Unemployed + Invincible = The Strongest
I returned home with Eunhye after meeting Jihee.
“I’m back.”
«Perfect timing.»
“What?”
«Aju’s sleeping right here.»
“Ah.”
I spotted Aju slumped over the living room table, fast asleep just like last time. Seriously, how many times did I have to tell her not to do this before she’d listen?
“Aju. Hey, Aju.”
I rested my hand on her back and gently shook her while calling her name. Her eyelids fluttered open with effort, and she stared up at me with a hazy, dreamy expression.
“Ah… Riha oppa.”
“Sigh. I told you not to sleep here.”
“Sorry… uuu.”
“Why are you pouting like you did something right?”
In a situation where I was supposed to be scolding her, Aju wore a look that said she was the one with the complaint. I gave her cheek a light pinch. She kept pouting.
“O-oppa, you lied too…”
“I did?”
I was puzzled by her sudden accusation and let go of her cheek. She turned her face slightly away from me.
“Last time Riha oppa said you’d always be home, so I wouldn’t have to wait up.”
“Ah.”
“But today you didn’t come back until so late…”
“…”
«Looks like you’ve got nothing to say to that.»
I wanted to tell him to shut up, but saying it now would make Aju think I was talking to her.
More importantly, listening to her…
“So you stayed up waiting for me and ended up falling asleep here?”
“…Yes.”
Still looking away, Aju rolled her eyes toward me and gave a small nod.
What could I even say? When I first saw her sleeping in the living room, I’d planned to give her a proper scolding so she wouldn’t do it again.
But after hearing her reason… none of that seemed to matter anymore.
“Hah. Seriously… At least you kept your promise about waiting for me.”
“…”
I’d thought she wasn’t following a single thing I said, but learning I was wrong, I reached out and stroked her hair. Her small head, the soft strands, the way she flinched just a little each time I touched her—it all felt strangely pleasant.
“Anyway, I’m home now, so go sleep in your room.”
“Okay. Ah, Riha oppa.”
“Yeah?”
Aju, who had started to get up from the table, called out to me.
And then—
“Welcome back.”
“…” / «…»
That greeting was probably something Daeho used to hear every single day. But no one would ever say those words to him again.
All three of us here knew that.
“Yeah. I’m back.”
“Hehe, you finally said it.”
«Good boy.»
None of us showed our sense of loss. We understood better than anyone that each of us felt it just as deeply as the others. There was no need to put it into words.
The next morning, after meeting Jihee with Eunhye, I was seeing Aju off to school like always.
“…I have to go to school now…”
“This is definitely needed in the morning~”
“…Uuu.”
Following our usual routine, I played with her cheeks while Aju wore that same slightly awkward expression.
Still… it felt like she was welcoming it a little. Or maybe I was imagining things.
“Okay, charge complete. All done.”
“Uuu… hehe.”
When I finally let go, Aju lightly rubbed the spot I’d touched and broke into a small smile. At this point, she might actually enjoy the routine.
“Aju.”
“Yes?”
“Has school gotten any better lately?”
“Ah…”
It had been two days since I learned about her situation at school. I didn’t expect any big changes in that short time, but I asked anyway. Aju answered,
“…Honestly, not much has changed.”
“But strangely, it’s okay. Ever since you came to pick me up… everything feels so much better. Hehe.”
She said it playfully, in her usual way, in that pure Aju way—while smiling.
Seeing her like that, I felt a deep sense of relief inside. I already knew how strong she was.
Even without me, Aju would have struggled through it and held on. She wasn’t the kind of person who would break over something like that.
“Right. Who do you think you grew up watching?”
“Exactly. Hehe.”
«…Hmph.»
Aju was Daeho’s little sister. There was no way she could be weak after growing up beside him, watching him, learning from him.
That’s why nothing I did from now on was her fault. This was just me… doing what I thought was best for her. Yeah. Unnecessary meddling.
“Aju. Have a good day.”
“I will. Riha oppa. See you later.”
I watched Aju walk off with that bright smile still on her face. The moment the front door closed, Daeho came up beside me.
“She really is strong.”
«Of course. Whose sister do you think she is?»
“Exactly. Haha.”
It had only been two weeks since she lost Daeho, her last remaining family member. Even if she hadn’t fully overcome the grief and emptiness yet, Aju could still smile in front of us.
Someone who could conquer pain and keep moving forward. No one in the world could call a person like that weak.
“The bastards who made someone that strong suffer… We can’t just leave them alone.”
«That was the plan from the start.»
“Says the guy who was only watching until now.”
«…Well, you weren’t here.»
“Is that right? Then… now that I’m here, let’s stir up some chaos again. Partner.”
«…Hah. The troublemaker speaks.»
Thud.
Without a word, we bumped fists—well, Daeho used his front paw.
“Go on ahead.”
«Got it.»
“Just checking… you sure you’re okay with this?”
We had already finished our strategy meeting last night about what we’d do today. Out of everything, Daeho had chosen to handle something I could never do myself.
«I’m fine. By the way, you know what?»
“What?”
«The Constitution of the Republic of Korea cannot punish cats.»
“…Hah. Completely invincible.”
«While you’re completely unemployed.»
“Then it’s the unemployed and invincible duo? That’s the ultimate combination. Hahaha.”
«Such a carefree guy… Heh.»
How many people in this world have a friend who makes them believe they can do anything together?
At least one of them is me.
I’m so glad this guy isn’t my enemy. I always feel it, but whenever I do something with Daeho, I feel completely reassured.
«I’m heading out first.»
“Yeah. I’ll follow soon.”
Alright then…
«Don’t be late.»
“I won’t. Not ever.”
Time to begin.
Aju Side.
On my way to school after Riha oppa saw me off, the warmth of his hand still lingered on my cheek, filling my heart with gentle heat.
Even after I entered the school building, that warmth stayed with me. As long as I had it, I thought I could endure the usual silence where no one spoke to me.
…Or so I thought.
“Lee Riha.”
I never expected anyone to call my name.
“Huh? Oh… Jihee.”
“Hi.”
The person calling my rarely-heard name was Jihee, looking as tired as ever. Her bleached blonde hair and the slightly messy way she wore her uniform made her stand out whether you wanted her to or not.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Hm? Ah… nothing really. I just felt like talking to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Anyway. Yawn.”
With that, Jihee yawned like her business was finished and started to walk past me.
…It was just like yesterday. She had called out to me then too, seemed to reach some conclusion on her own, and left.
It was almost like—
“…Pfft.”
“Hm?”
I couldn’t hold back the laugh that slipped out. Jihee turned around and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Why did you laugh just now?”
“Ah, sorry. Did it bother you?”
“No, I’m just curious. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you smile.”
“…”
A while, she said.
Did Jihee know about me? Honestly, I didn’t know much about what kind of person she was…
Or maybe she was the type who quietly observed everything around her.
“So why did you laugh?”
She didn’t sound angry. She was genuinely curious.
To that Jihee, I told her the honest truth.
“It’s just… your vibe, Jihee. It reminded me of someone I know.”
“Someone you know?”
“Yeah… someone really precious to me. That person also does whatever they want, just like you. Ah, I’m not insulting you.”
I quickly added the last part when I realized it could sound bad, but Jihee didn’t seem to care.
Instead—
“Hmmm~~”
She looked at me with a smile like she’d discovered something interesting.
“J-Jihee?”
“Was that the person who carried you and ran off the day before yesterday?”
“Ah…”
How did she know?
Flustered, I instinctively covered the cheeks Riha oppa had pinched with both hands. I could feel my face growing hotter.
Watching me, Jihee didn’t even try to hold back her laughter. In fact, it didn’t look like she had any intention of doing so from the start.
“Pfft, hahaha~ You’re seriously so much fun.”
“…Uuu.”
“Sorry~ It’s just… thinking about it, I’ve been at this school for three years and never really talked to you properly. It feels like a waste now.”
“A waste?”
“Yeah. If I’d known you were this interesting, I would’ve become friends with you way sooner. Hehe.”
Huh? What did she just say…?
“Anyway, I’m going first. Morning assembly’s soon, so don’t be late.”
I stood there stunned by the word “friends” that had slipped so casually from her mouth, watching Jihee’s back as she headed to the classroom.
How long had it been since I last heard that word?
“…Heh.”
The fact that she could say it so easily was strangely funny.
For the first time in a long while, at school, I—
“Hehe.”
—could smile from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to that, my steps toward the classroom felt lighter than ever, and for some reason, today… felt just a little exciting.
And that small hope of mine took a completely unexpected turn when—
—during lunch, Riha oppa’s voice suddenly echoed through the entire school.