehe… I made this."
This moment of shared meal felt oddly distant.
I slowly pondered over the opaque memories and brought them to the surface.
I am Lee Taeok… and I have a family.
Such a glaring fact, yet I haven't entertained the thought even once. Lately, my actions have leaned more towards ‘Baek Taeyang' than ‘Lee Taeok.'
Surely, things weren't like this before I stepped through the S-rank gate. The well-being of these fictional characters, composed of mere letters, whether breathing or lifeless, didn't concern me. However, in Wonderland, I found myself involuntarily mulling over the possible casualties.
Are my memories getting mixed up?
Baek Taeyang's memories conspicuously lack any reference to family ties. It might be an omission, or he could be an unwitting orphan. However, that doesn't mean that the family relationship of Lee Taeok doesn't exist.
"Noona, you're really good at cooking. What is this?"
"Oh, that's spicy chicken wings stew with basil…"
I guided the conversation towards minimal responses to avoid detailed explanations. With a face adorned with a subtle, not overly exaggerated smile, I nod approvingly.
I sped up my thinking.
It's been roughly a month since I got sucked into this world, and the recollections of my past life are starting to blur as if they are getting mixed up. It's a common cliche in a possession novel like this, but I never thought it would happen to me.
I should write a diary or something…
Knowing this doesn't change much. I need to beat the Netori Quest to find the next clue for progress. But what if, as I progress, I seamlessly meld into a character within this novel? What if I genuinely embrace this as reality and don't even attempt to escape?
"Wow, this beef is incredibly delicious… What cut is this?"
"Oh my, Hunter Baek Taeyang has quite refined taste. Just by looking, you can tell. This is sirloin from a brand called Song Hana."
"Thanks for letting me know, um…"
"Feel free to call me Mother."
"Yes, Mother."
"Alright, Son-in-law, eat up."
"Dear!"
"Mom!"
While smoothly steering the conversation and changing the topic, the unexpected statement left everyone looking at the mother with shocked expressions. Rather than being flustered, she met everyone's eyes with a confident look that seemed to say, ‘It's bound to happen anyway, right?' Even Yoo Minhyuk couldn't muster a rebuttal, and Soojin remained silent.
I'm in trouble.
I found myself in a perplexing situation. Flat-out refusing here will create an awkward atmosphere. However, eagerly nodding in agreement might suddenly formalize our relationship.
Yesterday, I calculated that the total number of women I would be in a relationship with was seven. In this situation, outright rejection can seriously complicate things. Now I have to respond by finding a middle ground that lets me walk on a thin line without causing too much offense.
It's not your everyday situation.
The longer the silence, the more strange this atmosphere becomes.
"I still think I lack the qualifications."
That's what I came up with.
Honestly, not the best answer but it was the only option that came to mind. By lowering myself, I elevated Soojin, and subtly signaled my humility. While not rejecting our relationship outright, it conveyed the current impossibility.
"Hoho, you don't have to take it seriously, it was just a joke."
"No, dear, why would you say such a joke? He's taken aback."
"I was just kidding… I wouldn't burden a child at a simple meal gathering, would I?"
Yoo Minhyuk was unsure of what might unfold and frequently glanced at his wife to gauge her reaction. Soojin, probably to check if I was upset, cast a sidelong glance at me.
I was locking eyes with Soojin's mother, and her eyes were anything but playful.
If there's a chance, she'll exploit it.
Her gaze was sharper than a predatory bird, trying to pierce through me. It wasn't a moment to be confused as one might be in a novel about such situations.
"Mother, I also enjoy this kind of joke. It's okay. Hahaha."
"Hohoho!"
"Hahaha!"
The meal was concluding in a somewhat relaxed atmosphere. As we chatted, the food disappeared quickly, and the fact that it was our first meeting contributed to the limited amount of discussion.
+++++++++++
"Indeed, my wife and daughter are excellent cooks. Don't you think so?"
"Yes, you're really living the dream, sir."
"That I am. That's why I hope my daughter doesn't end up getting hurt."
Yoo Minhyuk guided me to his study with the quip, "Men have something to discuss."
The study occupied the entire fifth floor, spacious and filled not just with books but also equipment favored by hunters. Two men sipping coffee and facing each other in the midst of it all wasn't exactly a pleasant scene.
"My daughter is…"
The textbook fatherly dialogue continued. This is my second hurdle. In a typical romantic comedy, at this point, when his story wrapped up, I should be feeling moved. A story about assuming responsibility for a woman through a conversation between two men while conveying his paternal love deeply. That's undoubtedly what Yoo Minhyuk was hoping for.
No, that's not happening. There are too many women I need to take care of. Soon, the regular gathering day for passive skill users will arrive, and Kim Minsoo's heroine might appear at any moment. I need to be ready to accept a new woman anytime, but I can't afford to make a commitment like a sworn vow of eternal love.
Instead, I can take responsibility for everything. I've got a body that can handle a wild sex party and still send everyone flying. Given that Mr. Double Chin himself created this world, there has to be a mechanism to achieve a harem ending no matter what. There's no way that fatty would plot an ending where the main character settles for just one leading heroine.
I'll take responsibility for everything and then finish this novel.
After renewing my determination, I looked at Yoo Minhyuk with a serious gaze. The conversation was gradually concluding, and this expression was necessary for the words to carry weight. With the tension in my strong eyes, he seemed to be taken aback.
"…so, I entrust my daughter to you."
"I may be lacking, but I will do my best."
Yoo Minhyuk's best and my best are likely very different. But if the ending is happy, does it really matter?
"Dad! How long are you going to keep Taeyang here?!"
The conversation had taken quite a while, and Soojin finally ran to my side. Apparently, she couldn't wait any longer and had come to fetch me.
"We're done talking. Don't forget your promise, Hunter Baek Taeyang."
"Yes, thank you, Father."
"Taeyang, let's go to my room."
"Sure, Noona."
I feel a bit sorry. My ending will differ from Yoo Minhyuk's. But so what? I'll still shoulder the responsibility, so it's fine, right, Father?
"Noona, you look beautiful today. I'm sorry for not mentioning it earlier."
"No, it's okay. My parents are just like that… I suppose they put a lot of pressure on you…"
"Pressure? Not at all. They're just expressing concern and wishing us well. It's all good."
"If you say so, I'm relieved…" Soojin sighed with relief and ushered me to her room. Her toes wiggling within white socks looked ridiculously cute.
I clasped her hand with a warm smile. In this vast mansion, off to a room where only the two of us would indulge.
It's inevitable.