Taeyang's Mistake
Even today, after finishing committee work, I got home late. I arrived at the house while gazing up at the sky that had already darkened early.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back~"
The moment I stepped into the entryway, it wasn't my sister who greeted me, but someone else.
"Huh? Mom, you're already home?"
No matter how late I was because of committee stuff, our schedules never overlapped like this. Just as I was about to check the time, Mom spoke first.
"I got off work early today. It's a special day for me, after all, right?"
"Oh, is it that day already?"
I recalled the date boldly marked on the kitchen calendar.
So that's today.
"Happy wedding anniversary."
"Thanks, sweetie."
Even after Dad passed away, Mom still made a point to observe their wedding anniversary. Every year on the day, she'd come home a bit early like this, sip wine alone while looking at Dad's photo in the evenings. As her son, I felt like I should do something for her.
While I pondered that, the front door opened again.
"I'm home."
"Oh, Sis, you just got back too?"
I turned around, but it seemed like Sis had already come and gone once. Her hands weren't holding her bag—they were gripping heavy shopping baskets.
"If you're going shopping, take me with you."
"Hehe, it's fine."
"Hayan, you're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?"
"I'm good, Mom. I won't make you work."
"That's not what I meant."
She set the baskets down in the kitchen for now.
"We'll handle it ourselves this time, so you just sit and relax~"
"You kids have schoolwork and all... And aren't you prepping for the festival lately?"
"It's fine~ We're still young and full of energy."
Mom pushed her toward the table as she said that and sat her down.
"Well... then maybe I'll let my kids spoil me just for today."
I quickly washed up and went to help Sis.
"Mom, did you know Taeyang's great at grilling meat?"
"Huh? Really?"
Oh yeah, it had been ages since I'd grilled meat with Mom.
"I heard he made bulgogi last time too... Our boy's all grown up now?"
I'm not fully grown yet. I'm supposed to get even taller.
I almost said something silly like that, but I held back. Seeing her smile so warmly made me feel good too.
"I'll grill it nice and tasty, so just wait."
"Okay."
Pop!
As the dishes started finishing one by one and getting placed on the table, I heard the sound of the wine cork popping.
"Drink in moderation."
"Got it, my sweet girl~"
She'd already had a bit—her speech was unusually soft and mushy.
By the time Mom poured her second glass of wine, everything was set.
"Whoa, what a feast!"
"Hehe, I showed off my skills a little."
"The meat looks delicious too."
A warm, harmonious family atmosphere.
"Then, happy wedding anniversary once more~"
"Happy anniversary."
Mom, caught up in the moment, suddenly teared up at our cheers.
"Ah, why are you crying again?"
"How did my babies grow up so fast... Sniff... Especially Taeyang—he's suddenly gotten so mature."
You don't have to say that last part.
I decided to let it slide just for today.
"Alright, let's eat."
It was a cozy family dinner, all of us together for the first time in a while.
"Here, Taeyang, have a glass too."
I'd wondered why there were three glasses, but Mom poured wine into mine.
"We're still minors."
"It's fine—it's okay if a guardian gives it to you."
"Still..."
"How about just a little sip?"
Sis Hayan smiled brightly as she lifted her glass. Well, for a day like this, I should go with the vibe. Mom drinking alone had always looked so lonely.
Just a tiny bit, then.
Faint memories from my past life surfaced—I'd never even touched alcohol. On the day I turned legal, I tried soju alone for the first time, but it was so bitter and gross that I never touched it again.
"Cheers~"
Anyway, we clinked glasses, and I took just a sip. First alcohol in this world, but I wasn't expecting much. Wine was probably tannic and bitter too.
"Mm... it's gone?"
"Right?"
It was actually pretty good. Did Taeyang's body just handle booze well?
"Mom hates the astringency too, so she goes for the sweet ones."
Anyway, this level, I could enjoy it. Though calling it "enjoying" as a minor felt weird.
"Want another?"
"Sure."
The wine's flavor lingered on my tongue. The food paired mysteriously well, going down easy. Pork belly with wine... I thought it wouldn't match, but treating it like juice worked fine.
Clink.
A slight warmth started building in my body. Oh, was this the buzz? I'd never been drunk even in my past life, so it was a novel sensation.
Sis didn't like the taste, it seemed—she had one glass and didn't touch it again. Or maybe she was holding back in case Mom got wasted?
"Mom, aren't you feeding Taeyang too much?"
"What's wrong with that~? It's a day like today~"
Mom was being pretty irresponsible too.
"It's fine—no cops are gonna bust us anyway."
Cops... They'd probably just take one look and leave. The thought made me chuckle quietly.
"Taeyang, you stop too. You look drunk."
"Huh? I haven't had that much?"
Just about three glasses. And I didn't feel that buzzed. Just a bit of facial flushing, maybe.
Mom patted Sis's head as she fretted.
"Oh, you~"
"Yeah, Hayan's always looking out for the family."
"Don't gloss over it like that—you'll pass out again."
"Got it."
Mom looked back and forth between Sis and me, then said,
"You kids really keep me from feeling lonely. I'm so grateful. I love you~"
She gets all cringey like this sometimes after a drink. The awkwardness hit me, and my body heated up more.
"Hehe, getting shy~"
Yeah, can't have you lonely. I'll go.
There was a brief pause before a reply came.
Why is this person so nice? Even though I'm deceiving her, she doesn't suspect a thing, considers me first, and keeps being kind. She's been sending gift icons lately too... Could I really keep fooling a sister like this?
That's not right. I have to come clean. She can't keep getting tricked by someone like me.
My consciousness blacked out as my fingers hammered the keys up to there.
……
This person knew all along.
She knew what emotions I was feeling, why I kept dragging out these chats, and still accepted me every time.
Yuri—who once called herself a fallen angel—felt tears well up. It had been so long since she'd felt hot tears like this.
For someone like me... to have an angel do this much...
"No. I really am happy."
No one had ever brought her this much joy in life. Chatting casually, hanging out without pressure, even worrying about her and recommending a counseling center.
A bit later, a chat came from FridayAngel.
Why does this person keep apologizing?
She was puzzled, but no follow-up came.
"There's nothing to be sorry for?"
She was even offering to hang out at the school festival. So why apologize like she was about to leave me behind?
"……"
Anxious thoughts bubbled up, and Yuri shook her head quickly.
"No way."
FridayAngel leaving me? No chance. We're internet friends, right? Not those real-life types who giggle in groups and ditch you easy.
Our sticky online bond wouldn't break that simply. All it takes is a phone.
"FridayAngel's always by my side. Yeah, I can't even imagine life without FridayAngel anymore."
But she couldn't stop her body from trembling. And so, Yuri pulled an all-nighter.
—————
The next morning.
"Uwaaaaaaaaah!!!!"
Bang- Bang- Bang-!!!
I'm fucked.