Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: So Damn Cool
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"Hey, this is a huge mistake!! How dare you grab me? Get your hands off! Do you know who I am? My friend's dad's little brother's cousin is an executive in the Silas Guild!"
"Aigoo, with such an impressive connection, why cause a scene here? Hurry up and bring your friend's dad's little bro's cousin. Take care!"
"You punk who doesn't know his place...! Just you wait! You better prepare yourself!!"
"Yep!"
"Pfft!"
I flashed a grin and waved cheerfully at the auntie, who was being dragged off to the slaughterhouse like livestock. She was screaming her head off and flailing wildly even as they hauled her away, but she was just a regular civilian—no match for the burly guards' iron grip.
"Seriously, the problem with people is they get old but don't act their age. Right~?"
"Oppa, you're 31 yourself, and the way you act is kinda... Nah~ That was cool!"
Keep saying stuff like that and you'll hurt my feelings. She made that exact face, then quickly backpedaled. And with that beaming smile, she seemed pretty pleased herself.
"Feeling better now? You looked pretty down when we got here."
"Yeah, I feel good~ Truth is... I don't come to the columbarium much. Every time I do, those types are lurking around, clinging to me desperately. But coming with you? Not bad at all~"
Was it always like that? If so, even I'd find this place off-putting. It's not exactly a beacon of happiness to begin with, and running into pests like that on top of it.
"Here we are, Oppa. Mom and Dad. No bodies recovered, so just the urns, but at least we have photos?"
A small empty urn and photos beside it. In the pictures, a middle-aged couple smiled warmly. Their names, marked with the hanja for 'the late.' By now, they're just faces and names in my memory. The shared moments and recollections? Faded away long ago. All I can do is attach emotions to those faces and names.
"Long time no see. Your brilliant son and daughter are finally back after ten years."
I greeted the photos with genuine warmth.
"Don't people usually say 'useless son' there...?"
"Nah, I'm awesome, so I don't lie."
"You're insane...."
I pressed on undeterred.
"I had no idea you'd grieve so much over me vanishing. I lived pretty well without worrying you too much. You should've just let it go. Anyway, sorry. I'm truly sorry."
Words that won't reach them, but I said them anyway. Maybe hearing the full story from Sihyun had me feeling extra emotional.
"Somehow I ended up in another world. Wasn't like I wanted to go, so cut me some slack."
Sihyun shot me an incredulous look.
"And I get that you loved me, but you should've thought of Sihyun too. The living come before the dead, right? Was I really that important?"
"...."
"Anyway, it's nice seeing you after so long. I'll visit again. Whenever I have time."
That covered everything I wanted to say. I turned to Sihyun.
"Alright, say whatever you want. I'll wait outside."
I figured she needed space—her feelings weren't all rosy nostalgia.
"Yeah, thanks. Won't take long."
I turned and headed out, rounding the corner.
- Mom, Dad. Long time. But honestly? Not sure if I'm happy or miss you. It's been ten years already.... I still can't forgive you. I just... hate you so much.... Why didn't you think about how hard it was for me? I'm your child too....
But the hero's annoyingly sharp ears picked up even her faint whispers from afar. If only they could turn off right now.
- I told Oppa it's because of relatives that I don't come much, but I probably wouldn't even if they weren't around. I try so hard to live normally, but coming here drags up the past. It hurts.... Those memories make me resent you all over again.
....
- Am I just too narrow-minded for still feeling this way? But those ten years alone meant something to me. Ten years of being abandoned. So until I'm okay, let me resent you a bit more. Resenting you is what keeps me going.
Makes me feel guilty for no reason. Guess I should cook dinner when we get home. Damn, now you've got me all emotional.
- Oh, and Oppa.... Ugh, whatever. Reliable...? Hmm, he is, but weird. Kinda immature. Says he suffered in another world, and I'm like, sure. Feels like he aged backwards. Yeah.... He'll get better with time. Maybe....
That little punk...? Does she know I'm listening? You're hurting me here?
- Think I've said it all. Oppa's waiting, so I'll go. Be happy there. I'm finally starting to be happy, so I can wish that for you. Bye.
The sound of her footsteps—steady, no hesitation—had me opening my eyes to greet her.
"Oppa, let's go."
"Sure~"
We stepped back outside and strolled the tree-lined path. With lunchtime approaching, the air had warmed to a cozy temperature. The shade kept it from getting too hot.
"Let's hurry and grab some food. Starving after wandering since morning."
"How about eating out? Come to think of it, I haven't since coming back."
"Wasn't the festival food eating out?"
"Nah~ That was just snacks. Not a real meal."
"Fine, fine~ It's been ages for me too. Let's eat out before heading home."
We walked to the parking lot, hopped in Sihyun's car, and headed downtown.
"What do you wanna eat? Your pick, Oppa."
"Something expensive."
"My card, though?"
"Yup!"
"You're such a jerk. Fine, steak it is, then. Dear incompetent brother."
"You got it, talented little sis."
Sihyun dialed somewhere while driving.
"Yes, making a reservation. Table for two. No seats? I'll pay double. Yes. Thank you."
She hung up and focused on the road like it was nothing.
"So damn cool."
"I know~ Learn from it!"
"Pass. I wanna mooch off you."
"You maniac.... Where'd you toss your conscience?"
"Left it in Pretoria~"
"What a brag. We're here, so get out."
"Sure~"
I stepped out without a second thought, only to gawk at the place. Way too fancy for my taste.
"Uh...?"
The exterior screamed luxury, leaving me dumbfounded as I turned to Sihyun.
"What? You said expensive. Here to treat you to something pricey, like you wanted."
She strode ahead into the building, and I followed silently.
"So damn cool...."
"Told you, I know~"
Nothing beats a capable little sister.
- Welcome. Are you An Sihyun?
"Yes."
- Right this way to your reserved table.
"The most expensive course, please."
- Yes, we'll prepare it right away.
"So damn...."
"In a fancy restaurant, you gotta talk fancy too. Brother dear."
"Quite charming, my lady."
- Pfft.
"Uh...?"
- Ah, sorry. This way to your table.
What? Why the laugh?
The dishes coming out of that restaurant? Easily the best I'd ever tasted in my life.
Back home, it was just average family meals—no helping it. And as a so-called hero? Nah, more like a slave. Fancy food only at rare festivals.
Anyway, high-end dining on my sister's dime? Perfection.
"Satisfied now?"
"Yep, blissed out."
"Good~ Let's head home and rest. More exhausting than work."
She kept complaining about fatigue and urging me home, so I got in the car.
"Kinda bummed. Gotta leech more off sis.... Kidding~ Joke~"
"Whoa, nearly decked you."
I really almost got hit.
We wrapped up our weekend outing and headed home. Her solid driving skills had drowsiness creeping in.
"Hey, Sihyun. Why no car for me?"
"Got a license?"
"Nah, but I can ride horses."
"Then shut it."
"Hng."
Stung by her retort, I clammed up the rest of the way home.
"Oppa, still sulking?"
"Nope."
"Looks like it."
"I said no."
"What 31-year-old acts this childish...?"
"Keep harping on my age and I really will sulk...?"
"Sigh, wanna game together? I'll play with you?"
Her offer perked me right up. Gaming siblings...? Kinda romantic, even.
"Great idea."
"Oh, no Top Yami crap."
Ah. There it goes.