At the large, elegantly arranged table near the window sat Mr. and Mrs. Park. Tae-sung was seated beside them, his posture straight and composed, the perfect image of a dutiful son. Next to him sat Tae-won.
Tae-won leaned back slightly in his chair, long legs stretched out casually beneath the table. His sharp eyes were fixed on his phone, scrolling lazily as though the entire meeting had nothing to do with him. His expression was cold, unreadable—handsome in a way that felt distant and hard. With his tall stature and calm indifference, he looked more like an observer than a participant, as if he were merely enduring the situation out of obligation.
The moment the Kim family entered the restaurant, both Tae-sung and Tae-won looked up.
Tae-sung rose immediately and bowed politely. Tae-won followed, standing up more slowly but still greeting them with formal respect.
"Good evening," they said in unison.
Mrs. Kim bowed in return, her voice polite but slightly hurried.
"I'm very sorry for being late."
Mr. Kim echoed her words with another bow.
"There was heavy traffic on the way."
Mrs. Park responded with a tight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Yes," she said shortly.
Beside her, Mr. Park smiled warmly.
"It's fine," he said kindly. "These things happen."
At once, Mrs. Park turned her head and shot him a sharp glare, clearly displeased by his easy acceptance. Mr. Park noticed—but chose to ignore it.
They all took their seats.
No sooner had everyone settled than Tae-sung's mother straightened in her chair, folding her hands neatly. Her gaze rested on the Kims with quiet scrutiny.
"It must be very hard living in a village," she began, her tone sounding sympathetic but edged with something else. "Having to commute so much just to come into the city."
Mrs. Kim stiffened slightly.
"It would really be better to own a car," Mrs. Park continued calmly.
Mrs. Kim's face darkened instantly, irritation flashing in her eyes. But before she could speak, Soo-bin glanced at her mother quickly—a silent plea to stay calm.
For a brief second, Mrs. Kim hesitated.
Then she opened her mouth anyway.
"Of course," she said, her voice firm. "I actually prefer living in the village—without this polluted air and endless traffic."
The table went quiet.
"And," she added pointedly, "we do have a truck."
The words landed heavily.
Mr. Park broke the tension with an easy laugh.
"Really? That sounds wonderful. I would actually love to spend a few days away from the city."
Mrs. Park's lips pressed into a thin line.
"I want to experience that kind of life too," Mr. Park continued, genuinely interested.
Mr. Kim's face lit up immediately.
"You can come anytime," he said warmly. "We have a farm. We can drink makgeolli and eat good, home-made food together."
Mr. Park looked pleased.
"Of course," he said enthusiastically. "I'd like that very much."
Throughout the exchange, Mrs. Park remained visibly displeased, her expressions stiff and controlled, her silence louder than words.
But at the far end of the table, Soo-bin and Tae-sung exchanged brief, relieved glances.
Even if the mothers didn't see eye to eye, at least their fathers were getting along.
And for that moment, that small harmony felt like a quiet victory.
Tae-sung smiled lightly and added to the conversation, trying to keep the atmosphere warm.
"Actually," he said, turning slightly toward Mr. Kim, "Mr. Kim makes really delicious makgeolli."
Mr. Kim looked pleasantly surprised.
"And my father really likes makgeolli," Tae-sung added with a small laugh. "So I'm sure he'd enjoy it very much."
Mr. Park's face brightened even more.
"Then it's settled," he said cheerfully. "I'll definitely visit."
In the middle of this seemingly easy conversation, Mrs. Park suddenly spoke again, her tone calm but deliberate.
"By the way," she said, glancing toward the Kim family, "you still haven't properly introduced Tae-sung's younger brother to us."
Her eyes shifted toward Tae-won.
Soo-bin turned immediately and smiled politely.
"I've heard about him," she said gently. "But this is actually my first time meeting you, Tae-won ssi."
Tae-won stood up again slightly and bowed.
"Nice to meet you," he said formally, his voice respectful but restrained.
Mrs. Park straightened in her chair and continued, clearly pleased with the attention now on her sons.
"You already know Tae-sung is working as a manager in a big company," she said smoothly.
Then, without pause, she added, "Tae-won is also working in a huge company."
Her face subtly lit up with pride as she said it, her chin lifting just a little.
The Kim family smiled politely.
Mrs. Kim nodded approvingly.
"Not only handsome," she added with a laugh, "but good at everything too."
Tae-won gave an awkward smile, his eyes flicking briefly toward his mother, silently wishing she would stop speaking about him.
Mr. Kim tried to lighten the mood.
"It's actually unusual for children to be present at meetings like this," he said casually.
Mrs. Park responded immediately.
"There are rules in our family," she said calmly, though her words carried weight. "Rules that everyone must follow."
Then she smiled—slow and sly.
"Once Soo-bin becomes part of our family," she added, "she will follow them too."
At the table, Tae-sung shifted slightly in his seat.
He was restless now, uncomfortable with the way his mother continued to talk, the subtle authority in her tone. He glanced briefly at Soo-bin, worry flickering across his face.
But despite that, both Soo-bin and Tae-sung felt relieved.
For now, things still seemed to be going… well.
Then Mrs. Park spoke again.
"I heard Soo-bin has a younger brother," she said casually. "Why isn't he here today?"
The air changed instantly.
"Isn't he glad to meet his future brother-in-law?" she added, her gaze sharp and direct.
Soo-bin froze.
Her fingers tightened in her lap, her heart dropping painfully.
Mrs. Kim reacted quickly, her voice slightly too eager.
"Oh, he has some important work today," she said. "That's why. Of course, you can meet him another day."
She laughed lightly, trying to brush it aside.
Mrs. Park tilted her head, her eyes narrowing just a little.
Then she said, calmly and clearly—
"I heard your son is gay."