Rainy Weekend (2)
“Why the hell are you here, Taeyang?!”
“I… Auntie told me to just come right in.”
I'd blurted out an excuse about Auntie on reflex, but honestly, she'd said something like that while showing me around, so I figured no one would be home.
“You saw my body, didn't you?”
“I didn't see anything! Nothing at all!”
Even as I denied it, my mind flashed back to that scene without warning. Her healthy, lightly tanned skin peeked through the bubbles, framing a perfectly balanced figure.
No, why the hell am I waxing poetic about it?
“Ugh… just get out, and we'll talk later.”
No choice—I scooped my soaked clothes back out of the washing machine. They felt gross and clingy, but sticking around meant risking another face-to-face with a naked Iri noona. And that could actually get me killed.
I stepped out of the changing room and waited right by the door. My clothes were too wet to go anywhere without dirtying the floor, and leaning against the wall wasn't an option either.
After a bit, the changing room door creaked open. Out came Iri noona, fresh from her shower, carrying the scent of soap and shampoo.
“Kim Taeyang… you.”
“I'm really sorry.”
Even if I felt a little wronged, the fact was I'd seen Iri noona's body, and it must've been mortifying for her. I had to apologize properly, bowing my head repeatedly with sincere apologies.
“……You were just standing there the whole time?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. I didn't have any dry clothes, and I figured you'd be out soon.”
“Haa~ Then why didn't you tell my mom and wait in the living room?”
“I'd get the floor all wet.”
“Better than catching a cold!”
“Ugh…”
For some reason, I ended up getting scolded over this.
“S-So… are you okay, noona?”
“You're really making it impossible to stay mad. Go wash up already.”
“Okay.”
So that's how it ends? Whatever, I couldn't just stand there forever, so I headed straight to the shower.
After finishing my shower, I changed into the clothes Iri noona had prepared. She didn't say a word as she left them in the changing room for me.
Was this really over? No way.
But as soon as I entered the living room, Iri noona's expression looked oddly cold. Sitting on the sofa next to her felt awkward—I couldn't even meet her eyes.
“I'm really sorry about earlier.”
“Forget it. It wasn't like you were peeking on purpose.”
“Yeah.”
“I just yelled because it was so sudden and embarrassing.”
Iri noona turned her head like it was no big deal, but her ears were burning bright red.
For a while, we sat in an uncharacteristic silence.
“Dinner's gonna take a bit. Have some juice first, dear.”
Auntie broke the awkward tension by bringing out drinks.
“Ah, thank you.”
“Mom! Why'd you let Taeyang in without checking?”
“Oh, sweetie, you never shower at this time usually. I thought you were in your room.”
Auntie chuckled like it was nothing.
“You used to barge in together as kids, and now you're all shy.”
“Of course! We're not kids anymore!!”
It looked like it might turn into a full mother-daughter spat, so I stepped in to mediate.
“It was my fault for not checking properly, Iri noona.”
“Taeyang, you… almost got away with it.”
“I thought you forgave me?”
“Nope, doesn't look like it. Come to my room.”
To her room? What was she planning now?
I wondered briefly, but Auntie just smiled elegantly like it was no issue.
“Calm down, Iri. I'll make a huge batch of hamburger steaks.”
“Don't think you can bribe me with food!”
“I'll make them super tasty, Taeyang. Just wait a bit.”
“Can I help with anything?”
“No need. You two have fun.”
“Mom, don't brush this off so easily.”
After that, Auntie headed off to prepare dinner, and Iri noona grabbed my arm right away. As expected from someone with her freakish strength—she dragged me straight to her room without a chance to resist.
Only after hauling me inside did Iri noona release my arm. She left me there and rummaged through her closet.
Man, it's been ages since I was in this room. It used to be overflowing with toys and game consoles, but now it's packed with workout gear and games. She must care a little about girly stuff too—there's a small vanity added in one corner. And a subtle diffuser scent filled the air.
Well, I'd never caught a whiff of anything bad from Iri noona anyway.
Such thoughts aside, I turned to see what she was doing. Her training clothes drawer rattled open, and she pulled something out.
That was…
“Teddy Bear Museum?”
It was a paper bag with the Jamon Island Teddy Bear Museum logo.
“……No way.”
“Taeyang?”
Iri noona turned to me with a grin. It was her usual playful smirk, laced with pent-up anger—pure mischief without mercy.
“What'd you buy?”
Without a word, she pulled out the contents. A bear costume.
“You bought one too?”
I'd seen her eyeing them at the souvenir shop, but I never thought she'd actually buy one. Total waste of money.
Hesitant, I asked just in case:
“You're not telling me to wear that, right?”
“If you don't want to, I can dress you myself?”
I shook my head vigorously. I'm not even wearing underwear right now.
“It's punishment, so wear it until you go home.”
“How am I supposed to eat in this?”
Up close, unlike the one our noona bought, this one had mittens connected to the sleeves.
“No problem. Now hurry up.”
“Haa~ Fine, but no photos or showing anyone else.”
“Wouldn't dream of it. Just put it on.”
Well, if it wasn't for showing off, I could deal. Iri noona wasn't dangerous, and hey, it was partly my fault.
“Alright, I'll change.”
I went to the changing room and slipped it on. Surprisingly not bad. The top and bottoms connected with a back zipper, so no worries about the pants slipping. Plus, it was soft and fluffy—cozy for sleeping.
“Hmm… kinda growing on me.”
I headed back to Iri noona's room. She smiled without a word, clearly satisfied.
“Finally. My teddy bear!”
“Wh-What are you doing?!”
Out of nowhere, she hugged me tight. Waving her off did nothing.
“It's punishment, so stay still and let me cuddle. Mmm~ so fluffy~”
Using me as a plushie for punishment? Where'd that embarrassed girl from earlier go? She had zero awareness that I was a guy in moments like this.
“Iri, Taeyang~ Dinner's ready!”
“Coming~”
“Yes!!”
She'd apparently forgotten her anger at her mom, grabbing my shoulders and pushing me down the stairs like a train ride.
“Come eat… Oh my! What is this cutie?!”
That was Auntie's first reaction to me in the bear onesie.
I thanked her as I sat at the table, but it was a bit much. Iri noona and Auntie wouldn't stop showering me with praise.
Guess they shared the same tastes.
“Taeyang's still so cute even as he grows up.”
“I hope he stays like this forever.”
Sadly, I'd shoot up big time in a year. Unable to share that, I kept my head down, embarrassed by the mother-daughter praise fest, and quietly ate.
“Taeyang, wanna be my son for real?”
“Haha, I'd love to, but no way to make it happen.”
She'd joked like this since we were kids, so I laughed it off. My slightly tanned skin matched their family vibe, and people often said we looked like relatives.
But Auntie's teasing escalated.
“Why not? There's one perfect way.”
“What's that?”
“Marry Iri and become my son-in-law~”
“Pfft—!! *Cough*! *Cough*! Water!… Water!!”
“Here, dear.”
Of all times, she said it while Iri noona was eating, leaving her in a total panic.
“What kinda nonsense is that?!”
“Oh, look at her. She never gets shy like this usually.”
“That's 'cause you say stuff like that!!”
Auntie was definitely a step above Iri noona. Impressed, I chimed in.
“Sadly, that's not happening. I proposed last time, and she turned me down.”
“Taeyang, you actually did?!”
“She rejected a proposal? Hold on, Auntie needs to have a word with Iri.”
“Mom, why are you taking this seriously? We're still students!”
“Then just graduate, and it's fine?”
“That's not how it works!! There's prep, processes, relationships, and stuff!”
Like how you've seen me naked now. Saying that would get me wrecked. Better stay quiet.
I dropped the teasing and ate in peace. Slicing into the hamburger steak, juices flowed out, blending perfectly with the sauce. As a kid, I couldn't forget this taste and secretly hoped for visits here. It hit the spot perfectly.
“Auntie's hamburgers are still the best.”
“Not Auntie—try calling me Mom~”
“Ugh… cut it out!!”
Bam—!
Finally snapping, she slammed the table. Turning, I saw Iri noona's face flushed like fire as she wolfed down her food and bolted.
“Thanks for the meal!!”
“She seems pretty mad,” I said.
Auntie just shook her head with a smile.
“She's just embarrassed.”
“But for food-obsessed noona to leave half her plate…”
“She always acts up like that when you come up. Give her time—she'll cool off.”
“About me? Does she do this all the time…?”
“Hehe, no worries, son-in-law. Eat up.”
“……”
She was seriously shipping us. Now I worried she'd show up at our house someday begging to take our daughter away.
After dinner, I offered to help with dishes, but she shooed me off toward Iri noona's room.
“Cheer her up instead. She's waiting.”
I knocked at Iri noona's door and called out.
“Noona, sorry about earlier.”
“You're as bad as my mom, Taeyang.”
“You tease and mess with me all the time too.”
“That's true, but.”
“Headlocks, weird outfits, even bringing up marriage first.”
The door flew open.
“Fine! Get in here! Let's game!”
Her face was still a bit flushed, but she was pretending otherwise. She wanted a distraction.
Iri noona got up, set up the console.
“But it's getting late.”
I'd planned to play a bit, eat, and head home. Staying longer might make it too late. Our places were in the same neighborhood, so one or two rounds should be fine. Still, I should text Mom first—
“Taeyang, Auntie already talked to your mom on the phone. You're sleeping over tonight.”
Auntie's voice echoed from downstairs.
“You cool with that, Iri noona?”
The most sensitive person here would be a girl our age.
“Awesome! I wasn't gonna let you sleep anyway. We'll game all night till I'm over it!”
She looked hyped instead.
“I can't pull an all-nighter gaming.”
“Shut up! Grab the controller.”
Well, thanks to that, the awkward vibe melted away, and we goofed off like old times.