Chapter 55
Baek Sia fixed her gaze on Yoo Seol-ah's fidgeting face—the girl who couldn't bear the thought of being apart from me—and spoke in a surprisingly serious tone.
"...Approved."
But the content felt a bit far from serious. ...Though maybe she thought it was plenty earnest in her own way.
Yoo Seol-ah blinked in slight bewilderment, glancing back and forth between me and Sia before letting out a faintly dumbstruck sound.
"Uh, y-yeah...?"
"Oh, sorry! That was just a joke."
In my estimation, it was at least 30% serious. Sure, I didn't think my little sister's face was her everything, but with looks on Yoo Seol-ah's level, it changed the equation. Even if they'd been total strangers, Sia probably would've followed her anywhere for some tasty treats.
Beaming at Yoo Seol-ah with eyes full of mischief, my sister kept the conversation rolling.
"Seol-ah unnie, right?"
"Yes... Nice to meet you."
"Feel free to drop the formalities. Honestly, it'd be more comfortable if you used banmal!"
I'd half-expected this ever since the meetup was set, but sure enough, Sia had hijacked the pace right from the jump. The kid could steer any conversation with anyone—it was inevitable. She wasn't just smooth with acquaintances; she charmed cafe owners and restaurant staff like it was nothing.
"You sure it's okay...?"
"Yep! Or whatever feels natural to you, unnie!"
"W-well, then I will."
True to her word about wanting to get close, Yoo Seol-ah switched to casual speech on the spot. It had taken me nearly a week after first meeting her to do the same, but Sia pulled it off in under a minute. Her social skills hit different.
In the end, Yoo Seol-ah's bold claim of taking the mature lead fell flat—but what could you do? Sia was only a year younger, and her people skills were straight-up monstrous.
"From afar, I thought some manga character had walked out. The silver hair caught me off guard, but it suits you so well..."
"Ahaha... Thanks..."
"They say silver hair only looks good on the prettiest people, and unnie, you're hands-down the best I've ever seen. You're not secretly a celebrity, are you?"
"N-no, just a freshman starting university this year."
Sia had always been chatty, but she wasn't one to fabricate compliments. This was pure, genuine admiration spilling out. Yoo Seol-ah clearly hadn't anticipated the barrage; her cheeks were flushing pinker by the second.
"You must hear 'pretty' all the time, right? Or maybe you're so stunning it's hard to even approach you..."
"Ah... Um..."
That last question was a tough one for Yoo Seol-ah's personality—she had no easy comeback. Her face looked ready to explode... Spotting it, Sia—having gauged her vibe—held back with just a soft smile. The look in her eyes was less "big sis" and more like she was gazing at a little sister.
Part of why it read that way to me was Sia's height. She was around 168cm, towering a solid 12cm over Yoo Seol-ah's 156cm. It was couple-level height gap territory. Plus, Sia's more mature vibe sealed it—any passerby would peg Yoo Seol-ah as the dongsaeng.
"Anyway, standing around like this is awkward. Let's grab lunch first."
I seized the brief pause to butt in. We hadn't even eaten breakfast, and chatting over food would help Yoo Seol-ah loosen up.
"Oppa's treating?"
"Obviously."
Sia shot me a look like I'd grown a second head. ...As if I hadn't bought her chicken and tteokbokki a million times? I'd planned to cover today anyway—with something decent, not cheap eats. But hey, gotta collect what's owed.
"You owe me 50,000 won. That's what I'm using."
"...Do we have to? Wait—hold up. Oppa, how's 50,000 won enough for Seol-ah unnie...?"
"Why twist it? You said it'd be 50k if you handed over the phone. Transfer it quick."
"Tch..."
Grumbling, she pulled out her phone anyway. Snatching pocket money from your limited-use little sis? Sweetest victory.
"...What's this 50,000 won thing?"
Yoo Seol-ah piped up from the side, slamming the brakes. Right—she had no clue about our bet.
"She didn't believe you were with me, so she swapped phones..."
"Our oppa basically forced 50,000 won out of me..."
Sia cut me off, lacing her words with a cutesy whine. Hearing that tone without cringing? Blame home life—our parents got it constantly. Memories like 'Mom... Oppa ate the last pudding...' were endless. I'd wonder why she did it, but Mom and Dad always melted. Made zero sense, but hey, maknae privileges.
"Hey, why side with Sia like that?"
But Yoo Seol-ah mirrored our parents' reaction perfectly. ...Wait, she'd been obsessed with how pretty Sia was yesterday.
"No, she started the bet! I'm not shaking her down..."
"Doesn't matter. And 50k won't even cover lunch for three anyway."
"Unniiiie..."
Sia's eyes went full puppy-dog sparkle, while Yoo Seol-ah's nose tilted up just a touch. Sia was thrilled to save her allowance, but why the smug look on Seol-ah? Did she think she'd just nailed some big-sis moment? Absurd, but the fresh dynamic cracked me up.
Truth be told, 50k was chump change if they bonded fast—which they would. Yoo Seol-ah was visibly relaxing, even using Sia's name now.
We headed to the reserved spot, picking up the chatter en route.
"But isn't it pricey for three if it tops 50k?"
To a high schooler, yeah—it'd sting. We'd picked a place that wasn't dirt-cheap but wouldn't break the bank.
"Booked an omakase. Heard it's great value."
"Whoa, I love sushi."
Chosen partly 'cause Sia digs it. No worries needed now, but this was still a permission-ask kinda sitch.
We arrived quick amid the banter, gave the reservation name, and got ushered to a cozy back room. Me and Yoo Seol-ah on one side, Sia opposite.
Sia dove straight in once seated.
"Okay, super curious—what's your meet-cute story?"
"...Sia, banmal's fine with me too. More natural that way..."
"For real? Then unnie, I'm dying to know."
The big boss question I'd dreaded dropped, but pre-Sia strategy session had Yoo Seol-ah insisting she had it covered. I chilled and waited.
"...We actually met in a game first. Got super close there, so we started hanging IRL too."
"No way...?"
Sounded like a bog-standard RPG—Demon King final boss, custom nicknames, even marriage system. Astasia Online vibes.
"Yeah, we even got 'married' in-game... Always voice-chatting, stuck together."
"Makes sense—oppa was holed up in his room every day off. That's what it was."
"We've known each other over three years now..."
"Unnie must be a total study beast too. Uni while gaming? Korea University, no less."
"...Yeah, I was pretty good, honestly."
We'd met at twenty, but no explaining that isekai mess. Best to gloss.
"Jealous. School's no joke for me..."
"Ask away—I'll spill. Or I could tutor you."
"Seriously? Unnie, gimme your number. I'll hit you up."
I handed over my phone; she punched in hers smooth as silk. Sis's number-snag skill was pro-level. Scary, even from a proud bro.
Sia saved it, then asked innocently:
"So, what's the game called?"
Yoo Seol-ah's face stiffened for a split second, then softened into embarrassed sheepishness. ...Her acting was scary-good when it counted.
"Kinda embarrassing to say... Do you like manga or stuff, Sia?"
"Watched some at the comic cafe with friends. Kinda that vibe?"
"...Yeah. I actually draw too."
"Draw? Lemme see!"
I'd worried about naming a real game, but she pivoted flawlessly. Otaku reveal? Fine, whatever.
She flicked open her gallery, showed one piece.
"...You drew this? It's insane..."
"Yeah, been drawing forever... Want me to do one of you? Been itching to use you as inspo."
"Heck yes! Can't wait..."
...Looked like she'd steered the topic there on purpose. She'd gushed about drawing Sia the second she saw her pic.
The room door cracked open mid-chat, halting us.
"Just prepping some dishes~"
"Thanks!"
"Thank you."
Private room perks—sushi platter hit the table quick. Server explained types and order, then dipped.
"Eat while we talk?"
"Yeah, looks delish."
Words said, but Sia hadn't touched her chopsticks. No expression shift, but her tone sobered. She eyed us both, then spoke.
"Hey, unnie."
"Yeah?"
"Why'd you wanna marry oppa?"
"......"
Sia could play mature beyond her years, and this felt dead serious. We'd called it "fiancé," not just dating—she was digging deeper.
Yoo Seol-ah pondered long, then met it head-on: cheeks pink but eyes steady, gripping my arm tight.
"Because I can't even imagine a life without Baek Sion by my side. I won't have anyone but him."