Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Secret Weapon
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The vacation was set for two weeks later, with our destination being a cozy standalone villa in Busan.
From the photos, the place looked spotless on the outside, and with a beach right nearby, it seemed like it'd be a blast.
Not to mention, there was an outdoor barbecue setup, so we could look forward to some delicious grilling too.
Maybe that's why Seol-i was subtly showing signs of excitement about the trip.
"The trip's gonna be so much fun, right?"
"Yeah, totally."
It might've sounded flat, but honestly, I was hyped too.
Going to the beach was a first for me, and doing it with Seol-i, Dasom, Mom, Dad, and Seol-i's parents? That cranked the fun up several notches.
So how was I staying so calm?
Something about jumping around like a kid in front of Seol-i just didn't sit right. Image management, I guess?
Truth be told, at some point, I'd started acting more mature around her on purpose. No clue why, but I just wanted to keep it up.
"What do you wanna do when we get there, Haneul?"
"Hmm... Look after Dasom while hanging out with you?"
"Hanging out with me?"
"Yeah, what else would there be?"
Seol-i gave a small nod at my question.
"Yeah... that makes sense."
"Right?"
I nodded back at her, then asked another question.
"You coming this weekend?"
If she was, I figured I'd prep some tasty snacks she'd like. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to take her and Dasom out somewhere.
But Seol-i shook her head vigorously.
"Not this weekend...!"
"Oh... no?"
"Yeah... I have plans with Seung-ah and Ye-eun..."
"Can't be helped, then."
I nodded, accepting it.
Guess that meant chilling at home with Dasom, watching TV or whatever.
I felt a little bad for her, though. Why? I had zero clue about the cartoons she watched. Made it tough to keep up with her chatter.
Seol-i, on the other hand, had picked up on them while babysitting, so she nailed the responses. Sometimes when I watched with Dasom, she'd get this subtly disappointed vibe.
My chest suddenly ached. I'd basically raised her on my back, so why did she like Seol-i more?
Still, no choice but to wipe away invisible tears and babysit.
"Have fun with them."
"Yeah, got it."
Seol-i nodded, glanced at me like she was gauging my reaction, then quickly turned away.
...Did I mess up again somehow?
Beats me. I wasn't the type to screw up just by breathing, so why the constant guilt?
Since it was a Friday with no evening self-study, I walked Seol-i home before heading back.
And then...
"Dasom, Seol-i sis isn't coming tomorrow."
...I dropped the brutally harsh truth on her.
Dasom's face fell in shock, and she moped off to the living room, hugging her doll while staring at the TV.
...Looks like I'd be spending the weekend cheering her up.
No plans to tell Seol-i about Dasom sulking, though. She'd cancel on Seung-ah and Ye-eun to come babysit if she knew.
*
Saturday without heading to Haneul's house felt weirdly nostalgic. It'd been ages—my routine had been weekends at their place with Dasom and Haneul.
But no helping it. Today, I couldn't go see my cool Haneul or adorable Dasom. Because...
"Seol-ah, ready?"
"Yeah... ready..."
"Alright, let's go. Gotta show off to Kang Haneul."
"Okay..."
Today was the day to buy the most crucial item for seducing Haneul.
The item I'd prepped to seduce him with was...
"Seol-ah, what swimsuit you gonna wear?"
A swimsuit.
"Just... something normal..."
Ye-eun shot me a glare right away.
"Seol-ah, you said you were gonna seduce Kang Haneul."
"Uh... yeah..."
"And you're wearing a normal swimsuit? With that figure?"
I shrank back instinctively. Some inexplicable embarrassment hit me.
Normally, I'd look to Seung-ah for backup—she'd scold Ye-eun—but this time, Seung-ah agreed.
"Seol-ah, you wanna seduce him, right? Think a basic swimsuit'll cut it? The beach is gonna be full of bikini babes."
"Ugh... uuugh..."
That thought stirred up some hidden jealousy inside me.
Fine, I was short. Sucked at sports too. But my figure? I had zero insecurities there.
Me, losing out to other girls and failing to snag Haneul? Letting him get stolen away?
No way in hell. I'd seduce him somehow. Make him mine. Slip right into his heart.
So, my options were limited.
"Swimsuit... maybe a bikini...?"
Seung-ah and Ye-eun grinned at me.
Their smiles looked scary for a sec, but I trusted them. They were my closest, most precious friends.
I had no idea back then.
"Y-You want me to wear... this...?"
"Yep~ Gotta go at least this bold to hook Kang Haneul!"
"Totally. Even Buddha'd shake his head at that guy. To snag him, this is minimum!"
"But... it's too revealing..."
"C'mon, just try it once~ Just once~"
"Yeah, once! We'll block anyone else's view, promise!"
"Ugh... uuuugh... N-Nooo... I can't wear it..."
Every bikini they recommended was insanely skimpy, the kind that made me blush just looking.
I wanted to bolt from the shame, but I couldn't—I'd begged them for help picking one.
I knew I'd dug my own grave, but no rewinding time.
At this point, with the damage done, I was powerless.
*
"Pick one from these three."
"How 'bout this?"
"Kinda meh... Okay, candidate it is."
How many had I tried on? They were debating among a pile of bikinis.
Honestly, any of those would've hooked him easy. But the shame was killing me.
Could I stand normally in front of Haneul wearing something like that?
Nope. Impossible. I'd probably die of embarrassment and hide in a hole.
So, what now?
Distract them.
"Um... guys..."
"Yeah, Seol-ah?"
"Any you like?"
"I... wanna try that one..."
The swimsuit I pointed to was a bikini too.
But way cuter than Ye-eun's sexy picks or Seung-ah's mature ones.
Cute meant way less skin shown.
Maybe I could handle that? So I suggested it...
"Ooh, cute one."
"Looks like that might actually work better."
"Totally."
They agreed enthusiastically.
"Really...?"
"Yeah, try it on quick."
"Okay...!"
I grabbed the cute bikini I'd eyed earlier from the clerk, tried it on, and they both said the same thing the moment they saw me.
"......If it's this cute, no way he'd see you as a little sis."
"Yeah, it's subtly sexy too... Your figure makes anything look good..."
It suits me that well.
"Really...?"
I asked hopefully, and they nodded without hesitation.
"Yep, buy that one."
"No need for others."
"See, cute suits Seol-i best~"
"I said sexy this time!"
"Hey, you wanted mature!"
Watching them bicker, I knew it for sure.
They'd been playing dress-up with me like a doll.
Didn't mind, though. It was fun, and seeing new sides of myself was fresh. Kinda embarrassing to admit, but every swimsuit looked pretty great to me.
But my take didn't matter.
"...Haneul will like it, right?"
All I cared about was Haneul liking it.
Part of me wanted to run to him right now with this swimsuit, try it on in front of him, ask if it looked good, if I should buy it.
But no. This was a surprise gift. A shock for Haneul. To make him see me as a woman.
So, I had to hold back this urge to show him.
I miss Haneul. What’s he up to?
Probably taking great care of Dasom. Yeah, he is. Haneul's the kindest, sweetest brother ever.
"Um... Dasom."
"Hmph!!"
"Uh... th-there, Hotping. Looks cool."
"It's Chagaping!"
"Ah... yeah."