episode_0022

Episode 21: Just, Because I’m Grateful.

This was clearly supposed to be a pleasant sound.

However, rather than feeling good knowing where the points came from, unease took precedence over the joy.

“Why are you dressed up?”

“To walk you home.”

“We live right below anyway.”

“If your sister wasn’t picking you up, I would have gone all the way to your house.”

“It’s a dangerous neighborhood.”

“Don’t say that.”

Have you finished eating?

If so, it was time for the usual teeth brushing routine.

But this is Jung Ah-young’s house.

I might not come over often, but I didn’t want to brush my teeth here.

“It’s cold.”

“Men are supposed to handle the cold better.”

It was March, yet it was already evening.

Jung Ah-young followed suit after putting on her shoes.

Taking the elevator down led straight to the main gate.

“When did you arrive?”

“You had to wait about 10 minutes, right?”

“It’s cold.”

“It’s okay.”

But why do you look frozen?

The night air was chilly, and there was a slight sense of coldness.

Jung Ah-young’s legs were trembling as if it were midwinter.

“You go in first.”

“Oh, no. I should greet you first.”

“Oh… Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

Honestly, I was impressed.

Considering her timid personality, she probably would have hesitated even more before coming inside.

Wouldn’t it be awkward having your friend’s older sister around?

Jung Ah-young confidently stood by my side.

“W-well, of course.”

Let me correct that.

She wasn’t confident at all; she looked very uncomfortable.

But she’s cute, so it’s fine, right?

“Sigh…”

“Why?”

“Just… I like the air here.”

Personally, even in Seoul, the night air always felt refreshing.

The cold, crisp air settling in. Doesn’t it feel nice?

[You have gained 300 points.]

[You have gained 200 points.]

[You have gained 600 points…]

“Han Se-yeon is going crazy.”

I know that too.

My thoughts naturally drifted towards Han Se-yeon.

She seemed more composed than anyone else.

Every morning, she went to work and returned on time.

She never went out drinking or partying.

Well, she hadn’t until now.

Polite and mature.

But…

The sound of the hologram shattered my thoughts.

The essence of the points lies within Han Se-yeon’s emotions.

Could it be that I’ve never been to a friend’s house before?

Really?

Truly.

Since elementary school until now.

I missed school trips due to lack of money.

Among the remaining extracurricular activities, I’ve never been to a friend’s house.

It seems absurd, but if we delve into it, my existence itself doesn’t make sense.

I started feeling anxious for no reason.

Even though I quit boxing due to a wrist injury, I used to be a professional.

Even among women, there are different levels.

Can Jung Ah-young handle it?

Logically, I wouldn’t hit my younger sibling’s friend, but…

[You have gained 120 points!!!]

Three exclamation marks attached to an emotion were breaking common sense.

There’s always a possibility.

“A-yeong, let’s go inside.”

“Huh? You said we still need to wait a bit.”

“No. Let’s go inside. Quickly.”

“It’s okay. Since I’ve come this far, I should at least say hello…”

Jung Ah-young’s eyes widened gradually.

Loud footsteps could be heard in the distance.

Since it was evening, they echoed louder than during the day.

Slowly turning my head around,

the moment I faced Han Se-yeon,

the incessant sound of the hologram stopped.

***

Just a moment.

A very brief moment.

In less than three hours,

the heart that had been beating relentlessly stopped.

The pressure released, and peace settled in.

Like taking a deep breath in a deep forest.

Deep satisfaction and refreshing liberation were felt.

It wasn’t because of the night air in March.

Not a far-off distance.

Han Seyeon was standing there.

There was also a woman she hadn’t seen before, but she didn’t pay much attention to her.

Was it because the anxiety that constricted her chest and sharpened her nerves had disappeared?

Her mind began to think rationally.

A friend is a friend. She even walked me home.

The rough breathing quickly calmed down.

Indeed. She covered a 40-minute walk in just 10 minutes.

It was only natural.

Considering that Han Seyin texted a little late, it was faster than imagined.

“Hello.”

“Oh, hi. Is Seyin your friend?”

“Yes.”

Squirm.

That was Han Seyeon’s first impression of Jung Ah-young.

She seemed like a timid kitten.

No vitality in her eyes, cautious in her demeanor.

How should I put it… There was something that felt just right to another woman.

To put it nicely, she looked kind.

To put it harshly, she seemed like a loner who probably never dated a guy.

Of course, she wasn’t thinking like that.

It was an impression engraved in her subconscious like human instinct.

“Goodbye.”

“Well, goodbye. Seyin…”

“Yeah. See you again.”

They wouldn’t have much to talk about for long.

It was just to escort her as the night road was dangerous.

She was just waiting until she arrived.

They walked together.

A cold silence settled in.

It seemed like something she hadn’t cared about before.

Lately, Han Seyeon started to worry about the uncomfortable silence.

To be precise, since the moment they started talking.

Silence was no longer part of their routine.

So, it started to feel uncomfortable.

“Was it fun?”

“Um… just okay?”

Thump, thump.

Words she wouldn’t have mustered the courage to say usually.

But if they were siblings, they would exchange them casually.

Han Seyeon was too accustomed to not being ordinary.

Was that why?

The unusual unease stimulated her heart differently.

It wasn’t a bad meaning.

Now it felt good and exciting.

Could it be… jealousy?

Oh, what jealousy between siblings.

“What did you do for fun?”

“Was it a fighting game?”

“It must have been fun.”

It was a half-hearted remark.

Three years older than Han Seyin, Han Seyeon seemed a bit more childish.

Actually, she hoped it wasn’t fun. She thought inwardly.

“No, I kept losing, so it wasn’t fun.”

“You lost?”

“Yeah, it was my first time playing. I think I almost had a 10-game losing streak?”

Han Seyeon’s mouth curved up.

The face of Jung Ah-young flashed in her mind for a moment.

Well, does she even know men?

She didn’t know herself, but shouldn’t she have let her win at least one round?

She expressed sympathy for Jung Ah-young, who didn’t even show that sense.

“Phew, it’s a bit cold.”

“Let’s go inside quickly.”

They were halfway there, so now they only needed to walk for about 20 minutes.

The conversation became more comfortable.

She regretted running away cautiously due to guilt from the past.

Han Seyeon was satisfied with the current situation.

However.

Han Seyin’s words began to shatter the barely satisfied ceiling.

“You look happy.”

“…?”

“We’re all having dinner together. It feels warm.”

“……”

Guilt weighed heavily on Han Seyeon’s heart.

Family. A normal family.

She understood why Han Seyin said that.

So, her thoughts sank deeper.

“Sis…?”

“Let’s go inside quickly. It’s cold.”

She fled once again.

In the reality that made her head uncomfortable.

After a few conversations, she runs away again.

Hansein’s expression turned flustered.

Her hand was holding his, as if dragging someone along.

She walked towards the house at a slightly faster pace.

Hansyeon couldn’t see her sister’s expression.

She didn’t want to face it, both because she was leading the way and because she didn’t want to reveal her guilt-ridden expression.

How much time had passed?

Hansein shouted.

“Nuna, nuna?”

“Uh, yeah!”

Startled.

Deep contemplation.

The moment Hansyeon snapped out of her contemplation, a familiar door greeted her.

She had been lost in thought for about 20 minutes.

It felt like a fleeting moment; she pondered seriously.

And back to reality.

It didn’t take long for her to see the warmth in her hands.

“Oh, sorry.”

“It’s okay. It was cold. I’m fine.”

Hansein squeezed her hand.

Almost frozen due to the lack of warmth.

Having held hands for about 20 minutes, it wasn’t strange.

Her expression gradually brightened.

Hansein entered the house first. Like a broken doll, he followed reluctantly.

“Oh…”

“Oh, the rice… Pff. Did you put too much water?”

“Yeah…”

Hansyeon’s eyes softened.

Watching him undress and check the kitchen.

I see.

Her mouth slowly opened.

A heartwarming feeling rising from her heart.

So that’s how it is.

I wanted to see this.

The identity of the anxiety that couldn’t be pinpointed.

Seeing him rummaging through the rice cooker in the kitchen, she naturally recalled.

I, I…

Whispered Hanseyeon inwardly.

As soon as she opened the door and stepped in.

She wanted to see a warm gaze and smile welcoming her.

She moved slowly.

Taking off her shoes, Hanseyeon headed towards the kitchen.

“Nuna…?”

Hansein hugged her tightly.

His presence was precious.

An embarrassed voice resonated from her chest.

Giving a little more strength, a faint moan was heard.

It wasn’t bone-crushing. She just wanted to feel his warmth a bit more.

A warm breath spreading from Hanseyeon’s chest.

His body, tinged with embarrassment, trembled slightly.

“Thank you…”

“Hmm?”

“Just, just… Thank you. For helping with the housework. For being here like this.”

“Thank you too.”

“Oh…”

Hanseyeon’s body trembled lightly.

Thank you.

Upon hearing this sound, she could feel a deep stirring in her heart.

Today was a somewhat special day.

The bond between siblings grew a bit closer.

Insignificant, but a special day for them.

Today was exactly that kind of day.