[No title provided]
"Got something to practice. Mind helping out?"
"Whoa..." Jia noona was straight-up clutching her chest. Having a little sister myself, I couldn't help but sympathize.
Yoo Seol-ah was already earning a stable—and hefty—income, enough that marriage wouldn't be a stretch right now. I'd heard recently it dwarfed the average office worker's salary. But even so, when your freshly twenty-year-old little sister starts talking babies, brushing it off with "just wait a bit" as the big sis probably wasn't easy—even if it was half-joking.
"But if you're saying stuff like that, Seol-ah, you must really be thinking marriage too..."
"Yeah. I'd like to get married pretty soon."
"...Way more serious than I thought."
From our earlier chat and bits here and there, Jia noona had a rough idea of our relationship—and since she'd brought up kids first—she didn't seem all that shocked by the marriage talk. Meanwhile, Seol-ah's blunt "I'd like to get married pretty soon" felt kinda cute, and in a way, grateful. It wasn't a lighthearted comment by any means.
Marry quick, but kids no sooner than twenty-five... With our foolproof contraception method—unique to this world and 100% effective—unwanted pregnancies weren't an issue. We'd deliberate plenty, think of any future kid, and take it slow.
"...You two act like you've been together for years. I had no clue Seol-ah could hang this chill with a guy. Marriage? Never even crossed my mind."
"We've known each other a long time."
"Crazy. Not just that my department junior knew you already, but you end up head over heels..."
"...Not exactly head over heels?"
She'd gone from marriage and kids to backpedaling—probably the ku pao bao hitting with the booze fading. Normal Seol-ah mode? She'd slam the brakes hard. But Jia noona, being blood sis, just sighed and scratched her head like it was par for the course—something others might side-eye.
"...I can tell just looking. You pull the same crap on him as me, huh? Sion-ah."
I didn't know their exact dynamic, but I got the gist and gave a tiny nod. Family or friends, cross that line and bam—same personality kicks in. Seol-ah, thinking we weren't watching, snorted in disbelief like she'd been caught.
"Hey, you don't even know how I treat unnie—why nod...?"
"Just looks like the type who'd treat unnie right, so yeah."
"......"
Easy counter this time—no hesitation. She knew I was bullshitting, but calling it out would backfire on her too. And honestly, it wasn't a total lie—Seol-ah treated me amazingly well. She nagged on the surface, but deep down she was thoughtful, just shy about showing it. Probably the same with family. That's why even her tsundere bits were adorable. Hell, just looking at her purified my soul—"treats well" was an understatement.
Seol-ah pouted wordlessly, and I couldn't help but smile. Jia noona watched us quietly before chiming in.
"...You two have to get married. Woman's intuition or whatever... I can tell at a glance."
"Yeah?"
Seol-ah played it cool, but she was thrilled. I'd noticed before—she craved validation for us. Even munching ku pao bao, I caught the tiny uptick in her lip corners.
"So when you telling her folks? They'd love it anyway—even if marriage talk waits."
"Yeah. Thinking next trip home, but unless they ask first, texting it feels weird."
Definitely close to her parents—bragging outright might embarrass her.
"What're your parents like?"
I figured they'd approve, but details helped. Seol-ah answered quick.
"Hmm... Super youthful? You'll get it meeting them. Kinda unique..."
"Seol-ah takes after Mom looks-wise. Personality's like mine, I think."
Like Jia noona? That tracked—grandkid cravings made sense. Playful but kind-hearted.
Mala hotpot hit the table, and we cheers'd again. Seol-ah stuck to her separate soda in the same glass—high proof plus her quick buzz probably. Good or bad match with this Seowon liquor? I felt the warmth too, bonding fast with Jia noona.
"They're super open-minded, seriously—no worries. Freaked when Seol-ah had zero boyfriends through high school."
"But unnie, you're single too."
"I dated in elementary—told Mom and Dad."
"Ancient history much..."
Elementary count? Fact was fact, but explained her condom freakout last time.
"Why no boyfriend for you, noona?"
Jia noona was pretty in her own way—could line guys up if she wanted. Personal reasons, probably.
"Me? Honestly, busy."
Freshmen slack most, sophomores grind?
"Semesters mean assignments, exams, tutoring gigs in spare time. Chasing scholarships—gotta hustle."
"Don't overdo it with tutoring... You've collapsed before. Rent's optional, seriously..."
Seeing tsundere-care from Seol-ah warmed me. Jia noona looked touched. She'd pushed to live together once; Seol-ah got her a solo place instead—and covered rent. Noona knew it was pocket change for her, but pride lingered.
"Full scholarship keeps allowance flowing—tutor cash covers rent. If you're marrying, save big while you can."
"...Fine. But drop tutoring if it's rough. Pay slow—no rush."
Great sisters. Seol-ah's no-strings rent, Jia noona's payback grind—both golden.
Chasing full scholarship myself, curiosity hit.
"Noona, got any past exams or notes?"
Uni side-note tests galore—dept handouts?
"No perfect leaks, but here's my summaries. You're the brother-in-law now, right? What was it... mae-bu?"
Mae-bu felt weirdly nice. Grateful for the hookup.
"You good at studying? High school?"
"Noeul High."
Pre-uni national scholarship locked mine—maintain GPA for continuity. Korea U's 4.3 scale: 3.5+. Miss once? No biggie, but grind anyway.
"Noeul's toughest public high. Top percentile? Dumb question...?"
"Yeah. Low 1-point range."
Hadn't shared grades with Seol-ah—she gawked. 2-point early? Auto Korea U pass, I recalled.
"Academy?"
"No study cram schools."
Seol-ah's eyes shifted—bitter tone.
"Not 'textbook-only,' right?"
"Textbooks alone? Nah nowadays. But reviewing 'em helped tons."
"......"
"......"
Sisters synced stares. Korea U kids do fine—why the vibe? Jia noona snorted oddly.
"...Your kid's getting all the looks and brains."
"Had to grab something earlier? Catch you next. Sion too."
Belly full, booze done—Jia noona dipped midway. Time home? Seol-ah beat me.
"Hey, stash clothes here. Tight for full cohab, but you'll crash often."
"Space?"
"Yeah. Drawer if needed."
Five-min walk—dashed to my studio, grabbed sleepwear, back. She'd changed to PJs, brushing teeth. Mine from last time? Brushed easy.
"Oh yeah, practice stuff—help?"
She finished first, nuzzling my back. Nodded, rinsed fresh.
"What practice?"
Her blush sparked unease. Spot-on, usually.
"...Baby-making practice."
"......"
Words innocent alone, but pure sex appeal. Why practice...? Post-baby talk, her shy delivery rushed blood south—brain vs. body warred. Guys can't infinite-fire post-five-day hold. Four rounds in under four hours? Stretch—even with rests. Seol-ah post-abstinence? Lust monster confirmed. No more "hold then go"—vowed it.
"Ughhh..."
"......"
Sun blazed, but bed-bound zombies groaned. Me and Seol-ah. Exhaust pinned my eyes shut; she belly-flopped, rubbing her waist. Minimum every three days—no, two—from now on. Felt it.