Business Trip (6)
"It's my first time riding in Dad's car."
"Was it? Have we really not gone out that much?"
"To be precise, we haven't gone out all together."
"……."
It was our first family outing in a long time—or perhaps, the first time ever. We were here because of a wedding for one of my uncle's acquaintances, and we figured we might as well show our faces. But honestly, I couldn't help but think, 'Why on earth does that person have to be my aunt?'
Under the pretense of preventing milk ejection, I had expressed my manager's breast milk. In the process, I had even drunk it alongside her daughter, Seoi. Starting with that, I had tasted every inch of her body. It wasn't until the next day that I realized she was my aunt by marriage.
"Haa…."
"Why are you sighing so heavily?"
"No, it's just… I'm tired."
"I suppose. It feels like it's been a while since I've been to a morning wedding."
I didn't know how to look at my manager—no, my aunt. I couldn't even make proper eye contact with her at the office, and now, I was completely at a loss for what to do.
"…Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"You look sharp today."
"…What's with the sudden compliment?"
Chaeyu had complimented me out of the blue. It felt ticklish to hear that from her after so long. Was she fishing for a compliment because she’d dressed up nicely too? Even if I didn't say anything, I was sure she’d be getting plenty of praise from everyone else.
"You look great, too."
"Is that all you're going to say?"
"The way your blouse matches your skirt is nice, and your unique-colored heels add a perfect, subtle point to your outfit. I think the sheer black stockings are the finishing touch. Do you want me to say it like that?"
"I didn't ask for that much…."
"…You look pretty."
"……Pervert."
"Where did that come from…?"
Chaeyu leaned against me naturally and took my hand. I leaned my head against hers and watched our parents chatting ahead of us.
"Am I really pretty?"
"Yes. I told you, you're pretty."
"……Yeah."
Maybe she was acting like this because she’d put extra effort into her look today. It felt like she was begging for more praise.
"Oh, you're here."
"Hello."
"Oh, Junsu. It's been a while."
"Yes. It has been a while."
"Look at you, you've gotten even more handsome~?"
"Haha…."
My father's younger brother, my uncle. Born much later, there was a significant age gap between him and my father. They say my father took great care of him before he got married. He had gotten married four years ago while I was in the military, and they’d had their second child last year. His wife was my manager—the woman I’d gone on a business trip with and spent the night with.
"And you must be Chaeyu? You've grown so much."
"Hello…."
Chaeyu was shy, likely because she was meeting him for the first time. Come to think of it, she probably had never seen my uncle before.
"Where's your wife?"
"She went to the restroom for a moment. Oh, Junsu, you haven't met her yet, have you?"
"I've seen her in photos. She looked pretty."
And I’d seen her in person, too.
"Hello."
"Oh my, sister-in-law. I've heard so much about you."
"Yes… well."
Mom greeted her, still feeling a bit awkward. Now that I thought about it, Mom must have met her before. I wondered what my uncle had thought when he saw his sister-in-law as a high schooler. Maybe she was so young he hadn't thought anything of it at all.
"Hello~ Brother-in-law, you're here~?"
A familiar woman approached from a distance, holding a baby. Her hair was tied back, and she had that signature, relaxed, half-closed-eye expression. Her neat blouse was perfectly suited for the occasion.
"Oh my, sister-in-law~"
"Sister~ It's been a while~"
"……."
"Wow!"
Mom and my aunt greeted each other warmly. Seoi seemed to be in a good mood, too, smiling and greeting them back.
"…Have you met before?"
"Hm? Yes. I went to the wedding. I went separately, not with him. It’s been a really long time since we last met."
"Aha…."
So that’s how they knew each other. No, that wasn't the important part right now. The fact that I had met this person way more than my mother had was what mattered. I locked eyes with my manager—no, my aunt.
"Seoa. Say hello."
"Hellow!"
"Hello…."
The eldest daughter, Seoa, peeked out from behind her mother's legs. I’d only seen her in photos, but this was the first time meeting her in person. She was cute, just like her mother.
"What's wrong? It's your aunt."
"No, it's just… Hello…."
"Hello~ Junsu-ssi~"
"Junsu-ssi?"
"…!"
"Actually, he's my subordinate at work~ He just returned from paternity leave recently~"
Why was she saying that so casually…. We hadn't spoken a word since that day. It was so bad that even the assistant manager had asked me if something had happened between us.
"Oh, really? Wow. You should have told us~"
"I only found out recently, too…."
"I just found out as well~ …Right?"
"Yes…."
My aunt narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at me. I couldn't resist that gaze, which seemed to hold a hidden grudge.
"It really is a small world~ To think your boss is your sister-in-law."
"I know, right~ It’s truly a strange world we live in~"
"……."
You can say that again. I never knew the world was this small. To think that everyone I’d slept with was part of my own family.
"Is the person next to you your younger sibling~?"
"Yes. Her name is Chaeyu."
"Hello~"
"Hello…."
After the greetings, we headed inside the wedding hall. Since it was an acquaintance of my uncle's, we didn't have any connection to them, but we’d paid the congratulatory money, so we might as well eat.
[Groom! Entering!]
According to my uncle, the groom was in his early thirties. He looked quite handsome—perhaps it was the wedding day glow. I wondered if I’d ever look like that one day.
"Wow. He's so handsome."
"Yeah."
"I want to get makeup done like that, too."
"You look fine as you are."
"Hey. Doing it yourself and getting it done by a professional are worlds apart."
"I guess so."
No matter how hard a regular person tries with makeup, there’s a clear difference compared to a professional. I bet Chaeyu would look truly stunning if she got professional makeup done.
"……I'm going to the restroom."
"Okay."
My mind was racing with too many thoughts, so I headed to the restroom. I’d thought about it before—my parents' divorce had long since killed any fantasy I had about marriage—but I didn't want to live alone forever. It wasn't like we were going to live like this for the rest of our lives.
"Were you here?"
"Yes. Did Mom come, too?"
"There are just too many people… I think she’s been having panic attacks ever since that pop-up store event."
"Shouldn't she go to a hospital?"
"Eh. She's fine like this~ It's not like it happens once or twice."
"Aha──…."
Suddenly, Mom grabbed my hand. Her slightly distressed expression softened back into comfort.
"…You're sure you're okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine. Let's go."
"Okay…."
I’d seen people having panic attacks more than once or twice. I’d seen plenty of them in the military. Some were faking it as an excuse, but others had truly collapsed.
"…So."
Once we reached a more secluded area, Mom asked me, "You went on a business trip alone with your aunt, right?"
"…No. There were three of us."
"Three?"
"Yes. Seoi… the second child came along, too… so, yes."
"Ah~ So the baby went with you, too."
"Yes."
I couldn't bring myself to say that nothing had happened. I’d already done it with Mom, and the hurdle for my aunt was even lower. Plus, I hadn't even known she was my aunt at the time.
"Then that's a relief~ Mom thought you went just the two of you."
"…Were you worried about that?"
"Of course! Junsu, you have a bit of a… playboy streak, don't you? You're at that age… and… even with your mother."
"Haha…."
Mom's face turned red, and my face followed suit. I scratched my head, having nothing to say.
"You guys go ahead first. I had fun. Brother, call me when you get home."
"Sure. We'll head out first."
Before the wedding ended, our family decided to eat and head home early. We’d only come to see my uncle, and we didn't know the acquaintance anyway.
"Oh, looks like this is a course meal."
"Ugh. I hate waiting."
"You should eat food like this once in a while."
"Do they have steak, too?"
"Hmm… they have well-done and medium. Dad likes well-done… and Mom?"
"Mom likes well-done, too~"
"I'll take medium!"
"Then two mediums and two well-dones…."
It was a restaurant that served course meals. There was a form to check off our preferences, so we filled it out and submitted it. Seeing that Mom liked well-done, she really was an adult after all.
"Wow. This looks delicious."
The dishes came out one by one, and as soon as they handed us the plates, they brought the food regardless of who was who. The difference in skill between the part-timer and the actual staff was glaringly obvious.
"How can you guys eat that?"
"Hey. It's so delicious."
"Dad likes his cooked through and through."
"Adults all like that kind of thing."
The steak finally arrived. The inevitable debate between medium and well-done ensued. Honestly, I thought eating what you liked was best. Though, I was the type who couldn't eat well-done because it was too tough. Especially at a place that wasn't a specialty restaurant.
"…Mom, do you want a bite?"
"Would you like some? It's delicious."
"You like well-done, honey."
"Ah, I'm still young, so…."
"……."
Mom really did have a young physical age. At a glance, she looked almost the same age as my aunt. I was struck once again by how amazing her youthfulness was.
"Here you go."
"M-my, it is delicious~ Even the medium~"
"…You don't have to force yourself to eat it."
Perhaps she couldn't hide her true taste, as Mom frowned while forcing herself to swallow the steak.
"Mom, you really don't know good food. To not know this taste."
"It's a shame──I'll be right back, I need to use the restroom."
It wasn't like before; it wasn't a sudden moment of realization. This time, my stomach was genuinely signaling for help. Had I eaten something wrong? Of all times to get an upset stomach, it had to be when I was dressed up so nicely….
"Huu…."
When I came out of the restroom, most of the people had already left. The photo session was over, and it looked like they were preparing for the next ceremony. As for the food… I’d just have to leave it, I guess.
"Junsu-ssi."
Someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was my aunt.
"Yes… yes?"
My uncle must have taken the kids, as she was all alone. Even now, her appearance was flawless, but she didn't look well. She seemed to be radiating hostility toward me.
"Why… are you doing this?"
"Why do you think I'm doing this?"
Her half-closed eyes opened slightly, and I found myself facing her self-proclaimed 'magic eyes.' I instinctively shrunk back at the sharp gaze she’d used when scolding the assistant manager.
"……That's well──"
"I'm asking why you're ignoring me."
Ignoring her. Ever since we got back from the business trip, we’d barely spoken at the office. At most, we’d exchanged words during reports. I’d even avoided her invitations to eat together.
"I'm sorry…."
"I'm curious about the reason."
My aunt took a step forward. Perhaps because of our height difference, her face was at an incredibly intimate angle.
"That… because I know you're my aunt… so…."
"What does me being your manager, and the fact that I was your aunt, have to do with anything?"
"…During the business trip──"
"Did something happen during our business trip?"
"……."
She was completely unfazed. As if nothing had truly happened. My aunt had decided to erase that day from existence.