I had a feeling things would end up like this.
To be honest, it was strange. My mother knew her own argument was riddled with contradictions, yet she still obstinately refused to acknowledge my marriage to Seele.
I wasn't exactly in a position to complain, given the situation I'd created... but I had thought that if she was fine with Bianca, there was no reason to reject Seele so fiercely—unless this was some trope from a soap opera involving secret bloodlines.
But an aunt? Seriously?
I thought it might be a cousin at best, but who would have imagined it would go deeper than that?
"To think... I would find my lost younger sister like this."
"I'm... your sister?" Seele asked, her voice trembling.
"Yes, Seele. You would be the same age as Kevin this year."
...Wait, what?
"No, hold on a second, Mom."
"I don't care what you have to say, Kevin. I cannot permit this marriage—"
"No, it's not that. I have a question about the facts."
"Facts? What do you mean?"
"If Seele is truly my maternal aunt... the math doesn't add up."
Seele and Bronya are the same age.
I knew Seele called her 'Big Sis' simply because Bronya's birthday came earlier in the year.
And, of course, because of the deep admiration she held for her.
"Um, excuse me... I don't think I'm the person you're looking for," Seele interjected softly.
"Huh? What do you mean by 그게?"
"The thing is, I'm not the same age as the Captain."
"Not the same age?"
"I... I'm the same age as Big Sis Bronya."
The crucial point here was exactly what Seele said. She and Bronya were peers.
And currently, Bronya is twenty-five years old.
That means Seele is two years younger than me.
But what did my mother just say?
She claimed Seele and I were the same age.
"Eh? But Seele... isn't your birthday October 18th?"
"Ah, yes. That's correct."
"And yet you're saying you're not the same age?"
"Yes. I'm not the same age as the Captain. I'm two years younger than him."
"...That's impossible. Your appearance, your surname, your birthday—every condition matches my sister's. How could it not be you?"
"...I'm afraid it just isn't me," Seele replied, her expression showing a hint of relief that she likely felt guilty for.
Honestly, if it hadn't been for the age gap, I would have had no choice but to believe my mother's claims as well.
If Seele really was my aunt, the situation would be far more complicated than it was with Bianca. Marriage would be out of the question.
Not to mention the potential complications for the child currently in her womb. I wouldn't even know where to begin worrying about that.
"The circumstances and my own intuition were telling me you were my sister... I suppose I must have been mistaken."
"N-no, it's fine. Then... does this mean you'll approve of the marriage with the Captain?"
As Seele nervously gauged her reaction, my mother hesitated before speaking again.
"I have one condition."
"A condition?"
"Yes. If you pass this, I will grant my blessing to your marriage."
"Mother!"
"Thank you so much!"
"Quiet! I haven't fully consented yet. I still have my suspicions. Therefore—"
"—Allow me to perform a DNA test."
"A... test?"
"Yes."
Mother stared at Seele with a sharp, unwavering gaze.
Under that intense pressure, Seele's eyes flickered with a brief moment of anxiety before turning resolute. She reached up and pulled out a few strands of her own hair.
Placing them in my mother's palm, she spoke politely but with total conviction.
"Yes, I understand. Will this be enough for the test?"
"Technology has come a long way; hair will be more than sufficient. And..."
My mother gripped the strands of hair, closing her eyes for a moment before looking at Seele with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry. To have turned a moment of celebration into this because of my own doubts."
"Ah, no! It's okay, really!"
"Thank you. The results should be out in a day. Until then, please make yourselves at home and rest."
"Yes, ma'am."
"That goes for the little one and you too, Kevin."
""Yes.""
With those words, my mother stood up and left the house. Only then did Bronya, Seele, and I finally exhale the breath we had been holding.
...Good grief, I never expected things to get this twisted.
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but who could have anticipated a turn of events like this?
They say reality is stranger than fiction... and I was learning firsthand that such sayings aren't just idle talk.
Is it just me, or have I been having that exact thought a lot lately?
"Let's just rest like Mom said for now."
"Where are you going, Brother?"
"...I'm just going to step out to the convenience store. You need anything?"
"I am fine. Seele?"
"Ah, I'm okay too."
"I'll be back soon, then."
As I prepared to leave, I felt a tiny, weak tug on the hem of my pants.
I looked down to find Bronie looking up at me with sparkling, expectant eyes.
"Papa, can Bronie come too?"
"Of course. Is there something you want to eat?"
"Ice cream!"
"Alright, shall we go get some with Papa?"
"Yay!"
Picking up my beaming daughter, I waved goodbye to my wife and Seele before heading out.
Once we reached the apartment entrance, I set her down. She looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings with a bit of shyness, her small hand quickly grabbing onto my finger for security. Feeling the warmth of her grip, I couldn't help but let a smile slip across my face.
The convenience store was less than a five-minute walk away.
I bought Bronie the ice cream she wanted and grabbed a Zero Cola for myself before making my way toward the ocean.
"Papa, aren't we going home?"
"I thought we'd take a short walk first. How does that sound, Bronie?"
"Bronie likes walks!"
With her ice cream in hand, I led her toward the shoreline.
Taking in the distinct scent of the sea breeze, I stared blankly out at the horizon. I felt my cluttered thoughts begin to untangle. I sat down on a nearby bench and popped open the cola.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze from beside me. Bronie had already finished her ice cream and was staring intently at my cola, her finger pressed against her lip.
"...You want a sip, Bronie?"
"Yes!"
At her enthusiastic response, I handed her the Zero Cola. She took it with wide eyes and tilted the bottle carefully.
She was likely remembering the time she chugged it all at once and ended up in a coughing fit. It had given me quite a shock back then.
Still, she must have liked the taste, because ever since that day, she'd come running to beg for a sip whenever I was drinking cola.
Now that I think about it... didn't my wife have the exact same reaction the first time she tried cola?
The old memory brought a faint smile to my lips.
I watched her finish the sip, and then we turned back toward my parents' home.
"Papa, hurry up!"
"Alright, alright."
Recognizing the path now, she led the way. I was following behind her with a warm smile when—
"Kevin?"
Someone called my name.
It was a voice I knew well.
I turned my head slowly to see a familiar face—one of the people I respect most in this world standing there.
"Father."
Lane Son.
My father had returned.
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