Chapter 27 Noona's Wish 2
Chapter 27: {My Sister's Wish} 2
{My Sister's Wish}
As Yu Ha-rin smiled brightly, Yu Ji-hu smiled back—but bitter memories resurfaced in his mind once more.
'Iris, Mine, Scarlet, Yenia...'
Ji-hu had loved them almost as much as he loved his sister, Ha-rin. Though the nature of that love was different, he had truly believed they would spend their lives together. The meals they shared, no matter how humble compared to Earth's cuisine, had tasted far better than this one.
Back then, even though the food in that world was objectively inferior, he had savored every bite. Hunger from constant battles played a part, but the warmth of sharing a meal with those he cherished had made everything taste richer.
Yet in the end, they had refused to trust him. They had tried to kill him. The love and faith he had given them had been proven misplaced.
His sister, Ha-rin, was different. He could trust that she would never betray him—never raise a hand against him.
...To be honest, she was the only anchor keeping him from breaking entirely.
"Ji-hu? Are you okay?"
His expression must have darkened as those memories surfaced, because Ha-rin looked at him with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking about the six years I spent suffering in that other world."
He forced a smile and resumed eating his soup. Ha-rin didn't press further, but her worried gaze lingered.
'Damn it. Now I've made her worry.'
He hated that he was ruining this moment—one she had clearly been looking forward to.
He was angry at himself.
Once he finished the soup, the main course arrived: a simple but high-quality steak set.
This wasn't just any steak—it was made from premium cuts, priced at 400,000 won and available only by reservation.
'Steak, huh.'
He'd eaten steak-like dishes in the other world, but none had matched the quality of Earth's.
'The meat really is good.'
Even just cutting into it, he could tell the texture was exceptional.
"Ha-rin."
"Hm? What is it?"
She immediately brightened at his call.
"It's a little awkward just eating in silence. Want to talk while we eat?"
"Of course! I'd love that."
Her face lit up at the suggestion. Just the idea of conversing with him seemed to bring her joy.
'She really hasn't changed.'
Or maybe she was deliberately acting unchanged—trying to make him feel at ease.
Either way, feeling her love so clearly made him realize just how much she meant to him now.
"Then, can I ask you something first?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Ji-hu was prepared to tell her everything about his time in the other world if she asked.
Even now, half a month later, those memories were still painful—too raw to bring up casually. But if his sister wanted to know, he would force himself to speak.
She had the right to know.
"So, is Seo Yu-rin the only one joining your party?"
But instead of asking about his past, she brought up party members.
"Ha-rin... Aren't you curious about what happened over there?"
He had told her the basics—about Iris, Scarlet, Mine, and Yenia, how they had loved him, and how they had been deceived by the Demon King into attacking him. But he hadn't gone into detail.
Six years' worth of events were too much to explain, and time had been too short.
"I am curious. But... it's hard for you to talk about, isn't it?"
Her consideration sent a faint tremor through him.
Her words alone made him realize—she had been waiting for him to bring it up himself.
'She really was going to wait until I was ready.'
He resolved to tell her everything within the next few days. Closing his eyes briefly, he steadied himself.
"I'll wait as long as you need. So don't force yourself. And if it ever gets too hard... just lean on me. I'll always be on your side."
She paused, then added:
"Even if the whole world turns against you, I'll stand with you till the end."
Hot tears spilled from Ji-hu's eyes before he even realized it.
'Huh?'
Belatedly, he felt the wetness on his cheeks.
Wiping his tears with the back of his hand, he saw Ha-rin looking slightly flustered—but he smiled anyway.
"Even if the whole world turns against you, I'll stand with you too."
Iris, Scarlet, Mine, Yenia—he had believed they would always be on his side, no matter what.
But they hadn't trusted him. Even if they had been tricked by the Demon King, they had chosen the world over him. They had tried to kill him for it.
Yet here was Ha-rin, swearing she would stand with him even against the world itself.
"I'm really happy to hear you say that."
With that, she suddenly stood, moved her chair beside his, and placed her plate next to his. Then she sat down—close enough that their arms nearly touched.
"Ha-rin?"
"Ji-hu, let's talk like this for a bit."
Since no one else was around to see, he nodded, ignoring his embarrassment.
"Okay."
Pleased, she picked up a piece of steak with her fingers and held it to his lips.
"Ji-hu, say 'ah~'"
"H-Ha-rin?"
If the world could see the Empress Yu Ha-rin like this, they wouldn't believe their eyes.
The woman known as the "Ice Queen," whose mere presence sent chills down spines, was now feeding her younger brother like a doting mother.
But to Ji-hu, this wasn't entirely unfamiliar.
Even before their parents passed, she had been kind and affectionate. After their deaths, her overprotectiveness had only grown—often feeding him like this, as if it brought her comfort.
'After saying something like that, how can I refuse?'
Not cruel enough to reject her after she had sworn to stand by him against the world, Ji-hu reluctantly accepted the offered bite—though his face burned with embarrassment.
At one point, his lips brushed against her fingers.
'Ah—'
Her face was so close now.
Her flawless features, her perfect skin, the delicate curve of her lips—everything about her was breathtaking.
And after hearing those words, the usual boundaries between siblings felt dangerously thin.
"Ji-hu, is it good?"
Her tender smile made his gaze unconsciously drop to her lips.
"H-Ha-rin, wait—"
He shut his eyes briefly to steady himself, but that only made her sweet scent more overwhelming.
At his age, with the most beautiful woman in the world—one he knew better than any other—this close...
If he leaned forward even slightly, their faces would touch.
Anyone would struggle to keep their composure.
Ha-rin's beauty was so overwhelming that most people didn't dare approach her, intimidated by her presence. But up close, she was pure allure.
Ha-rin immediately recognized the look in Ji-hu's eyes.
'Six years apart must have weakened his resistance.'
She knew exactly how potent her beauty was as a weapon.
Every part of her was flawless—not just her face, but her proportions, her presence. Yet she had never felt even a flicker of attraction toward any man.
At most, she might acknowledge someone as handsome, but nothing more.
The only person she had ever loved was her younger brother, Ji-hu.
'I want to be with Ji-hu.'
Her only wish was to spend her life with him.
And seeing him so moved by her words, she wondered—what if they crossed that line?
'...I wouldn't mind.'
Surprisingly, the thought didn't bother her.
If Ji-hu—the only person she loved in this world—wanted her that way, she would be happy.
Her wish was simply his happiness and a lifetime together.
If that meant being more than just siblings...
Well, that was fine too.