Chapter 8

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Translator: Ebonarch

Chapter: 8

Chapter Title: Mom is the Practice Partner

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Today, Noona had a tournament, so she caught an early morning flight and left.

For the next four days, Noona won't be home.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm completely free from her...

"Haa..."

Sitting on the living room sofa, exchanging texts with Noona, I couldn't hold back the sigh that escaped me.

How could I convince Noona?

Truth be told, even these texts we were sending were getting a bit risky.

If they ever leaked, it was obvious it'd cause major damage to Noona's image.

In this day and age, celebrities often faced scandals from private chats, photos, or videos getting leaked.

With my whole family being famous, I was always extra careful about that sort of thing.

I hated the idea of them getting hurt because of me.

But Noona herself—did she forget she was famous?

I wished she'd be more careful.

And even if chats were unavoidable, photos were absolutely out.

A leaked conversation could somehow be brushed off, but a weird photo spreading? No way to recover.

While I agonized over it, more texts kept piling up in the chat.

Knowing Noona's personality, ignoring them wouldn't solve anything.

Just as I tried to type some kind of reply, my phone rang.

The caller was Noona.

"Ah. Noona."

『Hey, Jin Sun-hu. Why aren't you replying?』

Noona's voice was seriously pissed.

Going against an angry Noona was dangerous.

But this was one line I couldn't yield on.

"No, Noona, I said photos are really not okay."

『What's not okay? If Noona says do it, you do it.』

"It's really not. What if someone sees?"

『You scared of that?』

"I don't care about me, but I hate seeing you get hurt."

Noona went quiet for a long moment after my words.

Did she finally get it?

『...Tch. Fine. But don't half-ass it and skip out! Do it properly!』

"Yeah."

Good. Seemed like Noona finally understood.

『And! Be ready when the tournament's over! I'll pile it all up and do it at once!』

"Huh?"

...?

Pile what up and do what at once?

But before I could ask, Noona hung up.

Saying her piece and cutting the call was classic Noona.

Fine for me, but she shouldn't do that to others.

I worried a bit about how she was handling social stuff.

[Me]: Good luck at the tournament, Noona! (Golf swing emoji)

[Me]: Fighting! (Cheering emoji)

I sent the greeting I couldn't say on the call.

Of course, no reply came...

As I messaged Noona, Mom came and sat next to me on the sofa.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Who were you talking to? Girlfriend maybe?"

"...No girlfriend. It was Noona."

Mom was always busy, but after wrapping her recent drama, she was on a short break.

Noona was at her tournament, Mi-so was filming.

So right now, it was just me and Mom at home.

"Weird. How does Sun-hu not have a girlfriend? Girls these days have no eye for quality."

Mom said it like she genuinely meant it.

Like how hedgehogs think their own pups are cute.

"You're the only one who thinks that, Mom."

Mom was as extraordinary as Noona, but in moments like this, she seemed like any regular mom.

"Really? If I'd met a guy like Sun-hu, I'd have confessed right away."

Mom hooked her arm through mine and leaned her head on my shoulder.

She said that, but if we'd met as strangers, I'd have been a roadside pebble to her.

Back when Mom was young, she was so beautiful she could've had any guy she wanted. Still a stunning beauty now, of course.

"So, have you ever had a girlfriend before?"

"Why are you curious about that?"

"Isn't it natural for a mom to wonder about her son's love life? She might become my daughter-in-law someday."

Mom's eyes sparkled at the thought of my dating life.

Sadly, I had nothing that exciting to share.

"...Once, back in high school."

"Really? Why didn't you tell Mom?"

Mom looked shocked and scolded me. Was it that big a deal?

"We dated briefly and broke up right away. Nothing worth mentioning."

True story. It lasted less than a week.

Hearing that, Mom got serious and lectured me instead.

"Dating is practice. If you pass twenty without proper experience, you might not be able to later even if you want to. No good girls at college?"

"None. And I'm not really into dating..."

"No way! You trying to deprive Mom of grandkids?"

Grandkids already? Did Mom want to be a grandma that bad?

Dating, huh... I wondered if I could even do it.

The abuse from my childhood left me with mental issues, apparently.

I didn't notice it myself, but the doctor ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠said so, so it must be true.

My family understood, but strangers? No chance.

My one ex-girlfriend from before was the same.

We got close since I seemed normal on the outside, but soon after dating, she wanted to break up.

Nothing specific came to mind on my end.

That's how mental illness works, right? You don't see it yourself.

I must've hurt people without realizing.

"Sorry, Mom. I don't get what girls think or how to treat them. Honestly, it scares me. The idea of dating someone."

I laid it out honestly.

Brushing it off would just mean hearing it over and over, knowing Mom.

Sorry, but better not to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠give false hope.

But Mom's reaction wasn't what I expected.

"I get it, Sun-hu. You're scared because you haven't dated properly. Kids can fail and bounce back, but adults fear it more—with so much to lose. Still, you can't give up on dating altogether."

Mom gripped my hand tight.

"Didn't Mom say she'd help? Failing with a crush is bad, but failing with Mom? No big deal. Let Mom be your dating practice partner."

Her warm hand and earnest gaze heated up my face.

After what happened with Mom last time, I'd tried to keep my distance.

Guilt over using her care for my desires.

Yet here she was, approaching me first again.

"Mom..."

"See, dating starts with holding hands like this."

Mom lifted our joined hands, smiling brightly to lighten the serious mood.

I preferred relaxed vibes too, so I played along.

"What if a stranger or someone you dislike suddenly grabbed Sun-hu's hand?"

"I'd hate it."

Mom explained patiently, like teaching a kid chores.

"Right. So first, get close enough. Even then, don't grab out of nowhere—read the mood. When it's good, gently take it, like Mom just did."

"Yeah, I think I get it."

"If they don't pull away, you've cleared the first hurdle. Good odds for a confession now."

Got it. Should I confess now?

I nodded and confessed to Mom.

"Mom. I love you."

"...!? You rascal! I didn't mean confess to Mom!"

Mom scolded me in flustered panic, cheeks flushing.

I'd just said the obvious. What was the issue?

"But if you don't practice confessing, you might fail for real, right?"

Mom calmed down and nodded.

"Y-Yeah, practice. It caught me off guard. Wanna try again?"

Permission granted this time.

I took a deep breath and confessed again.

"Mom. I love you. I've liked you since I was little. Will you go out with me?"

"...Good. Pass. Safe, but sincere. I liked it."

Whew. Good thing I meant it.

Rejection might've crushed me.

"Next?"

"Next... a kiss?"

Makes sense. Success meant kisses now.

We'd kissed days ago, so no hesitation.

Mwah.

I closed my eyes and lightly pressed my lips to Mom's.

Her lips were soft yet springy, with a pleasant scent.

Just lip-to-lip.

Yet it felt so happy, I wanted it to last forever.

And I wasn't the only one feeling it.

"Sun-hu..."

After the short kiss, Mom gazed at me with a blissful smile.

"Let Mom teach you a real kiss."