Chapter 60 : Excuse me, haven’t we seen each other somewhere?

“Hey, haven’t we met somewhere before?”

Ahyun, holding a camera, shook only her gloved hand in front of the lens while delivering her lines.

“Alright! Everyone, we just arrived at our hotel from the airport in Japan! Yay~!”

“Yay!!!”

“Wow…”

I’m tired…

“Mom! Lift your energy!”

Arin, jumping excitedly in front of me, waved her hands energetically.

Her purple twin tails bounced cheerfully, and her yellow eyes sparkled.

An excited expression, a lively gesture. She really looks like a kid…

“Sigh…”

I sighed and slightly lowered the brim of my hat.

The area under my eyes felt a bit tense.

Am I tired?

Or… is it this situation itself that’s exhausting me?

Maybe my instinct is telling me I need to rest a lot right now…

The hotel building was quite luxurious.

The dark-colored exterior walls, sleek design, and the soft lobby music flowing from the entrance.

It was too luxurious to be called a business hotel, and too calm to be a resort hotel.

It was the kind of place that looked ambiguously expensive.

Does KillogNote not give much money…

“Sis, let’s hurry inside! We need to check in!”

Ahyun, pulling a small suitcase with one hand, waved at me.

Her soft blonde hair shone softly under the hotel lobby lights.

As expected, Ahyun is really beautiful.

Her green eyes were still sparkling, and her face held an expression full of anticipation and excitement.

I quietly picked up my luggage.

The heavy travel bag felt wrapped around my hand.

That’s right, I’ve come this far.

So now, all that’s left is… just to follow along.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

I entered the lobby with a neutral expression.

The cool marble floor could be felt from the tips of my toes.

A faint fragrance, light jazz music playing, and soft conversations.

There were a few people in line at the check-in counter.

Ahyun was approaching first to check the reservation information.

Arin was curiously looking around, peering inside the hotel as if it was new to her.

I quietly sat on the lobby sofa, taking a breath.

I was tired. A long flight, busy airport procedures.

And, somehow, my life had led me here.

I looked out the window.

The night sky of Tokyo. The city lights sparkling outside the glass.

A calm breeze blew, and the lights of the passing cars flowed gently along the road.

“Sis, the room key came out!”

Ahyun smiled brightly at me and handed me the key card. I slowly got up.

Arin, who had come beside me without me noticing, excitedly said:

“Mom! Mom! Our room is going to be great, right? I can’t wait to roll around in the hotel room!”

I looked at her tiredly.

“Do you still have the energy for that?”

“Of course! You have to roll around with me too!”

“No thanks.”

“Hey! That’s mean!”

Arin puffed her cheeks out dramatically, pouting. I ignored her and dragged my suitcase toward the room.

The elevator rose smoothly.

The digital floor numbers changed one by one and stopped at the 12th floor.

When the door opened, the hallway had a quiet, elegant atmosphere.

The lights placed at regular intervals gave off a warm glow, and the carpet was soft.

“This is it.”

I opened the door with the key card. The door opened smoothly, revealing the spacious hotel room inside.

Two beds. A neat desk and sofa. A large window with a broad view of the city’s nightscape.

“Wow…!”

Arin was the first to jump in. She took off her shoes and dived onto the bed, rolling around.

“Wow! The bed is so soft!”

I slowly looked around the room. It was much better than I had expected.

A neat interior, soft lighting, and a moderately luxurious atmosphere.

Ahyun quietly approached me.

“Is it okay?”

I nodded slightly.

“Yeah. It’s not bad.”

“I’m glad if you like it.”

Ahyun smiled warmly.

I briefly turned my eyes away from that smile. For some reason, whenever I see that expression, I feel a ticklish sensation in the corner of my heart.

At that moment, Arin jumped up from the bed and shouted.

“Okay! What’s the first schedule?!”

I sighed and answered.

“A shower.”

“Ew? What’s that? That’s boring!”

“You smell.”

“That’s a lie!”

I dragged my tired body into the bathroom. I turned on the hot water and stared at my reflection in the mirror for a moment.

Long silver hair, cold eyes. A pale face.

I quietly inhaled.

And slowly, I immersed my body in the water.

“Mmm… this feels good…”

For some reason, I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be a really good day.

I couldn’t resist the slowly lowering eyelids and let myself sink into the warmth that enveloped my body.

“Huh, sis? Are you asleep?”

“Ahh! Arin! If you open that… Wow.”

“Ooh. Is this… what is it called? Is it a ‘body shower’?”

“Arin!!!”

I think I heard something strange in my half-sleep…

It must be my imagination…

The next morning.

“I wanted to stay at the hotel a bit longer…”

I sighed, sinking deeper into the bed.

A soft pillow and just the right temperature blanket.

Everything.

This was the perfect environment for a good night’s sleep, but…

Reality wouldn’t allow it.

“First, we need to do some sightseeing!”

Ahyun shouted in a bright voice and grabbed my arm.

I forced myself to rub my eyes and sat up.

This is being recorded too, right…?

Sunlight was streaming dazzlingly through the window, and between the hotel curtains, the morning view of Tokyo was revealing itself.

“Please… just a little more…”

“No way! It’s already late!”

“Late? What do you mean late…”

I grumbled in dissatisfaction and checked the clock.

8 AM. Normally, this would be the time I’d fall back asleep.

But Ahyun and Arin were already fully prepared to go out.

Arin was energetically hopping around beside my bed, waving her hand.

“Unnie! Hurry up and get up! Today’s sightseeing plan is super exciting!”

I let out a deep sigh and threw off the blanket. My head was still foggy.

I wanted to take a shower, but before I could, Ahyun handed me some clothes.

“Put this on and get ready quickly!”

And so, my forced morning began.

Washing up, changing clothes—it was all a blur, and I barely managed to fix my messy hair.

Before long, I found myself being dragged away between Arin and Ahyun in the hotel lobby.

“Ugh, seriously… my body feels heavy.”

“It’s just in your head! Once we’re outside, you’ll feel totally different!”

Ahyun smiled and pulled my arm.

Arin was skipping ahead, her purple twin-tails bouncing energetically, and her bright yellow eyes were filled with excitement.

“We’re going to Asakusa first, right?”

“Yep! Sensoji Temple and a street food tour nearby! Then we’ll move to Shibuya. The whole day’s packed, so look forward to it!”

“…That’s the problem.”

Guess there won’t be any time to space out…

I sighed and followed along. Tokyo’s streets were bustling even in the morning.

People walking, shop owners preparing for the morning market, and workers in uniforms rushing about.

The air was fresh, but I was still half-asleep.

As we left the hotel and headed toward the subway station, Ahyun and Arin excitedly ran ahead.

I followed them absentmindedly, nodding off the entire way.

Then, suddenly, Ahyun grabbed my hand and shook it.

“Mama! Mama! Look over there!”

Struggling to open my eyes, I looked where she was pointing.

In the distance, Tokyo Skytree stood tall against the blue sky, its grandeur striking.

“Oh~ Seeing it in person, it’s really huge.”

This… I kind of like.

“Right? Isn’t it cool? Should we go up there later?”

“…Let’s think about that later.”

I answered weakly and yawned again.

But Ahyun and Arin were already moving according to their plan.

They excitedly chatted while reviewing the sightseeing schedule.

I listened to them with half-closed eyes, then eventually gave up and followed along.

During the subway ride, I stood in a corner, dozing off.

Meanwhile, Ahyun and Arin were still full of energy, pointing outside, reading Japanese signs, and chatting excitedly.

Looking up words in a dictionary just to read signs? That’s kind of funny.

They can’t even read basic stuff…

“Wow! This is really Japan!”

“Ahyun, we are literally in Japan. Of course, it is.”

“I know, but it still feels amazing!”

This is never-ending…

I kept nodding off while listening to them until my head drooped completely.

Then, suddenly, Ahyun nudged me with her elbow.

“Unnie, aren’t you way too sleepy?”

“I’m exhausted…”

“Then let’s get some coffee! There’s a café nearby!”

I half-opened my eyes at her words. Arin nodded in agreement.

“Good idea! Let’s get coffee and really start our day!”

Reluctantly, I let them drag me toward a famous café.

Only after holding a warm cup of coffee did I start to wake up a little.

On the way to Asakusa, Ahyun and Arin were still brimming with excitement.

I followed them, taking in the crisp Tokyo morning air.

‘Well, since I’m already here, might as well enjoy it.’

I took a sip of coffee and walked along with them.

This kind of trip might be tiring, but… I don’t hate it.

“苟札、ᄌᄂ∃~ (Huh? Suhyun?)”

I froze.

“Huh? You know someone in Japan, unnie?”

“Whoa, that’s cool.”

Beep—

I barely turned my head to make eye contact.

But wait… why can’t I meet their gaze?

If it were that pink-haired girl… we would have locked eyes.

Oh. Downward.

Lowering my gaze further, I finally met the owner of the voice.

Long brown hair, clear blue eyes like lenses.

A small and cute build, enough to rival Arin.

A familiar voice.

Not from ‘my’ life, but from ‘Nanoka’s’ life.

“…Who are you?”

I subtly pushed Ahyeon and Arin behind me and glared slightly.

If she was the same type as the pink-haired girl, she could be dangerous.

The brown-haired girl stiffened.

The envelope she was holding slipped from her grasp.

Then she started trembling… Wait. She’s tearing up?

“I forgot by mistake!!! (How could you forget me, Mama?!)”

Even in her gestures, something solid could be felt—

The gaze of someone who had waited for a long time.

A bouncing girl, calling out desperately.

That small—

“Uh.”

“Mama…?”

Ahyun’s eyes turned cold.

I always said the first daughter was my favorite…

Ah, shit… This is bad.

This is really, really bad.