Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Japan Trip (2)
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A massive crowd thronged the amusement park.
Everywhere I looked, it was nothing but couples, and I could feel my energy draining away in the midst of it all.
I'd thought wandering around with my little sister had gotten me somewhat used to going out.
I was wrong.
I still struggled with being out and about.
"I'm tired..."
"Already?"
"My body's fine, but mentally I'm exhausted..."
"Hmm..."
My little sister grinned at me—half-zombie mode by the time we lined up for the rides—and patted her shoulder invitingly.
"Then lean on me here."
"No, it's fine..."
"Aww, come on... Big sis can totally lend her shoulder to her little brother."
"A guy leaning on a girl feels kinda..."
"Pfft, nobody cares about that these days."
"Really?"
I tried not to lean if I could help it.
But right now, I was beat.
With all these people chattering away in a babel of languages.
Ugh... My stomach's churning...
"Alright, just for a bit then."
Better to quietly depend on her than be a nuisance in the park.
I leaned toward my little sister's shoulder.
"Ah..."
Our height difference made it tricky, so I gave up.
I figured I'd adjust my posture, but no matter how I tried, the angle just wouldn't work.
"Hmm..."
My little sister seemed to realize the same issue and pondered it thoughtfully.
Well, nothing to be done.
A bit dizzy, but I braced my legs to tough it out.
Thud.
Suddenly, she slipped behind me.
Her arms wrapped around my waist, gently pulling me back against her.
I ended up leaning into her naturally.
"..."
Leaning against her did feel comfortable.
But...
"W-Wait a sec..."
This was a blatant back hug.
I thought we weren't crossing lines as family.
Even if I wanted to play dumb, this wasn't something I could just gloss over quietly.
I twisted, trying to resist.
"Just relax."
She whispered in my ear, her breath warm, holding me so I couldn't escape.
"..."
No matter the physical gap, she was an S-rank Hunter.
A tanker at that, with insane strength.
Resisting her was impossible for me.
"..."
I gave up struggling and let my body go limp.
Her soft chest cushioned my back like a plush pillow.
It was definitely comfy.
And the lemon verbena body wash scent wafting from her hit all the right notes.
"New body wash, huh..."
"Yeah, what do you think? Nice, right?"
"It's good..."
"Heehee, glad you like it."
Soft touch, warm body heat, sweet fragrance.
I couldn't resist her at all.
Spaced out like that.
"What a sweet couple..."
"So jealous..."
I felt eyes on us from around.
Jealous stares, envious ones.
Japanese, naturally, since it was Japanese people talking.
But somehow, the words translated in my head automatically.
Gotta cut back on the anime...
About ten minutes leaning on her like that?
Drowsiness crept in from the comfy setup.
"Hold on."
She jolted and pushed me away.
"Huh?"
Pushed off, the sleepiness vanished as I watched her scan the surroundings warily.
Even in Japan, where she had some fame, her disguised self furrowed her brows.
"Something's off..."
"What?"
"No... Just feels like a familiar gaze..."
A familiar gaze?
What could that be here in Japan, not even Korea?
I figured she was imagining it.
"..."
But she was an S-rank Hunter.
Her senses far sharper than mine.
So I waited quietly for her to speak.
"Hmm..."
Eyes closed, focusing her senses, she opened them.
A strange expression crossed her face.
"Well?"
"Um..."
She pondered my question briefly.
Then beamed brightly.
"Guess it was nothing!"
"Oh, okay."
No reason for her to lie to me.
So it must've been her imagination.
Relieved I wouldn't get dragged into some incident.
"Phew, mind if I lean again?"
"Nah, I'm good now. Recovered a bit."
"..."
She pouted, lips pursed in a sulk.
It felt like pressure to lean quicker.
"Fine... Just for a sec then."
Feeling indebted, I leaned into her again.
Only then did she smile, satisfied.
Jeong Se-yeon flinched at Jeong Da-jeong's scanning gaze and ducked out of sight.
Her disguise—changed clothes and all—was flawless.
She'd suppressed her aura so perfectly even another S-rank wouldn't notice.
Watching Jeong Ha-seong and Jeong Da-jeong in that perfect camouflage.
Seeing them in a tender back hug shattered her composure, leaking a hint of aura.
Da-jeong had sensed it, glancing around briefly.
But smiling it off meant she'd chalked it up to imagination. Lucky.
"Phew..."
Se-yeon sighed in relief and looked back.
They'd separated briefly, but were stuck together again in no time.
If she didn't know they were siblings, she'd swear they were a picture-perfect couple—the vibe was that intense.
"What the hell is going on..."
Her chest tightened watching them.
If they wanted love, why not date normally like everyone else?
As family head, even objectively, Da-jeong and Ha-seong had the looks and skills to attract partners easily.
But... why within the family...?
"..."
She knew she had to stop it.
Rush over and order them apart right now.
But fear held her back.
What if scolding them broke the family harmony they'd built?
And after that sketchy massage yesterday, she wasn't exactly blameless herself.
While Se-yeon stewed in frustration, hiding it.
Da-jeong and Ha-seong boarded the ride.
"Ah..."
She could monitor them outside.
But inside the ride? Even she couldn't.
Not knowing what happened in there only amplified her anxiety.
No way they're kissing in there... right?
Se-yeon waited anxiously, praying nothing happened.
"You two?"
"Yes."
"Ah, this way first, please."
For some reason, I could converse with the staff in Japanese.
Holding my little sister's hand, I followed the staff onto the ride.
Hand-holding was basically routine now when we were alone.
I didn't make a fuss about it anymore, nor did she.
"Safety bar down."
"Yes."
I lowered the safety bar, securing us both firmly.
"Ugh, so stuffy."
"Hang in there a bit."
"Can't we skip it...? It's squishing my chest."
"..."
Honestly, someone like her could probably ride without it fine.
But I was a normal guy who'd die if I fell, so safety first.
Her chest compressed awkwardly against the bar, embarrassing to watch.
The bra seemed to protect her from pain, at least.
Still, her expression soured from the discomfort.
"Little bro."
"Yeah."
"Lemme hold you on the ride—can we loosen this? Honestly, me holding you feels safer than the bar."
"Staff would faint. Just bear it."
"Mm... True..."
She nodded reluctantly and waited obediently for takeoff.
Vrrr...
The ride lurched into motion.
"..."
Faster than expected—I was caught off guard.
I'd thought a themed rollercoaster would prioritize sightseeing over thrills.
But the thrill was real, and I loved it.
Without the rest leaning on her, it'd have been tough.
Thanks to her, fully recovered, I could just enjoy it pure.
My excitement rose, but her face soured.
Pale as a ghost, hands gripped the bar she'd claimed not to need.
I'd figured an S-rank Tanker battling frontline horrors would breeze through this.
Guess monster fear and coaster fear are different beasts.
Rat-a-tat-tat...
Blasting through space to Amazon themes, it burst outdoors and began climbing slowly.
"Ugh..."
Climbing high meant a massive drop.
Knowing that, I clutched the bar tight.
Her face looked like death.
Found it kinda cute, so I scooted closer, adjusting position.
She glanced at me.
"Scared? Don't look down—look at me."
"Can I?"
"Since when do you ask permission?"
"Heh, fair."
Good, she could still joke back.
I gently placed my hand over hers on the bar.
This should help a bit.
Clunk.
Top of the climb.
Whoosh...
Plummeting at insane speed.
"Kyaaah!"
Screams echoed front and back as she stared wide-eyed at me.
I squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Rat-a-tat-tat...
Mid-drop, flash.
Clack.
Park camera snapped a pic.
(Stalker Jeong Se-yeon)