Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Beastly Moms Are All the Same
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"Yuna, what are you gonna do starting tomorrow?"
"Starting tomorrow? Hmm... I dunno?"
June had snuck up on us, signaling the end of the first semester and the start of summer.
Summer vacation kicked off tomorrow, so until second semester began, I figured I'd go back to my old routine.
I was sitting with Yuri at the stationery store in front of school, munching on jelly on the way home, chatting about this and that.
Probably spend mornings at home with Mom, then in the afternoons, Jeongu would come over for some character-building lessons.
Actually, I'd forgotten about it, but remembering the day he bought me tteokbokki, I'd gone straight to his auntie and gotten permission.
– Auntie, would it be okay if I helped Jeongu with his studies over break...?
– Oh, of course! I've been waiting for you to say that! You sweet thing! Oh, and your mom had a little sibling on the way, right? No need to come all the way to our place! I'll send Jeongu to Tonggumi myself!
– ?? Mom? What about my opinion?
– When did your likes or dislikes matter?! Just go with it~ Got it?!
I'd been agonizing over how to convince her, but she'd given the OK before I even finished.
Apparently, the moms had already swapped pregnancy news, because she straight-up offered to deliver Jeongu.
His face back then looked like he'd bitten into something rotten... But learning's supposed to be bitter, kid.
Still? This was life-bone-deep wisdom, the kind you rarely hear anywhere else. Just nod and say, "Sounds good~!"
"I'll probably be home all day. Teach Jeongu in the afternoons."
"Huh? For real? You're not coming to Dodong?"
"Yeah. My mom's pregnant."
"Oh, got it. Hmm......"
Yuri looked thrilled about my sibling news but also a bit bummed, her face falling.
What? Lonely without me? Nah, couldn't be.
You've got tons of friends.
Unlike me or Jeongu, Yuri had a swarm of friends.
How to put it? She was brutally honest, said whatever was on her mind, but every action carried this innate thoughtfulness.
Not the calculated kind from age and experience, but something more instinctive.
Her emotions showed plainly on her face, yet she never crossed that subtle line—pure instinctual consideration.
Kids, and even some adults, throw tantrums over what they want, stacking up dislike after dislike with their "stubborn crap."
But Yuri was honest with her feelings while openly caring for others, like right now.
"Why? Sad you won't see me over break?"
"......Yeah. You've been glued to Jeongu lately."
Whoa. Did it look that way?
We were in the same class, so naturally we spent more time together.
Last week on that field trip sweet potato digging, the other kids didn't want to pair with me, so Jeongu and I dug ditches. Even at the swimming pool, it was just us.
We'd divvy up chores—"You grab this, I'll get that"—and ended up stuck together.
"But I'll hold back. I learned in school... having a baby in your belly is super hard and painful. I don't wanna cause Auntie any trouble."
See? She wanted to play, but hated making others dislike her, or seeing them suffer.
With that natural thoughtfulness baked in, friends flocked to her naturally.
Plus, she was crazy cute, almost as much as me.
"Then why don't you come to my place with Jeongu? You can study together."
"Huh? Really? Yeah! Mom'll let me if it's studying with you!"
Well, not the "studying" her and her mom had in mind, but life lessons were best learned early. Yup, yup.
"Okay, starting tomorrow, you come too! Jeongu doesn't know where I live, so you guide him!"
"?? Wait, Jeongu doesn't know your house? Oh, did you plan to meet at the bus stop?"
No way. That'd defeat the purpose.
Lesson one starts from there.
Getting off the bus and politely asking grandpas and grandmas for directions to my place—that was the first class.
Jeongu might not get it, though.
Don't you know to respect your elders?
Bowing and scraping to old folks is basic manners, key to a smooth life.
Advanced course involves targeting seniors, but that's not my specialty. Heh heh.
Anyway, Jeongu would treat adults properly.
His actions screamed beyond elementary graduation level.
Compared to the sixth-graders I'd seen... way more mature and kind than that big bald bully.
......He might even be better at academics.
Anyway, this summer break, I'd hole up at home unless something major came up.
Running wild outside or blasting at the PC bang was peak fun at this age, but scratching my belly at home, practicing future NEET life, and stocking energy wasn't bad either. Yup.
"Wow, my sibling's in there?!"
"Yup~ You'll see your little bro or sis next year, Yuna. You happy about a sibling, sweetie?"
"Hee hee. Yeah! Super happy! Grow big and strong in Mommy's tummy~"
Hmm. Yeah, come winter next year, I'd have a sibling!
Please be born without a dingus so I can be "big sis."
The second you turn "bro" material, we might end up ranking who’s boss and actually hit the hospital.
No, if you're coming with one, at least be a tough baby bro who can tank this big sis's physical wrath.
Ding dong.
I was giggling, rubbing Mom's slight baby bump, when the doorbell rang.
"Oh, looks like your friends are here. Should Mom step aside?"
"Huh? No! It's fine~ Stay, Mom! Hee hee. They're here to study anyway."
Plus, with an adult watching and cheering, the kids would think, "Oh, that's right~" and focus more!
Before Mom could get up to greet them, I bolted to the door.
"We're here~! Yuna!"
"... Without Yuri noona, I'd have gotten lost."
Yuri, beaming like she loved hanging with me, short hair bouncing. Jeongu, already looking exhausted, staring blankly.
Good. Perfect timing! Yup, excellent.
On time for our meet-up? Passing grade!
For full marks, arrive ten minutes early... but save that nitpick for when Jeongu's alone.
"Come on in, both of you! Class starts the second you step inside—brace yourselves!"
"Yeah! I'm ready!"
Yuri nodded vigorously, full of enthusiasm at my declaration.
Yup. Perfect. With her good nature plus adult etiquette, she'd be everyone's favorite kid.
"......Already hate this."
Jeongu shuddered instinctively, backing away.
...Brat. This is why I hate sharp kids.
I glared at increasingly perceptive Jeongu, puffing my cheeks. He sighed, resigned, and slipped off his shoes with Yuri, stepping inside... Gotcha!
Spotted it! The opening flaw!
Coming to someone's house and kicking off your shoes like trash?!
Smack! Smack!
"Eek!"
"Kyaa?!"
My hands whacked their buns. Yuri and Jeongu froze, staring in shock.
Yuri rubbed her butt with both hands, teary-eyed, like "Did she really just hit me...?"
Jeongu frowned slightly, glaring silently.
"When you visit someone's home, line up your shoes neatly! From now on, every mistake means one smack on the butt—prepare... Kyaa?!"
Wham!!
Hands on hips, chest out, declaring the first character lesson—then a heavy thud on my head made me clutch it and roll on the floor.
"Wh-what was that noise? Yuna! You can't hit your friends!"
Ugh......!! M-Mom!! When did you sneak up behind me?!
No footsteps at all?!
"B-but character education needs loving discipline..."
"And you! You kick off your shoes the same way when you come home!"
"......"
No, Mom. Don't spill that!!
Mom's fact bomb hit. I averted my eyes guiltily toward Yuri and Jeongu.
"......"
"Whoa......"
W-why are you looking at me like that?! Huh?!
"Eek!! I-I said it's for other people's houses! My house is fine, right?! Kyaa?!"
"What's fine about it! You little...! Embarrassing me in front of the kids!!"
I snapped at Jeongu and Yuri, and Mom went right for my butt, smacking away.
Ughh!! Seriously! What am I supposed to be now!!
"...Pathetic."
"Yeah, Yuna. Kinda. Yup. Embarrassing."
"Eek!! Th-this is all for your own good... Kyaa?! Mom! Sorry! I'm sorry! No more hits!! Don't pull my pants down in front of them!!!"
Defiant under their cold stares, Mom glared and reached for my waistband... Oh no, this was that.
Like last time, pants yanked down in front of Dad, bare-ass spanking. Instinct screamed it.
Dang it! Busted! First class, and Mom shut down my physical enforcement.