40-60

Chapter 60: Chapter 19: Mom’s Lover (3) 

Yerin was acting strange. 

"Are you feeling sick?" 

"...No." 

Normally, she was so lively and cheerful, but today her answers were a beat slow and she seemed lost in thought. Watching her so distracted until the end of the lesson, I couldn’t help but say something as her tutor. As I organized Yerin’s study materials, I cleared my throat, trying to keep my voice gentle. You always have to be careful at times like this. If your tone is even a little stiff, kids this age can tear up right away. That just makes things awkward. Besides, Yerin is my girlfriend’s... daughter. 

It sounds odd, but honestly, my relationship with Sua has progressed to the point where, if we wanted, we could get married. So Yerin doesn’t feel like just another student anymore. I want to treat her better. 

Yerin is a really pretty and charming kid. She looks a bit more cutesy than Sua, whom she takes after. Her figure... well, it’s not my place as a teacher to comment, but objectively, she’s likely to become as attractive as Sua. 

So if she just gets into a good college, she’ll be perfect. As her teacher, I want to help her reach that. 

I spoke very carefully. 

"Did something happen today? You seem preoccupied." 

"...It’s nothing." 

Of course. Teachers always know kids never say what’s really on their mind right away. 

If you back off now, you’re an amateur. Kids rarely share their worries all at once. You have to coax them to open up, so they don’t carry their troubles alone. 

"I see. It just seemed like you weren’t able to focus today. Sorry if I misunderstood." 

"...No, it’s not that." 

Yerin hesitated, then bit her lip and spoke. 

"Teacher." 

Here we go. 

"Yes?" 

"Um, what would you do if someone you liked started dating someone you really respect?" 

"Huh?" 

I pretended to be surprised. This is a common dilemma for people her age. Love always stirs the heart, and it’s even easier to be shaken in your early twenties. 

I smiled gently. 

"So you liked someone, Yerin?" 

"...Yes." 

Her expression darkened. It must have been a deep crush. It’s not good to bring up the boy directly now it’ll only hurt her more. 

"Oh, our Yerin had a crush? I’m curious, who is he? Did he end up dating someone else?" 

"Someone else... yes. But I really respect that person, too." 

"I see... That must have been tough." 

"..." 

Yerin looked at me and let out a long sigh. I could tell how much she’d been struggling. 

"It’s okay, it happens to everyone at that age." 

"Teacher, seriously... ha..." 

She sounded frustrated. Did I do something wrong? 

"Yerin? Did I do something wrong?" 

"...Do you really not know?" 

Why is she acting like this? Why is she telling me about her crush? 

Honestly, if it weren’t for the system, I’d have had a lot more trouble with Sua and Sunhwa. I haven’t dated much, so I can’t help it. 

"Um... I really don’t know. Could you tell me?" 

At my words, Sua let out a deep sigh and answered coldly. 

"Never mind. But teacher, don’t you have something to say to me?" 

"Something to say?" 

What is it? 

Did I do something wrong? 

"I don’t know..." 

As I answered absentmindedly, Yerin frowned and shot back. 

"Teacher, you’re dating my mom." 

Oh. 

"Aren’t you? Mom told me yesterday." 

"W-w-wait, Sua no, I mean, your mom told you?" 

My mind went blank. 

"Yes. She told me over dinner last night. That you’re seeing each other with good feelings, and thinking about it seriously." 

"Uh... um, Yerin. I was trying to keep it secret, but... I mean, I didn’t mean to hide it from you, but..." 

"It’s fine. Neither you nor Mom did anything wrong. I’m just... a little hurt, that’s all." 

"Right, it makes sense you’d feel that way. That’s my fault. Yerin, I only kept it from you because..." 

"You don’t have to overthink it. You and Mom have a big age gap, so I understand." 

"That’s true. I’m sorry. I should have told you." 

As I started apologizing profusely, Yerin smiled playfully. 

"It’s okay. But you have to remember something." 

Yerin smiled brightly and said, 

"My mom is the person I respect most in the world. She deserves to be happy. So you have to make her happy, okay?" 

All I could do was nod blankly. 

After the lesson, I wandered outside in a daze. Sua greeted me with a knowing look. 

"...Did Yerin say anything?" 

Since it was just the two of us, she was using informal speech again. I liked it better this way it calmed me. Especially since I needed it now. 

"She did." 

"..Is she mad?" 

"Me? No way. How could I be mad at you?" 

You can’t get angry at someone who loves you unconditionally, even while letting you be with other women. The only time I’d be angry at her is if she went and signed a loan in my name without telling me. 

"You did well." 

Sua hugged me to her large chest, patting my back. She must have known Yerin needed time to process things. The scent of her skin, which I smelled almost every day, calmed me. I sighed and whispered, 

"I guess we can’t go on a date today?" 

"Probably not. I should talk to my daughter, too." 

"...Should I stay?" 

It’s better to face things together. 

But Sua shook her head firmly. 

"Today, I need to have a talk with my daughter. Go home early, and if you don’t want to sleep alone... go for a walk with Jiyé. Sunhwa is having a late-night snack and chatting with Minji tonight." 

No use complaining that the wives are ignoring their husbands! Considering all the nights she spent with me, I can’t begrudge her this time. 

"Jiyé said she can’t today. I’ll just go home and sleep early." 

"Sorry, honey." 

Sua kissed my forehead lightly. 

"Come to my office for lunch tomorrow, okay?" 

With the poise of an older woman and the aura of a graceful lady, she sent me home, struggling to hide my arousal. 

After Sehyun left, Sua waited a while and then knocked on Yerin’s door. 

 Knock knock. 

"..." 

There was no answer. But Sua had expected this. She’d told her daughter about the relationship to break the current situation to resolve the twisted scenario of mother and daughter liking the same man. 

"I’m coming in, honey." 

Sua didn’t wait for a reply. She turned the doorknob and entered. Yerin, who must have been lying at her desk, rubbed her eyes and turned her head. 

"Uh, Mom." 

"...Have you been crying?" 

"No, no. I was just sleepy. I wasn’t crying. Don’t worry." 

Yerin tried to sound casual, raising her voice. It was her usual lively tone, but something felt off. Sua smiled gently. 

"How about a glass of wine with Mom?" 

"Wine?" 

Yerin stammered. She hadn’t avoided alcohol since becoming an adult, and had shared a drink with her mom before. But she was nervous now, because her mom seemed somehow bigger than usual today. 

...Her chest did look bigger, but that was always the case, so never mind. 

"Why? I just finished a lesson and I’m tired..." 

"Why? Sehyun told me how hard you’ve been studying." 

Sehyun. 

The name was so full of affection it was almost dripping. Yerin’s heart ached as soon as she heard it. 

"Really...?" 

If she avoided now, her mom would know. She’d know the feelings Yerin wanted to keep hidden the ugly, childish, trashy jealousy she never wanted her mom or teacher to discover. 

"Then let’s have a glass. What wine do we have?" 

Yerin forced a smile and stood up. She walked past Sua to the kitchen, trying to act normal, but she couldn’t escape her mother’s gentle gaze.