Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Omniscient Little Sister Perspective
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I'd stopped writing in my diary, which I'd been keeping every day, at some point.
It wasn't just laziness.
But still.
—There's nothing to write about...?
Every day was the same routine, coming home from school.
'Today I hung out with friends at school. It was fun. The end.'
What's the point in writing that?
The diary got shoved into the corner of my desk, but at some point, it started coming back out into the world.
Thanks to my idiot brother, every day felt fresh and new, and someday when I show it to those two, the reactions from seeing how I've observed them up close...
To see that, I picked up my pen again today.
May 11th. Clear weather.
"Didn't you say you were interested in Seo Jinhyuk?"
My brother, who had just come back from school, suddenly asked as if it had just occurred to him.
"Out of nowhere?"
"Yerim mentioned Seo Jinhyuk, and it just popped into my head."
Seeing him glued to his phone screen without looking up, I couldn't help but feel a bit dumbfounded.
He's loving it, isn't he?
Brother. You see him almost every day anyway—you get this happy just from messages?
...Honestly, it's fascinating. I've never seen my brother like this before.
I wonder if I'll end up like that someday too~
It's been a whole month since I got to know Yerim.
She comes over to our house to play, we go to hers. (Even on days I don't go, Brother still does.)
Our houses, which felt awkward at first, now feel like cozy little villas, if a bit exaggerated.
"I'll call him for you, wanna meet up?"
...This idiot brother of mine.
He thinks since he got close to Yerim easily, I can too?
I'm used to her looks now, but the first time I saw her, I was stunned without realizing it.
So her brother must be on that level too—I need some mental prep, but here he is, tossing it out casually like 'Hey, let's grab a bite!' I was a little taken aback.
"Hmm... not now, maybe later?"
"Later? Why? Embarrassed?"
He grinned at me like he'd never been shy himself, and I was floored.
"Brother."
"What's up, shy little sis~?"
"...How do you know it'll work out for you?"
"Huh?"
The brother who'd been teasing me excitedly just seconds ago gaped at my words.
"Brother, back in the day, sure, it'd be great if things worked out for you, but if not, I wouldn't care... maybe just feel a bit bad?"
"..."
"But now? I've gotten pretty close to Yerim too. Imagine if I get tight with her brother, or even date him."
Brother listened quietly, eyes squeezed shut like he could guess where this was going.
"Oh, but what if things don't work out between you and Yerim? I'm friends with her, and things are great with her brother? Think you could handle that? Huh? Huh? Huh?"
"Shit..."
As I stood on tiptoes poking his forehead, he collapsed to his knees in despair, muttering 'Yerim...' like the mere thought was horrifying.
What was that pose called again? OTL, right...?
Honestly, from watching on the sidelines, as long as Brother doesn't do anything too stupid, getting together with Yerim feels like just a matter of time...
But what if. What if he really messes it up? I don't want him hurting more because of me, on top of his own pain.
So.
I poked the still-slumped brother with my finger.
"Brother."
"What..."
...He's not crying, is he?
He just said 'what,' but it sounded like 'you bitch...' at the end.
"I'll be waiting, so don't take too long, okay?"
I genuinely hope those two make it. They're both precious to me, but also...
...I wanna get a boyfriend too.
I never cared about dating before.
But watching those two made me so curious why they always look so happy, and that curiosity turned into wanting to feel it myself.
That was my secret from Brother.
July 8th. Cloudy.
...When are they gonna start dating?
Wasn't it supposed to happen soon?
Shouldn't have said I'd wait.
August 4th. Clear weather.
"What do you think she's pondering?"
"She's so pretty..."
Other kids marveled at Yerim, who was gazing out the window, elbow on her desk.
They speculated it must be some deep worry or important matter, arguing whose guess was right. My friends and I exchanged wry smiles.
What pondering?
"...She's thinking about that brother, right?"
"Obviously..."
Like picking England when weird stuff happens in world history.
When Yerim acts off, 98% of the time it's my brother.
...Okay, maybe not 98%, but I wanna believe there's at least 2% for other reasons~
It's not a one-off, so now even my friends have caught on, not just me.
And they haven't even met him.
Yerim, who usually loves quietly listening, turns into a total chatterbox the second Brother comes up: 'Yesterday...' 'Today...' No escaping it now.
Practically, between us, those two are already dating.
...Just no confession yet.
No wonder—guys talking to Yerim get minimal replies or ignored.
Her eyes barely change color usually, but Brother talk? They sparkle like a rainbow.
Ah, why won't you confess, you idiot brother!!!!!!
Deliberately blocking your cute little sister's path? Is that it?
As I inwardly cursed the absent brother, Yerim approached us.
...Did she hear? Has she reached the level of sensing silent Brother-bashing?
"Guys, got a question..."
Oh, no. I know that's impossible, but anything Brother-related makes me weird, so I guess I'm rubbing off.
"Yeah, what's up~?"
"What do you think of this wallet...?"
Her phone screen showed a black leather wallet shopping page.
"Hmm... it's nicely understated and pretty...?"
"But isn't it kinda pricey for us...?"
"For your dad~?"
"No, Brother's birthday's coming up..."
"Your brother?"
One friend who knew she had an actual brother asked curiously, and Yerim replied like it was obvious.
"No...? Woojin oppa."
Of course. What else would she be agonizing over but our brother?
I told her his birthday yesterday when she asked, so she's been stressing since then?
But Yerim, his birthday's a month away...
Starting this early is so her, I thought.
What is it... girls in love are scary for a reason. Will I end up like that someday?
"But isn't it too expensive?"
We knew her family was well-off, but it was a name-brand wallet—steep for elementary kids like us.
"But still..."
"Still?"
"It's for Brother..."
She didn't want to skimp at all, her shy words brimming with sincerity. One of us let out an awed 'Hyaa...'
...Honestly, I was shocked too. Our brother really hit the jackpot.
"Yeah, then it's fine. Looks great?"
"Yeah! I think it's perfect too."
"But why a wallet?"
Yeah, right?
I'd heard guys get wallets as gifts a lot, but does a middle schooler even need one?
"Mom said..."
"Huh?"
"When you like a guy... keep giving him stuff he uses around him... so wherever he looks or whatever he uses, he thinks of you..."
That's how she landed Dad... Yerim smiled bashfully as she said it.
"......"
"......"
Oh, Brother...!
What terrifying strategy...!
You and Auntie are enough that no other thoughts would cross his mind anyway...!?
Glancing sideways, the others nodded pityingly at me.
As Brother's sister here, I should say she doesn't need to do that...
"H-He'll like it, right...?"
"Oh, he'll love it~"
Sorry, Brother.
Even if you were in his shoes, it'd be impossible.
I couldn't bring myself to say that to Yerim, beaming with anticipation.
September 11th. Clear weather.
Today was Brother's birthday.
Yerim handed over a prettily wrapped gift box, and Brother took it happily.
Opening it slowly revealed the wallet she'd shown us before.
He immediately transferred his cash and cards from his old one, slipping the new into his back pocket like he'd use it right away.
Yerim shyly smiled in delight at the sight.
And I, watching them...
—Back pocket secured for now...
I wondered if everything in Brother's room and on his body would eventually become Made in Seo Yerim.
November 11th. Cloudy.
On Pepero Day, they naturally prepared Peperos for each other.
Watching them exchange them so happily...
Why aren't you dating yet?
Brother, I'm starting to get mad for real?
I wanted to scribble nasty things about Brother all over the diary, but there wasn't enough space.
December 24th. Clear weather.
I lost.
I told Brother I'd meet Jinhyuk oppa tomorrow. I had the solid ally named Yerim.
Brother, all casual, said wasn't I the one waiting?
...Brother. You saying that?
I pinched his arm hard in anger.
December 25th. Weather ♥
So cool...♥
February 13th. Clear weather.
No surprise from Brother's sister or Yerim's brother.
We've gotten close enough to hang out without those two, but no dating yet.
...I kinda get why Brother hasn't confessed.
I thought it'd be easy like in movies or dramas: 'Wanna date?' Nope, tougher than expected.
Confessions aren't gambles; they're confirmations, right?
My feelings and Jinhyuk oppa's aren't solid enough yet.
But it's fine.
Soon Yerim and I will be middle schoolers at the same school as our brothers.
Watching her already say slyly to Brother, 'After class ends... you know, right?' like it's obvious we'll be together.
Honestly.
Hon~estly, Yerim's gorgeous, sure, but she's got some clingy vibes. Brother takes it all with a smile—impressive.
Her pink eyes on him were a bit... sticky, like a predator eyeing prey. Scary, but I pretended not to notice.
She's not hunting me, after all.