episode_0046

“I still look pretty.”

In the morning, I turned on my phone to pass the time.

I was looking at photos taken by the sea last time.

They seem somewhat tragic, like a dramatic scene.

Whether they are smiling like Mona Lisa or expressionless, it depends on the person’s perspective.

My Instagram account was almost on fire.

Thanks to everyone for the compliments.

[Thanks to you, I’m getting a lot of photo inquiries! Thank you so much!]

It seems Hyojin has also become popular; she said she would take pictures for me later.

Later… I should call her for the wedding.

Me in a wedding dress… and my handsome brother in a nice suit…

Wouldn’t that be nice?

“What are you looking at?”

“Look at this. It’s already over 100,000 followers.”

“Wow… Isn’t that quite impressive?”

“Yeah, right? But if my brother made an account, wouldn’t he just quit his job and buy a house just by taking photos with products…?”

There are many comments about my brother too.

Handsome, handsome, looks like an unfamiliar celebrity, an actor, I can already imagine his voice, handsome, but maybe that’s just a facade…

Things like that…

It’s a shame, but he’s above average.

“I like my job. And showing my face to others is a bit… well, I’ve received business cards, but I haven’t given mine out.”

“…Should I delete this?”

If he doesn’t want his face shown, I have no hesitation in deleting all the photos and the account.

You shouldn’t do what your brother dislikes.

However, my brother shakes his head.

“Nah, it’s okay. It’s kind of… fine. It feels like preserving memories, which is nice.”

“Really… Are you sure?”

“Yeah yeah. I’m fine. As long as I’m with Jihye, I’m really fine.”

“Um… Okay then. Let me know if it’s uncomfortable. I’ll delete the account right away.”

Anyway, I started out of curiosity, and since the photos are on my phone, it doesn’t matter.

I don’t care much about money, so I blocked all replies asking if I wanted to be a model and deleted them.

I briefly thought about working hard and saving up for retirement without bothering my brother, but… my brother loves his work.

“By the way, where do you want to go today?”

“Well… we’ve been to quite a few places, haven’t we?”

“Yeah… that’s true.”

We first went to the aquarium.

Watched a movie… shared love.

We rested because I was sick… and decided to make some memories by going to the sea where we didn’t need to walk much.

And somehow took some photos. We even met a professional photographer by chance while walking down the street.

I raise my left hand towards the ceiling.

A ring on my ring finger.

What seemed unlikely has become reality.

Thinking back to that moment makes my heart flutter.

“The ring… looks nice.”

My brother reaches out his hand and holds mine.

“It’s nice. Really…”

Should I just fall asleep like this?

Our hands are still held, quietly.

“…Oh. You shouldn’t sleep. Let’s go out…”

“It’s fine for me. Do you have a place you want to go?”

A place I want to go.

As long as my brother is there, it doesn’t really matter where we go.

“Well…”

As I was lost in thought, my phone vibrates.

It’s from Sua unnie.

[Hey Jihye~ How have you been?]

“Yes, unnie! I’m always doing well, you know~”

[Yeah! I know, Jihye is a total superstar, right?]

“Oh… What kind of star?”

Although I am popular, I’m not making a big deal out of it.

“So, did you call just to ask about my recent situation?”

Calling out of the blue could be due to boredom, but usually, there’s a purpose behind it.

But that purpose was quite peculiar.

[Let’s go on a date!]

“…A date?”

[Yeah!]

I… want to be with Oppa.

“Just the two of us…?”

[Ah, no. Me and Jihyeok~ And Jihye with her boyfriend for a double date!]

Oh, I see. That sounds good then. It’s actually quite welcome. I didn’t even think about going out today, so I was thinking we could watch a movie together at home.

Of course, there’s a romantic and whimsical atmosphere that might lead to something more while watching a romantic movie, but as they say, too much of anything is not good. Let’s give Oppa a break too. Of course, me as well.

I sneak a glance at Oppa. He looks at me with a smile, saying nothing.

I don’t really think in terms of a mystical concept, but with no interruptions, I thought he had fallen asleep.

So, when I jokingly shake my phone as if to say let’s not go, he just nods his head.

“I’ll go! Where should we meet?”

I give cute Oppa a peck on the cheek and wait for his response.

[Hmm… Is here okay… Yup. I sent you the address!]

“Yes, got it.”

It’s quite close by. Even though we meet occasionally and have fun together, due to our busy schedules, even a few minutes apart can feel long and distant.

[And…]

“And?”

[Can we save the kiss for later when I’m not around? Anyway, let’s meet at 11… Bye!]

“Oh. Unni? Unni!”

He throws a bomb like that and leaves me hanging.

“Sigh….”

“Hmm… I won’t kiss you now.”

Oppa leans in towards me as if he didn’t expect me to say that.

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

“I’m currently running an event exclusively for Oppa… It’s possible now, but…”

It’s my fault, really. My lips were tempted, and I stole a kiss without thinking. It’s just embarrassing for me.

Oppa doesn’t say a word, so there’s no reason for him to feel embarrassed either, really.

“Sure. I should definitely participate in the event.”

And with that, I straddle over Oppa.

*

“You’re late!”

“Oops… Sorry.”

I ended up being about 5 minutes late. I must have been really tired since both I and Oppa fell asleep.

“Are you letting it slide because Jihye is pretty?”

“Yes, Unni, I love you.”

“It’s because it’s unavoidable…”

Unni quickly embraces slightly annoyed me, and I soon giggle and show affection.

“Oh… Hello.”

“Yes… Um… You’re Jihye’s Oppa, right…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

In the meantime, the Oppas awkwardly exchange polite handshakes.

Come to think of it, did they not even know each other’s faces?

“Oh… But he’s even better looking in person.”

Unni can’t help but admire Oppa.

She says his face can’t be captured in a photo.

“Yeah, that’s right! Our Oppa is incredibly handsome!”

I chime in, propping up Oppa again. It’s the only thing I can say with his speechless face.

“That’s right! I’m glad we met each other. They say girls in love become even prettier. There’s a reason why you’re getting prettier as time goes by.”

Unni, feeling a bit regretful but proud, pulls me closer.

“You’re beautiful too, Unni! Seriously, it’s not just me who’s pretty… There are so many beautiful people in this world.”

“I think Jihye is the most beautiful in this world. Really. I mean it.”

“Oh… Stop it. I’m embarrassed.”

“Yeah. Shall we go now?”

I pat her back and soon pull away from her embrace.

Unni and Oppa lead the way down the street.

“But Oppa, what about work?”

“Haha. This is called a day off. Taking three consecutive days off maximizes satisfaction.”

“Oh, I see.”

Proudly sharing something trivial.

“So, where are we going?”

[First Section]

“I’m going to grab something to eat for now. It’s already time for a meal.”

Continuing down the road, I arrived at a restaurant.

A sophisticated Hanok-style building exuded a strong traditional vibe.

But clam stew…?

Is it that unique people seek out peculiar eateries?

“What’s with that expression~! Did you think there would be clam stew in a Hanok right now?”

I was taken aback.

“Well, yeah, but… ”

But it makes sense. My sister must have thought that way from the start, knowing she’s already peculiar.

“It’s delicious here. The Hanok style is the owner’s preference. Originally it was ordinary, but they remodeled it, you know.”

“I see.”

It became so popular that they even bought the building. Why would that be?

Upon entering, the interior exuded a truly traditional atmosphere, following the exterior appearance.

“Hmm… Should we order for five people?”

“Can you manage a single portion, sis?”

If we order for five, the guys will probably overeat a bit, like 1.5 portions each, leaving my sister and me with one portion each… We’ll definitely end up wasting some.

“No…?”

“It won’t work…?”

“…Why not?”

“Because it won’t…?”

Although it was said it wouldn’t work, my sister seemed greatly shocked, unable to close her mouth, her hand nervously touching her stomach.

“…Wisdom might slightly diminish.”

“…??”

In the end, we ordered for four people.

Since my brother said he’d only have one portion, my sister looked even more upset.

“Try to persuade him, sis.”

“Me!? He’s just eating well and being cute. You can’t ask someone to eat less here.”

Just did it, huh.

“Sob. Fine… Being cute is enough.”

“Y-yes. Among all the people I’ve seen, you’re the cutest, sis.”

The words girls love the most are “pretty” and “cute.” Just remember those two.

You might feel it more.

Even if he’s an older brother…

…Hmph. Or not.

“Sob… It’s delicious. How can I fill my stomach with such a small bowl like that.”

Looking at the clearly different sizes of the bowls,

“I-I just… couldn’t fit everything in…”

“You’re just pretending! There’s a certain amount people need when they move around.”

“It’s big…”

Why do I feel like I’ve become a criminal?

The stew is really tasty.

Eating in a Hanok style, taking off our shoes and dining in the inner room, we could enjoy the meal without worrying about others’ eyes.

“Sis… is such a nice person.”

She only focuses on the food when eating.

How wonderful.

That’s precisely why we dine together.

“Uh-huh?”

“Anyway… that’s how it is.”

My sister has given me a lot.

There might be reasons she likes me as a pretty person, but it seems she just genuinely likes people.