If someone you're meeting for the first time suddenly calls you father-in-law, what would the reaction be?
Someone might get angry asking if you're crazy, or someone might grumble about taking away their precious daughter.
Or if not that, they might just laugh awkwardly like Suhyeon's father, looking troubled.
"Ahaha... Hearing such words suddenly is quite flustering."
What? Maybe our father hasn't heard news about Korea?
If he doesn't know that I saved Suhyeon several times...
"Come to think of it, I heard the story. That you're very close to Suhyeon. I thought you were in the stage of getting to know each other slowly, but seeing this, it seems the story between you two is already finished."
Finished... should I say? Honestly, we've never even talked about it originally.
Suhyeon just launched an extremely aggressive offensive.
It would be correct to say that I fell for it and got involved, and it somehow became like this.
First, to show it's not completely serious and about half joking.
I grab the hand of father who's asking for a handshake with the brightest smile.
"Thank you, Examiner."
As soon as I grab his hand, instead of shaking hands, he bows his head.
Thanks to that, only I became strange when I tried to treat him comfortably. Hey! This makes the picture weird!
I finally got the mood going by saying father-in-law! but what do I do if you do this?
"For various things, really thank you. The parent is only greeting you now."
"Oh my. Why are you doing this? I already heard thanks from various people. If you keep doing this, I become very uncomfortable. Father-in-law."
I joked again and glanced at Suhyeon.
The reason I keep self-destructing by saying father-in-law? It's all because of Suhyeon.
Look even now. The strange current flowing between the two father and daughter. It's definitely not a positive feeling.
They don't hate or despise each other, but there's definitely an awkward feeling.
Though the reason is something unavoidable, the result is as you see.
In this situation, I thought it would be better to ease Suhyeon's heart even a little.
'My openly calling him father-in-law means to confirm that this person is your father. Then Suhyeon will also try to recover the relationship that's been awkward.'
When I'm saying father-in-law first, she can't say 'I don't think of him as dad.'
If their relationship was the worst, it might be different, but it's just awkward, so even more so.
My expectation wasn't wrong. After I finished shaking hands with Suhyeon's father, Suhyeon approached slightly.
"You came."
Though she's still not making eye contact, this much is enough.
Knowing that, Suhyeon's father also has a small smile on his lips.
"...Right. I was too late again this time. Sorry, Suhyeon."
"It's okay. You were always late. Dad."
At Suhyeon's somewhat cold answer, not only father but I also flinched and trembled.
Indeed the Crimson Witch. When she removes her smile and lowers her voice, goosebumps immediately rise.
"But this time you seem to have come rather early."
She doesn't hide her disappointed feeling.
From father's position it's sad, but it's not incomprehensible.
When mother passed away, when she was lonely, and when she experienced all kinds of things.
Suhyeon's father was always absent from that place. She was always alone.
Though there was Kang Minseong and other family members, only parents can fill the parent's empty space.
However, her father kept avoiding appearing before Suhyeon, traveling abroad because of work or thinking he wasn't qualified.
Misunderstandings accumulated like this and became the current twisted relationship.
'Well, still... this much has positive possibility for change.'
Even half of half of how she approaches me would be enough.
If Suhyeon does that much, Suhyeon's father could feel less sorry too.
Then the awkward father-daughter relationship would become incomparably better than before.
"What are you all doing there? I called for a dinner. Everyone's waiting."
At the voice heard from behind, I immediately turned and bowed.
"Chairman."
"Come quickly, Examiner Baek Seojin. Ah, should I say son-in-law?"
"...You may call me whichever is comfortable, but still, if possible, examiner would be good."
"Really? You called your father-in-law just fine. This is disappointing."
What? Was that old man secretly listening? I thought he just appeared.
It's embarrassing but not bad. Becoming family on this side is about half true.
There are still some parts that bother me, but there's no need to show that.
*
The real main characters who should be there hadn't come in yet.
Kang Minseong, who went out to see what they were doing, ended up seeing it.
His son-in-law and granddaughter who are still awkward with each other.
And Baek Seojin who watches between them and suddenly says father-in-law!
The moment he saw that scene, Kang Minseong unconsciously burst into hearty laughter.
He was grateful. And really liked it. Such a person who thinks of family.
Finding similar points to his own life philosophy, his evaluation of Baek Seojin rose even more.
'Indeed, my judgment wasn't wrong.'
Skill is skill, mindset is mindset, even the sense to grasp situations.
He noticed his granddaughter and son-in-law's relationship was twisted and stepped forward himself.
Deliberately treating him as father-in-law was emphasizing they're 'father and daughter' to the two.
Then from Suhyeon's position, she gets one more reason to approach her father.
And Kim Taejun will gather courage to approach if his daughter approaches first.
A very small trigger could play an important role in advancing their relationship.
'Is it because of his birth? It's nice to see him value family.'
Thinking that, Kang Minseong took the three people to the dining place.
There were already Kang Minseong's son and daughter-in-law and their children Kang Dokyung and Kang Jisu.
"Let me introduce you, Examiner. My son and daughter-in-law, grandson and granddaughter. You're acquainted with Dokyung and Jisu, right?"
"Yes. I remember them visiting the hospital last time."
Before the meal, Baek Seojin bowed lightly and said.
"Nice to meet you. I'm called Baek Seojin."
Those already there also greeted him accordingly.
Afterward, the dinner continued in a very good atmosphere.
Kang Minseong who appropriately continued topics and his son and daughter-in-law who smoothly continued.
And even Baek Seojin, though a guest, who wittily received them.
Meanwhile, Kang Dokyung and Kang Jisu even asked him for sparring matches.
Their eyes sparkled so much that Baek Seojin even recalled Lee Hyunwoo.
The fortunate point was that unlike Lee Hyunwoo, they didn't say to do it every day.
Though their mother stopped them saying they didn't need to do it during dinner, it was useless.
Kang Minseong also just laughed without greatly stopping his grandchildren.
Rather, he looked at Baek Seojin subtly showing he wanted him to do so.
'Right. That's like a person of this Kang family. When meeting strong people, burn admiration and passion, using it as fertilizer to whip yourself more.'
Originally, he or his son would appropriately spar with them.
But both he and his son definitely have lacking parts.
Above all, the problem is not having peak abilities due to age.
In that respect, Baek Seojin was too attractive a sparring partner for the two siblings.
An opponent where even doing their best, they can only endure, not win.
At the same time, having learned through his body how to give one more learning point to opponents as an Academy examiner, they would definitely gain much.
"Please, Examiner."
"Me too! I happen to have vacation until tomorrow, so if possible, please!"
"...Understood. Then I'll visit again tomorrow..."
Baek Seojin, who was about to say that, changed his words after seeing the reaction of the siblings across from him.
"...Rather than that, it's better to just do it today. Then after dinner, after resting a bit, I'll spar with you two. Would that be okay, Chairman?"
"Why are you asking me? It's something the sparring parties decide. Don't worry about sparring. There's the training hall I always used, and even if things break, there won't be any problem."
Kang Minseong said that and glanced at Kim Suhyeon.
As he expected, his granddaughter's expression was slightly hardened with dissatisfaction.
She probably thinks it's making Baek Seojin uncomfortable for no reason.
Tap tap—
He taps the table on Baek Seojin's side slyly.
Then sharp-witted Baek Seojin realized he had something to say, and soon noticing Kang Minseong's gaze was on Kim Suhyeon, quickly caught the fire about to flare up in advance.
When he secretly held Kim Suhyeon's hand meaning it's okay, the fire melted away.
When Kim Suhyeon's expression completely relaxed, Kang Minseong nodded thinking 'as expected.'
Though he passes in various parts, the part he wants to give the biggest score is just that.
Since his granddaughter likes it so much, he inwardly hoped they would definitely connect.
After the meal, Baek Seojin sparred with Kang Dokyung and Kang Jisu as promised.
The result was naturally Baek Seojin's victory. The victory was predetermined from the start.
But both siblings were rather laughing as if very refreshed.
So brightly that anyone would mistake them for the winning side.
Watching that, Kang Minseong welcomed Baek Seojin as he came inside.
"You worked hard."
"Not at all. Rather, it was very enjoyable. Chairman's grandson and granddaughter are all excellent talents."
"Of course. Whose grandchildren are they? Suhyeon too, and Dokyung and Jisu all."
Kang Minseong, who was laughing heartily, suddenly has a subtle look.