Chapter 7
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Back of the Hand
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Thanks to Hwayeon, the taut tension snapped like a cut string.
Geumbi sis quietly lowered the arm she'd been pressing against the bathroom door, and only then did she seem to notice me standing there shirtless, stepping back half a pace.
"...How long are you gonna stand there like that? Either come in or get undressed already—move it."
"You're the one who blocked me from running away..."
"You kept dodging my questions, Jigu. So why'd you back away like that? Suspicious much!"
Maybe embarrassed by her own actions, Geumbi sis turned the blame on me instead, snapping irritably.
But the chilling pressure from before was gone, so I scratched my head and glanced at the laundry basket beside her.
"I've got my shirt off already. Pants are all that's left... You planning to watch that too?"
"Eek?! Who said they wanna see that? I'm just saying you're taking too damn long."
"Fine, I'll strip quick then. Wanna close your eyes?"
"Ugh, fine... Huh? Wait, you could just go in the bathroom and—ugh."
Geumbi sis mumbled something, but I dropped my pants faster than that.
At the sight of me in my underwear, she squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head away. I tossed my undies into the basket and slipped into the bathroom.
"Eyes open now, sis."
"Mm... You really have no shame, Jigu. Only guy in the house and all."
"Isn't that manly?"
"That's not manly. Just clueless."
"As long as you didn't see, it's fine. What's the big deal? Acting like you care or something?"
"You wanna die? Say that kinda joke one more time and I'm seriously pissed."
I didn't think I said anything wrong.
Like she'd been caught off guard, Geumbi sis grumbled and tossed aside the towel she'd been using to wrap her hair.
'If she could see this much from there, she must've been visible too, huh? Hmm, just silhouettes, but still pretty embarrassing.'
I stood off against Geumbi sis at the bathroom door until the tub filled up.
No place to sit, so it couldn't be helped... But whether it was my skin tone showing through or what, her face stayed turned toward the wall the whole time.
"Seriously, you're a pro at putting people in awkward spots."
"Wasn't it partly your fault too? Mostly Hwayeon's for barging in like that, though."
"Yeah, gonna give her an earful later. Told her not to slam the door when closing it too. Tsk."
"Don't go too hard on her. You'll just start another fight."
We reminisced about the earlier chaos to lighten the mood, and as I eyed the tub filling halfway, I added casually,
"And don't worry about that thing you're fretting over—it won't happen."
"...You sure? Can I trust you?"
"I'm your little brother, right? If you can't trust family, who can you trust?"
"True, but... the situation looked that way all around."
"I get it. But it's definitely not what you think. That's all I can say for now."
"...So you can't say more?"
"Sorry. I'd tell you if it was just my business, but it'd put Sujeong sis in a tough spot."
Would she get it from this much?
Glancing at Geumbi sis, she didn't seem fully convinced but was nodding a little.
"Got it... I'll ask big sis about the details later."
"She looked worn out, so go easy on her."
"I can read the room. With you... we've been bumping into each other all day, so I said a bit more."
"A bit? That was a novel."
"You're the one who came into the changing area. What if I'd still been half-dressed or washing up!"
"I'd have shut the door and left. And you're chatting with me mid-shower—calling me out on that is kinda funny, no?"
"Th-this is force majeure. If I stop and leave now... I'd feel grimy after finally getting clean."
"Hmm~ Fine, I'll buy that. Anyway, I'm actually showering now? Not peeking on this too, right?"
"I haven't looked at all~ Wash up good, and make sure your hair's clean when you come out."
With one last sisterly piece of advice, Geumbi sis headed out of the changing area.
Only then did I let the warm water soak my body, slowly dipping my feet into the steaming tub.
'She didn't dry her hair properly either. Said she'd use the blow dryer—forgot?'
I submerged from feet to shoulders, water lapping just below my chin.
Beyond the frosted glass door, I blankly stared at the now-empty changing area for a while.
Geumbi sis had delayed my thaw-out, and since I was taking so long anyway, I lingered in the bathroom.
When I finally dried off and emerged, thirty minutes had passed. Skipping dinner had left me hungry, so I pondered late-night snacks as I opened the door.
"Whoa?! Geumbi sis? What're you doing here?"
"...Boys and their endless showers. Ugh, my leg's cramping."
"You've been sitting here the whole time? Why?"
"Why do you think? We weren't done talking, and... the bathroom door's busted. Got caught up telling the others."
Her words checked out—the handle wouldn't lock no matter how I twisted it.
Makes sense now. That's why Hwayeon and I got in so easy. Though Geumbi sis wouldn't forget to lock it... or would she?
'Nah? Lately she seems to space out on stuff sometimes.'
As I shook out my damp hair, Geumbi sis rubbed her numb leg and grabbed my sleeve cuff.
"To the yard. At least let it air-dry."
"I like the blow dryer though."
"No arguing. Come on."
"Yes ma'am~ Lead the way, sis."
Seemed I had no say, so I let Geumbi sis drag me to the porch steps facing the yard.
The living room was empty, but she'd hauled me all the way out here—must be something big.
"So, what else you wanna say?"
"...Out of us, is the adopted one Sujeong sis, by any chance?"
Geumbi sis glanced around and cut straight to it.
I couldn't hide my startled look, and she leaned right into my face.
"That's it, right? You said it wasn't you, so you couldn't tell—means it's Sujeong sis?"
"......Sorry, can't confirm."
"Why not? It's me, for crying out loud. What's the harm?"
Because I couldn't be sure it was Sujeong sis.
If not... it might be the one right in front of me.
Stuck without a lie or excuse, I clamped my mouth shut.
Hurt by my reaction, Geumbi sis pouted sadly—a look so uncharacteristic it stung my chest.
"What if... she's hiding it because she's the adopted one?"
"......!"
I'd thought silence was best, but even that backfired?
Geumbi sis's face crumpled like Sujeong sis's once had, head drooping like ripe barley.
"After talking with you, I wondered that too. Maybe since it's me, that's why she skipped me and consulted you..."
Logical reasoning.
Our changing room chat had cleared me indirectly, so suspicion needed another target.
Sujeong sis confiding in me instead of her was plenty to spark doubt.
'She went that far, huh. What now? Come clean?"
Might be Geumbi sis.
But if not, it'd confirm Sujeong sis.
...No, can't.
Spreading it myself would screw over Sujeong sis too.
"Sorry, can't say for sure one way or another. Hate lying."
"You don't know either? Or you suspect but aren't sure?"
"Bit of both."
"I see... Sigh. Tough. I'll be up all night again."
"...Weren't you gonna ask Sujeong sis directly?"
"Tried, but chickened out... After your words, felt kinda rude."
My word and Sujeong sis's carried different weight.
Plus my line about troubling her—I guess Geumbi sis hadn't knocked after all.
"......So you won't say more, no matter what?"
"Yeah. Sorry, sis."
"It's okay. ...Instead, can I borrow a hand?"
"A hand? Why suddenly?"
"Just lend it. Here, palm down on the floor."
"Like this...? Ugh?!"
I laid one hand flat on the porch as asked.
Geumbi sis wrapped her right hand over my knuckles, then pinned my wrist with her other to keep me from pulling away.
"Wh-what're you doing, sis?"
"Test."
"Test?"
"If you can't tell... I'll ask your body."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"If holding hands like this feels nothing, no issue. No way you'd feel that for a blood sis."
"...And if I do react?"
"You said you're not involved, so it'd mean I'm... different from the others."
Her lips paused, as if 'different blood' lingered unspoken.
Disaster. One slip and she'd misunderstand big time.
'Stay cool. If I just sit still, no problem. Don't react to her hand...'
Startled at first, but calming down, it was nothing.
Just holding hands? We did it all the time as kids. Same thing. Fine.
"......How is it?"
"Wh-what?"
"Any reaction? Feel anything?"
"Dunno?"
"Really? Guess not then..."
I played it cool, and she eased her grip a bit.
Just when I thought she was relaxing—
"So it must be Sujeong sis then..."
"Eek?!"
Bad news.
Confirming it's not her would arrow straight to Sujeong sis.
'Either way screws Sujeong sis. What to do? Dodge for now?'
We'd agreed to play dumb till the truth came out.
Recalling the promise, I backpedaled vaguely.
"Kinda... heart's pounding a little."
"Huh? R-really? Because of me...?"
"Not sure. Heart's just beating faster."
"For real...? Like, excited or thrilled?"
"Nah. Don't make it gross."
"Hey, I'm serious! Which is it—spill."
"Seriously dunno. Just out the shower, body still hot maybe..."
I steered away, keeping her from fixating.
She pressed more, but my vague answers wore her down—she sighed and let go.
"Haa... Fine. Should've known a hand test wouldn't prove shit."
"Yeah. Head cleared up?"
"Better than before. ...Sorry, dragged you into my dumb idea."
"Water under the bridge. I barged in on your shower time too—we're even."
"W-watch your words. It was the changing area, and I was fully dressed."
"Who said what? I said I messed up—quit overreacting."
"Tch, girls get embarrassed over the littlest things."
"Think you're just extra sensitive, Geumbi sis. Ow."
"Keep sassing and I'll hit you again? Sigh, heading to my room first. Dry your hair then come up slow... Ungh."
We bantered back and forth, but she smacked my arm lightly and sauntered off.
Didn't hurt much, but I rubbed the warm spot as cool night air blew.
'......Not the arm. The back of my hand's warm.'
Either way, her spot on the left stayed hot for a while.
I shook my fully dry hair and stargazed till the heat faded.
Back in bed, it was deeper night than I'd thought.
The door creaked open, a familiar face peeking in.
"Jigu, can I come in?"
Sujeong sis kept her promise and visited my room.
I started to beckon with my hand, then inexplicably switched to my right one.
"Come on in, sis."
The door shut soundlessly again.
Sujeong sis aimed for my left side, but I scooted over, making space on the right.
No particular reason for that either.