The Walk to School with My Little Sister
"Chaeah, time to get up."
"Mmm..."
"Jeez, why are you still such a baby..."
Though she is ridiculously cute.
If all the women in this house were more like big sisters, I'd have adapted to this world in no time. But Chaeah's too adorable, and it's probably why I'm still struggling to adjust. Of course, that's by this world's standards...
Shrrk—
"Son Chaeah, you'll be late at this rate. I already made breakfast, so get up already."
"For real?"
"What the—were you faking it? You trying to die?"
"Uwong... Oppa, I'm sleepy."
"Where do you get off whining like that... Girls who act all cutesy aren't popular, Chaeah."
"But you like it. Girls full of aegyo."
"Wha—huh...? No. I mean—"
"You always say that, but look, you're smiling right now."
Damn, that's embarrassing...
I have zero shame about my type, but how do I tell my aegyo-overloaded little sister that I like girls full of aegyo...?
"Nah, I just like pretty girls. And so what if I do? You gonna grow up and marry oppa?"
"Yeah, I am?"
"Ugh, how old are you... Whatever, come on out already."
Did I spoil her too much...?
I know she only acts like this around me, but still, I seriously worry when Chaeah will finally stand on her own two feet. The underclassmen say she's super sharp and no-nonsense at school—insanely popular, too. But guys steal the most glances at her while pretending otherwise, so who knows if that's true...
"Tasty?"
"It is, but kinda—"
"Bland?"
"Nah, it's morning, so..."
"I'll make yours saltier next time I just cook for you. Today I had to make noona's first."
She says that, but Chaeah eats everything up nicely anyway. She loves food so much she can't lie about it when it's lacking. From a cook's perspective, that attitude's actually preferable.
"But it is really good. I'm just comparing it to your usual cooking."
"I know, so eat up and go wash. I won't get hurt over that. If anything, thanks."
"Okay... But what about you, oppa?"
"Me? Perilla leaf prep in the morning is a pain. I ate with noona earlier, so don't worry."
I remembered noona grunting over the perilla leaves, so I'd put on gloves again and de-stem them for Chaeah. Especially since this kid has this weird stubbornness about not leaving the table till her plate's clean... Noona must've picked it up from her.
"What's that... You two ate like this together too?"
"Yeah, we're both rushed in the mornings."
"No, ugh... And she ate it up like it was great?"
"Yeah, why? Hey, you know how busy people are in the morning before work—"
"That's not the point! Ugh, sorry, oppa. I didn't mean to snap..."
"It's fine, just say it. Why're you so worked up?"
Chaeah doesn't usually raise her voice like this...
That tone, plus setting her spoon down? That's 100% she's got a real gripe.
"I try not to say stuff like this, but you and noona are kinda weird. Even married couples don't do that for each other. It feels like a dad taking care of his kid."
"Hey, it's just de-stemming perilla leaves—what's the big—"
"Just perilla leaves? Oppa, you don't know the perilla leaf debate? Girls lose it if you even pick 'em up with chopsticks for them. Gloves on, de-stemming? That's basically marriage material."
"I'm not doing it next to a girlfriend or anything. Siblings looking out for each other is good, right? Why make a fuss—"
"There's a line, oppa. Anyone else sees you two like that, they'll think it's sus 100% of the time. While we're at it, remember when noona came to our school the day before your Suneung? You two were hugging like crazy, and my friends saw? Word's gonna be all over school by the time you get there today. And that was you two holding back."
I want to argue, but whenever this topic comes up, Chaeah's usually right. Still, I'd think it's cute if she de-stemmed leaves for me...
"Got it, I'll be careful from now on. Eat up and wash— you'll really be late."
"Noona's the weird one for loving it."
"Son Chaeah. That's enough."
Who is she to talk about noona like that...?
Noona's practically a sanctuary to us. Even if she committed a crime—which she never would—Chaeah and I would take her side no question.
"Okay... I know. She's basically our mom, dad, big sis, everything—all in one. I get that she did it all alone... I just said it 'cause you two have been extra lately."
She's so cute... One minute she's all fired up alone, next she's shrinking now that I'm serious. Yeah, she's a senior in high school—complaints like this are just adorable.
"I'm not mad, so don't worry and eat."
"Sorry for yelling suddenly..."
"Sorry too, for not taking your gripes seriously before."
A few head pats later, and she perked right up, heading off to wash. Didn't leave a scrap of food behind, either...
In this world, a girl this aegyo-heavy is a real treasure...
I hope noona meets a good guy soon and builds a happy family. But if Chaeah gets a boyfriend? I'd be jealous as hell. If he's not up to par, I'd straight-up stop her. After raising our Chaeah like a princess...
"Oppa, I'm ready."
"Yeah, let's go. Just gotta change."
"But it's your first day back at school after Suneung. No makeup or anything?"
"What's the point on the first day back after Suneung... You know how annoying it is to wash off?"
"Boo, boring. I'm an adult now too! Doesn't it feel like that?"
Come to think of it, there is a bit of that vibe, but since it's my second time around...
Click—
"Talk on the way."
"Okay!"
"Why're you so hyped today?"
"We won't have many more days walking to school together. Gotta enjoy it now!"
"Walking alone would suck."
"Right? So spill—what's it feel like after Suneung?"
"Adult! Kinda free, like really free."
"Jealous... And? Anything you wanna do?"
"Hm... Solo drinking? Hitting a nice sushi spot, ordering tons of beer and shrimp tempura by myself."
"Drinking alone sounds risky...? Do it with noona."
"Heh, our Chaeah knows about that stuff now? First drink's gotta be with noona, obviously."
My past life self could down beer cans without a buzz, but this life's never tried. New Year's Day, noona and I are hitting the booze till I'm spinning...
Sounds fun.
"No way, take me too...! Leaving you two alone feels ominous..."
"Huh? Why?"
"Well... Ahem...! Just a feeling! You can trust yourself, but not noona!"
"What's with you? If you can't trust our noona, who can you trust in this world?"
"That's not the issue! Anyway, take me."
"No. Gonna drink till blackout. Kids not allowed."
"Then definitely not!"
"Why're you yelling since earlier...? Lower your voice, Chaeah."
"Ah, sorry... Anyway, no way. At least drink at home."
What's she so worked up about, us drinking? Like a puppy desperate to poop... Noona's a beast with alcohol anyway.
"If you want it that bad... Fine? But if I don't drink out with noona, when do I ever hit a bar? I sure as hell won't with other girls."
"Scared it'd be dangerous?"
"Kinda... Hey, you aren't scouring the internet for creepy stories, right?"
"Pfft, you always act like I know nothing compared to noona. You're just like her when you talk down to me."
"Sorry..."
Fair. At 18, she knows the score... Even middle schoolers get that a guy wasted alone outside is easy prey. But her face since earlier—looks like she's lost in some weird delusion...
"And if you're blackout drunk... Even next to noona might not be safe. Am I overreacting...?"
"Huh? What?"
"Nothing, just mumbling."
"You've been antsy all morning."
"Well... Ah, we're here! Oppa, we're cutting it close—gotta hurry?"
What's her deal today...? Graduation's soon, maybe she's stressed?
"You end late today, right? I'll wait, so call when you're done."
"Huh? Why? Go home first, oppa. It's not far—don't wait hours alone."
"Nah, I wanna go home with you."
I'd lose a fight now, sure... But Chaeah's still my little kid in my eyes. She'll have to go alone for the next year, so till then, I'll walk her home every day. Not like I'm babysitting an adult woman, but...
When did she grow up so fast, seriously...?