Creaky Bed and Sister's Grilling
Paang! A massive metallic snap erupts from under the worn-out mattress. One of the ancient springs has finally given up the ghost, breaking clean off. The bed sags sharply on one side, ripping through the quiet room with a deafening screech.
We freeze like we've been doused in ice water. Our lips part in a hurry, and I roll off to Han Sea's side, lying flat on my back. Staring up at the dark ceiling side by side, we just catch our ragged breaths.
"Sis must not have heard," Sea whispers first into the heavy darkness.
"Even if she did, she'd pretend not to."
"......"
Silence blankets the cramped room again. The heat from our tangled bodies still clings to my skin. Lying shoulder to shoulder, almost but not quite touching, it's suffocatingly awkward. I try to shatter the embarrassment with a casual joke, playing it cool.
"How am I supposed to face Sis tomorrow morning? You're paying for the bed."
"Why me? You slammed down too hard."
"You climbed on top first."
She lets out a soft pfft at my dumb retort. The tension eases a bit in the now-comfortable dark, and she murmurs low, "That was my real first kiss."
I add, deadpan, "Mine too."
"You already had your first last time."
"So did you."
"This one was on my terms, so this is the real first kiss!"
"You're insane."
"Heh heh."
We snicker silently in the dark. I stifle a bubbling laugh and whisper to her, "We're both such total losers. How many 'first kisses' do we even get?"
Sea buries her face in the pillow, choking back giggles. "Ah, stop—my stomach hurts from holding it in."
We lie there in the dark, listening to each other's shallow breaths. My pulse thunders in my ears like it's about to burst.
The next morning, I scratch the back of my neck awkwardly as I step out of the room. No clue how to face Sea after last night. But when I spot her on the living room couch, she's grim for a whole different reason. Her shoulders slump as she glares daggers at her laptop screen.
I approach cautiously. "Hey, why the funeral face?"
She looks up, all wronged. "It's weird. Views should've blown up by now if things went my way."
Her monitor shows yesterday's video, views pitifully stalled. Last night's solo editing feels like a waste now. I snort in disbelief. "You think the world's that easy?"
"......"
"Other YouTubers bleed for that one hit."
She pouts, snapping the laptop shut at my jab. Right then, Sis pokes her head out the door. "Dojin, Sea—throw on some outerwear. We're hitting the mart."
The weekend Large Mart bustles. Trailing Sis's cart, I pipe up. "Shopping like this as a trio feels off."
"Why?"
"Sis leading with the cart makes us look like kids tagging along with Mom."
Sis chuckles. "True. Reminds me of holding Mom's hand at the mart as kids."
She swings by the butcher section, tossing two packs of premium short ribs into the cart. My eyes bug out. "Whoa, what's the occasion? You never even glance at the pricey stuff."
"When did I say that?"
"Our cheapskate household buying short ribs?"
"Nonsense. We have this sometimes."
Sis smacks my back lightly, shooting me a look. "Got a special guest today—gotta make something tasty."
"Ah, Sis, don't go out of your way for me."
Sea steps in apologetically, but Sis links arms with her warmly. "Nonsense. Sis is making something real good today."
While we pick other ingredients, Sea's already at the tasting station, sauce smeared on her lips.
"Hey, we're eating at home soon—why pig out?"
"Try one. It's legit good."
She shoves a toothpick-skewered meatball into my mouth. The tasting auntie beams. "Aigoo, look at the sweet bride doting on her groom."
"Bride..." Sea, blushing, clings to my arm for no reason.
"Aren't they adorable? Getting married soon."
Sis chimes in behind us. "Oh my, congrats! Your whole family looks like celebrities—tall, gorgeous."
Sis smiles softly, pleased. Sea grabs another toothpick. "Sis, you gotta try this."
She pops one into Sis's mouth too. "Mmm, tasty. Dojin, grab a few packs."
"Thanks. Not pushing sales or anything—it's really good."
Sis, who’d normally ignore sales pitches, lets the bag slide into the cart. After that, the two stick arm-in-arm like blood sisters, roaming the aisles. Sis's face stays lit up from Sea's clingy charm. I trail behind, silently pushing the cart like baggage handler—but oddly, it doesn't suck.
Hands full of groceries, their chatter fills the walk home. Back at the house, Sis ties on her apron and dives into the kitchen. Sea paces anxiously nearby.
"Sis, anything I can help with? Veggies?"
"No, you're the guest. Just sit."
Sis firmly shoos her from the cutting board. "Gonna show off my skills today—get excited."
Sea perches on a dining chair, fidgeting and staring at the kitchen. Considering she can't even boil ramen right, sitting still is her biggest help.
Soon, steaming braised short ribs hit the table. Packed with pricey ingredients, it looks way more appetizing than usual. Sea gingerly picks up a piece. Her eyes widen mid-chew—girl raised on gourmet, yet genuinely shocked.
"Whoa, Sis."
"Suit your taste?"
Sea sets down her chopsticks, dead serious. "Sis, let's open a restaurant. Michelin stars incoming."
Sis bursts out laughing at her hype. She heaps more meat onto Sea's rice. "Michelin who? I'm confident in my cooking—been at it since I was a kid."
"Sis......"
"Tell me whenever you crave something. I'll make it."
"For real? Can I come eat every day?"
"Of course. You're family soon anyway. Visit daily."
"Hing......"
Sea hugs Sis's waist tight. One meal and she's tamed? I chew my meat, inwardly tsking.
As dinner winds down, upbeat Sis grabs canned beers from the fridge. The light buzz kicks in, mood perfect.
"How'd you two meet and level up so fast?"
"Just clicked, y'know."
"Still—engaged already? Barely met."
Sis taps her can, eyeing me. "Yoon Dojin, you didn't do anything irresponsible to Sea, right?"
"N-No! What the hell?"
I flail in panic, but her suspicious gaze shifts to Sea. "Sea, be honest. Did he push you?"
Cornered, Sea chugs her beer. Her cheeks flush fast. Thud. She slams the empty can down, slurring, "Last night... Dojin..."
"Huh?"
"Dojin kissed me in the room. Like, attacked me."
My beer goes down the wrong pipe—nearly spit it out. "Cough—hey! Han Sea!"
Sis's eyes bulge. "Oh my god."
She covers her mouth, glancing between us. "That little creak last night..."
"......"
"Was that the bed?"
"What?! S-Sis! Wait, no—!"
I wave frantically. "Hey, you were next door—how could we...?"
Sis glares sideways. "Teens gonna teen, but that's too much."
"Yes, Sis. We'll be careful."
Sea giggles, nodding eagerly.
"No—hey! Don't agree like that; it sounds like we did more!"
"You said you kissed."
"Uh, well..."
"Kissed?"
Sis crosses her arms, glaring. Sea squints too, chiming in.
"Guy and girl alone in a room, kissing? Game over."
"Exactly, Sis is right."
Sea slumps over the table, nodding. Sis slides next to her.
"This pretty..."
Sis cups under Sea's chest playfully. "With assets like these?"
"......"
Sea squirms, giggling shyly. I forehead-palm at the dizzying scene.
"S-Stop. Sis, why join in?"
Face burning, I can't sit anymore. "I-I gotta wash up."
I bolt to the bathroom. "Hey! Where you running?"
Bang. Door slams. I crank the cold faucet, facesink. Their voices filter faintly from the living room.
"Sea... sorry on his behalf."
"Huh?"
"Should've raised him better. Boo-hoo."
"Siiiis......"