The heat was at its peak. Searing air. Burning roads. Hot sun. The sound of cicadas.

Even the densely growing green trees seemed to hold their breath and droop. This year, the monsoon hardly brought any rain, and record-breaking scorching heat had persisted for days.

Summer, sitting on the sofa, gazing outside, closed the blinds.

Summer disliked summer. Because it was too hot. She decided to tell Taeseok, mustering up the courage. Taeseok needed to know what Summer disliked.

Turning her body towards the busy Taeseok in the kitchen, she spoke loudly.

“I hate summer.”

Taeseok, making rolled omelets, burst into laughter.

“Oh no. I like it. Both summer and Choi Summer.”

Summer, holding a book, got up from the sofa, walked lightly to approach Taeseok at the table, and sat down again.

“I’ll confess what I hate again.”

“What’s in your hand?”

“Oh, this is a prenatal diary. Let me show you this first. It’s the best.”

Summer showed a small book, shaped like a diary, with small beans, jelly bears, and tiny baby ultrasound photos arranged in order. She had written down the gestational weeks and short comments. Cute stickers were also attached. Taeseok smiled.

“When did you do something like this? Anyway, you really like cute things. Our daughter is pretty.”

“I hate that too! Deciding that it’s a daughter. What if it’s not a daughter, for once?”

Although she said that, Summer also secretly thought it might be a daughter. However, she didn’t plan to assert it until it became certain. If, for some reason, it was a son, the baby might feel sad.

“Oppa, the rolled omelet is ready.”

Taeseok quickly returned to the frying pan.

Having given a rare vacation to Mrs. Tongyeong, Taeseok managed the household chores without any signs of discomfort. It was surprisingly perfect.

Where on earth did he learn this? Summer suspected that Mrs. Tongyeong might secretly visit every night. Taeseok looked bewildered at Summer’s playful speculation.

Until now, Taeseok thought that the house was immaculate because the workers came in and out regularly. He thought it was due to the people who helped.

Kim Jeong-im was a firm and strict mother. The scene where she said she wouldn’t raise him just because he was a boy came to mind.

She always emphasized that he should take care of himself, and household chores should be divided fairly. That’s why Taeseok was ingrained with the habits of organizing and cleaning.

It was a very different life from when Summer, who used to struggle to get up after a backbreaking night, now mostly enjoyed eating rather than cooking, and preferred messing up rather than cleaning. He believed that most people would be the same.

“I’m not extraordinary. But now that I’m a mom, I want to get closer by doing household chores.”

“No matter how many times you say it, it’s not allowed.”

It was always Taeseok who disrupted her determination.
Whenever I try to do something a little, she panics, rushes over, and cunningly takes it away. Entering this house and standing in front of the fire was a rare event. Just turning on the vacuum cleaner would make her rush over, preventing me from doing separate recycling, and even carrying heavy laundry was prohibited.

Only clothes from the dryer were allowed.

“It’ll be so tough once we have a baby. Until then, you must rest. Even if we have a baby, we’ll hire a sitter, but still, it’ll be so tough…”

Thanks to that, Summer was gradually becoming a lazy pregnant woman.

“I hate being kept.”

“That’s enough. Let’s eat lunch.”

Beautifully sliced rolled omelet was appetizingly arranged.

“What else do you hate?”

Taeseok said.

“I hate Choi Summer saying ‘No.'”

Summer got up, placed the utensils and chopsticks in their places, and spoke. She opened the refrigerator and took out the side dishes Kim Jeong-suk had prepared. Taeseok served rice and soup.

“Really? I like Choi Summer who says ‘No.’ That too, in bed. It’s fascinating how she talks and plays separately.”

Taeseok mixed a sensual gaze with a playful smile. Summer hurriedly avoided eye contact.

“Now, stop joking!”

“It’s not a joke, so don’t tease. Also, don’t pressure me about what’s in your head. I can see everything.”

Taeseok said, placing a pot of freshly cooked squid soup in front of Summer.

“Let’s eat. Our bunny. Eat a lot. Even Kkakkung.”

Taeseok handed her a spoon, blocking the conversation, and sighed inwardly.

She can’t stay still for a moment. Choi Summer.

After confirming the baby’s safety and feeling relieved, she started talking about pre-inspections, data research, and such.

She subtly expressed her intention to secretly drive to Gunsan, which she couldn’t go to last time. Taeseok was amazed. He felt like she wanted to take away his car.

Thinking about returning to work before giving birth wasn’t pleasant either. Childbirth was a significant burden on a woman’s body, so she wanted to rest for as long as possible. She planned to do everything she could. But driving?

“Pregnant women drive around until they’re due.”

Summer said, glancing at Taeseok, but he ignored it as if he hadn’t heard.