Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: You Knew I Had a Girlfriend and Still Went For It
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"Ah, hold on a sec. I hung the laundry out before heading out earlier, so let me just tidy up real quick."
"Uh, yeah. Take your time."
Shin Ju-hee headed into the house first.
And as for me or 'little sister' standing there like idiots waiting outside, it didn't mean anything special.
The reason to refuse was a bit shaky, so we'd just gone along with her suggestion, that was all.
"...Ugh, why'd you have to come here again!"
"What was I supposed to do? Turn down cake? Besides, you didn't say anything either."
"...I thought you'd turn it down..."
We'd arrived a little late, and the café was all out of cake.
Pitying us, Shin Ju-hee offered to share hers, and after hemming and hawing, we'd ended up here.
"I thought you wanted cake."
"...Who'd wanna eat it here!?"
If I'd known it'd turn out like this, I would've refused from the start... I shook my head slightly at my growling 'little sister'.
"Ah! Sorry about that. Come on in now. Seo-hyun-ah, come in."
Apparently finished tidying, Shin Ju-hee called us back in.
"'Scuse us."
"Hehe, what do you mean 'scuse us'? You're Seo-hyun's big brother. Make yourself at home."
She played it totally cool for us, but both I and 'little sister' knew exactly what was really going on.
"...We'll just scarf down the cake and head out."
"Aw, stay comfy. Or how about dinner together?"
Shin Ju-hee's subtle invitation.
Her eyes were clearly on 'little sister', but somehow my face felt hot all the same.
"...Nah. We're eating with family tonight."
Of course, we'd never made any such plan.
"Oh... really? That's a shame... Guess I'll be eating alone then."
She didn't hide her disappointment, her voice dripping with it like the world was ending.
But sensing it wasn't about 'little sister'—that it was about me—I swallowed hard.
"Alright, you two go wash your hands. I'll get things ready."
Shin Ju-hee hurried off to the kitchen with quick steps.
'Little sister' and I headed to the bathroom to wash up.
"...You'd better not pull any weird moves. We eat the cake quick and go home, got it?"
"Tch, fine. You too—don't do anything stupid."
"...Who're you telling off...?"
She grumbled while lathering up her hands.
Her tiny hands fidgeted, scrubbing between her fingers.
I slipped my hand between hers for no reason and washed together.
Her sharp glare turned my way, but I ignored it completely.
"...Keep groping me weird like that?"
"Me? What'd I do?"
"You keep... fumbling my hand and stuff, huh?"
She started squirming just from me touching her hand a little.
Her body must be super sensitive; her face was flushing redder by the second.
"...Park Seo-hyun. Aren't you being a little too clingy?"
"W-Who? Who's clinging!?"
"Shh. They'll hear you outside."
"Hmph... This is all your fault..."
My huffing 'little sister' shook off her hands and bolted out.
"Hey, wait up."
"Come when you're ready!"
I stole a quick glance at her retreating figure, still wiggling her butt like it hurt, then rinsed the last of the soap and followed.
"Oppa! Hurry up!"
"Ah, yeah. Coming."
The two of them were already sitting on the small two-seater sofa in the living room, with a tea table in front.
"Here! Right here!"
Shin Ju-hee patted the spot next to her.
For some reason, it felt like 'little sister' was glaring daggers at me.
"Ah, thanks."
I sat between them but a bit closer to Shin Ju-hee.
"Dig in quick. This place is amazing. Seo-hyun-ah, you gotta try it."
Shin Ju-hee's face was full of anticipation for our reactions, and sure enough, the cake lived up to it and then some.
"Whoa... it's good. I don't usually like cake, but this is tasty."
"Really? See, it's not too sweet but super delicious, right? The bread's so soft too, yeah?"
"Y-Yeah. Tasty. The whipped cream isn't heavy either."
It was a standard strawberry shortcake.
But calling it tasty wasn't empty flattery; even I, who doesn't like sweets much, enjoyed it.
"Seo-hyun-ah, good, right?"
"...Yeah. It's good."
"I got lucky and snagged the last ones. They only have three pieces per person, but the numbers worked out perfectly."
Shin Ju-hee beamed as she moved her fork.
She seemed pleased with our reactions, but suddenly she flinched and set it back on the table.
"Ah, forgot the coffee. Be right back."
"You okay carrying it alone?"
"Of course!"
Shin Ju-hee jumped up and headed to the kitchen again.
I was about to shove a bite of cake into my mouth when a sharp zap hit my side.
"Ack! Ow! What?"
"...You'll split your mouth?"
"Me? How's my mouth gonna split?"
"...Whatever. Just eat your cake."
'Little sister' was suddenly sulking hard.
The reason? Could it be jealousy?
"No way... are you jealous?"
I asked without holding back.
"...Shut up. Eat fast so we can go."
Her voice dropped low, chilling the air around us.
Yeah, definitely jealousy.
"Why? Can't I talk to my own girlfriend?"
"......"
'Little sister's' shoulders trembled hard just now.
Her eyes twitched, and she struggled to control her expression.
But she couldn't stop her eyes, body, or voice from shaking.
"W-Who said anything? Hah! And you... you have a g-g-girlfriend, but with me..."
She spoke in a voice on the verge of tears, whether she realized it or not.
"Hey, isn't the order a bit off there?"
"...W-What order?"
"It's not that I have a girlfriend so I can't be with you. It's that you went for it knowing I have one. And she's your friend, too."
"Th-That's bullshit!!"
She suddenly yelled at the top of her lungs.
Her face looked ready to explode.
"Ah... Did something happen? You two fighting?"
Shin Ju-hee, carrying the coffee, approached slowly, glancing at us warily.
Her face was half curiosity, half worry.
"N-No. It's fine."
"...Seo-hyun-ah, you okay?"
"H-Huh... H-Hah... Hoo..."
She took a huge, audible deep breath.
She didn't look normal at all; her eyes were a bit unfocused, like she'd lost it a little.
"...I teased her that I'd eat all the cake, and she got worked up. Ha, haha..."
It was a lame excuse, but Shin Ju-hee nodded and bought it easily.
The cake was that good. I let out a relieved sigh.
"Here, have some coffee with it. You too, Seo-hyun-ah."
"......Thanks."
And so we had our quiet tea time.
Stuffing cake in our mouths, chewing and swallowing.
Then sipping coffee to wash it down, repeat.
"Oppa, did you see that new movie that came out?"
"Hm? Which one?"
Shin Ju-hee would chat now and then, and I'd respond, but at some point her gaze, the way she faced, her questions—all aimed at me.
'Little sister' sat there like a scarecrow, mouth shut tight.
"Ah, uh. Haven't seen it yet."
"Oh... really? Heehee... Want another coffee?"
"No, I'm good. I'm done."
The cake had been polished off ages ago.
I was just keeping her company now.
So, stealing glances at the silent 'little sister', I spoke first.
"...We should head out. It's almost dinner time."
"Aw... really? That's too bad..."
Out of 'little sister's' line of sight, Shin Ju-hee brushed against me.
Tap-tap, like sending a signal.
"Hey, Park Seo-hyun. Get up, let's go."
But I called for 'little sister'.
She didn't look great, and it really was dinnertime.
"......"
But at my call, she clamped her mouth shut like her lips were sealed.
Either she didn't hear me or something; she just stared blankly, motionless.
"Hey, Park Seo-hyun. You deaf?"
"......Ah, huh?"
"Didn't hear? Time to go home."
"...Ah, yeah."
'Little sister' snapped out of her daze and scrambled to her feet.
"Thanks for the great food today. Next time, we'll treat you."
"...For real?! Promise?"
Disappointment filled Shin Ju-hee's face until she hooked out her pinky at my words.
I could feel 'little sister's' piercing glare from the side.
"What promise? Tell her when we've got time. Got it?"
"...Y-Yeah. Gotcha..."
Shin Ju-hee looked a bit disappointed again, but 'little sister' came first.
"No need to see us out. We're off."
"Okay, take care. Park Hansol! See you tomorrow!"
"...Ah, yeah. Bye. Thanks for the food."
Her low energy was obvious; I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.
Slam—
The heavy front door shut.
'Little sister' stormed ahead so fast her feet were a blur.
"Hey, hey! We're going together."
I grabbed her wrist to stop her, but she slapped my hand away.
Then she glared at me with those big eyes.
"...Why don't you just shack up with Shin Ju-hee?"
"What's that all of a sudden?"
"Why? You two get along great. Anyone'd think you were married."
I thought it was normal.
We'd just talked a bit more. She felt left out... that was it.
"...Hey. You really jealous? Over this?"
"I said shut up!!"
No sooner had I finished than 'little sister' exploded.
I hurriedly clamped my hand over her mouth.
"Hey, where do you think we are? Yelling like that. Let's go first."
"Mmph! Mmf!"
She struggled fiercely, but her strength was no match for mine; her body got pushed forward bit by bit.
"Easy, easy now."
We carefully descended the stairs without tripping.
Once fully out of the building, I let go of her mouth.
"Hah! Haa..."
"Jeez, your temper."
"...Like you've ever done anything to improve it?"
"But why'd you get so mad? Over Ju-hee? You said it wasn't."
"...Bull. What does Ju-hee have to do with it."
She whipped around.
And walked off ahead, treating me like I wasn't even there.