Sharing the Same Blanket
Lying side by side under the same blanket, gazing at each other—we'd had so much happen today. It had been years since I'd held hands with my sister and walked like that, and I'd even gotten gifts like a toothbrush and clothes for my visit. All while helping with her move through casual chit-chat like always, eating dinner just the two of us. Then, waking from a nap to accidentally catch sight of Yoo Harang's naked body in a massive blunder. Creating this ticklish tension with Harang noona, whom I'd always thought could never be a romantic connection for me. And now this.
Lying shoulder to shoulder in her bedding in this cramped place—closer than I'd ever slept even with my own blood sister. We'd reached the moment of trying to sleep. Under one blanket, no less.
"……."
This situation was beyond comprehension. I just wanted to shut off my brain and pass out. But that wasn't possible either. If I could just crash like this, would that even make me a man? Any guy who could was probably gay or impotent, one or the other, in my book.
And besides...
She was lying on her side, staring right through me.
I was flat on my back, but I could feel noona's gaze piercing me all the same. Our shoulders weren't touching thanks to the position, but...
Poke, press. Her fingers were playfully prodding my arm.
I had no idea why she was doing this. If she really had feelings for me, why hadn't she made contact like this sooner? Why hadn't she said anything?
Actually, I couldn't blame her for not saying it—I was the pathetic one. I'd given up without even trying.
Anyway, there I was, lying awake in this impossible tension.
"...You've gotten firm."
"…………."
"Your arms, compared to before."
"...Noona, are you doing this on purpose?"
"Doing what?"
"No... never mind."
Her casual remarks tossed out midway were driving me insane. No way to tell if it was intentional. All I knew was, there was no sleeping like this.
So I rolled over too. Facing her, on my side. If I was just going to lie here riding her every move, might as well indulge a little.
Right in front of me, maybe 30cm away at most, was noona's face—wide eyes staring back. Her long wavy hair spilled over the pillow, neat eyebrows framing those clear eyes, her straight nose, pretty lips tinged red.
Honestly, just looking at that face made me confident I could wolf down three square meals no problem.
Screw sleep—I stared right back, eyes locked.
Meanwhile, her hand, which had been toying with my arm until I moved, now floated in the air before slowly descending. Landing gently on my cheek.
A bit cool. But that chill mixed with the softness of her hand felt good.
Her fingers stroked my cheek softly, tenderly—like petting my head. At the same time, her eyes crinkled just a touch, lips curving up.
"Hee hee..."
The moment I saw her soft laugh, I knew I couldn't hold back anymore. I was sure I was the only guy in the world who'd seen that smile. Hell, anyone who'd even seen her smile could be counted on one hand.
Of course, not holding back didn't mean jumping her right then. My hand just reached toward her face.
Moving slowly in case she might push me away, my hand arrived above her face without resistance.
I'd moved on instinct, but I didn't have the guts to cup her cheek with my rough hand. Instead, with trembling fingertips—with the back of my hand—I gently, very gently brushed her hair aside.
Careful not to scratch her soft cheek. And in that brief touch, her skin was impossibly soft. I'd never touched a baby's cheek, but this had to be what it felt like. Delicate, tender, smooth.
All the while, our eyes stayed locked. Her gaze pulled me in; my lips parted and closed soundlessly over and over.
My head was a mess. Was this a confession chance? Was this really a green light? Or was she just treating me cute?
I had no dating experience, no swarm of girl friends, no bold personality. So even now, I couldn't be sure.
I must've debated it a thousand times—should I, shouldn't I?—when...
"Gyeol-ah."
Her lips parted softly, calling my name far gentler than usual. Maybe it was my imagination, but laced with affection.
Gulp.
I couldn't respond, just waited for her lips to move again. Wondering what would come from those pretty lips next.
And somehow... I could predict it.
Like foresight, a near-certain hunch dominated my mind, the air around us.
Just as her lips began to part again, slow-motion style...
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
"……."
"……."
The intercom blared through the dim one-room.
---
In the end, I never heard what Harang noona was about to say next. The midnight visitor was my own sister, Kang Yeoreum—apparently so worried after our earlier call that she'd wrapped up work ASAP and rushed straight here.
"Hey. Yoo Harang, Kang Gyeol."
"What."
"Uh, yeah?"
"Nothing happened, right?"
"Nope."
"Nothing happened."
"Doesn't seem like it... whatever. I grabbed some pig's feet on the way—let's eat."
Was it just me, or did Harang noona's reply to Yeoreum noona sound a bit sharp? Anyway, we were all awake by then, so the three of us scarfed down late-night snacks, chatted, and finally hit the sack around dawn.
But the sleeping arrangement had changed. With an extra blanket spread out, Yeoreum noona wedged herself right between me and Harang noona.
In a way, that was a relief. Whatever direction things had been heading before, I'd have pulled an all-nighter otherwise—but thanks to my sister, I actually slept!
Wow! Thanks a ton, Yeoreum noona!
Snore... mumble thanks...
When I woke in the morning, sitting dazed on the bedding reflecting on yesterday, I felt like an idiot for fumbling around, full of regret—but my heart was still pounding.
Why hadn't I spoken up first? What was she really about to say next?
I was dying to know, but with Yeoreum noona right there, no way to ask. Plus, without that vibe from last night, asking stone-cold sober was terrifying.
Silly, but that's how feelings work.
After the noonas got up, at my noona's order to scram while they washed up, I took a walk around the neighborhood and came back—to head straight home.
Harang noona's mom was swinging by for lunch.
Noona said I could stay, but if Yeoreum noona was fine with it, me sleeping over and letting her parents know felt off.
"See ya."
"I'm off. See you tomorrow~"
"Catch you later, noona."
As if yesterday's weird tension was a lie, we said goodbye casually, both of us.
It left me a bit wistful, but maybe this was for the best—right as I turned to go.
"Gyeol-ah."
"Yeah?"
"Movie next weekend?"
"Sure...! ...Yeah, sure."
"...Tch."
Her invite to the movies had me thrilled, blurting yes before glancing at Yeoreum noona and mumbling it smaller. Weird that I had to check with her, but thankfully, she didn't make a fuss. Just crossed her arms, furrowed her brows, and clicked her tongue like she disapproved.
With that, we headed home with noona. Harang noona's final wave burned deep into my memory.
"……."
Honestly, her naked body from yesterday was etched even deeper... I kept flashing back whenever I had a sec. Couldn't forget it—or did I even want to? I'm a guy, after all...!
Whew, but how am I supposed to wait a whole week? After that vibe, a weekend movie date for two? No way around it—this was a date.
---
Scary. So scary.