Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Date (9)
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A peaceful morning, no different from any other.
The clinking of utensils echoed softly as the family ate quietly, but I felt choked by the awkwardness.
Sitting across from me was my little older sister, who kept stealing glances my way.
"Hic."
Whenever our eyes met, she'd jolt in surprise and look away.
A moment later, she'd glance again.
"Hic-up."
She let out a loud hiccup and bowed her head.
"Hmm..."
My little sister, sitting next to me, furrowed her brows and gave my little older sister a strange look.
Thud.
Then she jabbed my thigh.
"Ugh..."
I winced in pain and shot her a silent protest with my eyes.
But she ignored it and kept poking my thigh relentlessly.
I raised my finger to retaliate,
"..."
but when I saw her pristine white thigh, embarrassment washed over me, and I lowered my hand, deciding to just eat my meal quietly.
Not satisfied with that, she now wiggled her toes, bumping my thigh with them.
She'd seemed in a better mood since I promised the Japan trip, but seeing my little older sister set her off again.
'Should I just give her a proper massage lesson.'
Being toyed with by my little sister kept bringing naughty thoughts to mind,
'Childish... so childish...'
but as an adult, the shame outweighed any desire for petty revenge, so I endured her pranks in silence.
"Hmm..."
With the atmosphere so rowdy, my big sister, who had been reading the newspaper, sensed something off. She set it down and tilted her head.
"Is something wrong? Da-jeong hasn't lifted her head once, and Yu-rim isn't eating."
"..."
"Did something happen between you two while I was gone? You've seemed closer lately."
We both had plenty to feel guilty about, so we averted our eyes in unison.
We knew our actions wouldn't look normal to outsiders.
"...What is it?"
Only then did my big sister realize something had happened, staring at us intently.
Her gaze made my muscles stiffen.
After we lost our parents young, my big sister had taken on the roles of both father and mother, and I'd gotten scolded by her plenty back then.
We hadn't been punished since growing up, but
the memories flooded back, filling me with tension.
"Someone answer me."
"Uh... nothing's wrong..."
With neither my little sister nor little older sister showing any sign of speaking up, I took the lead and made an excuse.
My big sister stared at me for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Well, Ha-seong's reliable, so I won't pry. But since he put so much effort into making breakfast, at least eat properly?"
"Yeah..."
With my big sister's neat wrap-up, peace returned to breakfast.
"Have a safe trip."
"Yeah, I'll be back."
I waved goodbye to my big sister, who was heading to work despite it being the weekend, then immediately headed back inside toward my little sister's room.
Knock knock.
This time, I knocked politely instead of barging in.
"Little sis, can I come in?"
"Huh...? Y-yeah!"
With permission granted, I opened the door to find my little sister rolling around on her bed.
"What's up?"
"Yeah, looks like you'll have to eat dinner alone again tonight. I'll probably eat out with little sis Da-jeong, and big sis said she'll eat before coming back."
"..."
My energetically rolling little sister froze and slowly turned her head.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"You're really sure nothing's going on with Da-jeong unnie?"
"I told you, nothing."
"..."
Her face, beaming just moments ago, hardened as she stared at me.
Feeling needlessly guilty, I waved my hands frantically.
"For real. Nothing's up."
"..."
"Starting tomorrow, I'll cut back on going out like normal."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Still looking suspicious, she sighed deeply and continued.
"Fine, this kind little sis will let it slide. How many sisters in the world would forgive an oppa trying to starve her like this? Be grateful."
"You can just order delivery alone."
"Whatever, just be thankful."
"...Thanks."
My little sister sprang up from the bed and held out her hand.
"Just words?"
"...Pocket money?"
"I have more money than I can spend."
"Then what...?"
"Hmm..."
She hugged a nearby stuffed animal thoughtfully, then casually said,
"One wish coupon."
"What are you... gonna ask for..."
"Anyway, just give me one wish coupon."
"Without knowing what you'll ask?"
"A word from me pretty much gets anything done anyway, right? Don't worry, I won't ask for anything unreasonable."
"..."
Feeling like I was getting scammed, I nodded.
"Fine."
"Yay!"
"Alright, I'm heading out? Don't open the door for strangers."
"I'm not a kid anymore."
"Got it."
As I turned to leave with a heavy heart, her pale white foot nudged my thigh.
She was clearly asking for something.
"Okay, I'll do it."
Now I could tell what she wanted without her saying it, so I stepped closer and whispered softly.
"I love you, little sis. Guard the house well, okay?"
"Yeah~"
It was time for our appointment.
Finally, the last date.
I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and left my room.
Right on cue, my little older sister emerged from her room, dressed prettily.
A white T-shirt with a pleated black skirt.
Scanning her slowly, I nodded involuntarily.
Yeah, my sister looks pretty today too.
"All ready?"
"Yeah."
"You dressed up nice."
"Th-thanks..."
After our awkward greeting, my little older sister and I stepped out together.
Beep. Click.
The moment we exited and the front door closed, we grabbed each other's hands without a word.
Her hand felt warm with her body heat, along with damp sweat.
She was clearly very nervous.
"Um... your hand's sweaty..."
She seemed worried about the sweat too.
Yet she didn't let go, which was so endearing.
I want to hug her tight...
'Ah, damn... I can't do this.'
I'd been staring blankly at her without even pressing the elevator button. Snapping out of it, I hurriedly pressed it.
This relationship with my little older sister was purely for the quest.
No matter how attractive she was, I had to keep a firm grip on myself.
We're blood-related siblings... siblings...
I was prepared to cross some taboos for the quest, but it couldn't become real...
Whoosh.
The elevator from another floor began to move, and with a slightly trembling heart, I glanced at my little older sister.
Wondering if she'd noticed I hadn't pressed the button.
"..."
Fortunately, her cheeks flushed, head bowed low.
She hadn't noticed.
Feeling a bit relieved and relaxing,
Ding.
The doors opened.
"Gasp..."
Our eyes met with the person inside.
I'd assumed it was empty since it stopped on another floor.
But inside was an auntie wiping the mirror with a cloth.
Seeing me, she said,
"Come on in. It's fine."
"Ah... yes ma'am."
With S-rank hunter reflexes, my little older sister had hidden behind me. I gently led her into the elevator.
She had public recognition, but my face wasn't known, so the auntie clearly had no idea we were the famous Jeong siblings.
If she were from the building staff, she might have guessed from the floor, but
she seemed to be from an external cleaning service.
I sighed inwardly in relief.
If word got out that Jeong siblings were holding hands so affectionately... the internet would explode with speculation.
Standing to fully shield my little older sister, the auntie glanced at us while wiping the mirror.
"Do you live in this apartment?"
"Ah, yes."
"Wow, a young guy owning a nice place like this. Must be capable."
"Haha..."
"I heard an S-rank hunter lives here too?"
"Ah... yeah... I think so."
Normally I'd chat easily, but sweat dripped from my forehead with every exchange.
I wished she'd stop talking, but she was even chattier than expected.
"Your girlfriend seems really shy."
"Haha... yeah..."
She wasn't my girlfriend, but I couldn't say siblings, so I forced an awkward smile and nodded.
Our demeanor was far too intimate for that.
Squeeze.
At her words, my little older sister's grip tightened on my hand.
S-rank hunter indeed.
Just a bit more force, and it hurt.
But I couldn't show pain, so I gritted my teeth and kept smiling.
After sweating profusely through that short ordeal,
[First floor.]
The elevator stopped at the lobby.
"Oops, sorry if I talked too much. Take care!"
"Yes, goodbye."
Thankfully, she got off right away. After mashing the close button, the doors shut, and my little older sister finally emerged from behind me.
Still holding hands, she whispered in my ear,
"You did well..."
"At what?"
"Saying girlfriend... that was good..."
"..."
She looked so happy being called my girlfriend.
Her playful smile made her seem truly blissful.