The morning sky had been clear and calm, without a single cloud in sight, but as the sun set, dark clouds rolled in, gradually scattering a light drizzle.
Though it was a bit late for dinner, the kitchen was alive with the clatter of cutlery.
Around a dozen or so people were seated at the dining table.
Considering the time, that wasn’t a small number.
Since everyone’s professions varied so widely, it was rare to see each other during breakfast or lunch. So, there was an unspoken rule that at least dinner was a time to gather and share a meal face-to-face.
Of course, it wasn’t enforced—if someone was truly busy, they often missed it.
“Where’s Hanbyul?”
“She said she can’t come because of a college assignment.”
“Looks like she’s really busy these days. Hard to catch a glimpse of her.”
“She said it sucks.”
Lee Yujeong muttered calmly.
Jung Hayeon, who had been nodding absentmindedly, raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Oh, the professor. The professor.”
With a spoon halfway to her mouth, Lee Yujeong’s eyes widened as she continued.
“Just when she thought the midterms were over, the professor said they have to submit weekly lab reports until finals. And it’s a group project, too.”
“Ah, group projects.”
“I’ve never heard her curse like that before. She was going on about killing the professor, making a huge fuss.”
“Sounds familiar.”
Jung Hayeon chuckled lightly, shaking her head.
“How about you, Yujeong? How’s studying going?”
“Me? Well… I always ace the physical fitness tests.”
“That’s expected. But what about studying? Theory? Written exams? Certifications?”
“Unni!”
Lee Yujeong’s eyes flashed with mock indignation, and Jung Hayeon giggled.
A leisurely dinner.
Just a few years ago, this kind of peaceful, relaxed daily life was unimaginable—something dreamed of but never truly lived.
Yet today, for some reason, a strange tension hung over the table.
An atmosphere of subtle unease, as if everyone was quietly watching each other.
Jung Hayeon’s sideways glances at someone while smiling betrayed this undercurrent.
Clack.
Suddenly, the sound of a spoon being set down echoed—louder than the usual noise.
Kim Suhyun, having just finished eating, slowly looked around.
“Hey…”
“Sweetheart, actually, I have a gift for you today.”
At that moment, Han Soyoung cut in eagerly.
Thanks to her, Kim Suhyun swallowed the words that had been caught in her throat.
“A gift?”
Some time ago, Kim Suhyun and Han Soyoung had started speaking casually with each other—not for any particular reason, but because Han Soyoung wanted them to be more comfortable.
“Yeah. The new smartphone that just came out.”
Han Soyoung handed over a small box, about the size of a palm.
The packaging looked expensive at a glance.
Kim Suhyun tilted her head in curiosity and pulled her phone out of her pocket.
“This just came out recently too…”
“Electronic devices always get new models quickly, you know.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Since I brought it, why not give it a try? And that one… you can give it to me later.”
Well, since she had gone out of her way to bring it, Kim Suhyun hesitated before passing over her old phone.
At the same time, Han Soyoung’s eyes sharpened slightly.
“Oh, is this number already transferred?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then you should keep it. The daycare teacher said she wants to talk about Suna and will contact this number.”
“I’ll take the call.”
“Uh, but…”
“It’s fine. The teacher’s a woman, so maybe she’d feel more comfortable. Don’t worry too much, just…”
Though it felt like she was being tricked, Kim Suhyun ended up handing it over as if it was taken from her.
Han Soyoung gripped the phone with a satisfied smile.
After fiddling with the new smartphone for a moment, Kim Suhyun set it down on the table and spoke.
“Thanks. I’ll use it well… Also, there’s something I want to say.”
Han Soyoung hesitated.
“I want to start working soon.”
“What do you mean?”
Kim Suhyun cut straight to the point, and Han Soyoung replied nonchalantly, then began rummaging through her handbag.
“Is it because you’re short on money? Coincidentally…”
“No.”
Kim Suhyun’s voice rose slightly.
Han Soyoung, who was about to pull out a thick stack of bankbooks, froze.
“It’s not that. I just want to work.”
“…”
“Even if it’s not a job, I just want to do something.”
“Wasn’t this settled last time?”
Kim Suhyun shook her head firmly, as if to say no.
“Staying at home is suffocating. Life’s no fun. I even find myself missing the whole ‘hall plain’ thing.”
“Then why don’t we go out this weekend…”
“Don’t change the subject. I’m not whining about wanting to go out. I’m sick of being a kept wife.”
“Kept wife? We don’t see it that way at all.”
“That’s how I feel. Why won’t you let me work?”
“Suhyun…”
Han Soyoung lowered her eyes and sighed quietly.
“You know we’re not doing this for no reason.”
“That ridiculous reason?”
“Sorry. We’ll do better.”
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for. You’re already doing enough.”
“Please, let’s just live like this. Okay?”
“Soyoung, I…”
Just as Kim Suhyun was about to speak seriously, she suddenly stopped herself.
“…”
With eyes glistening and a pitiful look, Han Soyoung’s face twisted as if she was about to cry.
Kim Suhyun was left speechless, her mouth opening and closing.
Han Soyoung rarely showed tears.
Because of that, all the words Kim Suhyun had prepared got jumbled in her mind.
There’s that saying, after all: a woman’s tears are a powerful weapon.
After staring with a frustrated expression for a while, Kim Suhyun finally exhaled sharply, enough to ruffle her bangs.
“Let’s… talk about this later.”
In the end, she stood up and quietly slipped away.
A moment later, the sound of a closing door echoed from afar, followed by sighs around the table.
“…Did I go too far?”
Han Soyoung stuffed the artificial tears back into her handbag and spoke.
Her face quickly returned to its usual expressionless mask, as if nothing had happened.
There was a faint trace of guilt, though.
“Well, it can’t be helped, right? Like you said, Soyoung, we’re not doing this without reason.”
Goyeonju clicked her tongue and added.
“That’s right~. Honestly, if it weren’t serious, we wouldn’t be acting like this.”
Jeogal Haesol, who had been silent all along, chimed in.
“Well, still, since she wants it so badly, maybe we should trust her once…”
Yu Hyuna, glancing around nervously, spoke cautiously.
But Jeogal Haesol scoffed as if it was obvious.
“It’s not that we don’t trust Suhyun. It’s just…”
“?”
“There are women who come onto her, no matter what we do.”
“Right. Just look at that teacher this time.”
Lee Yujeong quickly agreed.
“I won’t even mention that. I heard there’s even a fan club cafe online.”
“There was a photo she posted on social media that got fifty thousand likes in just thirty minutes.”
“I was more amazed that my brother earned eight million won in a month working at a cafe.”
“Oh my. Eight million won from a part-time job in a month? Is that even possible?”
“Turns out, there are four girls’ high schools and two women’s universities nearby. So the cafe was packed, and the sharp owner gave my brother special treatment.”
“Wow, that owner knows how to run a business.”
The table erupted into lively chatter.
Im Hanna, Cha Sorim, and others, who were naturally soft-hearted, smiled wryly, but most were desperately opposed to Kim Suhyun’s social activities.
After all, who would welcome one more person joining their ranks?
How much time had passed?
“Anyway, it’s getting late. Let’s start the meeting.”
At Han Soyoung’s words, the noisy room quieted down again.
The meeting.
Anhyun half-jokingly called it the royal court meeting.
More precisely, it was a kind of gathering where only Kim Suhyun’s wife was allowed to participate.
The grand title of “meeting” was deliberate.
“The teacher is my responsibility to handle… Is there any other special agenda?”
Han Soyoung’s eyes gleamed like a wildcat as she shifted her gaze.
Jung Hayeon pulled out her notebook, adjusted her glasses, and began.
“First, Suhyun’s birthday is coming up…”
“Pass. Everyone already knows that.”
“Then moving on to the second item. Suhyun’s parents are coming tomorrow.”
“Hmm…”
Han Soyoung exhaled.
The tentative visit of her in-laws was no small matter for her.
“Who from our side will go out to meet them?”
“…For now, Gehenna.”
Jung Hayeon emphasized the word “for now.”
Han Soyoung looked at her, speechless.
“Huh? Why?”
Gehenna shrugged as if to say, “Why me?”
“…Do you really have to go?”
“It’s my turn this time, isn’t it?”
“That’s true, but—though they’re human, they’re still her parents. You’ll have to be careful with every word.”
“Hah, who do you think I am? Of course, I’m aware.”
“Really?”
“I get why you’re worried, but don’t.”
Gehenna placed her hands on her hips confidently.
“I’ve already completed special training to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Special training?”
All eyes turned to one spot.
Jeogal Haesol blinked a couple of times and cleared his throat.
“First of all… what nationality did you say I should claim?”
“Russian.”
Gehenna answered as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
“What’s the capital of Russia?”
“Moscow.”
“Your name?”
“Gehennaisky.”
“What’s your purpose for coming to Korea?”
“Volunteer work.”
“Do you know…?”
“Kimchi?”
“And if you slip up while speaking?”
“Oh, I don’t speak Korean well.”
At that moment, Jeogal Haesol suddenly collapsed face-down onto the desk.
He started to shake his shoulders violently, stifling sobs.
Han So-young, watching with a look of pity, slowly lowered her head.
Then she said, “It’s okay.”
“Heh heh. See? I told you there’s nothing to worry about.”
Just as Yoo Hyun-ah was about to protest that this was too much, watching Gehenna’s innocent, clueless answers—
Waaah!
Suddenly, a loud cheer pierced through the walls.
At that instant, Im Hanna, as if remembering something she’d forgotten, jumped up from her chair.
“Oh, look at the time… I’ll be right back. I need to hurry.”
“Why?”
“Ah, it’s Vivian’s mukbang time. I have to bring her food.”
“Mukbang?”
Im Hanna returned from the kitchen carrying a massive bowl piled high with food.
Go Yeon-ju’s mouth dropped open at the sheer amount.
“Y-you’re going to eat all that?”
“Of course. She has a huge appetite.”
With that, Im Hanna strode over and flung open the noisy door.
The voices inside the room grew briefly clearer, then faded again as the door closed.
“Come to think of it… didn’t Vivian say she does internet broadcasts?”
After a brief silence, Go Yeon-ju spoke up.
“Yes! She specializes in gaming and mukbang streams! She’s super famous!”
An Sol, already familiar with it, answered right away.
“What’s with the gold coins just now?”
“Oh, that’s like a subscription fee. If viewers like the broadcast, they buy gold coins and send them as gifts. The streamer can then exchange those coins for real money.”
“No way… people actually pay to watch personal broadcasts?”
“Yep. My older brother watches her all the time.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He says it really helps him relieve stress.”
When Kim Soo-hyun was mentioned as a viewer, Han So-young, who had been somewhat indifferent, suddenly perked up.
Just then, Im Hanna came back out, opening the door again.
The clear, lively voice echoed once more in the late evening.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
The Korean patch for Vivian is now 100% complete.
For this side story, I hope you’ll just relax and enjoy it like a slice-of-life.
See you tomorrow.
Have a good night. :)