While Mom and Minji were preparing lunch, Jinwoo came into his room and started looking at his smartphone again.
Daeho found Aunty Gyuri's "Slave Contract" that said, "Kim Gyuhyeong owns Park Gyuri as a slave."
If this slave contract was just between Daeho's dad and Aunty Gyuri, there would have been no problem at all. It could even be a fun little kinky thing between a couple, something that could make Jinwoo see Gyuri in a whole new light.
-Jinwoo was already pretty desensitized to BDSM from Daeho's hardcore porn collection.-
But the real issue was on the next page— the shocking "Slave Lease Agreement" with Jinwoo's dad, Yujinseong, listed twice. The total times she'd been "rented out" was six.
The renters' names, dates, and basic details were all listed there... Along with some "special notes." Most of the leases lasted around a year and notes like 'failed' or 'identical twins' were written.
Jinwoo thought someone like Aunty Gyuri, who could enjoy getting spanked by her son or his friends, might just see writing up slave contracts as a kinky thrill.
But getting leased out as a slave? That was beyond just fun and games. If it had been going on for over 20 years, Aunty Gyuri wasn't just a kinky MILF but practically a real sex slave.
There's no way a slave contract could be legally binding, right? Was she being blackmailed over debts or weaknesses?
Did Mom and Aunt Haeju know all about this?
A strange kind of anticipation was creeping up inside Jinwoo.
* * *
Downstairs, noisy voices could be heard. Aunt Haeju and Sua had arrived.
Jinwoo went down to greet them. Aunt Haeju and cousin Sua were at the entrance.
"Aunt Haeju, you're here? Hi Sua~"
Jinwoo greeted them warmly. Sua waved back with a shy smile. Being shy, Sua had her hair in pigtails that fell to her waist. She was developing faster than her peers with budding breasts and hips, long arms and legs suggesting she might do well as a model.
She wore a pink t-shirt with a banana print and a flowy lime green lace skirt that gave off a fairy-like vibe from a fantasy novel. 37-year-old Aunt Haeju looked unbelievably young, like she was in her late twenties, wearing a wine-colored sleeveless dress that slightly revealed her chest and emphasized her slim figure.
Aunt Haeju's appearance was very similar to Mom's. It was easy to tell they were sisters just by their faces, heights, and figures. But their personalities were quite different; if Mom was the nagging type seeking stability, Aunt Haeju was the adventurous, spirited activist. She always got along well with Jinwoo and his siblings.
"Jinwoo, you're looking more grown-up every time I see you!"
Aunt exaggerated her greeting.
"And you seem to be getting younger every time, Aunt! Didn't we just see each other last week?"
Jinwoo matched her energy and responded in kind.
"That's why we need to see each other more often! I should get younger, and you should hurry up and grow up, haha!"
Aunt Haeju joked with a mischievous expression, and they exchanged playful greetings as usual.
"Haeju, quit talking weird stuff with the kid and come in. What are you carrying in all those bags?"
Mom intervened, looking at Aunt Haeju holding several plastic bags.
"Oh, this? It's booze! We're all gathered, might as well have a blast!"
Aunt Haeju's bags were filled with various types of alcohol.
"Why are you drinking from the afternoon? Plus, we decided to dine out with the kids tonight, so no drinking."
Mom said disapprovingly, and they agreed to drink only a little since they had planned shopping and dining out that evening.
-Disappointment was clear on Aunt's face, but she had to postpone getting drunk-So amidst greetings, jokes, and negotiations, Mom was back to her usual self in front of Aunt Haeju and Sua.
Jinwoo felt a sense of contentment seeing Mom's usual demeanor.
* * *
Then Sohee, came down from the second floor.
"Aunt Haeju~ Sua 's here?"
Sohee greeted Aunt Haeju and Sua as she came downstairs.
"Oh Sohee~ Heard your mom had a bit of a rant again? Really, my sister is one of a kind!"
Aunt Haeju said, having heard about Sohee getting scolded by their mom.
"How could you buy such clothes for a kid?"
Mom seemed to recall being upset as she spoke to Aunt Haeju.
"We should be able to wear whatever we want at home, right Sua?"
Aunt Haeju spoke, and Sua, shy as ever, just smiled awkwardly in response.
Jinwoo briefly imagined Aunt Haeju and Sua in their underwear, which made him chuckle silently.
"Only the two of you live in your house, don't you?!"
Mom said this as if to excuse the fact that it wouldn't work in a house like Jinwoo's with more people around.
The reason Sohee got scolded wasn't just about the clothes, but that seemed to be the main issue being discussed.
"Family or not, what's it to you? Anyway, need help with the food?"
Aunt Haeju tried to change the subject, sensing that the conversation was going nowhere.
"No, it's almost done. Just sit and chat with the kids."
Mom shook her head as if tired of discussing clothes, suggesting Aunt Haeju relax instead.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
It was Aunty Gyuri.
"Jinwoo, can you open the door?"
This was the first time Mom had spoken to Jinwoo since she'd come out of her room.
-Though she wasn't making eye contact, there was a sense of connection-
"Okay, Mom~"
Jinwoo was inwardly happy to respond and went to open the door.
Aunty Gyuri greeted everyone as she walked in.
"Oh? Everyone's already here? Hope I'm not late?"
"Welcome, Gyuri! You timed it perfectly. But what's keeping your husband and son so busy?"
Mom welcomed Aunty Gyuri and asked about her family's whereabouts with a hint of concern.
"It's always work, you know."
"And Daeho?"
"Ah, Daeho hurt himself yesterday... broke a molar while playing, can you believe it?"
"Oh my, really?"
"He had to go to the dentist, his face is all swollen, he's resting now... doesn't even talk much about how it happened."
Jinwoo winced, feeling a bit guilty but decided it wasn't his place to tell.
It seemed Aunty Gyuri, despite being leased out as a slave and being aware of her role as a mother, felt naturally about it all.
Jinwoo couldn't help but feel a strange sense of dissonance watching her.
Daeho's dad had been assigned to the head office recently and was home, but he hadn't shown his face much at family gatherings due to his travels and work.
Eventually, Aunty Gyuri and Aunt Haeju joined for lunch.
* * *
The food was plentifully prepared by Mom and Minji.
Tomato spaghetti, potato salad, sandwiches, fruit juice, cola, and some alcohol to go with it.
"It's not much longer now, huh?"
Aunt Haeju remarked while sipping her drink.
"What isn't?"
Mom asked, joining her for a sip.
"It's the first time coming back for his birthday since he passed."
Aunt Haeju responded, talking about a family member.
"Time flies, doesn't it? Hard to believe how quickly it's gone by."
Mom looked down, lost in thought.
"What are you planning for that day?"
Aunt Haeju asked her.
"Just preparing a birthday table and spending it with the kids, what else?"
Mom's answer seemed tinged with melancholy.
"Why not change it up? How about we all get together and go out for some fresh air that day?"
Aunt Haeju suggested, trying to lift the mood and make the first birthday since Dad's passing a bit less gloomy for Jinwoo's family.
Jinwoo's family didn't really observe traditional memorial ceremonies, so they hadn't planned anything special for Dad's birthday yet.
Family gatherings and trips had become less frequent since Dad's passing, and Aunt Haeju hoped to bring back some normalcy with the upcoming birthday.