Chapter 33 : Oh my

I walked down the alleyway.

The warmth of Lee Jian’s body, deeply asleep with her back resting on me, felt strangely comforting.

When we arrived in front of the house and knocked on the door, I could hear sounds from inside.

A moment later, the door opened, and soft indoor air flowed out.

And from beyond the door, an unfamiliar woman appeared.

She had eyes that resembled Lee Jian’s, but instead of mischief, something like warmth seemed to hang in them.

At that moment, our eyes met.

“…Oh?”

She seemed surprised by the unexpected visitor.

“Jian’s friend…?”

A brief silence, and her gaze turned toward Lee Jian.

She lowered her head slightly and spoke.

“Hello, I’m Jian’s friend, Kim Dohyun. Jian must be tired, so she’s asleep.”

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise at those words.

Then she quickly waved her hand.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect you to care so much. Please, come in.”

She hurriedly opened the door wide and led me inside.

The living room was warm.

Unlike the dark outside, the soft lighting gently wrapped around the space.

In the midst of that, the slight tension eased.

I cautiously stepped inside.

“Jian, Jian.”

Lee Jian’s mother shook her to wake her, but Lee Jian didn’t stir.

She remained deeply asleep, murmuring as she buried herself further into the bed.

“Look at her. She must have been tired.”

Lee Jian’s mother sighed and spoke.

“I’m sorry, but could you help me move her to the room?”

I nodded quietly and lifted Lee Jian again.

“Isn’t she heavy?”

“She’s not heavy. Actually…”

She felt so light.

“Actually?”

“Oh, nothing.”

As we entered the room, dim light shone through the window.

That light gently illuminated her sleeping face.

I carefully laid her down on the bed.

She murmured again.

“…Uhh…”

As she buried herself further into the soft blanket, a faint sound escaped from her lips.

“She should at least change her clothes before sleeping.”

Her mother said quietly.

At that moment.

“Ugh…?”

Her dazed eyes flickered open.

Then, with a confused look, she moved her hand.

Her hand headed toward her waist.

Instinctively, I sensed danger.

…Could it be?

“Hey.”

I called out quietly.

But she didn’t respond.

Slowly, she seemed about to undress.

My mind went blank for a moment.

My spine chilled, and my heart instinctively warned me.

“…I… I’ll go.”

I quickly turned my body.

I opened the door and left the room, hearing her mother’s voice from behind me, sounding both confused and surprised.

“Oh my, look at her. Dohyun, are you okay?”

“Yes…”

I quietly touched my forehead.

This house… was more dangerous than I thought.

When I returned to the living room, Lee Jian’s mother offered me a cup of tea.

I carefully lifted the cup.

A subtle fragrance rose from the tea.

“She seems to have mana exhaustion.”

Lee Jian’s mother said softly.

She put down her cup and looked up.

“Mana exhaustion?”

“Yes. Even without using magic, sometimes mana gets used unconsciously when you’re focusing.”

She sighed and murmured.

“She’s been studying things she hasn’t done lately.”

She drank a sip of tea in silence.

‘Did she do it to win the bet? What’s so important about that wish…?’

I couldn’t really understand.

Then, I heard the sound of the door opening.

“I’m back.”

A strange voice.

An unfamiliar yet familiar face.

A woman who looked similar to Lee Jian, but with a slightly sharper expression.

She took off her coat and scanned the living room.

When our eyes met, she froze for a moment.

“…Huh?”

She stared at me for a moment before narrowing her eyes and asked.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, I’m Jian’s friend. Jian fell asleep, so I carried her home.”

“Her? She must have been really heavy.”

The woman said, then, as if she remembered something, she pointed at herself.

“Oh, I’m Jian’s older sister. Just call me Jihye.”

“I’m Kim Dohyun.”

I bowed and greeted her, but she frowned and tilted her head.

“Kim Dohyun? I feel like I’ve heard that name before.”

She seemed to think for a moment, then said one thing.

“Ah, the gym clothes. You’re the owner of the clothes she always wears.”

I was momentarily speechless.

She smirked and sat down.

Lee Jian’s mother naturally handed me a tea cup and spoke.

“She told me to drink tea and take a break for a bit.”

“Hmm…”

Jihye looked at my face again and seemed to come to some understanding.

‘What is it?’

And before I knew it, I was naturally joining in the family’s conversation.

The smell of rice drifting from the kitchen spread softly.

On the table, there was freshly made rice and a steaming bowl of soup.

“Dinner, stay and eat.”

Lee Jian’s mother said as if it was the most natural thing and guided me to the table.

On the table was a bowl of soup.

Rice and side dishes, the warm aroma of freshly made food filled the air.

The table had simple side dishes.

A bowl of warm rice, deep-tasting soybean paste soup, a fish grill with just the right seasoning, and a few types of hand-mixed greens.

I carefully picked up the chopsticks.

One bite.

Then another.

The fluffy rice touched the tip of my tongue.

The more I chewed, the richer the savory taste spread in my mouth.

A spoonful of the soybean paste soup warmed my insides with just the right salty flavor.

I picked up some well-cooked greens, and the fresh scent brushed against my tongue.

I suddenly realized.

How long had it been since I had eaten a meal someone else made…?

I had been living alone for a long time.

Lunchboxes, convenience foods, delivery meals.

All of them were “meals I ate alone.”

But now, I was sitting at a table.

Soft conversation flowed, occasional laughter mixed in, and people ate before the soup cooled down.

I was among people whose everyday lives were like this.

It was a feeling I had forgotten for a while.

This house… was unusually warm.

“How is it? Does it taste good?”

“Yes, it’s really delicious.”

The food was so tasty, the warmth of the house was so comforting, and the conversation was so cozy.

And then the fact that I would soon have to return to an empty house…It felt like my throat was closing up. 

I had just begun to get used to it, but now my house would probably feel awkward again. 

“Eat slowly. You’ll get a stomach ache.” 

A glass of water was quietly offered to me. 

I slowly drank it. 

After finishing the meal, I helped with the dishes. 

Clink. 

The plates lightly clinked together, making a pleasant sound. 

After that, we sat on the couch and watched a drama. 

Time passed quickly as we watched a melodramatic show, cursing together. 

I got up from my seat. 

“I should be going soon.” 

Then, Jian’s mother looked at the clock and said, 

“At this hour? Isn’t that too dangerous?” 

I was slightly taken aback and checked the time. 

…It was late, but it’s fine.” 

She spoke softly. 

“Stay the night.” 

As soon as she said that, Jihye also chimed in. 

“Yeah, it’s dangerous at this hour. The society’s been rough lately.”

 “…I’m okay.” 

“Well, you’re not saying it’s okay just because you’re a guy, right? 

Danger doesn’t discriminate between men and women. Don’t worry, just stay the night. It’s fine.” 

I was about to refuse again. 

I knew that if I declined one more time, they wouldn’t insist any further. 

If I went back home, it would be to a dark room. 

A quiet space with the lights off. 

A kitchen without any food prepared on the table. 

The difference between here and there was huge. 

This place was… 

“Alright, I’ll stay.”

I answered softly.

“Good. Then contact your parents. If it’s uncomfortable to tell them, I can talk to them for you.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I live alone.”

I said it lightly. 

But the weight of the words seemed heavier than I expected. 

There was no more conversation after that. It seemed like everyone understood with that short statement. 

A quiet warmth settled on my head. 

When I slowly raised my head, I saw Jian’s mother smiling warmly. 

“Rest well.” 

It wasn’t a big deal. 

I was used to it by now. 

But why did those words sound so comforting? 

A strange house, unfamiliar air, yet somehow cozy. 

Moonlight seeped through the window. 

A quiet night. 

A warm house. 

Not a cold, forgotten meal on the table, but a space still filled with warmth.

This place was strangely warm.

As I moved a bit, I could feel the lingering heat from the blanket.

It wasn’t uncomfortable considering I had slept on the couch.

I had firmly rejected sleeping on the bed. I couldn’t accept that much; it felt too much of a burden.

The loosely wrapped blanket was soft. 

The air felt cozy. 

An unfamiliar scent lingered.

The scent of a home. 

The scent of a place where people live. 

I instinctively closed my eyes and listened to the familiar sounds from outside.

The sound of something being organized in the kitchen. 

The quiet hum of the refrigerator. 

Footsteps coming from somewhere. 

These faint sounds reminded me that this space was alive.

I lay there quietly for a while. 

Would it be okay to sleep a little longer?

 But then, 

“Hey, wake up.” 

At the sudden voice, my eyebrows twitched without me even realizing it. 

The morning sunlight was felt. 

Even from under the blanket, warmth spread. 

My eyelids naturally began to squint. 

“Wake up, I said.” 

The voice came again. 

It was a voice I wasn’t unfamiliar with. 

Before even opening my eyes, I could tell who it was. 

But then, at that moment. 

The blanket was suddenly yanked off. 

Cold air rushed in immediately.

I instinctively frowned. 

Before I could move, 

“Sis, how much did you drink yesterday?”

As those words came, she appeared in front of me.

I was still slowly processing reality with my eyes half closed. 

Morning sunlight streamed down through the window. 

The warmth of the blanket was still there. 

The subtle warmth filled the living room. 

And… 

There she was, standing in front of me. 

…Lee Jian. 

I still looked at her through half-closed eyelids. 

Her messy hair,

Loose clothing, her eyes still half-asleep. 

One of her shoulders was slightly exposed, and the sports shirt seemed too big on her. 

Slowly, I raised my hand and messed with my hair. 

The usual messiness of it brushed against my fingertips. 

The sunlight was too bright. 

I nonchalantly turned my head and glanced out the window. 

“…What is this?” 

I looked at her with half-closed eyes.

And her face began to freeze. 

Her gaze wavered slightly. 

At the end of her gaze, a mirror. 

I blinked slowly. 

She was looking at the mirror. 

And her expression crumbled. 

“…Huh?” 

Her lips trembled. 

She hurriedly raised her hand to adjust her shoulder strap, and frantically messed with her hair with both hands. 

Her face contorted rapidly. 

Then, she muttered desperately, “This… is a dream, right?”

I blinked slowly. 

A dream? 

I was still calmly accepting the situation. 

But Jian’s reaction was much faster than mine. 

She turned back to look at me. 

And the moment our gazes met, “Did you wake up?” 

I casually spoke. 

A brief silence. 

In that moment, the air froze. 

Her pupils subtly shook.

Pop! 

Her face turned red, and then, 

“Ahhhhhh!!”

Lee Jian screamed and staggered back.

Her panicked body lost its balance, and her foot caught the edge of the table behind her.

In that instant, she staggered—

“Hey!”

I instinctively reached out.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her strongly.

And then—

Thud!

Both of our bodies collapsed onto the sofa.

The fluffy cushions supported our backs, but the shock hit us for a moment.

And then, we were too close.

The soft sensation.

Her hair tangled and scattered, and warm breath brushed past my nose.

In front of me, there she was.

Her eyes wide open.

Her face, flushed in surprise, trembled slightly.

Her pupils were shaking faintly.

Her face stiffened as if she had held her breath.

Her lips trembled ever so slightly.

I blinked.

…I almost stopped breathing.

We were too close.

Our breaths were nearly mingling.

My Adam’s apple gently moved.

The warmth of her body, conveyed through the slightly disheveled clothes, was vivid.

What should I do?

My heart…

…was so loud.

“…Huh?”

Jian’s voice slipped out softly.

Her breath was close.

Thud.

I flinched.

Was that her heartbeat?

Thud thud.

No, was it mine?

It was so loud, so close.

Our chests didn’t even touch,

but somewhere, a heartbeat was pounding.

Thud.

Thud thud.

Thud thud thud.

…Whose is this?

I don’t know whether it’s mine or hers.

I inhaled deeply.

I lowered my eyes.

The tips of my fingers tingled.

I was still holding her wrist.

I should let go.

But…

Why was it so hard to let go?

One word, “Move,” and it would be over.

But my voice wouldn’t come out.

It was too close.

Strangely, too close.

Thud. Thud thud.

It became faster.

Was it my heart? 

Or,was it because she was startled?

Did she hear it too?

This sound.

Our hearts collided, not knowing whose it was, quickly, roughly, mixing and pounding together.

“Oh my?”

I heard a familiar voice.

In that moment, my body froze instinctively.

I slowly turned my head.

…Jihye.

She was standing there, her mouth covered, but the corners of her mouth were lifted, unable to hide her smirk.

Her face looked like she had seen everything.

Her eyes slightly widened, and surely, all kinds of misunderstandings were forming in her mind.

I couldn’t move.

Thud.

Thud thud.

My heart was still beating fast.

My breath hadn’t settled yet.

But on the other hand, Jian suddenly sprang up and pulled away.

“Ah, ah, ah… that’s not it!”

She tried to explain urgently, but her face had already turned bright red.

She waved her hands around, unsure what to do.Jihye’s expression was one of amusement.

“Really?”

She smirked, crossing her arms.

Her tone seemed to say, “I didn’t say anything, though?”

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I threw the blanket over my head.

Inside the blanket, a dark, quiet space.

But my heart was not quiet.

Thud.

Thud thud.

Maybe because I was under the blanket, the sound felt even closer.

I took a deep breath.

And slowly exhaled.

I needed to calm down.

This was just an accident.

Yet,the tips of my fingers still tingled.

The sensation of the wrist I had grabbed was still there.

The sound of my heartbeat ringing in my ears.

I couldn’t tell if it was mine,or hers.

The thumping, mixed together, indistinguishable.

Why,was it still echoing in my head?

Thud.

Thud thud.

I closed my eyes under the blanket.

Was she,feeling the same way I was?

…No, there’s no way not like me, not like this.

She couldn’t possibly be shaking, to the point where it was hard to breathe.

I quietly clenched and unclenched my fist.

It felt like there was a hole in my heart.

The wind slipping through that hole kept stirring inside.

It’s fine.

I just need to act like usual.

But still, my heart kept pounding loudly.