episode_0369

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…Just how soundproof is this house, really?

Honestly, I usually don’t notice how thin the walls are.

But when it gets late at night and everything turns completely quiet like now—like this—

I can even faintly hear footsteps climbing the stairs outside.

Is every apartment like this?

Or is it just ours?

“…Ugh. Lee Hayoon must be back.”

It’s annoying, but considering the rent in this area—and especially the rent for this place—there’s nothing I can do about it.

Burying my petty complaints back inside, I toss and turn before reaching out to turn on my phone.

…I kept saying I was sleepy, and sure enough, it’s already 12:30.

She told me to handle dinner on my own, so I figured she’d be late, but this is later than I expected.

Normally, even if she’s late, she’s back by 10 or 11. What on earth kept her out so late today?

Is there even anything to do with friends at this hour?

Or, well… maybe she secretly met up with Seo Woojin without telling me?

“Ugh…”

No idea. I’ll just have to interrogate her tomorrow morning to find out.

Lying there with the rattling noise of the old fan, I let out a short yawn and sat up from the bed.

Still, she’s my only family. It’s not like her to hole up in her room like when she’s busy gaming.

…But even so, warmly welcoming her like I did in elementary school feels a little embarrassing now.

It’d be best to just pretend I happened to run into her on my way to the bathroom.

Finishing that thought, I stretched lightly and slowly walked out to the living room.

The faint footsteps outside gradually approached the front door.

Then, a soft thud—like someone bracing their hand against the door—briefly echoed.

…Beep beep beep. The sound of the door lock keypad.

Typical of Hayoon, she messed up the first try before finally entering the code correctly and opening the door.

“Why are you so late—”

“…Ah, Lee Jiyoon. You’re still awake?”

“…”

“Your sister’s way drunker than I thought… Huff… Getting her this far was a struggle.”

12:30.

A very, very late hour.

Walking in while supporting my completely wasted sister—

Her boyfriend.

Nothing particularly strange if you add it all up.

“…Who the hell sleeps this early, idiot?”

“Guess you stay up later than I thought. Weekend tomorrow?”

“…”

“…? What? Did I say something weird?”

“…”

“…Hey, wait, let’s get your sister inside first—”

A combination of words that gave me, the younger sister, no real reason to be upset.

369

…Ah, damn it.

My phone.

What do I do?

“They don’t seem to realize their phones got switched yet…”

After trying and failing a few times to unlock Hayoon’s phone, I finally gave up and let out a deep sigh.

If they’d noticed the switch, Seo Woojin would’ve contacted Hayoon’s phone by now.

Seems Hayoon’s still asleep, and that guy hasn’t realized the phones got swapped while carrying her in.

…Honestly, he looked exhausted enough to doze off right next to her, so it’s understandable.

I briefly considered just dropping by Hayoon’s place tomorrow, but my nature isn’t exactly patient.

No, actually—it’s less about impatience and more like… modern smartphone addiction, I guess?

Fundamentally, the idea of my phone being in someone else’s hands made me uneasy.

I didn’t like not being able to check SNS while my phone was with Hayoon.

Not to mention missing any incoming messages,

or even small things like YouTube. Regular internet browsing was completely cut off.

…And, well.

The passcode I set as a backup for when my fingerprint fails—0000.

Not that I have any private stuff I absolutely can’t let Hayoon see,

but it still feels a little… awkward, like showing someone my diary.

“……”

So, I got off at the next station and scratched the back of my head in front of the ticket gate.

Walking home from here would only take about 10 extra minutes, and I held onto a sliver of hope that Woojin might’ve texted about the phone swap by now.

…Well, no such luck.

“Sigh…”

Guess I really have no choice but to go to Hayoon’s place.

Pulling out my transit card, I sighed deeply as I passed through the gate with a familiar beep.

If only I hadn’t made that stupid mistake, I wouldn’t be stuck with this hassle.

All this trouble over a phone…

At least I vaguely remember where Hayoon lives. Silver linings.

Stepping out of the station, I checked the academy’s location and immediately started walking in the direction I remembered.

I’ve got a pretty good sense for this kind of thing.

“Somewhere near the academy… a residential area.”

The house had a really run-down feel to it.

What was around it again?

What did the alley right in front look like?

Piecing together what I could remember, I followed the yellowish glow of streetlights swarmed by bugs.

After about 10 minutes—okay, maybe 20 with some exaggeration—

“…Ah, right. Here it is.”

Spotting the villa that matched my memory of Hayoon’s place, I relaxed slightly and approached the front gate.

Unlike the typical first-floor entrances, this one had stairs winding along the outer wall—the first time I’d seen a place like this was at Hayoon’s, so this had to be it.

But there was one thing I hadn’t considered… I don’t know which door is hers.

The only thing I’m sure of is that it’s on the second floor…

“Hey, there’s a light on upstairs, but…”

A memory flickered, and I stared at the faint glow seeping through the curtains of one of the second-floor windows before letting out a quiet groan.

Pretty sure Hayoon mentioned having a younger sister…?

She said she’s into gaming and often stays up late with the lights on. Last time I was here, the light was on like that too, but… I’m not entirely sure if it was that room.

Can’t be helped. It’s not like I could perfectly remember a place I’ve only been to once.

I’m not some genius from a magic academy—just an average person’s memory. Knocking on doors based on a hunch feels a little…

“Hmm…”

But then an idea struck me.

Hayoon said her sister loves gaming, so if I hear keyboard clicks or other distinct sounds from that window, it’s probably her place, right?

Deciding it was a decent plan, I stepped onto the stairs.

Maybe because they weren’t cleaned well, each step crunched faintly underfoot like sand.

Or maybe it’s just dust buildup from being outdoors.

Reminds me of the stairs at my middle and high school’s sports field.

Wonder if someone’s gonna slip and fall if this keeps up.

Lost in random thoughts, I quietly climbed step by step until—

“…?”

A loud clatter—the perfect word for it—echoed from beyond the window just now.

It was so sudden I couldn’t even describe what exactly it was.

What was that?

For a second, I glanced past the wall, wondering if it was just a passing motorcycle in the alley.

Moving closer to the window, I pressed my ear against it to listen.

“……”

…But now, nothing.

I definitely heard a crash just now, but it’s dead silent.

At most, maybe the faint rustle of blankets?

Even that’s so quiet I might’ve imagined it.

“Hmm…”

Frustrating, but I can’t exactly peek through the curtains like a creep…

Giving up on eavesdropping, I carefully made my way to the front door.

No guarantee this is Hayoon’s place, but someone’s clearly awake, right?

The light’s on in what I think is her sister’s room?

So I’ll just knock lightly, confirm, and that’s it.

Or if it’s the wrong place, I’ll bow and apologize for bothering them at night.

“……”

Knock knock.

I rapped gently on the door with my fist.

“…Who…?”

“…”

Through the gap between the door and the safety chain, I saw… a pretty girl I’d never met before.

“Ah, hello. I’m a friend of Hayoon’s… Uh, her sister? Right?”

“…Yeah, but why are you…?”

“Well, it’s just…”

She seemed a little out of breath—not like she’d just been gaming.

And her pajamas looked hastily thrown on—not like she’d been lying down to sleep.

A pretty girl.

“We were drinking earlier, and Hayoon and I accidentally swapped phones.”

“…You can drop the formalities. You’re my sister’s friend, right?”

“Uh, sure, if that’s okay. Anyway, if you just undo the chain, I’ll grab my phone and leave…”

“…Give it here.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll get the phone plugged into my sister’s charger. Hand it over. Your phone.”

“…Ah, right. Here.”

“…”

I handed her my phone, and in less than 10 seconds, I had it back.

The kind of efficiency you’d expect from someone who’s not great socially but gets things done.

“……”

…But, uh.

Why’d she close the door so fast?

I know it’s cliché, but I at least wanted to thank her.

Is she really that shy? Total opposite of Hayoon?

…Or.

Was there a reason she had to shut it quickly?