Chapter 52: The Broadcast Begins
The time Seo Juhwan decided to start broadcasting was 8 PM in the evening.
He arrived at Han Soo-ah's house two hours earlier and was in the middle of eating dinner.
"Wow. Your cooking skills are still amazing, Auntie. It's really delicious."
"Hoho. Is it?"
"Of course. I skipped dinner to come here and get a meal from you."
"Oh my. This boy has developed new flattery skills."
"No, no. Flattery? I can't do that—I get sick from it. I really think you could run a restaurant."
"Hoho. Alright then, eat plenty. Do you want more rice?"
"Yes!"
Yoon Soonok, pleased with his lip service, brought out more rice and meat side dishes with a bright smile. Her husband, Han Jeongseok, who had been watching with blinking eyes, soon spoke with a smiling face.
"You've changed a lot in the time we haven't seen each other."
"In a good way, I hope?"
"Of course. Speaking of which, didn't you catch a serial killer the other day? You brought our Soo-ah home that day. It's a bit late, but I'm really grateful."
The gratitude felt sincere.
Seo Juhwan remembered Han Jeongseok shedding tears as if something had broken before regression and laughed awkwardly.
"Ha ha... it's just natural, isn't it?"
"Natural? It's amazing. You've become very reliable."
Yoon Soonok chimed in.
"That's right, honey. At this rate, we could send Soo-ah off to marry him. Juhwan, when are you going to take our Soo-ah?"
"Cough!"
Seo Juhwan choked at the unexpected question.
Han Soo-ah, who was eating next to him, screamed.
"Ah, Mom! Why are you saying that all of a sudden!"
"What? Are you embarrassed? You used to sing about marrying Juhwan until your mouth was worn out."
"That was over ten years ago when I was a kid!"
"Five years ago you were upset because Juhwan wouldn't play with you, right?"
"That... that was still young."
"Just recently you said, 'Oppa plays with me now!' and you were so happy... ugh."
"Mom, stop!"
Han Soo-ah stretched out both her hands and covered Yoon Soonok's mouth. Then she looked at her father, Han Jeongseok, as if asking for help.
At his only daughter's look, Han Jeongseok let out a "Ahem!" and stared at Seo Juhwan with a serious face.
'Oh no. Am I about to get scolded?'
Han Jeongseok's love for his daughter had always been tremendous. Though if it weren't Han Jeongseok, anyone would cherish a daughter like Han Soo-ah. All fathers with daughters feel the same way, don't they?
Seo Juhwan, feeling tense, quietly put down his rice spoon. The pressure was considerable as Han Jeongseok, whose build far exceeded 180 cm, stared silently at him.
Han Jeongseok, who had been gazing quietly, opened his mouth.
"Seo Juhwan."
"Y-yes!"
"We don't need money, just bring your body."
"...Pardon?"
"I'd like it if you'd marry as soon as possible. I want to see grandchildren soon too."
"Dad!!"
"Ah, my ears. What's the problem? It would be nice to become in-laws with the Seo family. You and Juhui are best friends anyway."
"That and marriage are completely different!"
"Eh. Tsk tsk. You said you'd go to school together with Juhui, so you even leave late for school, and you follow Juhwan everywhere, even to the bathroom because you like him. That says it all. Wait. Could it be that our daughter is already playing around with a boy?"
"T-that's... kyaa!"
Now Han Soo-ah could only make strange sounds with her reddened face.
Apparently finding it amusing, Han Jeongseok and Yoon Soonok laughed heartily. Come to think of it, these two people lived for the fun of teasing their daughter.
'Teasing Soo-ah sure is satisfying.'
The problem was that the prank extended to him as well.
"So?"
"Yes?"
"You need to give me an answer. Are you not taking our daughter?"
It wasn't over yet.
Seo Juhwan spoke with an awkward laugh.
"Ha ha. If you'd give me a beautiful daughter like Soo-ah, I'd be grateful. Would you like me?"
"Oh, so?"
Han Jeongseok's eyes sparkled, while Han Soo-ah trembled with her face bright red as if angry.
He quickly continued.
"However! Soo-ah's opinion is important too, right? And since she's still very young, how about we talk about this again in about 10 years...?"
"Eh. That's too late. Let's compromise at 5 years."
Five years would be enough time for Han Soo-ah to get a boyfriend and then some. Having finished his calculation, he quickly nodded.
"Understood. Let's make it 5 years."
"Mm. Then we'll talk again in 5 years. Future son-in-law."
"That sounds...—"
Just then.
"That sounds what! What are you negotiating!"
Han Soo-ah finally exploded.
*
After finishing the meal, Seo Juhwan entered Han Soo-ah's room.
'...There are so many teddy bears.'
Perhaps because of her fetish for teddy bears, he couldn't help but notice them.
He shook his head and looked at Han Soo-ah sitting in a chair. Han Soo-ah, who had been looking at him with her knees hugged, turned her head away sulkily with a snort.
Seo Juhwan regretted teasing her too much and carefully opened his mouth.
"Soo-ah. Are you very upset?"
"...I'm not upset, okay?"
"Let's put the pouting away, Soo-ah."
"...Hmph."
"Come on. That earlier stuff was just me playing along with your parents, you know? If I don't do it, you know your jokes never end."
"...Oppa's stupid."
"I'll be stupid, so just cut me some slack this once."
"If you buy me something delicious next time."
"Then sure! Just tell me what you want. I'll get it for you even if I won't for Juhui."
"...Then get it for Juhui too."
"Ugh."
"You don't want to?"
"Sigh. Fine. I'll get it for both of you."
As soon as Seo Juhwan surrendered, Han Soo-ah's face softened. Her pouting lips went back in.
She spoke with a smile.
"Hehe. Actually, I wasn't really upset. I was just acting to get delicious food from you, Oppa."
At those words, Seo Juhwan chuckled.
He already knew.
It was just typical of Han Soo-ah to say it so honestly.
"So, shall we start the broadcast?"
"Yeah! Oh, I need to call Juhui."
Seo Juhui had stayed home saying she needed to manage the chat as a manager. He wondered how she'd manage a chat with no viewers.
"I don't think she's really necessary."
"No way. We said we'd do this with Juhui. Don't abandon our main manager."
"Yes, yes."
After talking with Seo Juhui for a moment.
Han Soo-ah looked up at him with a determined face and spoke.
"So, shall I turn on the computer? Oh, that's right. Is it okay if your face shows? If you find it burdensome, I can wear a mask. Should I lower the camera?"
"No. It doesn't matter. It's already a face that's been exposed."
If it helped generate some attention, that would be even better. He wondered if people would recognize him.
Whirrrr—
As soon as he pressed the power button, the computer booted up in an instant with a low mechanical sound.
A completely different speed from the old computers at home.
They said they'd gotten the latest computer for broadcasting, and it truly was amazing. Moreover, Han Soo-ah's house even had a soundproof booth despite having not a single regular viewer.
By the way, Han Soo-ah's house was very well-off.
"Soo-ah, is it okay if I come up with the broadcast title?"
"Yeah. That's fine."
"Okay. Should I grab some attention?"
He had a title in mind.
<
20 years old, discharged veteran, high school girl.
He'd mixed keywords that couldn't coexist.
"Oppa."
"Hm?"
"Is this right?"
"Yeah. Pretty good naming sense, right?"
"..."
Han Soo-ah looked up wordlessly.
Don't look at him like that. Before regular viewers start coming, getting attention is important.
Seo Juhwan avoided her gaze.
'It's not a lie, is it?'
Han Soo-ah was indeed a 20-year-old high school girl, and he had been discharged from the military, so it wasn't a lie.
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