Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Sister and Sister
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The day after the visit to AGP.
"......"
For some reason, I woke up earlier than usual, checked the time, and absentmindedly opened my contacts app.
【Seoha Noona】
No sooner had I scrolled down than a somewhat unfamiliar name jumped out at me.
In my contacts, the only person with "Noona" attached was my blood sister. But now, like a single flower blooming in a wasteland, a woman's name had taken root there.
That's right. The other party was none other than Seoha Noona, my fan from yesterday's AGP encounter.
I could still picture her saving her own name in my phone with a self-deprecating quip about how it was too cowardly to give me her number without even telling me her name.
A person with such a pretty name has a pretty face to match, I'd thought without meaning to.
【Seoha Noona - Did you get home safe?】
【Me - Of course I did. You, Noona?】
【Seoha Noona - Me too ㅎㅎ】
【Seoha Noona - Today was so much fun, thanks to you!】
【Me - Same here】
To confirm whether it had been a dream or not, I checked the last messages we'd exchanged after getting home yesterday. Seoha Noona's texts radiated a warm, affectionate vibe even in writing alone.
It was all real, not a dream. I was still in a daze. Me, exchanging numbers with a woman that gorgeous?
Of course, she'd only asked as a fan. But as a guy, I couldn't help the strange flutter in my chest. Especially when the woman in question was a beauty you rarely see once in a lifetime.
Slap!
"...Snap out of it and let's get to cleaning."
Before any more foolish thoughts could creep in, I slapped my own cheek to jolt myself awake.
She's not someone you can even dream of aiming for, Kang Wooju. Wake up from your delusions and do what needs doing.
I had so much to tackle today, starting with New Year's deep clean. Even if New Year's was long past.
"Eutcha."
Letting out an old-man grunt, I rolled out of bed and headed straight for the living room.
I swept the curtains aside, squinting at the sunlight flooding in through the window.
Ugh, guess I really am nocturnal.
"Mm..."
Surveying the living room and pondering where to start, I decided on the massive cat tower by the window first.
I usually skipped it out of laziness, but this was a proper deep clean—I needed to shift the big stuff and wipe out the dust bunnies underneath.
Still unconsciously staring at the chat screen with Seoha Noona open, I tossed my phone on the sofa for a moment and grabbed the cat tower like I was wrestling it.
"Milk, hang on just a bit. I'll put it back later."
"Nyaaang..."
Right on cue, our household overlord Milk let out a meow—she'd been about to climb up. But no helping it.
Forced demolition, ma'am.
Hop.
The cat tower wobbled violently, so Milk hopped onto the small sofa in the living room. Guess I'd have to placate her with treats later.
Vroom.
Only after roughly clearing the big furniture did I drag the vacuum from living room to bedroom for the real deep clean.
I cleaned sporadically as it was, but the dust under furniture and in corners was another story. Today was a dust harvest for sure. Should've grabbed a mask.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"...Huh?"
As I mulled it over, a sudden beeping from the front door—like someone punching in the door lock code.
What the? No one's supposed to visit.
The only person who came to mind was my one and only bro-friend, but he'd been dragged back home recently, so he wasn't in Seoul. Then who?
No way it's a burglar, right? I wondered, right as the confirming beep-boop sounded and the door swung open.
And there, on the other side, stood none other than—
"Wooju! Sis is here!"
"......"
My blood sister, Kang Yeonju.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Kang Yeonju, 26 years old.
My blood sister, four years my senior. With her standout looks and tall frame since childhood, she now worked as a model, making full use of both.
I wasn't big on that world, but from what I'd heard, she appeared regularly in fashion magazines and shows—pretty famous, apparently.
She was our family's reliable eldest daughter, the one our parents never failed to brag about, spit flying everywhere.
The age gap meant that back when I was in high school, she'd already started adulting—slipping me allowance and helping out in all sorts of ways.
I was truly grateful for that... but she could be awkward too.
And that was because—
"C'mere, lil' bro! Long time no hug!"
Embarrassing as it was to admit, my sister had what subculture fans called a brother complex.
Not in a weird way, of course. She just doted on me to an excessive degree, which made meetings pretty overwhelming.
I mean, we're both adults—why start with a hug out of nowhere?
"You been good? Sorry, sis has been too slammed to visit."
I shook my head at her sheepish, apologetic smile.
It wasn't fair to expect anything from someone who spent more time abroad than in Korea.
These days, I even sent back all the "allowance" money she wired me. She insisted I keep it and save, but how could I?
"What brings you here, Noona? Aren't you swamped with work? I'm doing fine on my own—no need to worry."
"Still, you quit college not even half a year in and insisted on living alone. Of course I'm worried."
Fair point.
Hell, if I were her, I'd be peeking in on a flake like me too. As long as I didn't starve or die on the streets somewhere.
"But you're doing New Year's deep clean and all—looks like you're managing. Relieved now."
"Good to hear. So, what's the occasion? Work bring you to Korea?"
Last I'd heard, she was in Italy. I eyed her curiously, and she flashed a bright V-sign with a grin.
"Wrapped it up quick this time. Wanted to make it back for New Year's if possible, but no dice."
"Yeah?"
Come to think of it, she always tried to be in Korea for New Year's.
I hadn't paid much mind, but maybe it was her personal rule—homesickness drawing her back to her roots at least once a year.
Made me feel kinda bad for her. Life overseas couldn't be easy.
"Oh yeah, streaming's blowing up lately, huh? Mom was thrilled."
"It's alright. Nothing special."
"Heard you landed an ad gig too? That's pretty big time, no?"
"Even Mom mentioned that?"
I couldn't help chuckling—she really relayed every little detail.
Meanwhile, Noona beamed like it was her own victory, patting her chest in relief. Her interest in me was always way out of proportion.
"Wanna help with cleaning since you're here? Where do I start?"
"You're a guest—no need. Just play with Milk over there."
"Right, Milk!"
Finally noticing our fluffy white overlord, she approached and extended a hand affectionately.
"Nyang."
Milk eyed her for a moment before padding over obediently, curling up neatly on her thigh.
What a boss—even guests don't faze her.
"Eaten lunch? Wanna hit an eatery after you finish cleaning?"
"Sounds good. What're you craving?"
She was back from abroad for once; least I could do was treat her to a meal. When I asked her preference, she wagged a finger like it was a silly question.
"Obviously whatever you want, lil' bro. Beef?"
"Works for me."
I knew she was a closet carnivore, so I nodded. For all her words, she was clearly craving it too.
Looked like her diet phase was over. Time to grease the wheels, then.
But first—cleaning.
"I'll wrap it up quick. Bored? Boot up the PC or something."
"Nah. Haven't gamed much lately."
Surprising for a closet gamer like her, but modeling kept her too busy—games had naturally fallen by the wayside.
Back in the day, I'd learned from her. Kinda nostalgic.
"Milk, play nice with sis. Woojoo~."
"Nyaaang."
As old memories surfaced, she dove onto the sofa and started lavishing attention on Milk, just as I'd asked.
Perfect—time for me to finish up cleaning.
"Kyaa!? W-Wooju!"
"...?"
I'd just switched the vacuum back on and turned when a near-scream erupted from behind.
She was deathly afraid of bugs—cockroach maybe? I whipped around and—
"Who's this 'Seoha Noona'? Bro, you finally got a girlfriend!?"
"...Ah."
There she stood, phone in hand—the one I'd left with the chat screen open and totally forgotten about—eyes sparkling brighter than I'd ever seen, face lit up like it was Christmas.
Ah, we're screwed.