Nipple Covers and Dad's Glitched Sense of Shame

(I am carefully selecting what to wear for my sons' 'class observation' the next day)

Me: 'Y (eldest son)~. Is it okay if Dad wears a T-shirt tomorrow?'

Eldest son: 'I guess it's fine, but please, just not the one you wore to KUMON the other day.'

Me: 'Eh~, why~? I really like that one~'

Eldest son: 'That one. Dad, you don't seem to realize it, but your nipples are showing through.'

Me: 'No, no, no, that should be fine, right? Besides, isn't that just how T-shirts are?'

Eldest son: 'There's no way that's fine, Dad! It was embarrassing at KUMON too, and if the other kids' moms think Dad is gross tomorrow, I'm the one who's going to be embarrassed.'

Me: 'Hmm. Is that how it is?'

Mom: 'That is how it is, Dad. Why are you complaining? Your cute son is saying he's "embarrassed," so just stop it. Or, if you really want to wear that T-shirt, I have some "nipple covers," so you can wear those.'

Me: 'What~! "Nipple covers"? Wait a minute. As a man, I have a bit of resistance to wearing something called "nipple covers."'

Mom: 'What kind of "anachronistic" thing are you saying, Dad? It's totally common these days for men to wear "nipple covers."'

Me: 'Hmm😔 Isn't it kind of embarrassing? A man wearing "nipple covers."'

Mom: 'There you go again (bitter laugh). And honestly, Dad, you bring out this "manly" side of yourself in such weird places, don't you? Even though you're actually quite effeminate most of the time.'

Me: '(Laughs). You hit a sore spot, Mom. To be honest, I really can't strongly deny the "effeminate" part😅'

Eldest son: 'Mom~. What does "effeminate" mean?'

Mom: 'It means "not manly," Y.'

Eldest son: 'Definitely~'

Second son: 'Definitely~'

Me: 'Hey, hey. Don't harmonize like that, brothers!'

(At this point, Mom suddenly falls into a 'fit of laughter')

Me: "What is it, Mom?"

Mom: "I mean, what do you mean that 'wearing nipple covers' is more embarrassing than 'having your nipples show through'? Your 'sense of shame' is glitched, and I really think you're a 'weirdo,' Dad. 😆"

Me: "You're laughing so hard, Mom. Fine, fine. Everything is an experience, so I, Dad, will try wearing these so-called 'nipple covers' for the first time."

Mom: "Sounds good."

(Mom immediately brought the 'nipple covers' from the bedroom and put them on me)

Me: "How do I look, everyone? (Showing them off with a hint of pride)"

Mom: "(Desperately holding back laughter) Doesn't Dad look a little happy?"

Me: "Well, you know. Now that I'm wearing them, it's not actually that bad."

Mom: "Maybe 'something' inside you has blossomed, Dad. 😆"

Me: "Oh my! You might be right! (In a flamboyant tone)"

Second Son: "That's gross, Dad."

Me: "Don't say that. Right, Y?"

Eldest Son: "(Desperately holding back laughter) Don't come so close, Dad."

Me: "I went through the trouble of meeting your request, so don't be so grossed out! (In a flamboyant tone)"

Family: "Hahaha."

(Needless to say, I happily wore the 'nipple covers' to the class observation the next day. And as for whether 'something' inside me, a man over 50, has blossomed? That is 'for God only to know.' 😆)