A young man was taking a bath in a small bathroom, which was not luxurious in any way.
A small bathtub, some taps, and a shower — that was all it had.
A tiny space where only one person could bathe at a time.
Mi-Woo was 5'8" tall and had a muscular build, with a few closed bruises around his body, indicating multiple fights he had been in.
Black hair, clean-shaven, and black eyes — his looks were a little bit above average compared to other Korean men.
While cleaning his hair with shampoo,
rubbing his head with his hands, he thought:
[I wonder where she got these anger issues from... Mom and Dad are both kind and calm people.]
Mi-Woo (said aloud):
"I remember her being the same as Mom and Dad when we were kids... Maybe I was a bad example for an older brother."
Thought something.
Said:
"Maybe she got it from me...
But I never got angry at my family."
Who knows what'll happen to that child...
After completing his bath, he got out,
put on the towel, and changed into his college uniform.
The uniform was a little baggy.
---
In his room
Mi-Woo (thinking):
Man, I should've bought a smaller uniform.
It's making me look too slim and weak.
---
After getting ready, he came down to the dining table in the hall.
[Ji-Woo!]
[Ji-Woo!]
Ji-Woo:
"I'm here on the sofa, oppa."
(Oppa is a Korean word used to respectfully refer to an older male, commonly used by younger sisters.)
A sound came from the kitchen:
[Mi-Woo, here is the food.]
He went and sat at the dining table,
where his father came from the kitchen carrying the food.
Mi-Woo:
"Father, you didn't have to make the food...
How's your hand?"
---
Mi-Woo's father — Mi Dae-Sung —
was around 45 years old. A kind-hearted man who was physically fit in every way, rivaling many young lads in their 30s.
He used to run the family restaurant, and with his ability {Divine Chef}, he quickly became popular.
The home they lived in was built by him.
But 6 years ago, due to an Awaken-related disease,
his hands got infected.
He could no longer cook.
Soon, their family fell from upper-middle class to lower-middle class.
Now his mother cooks at the restaurant.
After Mi-Woo got a job 3 years ago, they managed to rise back to upper-middle class —
but due to his father's treatment, one-third of the family income goes into it.
---
Dae (his father):
"They're fine, boy. Just a few more days, and they'll be good as new.
Then I won't be a liability to you anymore."
Mi-Woo's heart fell apart hearing the word "liability."
With anger, but also with deep respect, he said:
Mi-Woo:
"You are not a liability, Dad.
You're the man I dream of becoming someday.
Don't ever say those words again."
Dae (thinking):
Even if you say that… I know the truth.
I'm just a—
As he thought that, he saw Mi-Woo's face — filled with pain.
I shouldn't be thinking this...
---
Dae (smiling):
"I didn't mean it that way.
What I wanted to say was —
I can't let you outrun me and become the man of the house, right?"
Hahaha.
"Hurry up and eat. Otherwise your mom will be angry if she sees Ji-Woo getting late on her first day at the Hunter Institute.
She'll be back at 12 after shopping for vegetables. So hurry!"
Mi-Woo smiled, ate, and left to drop Ji-Woo at her institute.
---
To be continued...