Decaffeinated

eight.

It has been an hour since Momo left me in the car. I couldn't wait any longer. I'm hungry, and I also need to pee. I decided to text her before finding some good place to eat.

I went out of my car and went to their doorstep to ring the doorbell.
“Jeongyeon.” Momo uttered. I just gave her a blank stare. “How did it go?” she smiled at me widely.
“It went well. My mom and dad were okay for who I am. It's just that they're mad at Sana and also disappointed at me for not telling them earlier.” I just nodded and found no words to say yo her. I wanted to be mad because she lowkey didn't care about me or not even checking up on me outside but I fully understand why.

Also, she's not my girlfriend to show concern to me.

“Mom, dad, this is my friend, Jeongyeon. She was the one who flew with me to Japan.” I bowed at them. “Mr. Hirai, Mrs. Hirai.” Momo's dad gave me a hard look.
“Thank you for helping our little girl go here. You're such a great friend.” Mrs. Hirai hugged me, I hugged her back. I still feel Mr. Hirai's stare and it's somehow giving me chills.

The 4 of us sat at the dining table, with Mr. Hirai being in the middle, Mrs. Hirai on the right side, and Me and Momo on the left. We soon started eating and man, I missed these kinds of food.

“So, what do you do for a living?” Mr. Hirai broke the silence and asked me. “I run a business, sir. I own a café shop in Korea.”
“And the most popular one.” Momo budged in.
“Interesting. Do you have any sports?” He asked. “I know how to play baseball, and also a little bit of basketball.”
“You're a sporty type, huh? Where did you took college?” I gulped. “Seoul University, sir, but I never graduated.” He hummed “Why?”
“Dad that's a lot of questions.” Momo said. I shook my head “I wanted to start a business to help a friend. That's why I stopped studying and focused on that business. I'm glad that I took that risk.” He just nodded and went back to eating. Mr. Hirai didn't asked any questions after that.

We finished eating, and I helped Momo with the dishes.
“Does you dad usually ask these stuffs to your friends?” she shook her head.
“I was surprised myself. It was the first time he asked personal questions to my friends.”
I find it really weird that her dad throwed me unexpected questions. Maybe he knows that I like her?

We finished the dishes, and Momo got called by her father outside.
“Stay in the living room, Jeong. I'll be back.” I nodded and went to the living room.

She called my nickname.

“Say, Jeongyeon, how did you and Momo met?” Mrs. Hirai asked.
“Your daughter was a regular customer on our shop, ma'am. Since her work is close to it, and she happens to like our blends, she always go there and I sometimes talk to her.”
“Momo cried earlier about her ex, Sana. It broke my heart, but I think you're very different.” My eyes widen. “How am I different, ma'am?” she chuckled “You'll know.”

Our conversation got cut when Momo came inside.
“Jeongyeon, dad said he wants to talk to you.” I gulped and nodded. What does he want from me? I'm legit scared of him since I was introduced by Momo.

-

“Sir? Momo said you wanted to talk to me?” I asked nervously. He was puffing a cigarette when I went out. He offered me one but I refused. I'm done with that life.

“I want to talk to you about Momo.”
“What about her, sir?”
“You love her, don't you?” My heart stopped beating. How the hell did he knew? Well, there's no turning back now.
“I do, sir. But may I ask how did you knew?”
“You're pretty obvious. Paying for my daughter's plane tickets, driving her from Tokyo to Kyoto when she can take the train, helping her to move on, doing all those stuff without wanting something back? No friend would go that far.”
“But she doesn't realize it.”
“That's because she's too blinded with Sana's love. She told us all about her, from the start, 'till the end. I've never seen her cried so hard in my entire life, and it hurts me more than anything. I never raised Momo to be hurt by someone who doesn't see her worth. I was mad at her for doing that, and mad at myself for letting that happen.” Mr. Hirai's voice was husky, trying to fight back the tears. Her daughter was hurt and he wasn't able to do anything.
“Don't be mad at yourself, sir, or even at Sana. It's just that Sana couldn't give what Momo needs and she doesn't want to hurt her even more by pretending that she can.”
“You're right. But I'll be real with you, Jeongyeon, I don't want my baby girl I to be hurt by some kind of person like that anymore. So please, I have this one request.” I tilt my head. “What is it, sir?”

“Protect Momo and take care of her for me in Seoul.” He said.
“With no hesitation, sir.” He smiled. “You have my blessing.”
I couldn't be more happier in my entire life. Mr. Hirai gave his blessing, HIS BLESSING. But then again everything's ironic.

You have the parents' blessing, but you don't have their daughter.

“Thank you, sir, but I think your daughter doesn't have any romantic feelings towards me.”
“She'll come around. Continue what you're doing, I know she has feelings for you.” he patted my back softly.

We stayed there for 2 days, we need to fly back to Korea tomorrow since that was the only time we got.
“Thank you for visiting us, baby girl. We'll miss you.” Mr. Hirai kissed Momo's forehead, while Mrs. Hirai hugged Momo tightly, crying.
“Visit us more often, okay?” she sobs, Momo sadly nodded.

“Jeongyeon.” her father called. I went closer. “Remember what I said, understood?” I smiled at him and nodded. “The next time you visit us, I want Momo to introduce you as her girlfriend, okay?” he whispered, I nodded “I'll try my very best, sir.” he grinned at me and chuckled
“Goodluck.”