Sung-Hee's gaze darted between Seok-Woo and the figures in the distance, her expression tinged with anxiety. Following his line of sight, she spotted Chae-Yoon, accompanied by Jin-Yi, who wore a knowing smile.
"I'll come to you, Mother. Just give me a moment," Seok-Woo announced, his voice firm but tinged with apprehension.
Chae-Yoon's response was terse. "Make it quick," she replied sharply before ending the call, her frustration evident.
Seok-Woo lowered his phone slowly, avoiding eye contact with Sung-Hee. "We should go to them," he suggested, noticing Jin-Yi's presence alongside Chae-Yoon.
As they began to move, Seok-Woo couldn't help but marvel at the unlikely convergence of circumstances. "What are the odds of both Chae-Yoon and Jin-Yi being here?" he pondered silently, intrigued by the curious twist of fate.
Sung-Hee couldn't suppress a wry smile at Seok-Woo's predicament. "Looks like we're both in hot water. Let's just be glad it's not my mother we're facing," she remarked, offering a small measure of reassurance.
With a nod of agreement, Seok-Woo released Sung-Hee's hand, and they continued towards Chae-Yoon and Jin-Yi. Despite Sung-Hee's efforts to mask the discomfort from their recent activities, Seok-Woo couldn't help but notice her slightly awkward gait.
"Could it be that the son you mentioned earlier is him?" Jin-Yi glanced at Chae-Yoon, her gaze following Seok-Woo's approach. Chae-Yoon nodded in confirmation.
"Yes, that's my son. Quite the surprise, isn't it?" Chae-Yoon acknowledged, observing Seok-Woo's demeanor. She attempted to compose herself, preparing to address him.
"I'm not sure if it's mere chance or fate, but the person accompanying your son happens to be my manager at work," Jin-Yi disclosed, noting Chae-Yoon's visible surprise. Her stern expression softened as she absorbed this unexpected revelation.
Before Chae-Yoon could fully process this information, Seok-Woo and Sung-Hee reached them.
"Hello, Mother," Seok-Woo greeted Chae-Yoon, then turned to Jin-Yi with a polite smile. "Hello, Auntie Jin-Yi," he added courteously.
Chae-Yoon then quickly turned stern as she crossed her arms under her chest. Emphasizing it to Seok-Woo he just glanced at it then looked at her face. Trying to conceal the shock from Jin-Yi's words.
"Why did you lie? You could have just told me that you're with Sung-Hee," Chae-Yoon said to Seok-Woo, who simply scratched his head, unsure of what to say.
Chae-Yoon pressed on. "I know that both of you were... engaging in some private activities." She paused, searching for the most delicate way to broach the topic.
"Now that both of you are adults, did you at least bring contraceptives with you?" Chae-Yoon asked pointedly, her tone tinged with frustration as she addressed the two of them. Seok-Woo and Sung-Hee exchanged a silent glance, communicating without words.
"Don't tell me... that you didn't use any?" Chae-Yoon's voice rose in volume as her anger flared, disappointed by their apparent lack of responsibility.
"But Mrs. Chae-Yoon, it was my s—" Sung-Hee began to explain that it was her safe day anyway, but Seok-Woo quickly covered her mouth, silencing her. He knew that such a revelation could provoke a strong reaction from Chae-Yoon and Jin-Yi alike.
"Don't worry, Mother. I made sure to... take precautions." Seok-Woo's words were measured, his tone steady as he addressed Chae-Yoon. A hint of confidence masked the underlying unease he felt with Acting Skills[+1] in full force. Beside him, Jin-Yi stifled a giggle, momentarily amused by his attempt at reassurance.
Chae-Yoon regarded Seok-Woo with a discerning gaze, her expression unreadable. "He must be telling the truth," she reasoned silently, though doubts lingered beneath the surface. Jin-Yi, too, found herself swayed by Seok-Woo's conviction, though a lingering sense of concern tugged at her thoughts.
As Jin-Yi's attention shifted to Sung-Hee, she noticed a flicker of anxiety in her demeanor, a subtle deviation from her usual composure. Their eyes met briefly before Sung-Hee averted her gaze, a silent admission of her own apprehension.
"Did he...?" Jin-Yi's mind raced with possibilities, her gaze flitting between Seok-Woo and Sung-Hee. She longed for answers but knew better than to pry, trusting that time would reveal the truth she sought. With a resigned sigh, she pushed aside her doubts, opting to wait for clarity to emerge naturally.
A sigh of relief escaped Chae-Yoon's lips as she began to lecture the pair on the potential consequences of their actions. Her words carried a weight of concern, tempered by the knowledge that they were spoken out of love.
Seok-Woo and Sung-Hee listened in silence, absorbing Chae-Yoon's admonitions with a sense of humility. They knew she spoke from experience, her wisdom earned through years.
Before Chae-Yoon could continue her lecture, Jin-Yi intervened, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps we should discuss this in private," she suggested, her tone gentle yet firm. Aware of the sensitive nature of their conversation, she sought to spare them further embarrassment in the public eye.
Chae-Yoon's expression softened at Jin-Yi's words, her sigh conveying a sense of relief as she shifted the conversation. "So, are both of you heading for brunch?" she inquired, her tone lightening.
Seok-Woo nodded. "Yes, we're just scouting for a place to eat. Mother, have you had brunch?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. Chae-Yoon shook her head in response.
"No, I woke up and prepared to buy some groceries. I planned to cook for myself once I got home," she explained. Seok-Woo's father had left for work earlier, so he had eaten much earlier than her.
"Would you like to join us?" Seok-Woo extended the invitation to Chae-Yoon and then turned to Jin-Yi. "Auntie Jin-Yi, would you care to join us for brunch?" he asked politely.
Jin-Yi deliberated for a moment before accepting. "Sure, I'll tag along. I could use a bite," she replied with a smile.
With that settled, the four of them set off toward a nearby brunch spot. Seok-Woo, ever the gentleman, insisted on carrying all of their groceries with both hands, despite Sung-Hee's offer to help alleviate the load.
Though Sung-Hee was eager to lend a hand, Seok-Woo politely declined, his strength ensuring that he could manage the task effortlessly.
"Thank goodness for my Strength[+2] modifier," Seok-Woo mused inwardly as he effortlessly juggled all the groceries in one hand.
As they strolled through the bustling streets, Chae-Yoon and Jin-Yi took the opportunity to formally introduce themselves, exchanging phone numbers as they continued their conversation from the grocery store.
"They hit it off quickly, didn't they?" Sung-Hee remarked to Seok-Woo, observing the burgeoning friendship between the two women with amusement.
Seok-Woo nodded thoughtfully as he balanced the grocery bags in his hands. "They do have some similarities," he acknowledged casually.
Then, with a lowered voice, Sung-Hee hesitated before continuing, her words carrying a weight of concern. "Seok-Woo, what if... what if I end up pregnant because of what we did last night?" she asked, her tone serious, instantly shifting the atmosphere between them.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Seok-Woo responded gravely, prompting Sung-Hee to voice her concerns once more.
"If it did happen, would you be there for us?" Sung-Hee inquired, her gaze fixed on Seok-Woo, awaiting his response. The weight of her question hung in the air, testing the strength of their bond.
Without hesitation, Seok-Woo met her gaze with unwavering determination. "I'll stand by you," he affirmed solemnly, pausing to emphasize the sincerity of his words.
"I won't walk away, leaving you to face it alone. Whatever happens, I'll be there to shoulder the responsibility," Seok-Woo declared, his words carrying a depth of sincerity that resonated with Sung-Hee. Touched by his unwavering commitment, she felt a warmth spread through her, bridging the gap between friendship and something more.
Sung-Hee's cheeks flushed with emotion as she struggled to compose herself. "Why do you have to be so serious?" she teased lightly, attempting to diffuse the intensity of the moment.
Collecting herself, Sung-Hee met Seok-Woo's gaze with a newfound resolve. "I'll take pills from now on," she assured him, a sense of relief washing over her as she made the commitment.
A soft smile tugged at Seok-Woo's lips as he acknowledged her decision. "Let's catch up with them before they leave us behind," he suggested, his tone lighter as they resumed their pace to rejoin Chae-Yoon and Jin-Yi.
As they walked side by side, Sung-Hee couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude toward Seok-Woo, not just for his words, but for being a constant source of support and understanding.
The two caught up with Chae-Yoon and Jin-Yi, and before long, they found a cozy spot in a nearby restaurant. Seok-Woo took the initiative, requesting a private room from the waiter to ensure they had a quiet space to dine.
Led by the waiter, they entered the secluded room and settled into their seats. With menus in hand, they perused the options, each contemplating their choices. Seok-Woo, with his hearty appetite, quickly decided on a meal fit for three, confident in his ability to tackle the generous portions.
Once they had made their selections, they summoned the waiter to place their orders. As they waited for their food to arrive, the conversation flowed naturally, with topics shifting effortlessly.
The conversation came to a sudden pause when Jin-Yi spoke up, announcing her need to excuse herself. "I'll be right back, just need to take care of something," she explained before briefly locking eyes with Seok-Woo. With that, she gracefully made her way toward the restroom.
As Jin-Yi departed, Seok-Woo couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him. "What's going on in that woman's mind? I have a bad feeling about this," he mused to himself, his thoughts consumed by the cryptic glance Jin-Yi had cast his way.
Left with Sung-Hee and Chae-Yoon, the atmosphere remained light as they engaged in casual conversation. Although Sung-Hee and Chae-Yoon dominated the discussion, Seok-Woo interjected when necessary, though he couldn't help but feel that the conversation was dragging on longer than anticipated.
A few moments later, Jin-Yi returned to the table, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as she took her seat. Seok-Woo couldn't help but notice her expression, a sense of foreboding creeping over him. "What's she up to now?" he wondered, wary of Jin-Yi's intentions as he quickly averted his gaze from her.
As Jin-Yi settled back into her chair, the timing couldn't have been more perfect, for it was precisely then that their ordered food arrived. A waiter wheeled in a cart laden with their meals, carefully placing each dish on the table before bowing respectfully and retreating from the room, leaving them to savor their feast in peace.
Without hesitation, Seok-Woo reached for his meal, much to Sung-Hee's chagrin. "Come on, at least let your Mother and Auntie Jin-Yi have their food first. Are you that hungry?" she scolded him playfully, her tone laced with amusement.
Realizing his oversight, Seok-Woo quickly apologized to the two women, who didn't seem particularly bothered by his impulsive behavior. Instead, they watched with indulgent smiles as he graciously served their meals, placing each dish before them with care.
With the food finally arranged to everyone's satisfaction, the group dug in eagerly. Seok-Woo attacked his meal with gusto, his hunger evident after expending so much energy the previous night. Despite his rapid pace, he managed to maintain a level of cleanliness, albeit with a hint of urgency that could grate on one's nerves if they were in a less forgiving mood.
In contrast, the girls ate with a sense of decorum, their movements graceful and composed. Though not as voracious as Seok-Woo, they savored each bite with appreciation, their demeanor a stark contrast to his more rambunctious approach to dining.
As they indulged in their meal, Sung-Hee accidentally knocked one of her utensils off the table, causing it to clatter onto the floor and roll beneath the table. Both she and Seok-Woo glanced downward, their eyes meeting in a silent acknowledgment of the situation.
A brief pause ensued as they exchanged a wordless debate through their gazes. "You should pick it up," Sung-Hee suggested, her tone teasing yet expectant. Seok-Woo countered with a playful smirk, "Or perhaps you could retrieve it yourself?"
Sung-Hee chuckled lightly, playfully nudging Seok-Woo's shoulder. "Come on, be a gentleman and help a lady in need," she implored, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Seok-Woo's grin widened as he leaned back in his seat, feigning nonchalance. "You help yourself," he quipped, his attention returning to his meal.
Rolling her eyes in mock exasperation, Sung-Hee playfully shook her head before reaching beneath the table to retrieve the fallen utensil. Her gaze flickered briefly to Seok-Woo, who seemed engrossed in his food, unaware of her efforts.
Meanwhile, Jin-Yi observed the playful exchange between the two with mild amusement, her eyes lingering on Seok-Woo as she anticipated his response. However, Seok-Woo remained oblivious to her scrutiny, fully immersed in savoring his meal, seemingly unaffected by her watchful gaze.
The group wrapped up their meal, and when Chae-Yoon offered to foot the bill, a chorus of objections ensued. Jin-Yi proposed they split the check, an idea Chae-Yoon reluctantly accepted, yielding to the consensus.
Once the payments were settled, they made their way out of the restaurant, Seok-Woo shouldering the burden of both women's groceries.
"Seok-Woo, would you like to come home with me now?" Chae-Yoon inquired, extending the invitation.
"I'll go home later. Sung-Hee and Auntie Jin-Yi need help at their store, and I promised to lend a hand to them," Seok-Woo replied, explaining his plans to assist them at the Kid's Cafe after dropping off the groceries at Chae-Yoon's car.
With his schedule open for the day, Seok-Woo welcomed the opportunity to explore the Kid's Cafe for the first time, eager to experience its ambiance firsthand.
Chae-Yoon nodded understandingly as Sung-Hee and Jin-Yi relieved Seok-Woo of the grocery bags, bidding farewell to Chae-Yoon as she departed for home. "Until we meet again, Chae-Yoon. Take care," Jin-Yi remarked with a wave.
"Likewise. Let's plan another get-together soon," Chae-Yoon replied, reciprocating the gesture as she waved back to Jin-Yi and Sung-Hee, their paths diverging for now.