109. Others' Eyes
“Winter, what're you up to?”
Kim Gyeo-ul.
“At home.”
“No, I mean what are you doing.”
She's the same age as me. A college freshman. Among my friends, she's the cutest, with the clearest skin—the kind of girl any guy would fall for.
“...Just chilling at home.”
“The girl who never leaves the house is ignoring my KakaoTalk all weekend? Did I piss you off or something?”
I first met her when we started high school. We were high school friends, after all. Our seats were close, neither of us knew anyone else, so I started hanging around her sneakily, acting all buddy-buddy. She didn't push me away. So I snagged the best friend spot. What's wrong with befriending a pretty girl? She wasn't a bitch or anything. Not exactly sweet-tempered, but...
“I forgot because of studying.”
“How buried in books were you that you didn't even check your phone? I'm dying to know.”
“...Shut up.”
Winter's a pretty special friend to me and Nara. She knows everything. Sure, she can be a bit snippy sometimes, but once you're close, even that's kinda cute.
“It's been over a week since I last saw you. Let's grab food with Nara. I miss you, Winter~”
“...We saw each other almost every day last month? Aren't your exams coming up soon?”
“Nah, still got tons of time. Don't worry, I'll handle it.”
And then,
“...My bro was saying you suck at writing reports. You good, though?”
“Wait, really?”
...The friend who confessed she had a crush on her own brother. Not some stepbrother from a remarriage or anything—her real brother. When I first heard it, I nearly passed out from shock. But time passed, and...
“...Let's meet after exams. Time... I'll let you know later.”
“Ah, so you're prioritizing your boyfriend and we're second-string?”
“...What the hell are you talking about.”
Seems like she's got it all sorted out now. Dating her boyfriend just fine. That whole thing was probably just young folly or whatever. The first time I went to her place, I was shocked. She was in her brother's room, touching his hair or something, and the vibe was so weird. Then the next day, she was all mopey and depressed after getting caught. I remember freaking out. Even now, that atmosphere is something I don't wanna recall. It's not fun seeing your friend all anxious.
“Oh, wait. Does Kim Winter actually not have a boyfriend and you're just meeting your bro?”
“...Don't talk total bullshit.”
“'Um... you know... actually, my brother...'”
“Shut up, Im Na-el.”
See? Just imitating her a bit and she gets all scary-serious. Right after Suneung was the best time to tease her. Compared to how depressed she was back then, she's doing way better now.
“Haha, this is gold. I'm using it forever.”
“...Keep it up five more years and we're done.”
How embarrassing must that have been? First love being your own brother? And your friend finds out? Well, technically she spilled it because I was worried. Ugh... lifetime black history. Even as an only child, I get that it'd be endless blanket-kicking material.
“So I can use it till graduation?”
“...Three more years and I'm blocking your number.”
“Fine, two years then~”
Winter's brother. Ah, Ga-eul sunbae now. To be brutally honest, I kinda get it. Generously speaking, he's just below my boyfriend? Nah. My guy's a buzzcut soldier now, so bump him up to equal. Not my type, but the style tons of girls love. And if he's as neat as he claims, a girl could get heart-eyes for a bit. Siblings dating is a no-go, but maybe a little crush now and then? Or am I just an only child? Whatever.
“Gotta hang up. Busy.”
“Okay, have fun with your boyfriend~ See you the weekend after next~”
“...”
Click. Hung up without goodbye.
...Getting mad is so cute. What's so embarrassing about a college girl dating that she hides it from us? Well... she knows we'd tease her about her brother if she talks relationships. She was really struggling back then—I was legit scared. But once she bounced back, poking at it little by little got fun reactions. Each tease brought a new cute response; tormenting her got twice as satisfying. If I were a guy, I'd have chased her hard and lived with her... Hm... nah, she wouldn't budge. Thinking about it, she's not just walled off—she's a fortress. Wanna see her boyfriend's face. How the hell did he win over our Winter?
“Good work, everyone~”
Finished the final non-in-person presentation rehearsal. Finally, this hellish group project was done. It wasn't as bad as I thought. All the sunbaes were great. I owe Haneul unnie big time for putting me in this heaven-sent group. Friends with benefits, right? Your friend's sister looks out for the freshman.
“Yeah, you too, Haneul~”
“Thanks, unnie.”
It's over... well, presentation's tomorrow, so not quite. But Haneul unnie's presenting, so I'm done! First group project ever, and I really worked hard. For real!
“Good work... yeah, good work, everyone.”
This guy's still awkward with us, mixing formal and casual. It's Kim Gyeo-ul's brother—Ga-eul sunbae. He handled research, script writing, PPT review, report review, and rehearsal questions. He split half with Haneul unnie, but still, he worked his ass off. On the bus home, half sorry, half grateful. But I wrote the report... ...my name's on it, right?
“Good work, sunbae~”
Working with him... Back in high school, I figured he had a girlfriend for sure. But meeting him, I get why he might not. Not that he's unappealing or anything. He just... keeps his distance? Quietly grinds on the project, doesn't start convos. Total fortress vibe...
“...You too. Worked hard.”
Ah. Just like Winter. ...Does he have someone he likes? No girlfriend as far as I know. Winter would've spilled something if there was. No point pretending to hate it now—we know everything. Not forbidden love anymore or whatever. She really likes her brother. Just got her childhood feelings mixed up.
“Hyung, good work~”
“Yeah. You too, Min-seop.”
This guy's a year ahead of me. Different last name, but his name's too close to my boyfriend's—kinda rubs me wrong. ...Not that I'm a bad person. Hearing it just makes me miss my guy.
“Sunbae, seriously, good work.”
“...Yeah.”
Anyway, Min-ji unnie's also a year ahead. The same-age couple made the PPT together. Always bickering. But the result was solid, so no glaring issues.
“Min-ji. No thanks to me?”
“...I'm not just talking to you. Be quiet.”
...Nope. Super cringey right now. Just fight like usual. What the hell. Sigh... miss oppa. When's discharge?
“Anyway, good work everyone. Nail tomorrow's presentation and we're done.”
“...Ah, yeah.”
Ga-eul sunbae wrapped it up, and Haneul unnie flinched awkwardly. Hmm... People say I'm quick on the uptake, and this feels suspicious. Haneul unnie... ...into Ga-eul sunbae? Awkward? Shy? Sketchy.
“Take care of it, unnie~”
“Yeah. Count on me. I'm confident.”
Thinking deeper, it's even fishier. Unnie picked this team? Same major? Same age? Min-seop sunbae and Min-ji unnie are coupled, I have a boyfriend. Just those two singles? Super sus. Trying to hook up or something...? ...But they barely talked privately. Looked really awkward—why bring them? Unless... fate connecting little sister's friend to big bro and sis...? ...Nara'd kill Winter if that happened.
“Oh yeah, we never even met up once.”
“We did fine without. Sunbae. No one dropped out.”
“So we need a wrap party, right? We killed it. Let's meet this weekend. I'm leader, so I'll treat...”
Praying for imaginary Nara's soul, Haneul unnie started but trailed off. Wrap party... free food from sunbae... dream college life... Reality: rotting in my room listening to lectures... Gazing at unnie with sparkling eyes after a month of hell.
“...Huh. ...When's everyone free?”
Scored the confirmation. Free food... free booze... Mmm...
“I'm free this weekend! I'm in!”
If I had plans with Winter, maybe not... but no? Gotta eat!
“Me and Min-ji are good Saturday... not Friday.”
“Why decide for me?”
“He's buying food. Let's go.”
“...Ga-eul, you?”
Consensus on Saturday, only one left pondering stoically.
Hmmm... no way he bails here...?
“...Hold on. Just a sec.”
Ga-eul sunbae bolted out the door, vanishing somewhere. ...What? Lives with parents, so permission? Wow, strict family. Didn't seem like it last visit, but needs approval for this? Makes sense—always picking up Winter for Suneung. Explains her fortress walls~
Soon he was back.
“...Looks like I'm free too. Saturday works.”
“Uh... so everyone's good for Saturday?”
“Yep, sunbae!”
“Details after tomorrow's presentation. Where, what to eat.”
“Got it, unnie!”
“Dismissed! See you tomorrow after sleeping it off!”
And dismissed. Next day: flawless presentation. Fun afterparty planning. Then, right before evening drinks, random call from Winter.
“Ah, yeah. Winter. What's up?”
“...Na-el.”
“Yeah?”
“You're eating with my brother tonight, right?”
“Yeah, told you. Group project afterparty.”
“He's super weak to booze. If he gets wasted, call me. I'll drag him home. Leave him, he'll crawl on the floor and pass out.”
“Uh... got it?”
“Hanging up?”
“Y-yeah? Uh...”
Click. Gone.
...Hmm. That build and he's a lightweight? Kinda surprising.