Chapter 199: I’ve Gotten Much Closer to So-eun Unnie Too!

Ｒｅ​ａｄ​ ｏｎ ＫａｔＲｅａｄｉｎｇＣａｆｅ​

Something gently shook me awake, and I slowly opened my eyes.

What greeted me was an unfamiliar ceiling.

And an oddly warm sensation against my back.

…Where am I?

“Uuuh…”

“Da-jeong, did you sleep well?”

“Unnie…?”

Rubbing my eyes and sitting up, my blurred vision gradually cleared.

Before me stood Jia unnie, watching me with the same gentle expression as always.

“You must’ve been really tired—you fell asleep right on the float. So-eun unnie carried you all the way here.”

“Huh? I… I fell asleep?”

“Yeah, you were out cold.”

“Eeehh…?!”

I couldn’t believe I’d dozed off.

So this must be the villa.

But it doesn’t look like the living room or the room I was assigned… Where is this?

“Then, where are we?”

“It’s a spare room. Since you were soaked, we dried you off and put you in a heated room so you wouldn’t catch a cold.”

“Oh… I see.”

No wonder my back felt so warm.

Summer colds are the worst.

I felt a small wave of gratitude for Unnie’s thoughtful care.

“It’s almost dinnertime, so wash up and come to the barbecue area. Everything’s ready.”

“Uuu, I’m sorry… I didn’t even help.”

“Don’t be. It was your first time swimming—of course you’d be tired.”

Patting my drooping head, Jia unnie smiled softly.

Then, with a quiet “I’ll wait for you, so come out after washing up,” she left the room.

“Huuuh…!”

Only after she was gone did embarrassment crash over me.

I buried my face in my hands, my cheeks burning.

What am I, a little elementary school kid?

Falling asleep just from playing in the water?

How pathetic.

No, sleeping itself isn’t the problem.

I could’ve at least made it back to the villa before passing out.

But no—I had to fall asleep right on the float and inconvenience everyone…!

“…I should shower first.”

After gripping my head in frustration for a while, I finally calmed down.

Accepting reality for now, I got up to take care of the immediate task at hand.

 

After showering, I carefully made my way to the barbecue area.

It was a spacious balcony on the second floor, designed so you could enjoy grilled meat while overlooking the vast ocean beyond the low railing.

Wow, the sea looks completely different from up here.

Even though it was evening, summer meant the sun was still high.

I could see the sunset over the ocean so clearly.

“Oh, Da-jeong’s here?”

While I stood gaping at the stunning sunset behind the members, the CEO noticed me first and beckoned me over.

Nervously, I approached and bowed my head.

“Y-Yes… I’m sorry. I didn’t help at all…”

“Oh, come on. Don’t apologize. Just sit down.”

She laughed, as if my timid apology was ridiculous, and gestured for me to take a seat.

As I glanced around for an empty spot—

“Da-jeong, sit next to me! Unnie will take good care of you.”

“No, Da-jeong! I’ll wrap the meat perfectly for you—come here!”

Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna, seated across from each other, both insisted I sit beside them.

Just as their competition was heating up—

“If you two have time to fight over seats, go help So-eun unnie! She’s doing everything alone!”

“Pfft, I’ve never seen our eldest unnie this mad before.”

Jia unnie’s sharp scolding shut them down instantly, and the two quickly got up.

Ra-hee unnie burst out laughing.

No matter what, Jia unnie was clearly the undisputed leader of our group.

“I-I should help too—”

“No, Da-jeong, sit next to Ra-hee and rest. You must be exhausted from swimming for the first time.”

Seeing the others get up made me hesitant to sit, so I edged toward the grill, looking for something to do.

But Jia unnie only smiled at me—like a saint—and firmly guided me to my seat.

“Ugh, this is favoritism!”

“So unfair! We’re cute younger sisters too!”

“Quiet!”

Naturally, Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna were furious at the blatant bias.

But despite their protests, Jia unnie remained unmoved.

Ugh, this is awkward.

Here I am, having napped like a log, now sitting pretty while others grill meat for me.

At the very least, I’ll help with dishes later.

As I settled next to Ra-hee unnie, she grinned at me.

“The others wouldn’t let me lift a finger once they saw the meat. I was just sitting here awkwardly—I’m glad you’re here, Da-jeong.”

“Huh? Meat?”

I’d been wondering why she was sitting alone.

Now curious, I instinctively leaned forward—and finally saw the assortment of premium cuts laid out by the grill.

“Wow, the meat looks amazing.”

Even though I wasn’t a meat expert, it was clearly high-quality—the kind gourmets would rave about.

“We’re really indebted to Ra-hee this time.”

“No need. As long as we all have fun, that’s what matters.”

CEO Kang smiled wryly, seemingly apologetic that Ra-hee unnie had prepared everything.

But Ra-hee unnie, as always, responded with serene grace.

“Everyone, the meat’s ready. CEO Kang, So-eun unnie, please dig in.”

As the meat sizzled to perfection, Jia unnie announced it like a mother finishing a meal.

“Yes! Meat time!”

“I’m dipping mine in sesame oil!”

Carrying dishes and vegetables, Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna hurried over to the grill and soon returned to the table with a plate of meat.

Meanwhile, So-eun unnie, who had been organizing something nearby, remained motionless.

“I’m fine. I’ll grab a bite later.”

“Alright. I’ll eat slowly too, so Jia, you go first. So-eun, pass her the tongs.”

“Huh? No, I can do it…”

“It’s fine, just sit down. Jia, you must be pretty hungry.”

“S-sorry. Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

Whether it was the CEO or So-eun unnie, taking care of us seemed to come first.

So-eun unnie practically snatched the tongs from Jia unnie, while CEO Kang piled the meat she’d been grilling onto a plate and brought it to the table.

And so, with all five members gathered around the table, a scene unfolded where the CEO and So-eun unnie grilled meat for everyone to eat.

“Wow… this meat is insane. Unnie, it melts in your mouth.”

“Right? It’s legit the best. The tastiest meat I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Really? Glad to hear it. Eat up, everyone.”

Since neither Chae-yoon unnie nor Yuna were the type to hold back, they immediately dipped the beef in sesame oil and went into a storm of eating. Watching them shower praise and flash double thumbs-ups, Ra-hee unnie smiled warmly.

“C-CEO Kang. So-eun unnie. Here…”

I, too, quickly dipped the meat in sesame oil as soon as it reached the table, but instead of eating it, I carefully placed two pieces on a plate and carried it over to the two standing by the grill.

“D-Da-jeong, you don’t have to worry about me…”

“No. More importantly, say ‘Ah~.’ You should eat it while it’s hot.”

Though So-eun unnie initially frowned and waved her hands in refusal, I stubbornly picked up a piece with chopsticks and held it right in front of her nose.

“Come on, Da-jeong’s going out of her way to feed you. Take a bite.”

“W-well then… Aah.”

Thanks to CEO Kang’s backing, So-eun unnie’s hesitant mouth finally opened, and I swiftly placed the perfectly grilled meat inside.

“Hehe, is it good?”

“Yes, very.”

“I’m glad. Then, next is the CEO…!”

“Oh, me too? Thanks.”

After successfully earning So-eun unnie’s praise, I switched targets and fed the CEO a piece as well. Without even chewing much, she immediately gave a thumbs-up.

“See? Our Da-jeong always puts others first.”

“Ehehe…”

When I returned to the table after my mission, Ra-hee unnie ruffled my hair and sighed as if she couldn’t help it. Knowing it was a compliment, I could only smile awkwardly.

“Anyone want a drink?”

Midway through the delicious meal, the CEO brought over some alcohol from the corner and asked for preferences. It felt like she wanted to drink but didn’t want to do it alone.

“Me!”

“Me too!”

“Then, I’ll have just one can… Ra-hee, what about you?”

“I’ll have one can too, following you. If I drink too much, I won’t be able to eat the meat.”

Luckily—or perhaps unsurprisingly—the mood was such that everyone except me grabbed a can of beer. Chae-yoon unnie, declaring she’d have a somaek, even grabbed soju with gusto. Naturally, since I’m weak to alcohol, I stuck with cola.

But, come to think of it, would So-eun unnie not drink again? She didn’t really seem like someone who enjoyed alcohol that much…

Pssht—

Just as I was about to check on So-eun unnie while continuing my train of thought, the crisp sound of a carbonated can opening echoed from somewhere. But since none of the members had opened one yet, I turned my head, wondering if I’d misheard—

“Huh?”

“Yes?”

There, standing by the grill, was So-eun unnie, holding a can of beer.

Was she going to drink too?

“What’s wrong, Da-jeong?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just… I thought So-eun unnie didn’t really drink, so I was a little surprised.”

“Ah.”

Even earlier at the beach, it seemed like she’d only drunk because the CEO insisted. I’d assumed she could drink but wasn’t the type to enjoy it. But as if to correct that assumption, CEO Kang added:

“Da-jeong, you might not know this, but… she’s a total heavyweight. I can’t even compete.”

“U-unnie…!”

“Whaaat?!”

So-eun unnie’s a heavyweight?!

My eyes widened at this unexpected revelation. So-eun unnie, equally flustered by the sudden exposure, tried to stop CEO Kang, but—

“Did I lie? You can down five bottles of soju and still act normal.”

“F-five bottles is exaggerating…! Last time we drank together, it was only four…”

“The fact that you say ‘only four’ means you’re beyond saving. Give up.”

Whoaaaa…

F-four bottles?!

Even if five was a slight exaggeration, four bottles of soju and still being functional? That’s unimaginable for someone like me.

“But So-eun unnie, haven’t we never seen you drink at company dinners?”

“Yeah, I’ve never seen it either.”

“Same here.”

“Why don’t you drink at company dinners?”

Hearing this, the other members’ curiosity flared, and after murmuring among themselves, Jia unnie spoke up as their representative. I, too, perked up my ears, genuinely curious.

“W-well, I think it’s best to restrain myself in front of coworkers. Just in case I do something embarrassing.”

“Wow, you’re really thorough.”

I couldn’t help but blurt out in admiration at So-eun unnie’s uncharacteristically cautious attitude.

We didn’t drink that often at company dinners, but there were times when members indulged. To think she held back every time, just because it was in front of coworkers… That’s seriously impressive.

Wait…!

H-hold on.

If So-eun unnie is that good at drinking, doesn’t that mean she also knows how to handle alcohol?

Of course, I know drinking too much isn’t good, but when I get teased for being a lightweight, it kinda pisses me off.

For example, Chae-yoon unnie, or Chae-yoon unnie, or Chae-yoon unnie.

In other words, sometimes I, too, want to impress the members by coolly downing a can of beer and acting all proud.

And if anyone knows how to do that, it’s So-eun unnie…!

“Um, unnie. How do you get better at drinking?”

I raised my hand abruptly and threw the question at So-eun unnie. She looked at me with slight surprise, then answered with a serious expression.

“Hmm… If you drink a lot, you’ll naturally get used to it.”

“T-that’s the only way?”

“Pretty much. There’s a saying that you only get better at drinking by drinking.”

“Ugh, that’s tough…”

But for someone like me, even knowing that doesn’t help.

Deflated, I hung my head. Then, So-eun unnie, who had been staring at me quietly, stepped closer and gently patted my head.

“It’s okay. Da-jeong, you’re already the cutest just the way you are. You don’t need to force yourself to drink well. I’m sure the others think so too, right?”

“Ah…!”

I couldn’t help but let out a small gasp.

Partly because her advice was enlightening, but mostly because this was the first time So-eun unnie had ever patted my head—it felt incredibly new and special.

“I think this is the first time you’ve patted my head, unnie.”

“Huh? Oh, sorry. Did you not like it? The others do it so often, I just… without thinking…”

I’d said it out of happiness, but So-eun unnie seemed to interpret it differently.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she started to pull her hand away.

—Squeeze.

I don’t know why, but in that moment, courage bubbled up inside me.

With both hands, I carefully caught her retreating wrist and guided it back to my head.

“Hehe, no. It’s really gentle and feels nice. Do it more.”

“O-oh…?”

She seemed a little flustered by the sudden request, but she obliged, continuing to stroke my hair softly.

“Wow, So-eun’s completely fallen for her now.”

“Well, CEO, how could anyone resist this?”

“True.”

“No choice but to surrender.”

“See? Our Da-jeong’s sneakily charming.”

Whispers floated around us, but the sound of waves crashing outside drowned them out.

And so, the first day of our trip passed by like that.