My Younger Sister Was My First Love

7. The Incident That Occurred Two Days Later

Everyone has a moment like this in their life.

Will you back down?

Or won’t you back down?

Jihee.

20 years old (18 in Korean age).

A huge turning point has arrived in my life.

Entrance exams? I couldn’t care less, and it’s not a big deal anyway.

What’s important is this side.

I dumped my oppa about three years ago.

And I couldn’t even remember it.

Things that have already happened can’t be undone.

The answer always lies ahead, not behind.

I had two choices.

Option 1.

The past is just the past.

I’ll just pretend nothing ever happened and proceed with the original, ultra-luxurious flirting plan I had planned.

Option 2.

I’ll give up cleanly.

Trying to hook up with a guy I already dumped just because he’s now family is just crazy!

Logically, option 2 seemed cleaner.

But, to be honest, it’s a bit strange to talk about logic in my situation. Anyway, option 2 was definitely more comfortable.

I’ve been going to school for N years, ignoring the guys who wear school uniforms and act like they own the place.

If I just wanted to, I could easily ignore my quiet, gentle oppa at home.

But the problem was that this might be my last chance to make my precious fantasy come true.

Getting a new oppa, or rather, a new family member, was extremely unlikely.

That would only be possible if my dad got divorced twice and married three times.

And even if he did remarry, there’s no guarantee that I’d get an oppa around my age as a bonus.

If I’m unlucky, I might even get a younger sister or older sister, or worse, a ‘brother’ who can’t even compare to an ‘oppa’.

So, this was it.

If I wanted to experience romance with an ‘oppa’, I had to catch Junho oppa, and if not, I’d just have to pretend I didn’t know.

Hmm…

It didn’t take me long to make up my mind.

“I’ll do it no matter what.”

From the start, a forbidden love like this was a love that began at the edge of a cliff.

Did I get dumped once before? Did I dump him?

Does he have a past without shame?

What’s the big deal?

With a determination like this, it was right not to start with the ‘forbidden love’ theme.

Originally, love is something that gets hotter the more desperate the situation.

As I thought this through, even this ridiculous background started to feel like fate.

Is this more thrilling than a comic?

I could feel dopamine flooding my brain.

At least, this was a setting I’d never seen in any of the creative works I’d encountered so far.

Ha. I wished that all the annoying people, including my dad and aunt, would just leave for the US….

“Did you just say you’re going to make a girlfriend?”

Reality was far more brutal than I had imagined.

* * *

It was difficult to read Jihee’s expression.

Her plump lips pouted.

At some point, her arms had crossed, forming an X shape.

Her tangled legs seemed to embody the three principles of annoyance.

She didn’t look pleased at all.

I couldn’t understand why.

In my opinion, I was being genuinely cooperative.

I didn’t want my older brother to wear tacky clothes.

↳ Give me the right to choose clothes for my younger sister!

↳ Yeah, let’s go together.

↳ (Anger) Girlfriend…?

What’s wrong with this algorithm?

Are you saying that you suggested it and now you’re asking if I’d accept going shopping with you?

That’s just psycho.

If I zoom in on the frustrating points, the term “girlfriend” seems to be the problem.

“No, it’s not that I want to make a girlfriend, but rather that I think you’re good at picking out clothes.”

“Really? Is that so?”

Jihee’s eyes widened, as if demanding confirmation.

“Why? Do you think I don’t look like a girlfriend to you?”

Jihee’s expression had slightly softened, but she still exuded a cold atmosphere.

“Hmm… Do you want a girlfriend, Oppa?”

“Really? I’m a guy, so I want to try dating too, honestly.”

“You’re not even a boyfriend material.”

A massive iron hook pierced my heart.

Her tone was more like a statement than a question.

But being boyfriend material is not something to be ashamed of!

Instead of trying to impress girls, I focused on studying.

“…I was busy studying, so that’s why. It’ll change when I go to college.”

“Can I ask you one more thing?”

Jihee, who had been firing off questions all along, was now asking for permission.

“Yeah, what is it?”

Jihee slowly pulled her knees towards her chest, curling up her body.

It seemed like she was trying to hide her face.

Then, she whispered softly.

“…Was I your first love, Oppa?”

…Or did I remember?

* * *

My parents’ departure was on the third Saturday of February.

“Let’s make a promise to call each other at least once every two days.”

My mom, who was worried sick, arrived at the airport.

My dad, on the other hand, was laughing and joking beside her.

Jihee and I, dressed neatly like students taking an exam, saw our parents off.

“Jihee, if anything happens, be sure to contact me and tell Junho too.”

“Okay, don’t worry and have a safe trip!”

Jihee took my mom’s hand with both of hers, as if she were her own daughter.

“We’ll take good care of the house, Oppa and I.”

“I trust you.”

“There’s not much time left for the departure procedure. Let’s hurry up.”

My dad’s reaction was, as always, the opposite of my mom’s, making me feel like they were two sides of the same coin.

One was too sensitive, and the other was too indifferent.

I guess that’s what they mean by “opposites attract,” where people with contrasting personalities come together.

To be honest, I wasn’t fond of my dad’s attitude, but I didn’t want to complain to my mom like a sulky child, saying “Ugh, Dad is so annoying.”

“Dad, please take good care of Mom.”

I’m not good at saying cheesy lines, but I tried to sound as sincere as possible, considering my dad was my mom’s guardian.

“I’ll take good care of our Jihee too.”

The men’s farewell was brief.

With a firm handshake, my dad and mom left for their departure gate.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes!”

As soon as they disappeared from sight, Jihee’s face lit up with a bright smile.

Anyone who saw her would think it was her birthday.

“Do you look really happy?”

“Oppa, do you know the book ‘A Day Without Nagging’?”

“A Day Without Nagging?”

“It’s a children’s picture book. Didn’t you read it when you were a kid?”

We took a taxi to get here, but we’re taking the subway back.

My mom told me to take a taxi back, but I didn’t listen.

These days, prices are skyrocketing.

If I take a taxi, it’ll cost me tens of thousands of won, so even if it’s inconvenient, I’ll take the subway, which is cheaper.

Since we didn’t have any luggage, Jihee and I agreed to take the subway, even if it takes a bit longer.

The long journey back on the airport subway line.

Jihee told me the story of the picture book.

“So, to summarize it in one line, it’s just a story about kids having fun because their parents aren’t bothering them, right?”

“That’s right.”

“What’s the point… I know how you feel, but you’re a repeater. You’d still slack off even if there were no adults at home. You need to study consistently.”

“Why me?”

“Huh?”

“Why do I need to study?”

“Well…”

I was taken aback by the sudden, fundamental question.

There are people who never studied their whole lives, yet they open a book in their third year of high school.

Retaking the exam is a swamp that swallows those who failed to achieve their dreams on time.

You’re doing well in hagwon, and you even asked me to study with you, but I couldn’t understand why you were acting like a rebellious delinquent, resistant to studying.

“Do you need to go to college?”

“Then why do you think I need to go to college?”

On the swaying subway.

I gazed intently at Ji-hui’s face.

The reason to go to college was right there.

“…I thought it would be something if I did.”

“You passed, so what’s the big deal?”

In the end, what’s the point of passing…?

It was still a difficult part to answer.

The myth of success!

It’s a glorious title given to those who have overcome adversity and trauma with style.

If there’s an ideal myth of success for 21-year-old Lee Jun-ho, it would be to confess to that girl again, who praised me for getting into a prestigious university.

That girl would praise me, holding a “Korea University” trophy, and give me a bunch of pecks on the cheek….

Thinking about it, I received those pecks again.

Anyway.

It’s now realistically impossible.

The one who made me think I need to go to college turned out to be my repeater younger sibling.

“That’s right. I’ll figure it out gradually. I haven’t even enrolled yet, so it’s hard to feel real.”

“Really? Then tell me when you find something good, oppa!”

“Doesn’t it sound like you’re saying you won’t study at all?”

“Oh~ you’re quick-witted, aren’t you?”

Ji-hui chuckled playfully beside me.

I thought it was just a casual joke, but the atmosphere felt heavier than necessary.

The chill down my spine lingered.

“Oppa, let’s go sit over there.”

As a couple got up from their seats, Ji-hui pulled me over and sat me down right next to them.

“Oppa.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sleepy.”

“You must be, since we got up early this morning.”

Our family had to force ourselves to wake up at 4 am since we had an early morning flight.

When we got into the taxi, both Ji-hee and I dozed off with our eyes closed.

“There’s still a ways to go, so take a nap. I’ll wake you up.”

Honestly, I was feeling quite relieved and sleepy, but I could do this much.

“Is that okay? Can I ask for one more favor?”

“What is it?”

“My shoulder.”

Ji-hee didn’t even wait for my permission and leaned her head on my left shoulder.

As I slightly turned my head, Ji-hee’s hair, which smelled of shampoo and flowers, caught my attention.

“It’s comfortable like this.”

“It’s good.”

“Can you lean on my shoulder too, oppa?”

“No, it’s okay.”

Deep down, I wanted to do the same as Ji-hee, but something felt off about it.

To be honest, it still feels that way now.

A little… hmm…

If others saw us, they’d think we’re a couple, right?

Ji-hee and I are siblings, but we don’t look alike at all.

Among the crowds, we could just blend in as a young couple.

Let me correct that.

At the very least, I’d look like a guy who’s dating a beautiful girl, which would be embarrassing.

I adjusted my glasses, knowing that no one would be interested in me anyway.

Ji-hee was really asleep, not saying a word.

Outside the subway window, the morning sun and the Han River created a beautiful scenery.

Anyway, it’s finally just the two of us living together now….

A trembling sense of anxiety washed over me.

Can I really do this on my own?

It’s a new feeling, living away from my mom for the first time.

And Ji-hee, my first love.

I hope this year goes by without any trouble.

“I’ve quit school and told them over the phone.”

That happened two days after we started living together.