episode_0048
by admin#48
Minah’s sudden question.
“I’m just asking. Seriously, do you think of Jia as just a cute little sister?”
“Of course… ”
When I heard that question, I was lost in thought and couldn’t finish speaking.
‘… Do you think of Jia as just a cute little sister?’
It hasn’t been that long since Gia and I started living together, but I can say this with confidence.
Gia is like family to me.
But does that mean I only think of Jia as a cute little sister?
“… Sigh.”
Probably not.
For that, Jia is too attractive. In appearance, in personality, and as a person.
I wonder if it wouldn’t have been different if we had been together since we were young like Min-ah.
… The time of just a month or so was not enough to treat Zia only as a younger sister.
Up until now, I’ve just been suppressing it with reason.
When I let out a deep sigh instead of answering, Mina nodded as if she had expected me to do so and said.
“Looking at your reaction, oppa… I get it.”
“… .”
I opened my mouth quietly.
“Actually, I still don’t know. Whether I’m someone that Jia would like.”
‘Well, assuming that Jia really likes me.’
This isn’t a self-esteem issue. No, it is.
Even if you just walk around downtown, you can’t even guess how many people will follow you.
It’s because of the times, I wonder if I would have been street-casted or something in the past.
“Because Jia is still young.”
Even if Zia really likes me… it’s probably just a momentary illusion.
Thinking back now, it’s entirely possible that he would feel more than a little favor toward me for helping him.
But that’s like a student who has a crush on their school teacher, or a client who has a crush on their counselor.
“… If you just graduate from college, there’ll be a line of guys who’ll say they like you.”
“Originally, girls around Jia’s age had a kind of admiration for adults. Like, they just adore college students and stuff.”
I can guarantee it.
At least in the future, better people than me will approach Gia.
“How can an old man like me… with Jia… .”
“Just a minute.”
“Huh?”
Mina, who had been listening to me silently until now, cut me off.
And then,
“Really, can I hit you once?”
With those words, Mina spoke with an angry expression that I had never seen before.
“I heard from Jia. Don’t put yourself down.”
“… Uh.”
“The person who heard that is saying the same thing again? Do you really want to get in trouble?”
Mina continued speaking with a frown.
“Jia, she’s almost twenty. And she’s a girl who’s had it harder than my peers. How can you treat her like a little kid? What about you, Oppa?”
“… .”
“Honestly, it’s funny that I’m the third party talking… Don’t run away, oppa.”
After leaving those words for me, Mina went into the room where Jia was.
And I,
“Sigh.”
He sighed and sat down at the table alone, lost in deep thought.
***
And the next day, Saturday.
Right after finishing breakfast, I spoke to Zia, who hadn’t gone to school.
“Jia. Do you want to go out into the city with me today?”
“Yes? I’m fine, but is Minah going with you too?”
“No. Mina said she had an appointment. Right?”
I sent a signal to Minah, who was next to me, with an awkward wink.
Mina nodded as if she had roughly grasped the situation, wondering if my signal had gotten through.
“Huh? Oh, oh. Right. So, have a nice trip, you two.”
“Yes… .”
… Luckily, Gia didn’t seem to notice our secret conversation.
“Jia.”
After that, Minah spoke to Jia, who was looking slightly taken aback by my sudden suggestion.
“Huh?”
“I taught you how to put on makeup, so you can do it yourself, right?”
“Right?”
Whispering. Soon, Min-ah whispered something to Jia.
“Since you two are dating, you have to look pretty.”
“Date…!”
After that, Jia spoke to me with a determined expression.
“Sir. Then I’ll get ready to go out and come back.”
“Uh. Take your time.”
Squeak.
After that, Jia went into the room, and Minah and I sat at the table and faced each other.
… Is it because we had an argument yesterday that wasn’t really an argument, or is it because of something I suddenly said today?
Mina is glaring at me as if she has a lot to say.
‘It’s awkward.’
Just as I was about to open my mouth to break this tension, Mina spoke first.
“… First of all, I apologize, oppa.”
“Huh? What?”
While I was dumbfounded by Minah’s sudden apology, Minah continued speaking.
“I think I spoke a bit harshly yesterday… .”
‘what.’
Rather, shouldn’t I be the one who should apologize?
“What kind of apology is this? I only said the right things, but… I should be the one who feels sorry. For bothering you for no reason.”
“That’s right. My brother went too far.”
“… Sorry.”
At my apology, Mina said with a slightly softened expression.
“Okay. By the way, what are you going out for today? And just you and Jia.”
“Just, eat something delicious… and I have something to say to Jia.”
“What do you want to say? Is it because of what we talked about yesterday?”
“Uh.”
Before I went to bed last night, I thought a lot about Minah’s words.
And to conclude,
“If it’s true that Jia really likes me… I don’t think I can accept it.”
“… Why?”
“Because Jia is young.”
“Again, you say that…!”
“Okay, wait a minute. Listen.”
I stopped Min-ah, who was frowning and seemed about to get angry at any moment, and continued speaking urgently.
“Honestly, up until now, the environment surrounding Jia wasn’t normal. Because of that, it seems she didn’t make any friends on purpose.”
I continued talking.
“When he worked part-time at a place other than our store, he said that guys like the stars kept harassing him.”
“… So?”
“Still, when Jia becomes an adult and can take care of herself properly… she will meet many good people. Because Jia is a good girl.”
“… .”
“I wish Jia could meet more people. Better people than me.”
As soon as I finished speaking, a heavy silence fell between me and Mina.
And a little later.
“Hoo.”
Mina, who was moving her lips as if she wanted to say something to me, soon sighed and opened her mouth.
“I know what you’re saying. Actually, there are more than one or two things I want to refute… but I don’t think you’ll listen.”
“Haha… .”
“But there is. Oppa. Just know this.”
Mina looked straight into my eyes and spoke softly.
“At least, to Jia right now… Oppa is the kindest and best person, right?”
“… .”
“So don’t say that in front of Jia.”
As she said that, Mina stared at the door that Jia had just entered.
Squeak.
And after a while, the door slowly opens.
“Have you been waiting long?”
When I saw Jia, who had finally finished preparing to go out…
‘This won’t do…’
… Honestly, I was inwardly impressed.
“… What’s wrong, sir?”
“No… I just thought the makeup looked good on me.”
Natural eye makeup, slightly toned-down skin, and lips that are a shade of pink that’s a little redder than usual.
It’s not just makeup. Makeup is just a bonus.
The combination of elements like the bright pink blouse and the slightly curled hair… made it so beautiful that I lost my mind for a moment, making what I had just said to Mina pale in comparison.
In addition,
“Oh, really? That’s fortunate… .”
Zia blushed slightly at my compliment, glanced at me while fiddling with her fingertips.
… Anyone who saw her appearance could tell that she was a girl in love.
‘You tactless brat… .’
Why did I only notice this now?
That the emotion in Gia’s eyes as she looked at me wasn’t just simple affection.
“Oh, what’s wrong?”
When I looked at Jia with complicated feelings, Jia tilted her head.
… I have to tell that person, Zia.
I appreciate that you like me, but I can’t accept your feelings.
however…
“Do I have something on my face?”
“No. Let’s go first.”
The question of whether I could say those words began to sprout little by little in my heart.
and,
“… .”
Just then, as I was about to leave the front door with Zia, my mind in turmoil.
“… Min-ah?”
Mina, who had been watching us from behind, gently hugged my back and whispered quietly.
“Because you’re kind, I believe you’ll make sure Ji-ah doesn’t get hurt.”
“… .”
After that, Mina waved her hand at me and Jia as if nothing had happened.
… Of course, my heart became more complicated after hearing Mina’s words.
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