TL/Editor: looloo

    Status: ongoing

    Illustrations: posted in discord

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    "Be careful on your way home, Heena!"

    "See you Monday!"

    "You two take care as well."

    After parting with coworkers who shared a taxi due to similar routes, I headed straight home. The conversation had stretched longer than the drinking, resulting in a later return than expected.

    It was nearly midnight. When I called Yeonho before leaving, his voice sounded distracted, as if tired. It worried me.

    Even if I told him to go to bed first, he''d undoubtedly wait up for me. So I hurried my steps as much as possible.

    Guilty about my late return, yet anticipating the smile that would greet me, I made my way home.

    -Ding dong!

    As I opened the door, I expected my husband to rush to greet me. But...

    "Huh?"

    No one was in sight. No one had come. Even though the living room light was on.

    Thinking he might have fallen asleep waiting, I walked in quickly. That''s when I spotted the back of Yeonho''s head on the sofa.

    Smiling, assuming he just hadn''t heard me, I approached.

    "......"

    I saw my husband''s profile, deeply engrossed in the game console I had bought him. He was probably doing this when I called earlier, explaining his distracted tone. While I felt a twinge of disappointment...

    It was also endearing to see him so absorbed in the gift I''d given him for his enjoyment.

    But it was only fair that he be punished for not noticing his beloved wife''s return. So I stealthily crept up, putting my face right next to his cheek, and spoke.

    "Honey?"

    "Waaagh!!"

    My adorable husband finally looked at me, startled. He immediately put down the console and stood up, flustered.

    "Oh, when did you get back? Sorry. I got caught up in the game and didn''t notice at all."

    "It''s okay. But what game is it? The one with animals?"

    "No, not that... Heeseong hyung lent it to me. I was playing while waiting for you after putting Sarang to bed."

    "Hmm..."

    Although I bought the console for him to play, something felt off.

    Why was I suddenly feeling this way?

    What was this uneasiness?

    Forcing a smile at Yeonho, I tried to ignore the unsettling feeling I couldn''t quite define. To keep him from feeling guilty. After all, he must be tired too, yet he stayed up this late for me.

    "Ah, right. I should do this."

    "Hm?"

    -Smooch!

    And just like that, with his unfailing kiss, all the uneasiness from moments ago vanished, replaced by pure happiness.

    "Honey, I''ll be out soon after a quick shower. Wait just a bit, okay?"

    "I''ll be right here. Take your time."

    That''s right. Tomorrow starts the weekend, so I should hurry and shower so I can snuggle up to Yeonho. It''s fine to stay up a little later tonight. We can kiss, enjoy some skinship, and...

    Imagining Yeonho''s caresses awaiting me, I hurried to wash up and returned to the living room. There, my husband sat on the sofa, still absorbed in his game.

    "Honey, I''m done. Let''s go to bed now."

    "Hm? Oh, you go ahead. I''ll be there in a bit."

    "...What?"

    "It''s Saturday tomorrow anyway, so I''ll just stay up an hour later. You must be tired from the company dinner, right? Go on to bed."

    "......"

    This isn''t right. I want to sleep with Yeonho.

    "Daddy woke up!"

    "Sarang... Good morning..."

    "Daddy''s a sleepyhead!"

    "Yeah..."

    My body felt oddly languid. As I lay there chatting with Sarang, Heena soon entered the room.

    "You''re up? Hungry?"

    "No, I''m fine..."

    "I made some stew, so I''ll heat it up if you want to eat later. What time did you go to bed last night?"

    "...A bit late."

    "I see."

    Unable to lie outright to Heena, I gave a vague answer. Fortunately, she didn''t seem inclined to press further. Instead, she came over and sat on the edge of the bed.

    Sarang had already snuggled closer, hugging me.

    "Daddy! Let''s go see the pretty ones with Sarang!"

    "Okay... How about after Daddy washes up?"

    "Okay!"

    "Are you going to play games again?"

    "...Should I not?"

    "No, it''s fine. Just don''t stay up too late. It''s bad for your health."

    "Got it..."

    Staying up so late left my body feeling incredibly lethargic. As Heena said, I should probably avoid staying up to the point where it wrecks my sleep schedule like this.

    Although I woke up late, I was still able to enjoy a peaceful Saturday. I played with Sarang, and during her nap time, Heena and I snuck in some skinship.

    But even as I spent time like this, I was secretly looking forward to nighttime. No matter what, I had no desire to play games alone during the day on weekends when the family was together.

    Besides, since Heena was so busy during the weekdays, spending time together like this on weekends was important.

    As time passed and night fell once again.

    Worried that Heena might be concerned if I stayed up late gaming again, I held her close, patting her gently as I waited for her to fall asleep.

    -Pat pat.

    "Mom is on the island''s shadow~"

    "Hehe, honey. I can''t sleep because you''re making me laugh~"

    "Oh, really?"

    "Yeah~ Just hold me."

    "Alright."

    The lullaby might have been overkill. Anyway, after Heena fell asleep, I carefully slipped out of bed. So as not to wake her.

    Like I was on some escape mission, just like when I used to secretly turn on the computer as a kid behind Mom''s back. I quietly left the room without making a sound.

    Then I went to the living room, sat in the corner of the sofa without turning on the lights, and started gaming again.

    Even as I went about my day normally, thoughts of the game had been swirling in my head all day. What would happen next in the story? Could I craft better weapons? How many towers would I need to climb to reveal the entire current area?

    That''s why I''d been waiting for this time. The hours after everyone was asleep, when I could leisurely game by myself before bed.

    Of course, I didn''t plan to stay up until dawn like yesterday. Getting too used to pulling all-nighters would wreak havoc on my sleep schedule.

    So not to that extent. But two hours or so should be—

    Totally doable, right?

    It should be fine, right?!

    With those thoughts, I resumed my adventure to save the princess.

    -Swoosh

    Unaware of the eyes watching me from the darkness.

    Author''s Note:

    ??_? ? ...!