episode_0038

Due to the complexity of my emotions, I wasted a considerable amount of time in the bathroom, but the uncle seemed unfazed and silently began to pack his belongings.

I couldn’t help but wonder how he could be so nonchalant after what happened last night, but seeing his eyes flicker faintly as he glanced in my direction, it seemed that he was also not completely composed.

Well, it’s a fact that a sturdy adult man and woman spent the night in a motel together, so it’s not strange to be nonchalant about it.

So, the uncle’s unnatural behavior at the moment is quite understandable. But what’s been bothering me since earlier is not that…

“Uncle, your head keeps drooping down, are you feeling very sleepy?”

“…Huh? Who’s sleepy… Anyway, since everything is packed, let’s get out of here quickly.”

The uncle, who seemed to have drooled a bit, reassured me that he was fine and reached out his hand. Despite his slightly staggering speech, I didn’t hesitate to grab his hand and we left the motel room behind.

However, as we exited the room and passed by the closet, one question came to mind.

Why did the uncle not even bat an eye while facing me, dressed in such provocative and stimulating outfits, trying to seduce him?

I blamed myself for touching him, but in reality, I only placed my hand on his stomach. Anyone who saw it would surely mock the innocent uncle.

Moreover, I know very well that the expression “touching” is not used in that context, but what really intrigued me was that the uncle did not cross any lines in that situation. That was the only thing.

Am I not that attractive right now? Even though I didn’t wear makeup, I believe my bare face is decent enough, and I’ve been working out regularly, so my figure is also fine…

So, could it be that in the eyes of the uncle, I just look like a child? But the part we touched yesterday seemed to be more prominent than before–

— Bam!

“Wha-what was that for? Why did you suddenly do that?”

“…You don’t have to worry, I think I’m still not fully awake, that’s why.”

I unknowingly slapped my face with all my might, but it helped me regain my senses.

Yes, there’s no way I would harbor such feelings towards the uncle, wanting to cross the line with him. Especially since he has a partner. Even though I don’t want to be separated from him, this is not right.

Yes… I’m still not fully sober from the alcohol. That’s how it should be.

— Bam!

To clear my mind once again, I vigorously slapped my cheek, feeling a slight numbness in my head.

Let’s stop these strange thoughts now. Even though it’s not now, someday the uncle will leave my side, so I shouldn’t feel any more attachment. It’s the right thing for both him and me.

…It won’t be easy, but let’s at least try.

*

Exiting the motel and getting into the car, the two of us decided to skip breakfast and head to the city for an early lunch.

After driving for about 20 minutes, we arrived at a large restaurant with lots of Chinese characters written all over, giving off a Chinese vibe. When I mentioned that dumplings would be delicious, the uncle suddenly knew of a place that served even tastier dumplings than usual, and I was dragged along somewhat reluctantly.

There wasn’t a particular menu that came to mind, and as we approached the restaurant, I felt a sense of disappointment amidst the huge crowd we faced.

However, the moment of regret was short-lived as the person who seemed to be the master came running up, bowing at a 90-degree angle before leading us to a secluded space on the second floor of the restaurant.

Unfamiliar with such a situation, I hesitated, but as I followed the man’s natural steps, the tension eased with the gentle sound of music in the background.

Of course, my hand trembled less as I held the teacup, admiring the old-fashioned wallpaper and decorations around me while sipping the warm tea.

Initially questioning the need to visit such a place, my doubts vanished with each serving of Chinese dumplings and dim sum. From the moment I tasted the dim sum, whether with shrimp or various vegetables, the one mixed with shrimp and pork stood out the most.

Every time I fed the absent-minded man a dumpling, he made exaggerated expressions, but when I mentioned that eating together was more enjoyable than eating alone, he simply smiled cutely without any protest.

After eating so many dumplings that my stomach ached, the man who discreetly hid the receipt and settled the bill made me somewhat suspicious, but I decided not to dwell on it.

However, as we left the store feeling good, “Sir, are you sure you can drive? You’ve been looking unwell for a while now.”

The sight of the man gripping the steering wheel was nothing but unsettling. He looked so drowsy that even if he were to rest his head on the wheel and doze off right now, it wouldn’t be surprising.

“No… I’m still… okay…”

“What do you mean ‘okay’! Sir, you don’t look okay at all! It’s not going to work, sir. Let’s just go home. What kind of trip is it with such a condition…”

Watching the man pretend to be okay, I sighed and forcibly removed his hand from the steering wheel, turning off the ignition. If he’s not feeling well, he should rest… I felt annoyed, but seeing the man weakly leaning back, my irritation disappeared.

“If you’re sleepy, you can close your eyes. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Sorry, Eunhye… I’ll just rest a bit… Wake me up if anything happens…”

“Yes, yes~”

The exhausted man eventually declared surrender and entrusted himself to the car seat.

As soon as his head touched the back of the seat, he fell into a deep sleep. This man worries and bothers me… I don’t know how much I’m concerned, but if he does this again next time, I won’t just stand by. Be prepared, sir.

— Beep beep beep~♪

While teasing the man by pulling his cheek, my whole body shivered at the sudden ringing of the phone. Scanning around for the source of the sound, I found it in none other than the man’s pants pocket.

I debated whether it would be good to wake him up, but now that he had finally fallen asleep, it seemed pitiful to wake him up immediately. Carefully, I reached into his pocket to retrieve his smartphone.

Although I accidentally touched something hard along the way, I successfully retrieved the smartphone and confirmed that the caller was named Im Sujeong.

Well, even so, I don’t know who this Im Sujeong is, and it’s a call for the man, so it would be crossing the line to answer it carelessly. So, it’s best to just stay quiet like this.

Oops, the call got disconnected.

What’s up with the phone calls right after hanging up?

Just ignore it, our uncle is sleeping right now, so tell them to call back later.

Wow, they’re really persistent, but there’s no way. I’m not picking up.

…Ugh?

Will you please stop calling? I’m starting to get annoyed.

Gosh, they’re so persistent… They’re only calling and not even sending a text?

Wait, could it be that it’s really something important that they keep calling our uncle?

Hmm… just to be safe, should we wake him up? Yeah, since we don’t know if it’s really important, it’s better to check… Well then, sorry for waking you up, but…

Beep.

Huh? I accidentally pressed the answer button.

“Hey, Kang Sunwoo!! How many times do I have to call for you to pick up! Are you going to keep ignoring my calls like this? You did the same thing yesterday, are you doing this on purpose without me knowing—”

“Um, excuse me… I’m sorry, but right now our uncle– I mean, Mr. Kang Sunwoo is not in a situation to answer the phone.”

Although I was surprised by the angry woman’s yelling, when I calmly explained, the other side of the phone became eerily quiet.

“Uh, um… what? This is Kang Sunwoo’s number, right? Your voice sounds young, who are you? Who are you to answer the phone instead of Sunwoo?”

At that response, I started to get irritated. We’ve never met before, we haven’t even exchanged names, and she’s speaking informally? Ugh… I have to hold back, even if I have to see our uncle.

“I’m sorry, but as I mentioned earlier, Mr. Kang Sunwoo is not in a situation to answer the phone right now. Could you please call back later?”

“What kind of attitude is this… Hey, stop talking nonsense and tell that bastard Sunwoo to pick up the phone.”

Attitude? No, what did she just say… calling our uncle a bastard? What kind of woman is she… Ugh… I have to hold back…

“Um, I’m sorry, but as I mentioned before, Mr. Kang Sunwoo really can’t answer the phone right now. So, could you please call back later—”

“This person’s words are really out of line, right? Hey, I’m Sunwoo’s girlfriend, who are you to talk to me like that? Hurry up and change that bastard!”

…Girlfriend? Did this rude woman just say she’s our uncle’s girlfriend??