Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Da-jeong Is Happy to Have a Big Sister!
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From the moment I swapped my phone and headed home...
A smile never left my lips.
I was utterly enchanted by the performance of this brand-new model I'd never tried before.
"Ehehehe..."
I clutched it in both hands like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Even after getting home, I held onto the phone lovingly for quite a while.
I swiped through the screens aimlessly.
I played random Mityube videos I had no intention of really watching.
I even downloaded and launched one of those trendy phone games for the first time.
"Pfft, you like it that much, our maknae?"
As I fiddled with the phone like an idiot, grinning ear to ear...
Ra-hee unnie, who had come into our house with me to teach me how to use it, asked with a smile.
"Yes! It's amazing. The old one always stuttered whenever I swiped like this."
"Aigoo, if it was that inconvenient, why didn't you upgrade sooner?"
"It was annoying, but I figured it still had some life left in it."
"That's exactly when you should replace it. Being frugal is good, but being too stingy isn't."
"Hehe... yeah."
I guess I've been living like a real cheapskate, huh?
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I averted my gaze and let out a sheepish chuckle.
Honestly, I don't think I'm particularly frugal even now.
Though maybe by Ra-hee unnie's standards, I am.
Just buying a single frappuccino now and then feels like unimaginable luxury compared to my old self.
Maybe that's why.
I was afraid that if I started splurging, I'd lose that sense of preciousness.
I knew rationally that I should replace it, but I kept telling myself to make do.
"But unnie, how do you use this?"
"Oh, that? Just register it with your phone. I'll do it for you."
Once I'd checked out the phone basics, next up were the wireless earbuds.
Honestly, these were what I'd wanted even more than the phone.
Every time I watched the members' videos out and about, pulling out those dangly wired earbuds was such a hassle.
The cord would tangle, and it was annoying in every way.
Sometimes I'd see subway commuters wearing ones like these.
I'd think for a split second, Should I get some? but then remember my phone wasn't compatible and give up.
But to get them as a freebie with the purchase...
Expensive phones really do come with better perks, huh?
Hehe, anyway, double the happiness rolling in!
"Alright, wanna try popping them in your ears now?"
"Yes."
With Ra-hee unnie's help, I registered the earbuds to my phone.
I pulled out the two bean sprout-shaped buds and slipped them into my ears.
Then I played Ra-hee unnie's video from yesterday that popped up in my algorithm.
『I told you, right? Every time I see stuff like that, I think, yep, that's definitely my little sis.』
Her voice flowed right into my ears.
Not a single bit of surrounding noise mixed in.
Whoa, that's magical.
I get that sound comes through, but this feeling where all ambient noise vanishes and everything goes super quiet... it's so comfortable.
"What do you think? Like 'em?"
"Hehe, love them...! Thank you, unnie."
I pulled out the earbuds to thank her.
Ra-hee unnie, who had been staring at me with a dazed look...
"Hnnngh, you're too cute...!"
"Whub?!?!"
Squeeze—
I have no idea what part she found cute.
But out of nowhere, she hugged me tight and shook my upper body back and forth vigorously.
Thanks to that, with my face buried in her chest, I got to enjoy what felt like my first-ever roller coaster ride.
"I've never seen anyone get this happy over wireless earbuds. You're just too cute, our maknae."
"Eee... not sure if that's a compliment..."
"Of course it is."
"Ugh, really...?"
It felt a little patronizing, like she was treating me like a kid, which was embarrassing.
But her head pats made me feel better in no time.
Am I turning into tofu more and more...?
Gurgle—
"Eh...?!"
As I closed my eyes and savored her touch in the quiet...
My eyes snapped open at the rumble from my stomach breaking the silence.
Ra-hee unnie clearly heard it too.
She blinked at me with wide eyes.
"Is our maknae hungry? Should've eaten before coming over."
"N-no, I'm fine. I had lunch a bit early, that's all."
"Still means your stomach's empty."
"Y-yeah...?"
Stabbed by the sharp blade of truth, I fidgeted and looked away.
Truth be told, I'd been pretty hungry for a while.
On the way home, I'd eyed a bakery.
But if I'd eaten there, Ra-hee unnie would've insisted on paying, obviously.
So I'd gritted my teeth and held out to eat at home.
Didn't expect it to rumble like this.
Ugh, if I'd known, I'd have dropped the phone and eaten first thing.
"Alright, unnie'll order something yummy. What do you want?"
"No, don't!"
The second my stomach growled, she grabbed her phone to open a delivery app.
I hurriedly covered her screen with my small hands to stop her.
She looked at me with a blank expression.
"Huh? Don't? Wait, does our maknae... not wanna eat with unnie? You took the gift phone and now you're ditching me?"
"Eek?! N-no! That's not what I meant!"
What kind of rude thing is that to say!
Why wouldn't I want to eat with Ra-hee unnie!
No, I was thrilled to finally eat with someone after always eating alone!
The only reason I stopped her from ordering was this.
"I-I just wanna make it for you myself..."
"Whoa, our maknae cooking for me herself? A homemade meal from you?"
"Y-yes. Though it'll be nothing compared to what you eat..."
Last time I visited her place, I'd seen that luxurious spread.
It made me a bit intimidated.
Maybe it'd be better to go out and treat her to a nice meal somewhere right now.
"Nah, cooking's all about the heart. Truth is, unnie's always wanted to try a meal made by our maknae."
"R-really? Hehe..."
Despite my worries, her words gave me a boost of courage.
I jumped up and scurried to the kitchen.
I grabbed an apron and was about to dive in when...
"Da-jeong, isn't your hair getting in the way? Want unnie to tie it up?"
"Oh? Yes...! I was gonna do it anyway. Could you?"
"Sure, hold on a sec."
Ra-hee unnie, who had followed me to the kitchen, made the thoughtful offer.
I agreed eagerly, and she rummaged in her handbag before coming back.
"Okay, turn around."
"Yes."
I turned my back to her as instructed.
My hair was gathered up, and then...
A pleasant tickle accompanied the soft rustling sounds.
"There, all done."
"Hehe, thank you, unnie."
I thanked her after she finished.
She gazed down at me quietly.
I tilted my head, wondering if something was on my face, and then...
"Pffft...! But Da-jeong, where'd you get that apron?"
She suddenly burst out laughing and pointed at the apron I was wearing.
"Oh, this? The other day at the orphanage I support, I got to cook for the kids. I liked it so much, and the director gave it to me."
"Nice. It suits you perfectly."
"Hehe, really?"
I'd liked it a lot myself.
Hearing it suited me from unnie made me inexplicably happy.
I'm on the small side, so most aprons feel off.
This one fits like it was made for me.
Plus, it has a cute cat on the front.
"Want unnie to help with anything?"
"No, no. You're the guest, unnie. Just sit and relax."
She offered to help, but...
It wasn't that I didn't trust her housekeeping skills.
I genuinely wanted her to rest.
Yeah, that's it.
I trust my Blues completely.
"Unnie, it's ready! Nothing fancy, but eat up!"
"No worries, looks great. So now unnie gets to receive our maknae's homemade cooking?"
"I-it's not that great."
Before long, the food was done.
We sat across from each other at the low table in the living room.
We chatted amiably as we ate dinner together.
"Mmm, this salad is delicious. You made the dressing yourself, Da-jeong?"
"Yeah, I saw a recipe on Mityube the other day. Looked so good."
Thankfully, she seemed to like the food.
Every time she took a bite, she'd let out a little gasp of delight.
When our bowls were about half empty...
"Oh, right. Da-jeong, mind if unnie crashes here just for tonight? I just moved, and the place is a mess."
"Sure, no problem."
"Really? Thanks."
She asked if she could stay over for the night.
I nodded right away.
I had guest bedding ready, and it wasn't a hassle.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Just two hours ago, that's exactly how I felt.
Even after dinner and showers, chatting with unnie until sleep started creeping in.
But why...
"Our maknae, what're you doing standing there? Time to sleep."
"Eh? W-well..."
Was it that unnie was already sitting on my bed in my room?
Acting like it was natural to share the bed?
And why was the bedding I'd set up in the living room neatly folded away all of a sudden?
Sure, my bed was bigger than expected, so two could fit without much trouble.
But still, with space available, did we have to share?
As that question crossed my mind...
"If you won't lie down, no choice then. Hya!"
"Kyaa?!"
Ra-hee unnie jumped up from the bed and hugged me from behind.
Then, like a water ghost dragging me under, she dove onto the bed.
Suddenly bound tight by unnie, I ended up lying on the bed.
At that moment, I heard a soft "Heehee..." giggle from behind.
It was like a declaration of mission success.
Sniff—
"Hngh! U-unnie? That tickles...!"
She inhaled deeply against my nape.
A shiver shot up my spine like electricity.
"It's our maknae's fault for being naughty. Who told you to smell like baby skin? Maybe I should just gobble you up."
"Ugh, I don't get what you're saying...!"
The members and even the president sometimes get extra clingy with me.
But Ra-hee unnie's words and actions are still the hardest to read sometimes.
Anyway, escaping unnie was hopeless.
I stopped squirming, scooted my hips back a bit, and meekly leaned into her embrace.
"A-anyway, unnie, thank you for today."
"Psh, no need. Unnie just recommended my usual shop."
"S-still, thanks to you, I got it cheap. I didn't even know a place like that existed..."
She hadn't haggled the price down herself.
But it was true I'd scored a great deal because of her.
I thanked her sincerely, and she silently stroked my hair, resting her head on my shoulder.
"As long as our maknae is happy. If you need unnie's help next time, just say so, got it?"
"Hehe, yes."
If I said something burdensome here, she'd probably punish me with even more mischief.
Knowing that, I nodded with an awkward smile.
"Unnie's gotta brag to the Garlic Squad on stream tomorrow that I matched couple phones with the maknae."
"I-is that even brag-worthy?"
"Totally. They'll all be jealous. I'll rub it in the group chat tomorrow—watch and see."
"Hngh..."
I had no clue what part was enviable.
But she was so confident...
There must be something, I figured. Then a thought hit me.
"Oh, then I'll brag to my Cherries tomorrow too."
"About the phone?"
"Hehe, yeah. That I got it super cheap thanks to unnie, and scored wireless earbuds too."
"......"
They'd definitely be jealous, right?
As I said it, unnie went quiet for some reason.
"Uh, um... Da-jeong. Maybe skip saying you got it cheap?"
"Eh? Why?"
After a long pause, she gave awkward advice.
I tilted my head—why hide good news?—but understood when she explained.
"People might pester you about where, and it could get annoying. Worse, they might track down the seller."
"Gasp...! Y-yeah, you're right."
I mean, a 1.68 million won phone for 100k?
Of course they'd be suspicious if they weren't jealous.
They'd beg for the location, then tease me for lying if I didn't tell.
Better not to mention it at all.
Just showing off the new phone was plenty brag-worthy anyway. Yep.
"Got it! Tomorrow, I'll just tell the Cherries I got a new phone."
"Our maknae listens so well. Good girl."
"Ehehehe..."
Her head pats made me grin sleepily.
Drowsiness crept in.
My eyes grew heavy, my mind fuzzy.
In my fading consciousness...
I instinctively turned over and hugged the soft something in front of me tight.
Mwah—
"...Goodnight, our maknae."
"Mmm..."
Something moist touched my forehead.
A gentle voice lulled me under.
I didn't resist, eyes squeezed shut.
Feeling human warmth for the first time in ages, I drifted off to sleep.