I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 157: Ordinary Family (2)

"You don't belong with our family!"

Splash! Water being thrown in my face.

Of course, I wasn’t expecting something as dramatic as that.

I mean, it’s not like I’m marrying Daeun, so there’s no way I’d hear such a thing.

"...Could that happen if we were cohabiting?"

Not that anyone would realistically say something like that in real life.

"Kana, do you like dramas?"

"Not particularly."

"Oh, come on. You’ve got lines memorized like you’ve seen a ton of them."

"I haven’t seen that many."

"Sure, sure. Of course, I believe you. But don’t watch too many, okay?"

"You're not sounding very convincing."

...Huh? Didn’t we just have a similar conversation earlier? Feeling a strange sense of déjà vu, I tilted my head in confusion.

"You know, it’s funny. Apparently, people do say things like that in real life sometimes."

"Say what?"

"What you just said—‘You don’t belong with our family!’ and stuff like that."

"...People actually say that?"

"Yeah, or so I’ve heard."

"Then do they also say, ‘I’ll give you money to leave my child alone’?"

"Um, maybe? Probably? ...Wait."

Daeun narrowed her eyes sharply.

"See? You have watched a lot of dramas."

"I told you, I haven’t."

Timeless classics are called timeless for a reason. The internet is no exception, and I’ve only seen a few random screenshots floating around online. Why am I even defending myself?

That’s when I realized how absurd this was.

"This is all your fault, Daeun."

"...Huh? My fault?"

"You started saying weird things."

"I-I’m sorry...?"

"Then, as a token of your apology, hand over some chocolate."

"-What? No way."

Daeun had already reached into her pocket as if enchanted and was unwrapping the chocolate before she froze and gave me a stern look.

Too bad. I almost got away with it.

"Chocolate before a meal will ruin your appetite. Let’s eat first, okay?"

"There are places where people eat meals with chocolate, you know."

"Not in this house."

She sighed heavily.

"Kana, it’s great that you’re adapting so well, but I’m worried you’re picking up strange habits..."

"If someone heard you, they’d think you were my mom."

"If I had a daughter as cute as you, I’d welcome it any day!"

...I wouldn’t.

The conversation had derailed into something ridiculous thanks to Daeun’s sudden intrusion, but what I wanted to say was this:

Daeun’s dad—why did he accept me so easily?

As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t expecting anything dramatic like being splashed with water or handed a bribe, but shouldn’t he have asked a few questions? Like what I do for a living, whether I have income, or how long I plan to stay?

Daeun, who had been quietly listening to my concerns, nodded.

"Of course. I already told them everything in advance."

"Daeun?"

"Yeah, after Mom came by last time, I thought I should tell my parents about us living together. If they found out suddenly, they’d worry."

"...I see."

She had a point, but...wasn’t that realization a bit late? Closing the barn door after the horse has bolted comes to mind.

Daeun, oblivious to my disapproving look, continued.

"So, when Dad called us over today, it was probably just to have a meal together. If he thought I was living with someone terrible, he might’ve opposed it. But Kana’s not like that. She’s a bit cheeky, but still."

"Kids! Dinner’s ready!"

"Coming!"

"Hurry up, or it’ll get cold!"

"I said I’m coming!"

Grumbling, Daeun reached out her hand toward me.

"Come on, let’s eat."

"Okay."

Ignoring her flapping, impatient hand, I stepped out of the room. Behind me, Daeun followed, muttering complaints. All that fuss over not holding her hand.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

"Here you are! Sit down... Why do I feel like I’ve got a fish instead of a daughter?"

Daeun’s mom, who had cheerfully greeted us, paused while setting down a pot.

"Huh? Have you ever seen such a pretty fish?"

"Enough nonsense. Sit down already."

If she weren’t holding a pot, I’m sure she would’ve smacked Daeun on the head. That’s the look she was giving.

I hopped into a chair, and across from me, Daeun’s dad, who had been watching her antics, caught my gaze.

"...Hmm."

"..."

A palpable awkwardness settled between us. I rarely initiated conversations with anyone other than Daeun, and Daeun’s dad, as she described, was naturally reserved. It was no surprise we had nothing to say to each other.

If we’d had more opportunities to interact, things might’ve been different, but that wasn’t the case.

"Why is the air so heavy? It’s stifling in here."

Thankfully, Daeun stopped bickering with her mom and took her seat, sparing me the horror of a one-on-one conversation with her dad.

"Holy cow... What is all this?"

Daeun gasped dramatically.

"Wow~ Mrs. Kim Yerim really went all out today! This table’s about to collapse!"

"Oh, stop it," her mom laughed.

"You should put this much effort in every meal!"

"..."

And just like that, Daeun earned herself another scolding. Moments later, a small bump had formed on her head.

Her mom turned to me, leaving Daeun sulking in the background.

"How’s the food?"

"It’s delicious."

"I was worried it wouldn’t suit your taste. I’m glad."

She genuinely seemed relieved, not just saying it for show.

"I actually wanted to prepare something even better..."

"No need. This is great."

I shook my head. It would be an insult to call this meal anything less than amazing.

Even before, I’d noticed her cooking was good, but today, it felt like she’d really gone all out.

"It’s better than delivery food."

"...Is that so?"

"Yeah."

"Kana may be cheeky, but she doesn’t lie. Take pride in it!"

"Really, it’s delicious."

"Thank you. Eat as much as you want."

"...Am I being ignored?"

The dishes, mostly meat-based, matched my tastes perfectly.

"Which is better, my cooking or Mom’s?"

"Why would you ask something like that to someone enjoying their meal?"

"This one."

"Oh, dear."

"Hey! Where’s the person who just scolded me for asking?"

As I laughed along with the lively conversation, I couldn’t help but wonder: they’re so kind to me now, but would they still treat me like this if they knew what I did back in Sillia?

"..."

"Kana?"

"Ah."

Hearing my name softly called, I realized my hand had frozen mid-motion. Three pairs of eyes were now on me.

"Should we have gone out instead?"

"Kana would’ve refused. She seems outgoing, but she’s surprisingly shy—like a cat."

"You say that like it’s a bad thing."

"Is it?"

"..."

Daeun started arguing with her mom again. Her dad, seemingly used to this, focused on his food, indifferent to their bickering.

Watching them, my earlier thoughts began to feel pointless. After all, it wasn’t a serious worry—just a fleeting curiosity. Even if they changed their attitude toward me, there was nothing I could do about it now.

No point in dwelling on it.

"..."

I resumed eating, picking up a piece of meat. It didn’t melt in my mouth but disappeared quickly after a few chews.

Not disappointing at all, especially since there was still plenty on the plate.

"...Ugh."

I stretched my arm toward the plate, but my short reach couldn’t overcome the distance. Now that was truly disappointing.

But there was still more to try.

As I contemplated my options, Daeun’s dad silently slid the plate of meat closer to me, clearing his throat as if it was just a coincidence.

He then took a bite of vegetables as though that had been his intention all along.

"..."

I gave him a small nod. He pretended not to notice.

Ah, so that’s what it was.

This time, I grabbed a piece of meat easily, paired it with rice, and took a bite.

Mmm.

Delicious as always.

But this time—it felt a little sweeter, a little warmer.

I sat back on the sofa, reflecting on what I’d just witnessed.

“They’re family.”

What I saw at Daeun’s parents’ home wasn’t particularly extraordinary, even if it was a little chaotic. But does family really need to be extraordinary?

The subtle affection they showed, the quiet consideration that underscored their interactions—it all spoke volumes about their bond.

What struck me the most was Daeun’s father. His reserved demeanor concealed a deep sense of love.

Daeun had once said:

“Love isn’t just about seeing each other often or having long conversations.”

Of course, she probably only said that to justify herself at the time.

...Still, it offered me some comfort.

It felt like those words were telling me that my past regrets—how I’d interacted with my father—weren’t entirely wrong.

The heavy weight I’d carried in my heart seemed a little lighter now.

“Ugh, Kana... Could you help me carry these bags?”

“I’m too full to move.”

“But I’m full too!”

That might be true, but a deal is a deal.

“You lost the bet, so just accept it quietly.”

“Ugh, fine!”

Daeun, who had confidently suggested a rock-paper-scissors contest to decide who would carry the bags, was now groaning in defeat.

But that wasn’t my problem.