episode_0030

Minah, who plucked the sleeping lion’s whiskers

No, not just the whiskers, but tore off the entire skin and issued a declaration of war

Surely, when they meet after the holiday, sparks will fly

Their long-standing silent battle has come to an end

A situation where Minah will show even more proactive actions

However, completely unaware of this fact, Minsu was eagerly anticipating the fireworks display that would start in less than 10 minutes.

“Oh, I’m sorry, oppa. I got lost in my phone.”

“Nah, it’s okay. You probably had unread messages until now.”

“Is it okay if I don’t do it anymore?”

“Haha, yes, it’s fine now.”

Minah chuckles, seemingly pleased about something

Although I know that when Minah smiles like that, there’s usually mischief involved, it’s all good because good is good. I decided not to dwell on it. It would be impolite to pry too much.

How much time has passed since I thought that way?

From speakers scattered around, an announcement instructs the audience to stop what they’re doing and look up at the sky as the fireworks display is about to begin.

As I try to follow those words and look up…

“Oppa.”

“Yes?”

“…If it’s okay, would you like to hang out with me next time too? Not necessarily here.”

Saying this, like a loyal retriever waiting for its master’s command, Minah quietly waits for my response.

Honestly, how could I refuse when she looks at me like that? Of course, I never intended to refuse in the first place.

“Hehe…”

“…Was this too sudden?”

“Of course not, Minah. Let’s hang out together in the future. There are plenty of places to go, as you said.”

“…Really? Yay!! I’m glad I asked!”

“Do you really like it?”

“Of course! I was so nervous about being rejected!”

‘…That’s why I can’t dislike oppa.’

She might feel awkward herself, but she’s always kind, allowing me to laugh and accepting my feelings. She treats me with care, making every action seem delicate yet charming in some awkward way.

…Should I say it now?

My feelings for oppa

Love

At present, I consider our relationship to be more than colleagues but less than lovers. The chances of a successful confession are not exactly 0%, but there’s no guarantee of a positive outcome when rejecting someone nice. Besides the potential awkwardness that may follow, there’s also the risk of ruining the friendship we’ve built so far.

Therefore, although I planned to wait a little longer and get closer before confessing, my instincts tell me otherwise.

The intuition of a woman

The intuition of a competitor fighting over the same man

The longer I wait, the more dangerous it becomes

That bitch might make her move

At some point, her gaze towards oppa became more obvious

It was as if she was saying, “Don’t look at what’s mine,” blatantly comparing herself to him and even sending me sharp glances.

She even sent me a photo of oppa and her, creating a rift between us, probably to provoke me.

I wanted to convey the message to back off once I knew the subject.

Of course, I don’t expect oppa to reciprocate her feelings.

In terms of likability, he should be on the same page as me.

But…

What if, out of a hundred or a thousand, oppa accepts her confession…?

If the next day, the two of them show up at work wearing matching outfits?

If he tells me that they’re dating?

Just thinking about it is dreadful

The mere thought causes a splitting headache and a suffocating feeling akin to having my head cut in half.

Though I’ve never physically harmed anyone, the urge to tear her apart rises within me.

That’s why I muster the courage

Doing something is better than doing nothing but fiddling with my fingers

“Oppa.”

“Yes?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Something to tell me? I wonder what that could be~”

He reacts as if he has no clue that I’m about to confess, looking foolish

Even that is endearing.

When I seriously start to speak, what kind of expression will my older brother have?

Confusion? Disgust? Suspicion? Approval?

No matter what reaction he shows, the atmosphere will completely change from before.

Thump thump thump thump thump.

“Actually, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but I’m saying it now.”

Even if you deny it, it’s okay. I’ll make you speak even if I have to force you.

“I’ve been thinking about you for a long time, and I…”

Boom!

“…”

“Wow..!”

However, my determination and courage are futile as the firework explodes at an inopportune moment.

The sound of a single person speaking is drowned out by the loud noise of the fireworks.

As people watch the colorful fireworks in a daze, my brother also absentmindedly gazes up at the sky.

In an instant, excitement fades, tension builds inside, and a sense of relief spreads from around my spine throughout my body.

“Sigh…”

I really am hopeless.

They say one thing and then when it comes down to it, they can’t do it, feeling relieved that they couldn’t.

With legs weakened by the release of tension, I slump down, wondering how much time has passed.

I hear a movement beside me.

Curious, I turn my head slightly.

“Huh?”

My brother’s lips suddenly close to my ear.

His breath tickles my earlobe and ear.

Pop! Pop!

Fireworks burst into various sizes and colors, expressing my confused feelings.

“~~!!”

“..Are you okay?”

His words are barely audible to me.

Seeing that I can’t understand, my brother closes the distance between his lips and my ear, as if to say it’s okay.

Ah… I see why people listen to ASMR videos.

If it’s these sounds, I could listen for a day, a week, or even a year.

If I end up dating my brother later on, maybe we could do something more than this.

Would my brother like this kind of play?

I do…

Heh…

“Are you… okay, Mina?”

“Ah.”

In his worried words that pulled me out of a fantasy of happily raising a son and daughter like rabbits and spending a happy old age, my brother was concerned about my sudden collapse.

As I quickly reassure him, my brother relaxes.

Then, as if suggesting we watch the fireworks together, he points to the sky with his delicate fingers.

Naturally, we adjust our positions and sit side by side.

To others, we might look like any other couple.

…Since the confession failed, this will have to do.

Stealthily…

Plop!

I grasp my brother’s large hand placed on the soft grass, intertwining our fingers.

Though he seemed momentarily surprised, he now smiles nonchalantly and focuses back on the fireworks.

“..Beautiful.”

Although I can’t hear well, he must be saying the fireworks are beautiful.

“Yes… they’re beautiful.”

I chime in.

Not about the fireworks,

But looking at his profile, with his sharp nose and long eyelashes, and his happy smile.

The splendid fireworks come to an end.

People, still savoring the moment, gather their belongings and leave, including Mina and Minsoo.

“Ah~ That was really fun, right, Mina?”

Giggling.

If this were an animation, a fluffy white cloud would pop out with a bright light.

Mina, feeling uplifted.

“Yes… I really enjoyed it.”

“Shall we start heading back to the ryokan now, brother?”

“Ah… time flew by so fast… Should have come earlier to enjoy more, huh?”

“It’s okay, I’ve already enjoyed everything.”

“Come on, let’s go back before it gets colder!”

“Now we should relax in the hot spring!”

“Oh right…!”

I almost forgot about the hot spring.

After soaking in the steaming medicinal bath, letting the water flow over me,

And returning to the room with a relaxed body for some sake and a good night’s sleep…?

Argh!

Can’t wait!

“Let’s… Let’s go back quickly, Mina!”

“Hehe, yes, brother.”

Even though it may only be a 10-15 minute difference, Minsoo hurriedly packs up all their belongings, fearing they might miss the hot spring if they delay.

And there was Min-a, who couldn’t help but look at that kind of Minsu, nodding as if to say she couldn’t hold back and helping him.

Then there were those who were secretly watching such a fresh young couple.

A body with muscles so well-defined that even a tree large enough to cover most adult men couldn’t cover these two men.

Eyes that seemed to invite harassment just by making eye contact, like a snake ready to strike.

Intimidatingly tanned skin and blond hair, almost giving off an aura of intimidation.

Or so it seemed.

It was Geum Taeyang and Geum Taeman.

As usual, Taeman, who had been rejected by the hostess, was planning a solo hunting operation while wandering around the festival.

By chance, Taeyang, who was walking around with college girls, met Taeman.

One of the college students was from this area and knew a great spot to watch fireworks just like Min-a did.

They gathered together to enjoy the fireworks, and as they watched, they saw familiar faces of a man and a woman they had been observing all along.

“Doesn’t it seem like I’m going to have a new stepmom for real, Uncle?”

“But why aren’t you making any progress beyond just flirting like that?”

“They’re not little kids, you know.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“Well, we should step up and help for the sake of San-nim and Hyung-nim.”

“In that case…?”

“Let’s go with Plan B, Taeyang.”

“Got it!”

Helping by being relieved and staying still was something these troublemakers had never even dreamed of.