Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Brother-in-Law's Sexual Desire Has Built Up?
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Does my brother-in-law know?
The time I went to Jeju Island with Mom.
The moment we stopped by a café to grab some coffee.
That I saw him.
I was so shocked back then that I turned around and bolted out of there.
For that brief instant, our eyes seemed to meet.
But I didn't hear his voice.
'He probably didn't see me.'
Since he didn't bring it up today, it seems like he really didn't notice.
But it's strange.
A company of my brother-in-law's caliber has no reason to invest in this hospital.
It's a general hospital and all, but it doesn't have much growth potential.
There are tons of small hospitals around here, too.
And plenty of bigger, better ones. I can't figure out why he'd come to this one specifically.
'No way it's because of me, right?'
That's the kind of thought that crossed my mind.
Probably not.
He's the CEO of an investment firm, after all.
He must be here because of some advantage to the hospital that I don't know about.
"Delivery's here."
"Chicken?"
"No. Pig's feet."
I jumped to my feet.
"Hand that to me. I'll deliver it."
The receipt confirmed it was from my brother-in-law.
Front-leg pig's feet with spicy ones too. All my favorites.
'He hasn't forgotten my tastes.'
We'd occasionally eat pig's feet as a trio with my sister, and I absolutely loved the spicy ones.
My brother-in-law, on the other hand, couldn't handle spicy food well.
"Ha-rin, is that for that guest?"
"Yeah. Be right back."
"Ha-rin, hold on a sec."
"Yes?"
"About that... the way Senior Kyung-hee has been acting all this time. I'm sorry for pretending not to notice."
"It's fine."
"It wasn't your fault, and I'm sorry for looking at you through colored glasses."
"Then just stop from now on, Senior."
"Yeah. I won't anymore."
Is this my brother-in-law's influence?
Once word got out that he was an investor in this hospital.
And everyone knew Senior Jo Kyung-hee got chewed out by the director.
The looks and attitudes from the other nurses who used to treat me like dirt had completely changed.
They didn't know he was family, but they knew he was someone I knew, so they were being cautious.
'Feels good.'
My steps felt lighter somehow.
Thanks to my brother-in-law, I probably wouldn't get bullied anymore.
'And all I feel is sorry.'
I never dreamed my sister, who'd been with him for five years, would betray him.
I hadn't noticed a thing myself all that time.
Now she's dead, so I can't even find out why.
What the hell was that about, Sis?
Why would you leave a guy like him?
"Haa."
That's why I feel so sorry and guilty, even though it wasn't me who did it.
Knock knock.
Today, he said he wanted to finish our talk.
'Probably about Sis.'
I need to do my best to help him feel better.
"Come in."
"Coming in."
This is my first time in this room.
It's only used for VIP patients.
"Over here."
It was a luxury room, complete with a big TV, table, and chairs.
My brother-in-law was sitting in one of the chairs, waiting for me.
"How was dinner?"
"Pretty good, actually. Tasty."
"The food here's decent, so that's why patients come."
I busied myself setting the food out on the table.
"You liked the spicy ones, right?"
"Hehe. Yeah. Huh?"
"I ordered some beer."
"Come on. You're supposed to be resting—how could you order booze?"
I was dumbfounded.
I hadn't even noticed when I was carrying it over.
"Pig's feet without beer would be weird."
"No way. You just had a checkup today—what's with the alcohol? I'm confiscating this."
"Tch."
"But I'll allow soda."
"You really do sound just like my wife sometimes."
"Wh-what? Don't say weird stuff."
Why was my face burning up?
Because he said something weird.
"All set. Dig in, brother-in-law."
"Eat with me."
"I'm on a diet these days."
"These spicy ones are begging you to eat them."
"......Ugh."
"The smell is insane. If you don't eat it, it'll haunt your dreams."
The spicy pig's feet did look amazing.
I love spicy food.
"And where's there even fat to lose?"
"Haven't I gained weight since before?"
"Not at all. If anything, you're just prettier."
"......What?"
Don't praise me like that and make my heart race, brother-in-law.
"Fine, I'll have a little."
I picked up my chopsticks.
Nom.
The spicy ones were even better than I'd hoped.
Perfect spice level and aroma for my taste.
"So good! Thanks, brother-in-law."
"Picked ones you'd like."
"No way. It's exactly my style? I've worked here and never tried these—how'd you know?"
"Came up when I searched."
Thank goodness—he didn't seem to resent me at all.
I thought our whole family would make him uncomfortable because of Sis.
'He's not just holding back, is he?'
"Ha-rin, just one beer. It'll haunt my dreams otherwise."
"No."
"Aw, come on. My throat's killing me."
"Pfft. Fine."
It reminded me of the old days a bit.
He used to act cute like that with Sis sometimes.
And I'd watch, feeling a little jealous...
Pssht.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
"......"
His Adam's apple bobbed wildly as he chugged the cold beer.
It felt so sexy.
Even the bit spilling from the corner of his mouth...
'Don't think weird things.'
I quickly looked away.
Focused on the spicy pig's feet instead.
"Haa. I'll have some soda too."
I'd spilled a bit in my rush to drink.
"Why so sloppy?"
"Ah..."
He wiped the corner of my mouth with his thumb.
That touch made my heart pound like crazy.
'This isn't good...'
Hope my face isn't red.
"I-I'm fine."
He smiled at me so kindly.
His face was really... handsome, I thought.
'He's totally my type.'
Truth be told, I'd always been jealous of my twin sister.
She had a guy who was so handsome, tall, kind...
And he excelled at everything, becoming CEO of a major investment firm.
How could I not be jealous?
Sometimes I'd think how nice it would be if I were the one by his side.
But I held back.
I couldn't disrupt their love out of selfishness.
Besides, he never seemed interested in me anyway.
'We're twins, so we look alike, but weird.'
We once switched hairstyles at home to prank him.
But he spotted Sis right away.
True love, right?
After that, I gave up for good. Figured he was a man I could never have.
'But why am I like this now?'
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My heartbeat was so loud it might reach my ears.
Because we're alone?
Or from that touch earlier?
Or gratitude?
"Don't just eat the spicy ones—try some of this too. Want me to wrap one for you?"
"N-no, I can do it."
"I'll do it."
He wrapped pig's feet in lettuce with shrimp paste, garlic, and sauce.
"Ah."
"Here, brother-in-law. I got it."
"Open up."
This kind side is what made me fall for him.
Nom. Nom.
It was delicious. Especially since he made it.
I wish he'd keep being this sweet forever.
'Ahh. What am I thinking?'
Even if Sis is gone, I can't aim for her spot.
He... probably doesn't want that either.
He's just too nice to treat me comfortably, but he must resent our family deep down.
"The beer's so refreshing. Want a sip?"
"I'm on duty."
"No one's watching. You can sneak one—you're surprisingly good at holding your liquor."
"Only occasionally."
Still, eating together like this felt pretty nice.
No need to tie myself up in guilt over every moment.
"Brother-in-law, my turn to wrap one. Spicy!"
"Sure. If my sister-in-law wraps it, I'll eat anything."
"Huh? Really? But you can't handle spicy."
"I've built up a tolerance now."
"Hm. Let's test it!"
Still worried, I made a small wrap and handed it over.
"Whoa, you're eating it fine?"
Not even sweating.
He used to be such a lightweight with spice.
"Guess we can go out for spicy food together now?"
"T-together?"
"Yeah. I can handle it now."
Together is the problem.
He's saying he'll keep seeing me from now on...
Thump! Thump! Thump!
My heart beat even louder.
For a split second, I imagined going to food spots with him.
It made me happy. I wished such days would come.
"H-here, water. Beer makes it spicier."
"I'm fine. Gimme that soda instead."
He snatched my soda and downed it in one go.
The spot my lips had touched...
"Refreshing. Cola."
"......"
"Oops. Drank it all. Here, you drink my beer."
The can his lips had touched.
I took it absentmindedly... and took the tiniest sip.
My first indirect kiss with brother-in-law.
'Not like it's a big deal.'
Why am I making something of this?
"Ah. So full."
With his belly full, he hopped up and moved to the bed.
Lying down, he grabbed the remote and flipped channels.
"Brother-in-law, you can't lie down right after eating."
"It's fine now."
"No. Get up. You'll gain weight."
"No one to impress anymore anyway."
"......You're the CEO. Gotta look cool for your employees."
"Lying down for a bit won't make me gain weight."
"Hey! Up!"
I had no idea what gave me the right to nag.
But I found myself doing it anyway.
"You really are just like your sister."
"......"
"Come here, Ha-rin. Let's talk about your sister now."
"......Okay."
I hesitantly sat on the edge of the bed.
"You've had it rough too, huh?"
"......You had it worse, brother-in-law. I heard about it..."
"The suicide attempt? Yeah. I was in a bad place."
"I'm sorry. Really sorry..."
"No need for you to apologize. And I'm much better now."
"......"
"I'm worried about you. You're family, after all. Oh! How's your mom?"
"She's struggling too. We went on a trip recently to help."
"Good girl."
"Um, brother-in-law. Actually... when we were in Jeju."
"You ran away when you saw me?"
"Ah... you did see."
"Yeah. That's part of why I came. Figured you were feeling guilty toward me."
His gentle smile eased my heart a bit.
No resentment toward our family at all.
"No need. You're separate from So-yoon. So drop the guilt."
"Hic."
Tears welled up unexpectedly.
His words lifted a huge weight off me.
From what I heard, Sis even tried to steal company secrets.
If he sued over that, we couldn't fight it.
"Sorry. And thank you, brother-in-law."
"Told you, no need."
He patted my shoulder as I cried.
And kept reassuring me it was okay.
'This makes me feel even worse.'
I can't just get comforted and call it even.
He needs comfort too.
'Can't let it slide like this.'
I need to find some way to repay him.
He's just too kind, trying to brush it off.
Taking that without pushback would make me shameless.
"You're the one who really needs comforting..."
"I'm way better. Even forgot about So-yoon."
"Glad to hear it, but... brother-in-law, is there anything I can do to repay you?"
"Repay?"
"I... want to help you somehow."
"Hm. Repay, huh."
"Anything. I'll do whatever I can."
"I'm good."
He scratched his cheek, avoiding my eyes.
Something's up.
But he's hesitating. Probably doesn't want to burden me.
He's just too nice.
"Doesn't have to be now. Tell me anytime, brother-in-law."
"You really... want to help?"
"Yes! Anything! If I can do it!"
I clenched my fist, showing my resolve.
If it'd ease his mind, I'd do anything.
"Well... there is one thing. Kinda embarrassing request, though."
His cheeks flushed a little.
Why's he so shy about it?
"What is it? Tell me."
"Well, haa. No. How do I even ask."
"Brother-in-law! Just say it."
"......"
He looked into my eyes.
"Alright, Ha-rin. I'll say it, shameless as it is?"
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Truth is... since losing So-yoon, it's kinda... built up."
"What? Built up what?"
He sat up a bit and stared pointedly down at his crotch.
"......Huh?"
Even without experience, I knew what that meant.
His pants were tenting hard.
"Told you it was embarrassing."
"B-built up... you mean that?"
"......Yeah."
"......Ah."
"Forget it. Pretend you didn't hear."
He looked away and lay back down, pulling the blanket over.
"Wait."
I don't know why I did it.
I yanked the blanket off without thinking.
"I'll help!"
"Really?"
"Yes. I said anything."
Am I crazy?
"What do I do?"
"......Hand's fine. Could you... touch it?"
"Ah... okay! I'll do it!"
Gotta be brave.
Nothing I wouldn't do for him.
Let's go.
But...
It's embarrassing.
Really embarrassing.
My face is burning.
And my body's getting... hot.
Why am I like this?