Chapter 56
Everything about him was perfect without exception, but "Why did you want to marry my brother?" I could have expected a question like that, given how we'd been bickering nonstop since we arrived, and in a typical sibling dynamic, she'd wonder why her sister-in-law would settle for someone like my brother. But Sia's eyes held no such vibe right now. She didn't distrust me at all—our first impressions must have been good—but I could see her genuine wish for her brother to find someone wonderful. Just as Baek Sion said, they really do get along well.
In response to Sia's earnest question, I answered with equal sincerity.
"I can't even imagine life without Baek Sion by my side."
Memories from the past. When Baek Sion was badly hurt, and right before I returned, when I resolved to part ways—I'd tried to play it cool on the outside, but my heart had been pounding wildly. That's when I realized it had to be him. The biggest reason I want to get married so badly is so we can stay together openly, forever.
I'd answered seriously, but that didn't mean it wasn't embarrassing. It was just a tiny bit less mortifying than saying it straight to Baek Sion's face.
Sia's expression softened into a gentle smile, then her lips curved up even more. She fanned herself with her hand, her tone turning playful.
"Whew, it's hot in here. Why'd it suddenly get so stuffy? Are you two just too steamy...?"
"It's not that bad!..."
Coming in, I'd thought the room was refreshingly cool, but now even I was starting to feel the heat. Like brother, like sister, apparently—Sia jumped right in to tease me. I'd heard from friends before that I was an easy target, but was I really sandbag level...?
"Baek Sia, ease up. Her face is about to explode."
"Oh... so the fiancée takes care of herself, huh? Being single sounds so tragic..."
Sia pouted dramatically, but even that looked cute. Her black bob hair fell to her shoulders, and her face perfectly blended handsome and pretty features. Up close like this, she really did resemble Baek Sion.
"But with your looks, Sia, don't you get confessions all the time? You seem super popular."
She'd said she went to an arts high school, probably performing arts, which had a freer vibe than other specialized schools—no way she hadn't gotten hit on. Especially with such an approachable personality. She struck me as the type who'd be popular with everyone, guys and girls alike.
"Honestly, yeah, I've gotten a bunch. But I don't have tons of free time, and whatever's left, I spend hanging out with friends."
Even admitting her popularity outright didn't come off as obnoxious—just endearing. Probably because of her bright personality.
Baek Sion, unable to resist chiming in like his mouth was itching,
"Hey, if you get a boyfriend, you're doing a three-way meet-up with me first, got it?"
"Bro, what era do you think this is? Who does three-way meet-ups anymore...?"
"You're doing one right now."
"Obviously I'd do one if I found someone to marry?"
It was refreshingly new to see this everyday side of Baek Sion that I hadn't known about. Not a total stranger, of course, but just watching them banter was pretty fun.
Sia let out a small sigh and pulled me into the conversation.
"Unnie, this is what he's like... Isn't it tough?"
"...He can be a little oblivious sometimes."
Baek Sion suddenly looked wronged. There are definitely points where he's clueless—why make that face? ...Even on our first night, he'd made me pounce first, and yesterday he'd thrown a fit about the last train. It might seem like it's all sex-related, but no—it's definitely him who's oblivious.
"You've been together a while, so you get it, but this is his first relationship ever... You're in for it, unnie."
"...It's fine. I knew what I was getting into."
"Look at you two, drumming and cymbaling away like pros."
Baek Sion, looking somewhat enlightened, started devouring the steamed egg in its little dish. Sia giggled at the sight.
Her personality reminded me a lot of Lee Seo-yeon.
"Tasty?"
"Yeah. Really good."
I loved sushi anyway, and I was starving, so I grabbed my chopsticks right away. As we dug in, Baek Sion tossed a comment Sia's way, her eyes sparkling.
"If it's not enough, we can order more, so eat up."
"Got it—I'll dig in."
Moments like that really made him feel like a big brother. He'd insisted on covering lunch today, so I'd pivot to desserts. We could split it, but honestly, my money was his money anyway.
The sushi looked amazing, whetting my appetite. I wasn't sure exactly what kind it was, but I remembered to start from the left, so I dipped it lightly in soy sauce with some ginger and popped one in my mouth.
"...This is so good."
Just like Sia's near-tearful reaction of pure bliss—it was incredible. I'd kept expectations low since it was cheaper than typical omakase, but the melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor were no joke. Sia polished off three pieces in a flash and spoke up again.
"But do you two never use just names? Like, ever?"
"Nah, it feels too much like childhood friends—my body rejects it."
"Imagine if you called me 'oppa' instead of 'orabeoni.' It's like that."
"...Oppa, please don't bring that up at meals."
They got along great, but that pout was genuine disgust. Whether it was my imagination or not, Sia took a sip of water like she was trying to reset her palate.
"...But unnie, doesn't he barely do affection stuff? He's the type who sucks at it."
"Well, sometimes... he does."
He really was bad at it, so it was rare—but those rare moments hit me right in the heart. Heck, just a few hours ago, he'd even said he liked me.
"He does, huh. Can't picture it..."
"Don't even try."
"Even if you begged, I wouldn't. Why ruin my appetite imagining that?"
No matter how close siblings are, real blood brother-sister pairs probably couldn't even fathom that. With my own sister, it wouldn't be that bad, though. Guess sisters and brothers are different. But wait—she'd mentioned he sometimes blow-dried her hair.
"Is it okay when oppa blow-dries your hair?"
"Ah, he's actually really good at it... Wait, unnie, how'd you know?"
"I..."
Right then, I felt Baek Sion's hand nudge my thigh under the table. Thinking about it, mentioning he'd dried my hair would lead straight to admitting we'd showered together.
"...Unnie's dried my hair tons of times too, and when I asked her out of curiosity, she said he'd done it a few times for her—I just remembered."
Get it together... Honesty is best, sure, but our bedroom life? That's just for us.
"Gotcha... Ask him to do it sometime. He inherited Mom's skills—does it perfectly."
"...Yeah, sure. Sometime..."
...No way could I admit we'd already woken up together, showered together, and he'd dried my hair. Especially since, by Earth standards, we're barely out of our teens. Kids these days do everything early, but it still feels a bit iffy.
Sia refocused on her sushi. Maybe it was just that good, but we were all eating fast—the meal was wrapping up already.
"Eat this if you want it."
"For real? You're not having it, oppa?"
"Nah, I'm done."
So sweet when he wanted to be—like the ideal big brother I'd imagined. But Baek Sion becoming my real brother? Absolutely not. Then we couldn't marry...
After finishing the last pieces, we paid and headed to the cafe. I was sandwiched between the siblings as we walked side by side. Sia glanced at us and commented.
"You two don't even hold hands? Though I figured oppa wouldn't..."
"Ha..."
What was Baek Sion's image like at home? As I wondered, he scoffed dismissively and gently took my hand.
"......"
His hand was much bigger, completely enveloping mine. My heart started racing. Thanks, Sia...
"So you do hold hands. I half-thought you hadn't even done that yet."
"It's not that bad..."
Baek Sion replied calmly. "That bad" was a massive understatement. We'd been having sex every single day since reuniting...
A twinge of guilt hit me.
"I'll have a dolce latte, please."
We settled into seats at the nearby cafe. Baek Sion had taken my card to order downstairs.
Sia leaned in slightly and whispered,
"Unnie, this is top secret, but... what's your favorite part of oppa?"
"......"
Way too tough a question. But with Baek Sion gone, I could be honest.
"...Everything about him is perfect without exception. For real..."
"......"
Every single part of Baek Sion hit my exact tastes—that's why I had to answer like that. Even our... compatibility... matched too well; I couldn't find a single flaw. His occasional obliviousness was just cute.
"...Unnie, you sure he doesn't have some weakness on you or something?"
"No! ...You have to keep this secret, okay...?"
Even the ever-relaxed Sia looked flustered. Sure, I couldn't deny the rose-tinted glasses entirely, but that was all real—nothing I could do about it.