Chapter 15
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Because My Family Is There
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1.
I checked my outfit in the mirror, straightening it out.
"...This should be fine, right?"
I fiddled with my hair for no reason and looked straight ahead. In the mirror was the image of a shyly smiling beauty.
I'd never cared much about clothes even as a guy, so how much could I know about women's fashion? I'd just picked something that looked decent, but it turned out pretty good.
'Really making the most of that face value.'
With such a great face and proportions, even a casual outfit made me look like a model. This ought to do it.
I quickly brushed my hair and headed out to the elevator.
"Oh, hello."
There was a familiar lady in the elevator. We'd bumped into each other and exchanged greetings before.
"You're the girl from 1402, right?"
As I stepped in, she struck up a conversation like she'd been waiting.
"Yes. That's me."
"Are you heading out on a blind date or something today? This is so different from the outfits I've seen you in on the street. And you look like you've put on some makeup~"
"No, nothing like that. I'm not into blind dates."
I waved my hand dismissively. Dating a guy? I couldn't even imagine it.
"Then what?"
"I'm meeting my family after a long time, so I dressed up a bit. What do you think? Does it look okay?"
"You look so much better! Dress like this from now on. I always thought you were a sweet girl, but dolled up like this, you're absolutely stunning. Too pretty."
"Th-thank you."
I smiled awkwardly and bowed my head. The praise boosted my confidence.
"Well, I'll be going now."
The elevator arrived, and the doors opened. Stepping out, a clear sky stretched under the dazzling sunlight.
"Alright. Let's go."
I set off down the street with a light, rhythmic step. Today, I was finally meeting my sister. Our first reunion in a year.
2.
A small coffee shop in the neighborhood. A woman in an oversized hoodie and long skirt sat in the corner, carefully sipping her milk.
'This should be okay, right?'
Seoyun checked her outfit.
Hoodie and long skirt. It might look ordinary to someone else, but she'd spent over an hour picking this combination.
She'd never been into clothes much to begin with, and after her sibling went missing, she'd stopped caring altogether. This was the best she'd dug out of her closet.
'It'll be fine.'
For some reason, anxiety bubbled up. She shook her head and tried to think of something else.
'I wonder how much they've changed...'
It had been a year since she'd seen her sibling. Not only had the one she'd thought dead turned out to be alive, but they'd even transformed into a woman.
It was shocking, but there was a hint of anticipation too. After all, as a girl now, they might act all cutesy and spoiled.
'They were so adorable as a kid...'
The way they'd come home from school every night and spill every little detail, always starting with "Sis, you know..." in that chattering tone. The wide-eyed expression as they talked.
Everything about it had been so cute and lovable—something Siwoo probably never realized.
'Just sitting there listening made all the anxiety and exhaustion in my heart melt away like snow.'
By middle school, she no longer got to see that side, which left her wistful. Her sibling had probably pulled back to ease her burden, in their own way.
'There was no need for that at all.'
Taking responsibility for her sibling wasn't always easy—she'd been young too, after all. But not every moment had been exhausting.
Seoyun didn't see it as a sacrifice. It wasn't something forced on her; it was her own choice.
She didn't expect repayment. As long as her sibling lived happily with a smile, that was enough.
Ding-a-ling-
Seoyun was lost in reminiscence, sipping her milk, when the bell on the coffee shop door jingled.
She glanced over casually. The sight of the woman at the end of her gaze left her in awe.
'She's beautiful...'
Sharply trimmed bob haircut. Calm chestnut eyes. Serene gaze, skin pale as if untouched by sunlight.
Not fierce-looking, yet her aura felt somehow sharp.
The stranger scanned the cafe. Staring openly, their eyes naturally met Seoyun's.
"Ah."
Had she stared too obviously? Panicking, she ducked her head—only for the woman's eyes to curve like a bow. Her gaze softened gently.
"Sis!"
She approached with a beaming smile, one so captivating it could bewitch anyone. Smiling, she was truly stunning.
'But... Sis?'
Seoyun snapped to her senses and processed what she'd just heard.
A bewitching smile from such feminine lips, uttering a word that didn't come easily. As her brain short-circuited, the woman threw her arms around her.
"Haa..."
A warm, soft scent emanated from her body. Seoyun inhaled it, and the other did the same, burying her face in Seoyun's shoulder.
"I missed you so much, Sis."
At the tearful voice and trembling body, Seoyun slowly stroked her back—her sibling's back.
"Yeah. I missed you too, Siwoo."
She'd gone to another world, defeated the Demon King with the Hero—even so, her sibling still felt like a child.
Seoyun's lips curved upward.
*
Her sibling sat across from her, grinning ear to ear at Seoyun. With that face, it was a bit overwhelming to be stared at so intently.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because I'm happy. I've been waiting for this moment forever. Aren't you happy, Sis...?"
At the puppyish pout, Seoyun hurriedly explained.
"Of course I'm thrilled! How could I not be when my sibling, who I thought was dead, came back alive? Do you think I'm not that kind of person?"
"But your reaction..."
"It's just a little awkward. The warmth of another person, and your new appearance."
"Ah, yeah, I guess..."
Siwoo—no, Hayul—scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.
"But you feel a bit awkward to me too, Sis."
"Yeah? Where? I'm exactly the same as a year ago."
"Not at all."
She shook her head firmly.
"You're different from head to toe."
"What's different specifically?"
"For starters, you're way too skinny. Are you eating properly?"
"...I ate regularly when you were taking care of me, but after you disappeared, I barely did. Maybe some convenience store lunches or delivery food once in a while."
"You know how bad delivery food is for you? Greasy! Loaded with sugar and salt! And the prep process is a mystery!"
Hayul snapped, and Seoyun bowed her head apologetically.
"S-sorry..."
"How much sleep do you get normally?"
"About six hours..."
"I told you at least seven! No wonder your skin looks bad and you have dark circles!"
Hayul raised her voice again.
"S-sorry... After you went missing, it was hard to fall asleep alone... I barely managed with these meds..."
"Did you get those prescribed at a psych clinic?"
"Yeah..."
"Good, you did the right thing. If you're hurting, go to the doctor."
At her sibling's warm words, Seoyun smiled.
"How's the house?"
"W-well..."
Gulp gulp-
Suddenly, Hayul downed the coffee she'd just gotten in one go.
"Wh-what's that all of a sudden?"
"Sis. Get up."
"Uh, why?"
"To check the house right now."
"I-it's clean! You don't need to worry!"
Seoyun shook her head desperately. The house was a disaster right now.
"Liar. Even when we lived together, you never put things back. Underwear and socks tossed on the floor all the time. And you never sorted the recycling right!"
"Th-that's true, but..."
"You think I'd believe you've kept the place spotless after I vanished? Get up now."
Hayul stepped over, hooked her arm, and pulled her up.
'She was grinning like a golden retriever just a minute ago...'
Why had she turned into a Doberman so suddenly?
"Pfft..."
"Don't try to laugh it off. I'm not letting it slide today."
"I know. I know, so... sob..."
"Whoa, why are you crying all of a sudden, Sis? Did I do something wrong? Sorry... okay?"
Hayul panicked as Seoyun teared up. Seoyun shook her head with a smile.
"I'm crying because I'm happy. So happy. After you disappeared, I kept wishing for moments like this to come back. Experiencing it again... it makes me so glad..."
Once misfortune strikes, you realize how precious the ordinary days were.
"...Me too."
Hayul hugged her tight. The two shared warmth in each other's embrace.
As her tears subsided, Seoyun loosened her arms. But as she tried to pull away, Hayul hugged even tighter.
'Throwing a little tantrum?'
As Seoyun smiled faintly—
"Crying won't get you out of it, Sis. I'm definitely checking the house."
"......Tch."
"Huh? Did you just click your tongue? I heard that."
"N-no, I didn't?"
"Nope, we're going for real now. Get up. Let's check your place. I need to inspect how you've been living."
"Fine..."
Seoyun finally stood, defeated. They said goodbye to the cafe owner and headed out.
"But Sis, you still drink milk at cafes, huh? You said coffee makes you nauseous from all you drink at work."
"You still remember that?"
"How could I forget?"
"Don't feel too guilty. Cherishing you, dropping out of college—everything was my choice."
"Yeah, I know. Still, I'll make it up to you. This is my choice too, so don't worry."
Seoyun let out a small laugh at her sibling echoing her own words back.
"Going to another world really turned your speech into silver-tongued eloquence, huh?"
"Don't even get me started. You have no idea how much flak you get for one wrong word there."
Arm in arm, they headed home. It wasn't the old place, but what did that matter? Their family was there.
'But something feels forgotten...'
Seoyun felt a twinge of unease but soon forgot it as her sibling chatted beside her.
Because of that, she had no idea. How the online communities were ablaze. Or that some were even considering calling the cops.