My Younger Sister Was My First Love

40. Park Saerom

The underwear I was wearing came off with my hands.

My gaze, naturally fixed on my face, moved downward and stopped.

Whoa, just a minute.

“I’m not taking it.”

“What’s wrong? You can’t use it when it’s wet.”

“No, why would I take it in the first place? Hurry up and put it back on or take it away.”

I fixed my eyes on the clock on the wall.

For the sake of my mental health.

“Oppa, why are you being so stubborn?”

I let out a ridiculous laugh at the tone that was both playful and annoyed.

“That’s not something I’d say to you?”

It was a ridiculous situation.

-Tap, tap, tap-

As the footsteps got closer, I reluctantly had to face Jihyun again.

“Are you leaving this here?”

Jihyun, who had carefully placed the underwear she was wearing on the bed, gave a sly smile before making a quick escape from my room.

My mind was in a daze for a moment.

I hastily followed her, but Jihyun’s door was already firmly closed.

“Hey.”

I knocked on the door, trying to call her out again.

“I’m going to study. Don’t disturb me. If you have something to say, tell me later.”

When did she start being a diligent student, only to become like this now? Was she really that obedient?

I returned to my room, my lips tightly pursed, and my face scrunched up in annoyance. On the bed, Jihyun’s underwear was still lying there.

The bra she had worn until just a moment ago.

As I gazed down at the bed, feeling like I was looking at an exhibit in a museum, I carefully reached out to move her belongings.

It was impossible, but a strange warmth seemed to linger.

I hung the underwear on the chair, as if telling her to take it back, and lay down on the bed.

“……Is she really crazy?”

And I wondered, if only for a moment, what her scent would be like. I must be crazy too.

* * *

[Ah, ah, hello?]

On the tablet screen.

My mom and dad’s faces appeared.

[Yes! Jihyun! Are you doing well?]

My mom was smiling brightly.

My dad, who looked like the kindest person in the world, was smiling next to her.

I, who was used to lying, put on a fake smile and curled up the corners of my mouth.

[Yes, I’m doing well!]

[Is Junho at school now?]

[Yes. Oppa’s classes are over, but he has a meeting today, so he’ll be late. Probably.]

[Ah, I see. Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been home alone, isn’t it too boring?]

[Ha ha ha. I’ve been busy studying, and oppa’s been going out to have fun, so it’s only natural~ How can I just stay at home and do nothing?]

Our common goal is to minimize worries.

We’ve agreed to pretend to be perfect.

Honestly, if possible, I wish my parents could stay there for a few years.

I think it’s better for the two of us to use this big house.

Enjoying the thrill of secrecy, like we’re about to get caught, is something that only oppa and I can share perfectly.

At this stage, the existence of ‘parents’ is nothing but an obstacle to our relationship.

[Ah, you’re so mature, Jihee, it’s amazing.]

[Hey, no way. Oppa is way more mature than me.]

[Junho? Jihee still doesn’t know what’s going on. He’s just a kid who only knows how to study.]

Thank you.

You’ve raised such a perfect oppa, just to my liking.

[That’s right! I’ll stick close to him and keep a good eye on him!]

We can’t let a precious family member like Jihee play around with some random girl.

This is a duty I must fulfill as a daughter and a younger sister.

[You’re so reassuring. Do you have anything to say to Jihee?]

Mom slightly tilted the screen to zoom in on Dad.

Even though we’re only meeting through the screen, it still feels awkward.

I hate to admit it, but my fake smile, which resembles my face, is unbearable.

Dad is still a person who can’t be liked.

……I miss oppa.

[Are you studying well?]

That’s what I’m saying, isn’t it?

Actually, it might be better than saying “I love you” with a hypocritical tone.

If I try to be overly sweet in front of Mom, it might be harder for me to control my facial expressions, so it’s better this way.

[Yes. Oppa is doing well, so I think I can achieve the results Dad wants this year.]

[Really? Should we give Junho more allowance?]

[Yes. Give it to him. Oppa is working hard on household chores, so give him a lot of money.]

I have no intention of sparing praise for oppa.

In reality, he’s doing a great job.

[Got it. Then study hard and let’s talk again.]

[You’re already hanging up? We’ve only talked for 10 minutes!]

[Hey, I’m a student, you know. It’s a nuisance for us to talk for too long.]

[That’s true. Then, Jihee, talk to you later! Tell Junho I’ll call him tomorrow.]

[Yes! Take care!]

As the video call ended, I flopped back onto the bed.

Let’s organize our schedule.

“First, I’ve finished all my math lessons online……”

I usually plan my studies on a weekly basis.

On Sundays, I would write a planner and show it to oppa, and he would give me feedback on it.

For instance, if there’s a difficult part, it’s better to take it slow and steady.

Exploration is more about pushing forward with a steady pace.

Honestly, I didn’t think that whatever oppa told me was always right.

Maybe there’s a better learning plan out there.

But what’s important isn’t that.

What’s important is that I make oppa think I’m listening to him sincerely.

Oppa has to show me a perfect image, one that makes him impossible to reject.

Simple logic.

A person who only pushes forward with what they want can never be loved.

That’s true even if it’s family.

So I’ve been diligently doing my part, making oppa think that I’m a lovable “younger sibling” existence.

When I gave him the underwear, his expression was truly priceless.

I loved oppa’s unique, seemingly uninterested expression.

He would look at everything, show his likes, and pretend not to care.

Honestly, seducing with sexual appeal isn’t a top-notch younger sister’s style, but oppa’s reaction was too funny, so I ended up doing it often.

Thanks to that bold attempt, our progress has been significant.

But our journey is still far from over.

All this skinship wasn’t initiated by oppa towards me.

My goal is to make oppa hold my hand, kiss me, and do it all with his own will.

If only there weren’t any obstacles, it would be quick, but it seems like Democratic Unnie has no intention of letting oppa go.

It’s troublesome to have a girlfriend at this ambiguous timing.

Just thinking about another girl kissing oppa’s lips makes my heart flutter now.

What is she doing, messing with someone else’s oppa?

A younger sister like me is living her life with her eyes wide open, after all.

Hmm……. Anyway, oppa’s style isn’t objectively popular…….

In my eyes, he’s the perfect ideal type, but apart from that, he’s not a highly competitive type in the dating market.

He’s not that tall, and his face is average.

His academic background is exceptional, but the probability of it leading to “Wow, I want to be his girlfriend!” is low.

Moreover, Democratic Unnie is from the same school, so this factor doesn’t apply.

In the end, it’s something other than his charm that captivated Democratic Unnie, but it’s hard to predict this part with simple speculation.

As expected, the best way is to meet and ask directly.

Hmm…….

Although I said I didn’t want to meet, it seems like it’s worth having a conversation.

If the opportunity arises, I’ll try to meet him, and my mind is racing with excitement.

-Weeeeing-

Just then, my phone rang.

It was oppa’s call.

[Hello?]

“Hey, Ji-hui.”

“What’s up?”

“There’s no way Oppa would call me without a reason, right?

“I think I’ll be late today.”

“You already said that this morning. What’s going on at the academy today?”

“Did you forget what I told you?”

“You’re not the type to forget things like that.

“Ah, I think I’ll be even later than I said.”

I felt my mood drop at the thought of our alone time being invaded, but I had to hear the reason first.

“He said he’d be here at 8, but that’s a lie.

“Why? What’s going on? Drinking again?”

“No, it’s not that. We decided to study together at the academy’s study room during the exam period, and the seniors said they’d give us last year’s exam questions if we stayed late to study together.”

“Exam questions?”

“Like the university’s past exam questions, you know?”

“Why would the seniors give us conditions like that? If they’re going to give it to us, just give it to us.”

“Um… they said it’s to study together and get closer, but…”

I wanted to tease him a bit, saying I was going out to play, but I didn’t want to get involved in study-related things.

“So, what time?”

“Uh… 11 pm? 12 am?”

“How many people are going?”

“Six? Seven? Is the member lineup confirmed already?”

“Is Min-ju unnie going too?”

If not, I’d pass. If she was, I didn’t want to let it go.

“Yeah, she is.”

Look at this, Jun-ho.

Doesn’t it seem like that unnie has no interest in Oppa at all?

It’s so obvious, but why do they keep denying it?

“So, where are you studying at school?”

“At the academy’s study room. There are a lot of desks and stuff there.”

“So, where is that exactly?”

Oppa hesitated for a moment, sensing the chill in my tone.

“What’s going on?”

“Why can’t you tell me where you’re studying?”

“It’s not like I’m telling you not to study, I just want to know where you are.”

“The humanities building, room 204.”

“Confirming room 204.”

“I’m only asking because I’m worried, but you’re not going to come looking for me or anything, right?”

I’m happy.

It seems like my oppa has gotten to know me as a human being a bit better.

Just by the tone of his voice, I can tell what he’s thinking.

This means we’ve become more like a real family.

[Hmm, are you watching?]

The call ended here.

I quickly hung up the phone and went into the bathroom, feeling excited.

I wonder what kind of face oppa will show me?

* * *

“Did you talk?”

After finishing the call with Jihee, Minju, who was sitting next to me, turned her head towards me.

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

“Look, you’re treating him like a kid, right? He’s only one year older than you?”

That’s because you don’t know Jihee, so you’re saying that.

There’s no way such a kid exists in this world.

I reluctantly gave him my address after he kept asking, but…

I don’t think he’ll actually come, right?

The memory of our meeting came flooding back, and I shivered.

Even if he does come, honestly, I don’t think anything will happen today.

What can Jihee do, anyway?

Everyone’s probably studying, anyway.

So, I spent the evening eating with the club members, and before I knew it, it was 9 pm, but nothing out of the ordinary happened.

My phone was silent.

The senior’s advice was useful.

I felt a sense of accomplishment from staying behind and fostering camaraderie.

Next time, I’ll try to get closer without any conditions.

“Ah, I’m getting hungry.”

The club president, who had been focusing on his studies without saying a word, let out a yawn and stretched.

“That’s right.”

“Let’s order some snacks around 10 pm.”

“I’ll get some!”

“I will too!”

We all gathered together, studying and eating snacks.

This kind of life is tears-of-joy happy and good, but I’ve never felt a sense of belonging like this before in high school.

Everyone’s having so much fun.

It’s not bad.

“I Junho.”

“Yeah?”

“What’s up? You’ve leveled up a lot!”

Min-ju, who had created a game ID a while ago, had suddenly surpassed Ji-hui’s level and was growing at an incredible pace.

“Wow, what’s going on? You’re leveling up so fast!”

“I told you, I’m talented!”

“This isn’t talent, it’s just putting in the time…”

“Actually, I was studying a bit earlier, but I got tired and took a break.”

Everyone had stopped studying for a bit and was taking a rest.

– Tap tap tap –

The chat has ended.

The sudden knock on the door brought an awkward silence.

“Senior, didn’t you apply for an overnight stay today?”

“No, I didn’t. And the security guard doesn’t usually knock like that.”

“Then who is it?”

When the department head senior opened the door, there was…

“Ah, I’m sorry. Is Jun-ho oppa here?”

A familiar voice.

A familiar silhouette.

As soon as Ji-hui saw me, she smiled brightly.

“I brought some snacks.”

What she was holding in her hand was a white vinyl bag that looked quite heavy.

Okay.

This is fine so far.

It’s a bit unusual, but it’s possible that my younger sister made some snacks and brought them for her oppa.

The problem was…

“…Park Saerom?”

It turned out that Ji-hui, who had gone to the meeting that day, was also part of the study group today.