NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Soo -Ah
Jin Wook Arrives Home
Jin Wook stepped inside the house, his footsteps quiet against the wooden floor. He started walking toward his room when—
Soo-ah: "Brother?"
He froze. Turning around, he saw his younger sister standing by the doorway, her arms crossed and eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Soo-ah: "Where are you coming from?"
Jin Wook remained calm, his face unreadable.
Jin Wook: "Nothing, I just came down to drink some water."
Soo-ah raised an eyebrow, eyeing him from head to toe.
Soo-ah: "Are you trying to fool me? You're wearing new clothes. Are you seriously telling me you changed just to get a drink of water?"
Jin Wook: "Yes!"
Soo-ah scoffed, crossing her arms tighter.
Soo-ah: "Tell me the truth, or I'm telling Mom and Dad that you were out late."
Jin Wook sighed, realizing she wouldn't let this go.
Jin Wook: "Alright… what do you want to keep quiet?"
Soo-ah smirked, knowing she had the upper hand.
Soo-ah: "A new dress tomorrow… and lunch outside."
Jin Wook chuckled, shaking his head.
Jin Wook: "Fine. But you have to keep it a secret."
Before she could respond, a voice came from their parents' room.
Dad: "Who's there?"
Soo-ah quickly turned toward the kitchen.
Soo-ah: "It's me, Dad! Just getting some water!"
Jin Wook took the opportunity to slip away, silently making his way to his room. As he closed the door behind him, he glanced back at Soo-ah, who made a small hand gesture—"Remember your promise."
The Next Morning
Jin Wook woke up to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through his curtains. His phone buzzed on the nightstand. Reaching for it, he squinted at the screen—a message from his school group chat.
[Group Chat]📢 Attention everyone! All lectures for today have been canceled. Enjoy your day off!
Jin Wook stared at the message for a moment before tossing his phone back onto the bed.
Jin Wook (thinking): Looks like I get a free day today...
Jin Wook stretched as he walked downstairs, the aroma of freshly made breakfast filling the air. His mother was setting the table while his father read the newspaper. Soo-ah was already seated, munching on a piece of toast.
Jin Wook: "Mom, my lectures got canceled today, so I have a free day."Soo-ah (suddenly): "Mom! I don't want to go to school today. Can I go with Oppa instead?"
Jin Wook, mid-bite, nearly choked on his food. He coughed and looked at Soo-ah in shock.
Jin Wook (startled): "What?! Who said you could—"
Soo-ah smirked and made a subtle gesture—pointing to her wrist as if reminding him of his promise. Jin Wook sighed internally.
Their mother looked at Soo-ah for a moment before nodding.
Mom: "Alright, but only if you promise not to slack in your studies."Soo-ah (excitedly): "I promise! I'll study extra hard later!"
Jin Wook sighed in defeat, shaking his head as he took another bite of his food.
Jin Wook (muttering): "This is going to be a long day..."
Jin Wook's Secret
Soo-ah looked up at Jin Wook with curiosity.
Soo-ah: "Brother, do you have enough money? If you don't, we can just have lunch. I was joking about the dress."
Jin Wook smiled and patted her head gently.
Jin Wook: "Don't worry, I got some work recently, so I have enough to buy you a nice dress and lunch."
Soo-ah squinted at him, clearly suspicious.
Soo-ah: "Work? Since when do you have a job?"
Jin Wook shrugged casually.
Jin Wook: "It's nothing big. Just some side work that paid well."
Soo-ah pouted but didn't push further.
Soo-ah: "Fine, but if you're lying, you owe me two lunches!"
Jin Wook chuckled.
Jin Wook: "Deal."
Soo-ah grinned and grabbed his hand.
Soo-ah: "Then let's go! Before you change your mind!"
Jin Wook sighed but smiled as they left the house together.
Shopping Trouble
Jin Wook and Soo-ah entered a large, high-end supermarket that also had a clothing section. As they walked through the store, many employees and customers couldn't help but steal glances at Jin Wook.
He was tall, well-built, and had an aura that made people instinctively step aside. His sharp yet calm expression made him look like someone important, and the way he casually walked with Soo-ah made people whisper.
Employee 1: "Hey, isn't he too good-looking?" Employee 2: (whispers) "He kinda looks like those rich CEOs you see in dramas." Employee 3: (teasingly to Soo-ah) "Hey, is this your boyfriend?"
Soo-ah, who had been browsing dresses, froze in shock.
Soo-ah: (disgusted) "WHAT?!"
Jin Wook raised an eyebrow at the comment but remained calm.
Soo-ah: (pointing at Jin Wook) "Are you guys blind?! This is my BROTHER!"
The employees laughed at her reaction.
Employee 1: "Ohh, sorry! You two just look close."
Employee 2: "And he gives off that rich, mysterious vibe."
Soo-ah scoffed and turned away.
As Jin Wook walked through the store, more employees and customers couldn't help but glance at him. His sharp jawline, intense yet calm eyes, and perfectly built physique made him look like a model straight out of a fashion magazine.
Even some female customers started whispering among themselves.
💬 Customer 1: "Wow… he's really handsome."
💬 Customer 2: "Is he a celebrity? A chaebol heir?"
💬 Customer 3: (blushing) "If he looked at me like that, I think I'd faint…"
Meanwhile, Soo-ah just rolled her eyes, completely used to this reaction.
Soo-ah: (grumbling) "Ugh, why is everyone acting like he's some K-drama male lead?"
Jin Wook, on the other hand, was completely unbothered. He simply walked to the dress section, scanning through the options as if he didn't notice the stares.
He picked up a pink dress and turned to Soo-ah.
Jin Wook: "This one looks good, right?"
Soo-ah stared at it for a moment… and then burst into laughter.
Soo-ah: (laughing) "Pffft! Oppa, are you serious? Do you think I'm five?! That's way too childish!"
Jin Wook frowned slightly, confused.
Jin Wook: "But it looks cute." Soo-ah: (smirking) "And you have ZERO fashion sense."
The employees watching them giggled at their sibling dynamic.
💬 Employee 1: "They're kinda cute together."
💬 Employee 2: "I still can't believe he's just her brother…"
Jin Wook sighed, putting the dress back and picking another one.
Jin Wook: "Fine. You pick one yourself then."
Soo-ah smiled victoriously and began browsing.