Sleeping Right Next to Noona
I couldn't bring myself to lift my head in shame while lying next to her, but I couldn't stay like that forever. Slowly, I pushed myself up, keeping my head bowed low. An extreme thought crossed my mind—if Noona slapped my cheek, I wouldn't even have a word to say in protest.
But instead, Harang Noona spoke in her usual calm voice, devoid of any real emotion, comforting me of all people. "You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't think you'd wake up. It was my fault for being careless."
"N-no! It was my mistake! Noona, I'm really, really sorry!"
Her words sounded almost like she was the one apologizing, so I jerked my head up in surprise and waved my hands frantically. Sure, she might have been a little careless, but the end result was still my screw-up. If it'd just been her in underwear, maybe it would've been okay—but she was completely naked...!
"It's fine. I felt bad for making you come over for nothing today anyway, so let's call it even."
"This and that aren't exactly on the same level..."
"We're done with it."
I wanted to point out how mismatched the issues were, but I could feel her firm resolve—she didn't want to drag this out. "...Okay."
"Good."
She stroked my head gently as I nodded in reluctant agreement. My heart still felt heavy with guilt, but protesting more would just make me seem even more pathetic. There was nothing to do but accept her forgiveness.
And only then did I properly take in Noona's current appearance, freezing in place at the sight. Her long hair still damp, her bare face without makeup for the first time since we were kids, a loose gray boxy tee, and cropped training pants that showed just a hint of calf. Unpolished, raw, and utterly unprepared for the world—this version of Noona was breathtakingly beautiful. More than ever before, even though I'd always thought she was pretty.
Staring at her in a daze, I noticed the tips of her ears flushing pink. Even for unflappable Harang Noona, being seen like that must've been mortifying. And yet she'd said those things to spare my feelings. I was so grateful, I wanted to do anything for her right then and there.
"Noona."
"Yeah?"
"Let me help dry your hair. Where's the blow dryer?"
I was an expert at drying women's hair. I'd done it for Yeoreum Noona countless times, and she got pissy if it wasn't done just right, so I knew all the finesse tricks. Come to think of it, though, I hadn't dried Harang Noona's hair in ages. Even at our house or after showers on trips, I'd only ever seen her post-makeup perfection—no chance to help with her hair.
She nodded, apparently not opposed to the idea, and fetched the dryer right away. "Here. Thanks."
"No problem. If there's anything you want, just say the word. I'll do it all."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Have I ever not listened to you? Yeoreum Noona, maybe."
"Can't say you have."
"Right?"
"Gyeol."
"Yeah?"
"Sleep over tonight."
"......"
I was ready for any errand or favor, no matter what. But this? Totally unexpected. I was flustered, but not unhappy about it. How could I be? I'd welcome it with open arms. Still, two huge problems loomed.
First: Would my noona approve? Probably, but maybe not. I was her little brother, sure, but still a guy—and leaving her best friend's brother overnight might feel awkward or worrisome for her.
Couldn't know until I checked, so table that for now.
Second: My own mental torment. Harang Noona had slept over plenty at our place, but always with Yeoreum Noona or in a spare room—parents abroad meant empty space. This tiny officetel room was barely bigger than a single bed. Sharing it with her for the first time? Excitement was inevitable.
This wasn't about my feelings for her. It was about surviving next to a model-level beauty in casual clothes as an 18-year-old high school guy full of hormones. Especially after glimpsing her naked earlier—blood was already rushing everywhere.
"You okay with that?"
"...Of course! If my noona says yes!"
"I'll handle Yeoreum."
"...Thanks."
Once the first issue was solved, I couldn't back out over the second. "I'll be too excited with you so close" wasn't something a real man could say. Not unless I took a bullet to the head or something.
Yeah. I'd tough it out. Two blankets spread apart might keep the shared-room thrill manageable. Her damp, post-shower scent was already filling the room and making my head spin, but whatever.
First things first—dry her hair.
Whirrr
"Feeling good, ma'am~?"
"Feels great."
"Glad to hear it~"
"Makes me wanna request this service daily."
"...Haha."
God, I wish.
---
Until bedtime, we took it easy. Leftover chicken for dinner, then YouTube and Netflix on her laptop. Normally, we'd chat idly through those hours without a care.
"......"
"......"
But a strange tension hung between Harang Noona and me. No mystery why—the bathroom incident. Things were fine while drying her hair, no face-to-face. But now, huddled shoulder-to-shoulder at the low table with the laptop between us...
She'd grown quieter than usual. We'd normally trade reactions and let conversation flow. We weren't the type to mind silence, but this felt off. Hell, chicken nearly choked me.
Her vibe, her intensified scent up close—it had my body heating up. And as things escalated, Seobin's persistent nagging rang true. Couldn't deny it anymore. I'd brushed it off with every excuse, but Noona's behavior all day screamed it. Especially now.
No interest in the Netflix flick playing—I kept stealing glances at her reactions.
Glance
"......"
"......"
Every time our eyes met. Hers, propped on bent knees with chin resting, side-eyeing me. Shoulders touching, so close. Couldn't hold that gaze fully.
What if it's real? Heart pounding like mad, no clue what to do. Pretend to stretch and pull her into a hug? Tempting, but I chickened out. Gaining some conviction, but not that bold.
Fidgeting like an idiot, night fell outside the balcony. But only 10 p.m.—early for us.
Noona closed the laptop. "Let's sleep. You must be tired still."
"Oh, yeah. A bit?"
"Me too. Lights out. I'll get the blankets."
I'd napped 3-4 hours, not that beat, but better than mental overload from her stares. Too chaotic to unpack her intentions now—needed calm to sort it.
While she stowed the laptop, I folded the table legs and leaned it against the wall. She pulled out a blanket set and spread it on the floor. Squatting and watching, I kept talking to avoid awkward silence.
"Noona, no bed yet? Room's big enough."
"Still deciding."
"Ah~"
Just hadn't bought one.
"Long call with Yeoreum Noona earlier— she said it's cool, right?"
"Yeah."
"She texted if I mess around, I'm dead— that okay...?"
"Yeah."
"But Noona."
"Yeah?"
"......Just one blanket?"
Right before me: Spacious for one, snug for two. Expected another beside it, but she plopped pillows on top. Had to ask.
Her answer? Simple. Pillows side by side, she looked at me.
"Sleep next to Noona."
"......For real?"
Unbelievable. Sure, one-room meant inevitably beside her unless fleeing to kitchen or bath—but this wasn't that. Pillows close enough for shoulders to touch lying down. One big blanket to share.
Panicking and frozen, she claimed the right side first, pulled the blanket to her waist, patted the pillow beside her.
"Come here."
"......"
Until now, I'd chalked up her casual bluntness to personality. But this? No way it wasn't straight-up seduction.