Chapter 11
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Cleaning
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Sujeong and Geumbi unexpectedly made up just like that.
It was partly thanks to me sandwiched in the middle, but seeing them calmly face each other and apologize felt like the mature, age-appropriate adult behavior it should be.
'We're only two or three years apart. I wonder if I'll end up like that a few years after I start working.'
Their working-professional aura was on a level where my military service didn't even compare, leaving me with nothing but an awkward smile.
With that, the two sisters finished briefing the younger siblings on Mom's situation and headed to their rooms to start their routines.
And that was when I finally began the chore I'd been putting off all morning.
The dreaded bathroom cleaning time had arrived...
"This would be better in the afternoon when my body's warmed up a bit. Why does everyone take such long showers every evening... Sigh."
Our family lived in a spacious two-story house with a yard, so there were plenty of household chores to go around, and we'd naturally divvied them up based on our roles.
I'd picked weekly jobs like bathroom cleaning to avoid the hassle of daily tasks... but actually doing it, this one was no slouch either.
"With so many people, limescale doesn't build up too fast, but shampoo and body wash run out quick and need constant refilling. And evenings, they tell me to finish cleaning early because they'll be showering in turns... Ugh. Starting the day exhausted like this!"
Just a bit ago, I'd been comfortably sitting in Geumbi's room soaking in the warmth.
Now here I was, squatting on cold tiles with water splashing everywhere. The sheer futility of this gap was beyond words.
"Ah, shampoo's empty again. Gotta buy more before dinner... Whew."
There'd been plenty left when I showered last night.
Geumbi showered before me, and Sujeong was careful with supplies... so it had to be Hwayeon. Damn girl, causing trouble in broad daylight.
"Hwayeon's no help around the house at all."
"What? Wanna die? Backtalk first thing in the morning?"
"Huh? H-Hwayeon?"
"Oppa, you know how bad it feels when someone badmouths you behind your back where no one's around? That's too much, seriously."
Like a tiger emerging, Hwayeon rubbed her eyes and flung open the bathroom door.
I panicked for a second, but quickly clocked her half-asleep state and corrected myself.
"Sorry, I'll watch it next time."
"Yaaawn~ Please do. Think about the person listening."
"Yeah, yeah. So what brings our little sis—who contributes zero to the housework—here?"
"Eek?! Not a single thing's changed!"
"You said no backtalk, so I switched to front-talk. Got a problem? Want some water?"
"Ugh, boring... Don't point the showerhead this way. I'm seriously gonna get wet!"
I'd sprayed for real to make a point, but she dodged it.
I kept disciplining my cheeky little sister while eyeing her—what was she really here for?
"The sisters upstairs were washing up, so I came down to the first floor. Yaaawn~."
"Not even fully awake and you're washing your face? Stay in your room and wait for them to finish like a good girl."
"That's why I need to wash my face, dummy."
"Calling your oppa a dummy? Wanna get soaked outside the bathroom?"
"Aah~ Anyway, hurry up and finish cleaning. I gotta head out soon."
"It's the weekend—where to? Group project?"
"Show some interest in your sister. I've been doing weekend part-time work since two weeks ago, got it?"
"No kidding? You're always holed up in your room; how would I know."
"Just means you don't care about me. But you nag Mokhui every chance about needing allowance."
"Our maknae got into a good college. Freshman year costs a ton in all sorts of ways."
"I got into a pretty good college too?"
"After a year of cram school. Sigh, when I heard in the army... man, my future looked so bleak..."
"Aaaah, fine! Take your time cleaning—just shut up. I'm out, out! Tch!"
I fake-sniffled with teary eyes, and Hwayeon shook her head wildly before fleeing outside.
But she's got a big misunderstanding. It's not the cram school year keeping me from giving her allowance. It's her attitude.
'Not quite as polite as Mokhui, but tone down the swearing a bit... She really takes after Geumbi in that way, so why do those two fight all the time?'
Kinslaying? Or kin hatred?
Lucky the morning fight was with Sujeong. No hair-pulling involved.
'Hair-pulling reminds me—she's the one who used up the shampoo. Self-dyeing again or whatever, what a mess. Tsk tsk.'
I clicked my tongue recalling Hwayeon's awkwardly chopped red-tinted bob, so different from yesterday.
Should've just hosed her down for real. No wonder there were so many stains in the bathroom. And she's the reason I'm suffering, yet she comes whining?
"Hey, you still not done cleaning~?"
"You were just here! Quit rushing me... Huh? Noona?!"
"Kyaa! Cold! What're you doing, Jigu?"
"S-Sorry. Thought you were Hwayeon, so I just..."
Frustrated by a stubborn stain no amount of scrubbing would budge, I'd splashed the returning visitor.
But this visitor was on her first drop-in, and now in the changing area outside the bathroom, a drenched Sujeong was clutching her top with her arms.
"Even if you thought it was Hwayeon, you can't just splash her! Jigu, are you still a kid pulling pranks like that?"
"It wasn't a prank without reason... Anyway, sorry. I'll grab a towel right now."
I fumbled to hand Sujeong a towel, and she rubbed it over her hair to dry off.
But that lifted the arm covering her front, and the white tee she wore... was soaked and utterly useless now.
"Urgh! Dry off slowly, noona. I'll wait outside."
"Wait, hold on. Got something to ask since you're here, Jigu."
"What? I'll turn around, so spit it out quick."
"You... said you're gonna sleep in Geumbi's room during the day from now on?"
Sujeong stopped me from bolting out, and I stared pointedly away from her upper body.
But the changing room mirror reflected her chest, putting me in another bind, so I shut my eyes and replayed her words in my head.
'What does that even mean? Sleep in Geumbi's room? Me?'
Something must've gotten lost in translation, but Sujeong continued.
"Hugging her tight, stroking her, patting her... that's the plan?"
"Mm, no clue what Geumbi told you, but it's a misunderstanding. I just agreed to drop by sometimes and talk things out."
"Really...? So when you went to her room earlier, no hugging or anything?"
"......That time was to console her. Ended up patting her a bit, which led to a light hug."
I corrected the misinformation, but couldn't flat-out deny the follow-up grilling.
I tried explaining the situation to plead for understanding, but Sujeong's unease only seemed to grow.
"Not my place to say, but... siblings or not, you're still a guy and a girl. Be careful not to get too close."
"Circumstances left me no choice this time. And honestly, not sure that's something for you to say, noona..."
"I-I'm always been touchy-feely with my siblings anyway. But Geumbi's not like that? If the prickly one suddenly gets all buddy-buddy... it might lead to weird thoughts."
This sounded just like the advice Geumbi gave me yesterday.
These two really were sisters. Maybe that's why they made up so quick—their mindsets matched.
"I get the gist. If someone flips a switch out of nowhere, it could spark unnecessary trouble?"
"Exactly. Especially since... we don't know how things'll turn out for Geumbi yet."
"I'll be extra careful. Loud and clear, noona."
It was already sensitive, but if Geumbi was adopted, it'd be even more so.
'...But doesn't that apply to you too, noona?' The question rose to the tip of my tongue, but with eyes closed, I barely kept my mouth shut.
Man, stuck in the middle and suffering all around.
Mom needs to get back soon... Oh, right, fat chance of that now.
"Noona, any more news on Mom? Exact discharge date or return flight?"
"Dunno... But with a month-long hospital stay plus work, she'll probably be stuck there awhile. She always bunches up her vacation days anyway."
"Missed the timing once, so next leave is way off?"
"Yeah. Geumbi... just sighed when she heard."
Truth be told, I felt kinda the same.
Complicated mess just keeps tangling, no sign of unraveling.
"So Jigu, you're in charge... till Mom gets back. Of course, keep firm boundaries as siblings."
"I'll do my best. Can't say 'leave it to me' with full confidence, but don't worry too much, noona."
"Heh, shouldn't you say 'trust me no matter what' here?"
"Don't wanna lie to you, noona."
My idiotically honest reply made Sujeong laugh, like it built trust instead.
But easy words, heavy responsibility. Suddenly in charge of mental support for Sujeong and Geumbi both.
'Eh, it'll work out. Tomorrow the sisters go back to work, and I'll have way more alone time at home.'
Wonder if that'll get boring though?
Maybe I should look for a part-time gig like Hwayeon.
"Huaa, all dry. Thanks for the towel, Jigu."
"Done already? You got that soaked—Whoa?!"
"Ah, just dried the water... haven't changed clothes yet. Hehe."
Where'd the person lecturing me about not messing up with Geumbi go?
I opened my eyes to see Sujeong behind me, barely covering her chest with both arms.
"W-Why are you half-naked like that? Put some clothes on!"
"Wasn't planning to shower, so... didn't bring a shirt."
"Then go get one quick! And why no bra?!"
"Who wears a bra lounging at home on their day off? Thought you were a grown man, Jigu, but still a kid in some ways?"
"If you're an adult, act like it, noona! Hurry back. No—don't come back after changing in your room!"
Sujeong hollered endlessly, amused by my averted eyes and flailing, teasing me shamelessly without a hint of embarrassment.
She only saw me as her cute little bro, but I'd grown way past what she thought. So cover up properly, damn it. Hide it well.
'No matter how I slice it, Sujeong's in no position to worry about others. Take care of yourself first, please...!'
Face burning, I desperately fled as my sister giggled, barely shielding her top with a wet towel.
The chase in the cramped changing room ended when I refocused on bathroom cleaning.
"Guess I'll head up~ See ya later, Jigu."
"Don't ever come back! And don't think about seeing me later, ugh."
She knew she rattled me, waving leisurely to the end.
Afterward, I scrubbed every corner, splashing water to wash away my turmoil and self-reproach.
"Hey, still not done clea—Kyaa?!"
The door burst open, and I'd hosted Waterbomb Festival twice today already.
"...Oh, Hwayeon. You scared me too."
"I got scared more, jerk?! What about my hair?!"
Luckily, unlike Sujeong, Hwayeon wore a colorful tee with plenty to look at.
And her wet hair? Whatever.
"Might as well shower since you're wet. Anyway, just finished cleaning."
"Ugh, for real! Pissing me off—get out quick, oppa!"
Letting stray thoughts wash away like the running water, I strode out without hesitation.
Finished cleaning the upstairs bathroom and kitchen too, finally stretching my back.
Been going nonstop since early morning, body screaming fatigue. Dragging my creaky legs toward my room to crash...
"Jigu Yang."
"Yeah? Geumbi noona?"
"Come to my room for a sec."
"Huh? Why? I just finished cleaning..."
"Why do you think? It's... still daytime."
No breather, as Geumbi dragged me off.
Heard they'd made up fine with Sujeong, so what was left? What now?
'Whatever, I just wanna lie down right now.'
Stumbling into Geumbi's locked room.
Whatever she was about to say, I ditched it all and flopped onto the bed.
"Hey, hey? Who said you could lie there?!"
I figured a rain of nagging was incoming.
But whatever, I just wanted to melt into the soft bedding right then.
'This scent—same as in the bathroom. Guess it's normal living in the same house.'
Geumbi's bed carried the scent of the used-up bathroom shampoo.
It was the same aroma I'd caught hours ago hugging her, letting me relive that warmth as my eyes drifted shut peacefully.
"Get up, hey... Seriously."
A voice shook me from the side, but I ignored it lightly.
Maybe as payback from earlier, the shaking hands soon turned to timid pats.