Before Seunghee's Eyes
Seunghee entered the hideout and immediately began to sob. She clung to Mother like a lifeline, refusing to let go even for a second, as if the moment she did, she’d be thrown out again. Maybe that fear wasn’t so irrational after all. The constant sniffling had started to make me genuinely want to kick her out.
“──Are you about done?”
“Eep…!”
My irritated tone made Seunghee bite her lip, desperately trying to hold back her tears. But once the dam had burst, there was no easy way to stop it.
“Ugh… hic!”
She failed to suppress the sobs and soon started hiccupping as well.
“Hic! Uuu… hic!”
“Haah.” A sigh escaped me involuntarily.
“It’s okay. Calm down, Seunghee. Yeah?”
“Uuu, uuuuuu… hic!”
Mother tried to soothe her, but her gentle kindness only seemed to encourage more crying. Aaah~, what the hell is this atmosphere. Things had been perfect just moments ago. If not for Seunghee, Mother and I would have already crossed that final line. Now we were back to square one.
…Should I just get rid of her?
“S-sorry… hic! I’ll stop soon… hic!”
Was this some habit drilled into her from military life? Watching her play the pitiful victim only made me want to bully her more. Crying? Why are you crying? Did I hurt you? Does crying end your military service? Were you dragged here against your will? Want to go home? If Mother weren’t sitting right there, I might have actually said it out loud. Not that tormenting this worthless girl would fix her uselessness.
I let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“Mother. Are you really okay with this?”
“Huh?”
“I mean doing it in front of Seunghee.”
“Ah…”
My direct question left Mother flustered and hesitant. Just seeing her reaction told me how difficult this would be. I continued.
“For now, I plan to gather coins and set up some security facilities around the hideout first. I don’t want to worry about dying every time we step outside.”
“Yeah. Mom thinks that’s a good idea too.”
“We don’t have enough coins to waste on luxuries like splitting rooms. Making a separate room just ‘because of Seunghee’ doesn’t make any sense.”
“Ugh…”
I subtly pressured Seunghee. It’s your fault we can’t have a room. The coins spent on you are wasted coins. Realistically, creating a separate room would cost far too many coins. We’d need to level the floor and walls first, expand the interior, build partitions, and install doors. If we had that many coins, there were far more important things I wanted first—electrical systems, a refrigerator, water purifier, air conditioner, and more.
“So for the time being, we’ll have to live like this, completely open. If it’s too uncomfortable for you, Mother… we can look for another solution.”
While mentioning ‘another solution,’ I shot Seunghee a meaningful glance. The solution I had in mind was simple: kick Seunghee out. Dispose of Seunghee. Lock Seunghee in the bathroom. In short, get rid of Seunghee somehow. The option of making her a separate room had never once crossed my mind.
“I-I’ll close my eyes and cover my ears… hic!”
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“Ugh… yes…”
One sharp sentence from me and Seunghee shriveled up. She would have talked back before. It seemed she had finally developed some awareness. I might look like the villain here, but it couldn’t be helped if we all wanted to survive. Seungpil would understand.
“Mom… doesn’t really mind, but…”
Even as Mother said that, her eyes showed she was clearly bothered by Seunghee’s presence. Truthfully, doing it in front of someone else wasn’t easy. Especially since Mother and I weren’t some long-time couple who had seen everything of each other. In terms of a man-woman relationship, we were still taking our very first steps. The fact that we were mother and son—even without blood relation—was another mental obstacle.
“If Seunghee closes her eyes and covers her ears like she said… it might be okay. Would that be fine with you, Seunghee?”
“Yes! It’s fine! I’ll close my eyes, cover my ears, and become invisible in the corner!”
Seunghee answered Mother’s question in a frantic rush. She clearly knew she’d be kicked out if she didn’t comply. I gave Seunghee one last glare that said I’m disappointed I missed the chance to throw you out, then extended my hand to Mother.
“Mother. Shall we begin now? Or would you prefer to wash up first?”
“Ah… Mom’s fine like this, but…”
Mother took my hand and moved from the mattress where Seunghee was to ours. Even then, she kept glancing at Seunghee. Despite what we’d discussed, actually doing it in front of someone else was bound to weigh on her mind. But that would only be the first time. By the second time, Mother would get used to it.
Anyway, we had to get through this first time properly. Rather than agonizing over it and dragging things out, it would be better to just push through without giving her time to overthink. So I decided to start immediately.
I glanced at Seunghee. Having learned her lesson, she squeezed her eyes shut and covered both ears with her hands. I didn’t know how long that would last, but it should at least help Mother feel a little more at ease.
“I might smell like sweat right now. Is that okay?”
I redirected Mother’s attention, which had been fixed on Seunghee, back to me.
“Yes. Changjae’s scent is… something I like.”
Just as I thought. I had suspected Mother might have a smell fetish. Quite a few women got excited by the scent of a man’s body or clothes. Mother had shown signs before—sniffing my field jacket when she received it, or washing my clothes even when they weren’t dirty. Wanting to smell the opposite sex’s natural scent was pure instinct. Nothing to be ashamed of.
“I like your scent too, Mother.”
“Ah…”
I buried my nose in the nape of Mother’s neck and inhaled deeply. This was a bold move I could never have made before. It wasn’t an act of familial affection between mother and son. It was filled with sexual intent between a man and a woman.
“No…”
“I like Mother’s scent.”
The pure scent of skin, free of perfume or cosmetics. When it belonged to someone you loved, it became the ultimate fragrance. I kissed Mother’s smooth, straight neck while my hands began to move. First her shoulders and arms. Her silky skin trembled as if tense.
“It’s okay, Mother. This is to earn coins.”
“Coins…”
I stroked her back and whispered. Yes. Any guilt from this inappropriate relationship could be pushed onto the coins.
“Of course, I wanted to do this with you even without the coins. It’s lucky I have such a good excuse, isn’t it?”
I spoke playfully to ease Mother’s tension. It seemed to have some effect. I could feel her body relaxing slightly.
“…Changjae. Actually, Mom also…”
-Chu.
I silenced Mother’s tearful voice with my lips.
“It’s okay, Mother. Don’t say anything.”
“Ah.”
What I was saying and what Mother was trying to say were different. It was enough for Mother to remain Mother, sacrificing herself ‘for her son.’ I didn’t want anything more than that.
-Chup. Chuuup.
We shared a passionate kiss. Had my lips ever felt this hot before? Every time they touched Mother’s, they felt like they would melt. A heat I had never felt with any other woman. Was Mother feeling the same way? It felt like even my brain was heating up.
“Haa, Mother…”
“Ah…”
This time my hand moved to her chest. The sensation unique to women came through the bikini. Heavy yet endlessly soft. The plush fullness enveloped my entire hand. I suppressed the excitement that threatened to burst through my skull. Instead of groping wildly, I caressed her gently. Not for my pleasure, but for hers.
Through the bikini, I could feel the presence of her nipples. Had they hardened from arousal? I gently massaged her breasts, brushing the tips with my thumb.
“No…”
Mother’s whisper was sweet. My touch was meant to arouse a woman. She must have sensed my intention. She grabbed my wrist as if to stop me, but there was no strength in her grip. She didn’t like it, but she didn’t dislike it either. Mother’s conflicted emotions came through to me crystal clear.
“Mother…”
“Ah…!”
I pushed the bikini top upward. The large breasts that the small bikini had struggled to contain finally revealed themselves.
“You’re beautiful, Mother.”
Voluptuous yet not sagging. Mother’s breasts possessed a beauty that naturally drew admiration. Her pale skin and the prominent crimson nipples at their peaks were the same. I kneaded the overflowing flesh with both hands, occasionally grazing the nipples. Walking the tightrope between pain and pleasure, I continued stimulating her senses.
I wasn’t satisfied with just touching this heavenly fruit. I pulled my lips from our kiss and moved downward, kissing her breasts.
“Ah, no…!”
Mother panicked but didn’t actually resist. I kissed her nipple, sucking it between my lips and licking the tip with my tongue.
“Ah… aah…”
Mother’s reaction was even stronger than when I’d used my hands. She bit her finger trying to hold back her voice, but the moans still leaked out. To my ears, those sounds were incredibly sweet. Mother was feeling pleasure from my touch. The joy of it made my brain tingle.
…Suddenly, I noticed Seunghee watching us from the other side. She still had her hands over her ears, but her eyes were wide open, staring at us with intense fascination. Just from her expression, it was obvious Seunghee was getting excited too. She would deny it, of course. Well, as long as she didn’t interfere, watching was fine. Mother might panic if she knew, but at this point, it wouldn’t change anything.
While still caressing her breasts with my mouth and hands, I moved my remaining hand downward, toward Mother’s most intimate place.
“Ah!”
The moment my hand touched her panties, Mother jolted in surprise. She clamped her thighs together and grabbed my wrist. There was more strength in her hand than before. But it still wasn’t enough to stop me.
“Ah, no.”
I traced the line over her bikini panties with my fingers. I could feel the plump mound at my fingertips. The slightly rough pubic hair, and the valley between.
“Ah, aah…!”
Even with such light touches, Mother reacted more intensely than ever. Her body jerked in surprise, her thighs trembling. It was far stronger than the usual reaction women showed to this kind of caress. It meant Mother was more aroused than normal because of this special situation—doing it with me.