Chapter 168: Family (2)

The twins had grown up healthy and were now attending daycare.

Our eldest daughter had started elementary school, and we had officially entered our thirties.

Over the years, I had become the head of a small editing team, while my husband continued working at his company, dreaming of starting his own business.

Honestly, he could open his practice right away, but we decided to hold off until our youngest—currently growing inside my belly—was born.

“Ammaaa—! Saetbyul is being mean!”

“Ammaaaa—! Oppa started it!”

The twins often bickered, but they never got into serious fights.

Whenever they disagreed, rather than arguing endlessly, they would come running to me or my husband to settle things.

“What’s wrong, my little twins?”

“You know how we’re going on a trip next week? I want to go to the zoo, but Oppa says he wants to go to the aquarium!”

“The aquarium is way cooler than the zoo! You’ve never even seen a dolphin before!”

“Well, you’ve never seen a tiger either! Tigers are way cooler!”

Born at the same time, yet always so different.

“Dolphins are the best!”

“No way! Tigers are better!”

“Dolphins!”

“Tigers!”

“Dolphins!”

“Tigers!”

The twins were noisy, but there was one thing that always worked like magic to quiet them down.

Click. The sound of a door opening.

As soon as Eunbyul stepped out of her room, they flinched and scurried behind me.

Our eldest daughter, eyes gleaming with authority, scanned the room until she found them.

“Lee Hanbyul. Lee Saetbyul…! How many times have I told you not to bother Amma?! You two are older siblings now—act like it!”

“W-We weren’t bothering her! We were just asking Amma whether we should go to the zoo or the aquarium next week!”

“Y-Yeah! That’s all!”

“Settle it fairly with rock-paper-scissors. No complaining afterward. Got it? Go.”

At Eunbyul’s firm ruling, the twins glared at each other, then raised their hands high in the air.

“Rock, paper, scissors—shoot!”

Hanbyul threw out paper.

SaetByul played rock.

Hanbyul clenched his fist in victory, while Saetbyeol collapsed onto the floor dramatically.

“Yes! Aquarium it is!”

“Hmph…! But next time, we’re going to the zoo!”

It was fascinating how they accepted the outcome so cleanly.

Each child had such a distinct personality—it was truly amazing.

As the kids lounged in the living room, we suddenly heard the front door open.

My husband had returned, carrying the cake the kids had been craving.

“Appa’s home~”

The moment they heard their dad’s voice, the twins bolted toward the entrance.

But before they could reach it, Eunbyul grabbed their collars, stopping them in their tracks.

“Didn’t I tell you not to run in the house?”

The twins drooped in defeat.

“Yes…”

“Kids, go wash your hands. Let’s eat some cake.”

“Okay~!”

The children ran off to the bathroom, quickly washing their hands before gathering in the kitchen.

“You’re home earlier than I expected.”

“Well, you and the kids wanted cake, so I hurried back.”

“Seriously~ There was no need to rush! Just sit and relax. I’ll set everything up.”

“Nope, I’ll do it.”

After washing his hands at the sink, my husband set out plates and poured glasses of milk.

“Honey, aren’t you spoiling me too much~?”

“Then stop being so lovable. It’s your fault.”

“What~? You’re embarrassing me~”

“Now, go wash your hands and sit down.”

“Yes, sir~”

As I settled into my chair, the kids returned.

“We washed our hands~!”

“Good job. You made sure they’re clean, right?”

“Yes~!”

Once everyone was seated, my husband sliced the cake and placed a piece on each plate.

With glasses of milk in front of them, the kids eagerly dug into their treats.

“It’s always so quiet when they’re eating.”

Even at my husband’s amused remark, the kids only grinned, too busy enjoying their cake.

Afterward, we all spent time together in the living room.

I had always dreamed of peaceful weekends like this—just sitting in the living room with my family.

And now, that dream had come true.

There was nothing better than being together.

“Appa! Airplane ride!”

“Yeah! You promised to give us airplane rides this weekend!”

Even though my husband was exhausted, the twins were relentless, shaking him awake.

“You two have an incredible memory…”

“Come on, hurry up!”

“Alright, alright. Airplane ride, coming up~”

Lifting his heavy body off the couch, my husband picked up the twins, one under each arm, and zoomed them around the house.

“Vrooooom~!”

Laughter filled the air as the twins giggled uncontrollably.

Eunbyul, however, simply watched from the sidelines without saying a word.

Noticing this, my husband quickly set the twins down on the couch and turned to Eunbyul.

“Come here, our Eunbyul. It’s been a while since you had an airplane ride too!”

“Okay..!”

Despite being responsible and mature beyond her years, Eunbyul was still just a child.

Knowing that, my husband always made sure to include her in everything.

“Vrooooom~!”

After giving all three kids their airplane rides, my husband collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion.

“Ahhh-! That wasn’t enough! More!”

“My fuel’s all out…”

“Saetbyeol! Go get some cake from the kitchen!”

“On it! Fuel delivery coming up~!”

In the end, after downing another slice of cake, my husband spent over an hour playing with the kids.

Watching them together like this, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Really~ I love them all so much.”

I was happy.

No—I was incredibly, unbelievably happy.

****

There Are Many Photos on My Desk

A picture of just my wife and me.

A picture of my wife, Eunbyul, and me.

A picture of my wife, Eunbyul, and the twins.

And finally, a recent picture of the whole family, now including our youngest, who was born not too long ago.

Whenever I feel exhausted from work, I glance at these photos and find myself smiling without realizing it.

“Ahh… finally done.”

By the time I finished today’s work, it was already past office hours.

I slowly packed up my things, got into my car in the underground parking lot, and drove home.

“I wonder if the kids are playing well… I can’t wait to see them.”

Every day after work, my wife greets me with a warm hug, and the kids come running to the front door no matter what they’re doing.

It has become a part of my daily life, yet it’s something I cherish and look forward to every single day.

After parking in the apartment lot, I quickly took the elevator up to our home.

With an excited heart, I entered the passcode at the front door.

The moment I stepped inside, the kids rushed toward me.

“Daaaaad—!”

The twins were always the first to charge at me.

They raced each other to see who could reach me first, and as soon as I picked them both up in my arms, Eunbyul walked over more calmly, greeting me with a polite bow.

“Welcome home.”

“I’m home~”

Finally, my wife approached me, cradling our youngest, Geumbyeol, in her arms.

She was as beautiful as ever, her bright smile always welcoming me home.

“Honey, you’re back?”

“Yeah, I’m home.”

“Baaa~!”

Even little Geumbyeol waved his tiny hands in greeting.

“Oh~ Were you a good baby today, Geumbyeol~?”

“Say ‘Yes~’ Geumbyeol~”

“Baah~!”

“That means yes~”

“You must be tired from watching the kids all day. Let me take Geumbyeol.”

“I’m fine~ Go change out of your work clothes first. Kids, let Appa go change now~”

“Okay~”

At my wife’s words, the twins quickly climbed down from my arms.

After changing into comfortable clothes, I came back and took Geumbyeol into my arms.

While I held the baby, my wife and the kids began setting up the dinner table.

Eunbyul took out side dishes from the fridge, while the twins placed bowls and utensils on the table.

Finally, my wife set down rice and a steaming pot of stew, and just like that, dinner was ready.

“Our family is so well-organized. Doesn’t it feel like we’re super efficient?”

“I think so too~ We’re really lucky to have such wonderful kids. Where else would we find children this sweet and helpful?”

At my wife’s praise, the kids beamed proudly, having completed their tasks.

Sometimes, our house felt chaotic, but other times, it was astonishingly systematic.

“We just learned it from Amma and Appa~”

“Ah! I was going to say that first—!”

Hanbyul quickly made a witty remark, and SaetByul immediately jumped in to counter it.

“Then you should’ve said it faster—!”

“Can’t you wait for me for once?!”

You’d think twins born at the same time would get along perfectly, but they were always bickering whenever they got the chance.

Even so, even their little fights felt like a precious part of my daily happiness.

“Hey…”

But of course, their quarrel ended instantly with just one word from Eunbyul.

“Sorry, Saetbyeol.”

“No, Oppa. I’m sorry too.”

“Let’s make up.”

“Okay.”

They fought often, but they made up just as quickly.

It was clear that, despite everything, they were a little scared of Eunbyul.

“I really don’t know how you all ended up being this adorable. Must be because you take after Amma.”

“We take after both Amma and Appa—! Aha! This time, I said it before Oppa did—!”

“Haha, you’re all amazing. My wonderful kids.”

When I smiled and praised them, all three kids grinned back at me with bright, loving smiles.

“Baaah~!”

Even little Geumbyeol squirmed in my arms, flashing a tiny, joyful grin.

“That’s right. You’re amazing too, Geumbyeol~”

My life right now is so full of love.

So vibrant.

So beautiful.

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

[TL: Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 10 chapters ahead of the release: https://www.patreon.com/taylor007 

 

Join our Discord for regular updates and have fun with other community members: https://discord.com/invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]