NOVEL NEXT Chapter 257
“…….”
“…….”
Hmm, awkward.
After Ha Neul detonated that massive bomb, it was a situation where Ha Neul’s father called me aside. It was cold on the balcony, but at least the weather wasn’t too chilly.
I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or scared, but at least Ha Neul’s father didn’t ask me if it was true. His expression looked like he wanted to light a cigarette or something, but he didn’t seem inclined to dig for details.
To put it more precisely, he was wearing a face that seemed to be carefully selecting his words.
“Actually.”
After a long silence, Ha Neul’s father finally opened his mouth.
“I’ve known for a while that Ha Neul… likes you.”
Hearing him call me “you” felt super awkward. I mean, isn’t that something you’d expect from a popular girl?… Although, considering I think of myself as a popular girl, I guess I’m the weird one here.
Wait, isn’t it odd? The body of Sara I’m in is clearly pretty enough to be seen as attractive by others.
“However, it’s still surprising. Even if I knew in advance, I always imagined a scenario where my daughter brought a boy home.”
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to be sorry. It’s not your fault that you’re not a guy. And Ha Neul liking you isn’t your fault either. At least, from what I’ve heard, you’re not someone who deceives others. If you had such a nature, you wouldn’t be talking about marrying other women in the first place.”
“…….”
I just listened silently.
“I thought I was a gender egalitarian, but it seems that’s not the case.”
And at that moment, Ha Neul’s father’s expression changed for the first time. He wore a bitter smile, as if he was confused about whether the situation was funny or not.
“If you were a guy, I’d have punched you in the face while saying, ‘What nonsense are you spouting!’”
“…….”
Hmm.
Honestly, I probably would have done the same. If my daughter brought home a guy who has two other girlfriends and wants to marry them too?
No matter how much my daughter liked that guy, I wouldn’t have even let her meet him again. I would have definitely opposed it. Moreover, knowing he was extremely wealthy, I might have even suspected he was playing games with my daughter.
Right now, it’s not an exaggeration to say I can be here with Ha Neul’s father because of Sara’s looks.
“Plus…”
A smile returned to Ha Neul’s father’s face. He looked like he wanted to pop a cigarette in his mouth again, taking a deep breath. If there had been smoke in that sigh, it wouldn’t have made the situation feel any less awkward.
“Now that I’ve heard about your first experience, I’m at a loss for words.”
“…….”
Hmm.
Should I say something? Like how Ha Neul lied? That my virtue is still intact?
……
Let’s stop there.
No matter how I put it, it would sound bizarre. Plus, saying anything like that would only make the situation awkward for Ha Neul, who had tried to lighten things up.
“I didn’t think I was that conservative, but… even in today’s world, hearing that my daughter did something like that, I’m not sure how I should apologize.”
“Ah, no! There’s no need to apologize!”
Of course, there wasn’t.
And even if he had, it couldn’t have been under duress. Ha Neul liked me a lot, but she wasn’t the kind of girl who’d lose her morals to the point of assaulting me. It wasn’t just Sara; Sua and Sohee were the same.
“…….”
Silence again.
“……Right, I see.”
After a while of silence, Ha Neul’s father spoke.
“It seems Ha Neul really loves you.”
Gazing out the window, he turned back to look at me.
Then he fixed his gaze straight into my eyes and asked,
“Do you truly love my daughter?”
“…….”
I could have answered right away. However, I chose to think seriously once more. It was a crucial question concerning Ha Neul’s life.
Do I truly love Ha Neul?
To the point of wanting to marry her? To insist on asking for permission for such an absurd marriage?
……
It didn’t take long for the answer to come.
“Yes, I love her.”
Other people would probably curse me for this. After all, I said the same words to three different women: love, love, love, love.
Yeah, it’s not just a simple “like.”
I’m not talking about a friendship kind of love. It’s not just because I miss hugging her every morning. Nor is it because I long for those kisses that come at random times on my cheeks, lips, or forehead. It’s not just because I crave Ha Neul’s soft skin and balanced beautiful body.
I wanted to be with Ha Neul forever.
Same with Sua, Sohee, and Sara.
Yes. I wanted all three of them in my life. I wanted to hug them tightly. I wanted to know everything about them. I wanted to share all of mine with them.
I wanted to sit side by side, gazing at a starry night sky. I wanted to wear swimsuits and go to the beach, and walk the neighborhood without a care. I wanted to go to the movies, go camping, and even travel abroad together. I wanted to relax in a hot spring together and drink expensive wine at a fancy hotel.
……Although they’re always waiting patiently—
In reality, I was doing the same.
Ha Neul, Sua, Sohee, and even Sara, all of them were beauties that were hard to find even once in a lifetime. Each had distinct personalities, speech patterns, and body types. Naturally, I found them all charming.
Want to hug them tightly? Want to see them in the nude? Want to mix tongues?
……Want to completely blanket and take them?
I have no idea who I’m saying that to.
Maybe they have the taste for it…
But I’m a guy. Honestly, where can you find a man who wouldn’t get excited when three stunning beauties rub against him?
Every morning when I have girls on either side of me and one on my chest, it’s impossible not to get excited.
After years of that repeating, the feelings have only grown stronger. Moreover, when Sara would cuddle up to me, I definitely couldn’t take it all the way.
So, I know. I wanted those three. I longed for them all.
I wanted to live together with them for life.
Sharing joys and sorrows forever.
If this isn’t love, I might spend my entire life not knowing what love is.
“I love Ha Neul.”
That’s why I said it honestly.
Ha Neul’s father looked at me quietly and let out a small sigh.
“……Well, if that’s what you mean. And Ha Neul says the same.”
“…….”
“If I oppose anymore, it wouldn’t matter much.”
Saying so, he lifted the corners of his lips ever so slightly and smiled.
“However, you must ensure her happiness. Otherwise, I’ll come find you again to take her back.”
“I will definitely ensure her happiness.”
Just being by her side is enough to make me happy, and I’ll make sure it stays that way, not just for Ha Neul, but for Sua, Sohee, and Sara as well.
That’s the promise I made.
*
“Ah, I thought I was going to die talking to Mom…”
When I finished my conversation with Ha Neul’s father and came out, Ha Neul had slightly disheveled hair. It was the same ponytail she had when she first came in, but a few strands had come loose as if she hurriedly tied it back.
“……Did you get scolded?”
“No, I was hit.”
“Uh….”
Hmm, well.
Honestly, if I had a son who brought home a girl and said, “I took her first experience, so let’s get married,” I wouldn’t know how to react. They can do whatever they want as long as they’re happy. If they want to break up, do it; if they want to get married, go for it.
Ah, right.
Before thinking about my original age, we had just recently graduated from high school.
“……How old were you when you did it?”
“……A few years ago.”
……
It’s possible to have a girlfriend in high school and engage in relations, but telling that to the parents is a different story. Ha Neul might have exaggerated to push her point. Like saying it was half against her will or something… well, I’d win if we fought physically.
“Still, I got permission!”
Seeing Ha Neul show me a peace sign with a smile made me chuckle softly.
That face is so lovable.
Ha Neul’s smile was just too adorable.
“……I like you.”
So, I blurted it out without even realizing.
“I know.”
Ha Neul replied with a smile in return.
Then she slowly lowered her hand and held mine tightly.
We walked together, hand in hand, for a while.