episode_0056

“Hello, I’m Choi Soo-hyun, a friend and older sister of Ji-hye. Nice to meet you.”

“Ji-hye’s prospective husband… Kim Soo-han.”

He automatically searched for his wallet and tried to take out his business card, but I stopped him slightly.

Is this the habit ingrained in a socialite’s body?

“Hmm… I was actually planning to leave early… but Ji-hye stopped me… How did it end up like this?”

“Oh, it’s okay. Thank you for taking care of Ji-hye.”

Seeing no room to interject in the mature atmosphere, I quietly hugged my brother’s arm.

My sister looked at me and sent a quiet, knowing smile.

“Today was… delightful.”

“Oh… ♡ Thank you. You worked hard today too.”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

Her smile towards me soon turned into embarrassment.

It seemed ordinary between us as usual, but apparently not to my sister.

“Oh, brother. Is there a man who suits my sister…?”

“Oh, Ji-hye…!”

Blushing with embarrassment today, my sister waved her hand in the air as if she wanted to disappear.

“Um… Even just having a photo would make you popular. By any chance, your age…”

“Oh… um.”

My sister stumbled.

Understanding, I nudged my brother and said, “Asking a woman about her age is not appropriate…!”

“Oh! I’m sorry.”

My sister was on the verge of tears.

Why are you looking at me like that? This isn’t right, is it?

“…I’ll be turning thirty soon.”

“Oh… thank you.”

The mood slightly dimmed, so we all focused on the food and finished our meal without much conversation.

“U-um… Ji-hye, I should go now.”

“Already?”

“Just saying thanks means a lot. You’re going to cuddle with your boyfriend until you fall asleep, right?”

Fact.

Honestly, I can’t even tell you to go sleep.

“I won’t deny that. But still…”

“I’ll just be a hindrance if I stay. I’ll leave first. Thanks for dinner. It was fun today, and call me again if you need help. I’ll do my best.”

My sister hugged me.

“It’s good to see you happy. Really.”

Touched by her warm words mixed with affection, I hugged my sister back.

“Thank you. Today… and always.”

We bid farewell at the front door.

I wanted to go down with her, but my sister pretended to run away, even showing a gesture to not come, so I waved goodbye at the door to end it.

“Give me a kiss.”

“Okay.”

The cold wind paused as it entered through the front door, then resumed its course.

In its place, the heating filled the air with warmth, dispelling the chill.

“Because it hurts… let’s continue in bed.”

I followed my brother’s lead and moved to the bed.

Even on the way, I couldn’t stop kissing, causing a slight delay even in entering nearby places.

“Phew…”

“Did you wait long?”

Taking my lips off gently, he asked affectionately.

“I waited a lot… I felt lonely.”

Although we had a fun conversation, thoughts of my brother only grew stronger, enveloping me.

As time passed, the longing in my heart intensified.

My mind was already filled with thoughts of my brother.

“I want to take a bath…”

“Just a moment… Can we stay like this for a while?”

The scent of my brother, still unwashed, was enough to stimulate me and linger.

“You sweated a lot today, didn’t you?”

“Yeah… I was worried… ”

Resting my face against his white shirt, I savored the brother I hadn’t met until now.

Although I say ‘until now,’ it’s just this morning… but I’ve been eagerly anticipating it.

“…I really want to, but I don’t feel like it because it hurts.”

“Yeah…”

I could feel my brother’s arousal underneath, but it’s the first time I’ve felt such a lack of sexual desire.

“I’m sorry, but even though I want to do it. It’s honestly scary to put something in here when it hurts this much.

By the way, my sister mentioned something called tampon. She said it’s good to consider it when you’re bleeding a lot.

Putting something inside doesn’t scare me much thanks to my brother… but maybe because I heard about the disaster that would come later if I make a mistake, I’m hesitant to be honest…

My body craved the sensation from below, but the pain was still there.

“…Today, I’ll just say it with my mouth.”

But leaving someone suffering like that pitifully is just not right, isn’t it?

“Ah… ah?”

For now, I’ll step back, but I’ll get it back later.

I’ll receive everything when my sexual desire is at its peak.

***

“Phew….”

Time passed quickly, and it was already Saturday.

My period had already ended, so I should have been calm again, but today, my legs were trembling, and my heart was beating unsteadily.

It was because we were going to meet my brother’s parents.

When I was wondering how I should react if my face turned red like in morning dramas, my brother quietly hugged me.

“Ah….”

“I… mean it too. I will definitely get permission. Don’t worry.”

I want to lie down like this and pretend all day long.

Because my brother will accept all my pretenses…

In the current situation, a tender and loving tone actually becomes poison.

I feel so relaxed that I might babble in front of my brother’s parents.

“…Let’s stop by the store and buy a gift set. Maybe some fruits… things like that.”

“Hmm… apples?”

“Apples? Winter apples… they taste good.”

A very ordinary response.

Yet, my brother seemed lost in thought for a moment, as if reminiscing about the past.

“My mother… used to bring them every time I studied.”

“…Then let’s buy them. Apples. Pick the most delicious ones.”

“Yeah… let’s do that.”

So we stopped by the store.

“This is a Bosu apple. When people talk about winter apples, they usually mean this one.”

“Ah, I see. But how do you know about these things…?”

“Um… hobby?”

Am I the only one who picks and eats apples…?

Well, there must be people like that… and I guess that’s me.

Since different varieties of apples are harvested at different times.

There are apples harvested at the end of summer and those harvested before winter. And everything in between.

Explaining it would get very lengthy, but in the end, an apple is an apple.

Delicious, right? Apples.

“Hmm… this one looks good.”

I bought the one that looked the prettiest.

Colorful… without blemishes, all red and appealing.

I glanced at it quickly while crouching, but that was it.

“I have no idea.”

“Me neither. I’m buying it because it looks pretty.”

“But I don’t know about that…”

Is this also a woman’s intuition? I’m not sure about this one.

After paying, my brother took the apples and neatly placed them in the back seat.

“Phew… are we really going now?”

“Yes… we’re really going to see them after a long time.”

My brother seemed much more subdued than earlier.

The expression ‘stiff as a board’ might fit him now.

“My brother… you seem incredibly nervous.”

“…Yeah. I am nervous.”

“If you drive while your hands are shaking, all the tension might be in vain.”

My brother kept adjusting his posture uncomfortably as if he was uncomfortable with the way he was driving, fiddling with the heater, hiding his trembling hands.

His words were honest, but his body seemed like it might break down any moment.

“Uh… uh. Sorry.”

He wiped his face with his hand and even slapped his cheek.

“Hey! Why are you self-harming! Your face is too precious.”

“Oh… sorry?”

His fair cheeks blushed slightly.

Even I, who was next to him, was surprised by how hard he hit himself.

“…Don’t do that next time. When you’re that tense, rely on me. Lean on me.”

“Okay…”

“Don’t apologize.”

“Uh… Got it. Thank you.”

Feeling like the word “sorry” was about to slip out, she immediately stopped herself.

They were both tense at the moment.

Was it her tension rubbing off on him, or was he always like this?

The suffocating tension covered them like oil, refusing to dissipate.

“Wait… Let’s take a breather. Let’s park nearby and calm down for a bit.”

We have time.

Not an abundance of it, but enough for a calming break.

The car veered slightly and entered a secluded area to park.

“…You can tell me what happened, or you can keep it to yourself.”

“I wasn’t… planning on that.”

“We’re facing our second hurdle right now.”

“…That’s true.”

My words aren’t particularly logical or philosophical.

They don’t offer any profound insights.

I’m not a sage, philosopher, or even a mathematician.

I truly have no power whatsoever.

That’s why I have a few words that give me some strength.

“Oppa, you know something really cool right now.”

“I… don’t really know.”

I simply observe the present.

I check the current situation and state.

“Your outfit looks neat. The suit fits well, no wrinkles. Your face still looks good.”

“Oh…”

“We bought a gift too. Whether they’ll like it or not, we at least have basic manners. Right?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

If you feel unprepared and anxious, prepare more.

Keep preparing until perfection is achieved.

“Do you have anything in mind to say to Mother?”

“Ah… nothing.”

“Then think ahead. If you anticipate some questions or scenarios, even if you’re slightly off, you can adjust.”

Oppa pondered my words carefully.

His body relaxed, his trembling pupils steadied, and even his hands seemed to stop shaking.

“Now look at me.”

“…Oh.”

“How do I look?”

If it’s hard to assess oneself, there are many ways.

There are mirrors, or you can consider if there are any shortcomings.

The best way is to… get confirmation from someone who understands you.

“…Beautiful.”

“What makes me beautiful?”

“It’s a serious attire, but you look cute and beautiful… There’s nothing to worry about.”

“No specific concerns?”

“No, everything’s great.”

Oppa quietly contemplated the present.

He was fully aware of our current state.

“Now how do you feel?”

“…I’m feeling a bit better.”

“Shall we go now? Or… I can drive if you want. I have a license.”

“…I’ll give it a try.”

Oppa rose with his own strength.

There was a handrail that could be used to climb up with a slight incline, but ultimately, it was his own strength.

I stood up alongside him.

“Hehe. Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes. I’m really fine now. Thank you.”

The anxious demeanor had transformed into confidence.

“Now… Shall we go?”

“Yes. I’ll definitely make it happen.”

“That thing you said before meeting Dad, remember?”

“…I’ll make it happen. We’ll definitely get married.”

This time, as if to emphasize that there was no backing down, she stated it clearly and firmly.

“Really. Even if you strongly oppose marrying me, I will definitely make it happen…?”

Expectations began to form.

“Absolutely. Somehow. Truly. Definitely.”

Since Oppa doesn’t use profanity, it’s awkward to express, but that’s what makes it cute.

“Cheer up.”

“Let’s cheer up together.”

Oppa stealthily grabs the armrest.

There’s no need to hold onto it since it’s automatic. It’s not a situation that requires it.

I pretended not to notice and held on as well.

A warm feeling was conveyed and reciprocated.