Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Better Than a Little Sister is More Little Sisters - 1
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Oppa.
How sweet that sound was.
What a wonderful word. The nuance was just perfect.
I could've stood up and given it a standing ovation.
When our house pig said it, it meant nothing, but hearing it from Yerim felt like it cleansed my ears.
The message and the messenger were both flawless...
"...O, ppa."
Just as I was melting inside with emotion, shedding invisible tears, that sweet word slipped from Yerim's lips again, snapping me back to reality.
As if to prove her earlier promise to try wasn't a lie, she twisted her body in embarrassment.
Yet Yerim called me "oppa" clearly, if softly.
"Yeah?"
"Come to think of it, don't you have something to say to me...?"
"......Huh?"
What? Out of nowhere?
Was this that classic line I'd only heard about?
'Oppa, do I look any different today?'
—Yerim, I thought you looked like a princess in that dress yesterday, but this hoodie suits you perfectly too. Your pink eyes make pink tones look amazing on you overall. Oh, and your legs peeking out from those shorts are so pale and pretty, I kinda want to stroke them. I just noticed your socks have cats on them—super cute...
No, damn it, Han Woojin, you idiot. Isn't that straight-up sexual harassment? Full-throttle impulsive harassment, what the hell.
Even as I cursed myself, I marveled at how unconsciously I'd observed her, with every detail popping into my head.
This couldn't be right.
I'd just listed my pure feelings, so why did they look like a pervert's ravings once strung together? Slap 'Heh heh heh' in front, and it'd be some old creep's dialogue. Damn it.
Overwhelmed by self-loathing, I couldn't speak. Yerim tugged at my sleeve impatiently, urging a response.
"...Hint. Gimme a hint."
Unable to blurt out the thoughts swirling in my head as the answer, I asked for a hint. Yerim huffed in dissatisfaction.
"...Han Sea."
"Huh?"
Why bring her up?
Her familiar name threw me off.
Sea, my little sister Sea. I hadn't told her to approach you, had I? She didn't go 'My oppa says~' or anything, right? I trust you, Sea.
"That's my little sister's name, but why...?"
Forcing a casual smile to hide my trembling lips, I played it cool.
I know nothing.
"And?"
Oh god.
Her stare was so piercing, I instinctively leaned back.
As if I'd get away that easily, she closed the gap, grabbing my arm tight.
"Uh... d-do you two know each other by any chance?"
"...We got acquainted today. By. Pure. Coincidence."
"Oh, nice! Sea's a good kid, probably. You two should get along, haha, ha..."
I kept up the nonchalant chatter, but the more I spoke, the colder her gaze grew.
Even worse, despite eyes that could freeze me solid, they stayed pink. I couldn't guess her emotions at all.
'Emotions are complex.'
I suddenly recalled Seo Jinhyuk's answer back at school when I'd asked about pink eyes meaning shyness.
He's right.
I felt ashamed for oversimplifying pink = shy.
I'd thought of her too simply, even if unknowingly.
That's why.
I wanted to know more. About Seo Yerim.
"Aren't you gonna tell me...?"
"I don't even know what you're asking..."
Was I too obvious?
Well, anyone but a fool would notice if my sister approached her the day after we met.
Still, even if it was meddlesome, my desire to help her was genuine.
...So she wouldn't cry alone again.
That's why.
I truly didn't want to lie to you.
But I also truly didn't want you hurt.
I just hoped these white lies were for your sake.
Dodging the question, Yerim sighed.
"...Fine. I'll tell you first then."
"Yeah...?"
I'm done for.
This was bad. Big time.
'Don't talk about me behind my back.'
'Gives me chills.'
'......I really hate it.'
Ugh... I messed up, I won't do it again...
Just imagining Yerim saying that stone-faced made my heart ache.
Staring at her lips with my pounding heart, I waited.
"Thank you..."
"...Huh?"
As if her cold stare had been a lie, she flashed a playful smile.
Caught off guard, I echoed her.
"For what...?"
"...Curious?"
"Yeah, insanely. Driving me crazy."
Just moments ago, I was the one withholding answers, but now our positions had flipped.
Whatever. I didn't care—I'd beg if I had to know.
What was she thankful for...? Did she hit it off with Han Sea? I was dying to know.
"Not telling..."
"Agh, why not!"
"But..."
Maybe she wanted a closer look at my anxious face.
Grinning, she leaned in, tilting her head.
"You didn't tell me either, oppa..."
Bleeeh—
So squishy for sure.
Her small, adorable pink tongue peeked toward me shyly before darting back in.
"So. It's a secret."
...This was trouble.
Terminal case.
Seeing her stick her tongue out at me didn't annoy me; instead, I wanted to touch that jelly-like tip. Wonder how soft it'd be.
I was utterly enchanted.
Defeated.
Total loss.
"......So, how was it? My sister."
"Hmm..."
Class 6-9...
Of all classes, 6-9...
I don't know anyone here... A sigh escaped already.
Dumb oppa probably doesn't know, but asking around after he wouldn't tell me her class yesterday was a mistake.
Why Seo Yerim all of a sudden? Going to see her? Hitting on her or what...?
No, I just asked her class! Why the overreaction!?
Though they were all spot on...
In the process, I learned things I wish I hadn't.
She's rude, weird eyes, thinks she's pretty so ignores guys, doesn't even reply...
Rumors spreading this fast after just a month as a transfer student was impressive.
...What if the rumors are true?
Oppa, seriously. Of all people to take interest in...
Ugh, am I gonna end up messed up too?
What's that saying? The one who gazes into the abyss... whatever.
Oppa... If I turn bad, you better take responsibility. Or I'll make sure you never get married.
Honestly, I didn't want to approach some stranger with bad rumors.
But I never wanted to see that face oppa made yesterday again.
I tease and bully him calling him a pig all the time.
...He's my one and only oppa.
Plus, build some favor with my future husband. Yeah.
Arriving at Class 6-9, I didn't need to ask or search for Seo Yerim.
Even in the back corner, hard to see from outside.
Amid the rowdy classroom with monkey-like boys running wild, one girl shone solitary and aloof.
Didn't need to look—that had to be her.
Wow... Oppa has high standards I never knew about.
Blame growing up with a pretty little sister at home.
Still, even for my oppa, this is hard to root for...?
Difficulty level's insane, oppa...
Muttering a silent prayer for him, I peered inside again and realized.
In that chaos, only around her was an astonishing silence.
...Harsh.
Like how a sun too bright blinds the eyes, too hot burns all life.
Seo Yerim was like the sun. Dazzlingly, cruelly bright and hot.
I could see why the rumors, why no one approaches.
If I can't have it... no one can.
Have to destroy it.
Hoo.
Pah—
Alright.
Gathering courage, I flung open the back door and strode toward the sun—no, Seo Yerim.
"Hi?"
Bluntly greeting her, her deep gray eyes, fixed lonely on her phone, met mine.
Whoa... It's real... Eyes changing color... Kinda amazing...?
Heard they shift with emotions. Her expression and eyes right now.
Even an idiot could tell Seo Yerim wasn't welcoming me.
Nod.
Despite my words, she just nodded slightly without replying, making me wonder if the rude rumors were true.
—In this vibe, who wouldn't be like that...?
I'd trust oppa's eyes over random gossip.
He wouldn't ask me this just 'cause she's pretty...
With looks like that, maybe he would...
Sorry, oppa. Can't fully trust you right now...
Silent, she turned away abruptly.
"Sorry for the sudden talk. Do you know Han Woojin by chance?"
"...Han Woojin?"
Like she'd heard something unexpected, she whipped her head toward me.
Huh...?
"Yeah, he's my oppa."
"......For real?"
...Well, look at that.
I hadn't been keen coming here.
But seeing her gray eyes flash sky blue at oppa's name? Might be more fun than I thought.
...Kinda wanna meddle now?