Chapter 157: December (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157: December (1)
“…….”
Lee Seung-ah stared straight ahead in silence.
Before her sat her own flesh and blood—someone who looked like her, yet was fundamentally different.
‘……What the?’
To be honest, Seung-ah was surprised by her brother’s appearance. Not much, just a hint.
If it had been anyone else, she wouldn't have cared, but he was someone who almost never revealed his inner thoughts. At times, he felt as cold and unyielding as a stone.
But just now...
‘It was faint, but still...’
A reddish tint lingered on his face. His feelings were written all over him.
Though the outward change was minor, it was definitely there. It was a subtle shift, but perhaps because they had spent their whole lives bickering and living together, she caught it instantly.
And that was enough to pique Lee Seung-ah’s interest.
She had honestly wondered if his emotions had died. Even with so many "platonic" female friends around him, his expression rarely ever changed. That was why she had asked him in passing if something was up.
She hadn't actually expected him to tell her.
“So, the thing is—”
Just as Lee Seung-ho was about to start his story...
“Ah, wait a sec.”
Seung-ah cut him off and stood up.
It felt a bit weird. She didn't think she could listen to this in such a heavy atmosphere. She headed to the fridge and pulled out a 1.2-liter bottle of Coke.
“…….”
At her sudden movement, Seung-ho’s expression turned blank. He shot her a look of pure disbelief.
Regardless of his gaze...
Glug, glug, glug...
Seung-ah poured the Coke into a glass. The dark liquid filled the cup, bubbles fizzing and popping as they rose to the surface.
“…….”
Seung-ho, still sitting on the living room sofa, watched her silently.
Seung-ah glanced at him and asked, “What, you want some?”
“…I’ll drink it if you give me some.”
“Yeah, pour it yourself.”
“…….”
Seung-ho’s expression soured again. His face clearly said, 'Then why did you even ask?'
He let out a hollow laugh but reached into the cupboard for a cup anyway.
“…By the way, didn’t you say you were on a diet?”
“I did.”
“…?”
Seung-ho blinked, looking confused.
“What? I just worked out, so I can drink this much.”
Since she’d burned enough calories, this wouldn't make her gain weight.
Gulp, gulp.
Before he could say anything else, Seung-ah downed the refreshing Coke.
“Haaa…!”
Yes, this was the taste. The crisp, carbonated sting.
“….”
Seung-ho was still letting out those dry, disbelief-filled chuckles.
Well, the mood had lightened up a bit. Heavy atmospheres didn't really suit siblings like them.
“Okay, tell me. What’s the problem?” Seung-ah muttered in a casual tone, sipping her Coke.
“…….”
Seung-ho sent her a highly skeptical look. Did he really not want to talk that much?
Well, fair enough. If the roles were reversed and Seung-ho offered her counseling, she’d probably hesitate too. It wasn't that she didn't trust him; it was just because they were siblings. Siblings usually didn't do "serious talks."
However...
“I’m actually pretty good at counseling. I’ve listened to my friends’ romance troubles a few times.”
Her curiosity outweighed everything else. She wanted to know what had changed him.
“Usually, you feel better after talking these things out.”
She coaxed him to just give it a try. Moreover, Seung-ah loved hearing about romance. She was at the perfect age to enjoy a good love story.
“…….”
Seung-ho agonized over it for a moment before giving one final warning.
“…Seriously, don’t tell anyone.”
“Who do you take me for?”
She had no intention of blabbing anyway.
“My lips are sealed, okay? I won’t tell a soul.”
Seung-ah swore, making a zipping motion across her lips. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. It was a look that she hoped seemed trustworthy.
“…….”
Seung-ho took a moment, sipping his own Coke.
Clack.
He set the glass down on the table. Finally, he opened his lips.
“So, basically……”
*
“Huh? Seriously?”
“….”
“Sol-ie Unnie gave you a back hug?”
Seung-ah made a huge fuss, covering her mouth. If she wasn't careful, a laugh was going to burst out. Actually, it might already be leaking.
“…Yeah.”
With a complicated expression, Seung-ho gave a small nod. He wiped the condensation off his glass with his palm, his embarrassment clearly showing.
“Wow… Sol-ie Unnie is bolder than she looks.”
Both before and now, she was different from her appearance. She looked like she’d be lethargic all the time, but she really went for it when it counted.
“Hehe….”
Seung-ah’s eyes narrowed. A faint smirk played on the corners of her mouth. She nudged Seung-ho playfully while grinning.
“Did you like it?”
“Did I like what?”
“No, I mean, did it feel good? When Sol-ie Unnie went like this…!”
“…Cut it out.”
Seung-ho’s eyebrows twitched downward.
“…Okay.”
Seung-ah covered her lips with her fingers. Yeah, she should probably stop here. If she teased him any more, she’d probably get a flick to the forehead.
“Phew….”
Still, it was surprising. A soft exclamation escaped her lips. To think someone had managed to change this man, who was more of a boulder than a mere block of wood.
Was it the power of time and patience? She had a feeling it wasn't an achievement Sol had reached alone. Lee Sol had simply closed the gap in a relationship that had been narrowing precariously.
‘Sol-ie Unnie’s got some moves.’
Of course, the fact that she was the first to take action was the biggest factor.
That aside, one question remained.
“So what’s the problem?”
She didn't understand what Seung-ho was worried about. Everything turned out well, didn't it? He surely didn't call her over just to brag. If he did, she’d have to hit him.
“…….”
At that, Seung-ho’s expression sank into an ambiguous gloom. Like someone who had something weighing on their mind.
“Uh… do you not like Sol-ie Unnie?”
When she asked if the physical affection had been burdensome, Seung-ho immediately dismissed the idea.
“It’s not that I wasn't surprised… but it’s not that.”
“……What is it then?”
Seung-ah muttered softly as she watched his face. It wasn't like he had no feelings for her at all.
“What’s so hard about it? If you like her, you date. If not, you don't.”
That was all there was to it. It wasn't a one-way street; the feelings were mutual.
“Isn’t that what romance is?”
The whole point was to be happy. If your heart isn't in it or you don't feel like it, you just don't do it.
“…….”
Seung-ho blinked. He shifted his gaze toward her with a strange look.
“…Have you ever even dated?”
“Why?”
“No, just….”
Seung-ho trailed off. She must have sounded somewhat convincing.
“…….”
Of course, she hadn't. She was just repeating things she’d overheard here and there in her own way. But her pride wouldn't let her admit the truth.
“……Hmph.”
She gave a short snort without answering, acting like someone who had at least one experience under her belt. She shrugged her shoulders. At least it wasn't a lie.
“……Hmm.”
Seung-ho’s eyes scanned the air. His eyebrows rose slightly.
“…….”
Seeing that, Seung-ah looked away. That expression of his felt like he was trying hard not to say something. It seemed she’d already been caught. He was always unnecessarily quick on the uptake.
“Ahem.”
Then, Seung-ho let out a small cough.
“…Anyway, if it were a worry that could be solved that easily, I wouldn't have brought it up.”
“Then what is the problem?”
“To begin with….”
Seung-ho’s expression became awkward.
“…I’m the problem.”
Seung-ho looked down into his empty glass. He didn't have enough certainty in his heart to confess, and on the flip side, there were too many people involved for him to simply accept a confession.
But he couldn't take it back now. He had to make a choice, one way or another. The problem was that every path felt like a wall, no matter what answer he came up with.
“So what are you going to do?”
Seung-ah asked for his conclusion.
Seung-ho rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. After a brief hesitation, he sighed and spoke.
“I’m going to keep my distance from everyone for a while.”
“…….”
“I need some time alone to organize my thoughts.”
“Hmm.”
So, 'let's keep our distance for now,' huh?
If he wasn't going to accept a confession right away, that did seem like the better option. Or, he could just go for it like a madman, but... no, that probably wasn't it. She must have been watching too many dramas lately. Even if it were legal, wasn't that kind of anachronistic? It was the kind of thing that ended up on the news as a social issue.
“Mmm….”
Seung-ah hummed, resting her chin on her hand.
Keeping his distance.
Well, she wondered if that would actually go according to plan…….
Honestly, she wasn't so sure. At least, she didn't feel any certainty that it would work.
* * *
……Yeah, something definitely went wrong.
“…….”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of footsteps echoed clearly against the floor.
I was being led somewhere, pulled by the strength of the hand gripping my wrist. We walked along the school hallway. In front of me, the back of Shin A-young’s head filled my vision.
I could have pulled away if I used force… but the atmosphere made it feel like I shouldn't. I quietly followed her to a secluded spot with little foot traffic.
“……Phew.”
The sound of a breath escaped Shin A-young’s lips.
She stopped me in a corner of the stairwell and tilted her head up. She pressed her hand against the wall, leaving me no room to escape. I leaned my back against the wall and waited patiently for what came next.
“Hey.”
Her voice was low. Her expression was dark. She even looked angry.
— “…Did I do something to upset him?”
Despite her look, her Mini-Me was brushing back its bangs, looking flustered.
“…Lee Seung-ho.”
Shin A-young tilted her head, her eyes devoid of their usual smile.
“Why do you keep avoiding me?”
……Let’s start by apologizing.
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