Chapter 9: Midterms... My Ear Itches
...My ear itches. Did a mosquito bite me? ...Do mosquitoes even breathe these days?
I snapped to attention at the faint scent of shampoo, and there she was—my sister, right in front of me. Sitting in a pose no guy could pull off.
"...What the hell."
"Hey."
"...?"
I jolted in surprise and yanked my phone from my pocket. It was still only 10 a.m. What? Had I slept for four whole days? Why was she home at this hour?
"Exams today."
"...Exams?"
"Midterms."
"You’ve only been in school a week."
"Yeah, no idea why either."
"...Is that even okay?"
"Nobody cares about second-semester exams anyway."
I mean, sure, they don’t count toward your grades... but taking a test just a week after classes start? That seemed off. Whatever. Who could’ve predicted things would turn out like this?
"You should’ve said something. I would’ve picked you up."
"Wanted to scare you once."
"...How?"
"Tickled you."
She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and brushed it against my skin like a paintbrush. So that’s what the mosquito was—her hair.
"Hey, that tickles. What’re you doing?"
"Just playing around?"
"Don’t."
"You didn’t stop when I told you to."
She tried shoving her hair into my ear, and I freaked, swatting her hand away. It was so ridiculously soft, goosebumps prickled all over me.
"...If I shove you from here, you’ll fall. Watch it."
"Yeah, sitting like this is pretty dangerous, huh."
She untangled her legs, shifted, and lay down beside me. She closed her eyes for a second, then lifted her head uncomfortably, bringing her face so close our noses nearly touched.
"...What’re you doing."
"Pillow’s not here, so it’s uncomfortable."
"You took the one from here last time."
"Did I?"
"When you slept over. Give it back."
"Come to my room later and get it."
As we bantered about nothing, I felt a weight on my calf. Looking down, her left foot was resting on my right leg.
"... ."
Annoyed for no reason, I pulled my right foot away and draped it over her left leg. She pulled hers back and set it on my right again.
...What is this? She’s not a cat.
"...That’s cheating."
"If we don’t do this, it’ll never end."
She hiked her leg up to my knee and tangled them together, finally settling down. Hierarchy enforcement doesn’t have cheating—get stronger if you don’t like it.
"Can’t move like this."
"Figure it out."
"...Too annoying. I quit."
She gave up resisting with a resigned sigh and closed her eyes. Her steady breaths brushing my face felt strangely warm.
"...Asleep?"
"Gonna sleep. Don’t talk."
"Go to your room then."
"My room smells like paper and gives me headaches."
I grumbled that this wasn’t right either, but she ignored me. Damn, I was wide awake now.
I untangled my legs, sat up, and grabbed a book from my nightstand.
"...Oppa."
"Said you were sleeping."
"Reading while someone’s sleeping next to you is bad manners."
"Who’s sleeping here?"
"You pinned me so I can’t move."
"Pinned with my legs. Not hugging."
"That’s?"
"I’m hugging the blanket. Haven’t touched you with my hands once."
"You’re tickling with your toes though."
"...You started it."
No point continuing—this was going nowhere. I focused on my book. She pretended to sleep for a bit, then gave up and fiddled with her phone. Eventually, she put it away and peered at my book too.
"...What book is that?"
"This?"
"Yeah."
"Uh... kinda science, kinda philosophy, kinda general knowledge?"
"What’s it about?"
"Genes control living things, stuff like that."
Something about altruistic behavior really being genes trying to replicate themselves. Sounded like nonsense at first, but it made sense as I read. A weirdly convincing book.
"This is that one, right?"
"Which?"
"Ants share 75% genes with sisters, so it’s better to care for the queen than breed, that kinda thing."
"You read it?"
"It’s famous."
"Fair. That part surprised me too."
"Siblings only share 50% though."
"Same as with Mom—that’s pretty high, no?"
Average 50%, sure, but who knows the actual overlap. We look alike, so maybe above average? She’s tall for a girl too. Though my frame’s broader.
"...Come to think of it, oppa."
"Yeah."
"If Mom and I fell in the water, who’d you save?"
"...Why that outta nowhere."
"It’s in this book. Like, you’d jump in to save eight cousins, but not seven."
"I get it, but you and Mom are both 50%."
"Exactly. Same 50%—who?"
"... ."
...Not like choosing between Mom or Dad. Whatever I say, I’m the asshole.
"...You."
"...Why?"
"If I save Mom and you die, she’ll kill me."
"...True. Mom’d murder you."
"And stop with the weird questions."
"I figured you’d say you’d save both and die yourself."
"Sorry, I’m selfish too."
"Knew that since forever."
"I’m nice to you ‘cause you’re my sister. If you were a guy, I wouldn’t care."
"...If you weren’t my oppa, I wouldn’t either."
Yeah, we’re both picky with strangers. No way we’d get close otherwise. But now that we have, we click pretty well.
"Still."
She twirled her hair and looked away.
"...You being my oppa... I’m glad."
"...Don’t say embarrassing shit."
"...Who’d you learn that from?"
I say it straight up, no stuttering. Don’t mumble crap like that.
Chatting dragged on till noon, so we grabbed lunch together. I’d totally bought Mom’s word that she wasn’t working till the day before yesterday, but turns out students did online classes at home—Mom still went in. Makes sense—no whiteboard or projector here.
Tricked by my sister.
"So, Kim Gyeo-ul-ssi, still in pajamas—what’re you up to?"
"Studying."
"...Since when."
"Midterms don’t matter, but mock exams soon. Gotta prep for Suneung."
"Even so, for re-taking, early decision—"
"Don’t jinx it."
Hearing her sound like a proper exam student for once was kinda proud. She’s got good grades anyway—should aim for my level or higher. Though Yonsei’d make us rivals. Better come to Sinchon.
"It’s a test, sorta. Get a feel for the pressure early."
"I focus and solve ‘em, but nothing’s at stake. No tension."
"Guess we need stakes then."
"Like what?"
"Bet. Let’s bet."
"...Again?"
"Can’t go out for food now, so pick something good. Something tense."
"...Clothes."
"...Clothes?"
"After Suneung, shop together. If I win."
"If you lose."
"I’ll pick yours."
I mean... fresh out of service, I need new clothes. She’ll need college stuff too. Problem is, we’re both fashion-blind.
"Not bad... but Gyeo-ul-ah."
"What?"
"You think we’ll pick decent clothes shopping together?"
"...Still, someone else’s eyes are more objective than your own."
"I can’t be objective about you."
"Why?"
"You’re not just anyone."
No matter how cute she dresses, she’s my sister. Revealing clothes? Makes me uncomfortable. Maybe ‘cause we got close too fast lately.
"...I can be objective."
"Guy clothes? Sure, whatever. Girl clothes are different."
"It’s fine. I trust your eyes."
"They’re not that great."
"You have an image of me in mind. Match that, done."
"...Might return it or shove it in the closet if it’s weird. Could cry."
"...No way."
She stared straight into my eyes, lips moving.
"...You picked it."
...Damn. Impossible to hate this sister.
The bet: one or fewer wrong per subject. These exams couldn’t be that hard—Suneung range anyway. Win or lose, we knew we’d shop. Just for show.
So I lost.
"...Why do I have to deliver to your friends too?"
"...They really wanted to come."
"You should’ve shut it down."
"Think I wanted this?"
Last day of exams, her friends came for lunch to celebrate “90 days to Suneung.” ...No clue what that meant. Couldn’t handle those high school girls’ energy—wanted to politely decline. But Mom insisted on meeting Gyeo-ul’s friends, so no dice. Why’d today have to be her day off...
If I could go out, I’d drop ‘em at a restaurant and bolt.
"Oppa from Gyeo-ul’s house—where’s college?"
"Seocho."
"Whoa, I’m aiming there too!"
"Girlfriend?"
"Would I pick up my sister if I had one?"
"You and Gyeo-ul close?"
"Pretty close."
Watching her squealing friends in the rearview made my head spin. ...How’s my quiet sister friends with these extroverts? Must take social skills to befriend her. Or...
"...Oppa, you dropped the formal speech."
"You told me to."
"Since when do you listen so well?"
"Have I ignored you since discharge?"
Chatting normally with her, but the stares on my neck felt hotter. Why? Why so interested in me?
"...Gyeo-ul’s friends."
"Yes."
"Just curious—do I come up at school?"
"Yeah, every day."
"What about?"
"Can’t say in front of Gyeo-ul."
Seeing them poke at masks giggling, something was off. What the hell do they say about me?
"...Gyeo-ul-ah."
"What."
"What’d you tell ‘em to make ‘em act like that?"
"...I swear, nothing."
First time I truly doubted her.
***
Near 11, we got home—Mom had lunch ready. I bolted to my room, leaving her greeting the friends.
...Exhausting. That short chat nearly killed me. Is talking to high school girls always this draining? Two hours with Gyeo-ul flies by.
Flopped on the bed, mind blank—blissful peace.
"...Oppa."
"...Gyeo-ul-ah."
About an hour later, she slipped in and shut the door.
"Sorry, tired?"
"...Yeah."
"Skip lunch?"
"Later."
"...Sorry."
"No, not your fault..."
She flopped naturally beside me.
"Haa... I’m wiped too. Just a bit."
"Your friends?"
"My room."
"Then you—"
"Said bathroom break."
"Mom?"
"Out at 1 with Youngest Aunt."
Turned my head—only her black hair in view. Staring, I started fiddling without thinking.
"... ."
"... ."
She turned silently to look at me. The silky texture... couldn’t stop. Rubbing strands between thumb and finger—
Knock knock knock.
Door opened.
"...Uh. Sor- sorry... Wasn’t in bathroom..."
"W-we... gotta head out now..."
"...Uh..."
Snapped focus to the door—her friends with bags. Body froze solid.
"... ."
A heavy silence stretched, unlike before. Tried to speak, mouth wouldn’t move. None of us four could.
"...Y-yeah. Uh... see ya."
"...O-okay..."
Finally spat something. She got up awkwardly from bed. Friends eyed her uneasily.
"...Oppa. I’ll... drop ‘em at the station."
"...Yeah."
Couldn’t just lie there—followed to the door. Nothing happened, but atmosphere said otherwise.
Till she shut the front door, the silence lingered.