Ch.185185. Can’t Let Your Guard Down for a Moment

“…Come in.”

Click. Following Hwa Nabi’s guidance, I entered the room. Looking around, the abundance of cute little things definitely gave off the vibe of a teenage girl’s room.

Pink bed frame and sheets, display case of character dolls, mini mood lamp, desk mirror with rabbit ears… How should I put it? It’s a bouncy atmosphere that suits Hwa Nabi perfectly.

“Um… I left most things behind when I moved out. I thought they’d just be extra baggage, and not everything here is mine. The dolls belong to Narin. She leaves them here when she occasionally sleeps over with me. You… you understand, right?”

“Yeah, it’s cute.”

“R-right? The dolls are cute, aren’t they?”

“No, not the dolls. I meant you’re cute.”

Her desperate attempts to explain while blushing was quite adorable, so I unconsciously placed my hand on her head and muttered. That seemed to embarrass her even more as she shuddered and swatted my hand away.

“Oh, seriously! If you keep teasing me, I won’t let you look around anymore!”

“Okay, sorry. I’ll stop.”

If I told her I wasn’t teasing but being sincere, would she get even angrier? I raised both hands lightly in surrender, and she finally calmed down.

Whoosh. Hwa Nabi exhaled deeply and plopped down on the bed.

“See? Nothing special, right?”

“What’s this?”

At the top of the display case filled with dolls was a wooden frame containing a photograph.

It showed a female student wearing clothes that clung tightly to her upper body, clearly revealing her curves, and a skirt so short it rose well above her knees… but her expression was extremely serious. Was this taken during dance practice?

Looking closer, she resembled Hwa Nabi exactly. For a moment I thought it might be her sister, but quickly realized it wasn’t. This was Hwa Nabi from her younger days.

“That? That’s me in my first year of middle school. I think it was taken right before I received an award at the national ballet competition.”

“Ah, right. Nabi, you mentioned before that you used to learn ballet. If you won an award at a national competition, you must have been really good, right?”

“Yes. I was extremely good. I got first place then.”

“Oh, really? That’s impressive…”

They say talent is everything in arts and sports, don’t they? It’s a field where talent gives you a significant advantage, and getting first place means you’re incredibly talented. So why did she quit?

I was wondering if it was okay to ask about this when Hwa Nabi chuckled and tapped her upper chest.

“I quit because of my chest, remember? Don’t you recall?”

“Ah… right, something about too much attention being bad if they’re too big.”

“Yes. I tried using compression bandages, but by third year of middle school, even that didn’t work. They grew too large, and I couldn’t find suitable compression bandages. When I forced them in somehow, I couldn’t move properly, and reduction surgery was too dangerous at my age. So I just quit, along with rhythmic gymnastics.”

For someone talking about a bitter past, Hwa Nabi’s voice was remarkably calm. If it were me, I’d probably have trouble sleeping at night from the unfairness.

“Weren’t you disappointed?”

“No? Not really. It wasn’t fun anyway. The other kids were always jealous because I was the only one winning awards, and the director would nag me about dieting whenever she saw me. Do you know how stressful that was? I mean, even when I starved myself, everything shrank except my chest. How am I supposed to diet? It’s not like I can squeeze them smaller. Don’t you agree, Siwoo?”

Her voice rose as if suddenly overcome with indignation. I quietly moved to her side and held her hand.

“Yeah, that director was wrong. How can you do something impossible?”

“Right? Totally awful, right?”

“Yes, definitely a terrible person.”

What good would it do to pressure someone without understanding their situation? As I agreed and supported her, she laughed softly, seemingly in a better mood already.

Thump. Hwa Nabi tilted her head and leaned on my shoulder. Still holding hands, our gazes naturally met in midair.

“But there are some good things about having a large chest.”

“Like what?”

“Well… that you’re so busy looking at my chest that you don’t look at other women?”

“…”

The words “How is that a good thing?” rose to my throat, but I managed to swallow them. It’s lamentable that I couldn’t deny it right away. So Hwa Nabi had noticed all along.

Feeling that excuses would be useless, I just moved my fingers to tickle the back of her hand.

“Heh, that tickles.”

“That’s the point.”

“You’re so mean.”

“You know I’m always like this.”

I leaned in with a smile and kissed her cheek, making Hwa Nabi’s face turn bright red. Her embarrassed look is cute too. As I moved closer, she pretended to dislike it and slightly pulled her face back.

“Wait, my parents are outside…”

“…So we just need to be quick, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s true, but…”

I whispered leisurely while holding her waist, and she glanced at me hesitantly. When I didn’t avert my eyes, she smiled back as if she had no choice.

“Really, Siwoo, you’re such a baby.”

“You’re the only woman I act this way with.”

“…Okay, keep being clingy only with me from now on. Got it?”

“Yes, I will.”

After a brief reply, I brought my face closer. Hwa Nabi didn’t resist and shyly closed her eyes. Her lovable appearance moved my heart.

I wanted to lay her down and do all sorts of things, but that wouldn’t be right. Restraining my impulses, I interlaced my fingers with Hwa Nabi’s. Then I gently pulled her closer and carefully pressed my lips against hers…

—BANG!

Thud-!

“Sis, I’m home! Oh, Siwoo oppa is here too?”

“…Narin is here.”

“Yeah, I went on a field trip. But what are you doing lying there?”

“Well, I’m… doing the ground-swimming thing…?”

“Oh, I know that! I learned it in kindergarten. It’s an old saying, right?”

“Y-yes, Narin, you’re so smart. You’re ready for school now.”

I finally came to my senses and got up from the floor. Having thrown myself down suddenly, my calves were painfully bruised from hitting the floor, but I endured it and pretended to be fine.

“But I don’t know what it means! What does ‘ground-swimming’ mean?”

“It’s a metaphor for something very easy to do.”

“Metaphor? What’s a metaphor?”

“Well, that’s…”

Don’t they teach metaphors in kindergarten these days? Well, it is a difficult concept for pre-school children to understand. How can I explain this in a way Narin would understand?

Just as I was seriously pondering this, Hwa Nabi raised a finger and poked the middle of my back.

“Narin, I need to change clothes. Would you mind going out with oppa for a moment?”

“Did you come back from school too, sis? Okay, I understand.”

She must think Hwa Nabi came from school because she’s wearing something like a school uniform. Knowing the truth, I could only laugh wryly, but I kept my mouth shut to avoid future trouble.

‘Siwoo, make sure Narin doesn’t say anything unnecessary. Got it?’

‘Uh, yeah.’

“So, Siwoo? I’ll be out as quickly as possible. Just wait a moment.”

-Thud. The door closed after those words. Then click, the lock engaged, and only then did I come to my senses. Is she doing this because she’s embarrassed? Feeling awkward, I rubbed the back of my neck and headed to the living room sofa with Narin, who was staring at me.

“Oppa, why is sis acting like that? Is it that time?”

“…Narin, where did you learn to say things like that?”

“I saw it in a drama. A pretty lady said that when a woman suddenly changes her personality, it’s that time.”

So the claim that modern media has a bad influence on young children was true. This is why you shouldn’t let kids watch just anything. Children are innocent and repeat things without understanding their meaning.

I sat Narin down next to me, gently stroked her head, and lightly admonished her.

“Narin, you shouldn’t say things like that carelessly. Understand?”

“I understand. I won’t say it anymore.”

“Really? You really won’t say it anymore?”

“Yes, sis said I should listen to the handsome oppa. So I’ll listen to you well.”

“Y-yes, okay…”

Is this educational approach really okay? I should have a serious talk with Hwa Nabi when she comes out.

“But oppa, are you going to marry sis?”

“Would Narin like it if oppa married sis?”

“No, I’d prefer if you didn’t.”

That’s an unexpected answer. Hiding my surprise, I asked:

“Why wouldn’t you like that?”

“Because I want to marry oppa.”

“…Pfft. Hmm, why? Why does Narin want to marry oppa?”

“Um… because you’re handsome!”

“And what else?”

“Also, you’re tall! And have broad shoulders!”

Where does a child who hasn’t even started elementary school learn these things? We were so innocent when we were young. This is why you shouldn’t give smartphones to kids.

“Is there anything besides appearance? You know, like personality?”

“Nope, nothing!”

Seeing her answer so innocently with a bright face, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. So looks are all that matter? It’s refreshingly childlike, but somehow it stings.

“…Okay, then when Narin grows up. Should we get married?”

“Yes, I want to marry oppa!”

Well, she’s cute, so it’s fine. Her somewhat skewed view of relationships will probably correct itself as she grows up. As I gave moderate answers and stroked her head, she happily snuggled against my right arm.

Just as I was gently stroking Narin’s head…

“…Siwoo?”

An ice-cold voice came from behind me. Suddenly feeling a chill down my spine, I slowly turned my neck to look behind me.

“What are you doing right now?”