Chapter 13
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Fragrance
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Sujeong noona's gaze was practically asking if I'd really napped with Geumbi noona. I responded with an awkward smile.
That seemed answer enough for her. She whipped the blanket over herself and turned her back to me completely.
"I'm going to sleep first. Night."
"Uh, yeah... night, noona."
It was a perfectly ordinary goodnight, but her tone was stiffer than usual.
The chilly vibe she was giving off made it clear I couldn't just close my eyes and let it go...
'What do I even say? It's not like I did anything wrong—we just slept, same as with Sujeong noona.'
What on earth was I supposed to say here?
How long had it even been since she'd pointed it out? Did I need to apologize for mindlessly crashing in the same bed as Geumbi noona?
Or confess that we'd agreed to just talk, but I'd jumped the gun with some skinship?
'It's all meddling anyway. Sujeong noona was in the exact same spot, so if I say anything, it'll just come off as "do as I say, not as I do."'
Apologizing or confessing both felt iffy, so I gave up on fumbling for words.
Instead, I scooted closer to the inexplicably sulky Sujeong noona, gently wrapping my arms around her back and waist.
Her shrimp-curled body fit perfectly into my embrace.
She spoke from under the covers, hugged from behind like that.
"What are you doing right now?"
"Just your standard sibling skinship?"
"...Jigu, is this standard skinship to you?"
"You said it yourself, noona. You told me hugging and petting between family has always been normal for you."
"That's when I was doing it. You've never said it was normal for you."
"If you can dish it out, you can take it too. Remember just a few days ago? I hugged and stroked you right back."
"......That was after we heard about Mom. That doesn't count."
"Not then. Back in the kitchen, when we were messing around and Geumbi noona caught us."
Sujeong noona was keeping up an uncharacteristically cold front, but my solid point made her body twitch.
If this were a debate, I'd have pressed harder, but instead I backed off a step, giving her some breathing room.
"Sure, that time you started it first, so hitting back isn't exactly everyday stuff. I know it's weird."
"...Yeah, good that you know."
"But flip it around—it means I've got it in my arsenal but been holding back. So doesn't that mean I can pull it out when it's needed?"
"And now's one of those times?"
"Yeah. The perfect skinship for how you're feeling right now."
I laid out the case for back-hugs while pressing even closer to Sujeong noona.
Soon, my pounding heartbeat reached her back, and she peeked her head out from under the blanket to shoot me a glare.
"Did you comfort Geumbi like this too?"
"No way. With her temper, she'd kick me into next week if I tried."
"...Heh, yeah, you're right."
She must've pictured it, because Sujeong noona let a little laugh slip out unconsciously.
I didn't miss the opening. I smoothed her tousled hair, melting the tension.
"Nothing happened with Geumbi noona. Not the stuff you're worried about, and definitely no skinship."
"Oh? Well, it's not like I need to grill you about it..."
"But it can still sting. I get it, noona. It hasn't even been that long since your advice, and now sketchy rumors are already floating around. Sorry for making you misunderstand."
"...No misunderstanding. Just... you two got so close all of a sudden, I wondered if you'd brushed off what I said."
"As if. You've always been number one to me, noona."
"Don't turn it into some weird contest. Think that'll make me happy? Hmph."
Like Geumbi noona upstairs, Sujeong noona averted her eyes as her cheeks flushed.
It was obvious she was pleased, so I held back a grin and gathered her hair into a ponytail.
'Knew it. Just a little thing to get jealous over, huh? Heh.'
I laid the ponytail on the pillow, reading her feelings.
As the eldest, the big sister, I knew the weight of responsibility she carried, so I never dismissed it as nosiness or meddling.
I just breathed in the scent of her hair on the pillow, grateful and at ease.
To the noona who cared so deeply for me, Geumbi noona, and our whole family, I bowed my head in silent thanks.
"Eek? Why sniff my hair... like a pervert."
"I like your shampoo scent, noona. This is the new one, huh?"
"We're all using the same shampoo anyway. What? ...You didn't sniff Geumbi's?"
"That nap in her room was before her shower, and I passed out without thinking. No time for weird stuff."
"Hmm~ I see. So that's how it was, heh."
"You look kinda happy about it?"
"What? Why would this make me happy?"
"Your mouth's twitching, noona."
"This is just me laughing at how ridiculous it is. Pitiful, seeing my little bro still gripping my hair knowing it's weird."
"Should I stop?"
"...Do whatever. It's family shampoo, so good to know the scent... I guess."
She told me to do as I pleased but tacked on the hint anyway.
Taking her cue, I savored her hair's scent a while longer, and the subtle aroma soon had my eyes drifting shut.
"Noona."
"Yeah."
"Getting sleepy now. This okay to sleep like?"
"...I'm still in your arms."
"We've slept hugging plenty of times already."
"Mutual for comfort's different from you clinging one-sided."
"Want me facing you instead?"
"...Don't twist my words. I just meant it's not our usual."
"So you hate it?"
"Not hate, but... I toss and turn at night. Might bug you."
"It's fine. I know your sleep habits are rough now."
"They're not! Where'd you get that from?"
"True, you always sleep through when I wake up, so no wonder you don't know."
"......"
"Noona?"
"Yeah, right. I wake up later than you, so I wouldn't know. Sure."
Sujeong noona seemed worried she'd thrash around, but I was used to it by now.
Holding her like this actually made falling asleep easier. Her scent lulled me right in.
'Plus, this position avoids any accidents she's fretting over. Can't see faces, no bumping into chests or anything.'
It'd prevent a repeat of the Geumbi noona incident when we woke too.
...Wait, speaking of, I kinda lied about no special skinship with her. Not during sleep, but right after waking? Total blunder.
"Jigu."
"Yeah, noona."
"Sigh, fine. If it's not uncomfortable for you... this should be okay to sleep."
The guilty memory hit late, tightening my chest, but Sujeong noona nodded and closed her eyes.
She curled up with hands clasped, like she was embarrassed even saying it, and seemed to drift off quick.
I couldn't bring myself to wake her... so I hesitated, then settled into holding the position.
'Eh, whatever. Past is past, now is now. I started it, so I'll see it through. Whew.'
Touching Geumbi noona's chest? She'd forgiven it anyway.
I let go of rekindling that spark and slid my hand down near Sujeong noona's navel so my arm wouldn't cramp.
"Eek, heh..."
Her thin shirt tickled at my fingertips, drawing a soft breath from her.
To spare her embarrassment, I acted like nothing happened, kept my other hand on her back, and finally powered down my brain.
'Night, noona... love you.'
Deep down, she was the one who treasured us most in the family.
The noona who'd begged for hugs as a kid was now held tight by me, my "I love you" tucked away for her shy heart.
Tick-tock.
The living room clock was the only sound in the dead-of-night bedroom.
Whoever stirred in the dark didn't make enough noise to wake the sleeping.
Morning came.
No alarm, but I knew because Sujeong noona—who'd woken first for once—was bustling around.
She darted in and out, gathering stuff, changing clothes maybe, making way more noise than usual.
And she wasn't the only busy one—Geumbi noona's voice and others drifted in sporadically.
'What's up? Party without me...? Hmm.'
Curious, but not enough to shake off the sleepies.
I rolled over, held my breath quiet, and my brain started slipping back into rest...
Then someone climbed onto the bed.
Rustling as they pushed the covers aside, and even eyes closed, I felt hot breath brush my skin.
"Mm... huh? What?"
"Eek?! A-awake, Jigu? You can sleep more."
"Yeah... when'd you get up, noona?"
"Oh, back to weekdays today. Working folk gotta rise early for prep."
"Ah, right... yawn."
Half-blind with sleep, I propped up my torso to see Sujeong noona off.
She fiddled with her lips—checking her tint maybe—and hurried off the bed, clearly swamped.
"Have a good one, noona... yawn."
"Yeah, you sleep more, Jigu. You look beat."
"Mm, will do... mm."
Door clicked shut. I shut my eyes and flopped back on the pillow.
Shifting for the perfect spot, one cheek felt sticky—like I'd drooled in my sleep.
'Eek?! What the—morning already...? Hope noona didn't see. Mortifying.'
Wiped it off, but the gross feeling lingered.
Face wash first thing, I thought, flipping the brain switch off again.
Maybe from sleeping stuck together all night.
Face up, including my flushed cheek, carried a faint trace of Sujeong noona's fragrance.