Sister's First Day at Work
"Yaaawn... What the hell? Why'd you wake up so early? Even your college entrance exams are over—shouldn't you be sleeping in?"
Sorry, sis. Once I start college, I feel like I'll be sleeping in every day... But today marks your monumental first day at work, so I got up at dawn and prepped breakfast and a lunchbox ahead of time. I packed it extra hearty so you can assert dominance over your coworkers and show off that you've got a little brother looking out for you.
"I probably won't be able to see you off like this every day, but for a special day like today, it's the least I can do."
My sister looked genuinely touched, like she hadn't even considered it. It was just a simple spread, but it felt a bit embarrassing now...
"Sniff, ah... Thanks, Seohyun. My little bro's all grown up now."
"What're you talking about... Just eat already. It's gonna get cold."
"Yeah..."
The second she picked up her spoon, I shoveled a spoonful of soup into my mouth too. I cook every now and then, but this was pretty much my first time simmering a proper broth, so I was worried sick. But then,
"This is so good..."
"Hmm, turned out just like I hoped."
For a first try, this is pretty damn impressive, right?
"Did you follow a recipe?"
"I was gonna, but we were missing too many ingredients. Gotta take Chaeah to the mart today."
"Chaeah's in her senior year now—don't work her too hard."
True... Chaeah's already a high school senior. In my head, she's still just a little kid, so it always shocks me when I think about her age, even though we're practically Irish twins. Plus, she's got this cute aegyo side that's rare for women in this world.
"She won't step foot outside if I don't drag her out. Times like this, I gotta take her along."
"Fair enough... Nah, you'll handle it fine. Honestly, I have no clue what being a senior feels like anyway."
"High school senior or not, it's nothing compared to what you went through in school, sis. Don't worry about us."
"Yeah, you're right—I'm in no position to fret over anyone else right now... Sigh, I don't wanna go to work."
I wonder what it's like, your first day on the job. If even my sister—who's never worked a day in her life—is sighing like this... Still, my food must've given her some energy, because she started polishing off her plates one by one.
"Seohyun, you can do anything. This is delicious, that is delicious—you're the best, seriously."
"Really? Ah, I messed up with the perilla leaf pickles, though. Sorry."
They say every minute counts in a working adult's morning... I shouldn't have put out the perilla leaf pickles; they're barely touched.
"No, it's still super tasty. Not salty at all—you nailed it."
"Good to hear. Ah, but this pisses me off... Hold on, lemme grab some food handler gloves. Keep eating, sis."
Picking them up one by one with chopsticks was stressing me out, so I just slipped on gloves and started placing them right on her spoon.
"You don't have to go this far... I'm not in that much of a rush. When are you gonna eat?"
"I'm in a rush. Once you finish this, I'll do your makeup and style your hair."
"Huh...? No, what woman needs—"
"You're doing it. I bought women's cosmetics. Use mine for anything missing. Might as well learn from me while you're at it."
A guy teaching a girl makeup... In my past life, that would've been unimaginable, but here, it's just common sense. Guys don't go full-on with red lipstick, painted nails, or heavy eyeliner—it's just makeup that suits us. Meanwhile, women act like they wouldn't be caught dead wearing any...
"Women look way better with makeup. It's your first day—you wanna make a good impression."
"Fine... I'll trust you?"
"I'll keep it super natural, don't worry. You know I don't do heavy looks anyway."
"You don't wear any to school."
"Why would I wear makeup to school?"
I do put it on when I wanna look good and not lose out, but I don't make it a daily habit like other guys. Only for special occasions, like school festivals. I practice on the side, though...
"Don't most guys do it the most at school...? Whatever, breakfast was amazing. I'll wash up quick."
"Yeah. I'll finish eating and do the dishes, so take your time."
At least washing speed hasn't flipped— I finished the dishes before she came out. Guys' shampoo time doubles if their hair grows out two months; how does she even manage hair that long?
"Sit here. I'll dry it for you."
"I'm getting the royal treatment today... This takes forever."
"That's why you always half-ass it. I seriously don't get how your hair's so healthy."
Vroooom—
"Isn't the air a bit cold?"
"Cold?"
"Not cold-cold, just perfectly cool?"
"Then tough it out a bit. Cool air's better for your scalp. I'll style it separately."
"Yeah... Feels really nice, though."
"What's feeling nice?"
"Just... you drying it makes it feel so good."
"Then you should get a boyfriend already. How are you still single at twenty-seven?"
"I'm twenty-five in Korean age?"
"Whatever. How do you have that face and body and not land a guy by twenty-five? If I were you, I'd— Ah, wait. Then I'd have to date guys..."
I blanked out and thought like I was a guy from my old world, then remembered that'd be a huge issue here.
"Jihyun..."
"I'm a guy, you're a girl. I'm precious, you're the fool. Can't compare us like that."
"What're you saying? You've got total yobu vibes. At least three of 'em."
"Isn't that harsh for your little brother...? Anyway, once I get a girlfriend, we're marrying straight away."
"A kid not even twenty talking big. And you think your girlfriend would let her do this if you had one?"
"C'mon, no girl's that petty. And we're siblings—what's the big deal?"
I meant it, but she shook her head like I was ridiculous.
"If my twenty-year-old boyfriend was doing this with his sister, it'd be the death penalty."
"Death penalty? You're the weird one, sis."
"Dude, if your girlfriend saw her boyfriend doing something couples usually don't do for his sister, how'd that feel?"
"If my girlfriend was drying her brother's hair?"
"That's... a bit better."
"Thinking about it, I'd probably hate it... She's mine—why's she touching another guy?"
"See? I'm not weird—you are. Guys love when their girl dotes on her own brother; it shows she's family-oriented."
Damn, that's weirdly convincing... Conversations like this always remind me I haven't fully adapted to this world yet.
"Whatever, my head hurts. Dropping it. Time for essence. Should've done it before drying, but you made me forget..."
"Essence? I hate stuff that smells on my hair..."
"Knew you'd say that—got the unscented kind. Smell."
"Oh... Nice scent."
"And yet you'll skip it... Start using essence at least."
"Too lazy."
"Sigh... Fine, I'll do it tonight. Wash twice a day."
"Why're you so obsessed with my looks today?"
"You're a working adult now. Don't you know how crucial appearance is for office folks?"
"How would you know?"
"Can't argue there... Anyway, they say women's looks matter more than men's. Pretty girls get trust and favors easy no matter what. Handsome guys? Just office gossip and thirsty stares."
Of course, super handsome or lucky guys rocket up the ladder sometimes. Never worked myself, so it's all forum tales...
"Don't go looking up that crap. You're a minor."
"Senior year's old enough to know everything already."
"Ugh... Fine, fine. All done now?"
"Still a ways to go? Makeup hasn't even started."
"I can't do this twice..."
"Tell me for big meetings. I'll do those days."
"That'd be amazing. You're the best, Seohyun."
"Turning the chair now—lift your feet."
"Okay!"
Rrrroll—
Looking at her like this, my sister really is stunning. No wonder I'm still single.
Chaeah too—both of them are once-in-a-school beauties. Honestly, me too... So that's why we're all single?
I heard girls think their brothers are ugly, and guys think their sisters are hot.
Guys primp outside but lounge like slobs at home; girls stay consistent everywhere, I guess.
"Sis, you still think I'm the handsomest?"
"Blurp..."
"Ah, sorry."
"Dude, don't make me talk during makeup!"
"Sorry, got lost in thought... Of course I am, right?"
"Duh? Isn't it obvious?"
"'Cause I stay neat even at home?"
"What? No matter what, you're the prettiest, handsomest in the world to me. Without you, I'd probably be—"
"Nah, I shouldn't have brought it up. Let's not talk about those bastards. We won't see them ever again."
"I don't care anymore. Just popped into my head."
Birth mom, bio dad, legal dad... People we've sworn off forever. No reason to meet again.
"You look even prettier with makeup, sis. Was worried it'd make you too much."
"Hey, don't say that... But yeah, I do look good."
"Leave it to me from now on?"
"Yeah. You could get married now, Seohyun..."
"What? I'm not till you do."
"Just saying..."