Chapter 49
"...We're married."
"...But I really want to meet your little sister at least once..."
She must really, really want a little sister. If I told Baek Sia, 'Go live with your sister-in-law,' she'd probably pack up and move in right away. The real question is whether Yoo Seol-ah could handle that energy. Unlike me, she takes after her dad—gets close to anyone super fast.
"If you ask to meet her, she'll probably come every single day."
"...For real? But didn't you say she's a high school senior? Does she have time?"
"Plenty. Even if she slacks off, she'll get into our school no problem."
"She must be a total genius. Composition major, right...?"
"Of course she works her ass off normally, but she'd get in even if she didn't. She does it because she loves it."
My little sister definitely falls into the "effortless genius" category. The only minor issue is her math—she's a bit weak there. Korea University's composition department only admits via regular admissions now, so she needs a perfect score on the CSAT math to avoid deductions. She's pretty good at studying overall, and a first-grade score just means messing up two questions clean, so she'll be fine... but I can't help worrying a little. Maybe later, when I have time, I can ask Yoo Seol-ah to tutor her a few times? Like she said, we'll have to meet eventually anyway.
Ding!
A message popped up on the panel telling us our drinks were ready, so we got up for a moment.
"What do you want?"
"Pick whatever you like. I'm paying since I'm winning."
"...Cocky much."
We grabbed the drinks first, then came back out to pick another board game. Yoo Seol-ah's baseless confidence was firing her up again, and it was starting to get my competitive side going too.
"I never lost at board games in middle school. I was the undisputed top player at Hanbit Middle."
"I can't even lose on purpose—I'm too good. I really wanna know what it feels like to lose..."
"Then what if you lose to me today and cry about it? I'd win even with my eyes closed..."
"...Are you actually a kid?"
"That's my line."
Our banter suddenly turned super childish. Come to think of it, I'd heard of Hanbit Middle before, so she probably didn't live too far away back then either. High school didn't leave much time for fun, and middle school was peak board game era for me—probably the same for her.
I pulled one of the stacked games off the shelf.
"How about this one?"
"Rummikub? Fine by me—are you sure?"
"...Bring it."
Anyone who's ever played board games has done Rummikub at least once. You win by laying down all your tiles following the rules—it's a brain game, and I'm confident there.
Back at our seats, we set it up while she laid down her bet.
"If I win, show me a pic of your sister."
"That interested?"
"Yeah. Sia's the only little sister I get to meet."
"Why call her Sia already when you've never even met?"
"...She'll basically be my little sister eventually."
True—once our relationship goes public, Baek Sia would defect to her side in a heartbeat. The way she brought it up all shy-like... she really craves a little sis.
I'd show her a photo if she just asked, but since she started it, I had to counter.
"Fine. If I win, show me your old pics."
"......Pervert?"
"How is old pics perverted?"
What the hell's in that head of hers? Talk about seeing what you want to see.
"Not middle or high school pics?"
"Yeah."
"Then you wanna see me in uniform as a teen."
"Why do you have to phrase it... like that?"
She's not a kid anymore, but saying "teen" out loud like that drips with malice. Her voice wasn't even that loud, but I glanced around anyway, worried someone might hear.
She smirked at me.
"Kidding. I'll show you if you win. Which you won't."
"......"
Yoo Seol-ah seemed experienced too—no need to read the rules as she flipped over the number tiles. Game starts with 14 tiles each. You need a set summing to a certain number to play first, so we kept drawing and chatting.
"You and your sister get along great?"
"Better than most siblings. Some families treat each other like strangers."
"Ever hang out just the two of you?"
"Not really out somewhere, but we'd order chicken at home."
We've never even fought—not once. We're close. My playful side probably comes from messing around with her. Yoo Seol-ah isn't super outgoing, but she's dying to meet based on scraps of stories.
"My sister's kinda loud though—think you can handle her?"
"If she's your sister, she'll be an angel."
Her words could mean two things: one, I'm nice so my sister must be too; two, imagine how saintly she'd have to be to put up with me.
I stared, and she flushed bright red.
"...I meant she'd have to put up with all your pranks if she got along with you!!"
I figured the second, but this reaction? Maybe the first. She always says the opposite when embarrassed.
"...True, I am pretty nice."
"Nice people don't say it themselves...!"
She laid down three tiles. I couldn't play yet, kept drawing.
"Nah, opposite. I put up with her pranks."
"Liar. Our Sia wouldn't."
"...What the—"
Now it's "our Sia"?
"You got too much fantasy about little sisters?"
Fantasies like that only form without siblings. Reality kills 'em.
I finally played three tiles. Now the real brain battle begins—you gotta think several moves ahead. Multitasking is key.
"I get along with my big sis too, but... I wanna hear 'unnie' for once..."
...Like how guys crave "oppa"? She looked so earnest, mischief bubbled up.
"I'll say it. Unnie Seol-ah."
"Eww, stop!! Why would you?!"
Her horrified reaction was deliciously sweet.
As the game progressed, the center filled up. She had 11 tiles left. I was racking my brain for her old pics when—
"Done. Now show me Sia's pic."
"Done with what?"
Without a word, she slammed down all her tiles and started rearranging.
For a second I thought she forgot the rules, but no way...
"If this is wrong, I win, right?"
"Won't be. Relax."
Click-click-click. She moved tiles lightning-fast, no hesitation—and every single one fit the rules perfectly.
...Over 30 moves in like 30 seconds? Possible?
"Hey, what'd you use?"
"Nothing. You'd feel it if I did. Sigh, too smart for my own good?"
She was beaming.
...Shouldn't have suggested this. Now I see it—multilayered spellcasting feels just like this. No contest in multitasking; I couldn't keep up.
"Hand over Sia's pic already."
"...Hold on."
No solo shots, but a family trip pic of us two would do. I pulled it up in my gallery and offered my phone—she snatched it, mouth agape in an "O."
"Whoa, you two look identical."
"Get that a lot."
We both take after Mom—delicate features.
Her eyes sparkled like crazy.
"She's so pretty... Totally my type."
...Makes sense. She draws beautiful girls nonstop.
We do look alike, though. One conclusion:
"You said we look alike. If Sia's your type..."
"......"
She hesitated, bit her lip.
"......Yeah."
"What?"
"Yeah!! Your face is my type too...!"
I'd heard it when we first met, but I just wanted her reaction.
"Why make me say it? Ugh, you're the worst..."
As she grumbled, my phone rang. She glared at the screen, shocked, and handed it back. "Baek Sia" flashed.
Weird timing—and calling now? Fate's prank?
She clamped her mouth shut like we'd get caught. No plans to hide from family, but whatever. I answered.
"Hello?"
"You home right now?"
"Nah, out. What's up?"
"Mom wants to know when you're coming next. No biggie."
"Tell her next weekend."
"Got it. Why're you out? With a girl or something?"
"Yeah."
"...Bullshit. You go to college and suddenly got a girlfriend?"
She was teasing, but it's true.
"For real."
"50,000-won bet. Switch in 10 seconds, I'll send it right now."
...Her precious allowance is tempting. As a good big bro, can't pass this up. Plus, after her "friendly" act earlier, what happens if I actually hand it over?
"Speakerphone then?"
"Go for it."
I set the phone in the table center.
"She wants to switch. Speaker on."
Yoo Seol-ah panicked, pointing at herself. I nodded; she cleared her throat awkwardly and spoke in a shaky voice.
"H-Hi..."
"......This isn't a recording, right...?"
"N-No..."
"......"
Unlike her bold "our Sia" earlier, she sounded super timid now. Long silence from Sia. Then, suspicious:
"So... what's your relationship with my brother...?"
"...We're married."
......Yoo Seol-ah? Wait, that was just playing along with her joke earlier, right? I expected "coworker" or "friend," so my brain froze solid.