Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: 9. With My Sister's Boyfriend (2)
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Flower of youth, age 20.
Even I, killing time with a part-time gig at a cafe, am starting to think it's about time I got myself a boyfriend.
"Everything with the money checks out, right? No issues with the change or anything?"
"Yes! You're good to clock out."
"Hmm... hold on a sec. I feel like there was something else for handover..."
Ah, it's not like I wanted a boyfriend right from the start.
My parents said I'd make one in no time once I hit college.
Is it envy?
Jealousy feels too strong—it's more like this vague, fuzzy emotion.
Ah, isn't it weird?
Feels right, though.
Lee Ji-yoon.
It's been about two months since she started working with me.
All this time, I'd thought things like, 'Ji-yoon doesn't smile much,' or
'But she's pretty, so it doesn't matter.'
Whenever our shifts overlapped briefly, those were the vibes.
But this girl.
Lately, she smiles all the time.
...And I think I know why.
"Oh, and the boss said to pay a little extra attention to cleaning the second floor. Apparently, dust builds up weirdly on the window frames on the opposite side of the stairs."
"Ah. Got it. I'll keep an eye on it. I think I totally spaced on it lately..."
"It happens. So much to clean."
Over there.
In the corner of the cafe, there's this one guy customer sitting.
Hadn't seen him for a few days, but now he's back after a while, and last time, I saw him laughing and chatting with Ji-yoon before they both vanished outside...
Can't be an older brother.
Not a younger brother either.
No way it's just a platonic guy friend.
Boyfriend.
Has to be.
He wasn't around at all when Ji-yoon first started, then suddenly showed up a few days ago,
so probably a recent boyfriend?
Then the reason Ji-yoon started smiling lately,
the reason she looks even prettier now,
obviously because of that guy... right?
"Nothing else, I think."
"Got it. Good work today!"
"Yeah. Guess I'll head out now..."
Hmmmmm.
But isn't it amazing?
Just getting a boyfriend, and suddenly Ji-yoon's grinning ear to ear.
He's decent-looking, sure, but given Ji-yoon's looks, it feels like they're just matching up on their level.
Super rich? Nah, she doesn't seem the type to fall for that.
Can a person's whole expression really change just from 'getting a boyfriend'?
"Hmm..."
Oh, right, that guy's body is pretty...
......
...Aha.
So that's it...
45
"Woo-jin."
As I stirred my tasteless Americano with the straw,
Lee Ji-yoon's voice came from her, now changed out of uniform into casual clothes.
Black bucket hat pulled low.
Baggy khaki jacket.
Exactly like last time.
The only difference might be the shirt and pants underneath.
She's gorgeous even bare-faced, so she could doll up a bit...
Once we're closer, maybe gift her some clothes.
Stuff packed with my tastes.
I pointed at Lee Ji-yoon with my straw and said,
"Woo-jin? Now you say it?"
"It's different when you're looking at the person's face. Gotta mentally prepare."
"Is it?"
"It is. Anyway, wait a bit."
Ahem, she cleared her throat like she was prepping for something big.
Her eyes flicked to my Americano with a couple sips left, then to my face.
"...Th-that treatment thing."
"Yeah."
"Better to do it somewhere without people than in some alley."
"Sure?"
"It's embarrassing. Everyone stares as they pass by."
That's exactly what I like.
I hadn't pushed it because I didn't want you getting wary and pulling back if I suggested it.
Thought it'd take at least a month, but things are progressing smoother than expected.
Resting my chin, I smiled faintly and teased,
"Sounds good, but... you sure it's okay going somewhere like that with me?"
"Somewhere like what?"
"No people."
"...Doesn't matter. You're a 'friend'."
"Hmm..."
"Overthinking every little thing would be weirder."
"Yeah?"
"...You think of me as just a friend too, right? Since I'm dating your sister."
No.
I think of you as a girl.
"Right. Specifically, Ha-yoon's little sister and friend."
"Same here. Sister's boyfriend and friend."
"So where we headed? Your place?"
"My place? Don't cross the line."
Figures. She still doesn't see us as that close.
Whatever.
Going to my place alone with you behind Ha-yoon's back? That's the finale.
Gotta play outside until then.
Like...
A PC bang you'd like,
Or that new place I contracted because of Yojora but don't need anymore.
It's got all the basics, even if not every little thing.
A bed, for instance.
"We've already been there once. Doesn't feel like crossing a line."
"What if she finds out later we were alone at your place? What'll she think?"
"That we're super close?"
"...Such an innocent mind..."
Under her low-pulled bucket hat, Lee Ji-yoon furrowed her brow, then crossed her arms under her chest.
"Anyway, I've got a spot in mind. Follow me."
Not a motel, surely.
Any other place for a guy and girl alone?
Pondering briefly, I followed her out as she stood.
*****
The noisy evening air brushes my cheeks.
Tiny students heading home in little groups after cram school.
Digital signage by the building busy flashing news of recent Transcendent crimes.
Airplanes descending leisurely, twinkling with colorful lights.
Motorcycles weaving frantically between cars and pedestrians to earn an extra buck.
Amid the honking din of "go die alone if you wanna."
"Here."
"...?"
Lee Ji-yoon stopped in front of a big building and opened the first-floor door.
Where's this?
Nearby, just a cosmetics shop and eyewear store...
...Ah.
Looking closer, a small sign for 3F coin karaoke catches my eye.
That's the spot, looks like.
"The good thing about this karaoke place is the door mostly blocks the view from outside. You can see if you stare, of course."
Lee Ji-yoon called out as we climbed the stairs.
Her tone suggests it's fine if some part-timer peeks via CCTV.
Better than alleys where multiple uncles might spot us flirting, I guess.
I shrugged lightly in response, and she opened the third-floor karaoke door.
Following her in, a cacophony of pig-squealing voices erupted from inside.
Totally incomprehensible hobby.
"Busy today too... Maybe 'cause school's starting soon."
"Today too? You come here often? Thought you were just a gamer."
"Sister drags me sometimes."
"...Ah. Ha-yoon likes it, huh."
"Yeah. Using it for treatment today, date spot with sis later."
"I suck at singing. Don't even like it much."
Plus bad memories.
When Yojora got happily drunk, she'd drag me to karaoke for an hour-long private Japanese song concert.
Thinking back, it was kinda fun. She sang like shit too, like me.
Wanna hear it again? Hell no.
"Sis isn't great either, so no pressure. And you'll sing for her, right?"
"The songs vary wildly in difficulty."
"That hard?"
"Just listening's one thing, but sitting quiet while sis sings? Weird."
"Then sing along."
"No way. Won't do it. Unless sis forces me, karaoke's just with you from now on."
"......"
Singing well makes the picture; talentless crooning's just a joke.
Why embarrass myself...
Sis-talk aside, I pointed to the farthest corner room beside Lee Ji-yoon, who was fiddling with her hair.
"That one. Corner's best."
"......"
"Ji-yoon?"
"Uh, y-yeah... Let's go..."
*****
Seo Woo-jin is a friend.
Coming to karaoke with a friend.
Nothing weird.
No plans with sis,
Just with me.
Not strange.
He hates singing, after all.
Coming just for treatment? No big deal.
Nothing weird.
What's weird is me, all tense, frantically crushing wild imaginings.
With sister's boyfriend,
Secret from sis,
Alone at karaoke,
Stuff like that.
Idiotic thoughts.
"If we don't pay, think a staffer'll kick us out?"
"Pr...obably? Never tried, though."
"Put in a grand, play any song on loop then."
"Any...?"
"National anthem?"
"Too... solemn vibe?"
"Pick random from top charts then."
"...Yeah."
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Says he hates karaoke, but handles the machine fine.
After tapping away, the room lights dimmed,
And some top-chart track's instrumental flowed from the speakers.
Oh, this song.
Know it from groaning through headaches.
The fresh guitar bass intro is pretty...
—my forced consciousness snaps.
"......"
By the big window overlooking the street.
Seo Woo-jin sits beside my rigid self.
...Dude.
Even as friends, isn't this too close...?
Sure, the sofa's narrow, no choice.
Could just stand...
Inner groaning brief.
"...Hold on. You..."
"Kinda awkward posture 'cause it's cramped. Sorry."
Pulled into Seo Woo-jin's embrace, gently stroked.
"...No. It's fine. I know why."
"I'll make it quick, so bear with it even if you're annoyed."
Friend.
Friend.
Friend.
Sister's boyfriend.
Friend.
My friend.
Gulp, swallow the leaking fluster,
Pretend calm, focus on the instrumental.
Body frozen like rigor mortis.
Just forehead pressed to his chest, side-eyeing the door.
Thankfully, no shadows.
Even if seen, whatever.
They'd mutter "fucking couple cuddling" and leave.
Such misconceptions? Irrelevant.
We know it's treatment.
Misunderstand,
Gossip,
Whatever idiots think,
What can they do to me?
But,
No eyes around or not,
Being lightly held in a 'friend's' arms,
In 'sister's boyfriend's' arms,
...Honestly, it's awkward.
"...Hey."
"Yeah?"
Pulled out my voice randomly.
"You do this with sis a lot too."
"...Sometimes?"
Sometimes?
Nah, no way.
I know sis packs meat-heavy lunches every morning.
No way she skips hugs.
We're not elementary kids.
"For real? Sometimes?"
"...Daily. Why ask suddenly?"
"Just. Feels like you're used to hugging."
"Hmm..."
Come to think, sis is so devoted.
Daily meat-packed lunches for Woo-jin, of course,
Now on break, hogging the shower but suddenly matching pretty undies top to bottom,
Passing her room for the bathroom sometimes, hear her on the phone with Woo-jin.
...Especially #2. Matching undies.
Her head's so obvious, it's adorable.
Prepping just in case things heat up with Woo-jin.
Sis, first relationship, probably maxed at kisses.
"......"
"......"
...So.
Gotta help a little.
This secret cuddle with Woo-jin behind sis,
Awkward,
And yeah, slight guilt toward sis.
"Hey, got a question."
"Shoot."
"How far'd you go with sis?"
"How far..."
"Kissed?"
"......"
Ask direct, his voice vanishes.
...Knew it. At least kisses.
Figures, adults. Happens. Yeah.
Given sis's usual self, probably not beyond.
"Kissed or not?"
"Treatment's almost done. Let's head out. Hot."
Embarrassed, dodges instead.
Reaction screams 100% kiss-stopped.
Then if I nudge a bit...
Tiny guilt toward sis.
My fluttering heart.
Wash it away.
"Seo Woo-jin."
"What."
Grip.
Grabbing his coat as he rises, I continued flatly, casually.
"I know sis's porn tastes."
"......"
"Wanna learn?"