Date and Stalking (2)
His son had gone out early in the morning claiming he had an appointment and came back home late in the evening with his childhood friend in tow.
'Oh? Look at these two?'
It was suspicious enough to raise eyebrows, but Yu Hana didn't suspect a thing. Shin Tae-il wasn't the type to have that kind of guts.
Even when he took Ayane up to his room and saw them off much later, she harbored no doubts. Tae-il was a bit of an odd kid. But he wasn't the sort to do something so tasteless with his childhood friend right above his parents while they were resting at home after a hard day's work.
Ayane's cheeks were a little flushed, sure, but that was nothing new. Above all, there was no weird gait or lingering scent of night-blooming flowers—hardly enough circumstantial evidence to warrant suspicion.
Clearly, the two were just innocently hanging out. That's what Yu Hana believed.
"Mom. What kind of outfit's good for a date?"
"Who are you?"
The time it took for her ironclad faith in her son to shatter: a mere second.
Tae-il shot her a baffled look at her reaction.
"Who? Your son. You've been busy with work lately—your brain playing tricks on you or something?"
"Weird. Your speech sounds just like my son..."
"Then I am your son. What, you think I'm your daughter?"
"Fair point."
It was late at night. Recharging for tomorrow's grind by watching some Japanese period drama she barely understood, Yu Hana scratched her head in confusion at her son's out-of-the-blue question.
"Sorry. Mom's been a bit out of it lately. So, what'd you say again, sweetie?"
"What kind of date look's good."
"Hmm."
Date look, huh. Not even Yu Hana had an easy answer for that. She'd avoided dating in college to chase grades, and once she landed a solid corporate job, her office romances meant date looks were basically office attire.
She went with the safe, textbook advice first.
"Gotta dress clean and neat, right? You always look so sloppy."
"Clean and neat?"
Tae-il's usual fashion was overly simple. Either baggy hoodies and tracksuits or shorts with short-sleeved shirts—take your pick.
"Hmm. Maybe? Then the outfit from when I went out with Ayane last time should work?"
"Huh?"
Yu Hana caught the odd vibe in his words.
'Last time with Ayane?'
It sounded like this time it wasn't Ayane. Before the suspicion could solidify, Tae-il stood up.
"Eh, thanks for the advice. Didn't help much, though."
"You got some nerve talking to your mom like that!"
"What can ya do."
It really hadn't helped, though. As Tae-il turned and headed up the stairs, Yu Hana bolted upright on the sofa and yelled after him.
"Son! Don't make Ayane cry!"
"I won't!"
Even with the irritation dripping from his retort, Yu Hana's worries didn't fade.
"He'll be fine... right?"
Who the heck did he take after? The kid was terrible at expressing himself and stubborn as hell. He'd clearly inherited all the bad traits from his parents.
"Should be okay...?"
That night, fretting over her son out of nowhere, Yu Hana tossed and turned despite Shin Young-hoon's nagging.
The next day, Tae-il headed to school early in the morning. Animal Husbandry Club duties.
Shuffling into the clubroom in a sleepy daze, he was greeted by Mori Yuuya, who had arrived ahead as usual, with her soft smile.
"Good morning."
"Morning, senpai."
They naturally split the tasks. Tae-il cleaned the lizard racks, checking temps and humidity on the charts. Yuuya handled the amphibian enclosures—the ones Tae-il still shied away from, like the frogs.
Once the basics were done, it was feeding time for Toto, the red-eared slider turtle hollering for grub.
"This guy's always snapping at me. Can you grab him for me, senpai?"
"Sure."
Yuuya transferred Toto to the small freshwater tub Tae-il had prepped.
Toto. Prickly with males, but sweeter than anyone to females.
Eyeing the turtle's shell, Tae-il asked, "He's such a dummy—he never climbs onto land, huh?"
"Yeah. Not getting enough basking light."
"Guess we should crank up the lamp while we're at it."
Basking was essential for reptiles, not optional. Tae-il adjusted the light's brightness and height with practiced ease.
Then it hit him—Yuuya using every club session for personal time, day after day.
"Hey, senpai. You're on break—aren't you busy?"
"Nah."
"No friends to hang with?"
"No friends."
"Oof. What about Hiiragi-senpai...?"
"Acquaintance, not quite friend."
"Ah..."
Hiiragi Sakurako would've bawled if she heard that cold verdict.
Undeterred by Tae-il's sigh, Yuuya busied herself setting up the camera to film Toto's feeding.
Tae-il had gotten used to most club tasks, but Yuuya still outshone him on camera work and shooting.
"Does it bother you?"
"Kinda. Youth only comes once in a lifetime, y'know."
Everyone lives their life differently. Tae-il had no intention of meddling in Yuuya's choices, but he wished she'd enjoy it more. Bonds and experiences with friends were irreplaceable parts of youth.
"It's fine."
To his concern, Yuuya smiled brightly, rising on tiptoes to gently pat his head.
"I'm having plenty of fun right now. Thanks to you, Taichi."
"Eh, glad to hear it..."
Tae-il scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
He had no idea. Time with him was her favorite by far.
Yuuya hoped he never found out.
'It'd be too embarrassing if he did...'
She let out a short sigh, turning to pull prepped feed from her bag.
"Special treat for Toto today."
The tub held cubed meat, finely chopped.
"This beef?"
"Bingo. Discounted from the butcher yesterday."
"Haha. Turtle's living better than us."
Tae-il eyed the perfectly portioned chunks enviously as he picked one up with chopsticks.
"Jealous? Want me to get you some meat too, Taichi?"
"Haha, no thanks."
Not wanting to mooch off his senpai, Tae-il politely declined. Yuuya feigned disappointment.
Missing it, he dropped the meat into the tub. Toto, who'd been pawing the wall begging to be let out, flinched at the splash.
'Food?'
Glancing between Yuuya and the meat, the turtle waddled over after her subtle nod. It snatched the chunk with its strong beak and shredded it instantly, thrashing its head like a dog with a toy. The water churned and muddied in seconds.
Quirky and dumb as he was, Toto took meals seriously.
Tae-il marveled. "They might suck at everything else, but damn, they eat well."
"Yeah. Turtles gotta eat."
Lizards didn't need frequent feeds. Past hatchling stage, once or twice a week was fine unless power-feeding. Turtles, though? Daily like humans.
After the not-short meal and basking, Toto played along with Yuuya's light prodding. Weighed and returned to its clean tank, courtesy of Tae-il.
Time to pack up camera and clubroom.
"That's it for today, right?"
"Yeah."
Tae-il stretched his sore shoulders and back. Over a month in, the routine felt natural now.
Yuuya massaged his lower back from behind.
"Tough, huh?"
"Haha, nah. Getting the hang of it."
"For real?"
"Minus your filming suggestions..."
"Pffft."
Tae-il grumbled weakly about his filming awkwardness. Yuuya chuckled, pleased.
"I'll help. You'll get used to it quick."
"Uh..."
Tae-il groaned awkwardly. Would that day ever come?
Remembering the YouTube reactions, he cracked a wry smile. Their video had gone up in under a week—and blown up.
Most viewers cared more about Yuuya than the animal vlog. Curiosity led him to peek, only to be scarred by endless hate comments he tried to forget, playing it cool.
But bad at hiding expressions? Yuuya tiptoed again, stroking his head slowly.
"Senpai?"
"It's okay. Lots of good comments too. Don't take it to heart."
"Haha. Thanks, even if it's lip service."
"Not lip service."
Her kind smile, she took his hand gently.
"Don't push too hard. Tell me if it's rough. I'll help."
"...Embarrassing."
"Answer me."
"Got it. I'll say if it's too much."
"Good boy."
Comforting him, Yuuya thought:
'Hate comments. Time to clean 'em up more.'
Boost only the positives. She'd hacked the algorithm already. Keep pushing good reactions, and viewers would warm to Tae-il naturally.
Club duties done, they headed to the staff room for Asakura.
Even on break, she favored dignified button-downs and slacks—teacherly. Today? Way too casual.
She beamed at them. "Hey. Good work today. Taichi, getting the hang of it?"
"Sorta. Hey, sensei, where you off to today?"
"Vacation."
"You on vacation...?"
"Shocked, huh."
"You guys... I'm human too. Aaaang?"
Asakura crunched her candy menacingly. She announced vacation yet lounged at school—textbook workaholic.
"Til when?"
"Tomorrow."
Planning two days of total R&R at home, she stifled a yawn.
Tae-il questioned, "If you're just crashing at home anyway, why not stay overnight here?"
"Wanna die?"
Asakura kneaded his head hard.
"You come to school on break or term—same diff. Wanna study til 4 PM before heading out?"
"S-Sorry...!"
"Rookie mouthing off. Tsk!"
Asakura pouted like a kid, griping shamelessly before her student.
Tae-il rubbed his throbbing scalp. "Oof. Still, unexpected."
"What is?"
"Thought you'd work til you dropped dead."
"You little shit...!"
"Eek! Ow, sensei!"
For insolence, she pinched his nose hard.
"Obviously hurts. I'm human too, punk. Humans break without breaks. Aaaang?"
"O-Okay, lemme go!"
She released at his plea; he nursed his swollen red nose, teary-eyed.
"Taichi okay?"
"Watch your mouth next time."
"Y-Yes..."
Asakura crossed her arms, sighing as Yuuya soothed him. She'd taken the teasing, yet her fave pupil fretted more over the junior.
'Raise a disciple, and they're useless.'
Nicotine cravings hit hard lately, breeding break or not.
"Anyway, I'll wrap the clubroom. You two scram from school."
"See? Total workaholic."
"Tsk!"
"And who minds the club while you're off?"
"Asked a junior."
"Junior?"
"Yuuya's met her. The one who got that lily white reco from us last time."
"Ah..."
Yuuya recalled. "That person..."
Trustworthy, she nodded.
"Eh, if you vouch, senpai, I'm good."
"Don't underestimate adult planning, you brat."
Asakura grinned, knuckle-rapping his head.
"...Never did."
"Whatever. Tomorrow, Yuuya working solo with her'd be awkward and tough. Swing by and help if you can. Can ya?"
"Sure."
No biggie. Band practice was on hold til Sakuya joined anyway—he'd manage member conditioning. Plus, Yuuya came extra without need; payback time.
"C'mon, Taichi. Rest easy on vacation, sensei."
"Take it easy, sensei."
"Yeah."
They left; Asakura slumped into her chair backrest.
"Haa."
Exhausted. Two days of pure sleep sounded scary-good.
Her smartphone buzzed.
"Hello?"
"It's me, sis. Got time now?"
"Sera?"
Asakura removed her glasses, nodding at the recent frequent contact from her junior-slash-little-bro type.
"Of course. Why call? Tomorrow thing?"
"Yeah. Yuuma by 7 tomorrow, right?"
"Yep. Two decent workers probably there—work 'em good."
"Haha. Outsider like me, how?"
"Psh. Next term you'll work here anyway. Right?"
"Not confirmed yet."
"I'll chat with the chairman. You'll ease my load—he'll welcome it."
"How much do you even work for the chairman to say that...?"
"More salary than most teachers."
"Sigh. Fine. I'll push for Yuuma as first choice."
"Good."
Sturdy junior incoming—Asakura grinned inwardly.
"Come on over, Sera. To procedure-loving Yuuma."
"Sounds ominous just hearing it..."
"Heh. As if."
Asakura smirked. Show up, and she'd dump all the hassle on her for some peace.
Oblivious to the scheming, the poor lamb shivered from an unknown chill.
"W-Weird... sudden chills... caught a cold?"
"Cold? Be careful. Summer ones hit hard."
"Yeah. See ya, Huyuko-nee. Swing by after tomorrow?"
"Do that."
Click. Call ended, Asakura fished out a Chupa Chups from her drawer, unwrapped, and popped it in.
"Fwew..."
Summer break midway. Next term, her instincts screamed alarms.
Sacrificial lamb secured as temp fix, but it felt far from easy. Sigh escaped.
"Phew. Just don't drag in more headaches, Taichi."
Asakura prayed, slipping her glasses back on.
"A-Atchoo!"
"Taichi, cold?"
Tae-il's sudden sneeze had Yuuya pressing her hand to his forehead worriedly. No fever, good.
"Sniff. Dunno. Anyway, Yuuya-senpai. If you went on a date, what'd you wear...?"
Yuuya plugged his mouth with a finger.
Her voice dipped low, trembling slightly. "Taichi, you got a date today?"
"Uh... probably?"
"Oh."
She bowed her head.
"With that childhood friend, Katsuragi...?"
"Nope."
"Not her...?"
Tae-il blinked dumbly. Why would Ayane even come up?
"Ha..."
Yuuya relaxed—not Ayane. Relief.
She grilled him. "Then who? Someone I know?"
"Probably. Super famous. Sakuraba Sakuya..."
"Sakuraba? The 'Empress of Swimming' Sakuraba Sakuya?"
"Huh? You know the nickname too?"
Empress of Swimming. One of Sakuya's monikers post-Interhigh domination. Still hilarious—Tae-il planned to tease her with it.
He grinned mischievously, boyish prankster vibe.
"Haha. What do you think, senpai? She'd freak if she heard, right?"
"Uh, y-yeah..."
Weird. A date, yet his vibe was casual buddy hangout. Not the boy who'd just asked about date looks.
'What's going on?'
Question marks popped over Yuuya's head amid the baffling mood.