Chapter 41
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Consultation with My Little Sister
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Hwayeon's room was directly across from Geumbi noona's.
There wasn't much difference in the layout otherwise, but the vibe that hit me the moment I stepped inside was worlds apart.
And unmistakably, Hwayeon's room was far messier.
"Ugh, clean up after yourself. What's all this junk scattered on the floor?"
"Those are my textbooks and stationery? Proof that I'm really throwing myself into my studies."
"You studying with your feet instead of your hands? Why store them on the floor when you've got a perfectly good desk?"
"Ah, did you come here first thing in the morning just to nag? You said you had something to talk about."
Hwayeon shot back while perched on the edge of her bed, rubbing the tips of her damp hair with a towel.
The room was a disaster, but her rushing over with wet hair just for me was touching enough that I swallowed my sigh and plopped down beside her on the bed.
"Hey, who said you could sit there? You'll dirty the bedding."
"Your room's the dirty one. I just showered, so I'm squeaky clean all over."
"Yeah, right. More importantly, you're sitting way too close. It's creepy—scoot away."
I'd only pointed out issues with her room and stuff, but Hwayeon brazenly went after my personal hygiene.
Still, since she was the owner of the room, I let it slide with a light flick to the forehead, like a proper big brother.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me? You really just came to mess with me, didn't you?!"
"Quiet down. Where do you get off calling your big brother dirty or gross?"
"I didn't say gross! And you're the one who came in and stuck right to me—it's only natural I'd feel weird."
"How close was I even sitting?"
"Su~per close! You could reach out and touch me."
Was that really something to gripe about?
Hmm, fair enough. We didn't really sit side by side except at meals.
'I'd always sat like that on the bed with Geumbi noona when we talked. Guess I got too used to it without realizing...'
I scratched my head and dragged over the chair from her desk, sitting down.
Hwayeon puffed out her cheeks, clearly annoyed at me using her chair, but she kept her mouth shut to avoid another flick.
That cheeky look got to me, so I gifted her forehead another light knuckle rap.
"Ouch! I didn't even say anything this time—why hit me again?!"
"Your eyes looked su~per suspicious. They were screaming at me to stand instead."
"Nope. I was regretting letting you into my room."
"Worse than I expected? Can't have that—come here for one more."
"Ahh, touch me again and see? I swear I won't talk to you at all!"
Hwayeon rolled around on the bed to dodge my hand.
She had no idea how much her big brother cared. Burying my massive regret, I finally got to the point.
"Anyway, thanks for making space. If you listen well, I'll buy you a meal later."
"Yay! Pizza and chicken set for me! Oh, I'll pick the place—you just send the money."
"I'm not ordering delivery right now. We haven't even started talking."
"Okay, okay—spill it. I'll listen while I shop."
With Hwayeon showing zero signs of actually paying attention to her big brother...
I was half-exasperated, but figured her casual vibe might make it easier to open up, so I dove into the consultation.
"You know how noonas have... been dealing with a lot of worries lately?"
"Hmm, why? From that call with Mom last time?"
"Broadly speaking, yeah. So I've been listening to their consultations a bunch recently."
"Ahh~ So that's why they've been in and out of your room? I thought some family affair was brewing."
"...What kind of joke is that? Haha, picked a delivery spot yet?"
"Still looking. Hmm, too early? All my bookmarks are still prepping to open."
Hwayeon tossed out a chilling topic for a second, but it seemed like idle chatter—her eyes stayed glued to her phone.
I cleared my throat as naturally as possible, careful not to let my voice shake.
"Anyway, after listening to them like that, both said they felt a lot better."
"Hmm~ Then isn't that good? Though Geumbi noona still seems pretty pissy for someone over that."
"That's 'cause you still don't listen to her."
"Ahh~ If you're gonna nag again, I'm closing my ears for real?"
"Fine, fine. I'll let your eyes wander—just keep those ears open. Sigh."
Hwayeon seemed to let my words go in one ear and out the other the more I talked, so I scrapped the buildup and cut straight to the core issue.
"Here's where it gets bad. While consulting with each separately, they've started feeling neglected by each other."
"Neglected? Over what?"
"Hmm... Like listening to one but not the other. Or meeting one often but the other sporadically."
"You're being su~per vague. No specific incidents?"
"...They have their privacy. Details are secret."
It was the kind of story that could shatter the family if spilled.
But it wasn't entirely a lie. The consultations always veered weird because of the growing misunderstandings between the two noonas.
'Sounds just like girls fighting over a guy. But I said it was about noonas, so she won't think that.'
I scratched my cheek, debating whether to say more, when Hwayeon set her phone down and looked at me.
"Tch, whatever. Delivery later. I'll trust your taste today."
"Finally got tired of searching? I might pick something awful."
"Any famous brand's fine. So, that's what you wanted to talk about?"
"Yeah. It's our family, and you're a girl too—thought I'd get your advice on what to do."
"Hmm~ So you came to me for counseling? Stuck between two noonas?"
"Short version, yeah."
"What a luxury problem. Flustered between two girls, heh."
Hwayeon had actually listened, summing it up neatly and propping her chin with a grin.
True as it was, it stung differently. I averted my eyes and prompted her feedback.
"Ahem, enough weird talk. So, what's your take, Hwayeon?"
"What take? Super easy problem, family or girls or whatever."
"Really? Why?"
"Why? You complicated it, but bottom line: noonas feel ignored by each other and get sulky."
"...In simple terms, yeah."
"Then just pay tons of attention to both. Enough they can't feel slighted."
"...Easy to say, hard to do."
Maybe 'cause I skipped the full context, but her solution was brutally straightforward.
Pay attention to both... That's why things escalated. Ugh.
"That tough? You're just lounging around like a bum these days. Squeeze in time after they get home."
"It's not time—it's intensity. Meeting once drains me completely."
"Like when you got caught peeking last time?"
"Wanna die? Keep it up and I confiscate your allowance."
"Heh, kidding. Hmm~ Or another way!"
"What?"
"Ignore both completely. No attention, no worries."
"They're family—how? It's our noonas."
"Then change mindset: solve 'em together."
"Together? How?"
"Meet both at once. Face-to-face counseling, mutual support."
"Eek?! No way, crazy. You call that advice?"
"Huh, why? Seemed super reasonable...?"
Hwayeon looked genuinely puzzled, and I realized my mistake.
'Right, she thinks it's just casual sister chats. Of course she'd say it lightly.'
Reality: get all three together, and they'd never speak again.
It'd torch the house down.
My head spun, but it wasn't her fault.
I reined in my flare-up and shook my head belatedly.
"I mean it's not that simple. They barely opened up to me—telling each other? No way."
"Hmm, true? Kinda weird they trust you more than each other."
"W-what's weird about that?"
"You said I'd get it 'cause I'm a girl. Doesn't that mean they'd prefer each other?"
"Not necessarily... "
"Plus, feeling neglected over less attention from you? Not like they're competing for it."
"...You've said some weird stuff since earlier. Haha, ha..."
Think I'd said too much—I cut it off there.
Conclusion reached anyway; no need for more counseling.
'Ignoring both is impossible, together even worse. Guess I gotta pay extra attention to both... Sigh, means more work for me.'
Now, how to "pay attention" without issues...
But real counseling ended here. Time to figure it out myself.
"By the way, didn't you have something to say too?"
"Oh right! Forgot while hunting spots."
"Thanks to listening to me, huh. What's up? No more allowance."
"Think I'm some money-grubber? Begging you every time?"
"Aren't you?"
"No! I get paid now, scholarships too—living fine!"
The same girl who wheedled 100,000 won from me recently.
Admirable getting scholarships, though. Worth sending her to college after the retake.
"Tch, and it's partly your fault anyway. That time at the cafe, unneeded detour..."
"What? Cafe girl wanted my number?"
"Whoa, conceited much? You're not that hot."
"Really? Another staffer rushed to the counter when I left—thought so."
"How'd you even remember that? ...Anyway, kinda upsetting."
"Dunno why my popularity bugs you. So, what'd she say?"
Hwayeon dragged it out, clearly reluctant.
Whatever it was, she avoided my eyes, face flushing, lips fumbling like she hated saying it.
"Sigh, tsk. How'd I end up spilling this."
"Don't wanna say? Skip it."
"Nah, it'll come out anyway. The girl working with me... asked if you were my boyfriend."
"Hmm... What? Brat, why's that bad to say?!"
"How's it feel good? Looking like I'm dating a guy like you!"
"I'm offended. But shouldn't you be thrilled?"
"Ugh, bullshit. Sounds like you're the catch."
"I am. And 'bullshit'? Watch your mouth with big brother. Tsk."
"Ow! Warned you—no more hits! Come here, your turn!"
"You come if you're brave. Won't go easy... Huh? Hey, hitting with a book is cheating! Stop!"
Fuming from three hits, Hwayeon grabbed a textbook from the floor and whacked my arm.
She said "one," but dared five on her big brother—I glared, then shook my head.
"Yep, I'm too good for you. Who'd take a girl like this?"
"Hey, drop the nonsense! Anyway, conclusion: wanna work part-time at my cafe?"
"...Weird conclusion. Where'd the middle go? How'd it jump there?"
"Told her you're my real brother, and she freaked over how handsome. Got to the manager... ended up showing pics."
"You carry my photos on your phone? Creepy."
"Crazy? Cropped from an old family pic! Mokhui's high school graduation!"
Chills, but barely plausible.
Part-time, huh... Just bombed interviews and feeling down.
"You're just loafing and gymming anyway? Semester's far—earn with me."
"You wanna work with me?"
"Nuts? Hate it. But last girl was nightmare... want someone normal next."
"Sweet talker. Think that'll make me interview?"
"Sounds interested. When? Tell me date—I'll hook you up."
Tired of house-gym rut; perfect for a change.
Cute sis asking, so I played reluctant and set a date.
"Whew, thanks anyway. Counseling too, and you vouched for the job."
"Nah, just dodged recruiting friends."
"Our Hwayeon's charm is her honesty, haha."
"Ack, no violence! Stay back. Out now—talk's done!"
I ruffled her tsundere hair wildly; unlike Geumbi noona, she freaked and scowled.
Satisfied grin on, I left, descending stairs while reaffirming my resolve.
'Pay more attention without crossing lines... Yeah. Give it a shot.'
All started from poor communication anyway.
Opening up and building trust might clear it surprisingly easy.
Mindset shifted, I felt refreshed.
Got the job lead too—checked cafe info on the family chat.
Plans and fantasies are grand; reality's a dumpster fire.
Respecting age hierarchy, I approached eldest Sujeong noona first.
Midnight on the living room sofa, she faced me, fumbling to speak.
"So what you're saying, Jigu... is I should check out your naked body too?"
"Uh...?"
I'd just said it felt unfair receiving without giving back—lean on each other healthily.
Wondering if "healthily" meant something else, her hand touched my thigh.
"Right. Me showing one-sidedly... must burden you. Sorry."
"No, noona? Not what I meant, eek?"
Nighttime—no loud noises. Panicking, my brain froze.
Meanwhile, Sujeong noona pinned me down, biting her lip like steeling herself.
"Got it. If that's how you feel... I'll take a proper look at your body too."
"Uh, no need? Really, noona?"
True to diligent Sujeong noona form, stubborn in weird ways.
Her hand stayed on my thigh, but her gaze locked blatantly between my legs.
That alone was disaster.
"Noona? Jigu? ...What're you two doing now?"
Geumbi noona shuffled out from her room, rubbing her eyes.
Sleep fading, she glared sharply at us to start.