Homecoming (2)
Mom's expression stayed frozen for a long time. It wasn't the kind of face you could call good, even as a white lie. I couldn't say a word. I just had to wait quietly for her reaction, praying desperately inside that she would please understand.
“...Son.”
“Yeah, Mom.”
“No matter how much you like older women, isn't the age gap a bit too much...?”
Is that really the bigger issue compared to her being a yokai?
Somewhat dumbfounded, I realized Mom was genuinely worried. Her eyes showed real concern.
“I had no idea my son's taste ran in that direction...”
“Huh? Ah, no! It's not that I like her because she's older...!”
“Then what? Don't tell me my son has a thing for yokai? You like them all fluffy and furry? Is that why you didn't want to do exorcism...”
“That's not it either! It has nothing to do with exorcism!”
Why are you lumping your son in with those suspiciously rich old men, Mom?
When I strongly denied it, Mom crossed her arms and said, “Then all I can see is that you've been bewitched by a nine-tailed fox.”
“No, that's not...”
“She's pretty, right? I have to admit she's strikingly beautiful.”
“Uh...”
“But as you know, that's not her true form, is it?”
Mom was right. Baek Seol-hwa's beautiful appearance was essentially a form of transformation. Of course she could change into different looks each time she transformed, but this particular appearance was her natural one... still, it wasn't her true self. Her real form would be a nine-tailed gumiho.
“If you're saying you fell for a fake appearance, Mom can't accept...”
“That's not it... ahem. Her looks are one thing, but her heart is so... so kind that it drew me in.”
It was hard to get the words out of my own mouth, but I barely managed to come up with a plausible excuse. Since Baek Seol-hwa really was unusually pure and benevolent for a yokai, it was easy to spin a lie based on truth.
“Even though she's a yokai, she doesn't harm people. Instead, she helps pitiful spirits and lives that way. I found it... beautiful.”
“...Hmm.”
“Don't you think so? It's incredibly difficult for a yokai not to harm humans. By our standards, it's like living your whole life without ever eating samgyeopsal.”
Samgyeopsal gui was Mom's favorite food. When I deliberately used it as an example, her expression clearly showed she related.
“That's true... I find that part quite surprising too. In my entire life as an exorcist, I've never heard of such a thing, and seeing it in person makes it even more astonishing.”
Mom already knew there wasn't a trace of yin energy coming from Baek Seol-hwa, so this part carried real weight. Otherwise it would've been much harder to convince her.
Mom seemed to ponder for a moment, then spoke to the dignified Shinrok standing nearby.
“Shinrok? Would you release that child?”
At Mom's single command, both my face and Baek Seol-hwa's brightened. Just as Mom said, Shinrok withdrew its vines and vanished gracefully. Finally freed, Baek Seol-hwa let out a sigh of relief.
Who would've thought even a yokai as old as Baek Seol-hwa could be completely immobilized. As expected of Mom's divine beast.
“Hey.”
“Ah, yes!!”
Seeing Baek Seol-hwa answer like a soldier standing at perfect attention almost made me laugh. I barely held it in and instead gave a slightly pleased smile. Baek Seol-hwa shot me a look that said why is he smiling like that all of a sudden, but she quickly caught on to my intention and fixed her expression. As expected, her senses are sharp.
“Ah, hello... M-Mother...”
I never thought I'd live to see the day a yokai called my mom “Mother.” Life really is unpredictable. Who knew I'd witness such a ridiculous scene.
“So... you're really dating our Se-hwan?”
“W-well, that's how it turned out... yes...”
“Turned out?”
“Ah, I mean...”
That idiot is about to ruin the whole setup I worked so hard to create.
“Seol-hwa's just shy. You saw how red her face got earlier, right? She's quite the bashful one.”
Calling her “hey” or “that girl” might make it obvious we weren't actually lovers, so I deliberately used her name. Baek Seol-hwa looked at me in even greater surprise than Mom had. I told you not to show it...
Luckily, Mom either didn't notice or found it fascinating that a gumiho could be so embarrassed, because she didn't press the issue.
“A gumiho who's very shy? How interesting... Now that I think about it, if a gumiho properly drains spiritual energy, she can't help but harm people. You haven't ever...”
“...Let's not ask about that, Mom.”
“Ah.”
Baek Seol-hwa's face had turned as red as a ripe tomato... or rather, like the scorching lava of an active volcano about to erupt. Mom seemed to realize her question had been too thoughtless and spoke in a slightly apologetic tone.
“I was a bit insensitive, wasn't I?”
“N-no, it's fine...”
“Still, it's truly fascinating. A yokai as gentle as you... How could someone who's lived a thousand years grow up this well-behaved? There must have been times when your appetite became overwhelming.”
“Ah, about that...”
I was about to explain when Baek Seol-hwa answered first.
“I... I don't like meat. So...”
“......?”
Mom looked at Baek Seol-hwa with an expression that said what on earth is this girl talking about, then turned to me to check if it was true. When I nodded, Mom stared at Baek Seol-hwa with the face of someone witnessing something truly bizarre.
“As you can see, Seol-hwa is quite... unique. She's completely different from typical yokai. In a good way, you could say she's an ideal kind of yokai.”
“...She certainly is. If all yokai had personalities like hers, our clan wouldn't have had to work so hard running around performing exorcisms.”
“Ehehe...”
Baek Seol-hwa seemed pleased by the praise and gave a silly smile. To me it looked a bit dumb, and I worried Mom might think she seemed stupid and dislike her, but...
“...It's making me rethink my entire view of yokai. What a fascinating child.”
Child? Calling a thousand-year-old yokai a “child” doesn't really fit, but I guess it's different for Mom, who goes around beating up every weird thing she finds.
“Let's head inside for now, son. It's awkward to keep talking out here.”
“Ah, okay. But what's all that?”
“This? You didn't think we'd just eat braised ribs, did you? I bought groceries for dinner and tomorrow's meals too.”
“I'll carry them.”
“I can manage.”
“It's fine. Seol-hwa.”
When I called her name with a hint of exasperation, Baek Seol-hwa looked at me with slight surprise, then realized I was acting and quickly responded.
“Yes, Se-hwan...”
I have no idea why she's getting so embarrassed all by herself. It's all acting anyway. At least one of us has to stay calm so it doesn't get too awkward...
“You've already greeted Mom, so let's go in.”
“Huh? Why are you sending her away?”
“Huh?”
“You said her name was Seol-hwa?”
“Ah, yes! I'm Baek Seol-hwa...!”
“Seol-hwa, you should stay for dinner too. I still have so many questions.”
“...Pardon?”
“Don't you want to?”
“Ah, no!! I'd love to!”
Baek Seol-hwa answered quickly, as if she couldn't wait, then came over to me and said, “Se-Se-hwan. I'll carry a little too.”
“Uh... sure. Thanks.”
“Oh, but you said you don't eat meat? Then I'll have to make some tasty vegetable side dishes too.”
Auntie? This girl is older than you, Mom...
But whether Mom called her that or not, Baek Seol-hwa didn't seem to mind. At the mention of vegetable dishes, her eyes sparkled as she said, “...Really?”
“Of course. I'm quite good at cooking, you know. Right, son?”
“Mom's cooking is great.”
But now that I think about it, wouldn't she be even better? After living a thousand years, she must have learned how to make whatever vegetable sides she wanted. Isn't this like bragging about your cooking in front of the Baek XX Won uncle?
I worried what would happen if Baek Seol-hwa didn't like Mom's food. Hoping Mom's skills would satisfy her palate, I headed home with Mom and Baek Seol-hwa for the first time in four years.
“Here, eat as much as you want.”
“Whoa...”
Since her disappointing son had finally come home, Mom had prepared a feast. Starting with braised ribs, there was spinach namul, kimchi jjigae, braised tofu, bean sprout namul, japchae, grilled gulbi...
“Mom, why did you make so much?”
The table legs are seriously going to break.
“It's only natural when my son comes home after so long. Seol-hwa, you eat a lot too.”
“Th-thank you!”
Baek Seol-hwa glanced at the lavish spread, then leaned over and whispered to me.
“Your mom is an amazing cook.”
“...Better than you?”
“Huh? Is there any point in comparing?”
“What do you mean there's no point?”
“Cooking is all about personal style. Even the same dish tastes different depending on who's making it. It's not about who does it better. The fact that each person brings their own unique flavor is what makes it meaningful, right?”
Baek Seol-hwa smiled brightly and continued, “That's why I like it. Even among good cooks, every dish has its own taste... It's like each person's individuality, and that feels nice, doesn't it?”
“My goodness, what lovely things you say.”
“...Huh!?”
She must have heard. To be honest, even though we were whispering, Baek Seol-hwa's voice had gotten louder midway through, so it was audible. Still, the reason I didn't stop her was...
“Ah, no, I don't think anything particularly special...”
“It's rare to find someone who thinks so deeply. And for a yokai to be the one doing it? You really keep giving me new experiences.”
It was the kind of compliment anyone would love to hear. Mom's reaction proved it. It was good to see Mom's favor toward Baek Seol-hwa growing like this. It lowered the chance of her being in danger.
“Come on, eat before it gets cold.”
“Ah, yes... Thank you for the meal!”
“Thank you for the meal.”
I started by taking a spoonful of the braised ribs' broth. Salty with a touch of sweetness, it tasted exactly like the one Mom used to make. Maybe because I hadn't eaten it in over four years, it tasted even better now.
“Son.”
“...Yeah?”
“How does it taste? Still the same?”
Was she worried it might not suit her son's palate after so long? Honestly, even if I had to lie...
“...It's still delicious.”
I couldn't say it tasted bad.
Baek Seol-hwa didn't touch the meat dishes like the braised ribs, kimchi jjigae, or japchae, but she devoured the vegetable sides with an expression that said she had no idea what to do with how good they were.
“It seems to suit your taste.”
“It's really delicious, Mother!”
Where did all that embarrassment go? Look at her calling Mom “Mother” so naturally now. I could tell how much she was enjoying the food.
If we could just finish the meal smoothly and send her off, everything would be resolved. Of course, we'd still need to keep up the act for a while...
When I take the talismans this time, I probably won't have to visit often anyway.
Coming occasionally should be something Baek Seol-hwa can go along with. Or maybe if I suggest coming to eat Mom's cooking, she'll join in willingly?
While we were quietly enjoying our meal, Mom suddenly looked at Baek Seol-hwa with a warm smile.
“Seol-hwa.”
“Yes?”
“What do you like about our Se-hwan?”
...Damn, I almost spat out my food. Even though the question wasn't directed at me, I was so startled I nearly choked. If I reacted like that, of course Baek Seol-hwa...
“Kek... Ngh...?”
“Drink some water first.”
Instead of spitting it out, Baek Seol-hwa had forced it down and started dry-heaving. Mom kindly handed her a glass of water.
“You know how strange it is for a yokai to form a pair with a human. That's why I'm curious. Why did Se-hwan catch your eye? It's not a relationship that can continue just because my son likes you, right?”
...That's a very specific question, Mom.
Still, it was something worth asking. If it were me and my child said they were dating a yokai, I'd probably interrogate them thoroughly and, if anything seemed suspicious, immediately exorcise them.
“Ah, well...”
Whether she was actually embarrassed or just acting, Baek Seol-hwa's face turned bright red as she glanced at me. I don't know why she's looking at me, but I can't give her the answer. Just come up with something good on your own...
“Even though he always says he's ordinary, he's actually quite handsome.”
“Mmm, our son is a bit humble, isn't he?”
The beginning was fine. But do I really go around saying I'm ordinary that often? I don't think I do.
“His personality... Even though he seems gruff on the outside, he listens to people well, and when there's a problem, he gives clear solutions. His follow-through is pretty... good too.”
“Oh my, you really understand our son's personality well.”
...It must be lip service. There's no way Baek Seol-hwa actually thinks that about me. But even knowing it's lip service, human nature is what it is. I couldn't help but square my shoulders a little. The saying that praise can make even a whale dance isn't empty words, huh?
“He's pretty smart too. I've lived a thousand years and I'm still an idiot, but Se-hwan is incredibly clever... He solves things I don't understand.”
“Our son is quite smart. But don't feel too intimidated.”
Mom smiled gently and said, “From what I'm hearing, someone as kind as you is truly rare. Our son can be a bit rude because he knows how capable he is.”
“...When was I ever like that?”
“You were back then. Though you've become much more mature now.”
“That's way too long ago...”
“Pfft, so Se-hwan was really like that?”
Baek Seol-hwa gave me a quick sidelong glance with sparkling eyes that said she'd heard something fun, then looked back at Mom. That girl...
“Of course~ Back then Se-hwan did this...”
Mom had finally found someone who listened well to her chatter after so long and kept talking nonstop. In the past, I might have gotten tired and left the table first. But...
This isn't so bad.
For some reason, right now, this didn't feel bad at all.
After the meal, I was thinking about sending Baek Seol-hwa back. Mom seemed to have accepted things more easily than expected, and it didn't look like she was rejecting Baek Seol-hwa's existence.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“I'll take Seol-hwa home and come back.”
“Why? You're sending her off already? Let her stay a bit longer.”
“She can't. She has things to do...”
As I tried to send Baek Seol-hwa away, Mom, who had been looking out the window, spoke up.
“Hmm, but they said it's going to rain soon. Didn't Seol-hwa come on a motorcycle earlier?”
“Huh? Rain?”
I hadn't heard any weather forecast like that.
“You didn't know? They said it would rain heavily from this afternoon.”
Right then...
RUMBLE!!!
A tremendous thunderclap roared, and rain began pouring down outside the window. Of all times, it had to be exactly when I was trying to send Baek Seol-hwa back.
“......Hah.”
This is bad. Even if I somehow convinced Mom, I could never convince Dad. I had to get her out of here before Dad came home...
“Your father isn't coming home tonight, so just stay over.”
“...Huh?”
“He went on a business trip for the association. He won't be back this weekend, so call him later, son.”
Mom smiled brightly as she spoke.
“If you say you only came to see Mom, Dad will feel left out.”
“...Got it.”
“Then Seol-hwa, you should stay the night too. Hmm, the room... we can give you his room... Ah.”
Mom, who had been about to offer Dad's room, suddenly paused and looked at me intently. I don't know why she's looking at me like that, but it's making me anxious, so please stop...
“Do you two want to sleep together?”
“......What?”
“......Pardon?”
“Oh my, it seems you two haven't done anything yet. Well, if you had, our son probably wouldn't be alive.”
Mom laughed cheerfully while making a rather terrifying joke.
“W-we have separate rooms anyway, right? Dad's room...”
“Ah~ Now that I think about it, I haven't cleaned Dad's room, have I? I cleaned your room thoroughly because you were coming this week. And the bed is a big queen size, so it should be fine for both of you.”
“......Mom?”
Where did the person who was going on about whether her son had been bewitched by a yokai go...?
“Seol-hwa, you're okay with that, right? It's just sleeping anyway.”
Why is she acting like this all of a sudden? Mom must know this is an unreasonable request. I looked at her, wondering why she was asking this. The moment our eyes met...
...Ah.
I realized it was a trap.
I had been relieved thinking Mom had accepted Baek Seol-hwa, but that wasn't the case. There was still suspicion in Mom's eyes. Her trust in yokai was practically at rock bottom, and to her, Baek Seol-hwa was still just “a slightly unusual and interesting yokai.”
This sudden insistence was all a test. A test to see if I was really dating Baek Seol-hwa, and if so, whether Baek Seol-hwa actually liked me. Mom still didn't fully believe our story.
If Baek Seol-hwa showed any sign of refusal here, everything we'd struggled through might vanish like foam. But I couldn't tell this idiot gumiho what to do right now.
Could this dumb gumiho even protect her own life properly...?
Just as my anxiety reached its peak...
“Th-then... would that be okay...?”
Baek Seol-hwa answered with her face completely flushed. Her legs twisted slightly, and her hand rose to hover near her lips as if she didn't know what to do with herself.
...Perfect score. It was truly a perfect score. Her answer was flawless, and her outward posture was impeccable. Her embarrassed expression and eyes were so perfect she could win Best Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. She didn't even look at me, perhaps afraid of being caught.
...Thank goodness.
Baek Seol-hwa had delivered a truly perfect performance. I should buy her something delicious later... Wait, no. I'm doing all this to save Baek Seol-hwa, so shouldn't I be the one treating her? Anyway...
Mom seemed surprised by the reaction, which was different from what she'd expected, or rather, far beyond it. Then she slowly lifted the corners of her mouth, approached Seol-hwa, and said,
“You really must like him. Still, our son hasn't reached the end of his lifespan yet, so please refrain from anything naughty.”
“I-I can't do that kind of thing...!!”
“She's too shy to do anything like that, Mom. That's why she helps spirits instead of stealing spiritual energy from people in the first place.”
“Oh my, what an adorable reason. But wanting to sleep together despite that... How pure and innocent this love is?”
“Ugh...”
Mom chuckled softly and said, “Then you two can sleep in your room. Since Mom's in the house, please refrain from going too far, okay?”
“We're not!!”
And so...
“...Don't stick so close, you dummy.”
“Is this my fault? You're the one tossing and turning, making us get closer.”
We had ended up in this situation. The fact that I was even giving her an arm pillow was part of Mom's scheme.
-Oh dear! It looks like we've run out of spare pillows and blankets. I suppose my son will have to give Seol-hwa an arm pillow?
Mom's test still wasn't over. Not content with making us sleep together, she even demanded skinship like an arm pillow that only real lovers would do. But since we'd already lied and said we were lovers, there was no justification to refuse. To avoid suspicion, we had to act natural. That's how we ended up sharing one blanket and lying in the same bed.
“Seriously... why did you say something like that...”
“Are you still going on about that?”
“If you hadn't sent that text in the first place, none of this would've happened.”
“Wow, you're blaming me? You're the one who followed me here on your own and caused this.”
“Sh-shut up.”
“Just be quiet and go to sleep. We're both already on edge, so let's not waste energy making it worse.”
“H-how am I supposed to sleep in this situation?”
“I don't know, idiot.”
“Hey...”
The lights were off and night had fallen, so the room was very dark, but somehow her blue eyes were clearly visible, catching the moonlight. It meant I could also clearly see Baek Seol-hwa looking at me like she was about to cry.
“Okay, fine. I won't sleep first, so try to fall asleep quickly. I can't sleep until you do.”
“...How can you be so calm?”
“Of course I'm calm.”
What, am I supposed to be excited or something? A lot of things are bothering me unnecessarily, but it's not to the point of feeling excited. I know very well that the girl in front of me is a yokai.
Still, she asks the strangest questions. Given the situation, it seems the extremely shy Baek Seol-hwa can't keep her mind straight.
“It really doesn't affect you? At all?”
“Yeah.”
“......That's kind of offensive.”
“...What are you talking about?”
“It's weird that you feel nothing even after looking at my appearance. How can you be so unaffected sleeping next to a beauty like me?”
“You sometimes have an abnormally high opinion of yourself...”
“Because I have the looks to justify it.”
“Ah... Yes.”
I admit you're beautiful. Up close, her skin was flawless without a single blemish. It was almost miraculous how she could look like this after living a thousand years.
Baek Seol-hwa was quiet for a moment, then glanced at me and said, “It's not fair.”
“...?”
“It feels like I'm the only one nervous. You should be nervous too for it to be fair.”
“Why are you suddenly talking about fairness...”
Baek Seol-hwa suddenly reached out. Her hand grabbed my left hand, which had been free since I wasn't giving her an arm pillow, and held it tightly. It was a bold move I never would've imagined from her. I could feel the soft texture across my entire palm, and because our fingers were interlaced, I felt it between each finger too.
“Hey, you...!”
“I... couldn't gather spiritual energy because of you. So this will make up for it. You need to release some spiritual energy anyway...”
With her ears bright red, Baek Seol-hwa glared at me with narrowed eyes.
“No complaints... right?”
“......”
...I have nothing to say.
“...Hold it for a bit and then let go.”
“Okay... But why are you still so composed...?”
I don't know anymore. What exactly does she want from me?
“Should I make a big fuss? Like, 'I held hands with Baek Seol-hwa, jackpot!' or something?”
“That's not what I mean...!”
“Then what?”
When I asked grumpily, Baek Seol-hwa looked at me with slight dissatisfaction, then...
“...It feels like I'm losing out.”
With that, she pulled away the hand she'd been holding. Did she take enough spiritual energy? I guess so.
“I went through all this to save you, so don't starve to death. Take enough quickly.”
“...I already took it, dummy.”
“...Oh.”
Then let's just sleep.
Baek Seol-hwa, who had let go of my hand, lowered her head deeply as if trying to sleep. That position would probably hurt her neck... but I figured it was up to her how she slept.
A little time passed.
“......”
Ah, seriously. I can't sleep because of the shampoo scent.