Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Ordinary Daily Life is Strange (7)
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The streets are bustling.
People's chatter fills the sidewalks, the chirping of birds flows through the park to gently set the background, and the sounds of passing cars mix in to create the city's symphony.
We drive along the long road. The car, which I haven't ridden in a while, is cut off from the outside noise, filled only with silence. The music that would normally be playing cheerfully has stopped, making the quiet interior feel rather awkward.
I'm stuck between these two incredibly uncomfortable people, glancing back and forth at them. Sihyun, who was happily chatting just moments ago, now keeps her mouth shut tight and focuses on driving. Yuna, who followed us looking all dejected, keeps slyly extending her finger toward me.
"Yuna, keep your hands off my brother."
She's not just driving—she keeps interfering like this.
Every time, she retracts her finger like a scolded puppy, and repeating this scene is just killing me.
"Um... can't we at least play some music? I feel like I'm gonna suffocate and die like this."
Why do I have to suffer sandwiched in the middle like this?
"We're almost there, so we're just gonna go like this. Brother, seriously... no, Yuna. I said don't reach out."
"...Can't I hold on just a little...?"
She speaks casually to me without hesitation and banters freely with guild members, so why is she so cautious with Sihyun? If she'd just talked normally... well, I'd probably already be dead from the suffocating tension.
"No. Sit quietly in the back."
"Okay..."
The uncomfortable exchange between them resumes, and I close my eyes.
Wow, I seriously feel like throwing up.
We finally arrive at the department store. Escaping the stifling car like a prison, I take a deep breath of liberation.
Cough—
"Kuhk...! The perfume smell is way too strong here, ugh..."
"Department stores always smell like cosmetics on the first floor. It's kinda embarrassing to act like you've never been to one every time, you hopeless brother of mine..."
"What am I supposed to do if I haven't? So, what do you wanna buy~? Let's go shopping quick."
I pinch my nose with one hand and tug Sihyun's arm. This outing was meant to spend time together, after all.
"Hey, don't pull me, brother...! Wait! Hey, Yuna, stop dawdling and come here."
"Huh...? Can I go that way too...?"
"Sigh... Hurry up. Come to my side, not brother's. No, I said don't cling to him!"
"Can't I be in the middle...?"
"Argh, seriously... Just do it. Sigh, let's go buy brother some clothes first."
Sihyun lets out a sigh but takes care of Yuna as she walks. She clearly said she didn't like her, but she ends up looking after her anyway because she pities her—it's pretty cute.
We arrive at the clothing store. After pondering for a while, Sihyun picks out an outfit and shoves it at me.
"Brother, go try this on."
"Sure."
I take the clothes Sihyun picked and head to the fitting room. I change out of my old clothes into the new ones and ask Sihyun.
"How's it look?"
"Hm... yeah, you've got a good frame, so even basic stuff looks fine. We'll take this. Wanna keep it on?"
"Too lazy to change back, so yeah."
Sihyun leaves to pay for the clothes I'm wearing, and Yuna stares intently at them.
"What? Does it look weird?"
Yuna shakes her head without answering and runs off to rummage through the racks. After a bit, she grabs an outfit and slips into the fitting room.
"Brother, I paid. Wanna check other stores...? Where's Yuna?"
"Dunno, she suddenly went into the fitting room. Probably found something she likes."
As we're chatting and waiting for her to come out, Yuna peeks out with just her face.
"What're you doing."
"I... changed into clothes."
"Yeah, that's what fitting rooms are for. Hurry up and come out if you're done."
At my words, Yuna steps out.
"What the. Why are you wearing the same outfit as brother?"
"It's... the one I liked...."
Yuna mumbles evasively as Sihyun and I stare at her in disbelief, then she quickly goes to pay.
"Let's go..."
Yuna slots herself between us again and slyly smiles. She tugs at Sihyun's arm—who's still looking dumbfounded—and heads to another store.
"She's really something else. Is this that whole 'birds of a feather' thing...?"
Sihyun adds that with a look like she's seen something bizarre.
"Sihyun, that's an insult."
Why lump me in with her like that.
The rest of the shopping went mostly the same way. Whenever Sihyun picked something for me, Yuna would eye it and grab the same one—or something similar.
- It suits you well too. I'll go pay...
The moment Sihyun said that, Yuna would sneak off to find a similar outfit, head to the fitting room, and ignore our stares while steadfastly doing her thing.
When Sihyun started scolding her to stop, she'd tuck in her tail and pause... only to end up with all those clothes in her bag before we knew it.
She did the same when picking clothes for Sihyun. When I asked why, she said:
- She told me I have to look good to family too...
That was all. After studying, she was acting like a machine just following programmed instructions.
We finish shopping and head to a restaurant.
- Ready to order?
"I'll have pasta and salad. What about you, brother?"
"Steak for me!"
"Then... steak for me too."
Yuna's behavior remains steadfast, unchanged from shopping.
"...We'll have that."
- Yes, thank you.
...
Silence falls after ordering. As expected, Sihyun breaks it.
"Yuna."
"Yes..."
"Why do you like my brother?"
Pfft—
Sihyun's sudden question catches me off guard instead. They carry on like they've forgotten the person in question is right there.
"He shines. So brightly."
"Shines...? That's your reason?"
"It was fascinating, so I got interested the first time I saw him. Because he has this colorful glow that no one else can imitate."
"Hm... so you like my brother because he shines?"
"That's how it started. But now, it's not because he shines."
"I like him not for the light, but just for being Siwoo. I like that the first light I encountered is such a pure, upright person. I like that there's no deceit in him. I like how he faced death head-on, the thoughtfulness he showed me. It hurts to see him in pain, my heart races when he protects me. I feel alive only when we're together. My heart only beats strong when I'm with him."
Clearer than ever before, her usual hesitant speech gone, her resolute gaze empowers every word.
Just listening beside them, I feel embarrassed for no reason, while Sihyun quietly continues.
"Sigh... I'll be honest. I still don't like you. I hate how you keep taking away time with my brother, and you dragged him toward death. He's my only family."
"I know..."
Her hesitant tone returns. She shrinks back at Sihyun's overt hostility.
"But whatever... you're weird, but not a bad person, I guess... Fine, whatever. Do your best."
Sihyun ends it there and stands up.
"You two eat, I'm heading home first. Spend time together but don't come back late."
With a wave, Sihyun leaves the restaurant.
Wait, what about my opinion?
She didn't even ask me and just set us up like that.
Before we know it, the sun is setting, turning everything to twilight. Under the purple-dyed sky, we walk through the park. People stare at us, whispers reach our ears, but I ignore them and speak.
"Oh yeah, so why do you find Sihyun so intimidating? You're blunt with everyone else."
Yuna clutches the hem of my shirt and mumbles her response.
"I'm not blunt with others... I just don't care about them. But she said I have to be good to the family of someone I like... That's why it's hard. I don't know how to do that right... Especially since I'm the one who put you in danger."
Her now-firm affection lingers around us. Afraid I'll reject her again, afraid I'll signal it, it hovers close but doesn't approach.
"Yuna, I have someone I like. So, just as friends. That's better."
I have no intention of letting these ambiguous feelings drag on, so I reject her firmly. Leaving someone's feelings unchecked when you know them feels rude.
"I know..."
"Then..."
"Still, don't push me away."
She cuts me off with her resolute tone again.
"..."
"It's okay if you don't like me. I knew it might not work out."
People's stares fade away. Something greater—that affection—demands my attention.
"Still, don't push me away. Don't eliminate the possibility. Leave me even a handful."
In that moment, the murmurs, car noises, even the wind brushing my ears—all vanish.
"I'll work harder from now on. I'm serious."
A confession at sunset, like that day long ago.
Her desperation hits me. Despite her firm words, facing her trembling eyes...
My chest tightens inexplicably.