Chapter 25
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Bedtime with Two Sisters
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Is it really that big a deal who sleeps next to me?
We're not doing anything weird. We're just sleeping.
'Sure, if something did happen, that'd be a real problem.'
I scratched my head and picked up the last crumbs of snacks to eat.
My sisters set down their empty beer cans and joined in the crumb hunt.
"……."
"……."
"……."
Like some staring contest, the three of us chewed our lips and stared at the table.
The convenience store door chimed as a few customers came and went, and after it rang about three times, someone finally spoke up.
"To begin with, why do you keep sleeping in Jigu's room, Sis?"
The bold one who broke the silence was Geumbi, the feistiest of us.
It was a relief the arrow had shifted away from me, but Sujeong, caught off guard, couldn't hide her fluster.
"Well, there's no particular reason, but... sleeping with Jigu makes me feel safe and comfortable..."
"Why? His bed or blankets aren't anything special."
"It's not about the bedding. It's Jigu himself... Having him next to me calms me down."
"What, is he some kind of aromatherapy? That's ridiculous."
"Eek?! But it's true..."
Geumbi made a face like she couldn't believe it, while Sujeong bit her lip and groaned.
But she couldn't come up with a logical explanation anymore, so no further rebuttals followed.
'Yeah, makes sense. At first, I was her only option, but now that's not the case.'
It seemed like a habit formed from repetition.
You know Pavlov's dogs? They got fed every time the bell rang, and eventually, just the sound made them salivate.
'She's been sleeping soundly next to me every time, so now just having me there lets her sleep deeply. Could be a form of dependence.'
Being a step removed from Sujeong, I understood the situation faster.
Right on cue, the store chime rang again, and I smoothly inserted myself between them.
"Geumbi's right. We can't keep doing this forever."
"Right? Finally saying something sensible."
"But... Sujeong's been struggling lately, hasn't she? She went solo drinking yesterday and called me out today for a talk."
"Well, yeah, that's true."
"So until she calms down... maybe it's okay to keep things like this for a while."
I'd voiced exactly what Sujeong wanted to say but couldn't.
That as the eldest, it was hard for her to admit leaning on her little brother in her time of need.
'Even if it's dependence, it'll end soon anyway. It's Sujeong, after all. At most a week, and she'll be back to normal.'
No need to wait for Mom's return from overseas.
Sujeong had been playing the mom role in our parentless home, so I wanted to support her for a few days.
That noble, heartfelt intention was behind my words...
"Jigu Yang."
"Yeah?"
"You're talking like you don't want to be separated from Sujeong Sis, aren't you?"
"Huh? No, that's not..."
"What do you mean no? Bottom line, you're saying you'll snuggle up with her tonight and tomorrow too."
"We're not exactly snuggling that much..."
"Whatever. You toss and turn in your sleep, bodies writhe around, and sometimes they end up stuck together. Right?"
"Well... I can't say it never happens."
"See? Just as I thought!"
For some reason, my true feelings weren't getting through to Geumbi.
She was lumping it all together as suspicious behavior.
"It's not just Jigu. You're doing it too, Sis."
"Wh-what?"
"I get that you're all messed up inside. But why Jigu of all people? First night, fine. But now you could lean on me or the others. That's what you should do."
"That's... true, but."
"Then why aren't you? Is there some reason it has to be Jigu?"
"It just kinda happened... and kept going that way."
"Then let's change it now. We have options, so no reason to stick to Jigu."
Having confirmed with me and now Sujeong, Geumbi was pushing for a firm decision.
But Sujeong hesitated, mumbling, while Geumbi impatiently tapped her fingers on the table.
Ding-a-ling. The door chime rang again moments later.
As if on signal, after some heavy thought, Sujeong spoke up.
"But hey, Geumbi."
"What?"
"Then... who sleeps with me? Are you gonna sleep with me?"
"Huh? Why me? There's Hwayeon and Mokhui."
"You're against Jigu but okay shoving me onto much younger sisters? They don't even know the situation."
"Then... just use my room. It's pretty big, no big deal."
"I think it would be."
"Why?"
"You've called Jigu over to your room multiple times because you were anxious."
"...Huh?"
"I know. Him going in and out of your room, and yesterday you even slept there."
"Th-that was all coincidental... by chance..."
"But when we say that, you call it no excuse?"
"Eek."
Sujeong was Sujeong, through and through.
One strike, and Geumbi—who'd been so steadfast—shrank back. Seizing the momentum, Sujeong swung the blade at her throat.
"What good does it do for two anxious people to huddle together?"
"Well... but Sis..."
"Plus, you leaned on Jigu when you were struggling, so telling me not to is hypocritical, isn't it? That's what they call 'rules for thee but not for me.'"
"No, I'm worried about you..."
"Worried about what? What's to worry about between me and Jigu?"
"Obviously... ugh."
At the end, Geumbi glanced at me then bowed her head.
Maybe she thought it wasn't something to say here, or perhaps guilt over her own actions shut her up. Who knows.
'Maybe she's being considerate of me. Sorry, it feels like we're ganging up on her 2-to-1.'
I wasn't oblivious to Geumbi's feelings.
Siblings or not, it was natural to question grown man and woman sharing a bed repeatedly—especially since we might not even be blood-related.
And with my recent unforgivable incident... from her perspective, she'd want to stop Sujeong any way she could.
'If only she'd said it nicer, Sujeong would've understood. Our family's problem is always that sharp tongue.'
Sujeong seemed aware she'd come on too strong in the heat of the moment, holding back after putting herself in Geumbi's shoes.
Awkward silence fell over the table again. With beer and snacks gone, we couldn't just kill time forever.
'Don't wanna be a nuisance to the clerk. Time to clean up.'
I quietly folded the snack bags and gathered the cans.
Sujeong silently helped with cleanup, while Geumbi, unable to meet eyes, timidly cleared only hers.
Time to toss this trash and head out.
But it felt unresolved, so I asked their opinions one last time.
"Tempers flared a bit, but both of you have valid points. Why not compromise?"
"...Like you suggested earlier?"
"That works, or anything better."
Sujeong mulled over my earlier idea, while Geumbi seemed lost in thought quietly.
I went inside the store, slowly sorted the recyclables, deliberately grabbed hangover remedies from the far shelf, then stepped out.
-Ding-a-ling.
The loud chime made both sisters stand.
They lingered like they had more to say, so I placed a bottle in front of each.
"Geumbi, any other ideas?"
Sujeong grabbed hers first.
She popped the lid but waited for Geumbi's response without drinking.
"...Thought it over, but nothing. Jigu's idea kills two birds with one stone. Makes sense."
Geumbi finally looked up, ruffled her hair wildly, and picked up her drink.
I quickly opened mine too, and we clinked bottles like toasting with beer glasses.
"Sorry, Jigu. I'll lean on you a little longer."
"Me too, sorry. Until I'm steady, I'll be in your debt in every way."
After going in circles, they'd adopted my original proposal.
We who'd pledged to share a bed nightly gulped down the remedies like heroes sealing a pact.
Sweet taste, but no instant refreshment.
Before the alcohol faded, we exchanged wordless smirks.
"Ahh~ Nice night air. Walking sobers you up fast."
"Funny. You weren't even that drunk, Sis."
"Geumbi, you've been snippy since earlier? Gonna keep it up?"
"...Sorry. But you were stiff with me too."
"Mm, sorry about that. Got heated and grilled you. My bad."
"Tch, apologizing so easily makes me feel worse."
"Yup, that's why I did. Penalty for talking back to your sis?"
"Always the fox in sheep's clothing."
"But... thanks for worrying. Love you, little sis~."
"Ack, don't get so close. You're hot from the booze, Sis!"
Are they on good terms or bad?
On the way home, they bickered and apologized, ending up stuck together like lovers.
'They act so much like blood sisters. Wait, am I really the odd one out?'
They'd deny it if asked, but trailing the two lookalikes who acted identical...
I seriously pondered getting a DNA test—and who to compare with.
"Jigu, whatcha doing~? Sisters made up, so come snuggle."
"Why call him? It's hot enough already."
"You'll be stuck in bed anyway? Under the covers it'll be hotter. Practice now."
"Why practice that? Just make him sleep on the floor. Safer and better."
"Hmm~ True, three might be cramped. I'll think about your idea."
Sujeong, didn't the remedy sober you? Why entertain that nonsense?
'It's your room to begin with? Who decides if the owner sleeps on the floor?'
I hurried inside, dodging Geumbi's outrageous suggestion and Sujeong's pretend pondering.
But dodging now changed nothing—we'd cram into one room soon enough.
"Hey, Jigu Yang! I'm showering first, don't come in."
"Aw~ Geumbi, first come first served. Jigu, mind prepping some bedding in the room if you're okay?"
Heading to cool off in the bathroom, but Geumbi's stubbornness and Sujeong's ploy forced me to turn back.
"You two go first. It's late—don't shower too long."
"Hehe, thanks. Geumbi, wanna shower together like old times?"
"No weird ideas. You first, Sis. Little sis yields."
"Aw~ You were dying to go earlier. Come on~!"
"Ow, embarrassing at our age. I said no... eek."
At least they'd shower together, shortening the wait a bit, I hoped.
That hope crumbled to dust when the clock hand made a full circle.
"Haa, feels great. Your turn, Jigu~."
"Wash off the booze smell completely."
Showering must've bonded them more—they emerged arm-in-arm, inseparable.
Am I even needed? I wondered, rinsing with hot water. Late night like this—is this right? belated worries steamed up fog-like.
'Whatever. Day or night, same routine. Meeting two at once is convenient.'
Sisters are sisters, nothing more.
If you're awkward, you lose—I stepped out of the changing room to find Sujeong waiting on the sofa.
"Sis? Why not head to the room?"
"Forgot to dry my hair in there. Geumbi used the upstairs dryer first, so I waited for the downstairs one... and here we are."
"How long does Geumbi take? Feels like 15 minutes since I went in."
"She came down ages ago, obviously. But also... I wanted to see my little bro's fresh face right after his shower."
Sujeong tilted her head cutely with that out-of-nowhere line.
Cheek on hand, her gaze from the dim room light like a beacon... seemed expectant.
'Fox in the flesh, huh.'
As if enchanted, I strode right up to Sujeong.
Then, without hesitation, reached for her beaming smile—
"Up you go!"
"Kyaha! Jigu's the best~."
I yanked the arm of the sister merging with the sofa and hoisted her up.
"Don't beat around the bush—just ask. Post-shower laziness, excuses."
"Aw~ Hair's still wet, for real. But stairs are a hassle, and I knew you'd be quick."
"Yeah, yeah. Go dry it before you catch a cold."
"Thanks for worrying~. Best little bro ever—not a lie? Hehe."
"You say that to all of us... but I'll take the praise. See ya."
I sent wet-haired Sujeong to the changing room and headed to the bedroom.
But even here, no easy rest—Geumbi, who'd been spacing out, flushed beet red.
"Why so late?"
"Faster than you two~?"
"You're a guy. Short hair means you finish quicker."
"Body's not just hair. Lights stay on till Sujeong dries anyway."
Stand light was the only one on, but Geumbi, eager for bed, grumbled anyway.
I used Sujeong as a shield to slowly lotion up; oddly, Geumbi stayed quiet without nagging more.
"……."
"……."
The room was eerily quiet, even for nighttime.
Awkward, I strained for the dryer to stop—then a thin voice from behind.
"...Hey."
"What, Sis?"
"Doesn't it... bother you at all, Jigu?"
"Huh? What?"
"After what happened yesterday... how are you so calm?"
"Eh? Wait, no...!"
Never expected her to bring that up now.
Flustered, I turned—Geumbi hid behind her pillow, face crimson.
"Siding with Sujeong all day, slipping in weird suggestions."
"That wasn't what I meant..."
"Makes me feel like I'm the only one imagining weird stuff... ugh."
Geumbi buried her face in the pillow.
Dryer still hummed, leaving me clueless what to say.
So I approached her side.
Her protruding ear reddened more as I neared, but I didn't slow.
Finally, our distance was a finger-snap away.
No joke—my hand in the shadows began brushing her shoulder.