My Younger Sister Was My First Love

21. My Little Brother Isn’t Wearing Pants

Today’s Ji-hee was a bit off.

It wasn’t just today, but since I entered my room, something was off.

“Ji-hee.”

Even when I called his name, Ji-hee still had a blank face, staring at the rice bowl.

Is he really not feeling well somewhere?

The kid who always acted like a brat was now tightly pursing his lips, making me wonder if he was in pain.

“Ji-hee.”

I called out his name in a slightly louder voice than before, and Ji-hee’s body trembled as he dropped his spoon.

With a clattering sound, Ji-hee bowed his head.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why? Am I weird?”

“You’ve been acting strange since a while ago, not saying a word and not eating properly.”

At this point, thinking that it’s not strange is even stranger.

“Ahahaha… um… oppa, sorry, but I don’t want to eat anymore.”

“Really? Is that better?”

“Yeah…”

“Alright, then.”

As the chair scraped against the floor, Ji-hee got up and put his unfinished meal in the sink.

It looked like he hadn’t eaten much…

I ended up eating alone, staring at the wall, for the first time in a while.

…Is it because of me?

But there’s no reason to make an issue out of it.

It’s not like he’s acting that way because I used the word “family” or anything.

Maybe he got into some trouble with his friends over the phone?

Thinking about it, that seemed like the most plausible explanation.

Girls are much more sensitive in those areas than guys.

And Ji-hee, with his extensive social connections, might have faced some kind of relationship trouble that I’ve never experienced.

Thus, I was given two options.

Option 1: Just leave him alone and watch YouTube in my room.

Option 2: Act like a concerned oppa and listen to his troubles.

“Hmm…”

As Ji-hee’s guardian, I should…

If I were his mom, I would have taken his hand and talked to him if he wasn’t eating well and looked depressed.

Ji-hee usually listens to his mom, so he might have opened up about his worries.

After clearing the dishes, I beautifully arranged the leftovers on a plate.

When eating alone, I don’t even use a fork, but today, I even added a dessert fork with a clinking sound.

Yes, if I’m going to serve, I should do it properly.

-Tap tap tap-

Holding the plate in one hand, I knocked on Ji-hee’s door.

“Ji-hee.”

“……Why?”

“Can I come in for a bit?”

As the door creaked open, Ji-hee blinked his big, round eyes.

“Can I come in?”

“It’s okay, but why?”

“Just talk a bit, okay? I brought some fruit.”

Jihee, who was glancing between the plate and my face, led me to the desk, saying “Come on in.”

-Asa-saek

As the sound of Jihee crunching on the fruit in her mouth reached me, I decided to bring up the topic.

“Jihee.”

“Yes?”

“Did something happen with your friend when you called earlier?”

“No?”

“You looked like you were in a bad mood all day, so I thought…”

Ugh. Is this really how I’m supposed to do it?

I was trying to offer her counseling, but it seemed like I was the one getting more awkward.

Jihee, who had heard my words, had a deeply contemplative expression.

It seemed like something was definitely going on.

“If it’s not about your friend, then is it because of studying? If so, I could offer you even better counseling.”

Jihee still didn’t respond, just staring down at the plate.

She even kept biting her upper lip with her front teeth, as if she was about to make a bombshell announcement.

The silence continued, and my sweat started to flow.

Please.

Just say something.

Even if you don’t want to tell me, it’s okay to just tell me to shut up!

“……Hug me.”

“What?”

“Hug me.”

Jihee, who had turned her body towards me, spread her arms wide.

The phrase “You have to know the reason to hug or not” was swirling in my head, but I quietly put my arms around her waist as she wanted.

It was a rather awkward posture.

As Jihee’s arms wrapped around my back, I naturally followed her actions.

“……Oppa.”

“Yes?”

Jihee, who had rested her chin on my shoulder, continued speaking in that state.

“Is it foolish to challenge something that others think is impossible?”

I quickly turned my head.

What could Jihee possibly mean by “challenge”?

Of course, it’s the college entrance exam.

For a student, the only challenge is the college entrance exam.

Then, what could be something that seems impossible?

It must be Jihee, who had an average grade of 7, achieving a miracle with her overwhelming college entrance exam scores.

It felt like she was aiming for the top grade or a perfect score.

Hmm… I didn’t know she was so passionate about studying.

As I caught the underlying meaning of her words, I gently stroked Jihee’s back.

I lowered my voice and set the tone.

“What others say doesn’t matter at all.”

What’s important in studying is my own pace.

Comparisons and others’ opinions are utterly unimportant.

“What’s important is how much you desire it.”

Like I had staked my life on Ji-hui’s single word, what’s important is one’s mindset.

I may not know about other things, but at least when it comes to studying, that’s an area where it’s all about mentality, that’s my philosophy.

“How much do I want it?”

“Yeah. If you have the desire, I believe you can achieve the results you want.”

Good family.

Good older brother.

It’s my role to give courage when it’s needed.

“It’s so delicious when you reap the rewards of your hard work at the very end.”

As I recalled the day I received the acceptance letter, a faint smile spread across my face.

“What? Eat it?”

“Huh?”

A strange tackle came from an unexpected direction.

“No, I said you’re eating the rewards.”

“Oh, I see. Yeah, that’s an expression, like the fruit of victory.”

The atmosphere seemed to relax, and I let out a sigh, releasing my hands from behind my back and gazing at Ji-hui’s face.

Was it a consolation?

Ji-hui’s face was flushed with a light, rosy color.

“Was I of any help?”

“……Yeah. A lot.”

“I’m glad. So don’t give up. I’ll help you with anything I can.”

If Ji-hui got accepted into a prestigious university with my help, it would be an incredibly meaningful experience for me as well.

It felt like I had become a slightly more mature adult.

Just imagining it made my heart flutter.

If that day really came, I would have to prepare a generous gift.

“……Older brother.”

“Yeah?”

—Mwah

The second peck on the cheek was slightly more intense than the last time.

The sound was embarrassingly loud.

My younger sibling, who had been staring at me, suddenly gave me a second peck on the cheek without warning.

“Uh……?”

“I’m doing it because I’m grateful. Not just grateful, but grateful to the point of being 1st-grade grateful.”

“Ah.”

If it’s 1st-grade, then it’s acknowledged.

Of course, it’s only natural to get a peck on the cheek…….

The accident had stopped.

My brain’s wrinkles had smoothed out, and I was exhausted.

I didn’t come here expecting this.

“Ah. Yeah. Okay. Let’s take a break today. Yeah. And work hard again from tomorrow.”

Like a broken doll, I stumbled up, holding an empty plate.

“Yeah! I’ll work hard to make it happen!”

The words I wrote seemed strange, as if they were cut off from the rest.

“……Thanks, oppa.”

It seemed like Jihee had gained some energy, so that was a relief, wasn’t it?

* * *

15 credits.

Five classes in total.

The packed schedule blocks didn’t look very appealing.

There wasn’t much free time, and I felt quite helpless.

The department was dominated by girls, which was a bit burdensome.

I should probably go to the library.

But to go to the library, I had to take the bus.

“I Junho!”

A familiar, deep green windbreaker caught my eye.

“Hi.”

This was the second time I’d run into Minju since the welcome party.

With nothing to do, I felt a sense of relief.

“What are you doing?”

“I have a break.”

“No place to go? How about the department?”

“It’s too crowded.”

Minju, wearing jeans, took a sip of her coffee and continued talking with the straw still in her mouth.

“Um……Yeah? I’m on break too. Want to hang out for a bit?”

“Where to?”

“Hmm…somewhere nice. Come see.”

Following Minju, we arrived at the basement level 1.

As a freshman, I had never been here before.

“What’s here?”

“The student council room.”

“Are you going to the student council room? Can I go in too?”

“It’s not really the student council room; it’s more like a storage room. Nobody comes here, except sometimes I come alone to take a nap.”

As Minju entered the password and opened the door, I could see why it was called a storage room.

“……What’s all this?”

There was a tent like the ones used during the sports festival, a giant spinning wheel that looked like it belonged in a children’s TV show, and empty soju boxes and bottles scattered all over the floor.

“I told you, it’s a storage room. Sit down.”

At least the entrance was clean, and Min-ju pushed a chair in between us.

“Can you sleep in a place like this?”

“I don’t come often, but when I want to sleep without being noticed, this is the only place.”

“Then where do you usually go during breaks?”

“The seminar room or the department office. By the way, are you going to participate in the club activities?”

Like most departments, our department also had its own club and seminar.

“I’m still thinking about it. If I take too much time, it’ll be tough.”

“Why? Are you preparing something separately?”

“My younger sibling.”

“Ah, that’s a big responsibility for your sibling, too.”

……Is that so?

When Ji-hui’s story came up, I suddenly remembered the awkwardness from yesterday.

Ah, I barely slept yesterday, too.

It’s good that university doesn’t deduct points for attendance.

“Anyway, we have to gather together and do something, but if I say I have to go home every day, it’s a bit…”)

“Then why don’t you come to our club? We’re not that strict.”

“Where is it?”

“English Literature Discussion.”

Literature is a different story.

“Hmm…….”

“I don’t think it’s that intense. We gather once every two weeks and discuss for about an hour.”

“Is that it?”

“Yes, that’s it. After that, people with similar interests go out for drinks and stuff.”

That sounded quite appealing.

I wasn’t looking for a central club that’s too intense, but a place where I could socialize moderately.

I still had lingering feelings for my ex-girlfriend, so I naturally needed a space where I could find new connections.

“Hmm……. Is it okay?”

“Yeah, come join us. I’ll introduce you to our group.”

“You’re not going to boss us around as a senior?”

“Yeah, I treat the freshmen really well.”

Min-ju enthusiastically explained her vision as a senior.

The way she chattered beside me was definitely different from before.

“How can someone change so much?”

From her appearance to her behavior.

Min-ju was almost unrecognizable, and I wondered if it was really her.

“Was it similar back then?”

“You don’t remember from elementary school?”

Min-ju back then was not someone who could be called nice, even as a joke.

She only studied well and wasn’t a tyrant.

“Do you remember when I got hit on the palm once for each wrong answer on a quiz?”

“……Did I do that?”

“I was eating and couldn’t use chopsticks, so I spilled food and got scolded for being dirty.”

“No, no! You’re talking like you’re a school bully! And why are you eating while spilling food? It’s disgusting!”

You’re rambling on, but you can’t even justify yourself, can you?

Instead of answering, I showed a mocking smile.

“That’s because I wanted to take care of everything for you.”

“Don’t try to justify yourself as the perpetrator.”

“Aww, really? I’m so hurt! I’ll buy you coffee, so please forgive me?”

“Are you trying to settle this with money now that it’s over?”

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

The childish tit-for-tat went back and forth, making me feel like I’d regressed to elementary school.

Seeing Minju’s sulky face, I even felt a sense of reversal, like I was the one who had done something wrong.

“Park Minju.”

“……Why.”

“Don’t club activities usually take place in the afternoon?”

“We discuss with our team members every week and decide. Sometimes we do it in the afternoon.”

“Then I’ll join in.”

According to Minju, I couldn’t just put my whole life on hold to take care of Jihee.

I’ll do what I want to do.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Where do I sign up?”

“Ah, just give me your student ID number, and I’ll take care of it!”

The cold war ended immediately.

Minju immediately switched back to her bright and cheerful senior mode.

“I’ll definitely do well this time.”

“It sounds like a couple who’s broken up.”

“It’s not like we’re a couple, but we did break up, so I guess that’s 50 points.”

After chatting for about 30 minutes, we locked the student council room door and parted ways.

I attended another elective course and barely made it back home in time for dinner….

“Oppa, I’m home?”

Am I really that tired?

No, I’ve never been this exhausted just because I didn’t sleep well.

“Why are you like this?”

Isn’t it my turn to ask why?

“Where are your pants?”

Jihee’s lower body had genuinely disappeared.