It had been a really long time since they'd gone out. Was it fortunate that villains had been quiet lately, creating an opening?
Thanks to that, they were able to spend quiet and peaceful time combining it with his wife's birthday.
"It's really been a long time since we traveled with peace of mind."
"Right. This would have been unthinkable before."
Park Yeonju smiles brightly while answering Lee Chang's words.
Extremely Korean names. But in reality, both are blonde-haired, blue-eyed Westerners.
People who fell in love with the Republic of Korea and came to live in this world.
And now they're also national benefactors who gave birth to the Republic of Korea's strongest ability user.
However, being Irina's parents while being non-ability users,
The state maintained the highest level of security lest they become targets of villains.
Because of that, it was difficult to even go out freely.
At least recently, they took advantage of when villain power sharply declined.
Instead of being surrounded by bodyguards, they could get some fresh air with a bit more freedom.
And they had an intimate meal just as a couple without their noisy daughter.
"Happy birthday. Thank you for always being by my side."
"Why are you being embarrassing? The present is already enough, so stop it."
The two people who've known each other since childhood, friends, lovers, and spouses.
After finishing such an enjoyable time, they returned to their nest.
Tomorrow they'll only go back and forth between this house and the security-maintained space for safety.
But still, each day was always enjoyable. Good. Because they have beloved family.
'...It would have been better if our daughter was just a bit more well-behaved.'
Thinking that, just as the couple opened the front door and entered the house—
BANG!— BANG!—
"Oh my?!"
"Mom! Happy birthday!!!"
Irina came into view, raising both arms and setting off firecrackers.
Before, instead of firecrackers, she used to clap with magical power, and they thought the house would collapse.
Since then, they begged her to only set off firecrackers, which she's been faithfully following.
"Did you have a good trip?"
"Yes. We had a good trip. And you remembered Mom's birthday? We thought you forgot since you didn't send a message right away."
Since this was an event their daughter always did, the couple weren't too surprised.
They stroke her head once saying thank you and enter the house as usual.
But they couldn't help being surprised seeing the tremendous birthday table set behind her.
"...Huh?"
"What's this, daughter? What is this?"
It's a well-known fact that whenever their daughter tries to cook, she makes bombs, not food.
It's not just the appearance. The taste is also explosive. Someone could die eating it.
Either dying from stress trying to endure it, or getting beaten to death by Irina for getting angry about making such a thing.
But the things set behind her were all truly 'food.'
Various vegetable side dishes, japchae, carefully prepared braised pork ribs with steaming seaweed soup.
Really, literally food. Edible cooking. Not bombs!
'What's suddenly going on?'
'Did she order delivery? But to get delivery here, residents must be contacted no matter what?'
Just as the couple were flustered and about to ask what happened—
"Welcome."
The person who appeared from behind was someone the two had seen once before.
Baek Seojin. The person their daughter had lied(?) about having that kind of relationship with.
Recently the most successful person, whom they'd seen on YouTube.
Seeing him, the couple almost simultaneously had this thought:
'Why is that person here again? Don't tell me our daughter threatened him and dragged him here!?'
"Ah, Mom! No! Don't give me that look!"
Meanwhile, Irina waved her hands saying absolutely not, apparently feeling guilty about something.
*
A birthday table. Damn, I've lived and eaten alone a lot, but this is my first time doing something like this.
At times like this, quickly browsing YouTube was quite helpful.
What menu, how to prepare it to quickly make a touching birthday table.
First, it was most important to fill it with menus I'd made before.
Starting with relatively easy vegetable dishes, then japchae that always appears at important occasions.
Plus braised ribs that would be disappointing without, and seaweed soup that must be there for birthdays.
Just in case, I asked Irina several times.
You're right that your parents also love Korean food as much as you do, right?
Then Irina nodded and added this:
"They pride themselves on having more Korean taste than any Korean person."
Well, starting with Irina eating black bean side dishes, stir-fried anchovies, and soybean paste stew is already different.
First, I decided to tackle the vegetable dishes, japchae, and a few side dishes.
Since I had experience, it wasn't difficult. The ingredients were sufficient too.
"I like japchae! Make a lot, a lot!"
Meanwhile, I wish Irina, who doesn't help but keeps going in and out of the kitchen, would leave.
Even when I tell her to please go, she says 'Isn't there something I can help with!'
To be honest, you leaving the kitchen would be helping.
[Braised pork ribs? Not difficult at all. What to prepare! ...]
They said they'd come in by lunch at the latest. There's no time.
I had to perform the feat of making braised ribs while simultaneously boiling seaweed soup.
Every time that happened, Irina would say 'Marry me!' which was really driving me crazy.
"Oh! Mom and Dad are coming! Oppa! Are you still far from done!?"
"It's done! Just wait a little!"
"Should I go down and buy some time?"
"That's not necessary!"
Click—
Just as I finished preparing the table right on time, Irina's parents came in.
They were laughing at Irina's antics as they entered, then froze when they saw the table.
Whether they were surprised at an unexpected sight, or flustered.
"Welcome."
So I greeted them as if it was nothing, and the reaction was tremendous.
Seeing me wearing an apron, they immediately went to the kitchen to check the situation.
Then they went to Irina and said 'You, honestly tell me. What did you do again?'
"What did I do? I didn't do anything!"
"You didn't do anything, but why is that person here setting up Mom's birthday table?!"
"Well, that's... that... ahem."
Irina, who glanced at me, continued in a very serious voice.
"Mom. I really, really have a very deep relationship with Seojin oppa."
"..."
"It's not certain yet, but we might even get married if things go well."
While Irina was saying that, I waited quietly.
I also had to show a serious appearance for the two parents to accept...
SMACK!—
...Huh?
"Kkyeak?! My back! Back!! Why, why are you hitting me?!"
"You honestly tell me. How rude were you to that person. Huh?! Mom told you! Just because you like someone doesn't mean they like you too! Come here!"
"No?! Really! I really have that kind of relationship with Seojin oppa!"
Then Irina's mother whips around to look at me.
Originally, there should be anger toward the man who stole her daughter.
But what I see now is full of distrust toward her daughter and apologetic feelings toward me.
Just in case, really just in case her daughter forced it, tell me now.
Her eyes seemed to say exactly that, so I hurriedly decided to give an answer.
"Um, everything Irina said is true. Irina absolutely didn't do anything strange to make me do this, so please stop. This is my birthday gift to you, mother."
"...Irina, you said?"
"Yes? Ah, yes. She asked so much that I'm trying to treat her comfortably... um, if it makes you uncomfortable."
"No. Not at all. Not uncomfortable at all."
Saying that, mother slowly looks around the birthday table.
Seeing her eyes widen as she looks at each thing, she seems quite surprised.
Honestly, even I think I overdid it a bit. Exaggerating slightly, enough to break the table legs.
"You really... prepared all this, and alone too."
"Since it's mother's birthday, did I perhaps overdo it? Hahaha."
"It's wonderful. Wonderful enough to feel sorry receiving it."
Oh no, not at all, mother. You must have had a hard time raising a daughter like Irina.
This would be acknowledged by the state too. Without you, she would have become a villain and more.
At least with you two keeping her in check, she remains as an ability user!
"Ah! The food will get cold! Sit down quickly! After Seojin oppa prepared so carefully, you can't just stand there staring!"
"Um, Irina. What did you do while Seojin prepared everything?"
"Dad asks such obvious things! Of course I cheered enthusiastically from beside him!"
Oh my. I thought you'd at least lie about cooking together.
Still, Irina, it seems you have some conscience left.
"...Right. Good job."
Half really for praise, the other half from a father's embarrassment about his daughter.
Anyone could tell, and I couldn't help but laugh.
Now, that's that. At this rate, the food really will get cold as Irina said.
Other things aside, ribs and seaweed soup don't taste good when they get cold!
"You two haven't eaten yet, have you? Please sit quickly. I prepared this birthday table, and if you don't receive it properly, I'll be hurt."
Then the parents sit at the prepared table, though looking troubled.
Irina goes to get some water from the kitchen, and as I finish setting up—
"Seojin."
At mother's call, I turn my head to see both of them staring at me intently.
"Really, there was no coercion or problematic situation, right?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"Did Irina perhaps force you to drink..."
"Absolutely not. Rather, I'd like to apologize to you two."
Such a pretty daughter, but a guy who has another woman suddenly snatches her away.
No matter how much Irina is called crazy, isn't it not great to cling to a man who has another woman?
I'm worrying about how to explain to you two later, but—
Grab—
"Oh."
Suddenly mother grabs my hand. And father snatches the remaining opposite hand.
Excuse me? Hey, you two, why are you suddenly doing this? Did I do something wrong...
"There's a saying, Seojin."
"Y-yes?"
"No returns after opening."
Hearing that and seeing mother's expression, I could understand.
These two really had a tremendously hard time because of their daughter.
"Really, right? Really. Now Seojin will take responsibility for our Irina, right?! A man's word is his bond! No returns! No take-backs! Understand?!"
"Y-yes..."
"Please take good care of things, Seojin. And please take good care of our Irina."
With mother and then father doing this, I'm just dumbfounded.
"A child who can't even fry eggs, where did she find such a man..."
"Dear. It seems we have good fortune with sons-in-law."
...This, I'll have to do even better for them in the future.