Sudden Visitors
Was I still half-asleep? I rubbed my eyes and checked the phone again, but the caller's name was the same. 'Mom.'
"She never calls out of the blue like this..."
In my twenties, when I was young and just starting out in society, she worried a lot and we'd talk on the phone frequently. But once I hit my thirties and life got busier, our chats shifted to quick texts, and calls just faded away naturally.
Anyway, it had been ages since she last reached out, so there was no reason to ignore it. I was about to answer when I glanced back. There was Bori, sleeping soundly.
"...Gotta take this outside."
I could probably talk quietly without waking her, but just in case, I grabbed my phone, slipped on some slippers, and headed out.
It was evening outside, a bit chilly, but not as cold as that predawn chill from before. A quick call should be fine.
Once outside, I finally picked up. "Hello?"
[Daesung-ah~ How've you been?]
Mom's voice was as warm and familiar as ever. No matter how much time passed, her affectionate tone never quite felt routine.
"...Yeah, doing fine."
[Hmm, really? Your voice sounds pretty down for that.]
"Ah, well..."
She's always so sharp about this stuff. No point in lying—I might as well be honest.
"Couldn't sleep, went out for some predawn air, and caught a cold."
[...Pfft! Hahaha!]
Mom, isn't laughing at your son having a cold a bit much?
"...Is it that funny?"
[No... I shouldn't laugh, but the reason you caught it is just too hilarious... Haha!]
...Even I had to admit it was ridiculous. But that didn't make it okay for her to laugh.
"...Can I hang up now?"
[Ah! Ahem, sorry~ It's just been so long since we talked, Mom got a little too excited... Forgive me~!]
"Sigh. So, what's up?"
[What's up?~ Mom missed her son, so she called. Does she need a reason?~]
She wasn't wrong. Families call because they miss each other—it's natural.
"For missing me, you haven't called once lately."
[Th-that's because you got fired, and I figured you needed some alone time...! You said you weren't in the mood to talk!]
"Right, yeah."
Thinking back, I remembered throwing a bit of a tantrum at her on the day I got fired. Looking at it now, it was pretty pathetic. Thirty years old, whining to my mom like a kid. Sigh.
[You said all sorts of things you shouldn't have back then—told me exactly how hurt you were. I was so sad, I even had to comfort myself with Dad!]
"...Yeah, I got nothing to say about that. Sorry, Mom."
[Nah, honestly, I get why you said it.]
[So next time, no matter how upset you are, ask Mom's permission first?]
"...Yes, Mom."
Ah, Mom. How are you always so big-hearted? This unfilial son feels like bursting into tears right now.
But that's beside the point. "So why the sudden call?"
[Wh-what? I told you already. I was thinking of you, so I called...]
Sure, parents calling because they miss their kid is totally normal.
But our parents—well, Mom specifically—always called before doing something for me.
"...Where are you right now?"
[.....]
The line went suspiciously quiet after I asked.
[...Damn, why's he so quick on the uptake?]
[It's 'cause he takes after you. Hehe.]
[Shh!]
...Was that Dad's voice?
"Hello? Mom?"
[Y-yeah~ Daesung-ah! The connection's bad—I'll call you back later~ Okay~!]
Liar, it's coming through crystal clear.
"Mom, are you on your way to my place right—"
[La-la-la~ What!? Can't hear you! Talk later—!!]
And with that, she hung up on her own. Always like this. Whenever Mom calls first, it means she's coming over...
Wait. Coming to my place? Right now?
Finally piecing it together, I rushed back inside.
*
"Rise and shine!! Knight!!"
"Keh, keheng!? Wh-what's going on...?"
For the first time, I yelled at Bori in a loud voice, jolting her awake. Then, with the most serious tone I'd ever used, I grabbed her shoulders, looked her in the eyes, and said,
"Go home. Now."
"Eh, wha? S-suddenly, what do you mean...?!"
She looked totally bewildered by the abrupt order to leave.
Damn, no time...!
"I said go home!"
"N-no, why? What's the big deal?!"
"'Cause my parents are on their way here!"
"Ah~"
She nodded in understanding at first.
"Wait!? S-suddenly!? Your parents are coming over right now!?"
"Yes! So hurry up and go!"
They already nagged me every year about whether I had a girlfriend. If they saw this...!
"W-wait a sec, even so, shouldn't I at least say hi to them...!"
"You wanna greet my parents dressed like that?!"
"Ah, w-well, that might be kinda weird?"
"You think?!"
Was she still half-asleep? I brushed off Bori's nonsense about curtsying to my parents in her maid outfit.
At this rate, they'd arrive before I could get her out. Time for desperate measures.
"No more chit-chat—go!"
I scooped her up in my arms.
"Eek, eeee?! W-wait, Daesung! I-I'm not ready yet!?"
Bori's protests fell on deaf ears. All I could think was: Get her out of this house, fast.
Still carrying her, I dashed to the entryway, positioned her feet over her shoes, and set her down so they slipped right on.
"I'm really sorry it turned out like this, Bori. But please—just this once, pretend you saved my life and help me out."
"N-no, it's fine for me, but... ugh..."
"Next time you come, any request—I'll grant it. Please...!"
"Ah, ugh... If you put it that way..."
She looked like she had plenty to say about being kicked out, but the promise of any favor swayed her, and she nodded reluctantly.
I figured we still had a little time before they arrived. Basic manners dictated seeing her off at least to the front door.
"Sorry, really sorry. Normally I wouldn't do this..."
"She calls out of the blue after forever, and the first thing she says is she's coming over...!"
"N-no, it's really okay, Daesung. Can't help it if they drop by suddenly...!"
Bori and I hurried out of the apartment as fast as we could and reached the main entrance.
"From here, you might run into them if you go back—so go on alone, got it?"
"Ah, yes! Don't worry about me—head back!"
Success—I'd gotten rid of Bori safely...
"Daesung-ah—!!"
Then, a familiar voice called out.
Ah.
No way.
Already?
"You came out to greet us... Huh?"
No way—did they call from right nearby?
"Hm...? Who's that with Daesung?"
Even if she loves surprises, this is too much, Mom.
"Oh my, oh my oh my...! Goodness...!"
Ah. Can I take back that apology from earlier, Mom?
*
"Oh my oh my oh my, what a surprise~! At first I thought my old eyes were playing tricks~!"
"Ah, haha..."
"How'd you get so close to such a pretty girl, Daesung? Amazing~!"
"What's your name? And those ears and tail—what's that, a fashion trend?"
"Ah, th-that... My name's Bori... ma'am. And the ears and tail... um..."
Bori was cornered by Mom, hit with a barrage of questions. Sorry, Bori...
"Did Daesung make you wear that outfit? Aigoo~! Always saying he's not into girls, but he had this naughty hobby all along!"
"Ah, um, n-no, ma'am...! I-I wanted to wear this... that's why... yes..."
"Oh my my~! For real? What exactly are you two that she'd wear something like this...!"
I'm dying. My stomach's killing me. Worse than this cold—watching Mom grill Bori is pure agony...!
"...Ahem, Daesung-ah."
"...Dad."
"Let's talk for a sec."
Ahh. Dad. You're the only one on my side.
Leaving Bori to fend off the interrogation, I stepped aside with Dad for a private word. I could feel Bori's pleading gaze burning into me, but once Mom got excited like this, even I couldn't stop her. Sorry, but I had to look away.
'Daesung... Daesung... Daaaesuuung...!!'
Dad and I practically fled the scene, sighing in relief only when we reached our apartment door.
"Phew, what a mess..."
"....."
"Daesung-ah."
"Yes..."
Dad patted my back with a serious look.
"If you had a girlfriend, you should've said something sooner...!"
Ah. Dad, not you too.
"If I'd known, I could've talked Mom out of coming here...!"
"Sorry. Dad should've kept in better touch..."
"No, Dad... it's not like that..."
"Want me to go drag Mom back home now?"
Dad looked up at me earnestly, like he was making a huge sacrifice for my sake.
Ah... How do I even explain this? My head's throbbing.