episode_0105

“Jihye!”

I turn my head at the sound calling me.

“Huh…me?”

Who is it?

I thought it was Hyejin unnie, but a completely different person was approaching.

And she’s quite pretty.

Not just a bit, but rather remarkably beautiful.

“Jihye. I’ve come to pick you up.”

“Uh…who…?”

No way.

Nah, that can’t be.

“Do I look that different just because I put on some makeup and styled my hair a bit?”

The unnie speaking like this had completely transformed from before.

Her messy, split-ended hair seemed to have been cut properly as she said.

“Heh…Are you really Hyejin unnie?”

“Yeah. Let’s go now. I want to sleep.”

With my arms crossed, the unnie seeing me off had a flawless face, almost as if she had put on makeup.

Aren’t we going to sleep?

“What…is this all about?”

There’s a car in front of me with only two seats.

“I usually ride this…but not everyone fits.”

She must be talking about camera equipment that won’t fit.

I glanced towards the trunk, but no matter how much I looked, there was no space for it.

“Ha…are you trying to confess to me or something?”

“No…I was just nervous. Felt like I had to do something.”

If she says that, even I get nervous.

I tried to relax, even making physical gestures to calm myself down.

“Let’s…just go for now. We can think about it later.”

The unnie opened the car door instead.

I avoided the door rising up and slipped inside.

What kind of day is today?

“…You could have just taken a comfortable car.”

“…Sorry. Should I bring another car?”

“Just let me ride in mine. My stomach feels uncomfortable.”

Refusing might make the unnie feel awkward, but it’s true that my stomach feels uncomfortable.

“Uh…okay.”

“…You look pretty today.”

Blushing upon receiving the compliment, it seems like she’s hearing such praise for the first time.

Her legs in a white blouse and a small tennis skirt were as slender and fair as mine, looking beautiful.

“T-Thank you.”

Taking my car keys, the unnie hesitated for a moment, then ran her hand through her hair before getting into the car.

“Where should we go to sleep?”

“A hotel.”

Oh.

*

“Can I hug you?”

“…Turn around.”

“Your…oh…I’ve seen you with my eyes, but you’re really tall.”

“Ugh…stay still.”

I called my brother.

Although I don’t understand, I somewhat agreed. I resolved to pay more attention to dinner tonight.

No matter how much I think about it, this goes beyond understanding.

No matter how I explain it, it sounds strange.

“I’m going to sleep with a close unnie.”

In the end, this is what it comes down to.

Indeed, it’s strange.

I’m in a position where even women tempt me.

“Sigh…hmm…it smells nice. Are you wearing perfume?”

“No, I’m not.”

“…Nice.”

Though a brief response, the unnie sniffed the scent and seemed to enjoy it.

“What’s so good! Just go to sleep already.”

“Don’t say hurtful things…I’m also very sorry.”

Blocking the unnie who tried to turn around again with my hand, I covered us with the blanket.

“If you’re sorry, you didn’t ask a married woman to have a baby.”

“…I’ll visit later with a gift. What does your husband like?”

If it’s what my brother likes…then there’s one thing.

“…Me?”

“…D”

Seemingly speechless, the unnie fidgeted with the pillow.

“Money is involved. And a lot of it.”

“Why are you modeling?”

And she talks too much nonsense.

“Miss, stop the chitchat and sleep. It’s just this once, so enjoy it to the fullest.”

“Oh. Okay. Got it. I will.”

The unnie took the hotel, and I just tagged along.

I showered and came in comfortable clothes…

It wasn’t entirely pleasant.

The unnie couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning, adjusting her pillow and fidgeting with the blanket.

She tossed and turned for 30 minutes.

“Why can’t I fall asleep?”

“Sleeping with me doesn’t magically make that happen.”

The nap I took earlier might have been because my sister was really tired.

“Um… Shall we go to the cafe?”

“Oh, like last time?”

Seems like we’re on the same page as my sister jumps up and starts getting dressed again.

“This time… Well, I should drink coffee and go straight to bed.”

“You can sleep after drinking coffee?”

“If you drink it all at once and then sleep, they call it a ‘coffee nap.’”

I can’t believe it, but I also can’t seem to fall asleep, so I follow my sister.

It’s a waste of hotel money.

“Hmm, feels refreshing.”

My eyes, accustomed to the dark room, squint when they see the sunlight.

“Ugh… I could’ve slept.”

Although the fatigue from the whole day seems to have dissipated, why does drowsiness keep creeping in?

“I said I want to sleep…”

“Ugh… Okay, let’s go for now. The time seems about right.”

We end up at the cafe we went to last time.

It’s still quiet, and the waiter is idly playing with their phone.

“That place… Honestly, the sunlight was too bright. I fell asleep because I was tired, and when I woke up, my skin felt prickly.”

“Oh, I see. Then… Should we move to that corner over there?”

“Yes, sounds good.”

While my sister goes to order, I sit down and grab the softest-looking cushion to support my back.

There will be quite a few things to do once I get back.

Probably some packages would have arrived after I wake up.

I heard imported meat tastes different, so I bought a big piece to boost my brother’s stamina.

Even with a robot vacuum cleaner, cleaning still needs to be done, along with various other chores coming to mind.

“Phew…”

However, the soothing feeling of classical music softly playing in the background.

With the theme in dark brown and even in the corners, my mind inexplicably relaxes more than before.

Feels much more comfortable than earlier.

“I’m out~”

As I lay down for a moment, my sister returns shortly after.

“But did you get permission to nap, sis?”

“Oh, yes. I did. That’s why I brought snacks that I probably won’t even eat.”

My sister casually lifts and lowers a plate containing sealed snacks, coffee, and milk tea.

“Drink up quickly and go to sleep. I’m extremely sleepy…”

“Oh, okay.”

My sister immediately puts an ice cube into her espresso, swirls it around, and drinks it all.

“Sip… Ah… Come here.”

After savoring the taste of milk tea blended with black tea for a moment, she taps the cushion next to me, signaling me to come closer.

“Uh, okay…”

I seat my sister beside me as we did last time.

“Leaning on each other like this… Like this? Did we do it like this…?”

I lean against the wall while my sister rests on my shoulder, intertwining our arms.

“Mm… This feels nice. Sleep well.”

“Yes, sis. Goodnight.”

Just a while ago, it seemed like I could easily fall asleep.

Even now, it feels the same.

I’m sure I can sleep.

But strangely, it felt like my heartbeat was syncing with my sister’s.

“…Phew.”

No, I was the one syncing with her.

The hot summer day comes to an end.

Although the air conditioning is on full blast, the warm heat refuses to dissipate, so I reheat the chilled air.

Is that why? The corner I’m in now is somewhat lukewarm, avoiding the air conditioner’s breeze and sunlight.

My sister is sleeping soundly.

Ironically, I’m the one having trouble sleeping.

“Hmm…”

My eyelashes flutter slightly from a breeze blowing from somewhere.

Even that seems oddly pleasant as I pull my arms around her like a doll, resting her face against my shoulder, looking somewhat cute.

If I did my makeup like this every day…

With just a bit of maintenance, I could probably become a model right away.

“Mm… I like it.”

“…?”

Am I dreaming?

The synchronized heartbeats suddenly break apart.

Apart from my brother, hearing such words up close is truly a first.

“Ah…”

Sleep seems elusive.

*

“Ugh…”

Saying sleep is elusive is actually a blatant lie.

Humans are creatures of adaptation; they get used to scents, and even sticking closer to me has become a norm.

“Ah… Are you up?”

“…Yes.”

Unni was already awake, staring at me intently.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah… I slept really well.”

Looking at the time, it was just past lunch.

If I start slowly without rushing, the household chores should be finished quickly….

“Unni…?”

“Yeah…?”

I woke up too… and so did Unni, right?

“How long are you going to stay like this?”

Unni still had her arms around me.

“If I stay a little longer… would that be okay…?”

“I’m busy.”

“Nooo… really?”

Why did Unni suddenly become so cute?

“Nooo~ Can’t do that~”

I don’t have time either.

“Ah… can’t we stay like this for just a bit longer?”

“……”

Unni squinted her eyes and looked at me intently.

Her eyebrows fluttered, and her red lips pressed against my white skin.

“…Alright. Just a moment. A very short moment, okay?”

“Yeah yeah! Thank you!”

In no time, a smile formed on her face as she drew closer.

No matter how I think about it, there is only one conclusion.

Maybe I’m really a woman who seduces women.

Seemingly indifferent yet caring, she acts just like an older sister, playfully asking for more time with me.

Could it be that I haven’t received enough affection…?

“Ji-hye, want some snacks?”

Unni was already offering me snacks.

“Ah… sure.”

Something definitely feels off.

This doesn’t seem like a typical relationship between sisters.

“Ha… what is this?”

Feeling absurd, I muttered to myself.

Just by sleeping well, a person can change so drastically.

“Unni, make sure to go back home and rethink things before going to sleep again. You seemed a bit strange today.”

“Me, strange?”

Truly bizarre.

Unni wouldn’t stumble over her words like this.

“Ah… really…?”

Crossing her legs awkwardly, she didn’t intertwine her fingers delicately.

Seriously… so strange.