Chapter 164: Christmas (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 164: Christmas (2)
I slowed my pace at her words.
“Christmas?”
“Yeah.”
It seemed the topic Lee Sol raised was enough to pique everyone’s interest. For some reason, it seemed to affect Ji Nuri even more than the rest.
“Oh, right. Christmas!”
Ji Nuri’s voice jumped an octave, sounding almost forced. She waved both hands, drawing all eyes to her.
“Th-then, do you guys want to come over to my place? My parents... they’re going on a trip, just the two of them, so they won't be home.”
The words tumbled out of her mouth in a rush. She kept talking without even pausing for breath.
“Oh, right! Seo-rim, you should come too, if you’re okay with it!”
“…Uh.”
Beside her, Ha Seo-rim’s eyes widened. She clearly hadn't expected to be included. She asked tentatively, “…Is it really okay for me to go?”
“Why wouldn't it be? You can even sleep over.”
Ji Nuri gave a refreshing smile, confidently planting her hands on her hips.
I tilted my head at the sight. Whenever Ji Nuri acted this confident, there was usually a catch.
“…But did you get permission from your parents?”
“What? Of course I did.”
Ji Nuri snorted.
— “Just throw it out there for now…!”
Nuri’s Mini-Me’s pupils were spinning wildly.
It seemed she had just blurted it out on a whim. It appeared to be true that her parents wouldn't be home that day, but she clearly hadn't secured permission for a sleepover yet.
Just as I was about to press her on that point...
“If you’re okay with it, unnie… I’ll go.”
Ha Seo-rim nodded, gripping her bag straps tightly.
— “…This is my first time going to someone else’s house on Christmas.”
The Mini-Me’s eyebrows twitched slightly. A strange sense of anticipation seeped through her tone.
“……Right.”
It felt a bit wrong to say anything at that point.
“Sol. Are you okay with that?” I whispered softly to Lee Sol.
She was the one who had brought it up first, after all. It seemed like she wanted to make plans for that day, but hadn't she just been beaten to the punch?
“No, I like the idea too,” Lee Sol accepted readily.
— “…This way, we can just meet on Eve.”
The Mini-Me let out a short snort, as if everything was going according to plan. Her strategy was to push the others to Christmas Day so she could spend the day before with me alone. For something she’d come up with on the fly, it was remarkably calculated.
The one thing she overlooked, however...
‘I already have plans for Eve….’
A family gathering had been scheduled first. Since it was a rare occasion for everyone to get together, I couldn't really skip out on it.
…I guess I’ll have to squeeze in some time for her, even if it’s just for a little while. I can probably manage an hour or two.
“I’m back.”
Just then, Shin A-young came down the stairs. Noticing Ha Seo-rim standing among us, she raised a hand slightly.
“…Oh, Seo-rim was here too? Hi.”
“…Hello.”
The two Mini-Mes exchanged glances and fell silent. An awkward atmosphere settled between them.
“…So, what were you guys talking about?” Shin A-young asked as she opened her shoe locker.
I answered as I headed outside. “Ji Nuri told us to come over to her place on Christmas.”
“…Oh, really?” Her response came a fraction too late.
“A-young, you’re coming too, right?” Ji Nuri, who had been walking ahead, turned back.
“Hmm… what about the others?”
“They all said they’re coming, of course. Oh, and Seo-rim’s coming this time too.”
“Then I’ll go too.”
Shin A-young’s participation was confirmed. With that, everyone was accounted for.
— “…Is this better than losing him to one person for no reason?”
Shin A-young’s Mini-Me seemed satisfied enough with the arrangement.
*
The long-awaited winter break began.
Ji Nuri fully savored the vacation. Since she didn't have to go to school, she could sleep in late; it was nothing short of paradise.
While enjoying her break, Ji Nuri noticed the living room was a hive of activity and walked over. Her mother was busily packing things.
“What’s all this?” Ji Nuri looked at the gift boxes on the table. There was a lot of stuff.
“Oh, this? A friend gave it to me.” Her mother continued organizing the shelves. “They said they just got back from a trip abroad.”
“Mhm.”
There were all sorts of things, including foreign snacks and chocolates.
I wonder if the others would like it if I gave them some later.
“…Ah.”
Come to think of it, I need to get permission. I almost forgot. Should I ask her right now while I’m thinking about it?
“…….”
Rustle—
Ji Nuri cautiously approached her mother, who was in the middle of arranging snacks on the shelf.
“……Mom?” Ji Nuri watched her mother’s reaction before slowly speaking up.
“Yeah?” Her mother didn't stop what she was doing.
“Um… the kids are supposed to come over on Christmas….”
“The kids from your club?”
“Huh? Yes.”
“Sure, do whatever you want.” Her mother nodded coolly.
“No, it’s not that—”
The answer was too fast. That wasn't what she wanted to ask.
“Then what?”
At that question, Ji Nuri took a small, deep breath and spoke.
“…Is it okay if the kids… sleep over here?”
Her mother’s gaze finally turned toward her. “Just you guys hanging out together?”
“Yes.”
“…….”
Her mother thought for a moment before meeting Ji Nuri’s eyes. “…Is Seung-ho included in that?”
Sharp.
Ji Nuri’s lips quivered. She had been hit right where it hurt. But since she couldn't lie, she nodded obediently.
“…He is, but…”
Anxiety welled up. What if she said no? He was the only boy, after all. Still, I didn't want Seung-ho to be the only one left out.
“Sure, go ahead.”
“…Oh.” A bewildered sound escaped Ji Nuri’s lips. “Pardon?”
For someone who had prepared a whole argument to persuade her, it was an anticlimactic conclusion.
“Why, do you not want to?”
“No, is it really okay?”
“I felt bad about leaving you here all by yourself anyway. If Seung-ho is with you, at least you won't starve.”
“……Ugh.”
Ji Nuri crossed her arms and twisted her body. What a strange feeling. I was grateful for the permission, but strangely, I felt a bit miffed.
*
Christmas Day. A little past 11:00 AM.
I stepped out, pulling on my coat.
“…What? Where are you going?” Lee Seung-ah was on the living room sofa, scratching her stomach. Judging by her raspy voice, she had just woken up.
“…….”
She watched me get ready to go out and asked quietly, “What about my food?”
“…….”
Is that the first thing she looks for as soon as she wakes up?
“I told you yesterday. I’m going to Ji Nuri’s house.”
“…Ah. Right, you did.” It seemed she had forgotten in her sleep and just remembered. “…So, what about my food?”
“…….”
Does she think I’m her personal chef?
“Yawn…” Lee Seung-ah let out a massive yawn and sprawled out on the sofa. “…Mom nagged me, saying we’ve been ordering too much delivery lately.”
I knew that. Since our food expenses last month were higher than expected, delivery food was banned for the time being.
“Mom said she put some fried rice in the fridge. Just take it out and microwave it.”
“Oh, really?”
“I’m leaving.”
“Yeah~ Bye~” Lee Seung-ah waved her hand dismissively. As long as there was food, she didn't seem to care about anything else.
“…….”
I took the bus and arrived at the vacant lot near Ji Nuri’s house. I was supposed to meet the others here.
I looked around and saw Shin A-young and Ha Seo-rim, who had arrived first.
“…….”
“…….”
The two were sitting at an awkward distance—not close, but not far apart either. It was obvious at a glance that no conversation was happening. They looked incredibly uncomfortable.
I intentionally made some noise as I approached them.
“Ah.” Shin A-young spotted me first and stood up.
— “Phew!”
— “Phew….”
Both Mini-Mes let out a heavy sigh at the same time. It seemed the awkwardness had been mutual.
“You’re here?” Shin A-young stuck close to my side.
“Where’s Lee Sol?”
“She’s not here yet. She said she’s almost here, though.”
After waiting a bit, Lee Sol appeared.
“Hellooo.” Lee Sol walked over with light steps.
“…What the. Sol, you came dressed like that?” Shin A-young’s lips curled up as she looked at the top of Sol's head.
“Yeah, it’s Christmas.”
Lee Sol was wearing a red Santa hat. Since she was small and had the looks to pull it off, it didn't look out of place at all.
“…….”
I found it difficult to look her way. More than anything, it was because of what happened just yesterday.
I had spent a short time with Lee Sol on Eve. Not for long, just a brief meeting in front of her house. Lee Sol had said she wanted to take some Christmas-themed photos for social media, and the image of her going inside and reappearing as a 'Santa girl' was still vivid in my mind.
— “…Heehee.”
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me hummed happily, pulling the hat down.
“Let’s go.” She led the way with a cheerful stride.
*
“…What the.”
My expression stiffened in front of the front door.
— Ding-dong, ding-dong!
There was no response even after pressing the doorbell. It wasn't like she had gone out.
“…Is she still sleeping?” It was well past 11:00, but it wasn't impossible. In fact, it was quite likely.
“Hey, Ji Nuri!”
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
I pressed the doorbell a few more times and called out to her through the door. Beside me, Shin A-young was calling Ji Nuri’s phone.
Patter-patter-patter—!
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from inside.
— “Oh! Wait a second!”
Along with the sound of dragging slippers, the lock clicked open. The door swung open, and Ji Nuri poked her head through the gap.
“Sorry. Have you been waiting long?”
Looking at her, it was clear she had just woken up. She had thrown on a hat in a hurry, but her messy hair was still visible. She was wearing a slightly stretched white T-shirt and black short-shorts.
And through the gap, a glimpse of a black bra—
……Uh.
“—!”
The three of us moved simultaneously.
Lee Sol shoved Ji Nuri back into the house, Ha Seo-rim grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back, and at the same time, Shin A-young’s palm covered my eyes. It all happened in a single breath.
— “Huh?”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me, who had been dragged back inside, reacted with confusion. “Why? What is it?”
“Clothes! Your clothes!”
The conversation that had been faintly audible through the open front door was abruptly cut off.
— “……Ah.”
Soon, a short gasp escaped.
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