School Trip (10): The Unspoken Consultation
Kim Hayan and Choi Seonwoo were talking alone. They were too far away for me to hear anything. What could those two possibly have to discuss in a situation like this? I didn't want to believe it, but according to the original game plot, there was only one thing Kim Hayan would bring up at this exact timing.
A consultation about her little brother—me. She'd ask if they could talk later, and Seonwoo would decide whether to do it that evening or in the morning. An event like that.
But no matter how I thought about it, there was no reason for Hayan sis to be troubled over me. She'd gotten her fun out of it today if anything—setting up Choi Gahee and Lee Yuyeong like that. She'd played nice with these yanderes, too.
Still, I had to hear what they'd actually said. Just in case. I couldn't miss any potential flags.
When we reached the bus stop, I headed over to Hayan sis. Seonwoo was chatting with the other kids.
"Sis."
"Yeah, Taeyangie?"
Hayan sis didn't look worried at all. So it wasn't a consultation after all? I cautiously asked the smiling sis,
"Uh... just in case, but nothing upsetting happened because of me, right?"
"Huh? Upsetting how?"
"Just asking. If something bothers you or you get worried because of me, just tell me straight up."
Hayan sis tilted her head, then smiled and gently stroked my hair.
"Aww~ How could sis be upset when our Taeyang's this sweet?"
"Good, then."
Guess it was pointless worrying. Of course friends like Seonwoo and Hayan sis would chat sometimes.
"Oh, there is one thing."
"What?"
I looked at sis in surprise, and she grinned mischievously before saying,
"What're you gonna do about all these girls you're charming, Taeyangie?"
Hayan sis pointed at two girls with her hand. Lee Yuyeong and Choi Gahee, who were glancing over at how Hayan sis was petting my head. They wanted to come closer but were holding back because of sis.
"Charming? I've never done that."
Anyone overhearing would get the wrong idea! Like I'd charmed them! I never even thought that—they're the ones who came at me spouting nonsense on their own!!
Swallowing my frustration, I properly explained to Hayan sis.
"Seems like there's a misunderstanding, but I'm not thinking about dating yet."
So please don't drag Gahee sis or Yuyeong into this for no reason.
"Oh dear, that's a big problem."
"Big problem how..."
A third-year middle schooler not being into dating was totally normal, right?
That's when Min Iri sis butted in. It was some weird nonsense again, as usual.
"That's a real problem. Still hung up on your blood sis, huh?"
"Never said that."
At this point, didn't Iri sis just wish I was a siscon?
"Sure, sure. How about this big sis, then?"
Iri sis smirked slyly and pointed at herself with a finger.
"Wanna get married?"
"Ugh... that again?"
"You brain-broke first, hubby."
"Cut it out. It's embarrassing."
We were having our usual dumb conversation. And that dumb conversation led to a dumb mistake.
"Um... Iri?"
"Yeah?"
"Mind explaining what that's all about?"
"Ah..."
At Gahee sis's chilling voice, I whipped around to see her approaching, her smile frozen, eyes starting to cloud over.
"Sis?"
Right—one more was there. I'd lost my mind for a second.
"Tell me I heard that wrong?"
Lee Yuyeong, openly pissed, shuffled over like a zombie next to Gahee, staring at Iri with lifeless eyes.
"Taeyang's just messing around."
Iri sis either didn't notice their states or was hiding her embarrassment by waving it off.
"Taeyang?"
Both their gazes locked onto me.
"Iri sis kept teasing me last time, so I flipped it and told her to stop as a joke."
"Oh?"
"So... keep teasing Taeyang and you can marry him?"
"Gahee sis, don't jump to conclusions!! Calm down, both of you. I'm not thinking marriage yet!"
As I snapped, light slowly returned to their blank eyes.
"What, that's it?"
"Haha, just joking!"
Yuyeong accepted it, and Gahee sis laughed it off as a gag. They both knew it wasn't really a joke.
"Taeyang really knows how to pick 'em up and drop 'em."
"Sis..."
I glared at Hayan sis accusingly, then just sighed deeply. Whatever—as long as it wasn't a consultation request, it was fine.
Luckily, we split up for the gathering spot without further incident.
"Still uneasy, though."
I'd gotten burned too many times by letting my guard down. I'd smash a Seonwoo-related flag, only for him to desperately patch it up. Or I'd think, No way she'll go yandere? This won't make it dangerous?—and it'd come back to bite me later.
I couldn't get complacent now, or who knew what disaster would hit. Especially Kim Hayan's flag—it absolutely could not happen.
After pondering in my dorm for a bit, I made a call.
"Hello? Sis."
"Hey, Taeyangie. Made it to the dorm okay?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Sis just finished dinner and hanging with friends."
"Which friends?"
"Aww, Taeyangie's so interested in sis?"
"Just checking, in case."
"Maybe show some of that interest to other girls too..."
"You're dragging this out—don't tell me you're at the boys' dorm?"
Her words cut off at that, then burst into laughter.
"What~? That's what you were worried about? Taeyangie, honestly."
"I'm your brother?"
"Taeyang!!"
Seong Juyeon and Iri sis's voices came through.
"Yeah, he called 'cause he was worried you might go to the boys' dorm?"
"...You're not actually a siscon, are you?"
I wanted to retort to Juyeon's dubious tone but held back. No point feeding the teasing.
"Just messing!! Geez, can't a brother worry about his sis?"
Laughter rang out again, then Hayan sis said,
"Thanks. We're just gonna chat and hang in our room. No need to worry."
"You never know—some boys might show up suddenly."
Just as I started relaxing, Iri sis's voice from the side stirred up anxiety again. If Seonwoo was among those boys... Even if Hayan sis hadn't requested a consultation, some variable could pop up and have him visit her room with friends.
In the game plot, the girls would call him over to Gahee sis's room to play, but still.
Better to take the risk and eliminate the threat for sure.
After hesitating, I steeled myself.
"I'm out for a walk—mind if I swing by to see you girls real quick?"
"What?"
I'd get teased as a siscon, but no choice here. I needed to see it with my own eyes to relax.
"Heard middle schoolers get curfew lockdown?"
"Quick walk after permission's fine. Not too late yet."
Total lie, of course. I'd get punished if caught. But I'd already resolved to it.
"Hm... outsiders aren't supposed to come in..."
True—if I got caught sneaking, even as her brother, they'd call both schools and we'd get reamed.
"I'll sneak in quick and out. Got something to pass on too."
"Something to pass?"
"Yeah, cookies I bought as souvenirs to share with you girls. But the dorm kids keep begging, so probably not much left by tomorrow."
"Oho~ Thoughtful, looking out for your sisters."
Actually, just stuff I'd grabbed at the Teddy Bear Museum to munch on the flight home. Packaging unopened, grapefruity scent and color, nothing special.
Any excuse would do.
"Sounds fun—tell him to come! Gotta make memories like this!"
Iri sis backed me enthusiastically.
"Yeah, meeting outside the dorm briefly should be okay."
Hayan sis finally okayed it, and after a "be careful" warning, I hung up.
"Phew~ Let's go."
Head to Seonwoo's dorm and completely block Kim Hayan's flag.
I glanced around and headed down to the first floor. No teachers yet.
Straight to the front entrance, bold as brass.
"Huh, Taeyang?"
The sudden call startled me—I spun around fast.
"Taeyang, whatcha doing?"
"Phew~"
Thank god, not a teacher. It was Yuyeong. She'd come out with friends, chatting on the first-floor lounge sofas. Her friends were visible.
Looked like she'd stepped out alone and bumped into me. The others didn't seem too interested over here.
"Heading out now?"
I put a finger to my lips, shushing Yuyeong. Then, handing her a random cookie as a gag and "don't follow" bribe.
"Here—keep it secret from the teachers. And don't tag along."
With that, I bolted outside.
"Huh? Yuyeong. Wasn't that just..."
While Yuyeong stood dazed, a sharp friend approached.
"Taeyang?"
"Huh? Oh, no."
"You look flustered. Don't sweat it—teachers won't snitch over a quick outing."
"Ah, haha, thanks for covering."
The friend glanced down at Yuyeong's hand. The cookie she'd taken from Taeyang in her daze.
"Hmm... gift from Taeyang?"
"Yeah. Got it as a hush money condition."
She tore open the packaging right there.
"Hush money? Kinda blatant for that."
The friend giggled, hand over mouth, eyes sparkling.
"What, what is it?"
The others crowded in, curious.
"Guys, Taeyang gave Yuyeong heart-shaped cookies."
"Kyaa~!! That's basically official, right?"
One hyped on the dating buzz grabbed and shook Yuyeong, whose face flushed as she snapped out of it.
"My first... gift from Taeyang."
Peeling back the wrap revealed a paper note—"Remember me"—meant to evoke trip memories, alongside heart cookies dyed red with grapefruit coloring.