Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 145

What are some things that happen when people get nervous?

Pupils dilate rapidly, or restless hands tap the table incessantly, unable to find a place to settle.

“Try not to be too nervous.”

“B-but still…”

…I’m doing that right now.

“We’ve met before, and we’ve talked a lot. Is there any reason to be nervous?”

“We’ve met and talked, yes. But the reason we’re meeting today is a bit, well, different from usual.”

“But your father already seems to think it’s practically a done deal?”

“Ugh…”

“Don’t think, ‘Please give me your daughter!’ How about just thinking of it as an announcement?”

“Even you, Min-young, would be incredibly nervous meeting my parents, wouldn’t you?”

“Th-that…!”

It’s been a week since I made that unromantic proposal to Min-young.

I was sitting next to Min-young at a fancy Japanese restaurant somewhere in Seoul, waiting for her parents.

As Min-young said, I’ve met them before. They think well of me. Min-young’s parents have practically given their okay several times.

But as the actual day approached, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Today isn’t just a casual greeting, but a request for permission.

“I think you’d say something like this, Min-young: ‘Mom, Dad! Please allow me to marry Han-wool!'”

Because we’ll be getting married soon, so it’s a place to ask for permission regarding this.

“And, it’s only because it’s me that I’m just like this. Min-young would probably be trembling on the actual day, wouldn’t she?”

“…….”

“It’s okay, my mom would think you’re really cute if she saw that…”

Slap!

“Ouch!”

“You’re so mean!”

Thanks to the smack on the back, I feel a lot less nervous.

I was smiling and joking with Min-young when,

“Ah, they’re here.”

Min-young’s father, dressed smartly, and Min-young’s mother, dressed elegantly, appeared.

The nervousness that had subsided returned, making my body stiff, and I ended up bowing rather awkwardly.

“Ah, hello. It’s been a while.”

“Oh, Han-wool, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Yes. I’ve been well, thanks to you.”

I politely accepted the right hand he naturally extended.

“It’s not because of anything I did. It’s because you’re doing well.”

Tap, tap!

He patted my right hand affectionately, reassuring me.

“Please, sit down. Mother, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, nice to see you.”

First greetings complete.

The tableware and water glasses were already perfectly set. Thanks to that, I can sit comfortably, chat a bit, and then have a meal.

Let’s eat a bit and then slowly bring up the main topic when the atmosphere is right. Approval will probably be close to 100%, but that makes me even more determined to show a good image.

Let’s show the image of a wonderful son-in-law, a good son-in-law. Let’s show them that they can trust me with their only daughter.

“So, are you planning to get married soon?”

“Yes?”

That determination was shattered by a single sentence.

I stared blankly at her father, then looked at Min-young, wondering if she had said something first.

“Ah… Dad?”

But seeing Min-young’s reaction, it didn’t seem like it.

I looked back at her father and waited for his next words.

“It’s too obvious, isn’t it? I didn’t call you here, Min-young and Han-wool did. In a place like this.”

“Ah… well…”

“Go ahead, get married. I’d be grateful, if someone’s willing to take my daughter, I’d be even more grateful…”

Slap!

“Why are you saying such things in a place like this?”

“No, you’re the same. You’ve been saying you want Min-young to leave the house quickly…”

Slap!

“Ouch!”

Um. Min-young’s hand is spicy because she takes after her mother [meaning she has a strong personality].

“I’m sorry, this person is still not all grown up…”

“Ah, no problem.”

Hohoho, her mother gave a refined laugh and quickly took control of the conversation.

“How long have you two been dating?”

“We… we’ve been dating for about 10 months. Before that, we were seeing each other in a dating-like way, even if it wasn’t dating.”

“How long?”

“Almost 2 years. You know, what they call ‘some’ [a Korean term for the ambiguous stage before officially dating] these days, we were like that… Yes, I was the one who asked her out.”

“Didn’t I ask you out first?”

“That’s what you say, but I was the one who brought up that topic back then.”

Is it that fun to hear about your daughter’s dating stories?

“What did you like so much about our Min-young?”

“Yes? Well…”

My future mother-in-law made things difficult for me with her playful eyes.

“Well, she likes me a lot and I can feel her… affection…”

“Why are you saying such things? They like each other, so they’re obviously dating.”

“Honey, be quiet, I’m listening to Han-wool.”

“Aww…”

Excuse me.

Just as I was getting embarrassed, the appetizer came out, allowing me to change the subject.

If everything up to now was about the past, the story from now on will be about the future.

What date are you roughly thinking of for the wedding?

Where are you roughly thinking of living?

Is there a place you have in mind for the wedding hall?

And…….

“Then we should think about the formal meeting between the families. Do you have anything in mind?”

A meeting between both sets of parents.

“Perhaps, when would be a good time for your father…”

“We’re fine anytime. We’re really fine anytime, so ask Han-wool’s parents first.”

“Ah… Yes. Then I’ll talk to my parents next week and let you know.”

And so, I received permission from Min-young’s parents…….

* * *

Another week later, Monday.

Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

“…….”

Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

“…Min-young.”

“Yes, yes?!”

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Of course! Nervous? Why would I be nervous!”

What are you talking about?

“You seem very nervous…”

“No! I’m not nervous at all!”

Her eyes darted around, unable to settle on one spot.

Her hands trembled.

A pitiful, frozen smile.

Min-young was expressing her anticipation of meeting my parents with her entire being.

Last week, we met Min-young’s parents at a Japanese restaurant to ask for their permission. Today, we’re meeting my parents at our house.

It felt like our small home, which already seemed full with just the two of us, would become quite bustling with four people. But that was good in its own way.

“But… is this enough? I feel like I should have prepared more…”

“Well…”

Braised short ribs. Japchae [Korean glass noodles stir-fry]. Several types of pancakes. Various side dishes. Seaweed soup.

“It would have been nice to have braised pollack… Oh, and grilled mackerel would have been good too.”

“No, it’s fine. If you add any more, the table will collapse.”

I kept reassuring Min-young, who was constantly trembling with anxiety.

“But… shouldn’t we show them everything we can since it’s our first meeting?”

“It’s okay. They’re pretty minimalist. They’d actually find that kind of thing burdensome.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry…”

Ding-dong—

“…J-Just do what you normally do.”

“Y-Yes…”

I gently stroked Min-young’s hair once and headed to the front door. I pressed the button on the door lock and opened the door.

“Come in.”

“Is this your son’s place?”

“Yeah. Come in quickly.”

I saw my mom and dad, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.

They looked a little older than when I saw them a few years ago, but they hadn’t changed much.

Dad was smiling contentedly, and Mom was looking around the house with a somewhat *chunchun* [a Korean expression for someone who acts cold and aloof but is secretly caring] attitude.

Min-young was caught in Mom’s radar as she was looking around to see if her bachelor son’s house was a mess.

“Oh, hello!”

Min-young bowed 90 degrees as soon as she made eye contact, her long hair flying in the air.

“Oh my, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Han-wool’s mother.”

Mom?

“You’re going through a lot because of Han-wool. Oh my, you’re so pretty. How did that rascal bring such a lovely woman here?”

…Mom?

“Did you make all this, miss?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Oh my, I really wonder where that rascal found someone like you. Thank you. I don’t know what you were thinking marrying someone like him.”

Mom…….

“Don’t be nervous. We’re not bad people. We’re going to be seeing each other for a long time, so what are you going to do if you’re already this nervous?”

Dad also reassured Min-young and sat down across from her.

“Sit down. The host should sit down first.”

“Ah, yes!”

“You sit down too.”

I’m the host here, Mom.

“What’s your name?”

“Kim Min-young.”

“You’re one year older than Han-wool.”

“Yes!”

“You’re working separately now?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Oh my, that must be tough.”

“Ah, no. I used to hate working, but now I work hard to meet Han-wool.”

“Oh my, you’re so virtuous.”

Thanks to Mom and Dad’s dedicated efforts, the tension Min-young had been feeling melted away.

A face full of her usual smile.

Hands moving naturally as if she had calmed down.

A voice that sounded as smooth as usual.

Her confident and articulate manner set a fire in the hearts of her prospective in-laws.

“You said you met your daughter-in-law’s parents, right?”

Daughter-in-law…….

Min-young, feeling both embarrassed and satisfied with the title, repeated what Mom had said.

“Ah, yeah. I met them last week and told them.”

“What did they say?”

“Min-young’s parents also gave their permission… They asked if we had thought about the wedding date or venue, things like that.”

“What about the formal meeting between the families? When would be a good time?”

“They said they’re fine anytime. They’ll *match it* [Korean expression meaning they will adjust] to Mom and Dad’s convenient time.”

“Is that so?”

“Then, Han-wool, your All-Star game is coming up soon.”

Dad also joined the conversation between me and Mom.

“Ah, that’s right.”

“You get a short break then.”

“There’s a short break included. Should I tell them to do it then?”

“Yes, tell them around that time. I’d like to meet them tomorrow if I could, but that would be rude to their side.”

“I have a game tomorrow, Mom.”

“We don’t need you. We just need Min-young here.”

Mom…….

Saying she wants to have the formal meeting between the families tomorrow is a bit of an exaggeration. In reality, her true desire is probably to have the wedding tomorrow.

As you can tell from this conversation, Mom and Dad really liked Min-young.

I also felt relieved watching Min-young, who had completely relaxed and was enthusiastically promoting herself.

It’s not just any matter, but two families meeting and spending their lives together. How difficult would it be if there was even a slight disagreement?

In that sense,

“How did you make this?”

“The braised short ribs? Do they suit your mother’s taste?”

“Indeed, tell me how to make it later through Han-wool. I should try making it at home.”

“Yes, of course! Ah, I’m so glad. I was really worried about what to do if it didn’t suit your mother and father’s taste.”

“Why worry about that? We’re grateful just that you made it for us. If our Min-young made it, we would have eaten ramen deliciously.”

The prospective in-laws and prospective daughter-in-law, naturally exchanging *tikittaka* [a Korean expression for quick back-and-forth banter], allowed the prospective groom to have a pleasant meal as well.

“It would be great if Min-young became our family’s daughter-in-law. We’re happy that a good person is coming, but it’s also good for Min-young.”

“Of course! I’m happy too!”

“Ah, not just that symbolic meaning. Of course, that’s good too, but I mean it will be practically good for Min-young too.”

“Yes?”

The story Mom is about to tell might be a hint as to why I have my current personality.

“He’s our only son, and we have no debt. And our family doesn’t have *jesa* [ancestral rites] or anything like that. We don’t have a religion either.”

“Ah….”

“And if you two live well on your own, we won’t bother you. We probably won’t even go to your honeymoon home much because we’re *annoyed* [referring to *guichanseo*, a Korean expression for being too lazy or bothered to do something].”

“Ah….”

“So, just live well with Han-wool.”

After hearing Mom’s words, Min-young glanced at me. She playfully smiled with the end of her chopsticks in her mouth, then placed her hand on mine with her left hand so that Mom and Dad couldn’t see.

“Of course. We’ll live well.”