Seventeen, and the Accomplice (7)
Summer vacation always means sprawling out like this. The heat makes you hate going outside, and before you know it, you're rolling around on the cool AC floor, feeling all drowsy. The real problem? You're bored out of your mind, but time drags on forever, making it even worse. For someone like me, who skips the school's vacation makeup classes and self-study sessions, it's probably even more intense.
I've burned through all my romance fantasies, and lying around scrolling on my phone every day is getting old. The worst part? Vacation means I can't see ajusshi as often. Unnie used to meet him weekly, but now it's just once in a blue moon, making it even harder. Though we did see each other two days ago.
I've even floated the idea of going to cram school to Mom and Dad before. Not just because I'm bored—my grades are starting to worry me. But the answer was a firm no, just like I expected. They said they know I do well without it, that I don't need to push too hard. During the school year, I get the "don't come home too late" excuse, but now it just feels like "stay home and don't go anywhere." I get it, sort of, but our parents are so different from other families. They don't obsess over grades. Just graduate college, then come work in Dad's company as an accountant. I'm grateful they believe in me, but... it feels weird, like my future's already set in stone. Not that I have any big dreams or anything I really want to do, so maybe it's a relief for someone like me.
"Yawwwn~ Did Mom and Dad leave already?"
I was lying spread-eagled on the living room floor, staring blankly at the ceiling, when Unnie's voice drifted in. Glancing at the clock, it was past 11 a.m. She must've stumbled out right after waking up—hair a mess, scratching her belly with one hand. Impressive in every way. Her voice was still thick with sleep, eyes half-closed in a daze. Since school ended, she's been out partying every other day, only crawling out around this time after sleeping in. Not that she was much different before break. And yet her grades are always great. Unbelievable.
"They left ages ago. Do you even know what time it is?"
I shot her a scolding glare, but she ignored it completely.
"Mmm... Almost noon, huh?"
She mumbled something like that and flopped onto the sofa. Watching her, I felt silly for even thinking of nagging and just let out a hollow laugh. Yeah, that's my unnie. Wonder how messy her room is. Probably a pigsty again. Next time the house is empty, I should sneak in and clean it up. I knew from my past life that girls live messy, having had a big sis back then.
"How about unnie makes lunch today~?"
"You? What's gotten into you?"
Her unexpected offer made my eyes widen. Unnie's lips drooped dramatically.
"A girl can want to do this sometimes~ Yawwwn... Just wait a sec?"
Then she stretched out long on the sofa, arms and legs sticking off the edge, quivering. Even her ample chest jiggled along. Impressive, really.
"What're you making for lunch?"
As she finally headed to the kitchen, I half-turned and asked. It was weird her doing something she never does, but a little exciting too.
"It's lunch, so ramen."
...Called it. My excitement was stupid.
"There's chopped green onion in the fridge if you want to add some."
I was too lazy to get up anyway, so perfect. I'd just stick to the floor till it was ready.
"Where in the fridge?"
"Right under where the eggs are."
"Lemme see... Ah, found it. But wasn't this for something else?"
"Doesn't matter. There's more left."
I'd prepped it for Mom and Dad's beef bone soup tonight, but whatever. Lounging like this made me miss the right time anyway—today was a bust. Vacations are dangerous.
"Oops..."
An ominous sound came from the kitchen. Oops while boiling ramen? I twitched my eyebrows, still face-down, and craned my neck slightly.
...No way she can't even boil instant noodles properly, right?
A bad feeling crept up, urging me to check. But trust in Unnie and my laziness held me back.
"Aaaall done~"
A bit later, a voice devoid of any confidence rang out. Sighing, I dragged myself up and shuffled to the kitchen. Just a single pot on the table, Unnie bustling for chopsticks and bowls. I grabbed kimchi, poured two glasses of water, set them down. As I sat, I peeked in the pot—and my eyes narrowed.
"...Why's there so much water?"
It looked like ramen broth color-wise, but way too pale. Like the Han River or something—the noodles were barely visible under the depth. Just green onions floating on top. What the hell did she do to it?
"Haha... Let's just eat."
Unnie sat across, forcing a robotic smile. Any hope I had was idiotic. She used to nail ramen back in the day, but guess she hasn't in so long she can't even gauge water now. There's a measuring cup—did she even know?
"I-it's pretty good with kimchi?"
"Good my ass. It's just kimchi flavor."
The noodles themselves were tasteless. Lukewarm flour strings that only smelled like ramen. Sigh... She always said she'd take me if she lived alone—maybe this is why. I got touched for nothing. Can she even eat properly without me? Future's worrying.
"You're on break too—wanna go somewhere fun?"
"Hmm... Where?"
"Dunno? We'll figure it out."
The bland ramen grew tolerable midway, lightening my mood a bit. We chatted naturally across the table like always—probably a habit from mealtime yapping. Come to think of it, this is the first time Unnie's properly suggested hanging out. Before, she couldn't go far because of me, stuck at home. Mom and Dad are always busy, but they take a day or two off during break to go out with us—grateful for that. Never done a long trip, but I don't love travel anyway.
"Oh yeah, Yoon Seojin. Unnie's got something she's curious about."
I'd fished out most of the noodles when she called my full name—not her usual playful nickname. Sounded serious.
"Yeah, what?"
I answered short, half-curious, half-tense. Unnie reached under her chair, peeled something thin from the backrest with her fingers, and shoved it in my face.
...What? Hair?
"You bringing guys home or what?"
"Pffft!!!"
Her bombshell made me nearly spew the noodles whole. Almost came out my nose, seriously.
"Cough, cough... What the hell outta nowhere?"
My voice didn't betray me, but the sudden coughing fueled suspicion. Unnie's eyes brimmed with doubt.
"Look at this hair. Short, right? No way it's yours."
She spotted it instantly. Obvious—ajusshi's hair. Unnie's is long, Mom's curly. Mine's bobbed, longer than that. Dad's short too, but different shade and sheen.
"Uh, probably Dad's..."
I brushed it off. Same gender hair, should pass. But Unnie wasn't buying.
"Weird? Dad doesn't sit here. And I saw a few on the sofa back earlier. He barely watches TV at home..."
True, I vacuum often but not every crevice. Checkmate. Why's her intuition so sharp...?
"Oh, could be from ages ago! As if I'd bring a guy home! What nonsense!"
I blurted before thinking up a good excuse. Just admitting a guy was bad enough—getting fully caught would be disaster. Things blow up, and I might never see ajusshi again.
...No way. He's my friend, after all.
"Hmmm... Maybe?"
Inside, I was sweating bullets, hands shaky, but luckily Unnie seemed ready to let it slide. Suspicious glare lingered, but no conviction.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I wolfed down the rest and bolted to my room like a fugitive, locking the door. Then I whipped out my phone and fired a text at ajusshi.