JD 62

The weekend after their return from the sea, the two headed to Hakyung’s family home.

“Oh my, is that my little piglet back?”

Hearing that Hakyung was bringing Muheon, Grandma had come out to the front porch to greet them. Hakyung tried to tell her not to move, but she insisted she was doing much better and walked briskly to the door.

“We’d get there faster! What if you get hurt again!”

“I can’t even work the fields anymore, so I just sit all day long—this much walking is fine!”

“It’s not like I’m the one forcing you to stay inside.”

At her grandson’s nagging the moment they met, Grandma turned with an offended look and fixed her gaze on Muheon.

Muheon, silently listening to their back-and-forth bickering, bowed his head slightly when their eyes met.

“Oh, you’ve come. Come on in.”

Embarrassed that Muheon had overheard such childish squabbling, Grandma hurried him inside. Hakyung, meanwhile, clung to Muheon’s sleeve and gently tugged on it as he whispered:

“Boss, it might’ve sounded like a silly spat, but don’t give us that look in front of Grandma.”

“What look…?”

Muheon blinked—he hadn’t really been thinking anything while listening.

“You know, that ‘aww, these adorable kids’ look.”

“Well, you are a cute river dolphin.”

“Ugh! That’s exactly the kind of look you shouldn’t give in front of Grandma!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll only look at Kang Hakyung now.”

He hadn’t quite meant it that way, but Hakyung liked the answer and gave a big nod. There was nothing wrong with boss saying he’d only look at him.

Now that he had a general idea of Muheon’s real identity and age, every expression he made felt different. For someone who must’ve endured countless boring years, the way he responded with such warmth and expression to not only Hakyung but also his family… it filled him with gratitude and love.

After learning boss’s secret, Hakyung found himself even more tenderly attached—and his love was bursting at the seams.

“But still, don’t ignore Grandma, okay…”

“I’m not that clueless.”

Muheon gave a short laugh and wrapped his arm around Hakyung’s shoulder. He wanted to press his lips to that small mouth that always said the right things—but sadly, it wasn’t the time or place.

Just then, something soft and moist brushed against the back of Muheon’s hand. Hakyung had kissed him there, and justified it to himself by blaming how good boss’s hands looked. Boldly, he kissed them again.

“Boss’s hands are just begging for kisses, I’m telling you.”

“…Ha.”

Once again, Muheon was helpless in the face of the river dolphin’s cheeky and adorable affection. Not that he had any desire to resist.

In that tiny yard, just ten steps from the door, the two lingered for quite a while. Whenever Hakyung flirted shamelessly, Muheon only egged him on—so of course, their pace was even slower than that of Park Geowong, the sea turtle beastman.

Their affection continued until Grandma, tired of waiting, shouted from inside, “What’re you two doing out there! Get inside!”

Startled by her yell, Hakyung grabbed Muheon’s hand and rushed into the house. Grandma, now wearing a sour expression, gave them a once-over.

“Your lips are about to puff up and pop.”

“Ah, come on…! That’s not true!”

“Yeah, right.”

Chuckling, Grandma motioned for Muheon to sit down. He took a thick cushion adorned with elaborate floral embroidery. Hakyung quickly sat down beside him.

Even though there was another cushion across from them, her grandson plopped right next to his lover. Grandma clicked her tongue.

Muheon pulled the cushion out from under himself and placed it beneath Hakyung instead. It was instinctual—no one told him to. Grandma chuckled again, saying it was like the old woman didn’t even exist to them.

“This is what you said you liked last time, and this is dried kelp—it’s sweetened a bit, so you can eat it like candy.”

“Oh goodness, more? What did you bring so much for!”

“Boss bought it all for you! Isn’t that nice?”

It was the tenth time Hakyung had said “Boss bought this.” Grandma, who had originally expressed gratitude over and over, now scowled as if she’d had enough of the praise.

Even Muheon, normally oblivious to such things, could tell Grandma’s face was stiffening—but Hakyung kept chattering about how amazing boss was, either oblivious or pretending not to notice.

“That’s enough.”

Muheon tried to stop him, but it was no use. Hakyung looked like he’d sing boss’s praises for every single gift they brought.

Just as Grandma reluctantly accepted the last fish, Muheon took something out of his coat. It was an elegant case, obviously expensive even at a glance.

Both Grandma and Hakyung widened their eyes—it was the first time they’d seen it.

“I prepared this separately.”

“O-oh… did you?”

“Yes.”

Muheon’s straightforwardness about his gesture was refreshing—especially after Hakyung’s relentless flattery.

Hakyung began to wonder if this was what Grandma had been hoping to see all along.

“Grandma, open it! What is it? Even I don’t know!”

Hakyung crawled over on his knees, staring at the box with curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

When did he even prepare this? With such thoughtfulness, boss would be great at surprise proposals someday, Hakyung thought, eyes gleaming with excitement.

Under Hakyung’s intense gaze, Grandma reluctantly opened the box.

“Oh?”

“Oh my…?”

Inside were a brooch and a necklace, each inlaid with softly glowing pearls. Even to Grandma and Hakyung, who weren’t familiar with luxury items, they looked undeniably valuable.

Grandma stared in awe for a moment before snapping the box shut.

“Oh dear, this looks too expensive!”

“It’s fine. It already belongs to you. Please enjoy it freely.”

“How can I enjoy something like this freely!”

She pushed the box away. Hakyung scurried back to Muheon’s side, too afraid to touch something so precious.

“Even if it gets damaged, or lost, that’s okay. I’ll bring another one next time.”

My god—he says things like that, and not to me but to Grandma…!

Hakyung felt a twinge of jealousy but swallowed it. It just meant boss truly cared for his family, too.

“Still, Grandma! This would look so cute on your hat. You’ve always wanted a brooch, haven’t you?”

“You—when did I say that!”

But despite her words, Grandma pulled the box a little closer. Her face lit up like a young girl’s. Hakyung took boss’s hand and thanked him earnestly.

Muheon didn’t respond, only lifted a shoulder—but the slight curve at the corner of his lips showed he wasn’t displeased.

***

“So you’re saying you haven’t changed your mind, Hakyung?”

“Yup! I’m even more certain. I want to be with boss for the rest of my life.”

After the gift-giving ceremony and lunch, they were now having dessert.

As he described how much fun he’d had under the sea, how kind the beastmen at boss’s home were, and how he had to marry boss, Hakyung’s mouth never stopped moving.

That her grandson—who used to be terrified of the sea—had voluntarily gone there was shocking enough. Now he was declaring that he wanted to spend his life with a sea beastman.

Honestly, Grandma had worried that his thalassophobia might resurface after the trip—but now she wasn’t sure what to think.

“So please, Grandma, give us your blessing. Okay? Boss didn’t get married all this time just to wait for me, you know? We can’t keep him a bachelor forever!”

“Who says thirty-six is some ancient bachelor age!”

Grandma scoffed as she looked at Muheon, who not only looked younger than his age but was tall, handsome, and well-built.

He didn’t seem like someone who would have any trouble marrying, even years down the line.

But Hakyung, knowing Muheon’s true age, was desperate. If Muheon had never married… how long had he been alone? If they’d waited any longer, even bachelor ghosts might start bowing to him.

“Grandmaaa! I’m getting married, okay? Please give us your blessing!”

“That means you’ll have to visit the sea often now. Are you really okay with that?”

“Of course! I handled it fine this time too.”

Grandma quickly waved her hand, not wanting to hear another heroic retelling of their underwater adventures. Her grandson might be family, but he talked way too much.

The funny thing was that his partner, who looked like he’d blow cold wind with a glance, patiently listened to all of it without batting an eye. Maybe he was more of a clown than he looked, Grandma thought as she shook her head.