Blonde Tanned Thug (4)
Summer vacation was over, just like that. The sun was still blasting down mercilessly in the morning, the same intense summer heat, but because the date had changed, I had to drag myself to school. Not thrilled about it, but what could I do? I had to get up. After tossing and turning because I really didn't want to leave the bed, I finally hauled myself out. At least summer made it easier to escape the sheets—I was already sweaty and sticky anyway. Pushing aside pointless worries like how am I gonna survive winter?, I headed to the living room out of habit.
The smell of soybean paste stew wafted over from the kitchen beyond the living room. My sister must've been up for a while already; she was dressed in her school uniform, apron on, preparing breakfast. Our Hayan is seriously diligent. On the first day back to school, you'd think the vacation schedule would make it hard to wake up... Nah. She'd been getting up at the same time even during break. I'd just been sleeping in and never noticed. In a way, she was scary level diligent.
"Ah, Taeyang's up."
From the kitchen connected to the living room, my sister was focused on chopping green onions nonstop. Meaning, the one talking to me right now wasn't her. I glanced down at the table, and there sat Mom, still in her pajamas—a middle-aged lady looking comfy.
"Mom, no work today?"
"Took the day off. To match your first day back."
"Oh yeah?"
"Seeing you two so chill while I was rushing to work during break? Made me swear revenge on you kids."
"Don't take revenge on your own children over something like that."
Mom laughed like she was having a blast.
"Taeyang, now that you're up, go wash up quick."
Unlike the relaxed Mom, pale-skinned Hayan was already urging me on.
"Yeah."
Guess I'd wash up first.
"Then should Mom help out a bit?"
"Just sit. It's your day off."
"I took it off specifically to help with chores."
"No need. Don't go hunting for extra housework today—just rest."
Pretending to cry about losing her maternal authority, Mom put on a show, but I left the harmonious mother-daughter duo behind and headed to wash up.
"But Taeyang, you seem a lot taller."
"Huh, really?"
Their eyes locked onto me.
"Taeyang, come here a sec."
"What? After I wash up."
Ignoring me, the unusually leisurely Mom today grabbed my arm and pulled.
"Plenty of time still. Just stand here a minute."
Do parents always make a huge fuss when their kids grow? Super excited, Mom had me and Hayan stand face-to-face.
Don't people usually do back-to-back? Naturally, I ended up eye-to-eye with my sister. Back in March, I'd had to look up at her. Now, I could meet her gaze straight on without tilting my head.
"You're almost the same height as Hayan!"
"For real. Congrats, Taeyang~"
Hayan patted my head like I was some good boy, for some reason. I didn't even do anything special? Still, I got their genuine congratulations. Didn't hit too hard, though. It was all planned, and I wasn't done growing yet. I was already looking forward to their faces when I hit high school. No one'd guess I'd top 180cm.
"But short Taeyang was cute too, y'know."
"What kinda talk is that for a kid! Real men gotta be big in two ways, y'know."
"If you're gonna say weird stuff, I'm off to wash up."
I left the two and went to clean up. Fine for a son, but what kinda thing is that to say to your own daughter?
The moment I stepped into the classroom, I ran into Yuyeong first.
"Hey, Taeyang."
"Yeah."
After greetings, as I headed to my seat, Yuyeong kept glancing my way. Looked like she had something to say. Makes sense—after the fight with Seonwoo a few days back, I hadn't filled her in on the details. I'd planned to meet her after watching over Seonwoo and Juyeon unnie, but Yuyeong had something come up and went home early. No contact after, so the full story that day was a blank for her.
"Ask away."
I opened first.
"Um... I know you had your reasons and all."
Yuyeong hesitated, searching for words.
"Why'd you suddenly push those two at the ping-pong place?"
"Yeah. I know how Juyeon unnie feels about Seonwoo oppa, but..."
I'd definitely blown it without much finesse. To outsiders, it'd look like rash overkill. Spilling Seonwoo's true colors here wouldn't convince her anyway—might just tank my rep.
"Got too frustrated and acted on impulse. Juyeon unnie kept begging me for help, Seonwoo hyung was acting oblivious even though he knew, and neither said a word."
At that vague point, Yuyeong nodded like she got it.
"You two made up okay, right?"
"Hm... He seemed pretty pissed."
I forced a bitter smile.
"Make up later."
"Got it. Next time I see him."
Probably soon, anyway.
"I was seriously shocked when we went out to play for real."
Yeah, Yuyeong had it rough. The plan needed an extra person, and she fit perfect. Couldn't call Juyeon unnie outright or she'd suspect, so I needed someone who'd tag along just from hearing I was going out. Gahee unnie and Yuyeong came to mind, but Gahee unnie's yandere levels were high right now. Touch the wrong nerve, and who knows what chaos. So I picked sociable, chatty Yuyeong—who got along with others besides me. Plus, if Juyeon unnie bolted crying, someone to stick with her. Thanks to Yuyeong relaying Juyeon unnie's spot, I could watch what decision those two made.
"Yuyeong. Thanks."
"Huh? Oh... hehe, no biggie~ Just did what anyone would."
Happy at the praise, she grinned wide—super obvious. Weird kid, otaku deep-diving yaoi and yuri anime, but she knew how to look out for people. Felt bad dragging her into that mess suddenly. Maybe repay with a snack from the canteen? Not crazy enough to do anything boosting affection, though. Bread from the store it'd be.
"Hey, as thanks, wanna hit the canteen later?"
"Pfft, no need, Taeyang!"
"No reason to refuse."
"It's fine... um... then, one tiny favor?"
"Tiny favor?"
I turned to her, curious. If small, sure.
"What?"
"Come play at my house!"
She beamed innocently. That's tiny?
"Pretend you didn't say that."
"Eh? Why?"
"You forgetting what we are right now?"
"We're... friends, right?"
Friends, yeah. But no plans to get closer. Even now, glancing around, I felt the girls' stares surrounding us. Boys' too, sometimes. Like, they confessed and got rejected last semester—why so chummy?
"Yuyeong. Check the stares around us."
"Um... ah."
"See?"
"Fine, change of request."
"To what?"
My gut sank.
"Can I tell the kids we're besties from now on?"
"Drop the 'besties' part."
It's true anyway—no harm.
As excited Yuyeong ran to her friends, my phone buzzed.
Pfft—I almost burst out laughing. Back when I first dealt with GlassMental, she felt like a ticking time bomb, always tense. Now? Chatting easy. Her therapy progress helped, sure. But mostly, getting to know Cho Yuli made affection inevitable.
FridayAngel: Did you hand out the keychains to your friends okay?
GlassMental: Yeah! They all loved them, luckily!
FridayAngel: (thumbs up emoticon)
With those personalities, no way they'd dislike gifts from a friend. Pumped, GlassMental spilled stories nonstop. Said she even passed one to her "scary" friend's little brother since I was in a good mood. Yeah, I'd get it after school. Didn't expect a gift back from me, though.
Anyway, to her asking when we could meet since she wanted to give me one too, I said I'd think about it. Then she dropped the real bomb.
GlassMental: So that boy said as thanks, let's hang out just us two next time.
Seonwoo's next target: Cho Yuli for now. Expected, game flag from her route.
FridayAngel: Where'd you plan to meet?
GlassMental: That park we met at before? Said there's a yummy restaurant nearby.
FridayAngel: Hmm... crowded spots won't be too much?
GlassMental: Yeah, but don't wanna say no...
GlassMental: Wanna try being brave once. Gotta overcome it someday.
FridayAngel: Someday, huh...
GlassMental: So you can beat your social anxiety too, FridayAngel!
GlassMental: Fighting!
GlassMental: Btw... he's actually a guy.
GlassMental: Worried someone might misunderstand and hurt his feelings.
GlassMental: Okay if we meet alone?
No way it'd be. Obviously intervening. Not for the boy—for Yuli not getting hurt.
FridayAngel: Oh ho~ Playing coy, are we?
GlassMental: Not coy!!
Time to smash Seonwoo's other fish farm.