Chapter 199
Chapter 199
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: I've Become Really Close with So-eun Unnie Too!
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A strange sensation rocked me awake, and I slowly opened my eyes.
What came into view was an unfamiliar ceiling.
And for some reason, the area around my back felt nice and warm.
Where am I?
"Ugh..."
"Da-jeong, sleep well?"
"Unnie...?"
I rubbed my eyes and sat up, my blurry vision gradually clearing.
There, looking at me with her usual gentle smile, was Ji-ah Unnie.
"You must've been exhausted—you fell asleep while playing in the tube, so So-eun Unnie carried you all the way here."
"Huh? I... I fell asleep?"
"Yeah, you were out like a light."
"Eek...?!"
I'd fallen asleep. Right there.
So this must be the villa.
But it didn't look like the living room or the room assigned to me. Where was it?
"So, where is this?"
"It's a spare room. You got soaked in the water, so we were worried you might catch a cold. We dried you off a bit and laid you down in a room with the boiler on."
"I see..."
No wonder my back felt so warm.
Summer colds can hit hard, after all.
I felt a small wave of gratitude for Unnie's thoughtful care.
"It's about time for dinner now, so go wash up and come to the barbecue area. Everything's ready."
"Ugh, sorry... I couldn't even help."
"No need to apologize. It was your first time playing in the water like that—you're bound to be tired."
Ji-ah Unnie stroked my wilted head and smiled softly.
Then, leaving me with 'I'll wait, so come out after washing up,' she quietly left the room.
"Hoo..."
Only after Unnie had gone did the wave of embarrassment hit me.
I hung my head and touched my burning face.
I'm not some elementary school kid.
Falling asleep from exhaustion after a bit of water play—what a pathetic mess.
Well, sleeping itself isn't bad.
I could've waited until we got back to the villa.
But no, I conked out right on the tube and ended up being a burden to the members...!
"...Guess I should wash up first."
After banging my head against my hand for a good while to calm down, I finally accepted reality and got out of bed to tackle what needed doing.
I finished showering and cautiously headed to the barbecue area.
It was a spacious balcony-style space on the second floor.
With a low railing beyond which the vast ocean stretched out—a perfect spot to enjoy grilled meat while taking in the sea view.
Wow, the ocean looks totally different from up here.
It's evening, but since it's summer, the sun sets late.
Who knew we could see the sunset over the sea so clearly like this.
"Oh, Da-jeong's here?"
I was standing there, mouth agape at the stunning sunset sea behind the members.
The President spotted me first and beckoned me over.
I shuffled closer and bowed my head politely.
"Y-yes... Sorry. I couldn't help at all..."
"Oh, come on, nothing to be sorry about. It's fine—just come sit down."
The President chuckled in exasperation at my timid apology and gestured to a seat.
As I glanced around for an empty spot,
"Maknae, come sit by me! Unnie will take good care of you."
"No, Da-jeong! I'll wrap the tastiest ssam for you—come here!"
Chae-yoon Unnie and Yuna, sitting across from each other, were clamoring for me to sit next to them.
The competition was heating up a bit,
"If you two have time to fight over seats, go move some plates! So-eun Unnie's doing everything herself!"
"Pfft, it's the first time I've seen our eldest unnie this mad."
But Ji-ah Unnie's sharp command settled them, and the two got up from their seats.
Ra-hee Unnie burst out laughing at the sight.
No matter what, Ji-ah Unnie really is the real power and number one in our group.
"I-I want to help with something too..."
"No, Da-jeong, sit next to Ra-hee and rest. It was your first water play—you must be beat."
Seeing them stand made me hesitate to sit, so I edged toward the grill, looking for something to do.
But Ji-ah Unnie urged me to sit with a saintly, benevolent smile.
"Ugh, you're playing favorites with just Da-jeong—that's too much!"
"Right! We're cute little sisters too!"
"Quiet!"
It was naturally infuriating treatment for Chae-yoon Unnie and Yuna.
But despite their protests, Ji-ah Unnie steadfastly guided me to my seat.
Ugh, this feels awkward.
Waking up from a deep sleep just to be hand-fed meat like this.
At the very least, I need to help with the dishes later.
Anyway, once I settled next to Ra-hee Unnie,
she smiled warmly and welcomed me over.
"The members saw the meat and went nuts telling me not to work—I've been sitting here feeling awkward all alone, so I'm glad our Da-jeong came."
"Huh? The meat?"
I'd been wondering why Unnie was sitting by herself.
Her words piqued my curiosity even more, so I instinctively stood up.
That's when I noticed the piles of premium cuts next to the grill.
"Whoa, this meat looks amazing."
Peeking at the meat by the grill, I finally understood the members' reactions.
I don't know much about meat, but even I could tell at a glance it was top-grade stuff fit for foodies.
"I'm racking up quite the debt to Ra-hee this time."
"No debt at all. It's best when we all have fun together."
The President seemed inwardly sorry to Ra-hee Unnie for preparing everything, offering a faint wry smile as she spoke.
Ra-hee Unnie replied with her usual calm demeanor.
"Girls, the meat's all done—dig in. President, So-eun Unnie, you too."
As the meat finished grilling to perfection,
Ji-ah Unnie announced it to everyone like a mom calling her kids to eat.
"Yesss, meat!"
"Gotta dip mine in sesame oil!"
Chae-yoon Unnie and Yuna, who had been carrying plates and wraps, rushed to the grill.
They quickly returned to the table with platters of meat.
Meanwhile, So-eun Unnie, who was tending to something nearby, didn't budge.
"I'm good. I'll grab some later."
"Yeah, I'll eat slowly too, so you first, Ji-ah. Here's the tongs—So-eun, you take them."
"Huh? No, I can..."
"It's fine—sit down already. Ji-ah must be starving too."
"S-sorry. Then, if you wouldn't mind..."
For both the President and So-eun Unnie, taking care of us came first.
So-eun Unnie practically snatched the tongs from Ji-ah Unnie.
The President piled a generous helping of meat she was grilling onto a plate and brought it to the table.
With the five members gathered around the table,
the scene unfolded of us eating meat grilled by the President and So-eun Unnie.
"Whoa... this meat is insane. Unnie, it melts in your mouth."
"Totally—best I've ever had."
"Glad to hear it. Eat up, everyone."
Neither Chae-yoon Unnie nor Yuna were the type to hold back.
They dipped the beef in sesame oil and devoured it like a storm, giving double thumbs-up amid nonstop praise.
Ra-hee Unnie watched them with a pleased smile.
"P-President. So-eun Unnie. Here..."
I was no different—soon as meat hit the table, I dipped some in oil.
But instead of eating it, I carefully picked up two pieces on my chopsticks and approached the two standing by the grill.
"D-Da-jeong. You don't need to worry about me..."
"No, no. Here—say 'ahh.' It's best when it's hot."
So-eun Unnie waved it off, showing reluctance for the first time.
But I steadfastly lifted a piece with my chopsticks right to her mouth.
"Yeah, if Da-jeong's feeding you, take a bite."
"W-well... Ahh."
With the President's support,
So-eun Unnie's mouth opened after a brief hesitation.
I swiftly slipped the perfectly grilled beef into her mouth.
"Hehe, tasty?"
"Yes, very."
"Good. Now, President...!"
"Oh, for me too? Thanks."
After securing So-eun Unnie's glowing review, I switched targets.
One piece straight into the President's mouth.
She barely chewed a few times before flashing a thumbs-up.
"Our maknae always thinks of others first."
"Ehehe..."
Returning to the table after my mission,
Ra-hee Unnie patted my head, speaking in that fond, exasperated tone.
Knowing it was praise, I could only smile bashfully.
"Anyone for drinks?"
Mid-delicious meal,
the President brought over some booze from the corner and asked around.
I got the sense she wanted to drink—being a bit of a drinker—but felt awkward doing it alone, so she was checking.
"Me!"
"Me too!"
"Then I'll have just one can... Ra-hee, what about you?"
"I'll follow Unnie's lead—one can. Don't wanna fill up on booze and miss the meat."
Thankfully, the mood was right, and everyone but me ended up with a beer can.
Chae-yoon Unnie grabbed soju too for some somak.
I, weak to alcohol as always, naturally stuck with cola.
I wonder if So-eun Unnie really doesn't drink.
She doesn't strike me as someone who loves it...
*Pssht—*
As I pondered while watching what So-eun Unnie was up to,
a refreshing hiss of a carbonated can opening echoed from somewhere.
No one among the members had opened theirs yet, so I turned, thinking I'd misheard...
"Huh?"
"Yes?"
There stood So-eun Unnie by the grill,
holding a can of beer.
She's gonna drink too?
"What's up, Da-jeong?"
"Oh, n-nothing. I just got the vibe you don't drink much... surprised me a bit."
"Ah."
Even at the beach earlier, it seemed like she'd only drunk at the President's urging.
I knew she could drink, but figured it wasn't something she enjoyed.
But apparently not—the President chimed in.
"Da-jeong, you wouldn't know, but this one's a total boozehound. I can't even keep up."
"P-President...!"
"Eek?!"
S-So-eun Unnie's a boozehound?
My eyes widened at the unexpected truth.
So-eun Unnie looked just as flustered by the sudden reveal and approached to shush the President...
"Did I lie? She downs five bottles of soju without batting an eye."
"F-five isn't right...! Last time we drank together, I only had about four..."
"Putting 'only' on four bottles of soju—that's already hopeless, girl. Give it up."
Whoa...
Four bottles? Even if the President exaggerated a tad on five,
staying fine after four soju bottles? Unthinkable for me.
"But So-eun Unnie, you never drink at our group dinners, right?"
"Yeah, I've never seen it."
"Me neither, I think?"
"Why don't you drink at dinners?"
The members' curiosity piqued at the story.
After some chatter, Ji-ah Unnie asked on behalf of us all.
I was purely curious too, ears perking up.
"Well, I try to hold back in front of company folks. Gotta avoid any mishaps."
"Wow, you're so thorough."
I couldn't help but gasp in admiration at her timid, roundabout explanation—so uncharacteristic of So-eun Unnie.
We didn't drink super often at dinners,
but whenever members had some, she'd held back thinking of the company vibe.
That's impressive.
Wait...!
Hold on.
If So-eun Unnie drinks that well, she must know how to drink without getting wrecked, right?
I know pounding booze isn't good,
but it bugs me when members tease me for being a lightweight. Like Chae-yoon Unnie, or Chae-yoon Unnie, or Chae-yoon Unnie.
So sometimes, I wanna coolly down a beer in front of them and strut a bit.
She must know how...!
"Um, Unnie. So, how do I drink well?"
I shot my hand up and asked So-eun Unnie.
She looked a bit surprised, then answered seriously.
"Hmm... You get better at it naturally by drinking more."
"Th-that's the only way?"
"Pretty much. They say you gotta drink to learn."
"Ugh, that's tough..."
But that's beyond what I could do, even knowing it.
I deflated and hung my head.
So-eun Unnie, who'd been watching me quietly, came over and gently patted my head as she spoke.
"It's okay. You're the cutest like this, Da-jeong. No need to force yourself to drink well. The members think so too, I'm sure."
"Ah...!"
I let out an involuntary gasp.
Partly from the enlightening advice,
but mostly because it was the first time So-eun Unnie had patted my head—such a fresh feeling.
"Feels like the first time you've patted my head, Unnie."
"Huh? Oh, sorry. Did you hate it? The other members do it all the time, so I just..."
I'd said it out of joy,
but she took it differently, eyes widening in surprise as she tried to pull her hand away.
*Squeeze—*
For some reason, courage surged in me.
I gently grabbed her retreating wrist with both hands and guided it back to my head.
"Hehe, no. It's so gentle—feels great. More, please."
"R-really...?"
She seemed a little thrown by my sudden move,
but obliged, continuing to stroke my hair softly.
"Wow, even So-eun's fallen for the maknae now."
"How could anyone not fall for that, President."
"Fair."
"Can't be helped."
"Our maknae's sneakily charming, after all."
Murmurs of amusement rippled around us, but the crashing waves outside drowned them out.
And so, the first day at the getaway passed by.