The Pop-up Store and Hidden Desires
"It's been a long time since it was just the two of us, son."
"I guess so. It's been a while since I've ridden in Dad's car, too."
Dad's car was a black SUV—a domestic model he’d been driving for years. I hadn't really been in it much since I started working. Silence filled the car after Chaeyu stepped out. It felt as if we had reverted to the time before the two of them had arrived. Of course, it wasn't that our relationship was awkward or that I disliked my father; it was just a sense of nostalgia, a feeling that returning to the way things were wasn't so bad.
"How are things with Mom and your sister?"
"They're fine... we get along well. I'm actually more worried about you, Dad."
"Worried about me? Why?"
"I barely ever see you and Chaeyu talking."
"Hey now. Does being close mean you have to be talking all the time? We're family, we're just close by default."
"...I suppose that's true."
Like Dad and me right now, you don't necessarily need a constant stream of words to be close. If you don't feel awkward sitting in silence, there are plenty of ways to feel a bond beyond conversation. Of course, if you feel awkward the moment the talking stops, then you aren't really close.
"What does Chaeyu like?"
"Chaeyu? Why?"
"She gave me a pair of shoes as a gift, and I wanted to get her something in return."
"Look at you, Dad. What's gotten into you?"
I wanted to ask him to buy me something too, but I decided to hold back. I’d already received so much. Just the fact that he hadn't abandoned me when he could have, and raised me instead, was more than enough. Because of that, I’d been able to meet Chaeyu and Mom.
"Hmm... just buy her some clothes. She says she wants to open a clothing store later."
"It's tough to run a clothing shop in this day and age..."
"You never know until you try."
"That's true. Chaeyu is still young... she should try all sorts of things."
"Why do you have to sound so ominous?"
"I haven't lived this long for nothing, son. I've seen more than a few people go bankrupt trying to run a business. Especially in this country."
"..."
Now that I thought about it, he was right. It wasn't the 80s anymore; if business were easy, everyone and their dog would be doing it, and there would be more self-employed people than salarymen.
"But what will you do if Chaeyu says she really wants to do it?"
"I'll help her, of course. It's not like she's doing anything wrong."
"And if the business fails?"
"So what? You have to bump into things and fail to get better. Besides, Chaeyu is still young. She should try everything."
"You actually sound pretty cool for once, Dad."
"'For once,' he says."
After a long time stuck in traffic, we arrived at the department store. Mom had told us not to come, but since we were already here, there was no turning back. I’d just have to say Dad insisted.
"Whoa... are there really this many people?"
"That's because it's a popular spot. Today is the last day."
"Is that so...?"
Maybe because it was the final day, the line was even longer. We had no choice but to wait.
"I'm too tired to stand here, son."
"No way. We came here because of you, Dad. You can't give up now."
"You go in for me."
"I've already been here several times!"
I felt like I’d die if I had to go in alone. "Ugh, I'm so tired..."
"It's moving."
After waiting thirty minutes, we finally entered the pop-up store. Perhaps because it was the last day, there was significantly more stock than on my previous visits.
"What kind of place is this?"
"It's originally an underwear brand, but I think they're doing a merchandise project this time."
"I don't see any underwear, though."
"I guess they aren't selling that this time."
"Oh...?"
We wandered around, two men having a dull time, but Dad, being a pragmatist, just kept complaining that everything was unnecessarily expensive. This, despite the fact that he’d made excuses for his own golf clubs being "on the cheap side."
"Where's Mom?"
"I don't know. I don't see her."
I’d definitely seen her leave for work this morning, but she was nowhere to be found. Did she go to the headquarters? I hadn't heard where she was going... if I’d guessed wrong, I’d guessed really wrong.
"Try calling Mom."
"She's probably too busy to pick up."
"Is that so...?"
"Let's just head out if there's nothing to buy."
"Oh, your mom likes things like this."
"Really?"
Dad pointed to a heart-shaped brooch. It had the same logo as the products being sold as merchandise.
"Buy it, then."
"Should I? Where's the register?"
After paying for the brooch, we went up to the food court. As expected, it was packed.
"Anything you want to eat?"
"I'll have the pork cutlet."
"Alright. Let's have that. Lead the way, son."
"This way."
Since this was my fourth visit today, I knew the layout by heart. I couldn't vouch for the taste, though. Thankfully, it was an odd hour, so there weren't many people.
"Huh?"
As we entered the restaurant and sat down, I saw a familiar back. A familiar suit, a familiar bob-cut woman.
"That's Mom over there."
"Where?"
"There. In the corner behind you, Dad."
"Oh, you're right."
"Mo—"
"Wait a second."
"...What is it?"
He told me to be quiet, then stood up and snuck over to Mom. I thought it was childish, but I naturally fell silent and joined in on the prank.
"Boo!"
"Eek!"
"Agh, you scared me."
"..."
Because the few people nearby turned to look, I reflexively looked away. *Not with them... that's not my dad...*
"What the! When did you get here?!"
"I came a while ago, but you weren't there, so I came here and found you."
"Who did you come with?"
"My son."
"My son is here too...?!"
"..."
I’d hoped not to be caught, but I naturally ended up joining them at the table. Mom glared at me intensely.
"Honey. This."
When Dad handed her the brooch, Mom looked surprised.
"What is this? Did you buy this? Why?"
"I bought it for you."
"You could have just told me... thank you."
Well, Mom was the manager, so it made sense she could have a piece or two of the merchandise. Usually, the staff split the leftover products after the pop-up ended.
"I told you not to come..."
"...Chaeyu told us to come."
"That Chaeyu... ugh..."
I’d sold Chaeyu out without meaning to. Sorry, Chaeyu. But it was the truth.
"How long are you doing this for?"
"I have to stay until very late today, so you two go ahead."
"Alright. Understood."
"Eat well when you get home. Don't order delivery again."
"It's fine. My son will cook for me."
"..."
As we talked, it was time for Mom to go, so she stood up.
"I'm going to the restroom for a second, Dad."
"Alright."
Dad went to the restroom, leaving me alone with Mom. I knew I shouldn't, but being left alone with her made me feel good.
"*Sigh*... I'm so tired."
"At least today is the end of the hard part."
"No... it's just beginning... I have to write up the vouchers... submit reports... the finishing touches are the hardest. It's work where the numbers are constantly shifting."
"Do you want me to help?"
"No, it's fine. I can just make my subordinates do it."
I moved closer to her for no reason. Mom looked puzzled, but soon leaned against my arm. I naturally linked my arm with hers.
"Your hands are so soft, son."
"Are they? I hadn't really noticed."
"No, they really are. Very soft."
"I didn't even know..."
Just by Mom playing with my hand, blood rushed to my lower half. If this weren't a department store but an empty outdoor space, I would have covered her lips with mine right then and there. Just like I had when I said goodbye this morning.
"Don't. Not in a place like this. Don't get so worked up."
"...You're the one who made me this way, Mom."
"It's training."
"I don't need that kind of training..."
"Let's go, son."
"Yeah."
We eventually returned home, leaving behind a strange, lingering atmosphere. Until Mom returned, I had to suppress my honest feelings and wait.
♠
"I'm home... where's Mom?"
"Mom? She's not back yet."
"And Dad? Is he asleep?"
"Yeah. He was watching TV and said he was sleepy, so he dozed off."
It was late when Chaeyu returned from her part-time job. Looking at her expression, it was clear she was exhausted.
"Right. Did you see Mom?"
"Yeah, I went and saw her. We went to the restaurant and Dad surprised her."
"Really? That's hilarious."
Chaeyu washed up and came out, then naturally laid down, using my thighs as a pillow. She propped her feet up on the opposite armrest of the sofa.
"What did you talk about with Dad?"
"Just... we talked about your dreams. Ask me later. If there's anything I can help with."
"Hmm... I don't really want to receive help from others, personally."
"Why? That's what 'advice from someone with experience' is for. Dad has run a business before, you know."
"Umm... I'll use it when the time comes."
"Alright."
"Anything else? Did he say anything else?"
"No. We just talked about Mom and then left."
"Aha."
"...Don't touch me."
Chaeyu turned toward me and naturally shoved her face into me. I tried to hold back as much as possible, but she forced her head against me, rubbing back and forth to stimulate me. Since she had a makeshift support for her head, she leaned into it.
"Oppa smells good."
"I was trying to have a constructive conversation for once..."
"Isn't that conversation already over?"
"...I suppose it is."
"I think relieving each other's stress is more constructive..."
Chaeyu's nose brushed against the tip of my tent. Past her trembling eyes, my gaze drifted to her breasts, pressed flat against me. I pressed my finger into the compressed area, and Chaeyu grabbed my hand firmly.
"The customers today were such a pain. If they wanted to exchange something, they should have asked right away. Don't ask to exchange something you've already eaten."
"Wow. They really are trash."
"Exactly. I'm not just cursing them for no reason, you know? Some people leave without cleaning up their spots... some spill things and don't call anyone until the coffee has dried and stuck to the table..."
"You're experiencing everything that only happens in videos..."
"That's why my chest feels so tight... press it harder."
"...Like this?"
"Yeah..."
I pressed hard on her braless breasts. I didn't know how this acted as stress relief, but Chaeyu let out a faint moan as if she were satisfied.
"Ugh..."
"Does it feel good?"
"Yeah... it feels good. Did you have any stress today, Oppa?"
"Hmm... I don't know. Not really."
Other than the traffic and the idiots who don't use their turn signals, I didn't have much stress. Oh, wait. There was one more thing. Mom leaving me behind with my cock standing tall.
"It looks like it's angry down here."
"You're the one who did that."
"Then I'll relieve it for you."
"...Dad is here."
"He's asleep."
Chaeyu slightly unzipped my pants. She carefully extended her tongue toward my already angry cock.
"Ugh..."
Instead of moving her head, she licked it here and there with her tongue. As she moved forward bit by bit, my cock was fixed firmly inside her mouth.
"*Yawn*..."
"...!"
"Mmph?!"
Just as I was about to feel good, Dad came out of his room. I quickly covered Chaeyu with my clothes and pressed her head down.
"Mom not back yet?"
"Hm? Yeah... not yet..."
"Chaeyu is lying there too?"
"...She's sleeping."
"Oh, is that so? Alright. Don't stay up too late..."
"Yeah..."
Only after Dad went back into his room did I pull back the clothes I’d used to cover her.
"*Haa*..."
"That scared me... are you okay?"
"Yeah... I'm okay."
"*Phew*... do you want to keep going?"
"I like this position..."
"..."
I realized today that Chaeyu had a thing for deep-throating.