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Chapter 93



September 14th.

The day had finally arrived.

As I arrived at Si-ho’s apartment, I adjusted my tie and let out a long breath.

This was the second time I was meeting Si-ho’s mother.

Though I had often talked with her over the phone, today was different. It was the day Si-ho and her brother, Seo-ho, would be saying goodbye to their mother.

I wasn’t sure if I should be there, but as one of Si-ho’s guardians now, I had accepted her request to join them.

“Brother, you’re here.”

As I approached the apartment, Seo-ho greeted me at the entrance.

He had been waiting, as I had informed him earlier.

“I brought the cake Si-ho likes. Is that okay?”

“Yes, she’ll love it.”

Seo-ho smiled as I showed him the cake.

As we entered the apartment, I quietly spoke up.

“Seo-ho.”

“Yes, brother.”

“I lost my parents when I was young.”

Seo-ho glanced at the elevator, likely having heard about my situation from Si-ho.

“My pain might not be the same as yours, but there are limits to what I can take responsibility for.”

I patted Seo-ho’s shoulder.

“If it gets too hard, call me. We’ve both been through near-death experiences together. What could be harder than that?”

“……”

Seo-ho was silent for a moment, then slowly smiled.

“Yes.”

Though his answer was short, I knew the weight behind it. I smiled back and stepped into the elevator.

*Beep beep beep beep-*

I stood at the same entrance as before, waiting for Seo-ho to enter the password.

Soon, the door opened, and a girl in an apron appeared.

It was Si-ho. She had her hair tied up as usual, and her eyes widened when she saw me. Then, she flashed a bright smile.

“Manager!”

She was about to run to me but hesitated when she saw the flour on her hands. I chuckled and patted her head instead.

She seemed happy with just that, her face filled with a wide smile.

“Did you wait long?”

“Yeah, I waited a lot, Si-ho.”

“Sorry, I brought the blueberry cake you like.”

“Ah, Si-ho, I love it so much.”

Seeing her bright smile, I entered with Si-ho and Seo-ho.

Inside, I saw someone bustling in the kitchen.

It was Si-ho’s mother, Kim Ji-sun, wearing an apron similar to Si-ho’s, cooking.

“Oh, Ha-chan, you’re here?”

“Yes, ma’am. You’re cooking?”

“It’s his memorial day. I’m making what he liked.”

Shrimp tempura.

The savory smell reminded me that Si-ho was helping with the cooking.

“Son, can you watch the fire for a bit?”

“Yes.”

As Seo-ho took over the stove, her mother approached me after washing her hands.

She had the same elegant aura as when I first met her.

Dressed beautifully, she smiled at me and pointed to a room.

“Would you like to see him?”

“Of course.”

I followed her into the room.

Inside, there were several dishes and a photo with incense sticks.

Si-ho’s father, with a bright smile, looked a lot like Seo-ho.

It was clear where Seo-ho and Si-ho got their genes.

“My husband was a firefighter. He passed away on duty.”

“That’s a noble profession.”

“It is. As someone watching, it’s frustrating, but he was so cool when he worked. In fact, I met him after he saved me, and we ended up getting married.”

She laughed softly and sat in front of the photo.

She handed me an incense stick, and I lit it before placing it in the holder.

After bowing twice, she gently wiped the photo with a handkerchief.

“Si-ho talks about you a lot.”

“Ahaha, that’s embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing? It’s the first time she’s talked about someone so much. I’m actually grateful.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Si-ho has always been like that. Probably since the accident.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t find the words to respond.

Kim Ji-sun seemed to have heard about that day from both Si-ho and Seo-ho.

I couldn’t easily fathom the shock she must have felt.

After all, she had been considered dead in this world.

‘Seo-ho probably…’

As an S-class Hunter, he must have used his position to ensure she could live comfortably.

To the nation, an S-class Hunter was an irreplaceable asset, and reviving a dead mother’s registration wouldn’t have been an issue.

Having learned all this, she would be leaving today.

Though it wouldn’t be easy for Si-ho and Seo-ho to accept, it was the same for their mother, Kim Ji-sun.

She loved her son and daughter so much.

“Seo-ho is so dependable. He’s always been capable on his own, and after his father passed, he’s been a proud eldest son to me.”

“Yes, I’ve never seen a more reliable younger brother than Seo-ho.”

“Si-ho, honestly, makes me a bit anxious. She’s always been a bit prickly with others, and she doesn’t show much expression. She’s small and often gets sick, so I’ve always worried about her.”

“She’s small but strong. Your daughter has always been strong.”

“Yes, she’s grown so resilient without me even realizing it.”

The incense stick burned, its ashes falling into the holder.

The bittersweet scent filling the room made me think deeply.

“I used to think I had to be by their side forever. But now, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“……”

That’s not true.

A mother is always missed, even if she’s always by your side.

I wanted to say that, but now, those words would only leave wounds.

So, I remained silent.

“Ha-chan.”

“Yes.”

“Please take care of Si-ho and Seo-ho.”

“I’ll take full responsibility and make sure you never have to worry.”

I meant every word.

I would take responsibility for both of them, ensuring neither their mother nor their father would ever worry.

“Haha, they’re both not good at following others, but I’m glad they’ll at least follow you.”

“They’ll definitely get along with more people. You’ve raised such wonderful children.”

“That’s true. If they make bad friends, please scold them on my behalf.”

The word “on my behalf” sounded so distant.

After today, she wouldn’t be able to do that anymore.

Those who must leave can only entrust what’s left to those who remain.

And that thought alone was agonizing, even for me.

“And especially Si-ho, please take care of her.”

When she emphasized Si-ho, I fell silent for a moment.

“Si-ho grew up receiving a lot of love, but she doesn’t know how to give it.”

No.

Si-ho knows how to give love very well.

In fact, she does it so well it’s almost overwhelming.

“So, she might seem a bit blunt at times, but Si-ho really likes you. As her mother, I might be biased, but I hope someone like you stays by her side.”

And that was surely because she had received so much love from her mother.

Having been loved so much, she could actively give her love to others.

The fact that she grew up so beautifully was all thanks to her mother.

“Honestly, I wanted to see Si-ho and Seo-ho get married, have children, and hold those grandchildren in my arms.”

Tears began to flow from her eyes.

I quickly took out a handkerchief and handed it to her.

“As a parent, I shouldn’t be too greedy.”

She thanked me, wiped her tears, and handed the handkerchief back.

The handkerchief, now damp with her tears, felt heavy and significant in my hand.

As if I had taken on the responsibility for both of them.

“Thank you for listening to my ramblings.”

“Ramblings? Not at all.”

“I’m glad you’re such a good person.”

“I’m also grateful that Si-ho and Seo-ho grew up with someone like you.”

Hearing that, she gave me a warm smile.

“Mom! Ha Seo-ho, you’re terrible at frying!”

“What are you talking about? I fried it perfectly. Here, try it.”

“It’s not cooked inside! You eat it!”

At that moment, their voices echoed from outside.

Seeing them bicker yet get along so well, her mother and I exchanged a smile and stepped out.

After that, I helped her mother with the cooking.

We made the shrimp tempura her father liked, and thanks to her mother’s skills, the table was filled with various dishes.

I ended up eating way too much.

Si-ho kept trying to feed me more, leaving me flustered.

Watching us, her mother looked incredibly happy.

We looked through old photo albums, seeing pictures of Si-ho and Seo-ho in their mother’s arms.

We talked about how Si-ho was doing at work and school, sharing little details.

We spent our time like that.

“Si-ho, Seo-ho.”

Then, the moment came.

When their mother called them, both stood up silently.

She led them into the room where their father’s photo was.

“Dear, our son and daughter have grown up so well.”

She hugged Si-ho and Seo-ho as she spoke to the photo.

“Look how well they’ve grown, right? Si-ho is almost an adult now. She’s the same age as when I chased after you and we got married.”

Her laughter echoed in the room.

“They’ve grown so much, it’s almost bittersweet. So, I think it’s time for me to go now.”

Si-ho slowly hugged her mother.

Her mother gently stroked Si-ho’s head.

“Si-ho, Seo-ho.”

She called them.

“Mom, did I do well as a mother?”

She smiled more than anyone else, a mother’s smile.

That smile was so heart-wrenching that Seo-ho and Si-ho couldn’t hold back their tears.

“Yeah, yeah, Mom, you’re the best. I’m so happy to be your daughter.”

Si-ho hugged her mother tightly, not wanting to let go.

“Yes, Mom, I’m so proud of you.”

Seo-ho hugged her slowly, showing his strength as a son.

She held both of them in her arms.

They had grown so much that they couldn’t both fit in her arms anymore.

Unlike in the old photos, they had both grown into adults.

And it was all thanks to their mother.

It seemed to bring her immense happiness.

“My daughter, my son, I’ve been so happy being your mom. Even if I were reborn, I’d want to be your mom again. I love you so much. So…”

She finally broke down in tears.

“Even without me, promise to live well, okay? Promise?”

“Yeah, yeah, Mom.”

“Yes.”

The wind blew through the window.

When I opened my eyes after the brief gust, only Si-ho and Seo-ho remained.

Si-ho, exhausted, cried with a messy face, while Seo-ho hung his head, unable to lift it.

I approached them and hugged them both.

“Cry as much as you need. It’s okay to cry your heart out.”

September 14, 2030.

The siblings finally said the goodbye they had long delayed.

It was still a day where the cicadas’ chirping kept us awake.


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My Gaming Friends Are Returnees, And Are Obsessed With Me

My Gaming Friends Are Returnees, And Are Obsessed With Me

My Game Friends Are So Obsessed With Me, 내 겜친들이 귀환자인데 집착함
Score 7.2
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: , Released: 2023 Native Language: Korean
After dropping out of college due to a false s*xual harassment accusations, I immersed myself in gaming. However, for some reason, my friends are extraordinary. …And why are they so obsessed with me?

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