My Feisty Sisters Are Coming After Me

Chapter 25

—–CROW—– 

Did it really matter who slept next to me?

We weren’t doing anything, just sleeping.

‘Though it would be a big problem if something *did* happen.’

Scratching my head, I picked up the few remaining snack crumbs.

My sisters also put down their empty beer cans and joined the crumb hunt.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

As if playing a staring game, the three of us mumbled, looking down at the table.

We heard the chime from the convenience store door as customers entered and exited, and when the chime rang about three times, someone spoke.

“In the first place, Unnie, why do you keep sleeping in Ji-gu’s room?”

The one who spoke was Geum-bi Noona, the boldest among us.

It was a relief that the arrow had shifted away from me, but Su-jeong Noona, caught off guard, couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Well, there’s no particular reason, but I feel safe and comfortable when I fall asleep with Ji-gu…”

“Why? It’s not like the bed or blanket in Ji-gu’s room is particularly special.”

“It’s not about the bedding, it’s Ji-gu himself… having him lying next to me makes me feel at ease.”

“Is he aromatherapy or something? What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Ugh?! But it’s true…”

Geum-bi Noona made a dumbfounded expression, and Su-jeong Noona bit her lip and groaned.

However, perhaps because she couldn’t explain it logically anymore, there was no further rebuttal.

‘That’s right.  At first, there was no other option but me, but now it’s not necessarily the case.’

Perhaps it was inertia or a habit formed through repetition.

Wasn’t it like Pavlov’s dog experiment?  They kept giving the dog food every time they rang the bell, so eventually, the dog started salivating just by hearing the bell.

‘Since Su-jeong Noona slept soundly every time she slept with me, maybe she can now sleep deeply just by having me next to her. In a way, it might be dependence.’

I, who had been a step behind Su-jeong Noona, understood the situation more quickly.

Just then, the convenience store chime rang, and I naturally intervened between the two.

“Indeed, like Geum-bi Noona said, we can’t keep doing this forever.”

“Right? He’s finally saying something sensible.”

“But… it’s also true that Su-jeong Noona has been having a hard time lately, right?  She even drank alone yesterday and called me out separately for advice today.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“So until Su-jeong Noona feels better… I think it’s okay to continue like this for a while.”

I spoke up for Su-jeong Noona, saying what she might have wanted to say.

I voiced the words that were difficult for her to say as the eldest sibling—that she was relying on her younger brother because she was having a hard time.

‘Even if it’s dependence, it’ll be over soon.  It’s Su-jeong Noona, after all. It’ll be back to normal within a week at most.’

There was no need to wait for Mom to come back.

Since Su-jeong Noona had taken on the role of a mother in our parentless household, I wanted to support her for a few days.

That was the admirable and commendable thought behind my words, but….

“Yang Ji-gu.”

“Yes?”

“You’re subtly saying you don’t want to be apart from Su-jeong Unnie.”

“Huh?  That’s not really…”

“What do you mean, ‘not really?’  You’re saying you’ll be cuddling up with Unnie and sleeping soundly tonight and tomorrow too, aren’t you?”

“We don’t really cuddle that much…”

“Anyway.  People toss and turn in their sleep, and they end up close to each other.  Isn’t that right?”

“Well… I can’t deny that completely.”

“See, I knew it!”

It seemed my true intentions hadn’t reached Geum-bi Noona.

Instead, she lumped my actions together as problematic.

“It’s not just Ji-gu, but Unnie too.”

“H-Huh?”

“I understand that you’re going through a lot. But why Ji-gu?  I’ll let the first day slide, but now you can rely on me or the other kids, can’t you? Honestly, that’s the right thing to do.”

“That’s… but.”

“Then why aren’t you doing that? Is there a reason why it has to be Ji-gu?”

“It just happened… I just kept doing what I was doing.”

“Then let’s change it.  If there are alternatives, there’s no reason to insist on Ji-gu.”

Geum-bi Noona, having questioned both me and Su-jeong Noona, urged us to make a decision, as if she wanted to settle the matter definitively.

But Su-jeong Noona hesitated to answer, and Geum-bi Noona impatiently tapped her fingers on the table.

*Ding-a-ling*.  A moment later, the chime on the door rang again.

As if it were a cue, after much deliberation, Su-jeong Noona spoke.

“But you know, Geum-bi.”

“What?”

“Then… who’s going to sleep with me? Will you sleep with me, Geum-bi?”

“Huh? Wh-Why me? There’s Hwa-yeon and Mok-hee.”

“You’re against me sleeping with Ji-gu, but you want me to cling to the much younger siblings?  They don’t even know the situation.”

“Then… just sleep with me. My room is quite spacious, so I don’t mind.”

“I think I would mind.”

“Mind what?”

“You’ve called Ji-gu over multiple times because you were feeling uneasy, Geum-bi.”

“…Huh?”

“I know. That Ji-gu has been going in and out of your room, and that he even slept in your room yesterday.”

“Th-That was all by chance… coincidental…”

“You said it wasn’t a valid reason when *we* said that, didn’t you?”

“Ugh.”

As expected, Su-jeong Noona was Su-jeong Noona.

With a single attack, Geum-bi Noona, who had been assertive until now, flinched, and Su-jeong Noona, having gained the upper hand, swung the metaphorical sword she had held to Geum-bi Noona’s throat.

“Do you think there will be much of an effect if two uneasy people stick together?”

“That’s… but Unnie…”

“And you relied on Ji-gu when you were having a hard time, so isn’t it hypocritical to tell me not to do the same? Isn’t this what they call double standards?”

“No, it’s not like that, I was worried about Unnie…”

“Worried about what? What’s there to worry about between Ji-gu and me?”

“That’s of course…… uh.”

Geum-bi Noona glanced at me briefly and then lowered her head.

I didn’t know if she thought it wasn’t something to talk about here, or if she kept her mouth shut because she was guilty of doing the same thing.

‘Maybe she was being considerate of me. I’m sorry, the situation feels like I’m ganging up on her two against one.’

I understood Geum-bi Noona’s feelings.

Even if we were siblings, it was natural for her to point out that a grown man and woman were sleeping in the same bed every night, especially since they might not even be blood-related.

Furthermore, I had recently committed an unspeakable act… Geum-bi Noona would have wanted to stop Su-jeong Noona no matter what.

‘If she had just phrased it nicely, Su-jeong Noona would have understood.  Honestly, the problem with our family is their way with words.’

Perhaps aware that she had gotten carried away and pushed too hard, Su-jeong Noona didn’t attack any further after turning the tables.

An awkward silence fell over the table again, and since we had finished all the beer and snacks, we couldn’t just sit there doing nothing.

‘It’s also a bother to the store clerk.  We should clean up and leave, huu.’

I quietly folded the snack bags and gathered the beer cans.

Su-jeong Noona helped me clean up without a word, and Geum-bi Noona, still unable to lift her gaze, carefully cleared away only the cans she had drunk.

It was time to throw away the trash and leave.

But it felt unfinished like this, so I asked for their opinions one last time.

“It got a bit heated, but both Su-jeong Noona and Geum-bi Noona have your own points of view, right? How about we try to find a compromise?”

“…Like the way Ji-gu suggested earlier?”

“That’s fine, or if there’s a better solution, that’s fine too.”

Su-jeong Noona pondered over my suggestion, and Geum-bi Noona seemed lost in thought.

I went inside the convenience store and slowly sorted the trash for recycling, deliberately buying a hangover cure from the far end of the store before coming back out.

– *Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling*.

As the chime rang loudly, both Noonass stood up.

But as if they still had something to say, they didn’t leave the table, and I placed a hangover cure in front of each of them.

“Do you have any other ideas, Geum-bi?”

Su-jeong Noona was the first to pick up the bottle.

She opened the cap but waited for Geum-bi Noona’s answer without drinking it.

“…I thought about it, but I don’t think there is. Ji-gu’s idea kills two birds with one stone, so it makes sense.”

Geum-bi Noona, finally lifting her head, ruffled her hair and picked up the drink.

I also quickly opened mine, following my sisters, and we clinked our bottles together in the middle like we were toasting.

“Sorry, Ji-gu. I’ll rely on you a little longer.”

“I’m sorry too.  I’ll be in your care until I feel better.”

In the end, my initial suggestion was adopted.

We, who had pledged to sleep in the same bed every night, drank our hangover cures simultaneously, like sworn brothers.

The taste was sweet, but it didn’t make me feel refreshed immediately.

Before the alcohol wore off, we exchanged silent chuckles.

* * *

“Ah~ The night air is nice.  Walking makes me sober up.”

“You’re kidding.  You weren’t even that drunk, Unnie.”

“Your tone is sharp, Geum-bi. Are you going to keep this up?”

“…Sorry.  But you were being harsh with me too, Unnie.”

“Hmm, sorry about that. I spoke harshly in the heat of the moment, I’m sorry.”

“Tsk, I feel even more sorry when you apologize so readily.”

“Yes, that’s why I apologized.  That’s your punishment for talking back to your Unnie.”

“Honestly, you’re a fox in sheep’s clothing.”

“But…… thank you for worrying about me.  Love you, my little sister~.”

“Ah, don’t get so close. You’re hot from the alcohol, Unnie!”

Were they getting along or not?

On the way back, my sisters bickered and apologized, and in the end, they clung to each other like lovers.

‘Seeing them like this, they seem like 100% biological sisters.  Is it… really me?’

I knew they’d deny it if I asked, but watching the two women, who acted so alike,

I seriously considered getting a paternity test in secret, and if so, who I should compare it with.

“Ji-gu, what are you doing~?  The Noonass have made up, so come here and join us.”

“No, why are you calling him? It’s already hot, why bother?”

“We’re going to be cuddling in bed anyway.  It’ll be even hotter under the covers, so let’s do a practice run.”

“What kind of practice is that? Just let him sleep on the floor. That would be safer and better.”

“Hmm~ Well, would it be a bit cramped for three people? I’ll consider what you said, Geum-bi.”

Su-jeong Noona, didn’t you sober up after drinking the hangover cure? Why were you considering such nonsense?

‘And that’s my room, by the way. Who are you to decide who sleeps on the floor?’

Avoiding Geum-bi Noona’s outrageous suggestion and Su-jeong Noona, who was nodding as if she was seriously considering it, I quickly went inside the house.

But even if I avoided them now, it wouldn’t change the fact that we would soon be gathered in the same room.

“Hey, Yang Ji-gu! Don’t go into the bathroom, I’m showering first.”

“Hey~ Geum-bi, first come, first served.  But Ji-gu, if you don’t mind, could you bring the bedding to the room beforehand?”

I was headed to the bathroom to cool my head, but I had to turn back because of Geum-bi Noona’s stubbornness and Su-jeong Noona’s tactics.

“Just shower first, Noonass.  It’s late, so don’t take too long.”

“Hehe, thanks.  Geum-bi, should we shower together for old time’s sake?”

“Don’t say weird things and just shower first, Unnie. I’ll let you go first as your younger sister.”

“Hey~ You were so eager to go in earlier.  Come on, let’s go~!”

“Ah, it’s embarrassing at this age. I said I’m not going… Ugh.”

The only consolation was that I hoped the shower time would be shortened, even if only slightly, since the two Noonass went in together.

That hope of mine vanished like sand when the clock hand made a full circle.

“Haa, that feels good.  Come in quickly, Ji-gu~.”

“Make sure you wash off the alcohol smell.”

Did their relationship deepen while showering?  They came out arm in arm, showing no signs of separating.

Wondering if I was really unnecessary, I soaked myself in the warm water.  A belated worry arose, foggy like steam, about whether this was right, especially so late at night.

‘Whatever, whatever.  It’s something we’ve always done, day and night.  It’s easier when I meet them both at once.’

The Noonass were just Noonass, nothing more.

As I stepped out of the dressing room, determined not to be awkward, Su-jeong Noona was waiting on the sofa.

“Noona? Why aren’t you in the room?”

“I forgot to dry my hair in the dressing room.  Geum-bi used the hairdryer on the second floor first, and I ended up waiting to use the one on the first floor.”

“How long does it take Geum-bi Noona to dry her hair? It feels like at least fifteen minutes have passed since I went in.”

“Hey, of course she came down a long time ago. But besides that… I wanted to see our little brother’s face as soon as he came out of the shower.”

Su-jeong Noona said something out of the blue and tilted her head slightly.

Resting her cheek on her hand, her gaze, looking at me in the dim light of the room… seemed to be expecting something from me.

‘Well, it’s not wrong to call her a fox.’

As if possessed, I walked towards Su-jeong Noona.

Then, without hesitation, I reached out towards Su-jeong Noona, who was smiling brightly-.

“Heave-ho!”

“Kyaa! As expected, our Ji-gu is the best~.”

I pulled her arm and lifted her up from the sofa, where she had seemed about to merge with it.

“Just ask me directly. You just didn’t want to get up because you were feeling drowsy after showering, don’t make excuses.”

“Hey~ It’s true that my hair isn’t completely dry.  But I didn’t want to go up the stairs, and I thought you’d be out soon, Ji-gu.”

“Yes, yes.  I get it, so go dry your hair quickly. You’ll catch a cold.”

“Thanks for your concern~.  It’s not a lie that our little brother is the best. Hehe.”

“You say the same thing to the other kids… but I’ll gladly accept the compliment. See you later.”

After sending Su-jeong Noona with her wet hair to the dressing room, I went into my room.

But even here, I couldn’t relax, because Geum-bi Noona, who had been sitting with a blank expression, suddenly blushed.

“Why are you so late?”

“I was still much faster than you guys, even if it doesn’t seem like it.”

“You’re a boy. You should have finished quickly since your hair is short.”

“A person’s body isn’t just hair.  We can’t turn off the lights until Su-jeong Noona finishes drying her hair anyway.”

We had already turned off all the lights except for the stand lamp, but Geum-bi Noona seemed dissatisfied with even that, as if she wanted to go to sleep quickly.

But I used Su-jeong Noona as a shield and slowly applied lotion, and for some reason, Geum-bi Noona became quiet and didn’t say anything.

“…….”

“…….”

It was night, but even considering that, the room was very quiet.

Feeling awkward, I checked when the hairdryer noise from the dressing room would stop, and then I heard a small voice from behind me.

“…Hey.”

“What is it, Noona?”

“Aren’t you… bothered at all?”

“Huh?  By what?”

“We… did *that* yesterday, so why are you so nonchalant?”

“Huh? Uh, no…!”

I hadn’t expected her to bring that up now.

Turning around in surprise, I saw Geum-bi Noona hiding behind her pillow, her face red.

“And you kept taking Su-jeong Unnie’s side today, making those weird suggestions.”

“That wasn’t what I meant…”

“It feels like I’m the only one having these weird thoughts… ugh.”

With those words, Geum-bi Noona buried her face in her pillow.

The hairdryer was still running, but I didn’t know what to say.

So, I approached Geum-bi Noona.

The closer I got, the redder her ears became, but I didn’t slow down.

Finally, we were close enough that I could reach her with a flick of my finger.

And as if it wasn’t a joke, my hand in the shadows slowly began to brush against Geum-bi Noona’s shoulder.

—–CROW—–