Seventeen, and Patience (4)
I had to start by explaining to Seojin what an engagement even meant. And by "explaining," I mean I just gave her the basics—that it's a promise to marry someone in the future. I'm no walking internet encyclopedia, so I couldn't dive into every little detail. Still, she seemed to get it pretty well; I didn't screw it up too badly.
"Even in this day and age, that kind of thing exists? That's wild."
Seojin tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled. And since it was about her sister—no one else—she perked up right away.
"Oppa, oppa, so how did this fiancé guy end up meeting unni?"
I racked my brain for details and launched into the story about Ajusshi Yeonho.
"At first, honestly, the whole situation didn't make any sense to me. Like, who even has fiancés in this modern world? A fiancé...?"
I straightened up a bit and continued.
"And the more I heard, the more ridiculous it got. Apparently, it all rolled out because Dad said something weird while he was drunk."
"Dad did?"
Seojin's eyes went wide, so I held up my right index finger.
"But get this—the funniest part is that Unni, also drunk, agreed to meet him once. Booze is the real enemy, I tell you."
Seojin let out a sigh, her face saying she knew exactly how Unni's personality worked.
"Then, when Ajusshi actually showed up about the engagement, Unni was about to go off calling him a parasite or whatever. If Mom hadn't stepped in, it would've been a total disaster."
Seeing Seojin's horrified look, I hesitated for a second, then smirked.
"But... he kinda does look like a parasite, doesn't he?"
"Huh?"
Seojin made a baffled noise, and I frantically waved my hands, backpedaling.
"Ahh! Not in a bad way! He's honestly handsome. Objectively speaking, really handsome, with such a soft impression. Kind to everyone below him, y'know? The type who really listens when others talk. That's the vibe, probably?"
The more I talked, the more fun it got. Weird, since I was just telling someone else's story. Anyway, as I kept rattling on about Ajusshi, Seojin nodded along before muttering,
"He doesn't sound like a bad guy... but maybe too nice?"
"I think that sometimes too. But once you meet him, it'll click. Like I said, he looks exactly the part."
I went on sharing stories about Ajusshi—things like how he, unlike a chaebol heir, scarfed down cup ramen for dinner, or how he'd match his steps to my short strides out of consideration.
My mouth wouldn't stop moving when Seojin suddenly narrowed her eyes and asked,
"But oppa... you've only met him twice, right?"
"Yeah...?"
I tilted my head, and she squinted more.
"You know an awful lot for just two meetings... That's weird."
Half-teasing, half-curious expression. I was at a loss for words for a moment. Come to think of it, she was right. We'd only met twice, but I was spinning even trivial stuff into long tales for her.
As I mulled that over, Seojin asked again.
"So, how old is he?"
"Huh? Oh, four years older than Unni, so ten years older than us. Twenty-seven."
Then Seojin raised her index finger like something clicked.
"Ah, so around your age, oppa?"
It hit me like puzzle pieces snapping together. Not exactly my original age, but close enough to the same generation. Was that why? After a few words, he'd felt surprisingly comfortable. Had living as Seojin made me oblivious to it?
Seojin's eyes widened in wonder.
"I've never seen you talk about someone so animatedly, oppa. You two seem like you'd make great friends."
"Friends? Pfft."
I scoffed and waved her off.
"We're ten years apart right now. And if that ever happened, you'd have to hang out with Ajusshi too, got it?"
"You said he's a good guy, so it wouldn't be so bad?"
Seojin grinned cheekily.
"As if~!"
I stretched out my arms, pulled her into a hug, and playfully pressed my knuckles into her forehead and crown.
"Ow! Owwie~!"
She made a huge fuss even though it didn't hurt, and I burst out laughing too. We goofed around, giggling for a good while. Stuff my original brother and sister used to do to me—I was finally paying it back to Seojin.
...I miss it.
"Yawwwn..."
Lost in thought for a second, I heard Seojin let out a massive yawn. Looking down, her eyes were misty, lashes half-lowered. She looked exhausted. Time to part ways already.
"Super sleepy?"
I asked softly, and she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Yeah... got sleepy so fast..."
"Can't be helped. Let's call it here for today?"
"Yeah... sorry, oppa... so sleepy..."
Her words trailed off into another yawn.
"Yawwwn—"
I placed my hand on her forehead and stroked it gently.
"Good job, my Seojin. Time for bed. You look ready to zoom straight to dreamland."
She smiled sleepily at that.
"This place... feels kinda like a dream already...?"
She was smiling, but her legs wobbled like she might collapse any second. I took her hand and led her back to the futon where we'd first sat. I laid her down gently in her school uniform, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. Pink pajamas would've been cuter, but the uniform made her even more adorable somehow.
Seojin barely opened her droopy eyes and whispered,
"Oppa... tell me... lots more fun stories... next time too..."
"Got it, got it~ I'll prep a ton of stuff you'll love."
I replied in a playful tone, and her lips curved up faintly. Around us, the scenery cracked like fine threads, blurring out. The classroom-space faded, even the distant school gate growing hazy. It dissolved into white light, like ink spreading in water.
Time to wake up, I guess. Parting sucks, but it's fine. Just a short goodbye.
This meeting was after almost three months. Next time, maybe two? I can wait that long, easy. I held out for eight months before.
'Wonder what time it'll be when I wake up...'
As that thought crossed my mind, a warm touch settled on the back of my hand. I turned—Seojin was gripping it tightly.
"What's up, Seojin?"
She forced out the words, fighting sleep.
"Oh yeah... oppa... I forgot to ask..."
"Ask what?"
She averted her eyes briefly, cheeks flushing a bit, then looked up at me and spoke.
"Is Yuha... doing okay...?"
I nearly scowled. Irritation bubbled up; it took effort to keep it off my face. Forcing a smile for her sake, I said,
"That jerk... uh, no, Kim Yuha's fine. Nothing to worry about."
Seojin looked relieved and flashed a bright smile.
"Good..."
I straightened her blanket once more and whispered low,
"Night, Seojin."
Finally, her eyelids fully closed, lips moving faintly.
"Yeah... oppa... see you... next time..."
With that, she drifted off. My vision darkened at the same moment.
When my eyes opened again, the familiar ceiling stared back. My bed from before sleep. My room.
I checked my phone by the bedside—alarm still five minutes early. I turned it off ahead of time and stretched long and hard. Then I changed out of the uniform into pajamas. May or not, it's still chilly at this hour.
Heading to the bathroom, I turned on the shower; lukewarm water pattered down. Suddenly, that last name Seojin mentioned popped into my head.
Kim Yuha.
Even saying it out loud felt gross. How much he grates on my nerves—I've nearly let my real personality slip more times than I can count. If I were myself, we'd have thrown punches and cut ties for good.
But I couldn't. Sure, my hand slipped a few times when I lost patience, but I never crossed the line. Can't act recklessly in Seojin's body, can't hurt it either.
"Haa..."
I let out a long breath in front of the steamed-up mirror.
'Why'd Seojin have to like a punk like that...'
If I were her real brother, no way I'd allow it. My good mood sank in an instant, so I pivoted to other thoughts.
'...Come to think of it, how are things going with Unni and Ajusshi?'
That brought a smile to my lips. As I turned down the shower and gathered my thoughts, Seojin's words resurfaced.
Ah, so around your age, oppa?
That must be it. We click so well; even with the age gap, no distance at all. Hope Unni and Ajusshi get closer so I see him more. If they actually make it and we become family? Perfect.
"Oh yeah, I still need to do White Day favors."
I muttered, elbows on the sink. That little orange candy from White Day. Such a small kindness, but it lingers weirdly. I'm the type who won't feel right unless I return the favor equally. Can't just let it slide.
Timing's late, but I'll aim for Pepero Day or something. Return on a special day what I got on a special day. Not that it means anything special, of course.