Chapter 71
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Cacti and Condoms, and Piano -Part 2 Start-
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It's a beautiful day.
I'm walking down the street, basking in the sunlight for the first time in ages.
I have a purpose, but no specific destination.
I'm just wandering around the shops near home.
Wondering if there's anything worth buying for myself.
Today is the day I'm supposed to practice acting with actress Hwang Su-ah.
The location is her place, but it's in the next building over from our apartment, so I don't have to go far.
That said, I can't just show up at someone else's house empty-handed.
So I figured I'd pick up a little gift.
She's Mom's acquaintance, after all. The more connected we are, the more courtesy I should show.
But I can't buy anything too expensive, either.
The only money I have is allowance from Mom or Noona.
I can't splurge on something way out of my league with that.
Mom and Noona wouldn't bat an eye no matter how much I spent, but it bothers me.
I'm just a student, after all. Su-ah will understand if I can't afford anything pricey.
Not that I'm even technically a student anymore.
So that's what I was mulling over.
Something cheap, not too shabby-looking, and won't just get tossed out.
Practical would be ideal, maybe.
A duster? Toilet paper? Detergent?
Hmm. All those feel weird as gifts.
As I wandered the shops, my steps halted in front of a small flower shop.
Maybe grabbing just a single flower wouldn't be so bad. Nothing fancy.
But thinking about the state of Su-ah's place, wouldn't it just add to the clutter?
"Looking for something in particular?"
As I lingered in front of the shop, a young woman who looked like a shop assistant called out to me.
"Oh, yeah. I was thinking of picking up a little gift for a friend's house."
"Got any flowers in mind?"
"No, I'm not really up on flowers."
The flower shop assistant started explaining about different types of flowers and their meanings.
Listening to her, I couldn't help but marvel at myself.
In the old days, just making eye contact with a stranger like this would've overwhelmed me.
Now, here I was, chatting naturally.
With someone I'd just met today. Like a normal person.
"Any flowers that can handle being neglected for a while? I doubt she'll pay much attention even if I give her one."
"Got it. How about a potted plant? Succulents like cacti are pretty low-maintenance."
A cactus in a pot. Cute.
Some even came in pots that looked like miniature toys.
"I'll take this one, then."
I picked one from the spot marked '1 for 10,000 won.'
Ten thousand wasn't burdensome, and it was adorable—perfect for a gift.
"First time here today, so I'll give you a deal. Just five thousand."
"Really?"
Not even a regular getting a discount—giving me one on my first visit?
"Yeah. And one alone would be lonely, so take this one too."
The assistant added a cactus from the '1 for 20,000 won' section.
A cute little pot with a red flower blooming on top.
"Oh, uh, I don't have much money."
"This one's on the house. Come back often, okay?"
"Ah... Okay. Thank you..."
Is this how you run a business?
Buying a 10,000-won item for 5,000, and throwing in a 20,000-won one for free?
The owner would fire her if they knew.
Talk about over-the-top service. It made me uncomfortable—I felt like I should buy something else.
"Um, then ring this one up separately, please."
What caught my eye was a '1 for 5,000 won' pot.
I chose a wilted, droopy cactus from the corner.
That sad, shriveled look somehow reminded me of myself. It stuck with me.
"Gifting that one too?"
Something this wilted probably isn't gift material.
The assistant gave me a subtle look as she asked.
"No, this one's for me to keep. These two are the gifts."
"I see. In that case, this one's my gift to you. Take good care of it."
"Huh? No, that's not..."
I bought an extra to ease my guilt, and now she's giving that one free?
I tried to refuse, but she was already beaming and wrapping it up.
She must just love giving freebies.
The assistant scribbled something on a cute little doll-shaped tag in pretty handwriting.
Peeking over, I saw the cactus's name and 'Water once a week.'
She stuck a tag in each pot.
Those tags looked like they could be sold separately...
I just accepted it quietly.
She wrapped the wilted one nicely too, even though I said it was for me and didn't need it.
"Thank you. Come again!"
"Thanks. I'll drop by sometime."
Probably not, though.
The freebies were nice, but it was too awkward.
Still, scoring gifts for Su-ah on the cheap wasn't bad.
Nice packaging too.
Back home, I unwrapped the wilted cactus.
On the back of the tag: 'Lee Seo-hwa, 010-3xxx-xxxx'—name and phone number.
"..."
She's a scatterbrain.
In this day and age, with data leaks being such a big issue.
What if someone misused it?
I pretended not to see and tossed the tag in the trash.
I set the wilted cactus on top of the piano.
"Mom! Please, just stop!"
"Stop? Stop what? My son ditches his wife and kids for another woman, and you want me to just sit here?"
Mom grilled me with a venomous glare.
An expression she'd never show the real me, Jin Sun-hu. Utterly terrifying.
Facing her, I swallowed my boiling rage and shot back.
"It's not an affair. I told you, I only meet Seon-ah for work."
"That's what they call it in this society. For work? You really think that'll fly?"
"Whoa. Mom, you're scary for real. My legs are still shaking."
"You know that wasn't what Mom would actually say to Sun-hu, right? But Sun-hu, on that 'it's not an affair' line. Try clenching your teeth after 'affair!' like this—'Nooo↗!' Kinda spit it out in frustration, then backpedal since it's Mom."
"Got it."
I'm practicing lines with Mom right now.
I've got a session with Su-ah later, so killing two birds with one stone.
We bounce ideas off each other, refining the script.
We've done this for years with Mom, so it feels totally natural.
Doing it with Su-ah tonight, though... I'm nervous.
Can I pull it off?
"By the way, Sun-hu, did you remember that?"
"That? What?"
"I told you before. Condoms."
I let out a deep sigh at Mom's words.
"Mom. It's not like that with Su-ah."
For some reason, Mom seems convinced Su-ah and I are dating.
I told her the overnight stay was just for cleaning, but she doesn't buy it.
"Anyway! It's fine with Mom, but with anyone else, you have to use them. Pregnancy aside, you never know what diseases you might catch anywhere. If you get sick, Mom does too. Got it? For my sake, wrap it up."
"...Okay."
Misunderstanding about Su-ah aside, Mom was spot on.
With anyone else, that is.
Noona and Mi-so should be fine, right?
They're on the pill anyway—no pregnancy worries, no diseases either.
With Dr. Yoon Seo-ah, though... better safe.
Risk of pregnancy. Could pass something to her husband.
And if I get careless, it might spread to Mom, Noona, or Mi-so.
I'll prepare for the next checkup.
As I thought that, Mom pulled out a small black box from behind and handed it over.
"I got these this time, but next time, you handle it yourself. Understand?"
"..."
Condoms.
Pack of ten. XXL size.
A mom prepping condoms for her son.
A surge of filial piety welled up in me.
"...Mom, I don't know how to put one on. Can't you show me?"
"What? You're about to head out to see Su-ah."
Mom knew exactly what I meant.
"I like you more than Su-ah, Mom."
"Jeez, Mom can't handle you."
Mom grumbled, but she didn't seem entirely opposed.
"...Fine. This counts as important sex ed for my son, too."
After a brief hesitation, Mom tugged down my pants and pulled out my dick.
It was still in standby mode.
"Mom, with your mouth..."
She shot me a quick glare at my request but still took it in her mouth and sucked.
Ah. Mom's mouth is the best.
Her loving blowjob made my dick feel like it was melting.
But I couldn't savor it long.
Once it was hard enough, Mom pulled it out.
"Once it's erect like this."
She tore open a condom packet, revealing a flesh-colored rubber pouch inside.
"You roll it on like this, pinching and twisting the tip a bit first."
It was a pro demonstration from an experienced instructor.
Having borne two daughters, she had plenty of practice—of course.
Knowing that still sparked an odd jealousy in me.
"Think you can do it on your own now, Sun-hu?"
...No way, that's it?
Mom only intended to teach me how to put it on.
I asked for a lesson, but this was too much.
"Mom. Show me how to use it too, and what to do after."
I hugged her close as I said it.
I poked at where her pussy would be through her clothes with my dick.
Mom glanced at the clock, her face flushing as she replied.
"Sun-hu, can you finish in 30 minutes?"
"Thirty? We've still got over an hour."
"You need time to shower. You gonna go to Su-ah's smelling like sex?"
Ugh.
Thirty minutes was tight.
I wanted at least two rounds.
No time to waste.
"Mom. Bend over the piano."
I flipped up her skirt and yanked down her panties right away.
Lately, Mom only wears skirts at home.
Tight ones that hug her curves perfectly.
It's heaven for my eyes, but I'm worried Noona or Mi-so might find it odd.
"Ah!"
My condom-clad dick slid into Mom.
Just as I thought.
Her pussy was pretending otherwise but fully ready for me.
"Ahh! Sun-hu!"
Mom and I made love, her leaning on the piano.
Watching us from atop the piano was the wilted cactus.