A New Family
I woke up to the morning light. Thankfully, because Chaeyu had fallen fast asleep, nothing had actually happened. She’s cute. She was still sleeping soundly, breathing softly. They say that people who share blood usually have a genetic predisposition to be disgusted by each other’s appearance, but in my eyes, she was just pretty and adorable. Then again, given that we’d felt a romantic attraction from the start and had already been intimate, it wasn’t a stretch to find her beautiful. My body had already stopped perceiving her as a sister and started recognizing her as a woman.
Something smells delicious....
The loud clatter from the kitchen, accompanied by a mouth-watering aroma, pulled me out of bed. It was a scent I could never have imagined in our old home. Neither my father nor I ever really ate breakfast. At most, it was just a protein shake or some chicken breast.
"Yawn..."
"You're up?"
"Yeah."
Chaeyu woke up and stretched. It was the first time she’d slept at my place, but it was a sight I’d seen so often that I couldn't help but smile.
"Ugh..."
"...?!"
Suddenly, Chaeyu lunged forward and planted a kiss on my lips. I found myself responding before I could even think, and it naturally deepened into a real kiss.
"Urgh?!"
Thankfully, I came to my senses immediately and pulled away in a panic. My own flustered reaction was only amplified by how embarrassed Chaeyu looked.
"Sorry... I guess it’s become a habit..."
"It happens..."
On the days we slept together, whenever we woke up, Miyu—no, Chaeyu—would always kiss me. And then, it would lead straight to morning sex. The fact that Chaeyu had kissed me out of the blue, and that I’d accepted it... I guess we’ve both been tainted.
"Haa... I must be crazy."
Chaeyu’s face turned bright red. I knew I shouldn't be thinking this, but I couldn't help but find her adorable.
"You just haven't adjusted yet. It’ll get better."
"Yeah..."
It had to get better. That was the only way we could live together.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
Chaeyu placed her hand on the back of mine.
"For now... let’s pretend we don't know each other."
"Pretend we don't know each other?"
"I mean... pretend to be awkward?"
"Ah... sure, let's do that."
If we acted too close right away, people might suspect that something had happened between us overnight. Since we’d lived apart for so long, it was a plausible enough excuse. Though, we’d already crossed that line regardless of suspicion.
"Then I’ll head to my room..."
"Yeah."
She needed to do this to adjust to this new family dynamic. I decided not to mention that I’d seen her underwear peeking out as she stood up.
"I’ve never had a breakfast like this before..."
"You need a hearty meal to work hard."
The table was overflowing with side dishes from the crack of dawn. Naturally, everything tasted delicious. My empty stomach settled, and my mood improved. Mom really is something... To think she’d been so drunk last night, yet here she was, preparing a spread like this without a second thought. Even in the past, she’d always fold my laundry and cook for me the next day.
"Hm? Want more rice?"
"Ah, no. I'm fine."
I accidentally made eye contact with Mom while looking at her. I was relieved she seemed to think I just needed more rice.
"Where did you say you were going today?"
"I have a branch office in Jongno, so I’m working there."
"Jongno?"
"Yes. Jongno. Why?"
"My company is there, too."
"Oh, really?"
It really is a small world. Not only was my sex partner from Busan my own mother, but she was also going to be working in the same area as me.
"Shall we go together, then?"
"...Sure, let's do that."
It should have been a normal scene of a son commuting with his mother, but there was an indescribable sense of dissonance. I even felt like someone was glaring at me coldly from somewhere.
"Thanks for the meal."
"You ate really fast."
"Chaeyu always eats fast. Chaeyu, don't just lie down after eating, get some exercise."
"I know."
Chaeyu went into her room without even meeting my eyes. We’d agreed to pretend we didn't know each other, but... I didn't think she was this cold-hearted....
"It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this car."
"Yeah. Has it been a few months?"
"Probably."
In the end, I couldn't even tell Chaeyu I’d be back later before getting into Mom’s car. It smelled like a scent I’d grown very familiar with.
"Junsu, do you have a driver's license?"
"Yes. I do, but it’s just sitting in my wallet."
"When did you get it?"
"May of the year before last, I think?"
"I see."
I’d barely passed the test. The moment I decided to buy a car after getting my license, I heard that the company building had no parking facilities—or rather, that there was no place for a lowly regular employee to park—so I gave up on the idea. Plus, the subway station was closer. Of course, I work somewhere else now.
"Don't you have any plans to buy a car?"
"Not yet. Maybe when I move out on my own later."
"Move out? Have you saved up money?"
"Yes. A little."
I’m twenty-five. Some people start living alone before they’re twenty, but I think I’m average. I’d been wanting to move out anyway, and Dad told me it was about time I became independent and started saving. Right. How long was I going to live under my parents' shadow? It was time to break free. And I thought it would be better for Mom and my sister, too.
"It’s really backed up."
"Is this your first time coming here by car, Junsu?"
"Yes. I always take the subway."
"Seoul traffic really is heavy..."
"Isn't it the same everywhere during rush hour?"
"Still, not like this."
Had it been a while since Mom experienced rush hour? She kept tapping the steering wheel with her fingers, expressing her frustration. Even that looked cool to me.
"So... were you okay yesterday?"
"Hm? About what?"
"The hangover, or something."
"Ah~ I’m fine. I always take a hangover cure before I start drinking."
"Aha."
"Are you okay, Junsu?"
"Yes. I didn't drink that much."
"That’s a relief."
Ever since the time I drank all night with friends and couldn't do anything the next day because of a headache, I’ve been careful with alcohol. I couldn't even sleep properly because of the pain. Just thinking about it makes me shudder.
"How about Chaeyu?"
"Chaeyu? Hmm... I’m not sure yet."
Mentioning Chaeyu brought back the events of this morning. The sudden kiss the moment we woke up. I’d responded so naturally that I was the one who was surprised. I guess habits really are hard to break. I’ll have to be careful from now on.
"Really? Please be good to her. She’s a child who gets lonely easily."
"Aha..."
I already knew Chaeyu got lonely because she’d told me herself. That was why I’d asked to meet up more often and why I’d been in contact with her way more than with Mom. ...That must have been why I started having those unnecessary feelings.
"You can drop me off here."
After chatting about this and that, we’d arrived in front of the station before I knew it. Still, since it was a car, we’d arrived earlier than usual.
"Alright. See you at home."
"Yes."
Knowing it was an automatic door, I gave it a light push to close it.
"Hello."
"Hello~"
"Junsu, you’re here earlier than usual?"
"Yes, well... I left early."
Come to think of it, there’s no benefit to arriving at work early. Our company doesn't have flexible hours, and it doesn't mean I can leave any earlier. The only advantage is having more time to wake up properly.
I want to go home....
Our company building has a cafeteria on the top floor, so it’s easy to grab a meal. It’s a very convenient place to eat lunch alone—
"...?"
While getting my food, I see a familiar back. A woman with a sharp bob cut, dressed in a business suit. The color of her clothes is all too familiar. Just like the one I saw this morning.
"...Mom?"
"Who... Junsu?!"
"Why are you here, Mom?"
"Ah~ Mom works on the 12th floor of this building."
"Really...?"
I’m on the 11th floor. It really is a small world.
"MD! We’re over here~"
"Yes~ Mom is in a meeting. Let’s talk later, okay?"
"Ah... yes..."
If she’s an MD... isn't that an executive? I knew she was an impressive person, but seeing it firsthand, I realized she was on a completely different level. ...No wonder I fell for her.
"Ah~ really?"
"I was so surprised. Mom just suddenly appeared."
"I know... Mom was surprised, too."
"It really is a small world."
"It is..."
It really is a small world. How could my sex partner from Busan be my mother? And how could that mother work in the same building as me?
"I see."
Chaeyu’s voice cut in suddenly. The look in her eyes as she stared at me was icy. Come to think of it, she’d been in a bad mood since breakfast.
"Ah... yeah."
"Are you working, Chaeyu?"
"......Yes. Starting next week."
"Oh, you already found a job?"
"Yes. I used to live in Seoul. They told me I could come back."
"Oh, right. You said you lived alone, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Oh, really? You lived in Seoul?"
I knew this fact all too well. But since we’d agreed to pretend we didn't know each other, I asked out of politeness.
"......"
What was that? I think I just got ignored.
"Chaeyu. Let’s go out and buy some dish soap later with Oppa."
"No. I’ll go buy it myself."
"No, let’s go together."
"......Thanks for the meal."
Chaeyu stood up and went straight to her room. I definitely got ignored again. Did I do something wrong? It didn't feel like things were that awkward. We even kissed this morning.
"Park Chaeyu! Take my card!"
"I’ll use my own money."
"I’ll come with you, too."
Chaeyu ignored Mom’s offer of a card and walked out. I quickly changed my clothes and chased after her.
"The mart is the other way."
"......"
Chaeyu, who had been walking fast to avoid me, finally stopped when she heard me.
"Why are you ignoring me?"
"I told you to pretend we don't know each other..."
"That’s not how you pretend not to know someone..."
"......"
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
"Don't lie. We’re living together now, what are we supposed to do if you act like this?"
"......Sorry."
We started walking slowly toward the mart. I grabbed Chaeyu’s dangling hand.
"I said pretend not to know each other—"
"It’s fine since it’s just the two of us."
"......You know we shouldn't be doing this."
"Holding hands is fine, at least."
"......"
Perhaps convinced by my words, Chaeyu didn't pull her hand away.
"Points, please."
"2101. Ahn Junsu."
"Yes."
In the end, I paid with my card and we left the mart. We didn't let go of each other’s hands even inside the store.
"So. What’s your complaint?"
"...Nothing."
"You always have that look on your face when something’s bothering you."
"...I’m not your noona."
"Ah, right. Anyway."
The sister who had been silent for a while finally opened her mouth. No, Chaeyu did.
"It’s just... you were only talking to Mom. I thought you two had gotten really close. Like you’d known each other for a long time."
"Ah... is that what this is about?"
"Yeah."
"......She’s just easy to talk to, that’s why we got close."
I was terrified for a second that I’d been found out. Thank goodness.
"Then act close with me from now on."
"Just like that?"
"We can get close anyway. It’s not like we’re strangers; we’re siblings."
"......Yeah. Okay."
"Good. I’ll try to talk to you more, too—"
Suddenly, Chaeyu pulled my face toward hers. Unlike this morning, it was a deeper kiss. The feeling of her soft tongue tangling with mine after so long almost made me drop the detergent I was holding.
"...Haa."
"......What was that for?"
"Sorry. ......It’s a habit."
"......"
I almost said, "It’s a habit for me to want to touch your breasts, too. Hey."