Chapter 8
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Accident
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Sujeong sis didn't chat with me like she had yesterday, or lean on my shoulder to catch her breath.
She just lay down on the bed the moment she arrived, closed her eyes, and curled up her body.
"Planning to sleep just like this?"
"Yeah... Can't I?"
"No. It's not that you can't."
Sujeong sis's small hand fidgeted, grabbing at my sleeve.
Unlike Geumbi sis, who'd dragged me along by force, Sujeong sis's grip felt so precarious it might slip away at the slightest tug.
So instead, I took her hand and pressed it firmly against my waist.
Sujeong sis's closed eyes twitched in surprise, but I paid no mind, rolling over to pat her soothingly.
Like comforting a child hanging off you.
Slowly, under my gentle touch, Sujeong sis uncurled her hunched shoulders and let her expression soften into one of ease.
"...What're you doing, little bro? You startled me."
"You startled me first, out of nowhere."
"When did I?"
"Who wouldn't jump when you climb into bed in the dead of night?"
"......This is just normal sibling skinship."
Sujeong sis threw my own words from earlier right back at me, puffing out her cheeks like she wouldn't hear any arguments.
It was ridiculous—overstepping when I did it, but perfectly fine when she did. Still, I decided to play along quietly for now.
"What happened with Geumbi sis earlier today?"
"...Nothing. We didn't really talk about anything special."
"Really?"
"Why ask all of a sudden? Did something happen between you and Geumbi, Jigu?"
"She was just prying into this and that, so I gave her vague answers. Thought I was gonna die keeping the secret, though."
"I see... That must've been tough. Thanks."
She said nothing happened, but she didn't seem entirely okay.
If everything was truly fine, there'd be no reason to flee to my room or shut her eyes without even venting.
'Was the vibe that bad she couldn't even talk about it? Makes sense—Geumbi sis came to me because she said she couldn't press Sujeong sis either.'
No sounds of fighting... so maybe disappointment and resentment had just built up between them.
Tough situation. If only Mom would come back soon, maybe things could get sorted.
"Sis."
"Yeah?"
"Heard anything from Mom about when she's coming back?"
"Not really... Sorry. I should've asked sooner."
"Nah. It's only been a day."
"Still, it'd be good to know. I'll text her tomorrow."
"Thanks, sis."
"No problem, hehe."
Rather than stepping in as a bridge between them myself, I figured it'd be better to wait for someone else who could help.
So in the end, I hadn't really done much, but Sujeong sis seemed satisfied anyway, pulling my waist in tight.
"Oof. Sis, if you keep that up, my body's just gonna roll over..."
"Then roll over."
"I'd end up right against you."
"Then stick right against me."
"...Isn't that kinda embarrassing, though?"
"We slept fine like that last night."
"That time, you'd cried yourself out, and I just meant to close my eyes for a sec but passed out. This is... different."
"How so?"
"We're both... way too awake right now."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
I tried prying away our overly close bodies, but Sujeong sis wouldn't let go.
No matter how I reasoned, her constant comebacks made my voice grow quieter.
'Am I overreacting? But after what Geumbi sis told me...'
I resolved to stay cautious until the truth came out.
Steeling myself to firmly tell Sujeong sis once more—
"You're my little brother, right, Jigu?"
"Huh?"
"Back then, now, forever—you're my little brother, aren't you?"
"Well... yeah, of course."
"Then that's that. No problem at all, so quit trying to keep your distance."
"Uh, well, see, sis, oof?"
"Or what... if I weren't your blood sister, would you treat me different from now on?"
Sujeong sis, who'd kept her eyes shut the whole time, looked up at me.
I hadn't noticed with my head lowered, but faint tear tracks lingered in her eyes.
"We said we'd always be family... unchanged. Right?"
Sujeong sis lobbed my own words back at me again.
Once more, I gave up arguing and softly pulled her into a hug.
"Obviously. Blood sister or not, you're still my sis. That doesn't change."
"Yeah...? Hehe, got it, hehe."
I affirmed it, stroking her hair, and only then did Sujeong sis nuzzle into my chest like she'd finally relaxed.
The gesture felt more like a little sister's than an older one's, but I said nothing, just quietly pulled the blanket up.
'Door's locked... but still embarrassing if anyone saw.'
No surveillance cameras or anything, but I discreetly hid our positions anyway.
Of course, no weird thoughts about my sis crossed my mind—this was just instinct for mental comfort.
'Expecting me not to react and snuggling up... No matter how I look at it, Sujeong sis and Geumbi sis really do feel like blood sisters.'
They're thinking exactly alike.
Denying they're sisters would sound even more suspicious.
Sure, the details differ.
Geumbi sis tested my reaction as a guy, while Sujeong sis checked if I'd still see her as family.
'...Gotta keep this secret forever. If I say they're alike, either one'll snap and lecture me.'
With that vow, I fiddled with her hair until Sujeong sis settled down.
She clung so stubbornly that eventually I started messing it up on purpose.
Even so, she didn't leave my side all night.
In the end, we ended up lying in the same bed again, just like yesterday.
Closer this time, I subtly shifted my waist back come dawn.
I woke as morning light filtered in.
Sujeong sis had been sleeping in lately, and sure enough, she seemed likely to wake later than me again today.
'Should be fine. I'll cover her head with the blanket so no one sees when I head out.'
Just in case someone barged in like yesterday.
Figuring I'd wash up first, I started to get up—when an unexpected sensation stirred below.
"Oof?! What the—palm...? Ngh?"
Both my hands were safely on Sujeong sis's back and the blanket, so I'd relaxed.
But Sujeong sis's hand was planted squarely on my butt.
"Must've slid down in her sleep. Gotta peel it off gently, huh?"
"Mm~."
The instant I brushed her hand's back, her fingers kneaded my cheek firmly.
Like grabbing bread or pizza in her dreams, she kept squeezing relentlessly, making me twitch my hips as I barely wriggled free.
"Hah, hah, whew... You're not awake, are you, sis?"
I scrambled off the bed and peered at Sujeong sis, bundled in the blanket.
She wore the world's blissed-out expression, lips twitching, but with no flutter of eyelids—she was still asleep.
"Hand kneading away like that... kinda suspicious. Nah, probably nothing."
She's got some wild sleeping habits~, I thought, heading out the door.
Wanting a glass of water before washing up, I ran into Geumbi sis in the kitchen.
"Oh, sis? Up already?"
"...Says the one who beat me to it. Early riser today?"
"Yeah, went to bed early for once yesterday."
"Hmm~ Really? Gotcha."
Geumbi sis had the water dispenser first, so I waited my turn.
After morning greetings, an awkward air hung between us, making my fingertips itch to recreate yesterday's grasp.
"Want some water? Here, cup."
"Ah, thanks, sis."
"Switch it if you want cold—I just had lukewarm."
"Got it, noted."
"Hey, Jigu."
"Yeah? What now?"
"Sujeong sis isn't in her room again today."
"Pfft—!"
I'd filled my mouth to shake off stray thoughts when Geumbi sis landed a surprise blow.
Luckily, it was just clean water, no issue since I was about to shower anyway.
"Got any guesses? Or should I... check myself?"
"No, uh, it's—sis..."
Turning slowly, I faced Geumbi sis, arms crossed and glaring—a clear red flag.
I racked my half-awake brain for an excuse—
"Jigu, big trouble... Oh? Geumbi?"
Sujeong sis emerged from my room.
Geumbi sis whipped around, her gaze sharpening like a hawk's.
"Sis, why're you coming out of there again?"
"Oh, uh... had some business with Jigu."
"He's right here."
"Yeah, so I was waiting in his room."
"Really? You weren't in there since last night?"
"N-no way...? Hehe."
Sujeong sis's awkward laugh only fueled Geumbi sis's suspicions.
I tensed, hoping yesterday's blowup wouldn't repeat, searching for an opening—
But Sujeong sis doused the spark with her next words.
"M-more importantly, big trouble. I just talked to Mom, and..."
""...!""
Geumbi sis and I both flinched at once.
Sujeong sis had mentioned texting Mom yesterday, but I hadn't expected a reply so soon.
'Time zones, probably. A text sent at dawn here hits evening there.'
All eyes locked on the phone Sujeong sis waved.
She swallowed hard herself, then spoke slowly to ensure we heard right.
"Mom got into a car accident over there. Not seriously hurt, but she'll be hospitalized at least a month..."
""...What?!"
Sujeong sis had stated it plainly, but we blurted it back anyway.
What she'd poured to extinguish the embers seemed to ignite an even bigger blaze.