episode_0090

Interfering to stop their petty argument, which seemed so trivial that even onlookers might cringe, I finally managed to bring it to an end.

Seeing Jaehyuk and his sister subtly step back blaming me, it seemed they had no intention of fighting further.

Thinking of them as true siblings, I pulled out snacks from the shelf with a disappointed smile.

“So, what’s your plan now?”

“What plan?”

“Hiding your cohabitation with Bbeonjil. Do you intend to keep it a secret forever? I might let it slide since it’s me, but Mom will never just overlook it, right?”

As I set the snacks on the table, Jaeyeon sat in front of it, waiting, and started munching on the cookies.

Jaehyuk, showing discomfort by furrowing his brows, seemingly unhappy with his sister being in the apartment.

However, upon hearing his sister’s question, he soon relaxed his expression and spoke weakly.

“…I’ll handle it.”

“You’ll handle it? Remember when you started working as a bartender after dropping out of college and didn’t tell the family? What did Mom say when she found out about that?”

“…”

“She might oppose anything except gambling and drugs, but for important matters, at least she asked you to inform her, right? I remember you agreeing back then. Is this handling it on your own?”

Are we going to have another round of arguments and conflicts?

Unlike the earlier light bickering, there was a tense anticipation of a more serious argument this time.

Should I hide like a bat in the corner? While pondering briefly, Jaehyuk sighed and began responding to the questions.

It deviated significantly from my expectations.

In a very gentle manner.

“Well, nothing is decided yet, so I can’t say. Once something is decided, I’ll let her know immediately.”

“Decided… It’s not what I’m thinking, is it?”

“Gorilla, or rather what Nuna thinks, I’m not sure, but anyway.”

“Hey, Yoon Jaehyuk. You were about to call me Gorilla just now, weren’t you?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Not? Come on, it’s obvious.”

Smack!

“Ugh!”

Whether his much kinder response had an effect or not, the atmosphere softened instantly.

Jaehyuk, who had just been called Gorilla, looked puzzled, suspecting if she was really his sister or perhaps a doppelganger.

“What nonsense is this now?”

“You wouldn’t be this kind for no reason. Normally, you’d rush in with a temper, but now you’re maintaining composure and politely making a request? Hmmm…”

“…Are you going to keep making noise, or are you going to help? Speak up. Which one is it?”

“When a younger sibling pleads so desperately, what choice do I have? I have to help.”

Although Jaehyuk’s unusually kind demeanor felt strange, did it please her?

Nuna gladly agreed to help, picking up a snack again while pretending to be annoyed without letting her smile fade.

Observing her annoyance without any frown, she seemed to be in a great mood.

Despite feeling tempted to tease her for acting irritated, I refrained, fearing the atmosphere might turn hostile again if I said something unnecessary.

Suppressing my rising desire, I enjoyed a moment of relaxation and threw a question at Nuna.

“By the way, how have you been lately, Nuna? I heard you were looking for a job; is everything going well?”

“I’ve joined a decent company and am getting by. I came here today because Mom is going on a business trip and asked me to stop by.”

“…Wait, you found a job, Nuna? When?”

“Pay a little attention to your family, you idiot. Didn’t you know your sister got hired six months ago?”

“I’m swamped with work; where’s the time to care? Well, congratulations anyway. You worked hard and eventually landed a job.”

“That’s the most insincere congratulations I’ve ever heard.”

“Whether I do it or not, there’s always complaints. What do you want from me?”

Even a moment of disagreement seems to make their mouths itch, leading to unnecessary arguments between the two.

Now too tired to mediate, I turn a blind eye and casually munch on some snacks.

My exhausted sister clears the argument with a fake cough and then asks about our family’s well-being.

“Ah, right, Byunji. How are the uncle and auntie? Are they still doing well?”

“Yes, they’re still in good health.”

“And what about Jisung oppa?”

“If you mean my brother, he quit his job and is helping our parents.”

“Why do you call me ‘sister’ but call your older brother ‘brother’?”

“Well… calling you ‘sister’ feels less awkward, haha.”

It seems she’s more comfortable with the title ‘sister’ than ‘brother.’

Feeling uneasy, I absentmindedly fiddle with my hair, and suddenly Jeahyuk, who has been showing signs of discontent, finally starts to nag at my sister in an irritated tone.

“You just got back from your business trip, right? When are you planning to leave? Not working?”

“Hmph, I was actually planning to leave now. Being all wishy-washy, you could have let Nuna rest a bit before leaving.”

“If you were going to let her rest, you should’ve been gentler. Ugh, always being so prickly, no wonder you can’t get a boyfriend.”

Perhaps he had been holding onto my words, Jeahyuk repeats them verbatim.

Did that hit a nerve? Jeyeon unnie explodes with anger, her face turning crimson.

“Yoon Jaehyuk, have you said everything you wanted to say?!”

“Hey lady, don’t cause a scene and just leave. If you keep this up, we might get noise complaints.”

“You, just wait and see. Oh, and Byunji? You really need to take care of yourself, okay?”

“Hehe, thanks for worrying, Unnie.”

“…Sigh, how nice would it be if my sibling were like you instead of that idiot. Anyway, I’ll be going now. Let’s meet again when we have the chance?”

“Take care!”

Despite grumbling all along, my sister eventually bids farewell with a warm smile and leaves.

As Jeyeon unnie closes the door and exits, I glance at Jaehyuk with innocent eyes.

“Did I mess up? Or did I not?”

“Sorry, but there’s a part of this that feels unfair to me too…”

“Whatever it is, you admit you were wrong?”

I smirk mischievously, then swiftly trip Jaehyuk and playfully pin him down.

After a brief struggle, I flash my fangs, ready to indulge.

“I guess I have to suck quite a bit, huh?”

“Hey, hey! It hasn’t been two months yet! If you suck now, then…!”

“Don’t worry! I’ll just taste it, just the taste…”

Just as I was about to sink my teeth into Jaehyuk, the sound of a door lock being entered suddenly assaults my ears.

…Why now?

Forgetting about the blood, I quickly scan the surroundings only to spot a strange bag.

Realizing the situation, was I too flustered? My body wouldn’t move.

“Byunji, didn’t you say we were just friends?”

In the end, looking rather awkward, I welcome Jeyeon unnie.

“Oh, Unnie? Oh, oh, it’s a misunderstanding!”

“A misunderstanding? I knew this would happen. Here, take these condoms. I probably won’t need them for a while, so I’ll leave them here. Be sure to use protection, okay?”

“It’s not like that, I swear?!!!”

Apologizing for the interruption, she leaves with her bag in hand.

Left alone in the room once again,

Only the faint echo of a vampire’s scream reverberated.

—–

“…I want to die, really.”

It’s been two hours since Jeyeon unnie left the room.

Still consumed by shame, I sit on the floor, crying silently.

Leaving the bag behind was definitely intentional.

A radiant smile on her face, it’s certain.

Trembling at my sister’s cunning, I let go and tossed the used condom into the trash.

Would Mother or Jae-yeon act the same way?

It might not be the truth as she sees it.

“Damn it…”

The more I dwell on it, the more melancholy I feel.

Lying flat on the floor, screaming in agony, Jae-hyuk began to comfort me by offering warm cocoa.

“Seriously, who rushes in like that? Ridiculous, this guy.”

No, correction.

He mocked me with a satisfied expression.

Without any awareness of being in danger himself.

Unable to do anything once caught off guard, where does the courage to ridicule come from?

Suppressing the rising urge for proper education, I slowly savored the cocoa he handed me.

“Tasty, did you buy it today?”

“Yeah, it was expensive but on sale today. So I bought it without hesitation.”

“You seem lively; a woman living with you must be happy?”

“Why the future tense? It’s present continuous.”

“Haha, that’s a valid point.”

After bursting into laughter at a pointless joke, I quickly finished the remaining contents.

…Now, those words come out so naturally.

I was told to fix my sharpness, but isn’t this change too smooth?

Exhaling inwardly, I suddenly realize a chilling fact.

Just now.

Did I not feel any repulsion at all?

“…Huh?”

“Why?”

“Oh, no, no! I just remembered something I forgot! I’ll just go into the room for a moment!”

“Just go into the room. Why do you need my permission? Han Ji-woo, are you acting strange today?”

“Today, uh, you went out, right? I’m confused, that’s why! Anyway! I’m going into the room, okay?”

Mumbling vaguely, I entered the room and threw myself onto the bed.

Then, flipping the blanket over, I started rolling around frantically.

“This is crazy, crazy… crazy! Ugh…!”

You should dislike it even if it’s not cringeworthy!

It’s only been four and a half months since becoming a woman, does it make sense not to feel repulsed by that absurd joke?

No…

No!

No…!

A never-ending repetition of one word.

Until Jae-hyuk brought news that dinner was ready.

I had to struggle in a state of confusion that felt like I was losing my mind.