Eighteen, and Winter (1)
Winter arrived, and before I knew it, the new year had dawned. I'd been buried in exams and everything else, and suddenly it was winter break. Much longer than summer vacation, and with the cold making it even harder to step outside. When it snows, I really don't want to leave the house at all. Ever since becoming Seojin, I've been super sensitive to the cold. Heat I can handle, but this? So unless I'm going grocery shopping, I'm pretty much staying indoors.
Mom and Dad are thrilled that I'm not going out... but I can't keep this up forever.
"Ah, not picking up again."
I pulled the phone away from my ear, and an irritated grumble slipped out before I could stop it.
"The person you have called is unavailable. Beep beep, connecting to voicemail—"
I hung up with a click and flopped onto the bed, phone still in hand. The mattress sank under me with a soft whoosh, then enveloped me in cozy warmth. It was so comfortable my eyes wanted to close, but I scowled and glared at the phone instead. How many times have I heard that damn message now?
My call was to ajusshi, obviously. He used to pick up right away, but lately? Nothing. The weird part is, he replies to texts just fine. Ten, twenty minutes after I hang up, I get an excuse like "was busy, couldn't answer." At this point, it feels like he's deliberately dodging calls. But texts? No problem. Does he not even want to hear my voice? Maybe he's still mad about all those teasing photos I sent during the festival...
Even so, this doesn't make sense. Come to think of it, I haven't seen his face since the festival either. I've been saying let's meet up, that I miss him, but he's ignoring me like this? Is this how you treat a friend? Next time I see him, he's in for it!
I was grinning at the evil Seojin face emoji on my screen when Mom's voice came from beyond the door.
"My girl? Mom and Dad need to talk to you for a sec. That okay?"
"Yeah, one moment."
I set the phone down, got up, and opened the door to let her in.
"Looks like you've been resting well, sweetie?"
Mom scanned my face, then got straight to the point.
"Nothing major, but we're planning a family outing next weekend. Just checking if you have any plans."
"Outing? No, I don't have anything scheduled."
She clasped her hands together and beamed.
"Perfect. Actually, Chairman Han invited the whole family over. I was hoping you'd come along too."
"Cha... I mean, Chairman Han's house?"
I couldn't hide my surprise at the sudden news, but I quickly nodded with a smile like Mom's. An invitation related to the engagement meant ajusshi would be there too. Finally, a chance to see his face. If we get a moment alone, time to get revenge for all those ignored calls.
"We should head out now to get ready, then."
"Huh? Isn't Chairman Han's next weekend?"
"It's Chairman Han's house. We need to pick out something pretty in advance, right?"
"Eek..."
The words "pretty clothes" sent a chill down my spine. It was exhausting last time with sis dragging me shopping, and now again?
"Ca... can't I just wear my uniform...?"
"Oh, come on, you want to show up to a place like that in your school uniform?"
"What about sis's old clothes from back then...?"
"Silly, even her fifth-grade stuff is too big for you now."
"Right... ugh..."
"Haha, enough nonsense. Get ready quick. It's been ages since the whole family's gone out together."
"Okaay..."
Mom's smiling face receded as the door closed, and I let out a deep sigh. My last defense— the uniform— was shot down. No escape now. Pretty clothes, pretty clothes, pretty clothes. I have zero interest in wearing that stuff, but why is everyone around me so determined to dress me up?
"Just think of it as a gift for Seojin... whatever."
Mom, Dad, and sis are doing this for the real Seojin anyway, even if it's me wearing it. With that mental compromise, I stripped off my pajamas and changed into going-out clothes. It's cold, so layers first: a super-mini heat-tech undershirt, then kids'-size white puffer jacket. Long puffers are the warmest, but finding my size is impossible, so I don't even own one. So unfair.
Mom must've gone to sis's room next, because I heard horrified protests from next door. Makes sense. Sis is just pretending to be all chummy with ajusshi for the fake engagement— they're not actually close. A formal family invite from their side might mean things are getting serious, not just playing around anymore.
She should've sorted it out cleanly from the start... Not that I mind. Wait, no. Would that mean no more excuses to see ajusshi? Hmm, who knows.
"Ugh... so cold, freezing..."
The moment we stepped out of the car, a bone-chilling gust hit like it would freeze my face solid. Is this the flesh-cutting cold you read about in books? February's almost here, but today feels like the coldest yet. Should've stayed home like always...
"Ugh~ seriously freezing... I just wanna stay inside on days like this."
Sis was shivering too, huffing warm breath on her hands. At least she had a long puffer— she looked way better off than me. So jealous.
"Our little Seojini cold too?"
Sis glanced down at me while stomping her feet.
"Wh-what do you th-think? H-huh..."
My teeth were chattering; I could barely speak. Insanely cold.
"Wanna do that thing we haven't done in forever?"
"Wh-what thing...?"
I blinked, and sis unzipped her long puffer all the way down, flung it open wide. It didn't quite cover her figure, bulging out at the chest— nowhere to look without awkwardness. Not cold for her? Why flaunt it?
"Hehehe... C'mere, Seojini~!"
She lunged with arms spread, grabbed me, and yanked me into her coat.
"Eek!"
I tumbled forward right into the warmth inside her puffer. She quickly closed it around me, hugging tight, blocking the cold wind as hot air rose from within.
"Better now? Let's walk like this a bit, Seojini~"
With her chin lightly on my head, we waddled in like a single bundled lump.
"Kids these days..."
Dad muttered in disbelief but smiled warmly, pleased. Mom too. I always think it— such a warm family. Someday the real Seojin will feel this too. When that day comes, I'll step aside without regret. This happiness belongs to her, not me.
...Come to think of it, Seojin said sis wasn't always this affectionate originally. Who knows.
Thus fused(?) with sis, we entered the store. Before serious shopping, we agreed to eat first. At the food court, but I wasn't expecting much flavor. Just fill the stomach, whatever.
"This one's perfect for our Seojini, right?"
Sis, tapping the kiosk, pointed at the screen.
I leaned in: a kids' tonkatsu set.
"Kids' meal!"
"Yeah? It's perfect though."
"Jeez!"
Maybe the rare outing unleashed sis's prankster side. Tiring, but... harmless teasing like this? I can take it. I know it's not serious.
...Yeah, totally believe that.
After eating, real shopping time began. Mom's voice from outside the fitting room:
"Seojin, all dressed?"
"Wait a sec, Mom! Seojin's almost done~"
Inside, sis had me pinned, forcibly changing my clothes. Winter, so I figured any thick thing would do, but sis prioritized looks over warmth and wouldn't hear it. With her in full coordi control, I could only submit.
"There, done~ What do you think? Cute, right?"
Sis patted my shoulders, led me to the mirror, and I caught my breath.
In the mirror stood me in an ivory coat with faux fur trim. Inside, a white turtleneck hugged my neck, layered with a knit vest dotted in heart patterns. Below, a dark skirt flared out roundly, making my legs look ambiguously shorter. Shoulder twitch: sleeves fluttered. Head down: hearts flooded my view. Who knew they'd have sizes that fit. Honestly, it suits me. Perfectly.
Mom and Dad loved it too. I half-worried we'd end up with another mini photoshoot at home like last time. Wearing this to Chairman Han's house, though. On second thought, probably fine. It's just a courtesy visit.
...What would ajusshi think? Should I ask?