Episode 78: Holiday (3)
We met Moon Sookhee close to noon.
Though she’d scold us for messy hair then call us cute, we couldn’t just roll out like that.
“What on earth did you do yesterday to sleep this late?”
Perhaps sensing our effort, her first nag wasn’t “Why so late?” but “Why sleep so long?”
We just laughed.
Her affectionate scolding felt rare, but—
‘I can’t exactly spill yesterday’s details.’
Especially not to someone motherly like her.
‘Come to think of it, it’s odd.’
Sixteen years as an asexual, never feeling the lack—
‘How did I survive pre-regression?’
That thought might’ve jinxed it.
“Tsk tsk. Using protection, right?”
“Cough!”
“Choke!”
Her piercing remark hit us mid-sip, triggering simultaneous coughs.
But we couldn’t just fluster.
Her question turned probing.
“Why no answer? Are you using protection? Han Yujin, don’t tell me…”
“No, ma’am. We are.”
Even in passion, I never forgot.
Zia’s desires were unpredictable, and now I embrace them gradually.
“Good. I wasn’t born yesterday. Why so shocked? At your age, living together, it’s natural. Committed a crime?”
Satisfied, she chuckled, shifting topics.
‘She’s not wrong… but saying it so bluntly is fair game for shock!’
I couldn’t argue—my red face choked me.
Topic closed, her laughter erupted, and I mimicked a Nicholas Cage meme.
***
“We’re here.”
Her car stopped.
‘This place…’
Familiar, yet growing awkward.
Pre-regression, valuing privacy, I frequented it. Post-regression, not once.
‘For Zia, this is…’
Glancing back, she’s frozen—used to simple grills, this upscale spot feels untouchable.
“It’s a holiday—can’t I treat you?”
“Still, Ma’am… my clothes…”
“Did I dress in luxury? This place doesn’t judge by attire. Cheap spots do that.”
True. Worn sweats and slippers? Fine here. Reservation alone proves status.
“Yujin’s been here, right? You’re not surprised.”
Her words jolted me, distracted by Zia.
“Or too shocked to move? Both are cute. Let’s go.”
Zia’s reaction stole the show, sparing me scrutiny.
“Yujin-ah… is this right…?”
Clinging to my seat, Zia whispers.
“She says it’s fine, so it is.”
“But… you seem unfazed?”
“As we get famous, you as an actress too, we’ll need this. Practice.”
“Counting chickens…”
“Let’s go. She’s waiting.”
I tap her hand on my shoulder, nodding to Moon Sookhee’s rising brow—delaying risks her wrath.
“Too much pressure? Think acting practice. Role: chaebol’s eldest daughter.”
“Pfft… if it were easy, would I endure unnie’s scolding to learn?”
“Nothing’s impossible. Let’s go, or we’re toast before eating.”
Her tension eases—my humor worked.
Inside, following Moon Sookhee—
“Uh… bathroom break.”
Zia flees.
“Was gonna come last Chuseok, but you stopped me. Know that?”
Watching her go, Moon Sookhee turns to me with another jab.
No defense—last Chuseok, I was buried in Blind Singer prep.
Even with some leeway, I wasn’t idle.
“If I don’t, I won’t come again. Yujin, bring her more often.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
A nod, and her expression softens with a murmured wish.
“Seeing you like this, I really think I’ve met my match. You act like you’d give Zia everything she wants, but when it counts, you’ve got a quiet strength, Yujin.”
“It’s not that I lacked the will to give only good things—just the ability.”
Moon Sookhee nodded approvingly at my response.
But her satisfied smile soon faded.
“Hmm… Yujin-ah.”
“Yes.”
Her serious tone prompted me to straighten up. She broached an unexpected topic cautiously.
“You’re not going home this holiday?”
Instinctively, my eyes darted to the door where Zia had gone.
Our brief pre-visit talk echoed.
‘Still, Zia wouldn’t…’
No matter how close she is to Moon Sookhee, Zia wouldn’t spill my story.
“No, I’m not. I’ll stay with Zia.”
Though my answer was firm, her question stirred complex thoughts—short-lived, thankfully.
“Does… your family oppose Zia a lot?”
Her assumption, plausible given normal dynamics, was clear.
‘If only it were that simple.’
Most wouldn’t imagine parents like mine.
“No, it’s not that. They don’t even know I’m with Zia or that I’m singing for a living.”
Normally, I’d dodge with vagueness—a tale untold pre-regression.
Even Lee Hee-kyung, who dug into me, never brought it up.
But—
“Well, that’s them. Haven’t contacted them since high school graduation.”
The holiday’s family vibe and Moon Sookhee’s presence loosened my tongue—words only Zia had heard before.
“Haa…”
Her sigh showed relief from the misunderstanding, yet her face stayed grim.
Her murmur revealed why.
“How do you two, with such tumultuous lives, even meet…”
I see it as a pull between us, but saying that aloud might not go over well.
“So, I’m really grateful to you, CEO Moon. Zia’s always wanted family. Oddly, she doesn’t seem to care much about a husband… but you’ve given her what I can’t. Might as well say it—thank you.”
Her expression twisted—not anger, but tearful restraint.
“Hey, you brat, you…”
Footsteps outside cut her off.
Thankfully, it was a waiter setting the table, halting the conversation.
Her tone hinted at maternal scolding.
‘She sees me as a kid too.’
I’m fine, but she might see it as me masking pain.
“Does Seo know this?”
“No. He doesn’t. If today weren’t special, I wouldn’t have told you either.”
“Ridiculous?!”
Seo Yoonje likely shares her view—her gaze drifted, chest heaving slightly.
Then it stopped.
“What were you talking about?”
Zia returned.
“Just last Chuseok. Why so lively after the bathroom?”
“Since we’re here, I doubt you’d let us off easy, Ma’am. I decided to let loose. Feels freeing.”
“Right. At places like this, folks like us just say thanks and eat well—that’s gratitude.”
“Even if I let loose, I know to keep that in my head, Yujin-ah.”
I held her gaze, tossing weak banter. Moon Sookhee regained composure—though her pitying look lingered.
Used to it, Zia missed the cue.
“What karma did I earn in my past life?”
Zia blinked at the sudden line.
“Raised my kids, thought I’d just enjoy now. Thought I had one daughter, but fate threw in an unexpected son.”
Her familiar quip followed.
Zia, blaming her own “loose” remark, chuckled awkwardly.
“Eat. Beef’s best lightly seared.”
“Yes, thank you… Wait, this is meat? Why’s it melting?”
Her variety-show reaction amused the waiter as beef piled on our plates.
I eyed Moon Sookhee.
‘I could skip, but… no chance.’
No effect from my look.
This Seollal feels destined to differ from my usual indifference.