Chapter 31

Lying on the bed, I stared blankly at the smartphone screen.

The 'Bamboo Forest' on the screen was still burning with my story.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The state of the comments section is quite a spectacle. Half is sexual harassment, and the other half is crime notices.

"Wow... F*cked up."

Looking like a wanted criminal even before the new semester starts. How do I attend school from now on. Do I drop out and go into the mountains.

Just then, the words Ji-hye said at the end of the call earlier suddenly came to mind.

'Already paid the taxi fare! Open the door!'

No way. Ay, no way.

No matter how worried she is, would a high school student really take a taxi all the way here in the middle of the night? Just made a threat because she was worried about me I guess.

Since I told her not to come and hung up, she must have gone back home on her own.

"Yeah... Surely she isn't really coming..."

Did they say words become seeds. As soon as my complacent muttering ended, the phone wailed.

*Buzz- Buzzzz-.*

The name on the screen is [Mom].

I swallowed a sigh and answered the phone.

"Yeah, Mom. Why?"

— Son. Ji-hye went out.

At the abrupt words, my brow furrowed. They say 'no way' catches people.

"Huh? Where?"

— Going to you. Heard news about you just now and ran out saying she has to check your face. Wouldn't listen even when I tried to stop her...

"......?"

Brain freeze came instantly.

"...Really? Wow..."

A hollow laugh came out from being dumbfounded. What time is it right now. Means she's really taking ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a taxi and coming.

"No, I sent a text to Mom earlier. That I arrived home, that I'm okay. Didn't Mom tell her?"

— I did! Told her several times that Older Brother is resting well at home. But she says she can't trust words.

"Ha..."

— Internet rumors are too vicious these days. There's even a ghost story going around that kidnappers take the phone and send texts pretending to be family... Says she has to see with her own eyes to be relieved. Took a taxi so she'll arrive soon.

"......"

This is exactly Hell of Distrust.

Indeed, even looking at the community posts I'm seeing right now, posts saying 'Want to kidnap' or 'Want to lock in basement' are rampant, so from a family's perspective, it's understandable their eyes would roll back.

In this world, a man's text saying 'I'm okay' seems perfectly suited to be misunderstood as an SOS signal saying 'Save me'.

"...She's really coming?"

— Yeah. Probably almost there? Please open the door. She did it because she was surprised so don't scold her too much.

"...Got it."

I hung up the phone.

Phew, I don't know.

Lying on the bed cooling my throbbing head, I heard a noise breaking the silence of the hallway.

*Ding dong—*

Cheerful bell sound. And 1 second later.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

"Older Brother! Are you inside? Open the door!"

A loud noise as if the front door would be torn off followed.

'......'

She really came.

I thought 'no way', but that sense of impact is no joke. Looked like she would bring out an emergency ax from the hallway fire hydrant and split the door lock if I didn't open it right now.

But then.

"Older Brother... *Sob*... Please..."

The voice heard beyond the door, was a little strange. Rather than anger or urgency, it was a tear-soaked plea.

"I'm scared... Thought something went wrong with Older Brother... *Sob*..."

Whether she was resting her forehead against the door, a thud sound along with small sobbing sounds leaked in.

"Please just open the door... Just show me your face... Just let me check if you're alive..."

"......"

A corner of my chest ached. A younger sister taking a taxi late at night and crying in front of the door just because of an internet rumor. I guess she was really worried to do that.

'...Phew.'

A deep sigh sank to the ground. Yeah, maybe I was too harsh. She came because she was worried, and instead of welcoming her warmly I just found her annoying.

I dragged my heavy body, grabbed the toy hammer, and headed to the entrance.

"Who is it?"

"......! O, Older Brother?"

As soon as she heard my voice, the crying outside the door stopped abruptly.

"Older Brother... right? You're there right? It's Ji-hye... Open the door... I really thought you were in danger..."

Her voice was trembling. Obvious without looking. She must be standing there covered in tears and snot. If I open the door she looks ready to hug me tightly and wail out loud right away.

Yeah. This is the affection between siblings. It's the moment of a touching reunion.

I put my hand on the door lock handle and spoke lowly.

"Is that so. Ji-hye, are you in front of the door?"

"Yeah... Yeah! I'm in front of the door..."

"Then..."

I paused for a moment. Controlled my breathing, and checked the grip of the thing in my hand.

"Clench your teeth tight. Bite your tongue."

"......?"

Questioning silence flowed from beyond the door. Must be wondering what bullsh*t this is.

Don't know about anything else, but you're f*cking dead, now.

*Click.*

The cheerful sound of the lock releasing.

The moment the door lock released and the door opened.

Time in front of my eyes stretched like taffy.

Your tearful eyes.

Lips trembling with gladness.

And.

Uh? This doesn't seem right, right?

Oops, think you're f*cked, right?

Already late.

Gripping the hammer tight.

Raising my arm high.

*Whoosh───*

A full swing without hesitation.

"────Head!!!"

*Paaaang────!!!!!!*

The cheerful hitting sound tore the silence of the hallway apart.

The moment the toy hammer head planted exactly into Ji-hye's crown, the touching human drama on the punk's face met an early finale.

"......Uh?"

Ji-hye opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish. The welling tears in her eyes dried instantly from shock and fear.

A moment later.

Her eyes spun round and round like in a cartoon, then her body staggered.

*Thud.*

Ji-hye slumped onto the entrance floor just like that. A very nice picture to look at.

I looked down at my fallen sister and clicked my tongue inwardly.

'Having smashed the head once, can't I smash it twice.'

Physical therapy is the answer for this world's insane overprotection. Thankful for worrying, but shouldn't have crossed the line.

I rested the toy hammer on my shoulder, and declared solemnly with the eyes of a victor looking down at a defeated soldier.

"Don't act up again."

.

.

.

I practically dragged the punk inside the room.

"Sit."

Ji-hye crouched on the bare floor. Her absent-minded expression was a spectacle. Coming chasing in a taxi out of worry for her brother and getting a toy hammer massage at the entrance, cognitive dissonance is bound to come.

'She's become a complete crazy b*tch...'

I clicked my tongue and picked up the phone. Gotta report to Mom at least.

"Yeah, Mom."

— Son! Did Ji-hye arrive?

"Yes. She came. Kneeling in front of me right now."

— Aigo... What should we do with her. I'll give her plenty of taxi fare so send her back immediately. It's dangerous sleeping at someone else's house.

"It's fine. Putting her in a taxi again in the middle of the night is more dangerous. Just gonna let her sleep here and send her on a bus tomorrow morning."

— ...Will it be okay? Aren't you uncomfortable?

"It's okay, well..."

— Yeah... Understood. You suffer a lot.

I hung up the phone and looked back at Ji-hye. The punk was still rubbing her crown and sniffling.

"Hey."

"...*Sniff*, yeah..."

"Stand up."

Ji-hye stood up hesitantly. I pointed to the floor with my thumb.

"Get down."

"...Uh?"

"Get down in push-up position. Or plant your head (headstand)."

Ji-hye's eyes grew round. Seemed she couldn't grasp what this situation was. Older brother giving disciplinary punishment to younger sister, a fully grown high schooler at that?

But I was serious. They said women in this world learn military drill from middle school. It's a country where military training is a required subject. Then this is not cruel treatment, it's review.

"Heard you learned military drill or whatever at school. The posture should come out."

"T-that's true but..."

"Execute."

Frost stood in my voice. Ji-hye instinctively put her hands on the floor and stretched her legs out. The posture was amazing. Spine straightened in a straight line, as expected the power of early education is scary.

I leaned back comfortably on the chair, and looked down at the younger sister in push-up position.

"Snap out of it. Where do you think this is to barge in without fear."

"I was... wrong..."

"Voice is small."

"I was wrong... *Ugh*..."

Ji-hye's arms started trembling *shudder shudder*. Watching that sight, I took a water bottle out of the fridge and took a sip.

Education must be done properly. So she won't do this stalking... no, overprotection again.

"Straighten your back. It's going down."

"Ughhh..."

This is exactly, true education by Reserve Sergeant Seol Jin-hyuk (Unfulfilled Military Service).

"Stand up."

Ji-hye groaned and got up. Her face was flushed red.

"Get down."

"....?"

"Didn't hear me? Get down."

Ji-hye put her hands on the floor again with a tearful face.

"Stand up."

Standing again. Breathing started to get rough.

"Get down."

Back to the floor.

"Stand up."

Ji-hye staggered up. I crossed my arms and glared at the punk.

"What did you do wrong?"

"......"

Ji-hye smacked her lips. Maybe out of her mind from the sudden disciplinary punishment, or feeling aggrieved, words didn't come out right away.

Answer is slow.

"Get down."

"Ahhh..."

Ji-hye got down again with an expression almost crying. Maybe her arms reached their limit, they were trembling like aspen trees.

"Stand up."

The punk groaned and got up with difficulty. Tears welling up in her eyes, one more time and she looked ready to burst into real tears.

'This is enough.'

Moderate discipline is medicine, but excessive is poison. I uncrossed my arms and sighed deeply.

"Phew... Told you nothing happened yet you stubbornly came, why buy suffering."

"S-sorry..."

Ji-hye answered in a crawling voice with her head bowed low. Her slumped shoulders looked pitiful.

"Enough. It's awkward to send you out at this time. Told Mom too so sleep here today and take the bus tomorrow morning."

At my words, Ji-hye snapped her head up.

"...Sleep here?"

"Then should I put you in a taxi again in the middle of the night? When the world is scary."

"Y-yeah... Thanks."

Ji-hye hesitated, looking around awkwardly. Maybe because she was scolded severely just before, she seemed happy but unable to readily show it.

"But you, is that all the clothes you have?"

I scanned Ji-hye's outfit. The training pants and windbreaker she wore running here in a hurry, and the sweat-wet t-shirt worn underneath was all.

"Y-yeah..."

"Ah, sh*t..."

I scratched the back of my head vigorously in a dilemma.

My clothes would obviously be way too big for her. I'm quite on the big side, and Ji-hye is particularly petite. Still, couldn't let her lie on my bed wearing clothes smelling of sweat and covered in dirt.

I opened the closet and rummaged. But all that came out were large sizes fitting my body. For pants, no matter how much the elastic was tightened, they'd obviously fall down every time she walked.

"At least this is the best."

I took out a boxy plain white short-sleeve t-shirt and tossed it to her.

"Wear this at least. Pants will be too big so won't work, just wear it roughly like a dress and sleep."

"...Ah."

Ji-hye received my clothes and spaced out for a moment, then blushed slightly and nodded. The clothes hugged in her arms looked big enough to cover her entire upper body.

"Y-yeah... Okay."

"Wash up first. Towel is over there. Warm water comes out so wash thoroughly so you don't catch a cold."

I pointed to the bathroom with my chin and added.

"And you didn't eat dinner right? Anything you want to eat? Should we order chicken?"

"Uh? Chicken?"

Ji-hye's eyes became circles. Seemed she couldn't adapt to the older brother who was giving her disciplinary punishment just before now taking care of her meals.

"Just eat. I'll order half fried half seasoned. I didn't eat either."

Stomach emptied out from running like crazy at the pub too.

"...Y-yeah. Good."

Ji-hye went into the bathroom hesitantly, still awkward.

"Phew..."

I sprawled out on the bed and looked at the ceiling. Muscles of my whole body felt like screaming.

Today was really eventful. No, a disaster movie.

Morning, publicly crucified by the President in front of the whole school. Afternoon, crucified by the Department Rep in the middle of a pub. Night, even crucified by younger sister.

F*ck. Why is my life like this.