My Younger Sister Was My First Love

60. The Wrong Choice

It’s not like there are no classes on festival days.

Although I only had one morning class today, I was wandering around with Ji-hwan’s group, checking out the various food stalls.

“Hyung, when is your younger sibling arriving?”

“I don’t know. I told them to contact me when they arrive later.”

I didn’t deliberately give them any hints about the time, as it wouldn’t be good to let them meet Ji-hee.

“Wow, the Tanghuru line is so long.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“I don’t know. Is it really that delicious?”

“But don’t you think the oranges are pretty tasty?”

“I prefer grapes, though.”

As expected, the school was filled with all sorts of food stalls under the tents, living up to its reputation as a festival.

The atmosphere was lively, like a traditional market.

We pushed through the crowds and wandered around, taking a look at everything.

“Two chicken skewers, please.”

We chose a short line that was moving quickly.

Our journey continued, with each of us holding a chicken skewer.

The sunny weather and sweet teriyaki sauce really went well together.

Wasn’t the reason we came to university to experience this kind of scenery?

It didn’t feel much different from studying at a private academy, but…

Of course, it was much more fantastical.

After sitting on a bench and cleaning up our snack trash, we moved to the outdoor stage to watch the performances by various clubs.

“Wow, the band is really good.”

“The vocalist is a bit off, though.”

“Eh, that’s good enough.”

Is this what it’s like to be one of them, or is this what people are usually like?

Ji-hwan and Kyung-ho were giving scores to each team, playing the role of judges.

“Ugh… I’ll give them 8 points.”

“What’s wrong with that? How many points will Jun-ho hyung give?”

“I… uh…”

You need to know something to give scores.

I didn’t know anything about nanta, so giving scores for their performance seemed meaningless.

-Wheeee-

The dance team’s performance was getting a hot reaction from the male students.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket.

The caller was my teacher.

I excused myself for a moment to take the call.

“Yes?”

“Oppa, where are you?”

“I’m just wandering around with the kids right now. Have you arrived already?”

It’s already past 3 pm, isn’t it?

“No? I’m just about to take a shower.”

[Did we do everything?]

[Of course. Who do you think is always fooling around?]

[Your voice sounds so energetic, that’s why.]

[You’re not energetic when you’re with me, though?]

I, who had heard the ridiculous comment about having a girlfriend just yesterday, had a strange feeling.

[You’re always playing around at home, too.]

[Do you want to show me what real playing looks like?]

[I’m sorry. Anyway, I’ll arrive around 5 pm, right?]

[Yeah, that sounds about right.]

[Got it. I’ll call you when I arrive.]

[Yeah!]

After finishing the call, the kids dragged me to the school festival stalls, saying we should go check it out.

“Hey, Junho!”

I turned my head abruptly at the sound of a girl’s voice, which was not part of the crowd.

“Are you here to have fun? What are you going to buy?”

Minju, wearing a student council windbreaker, was sweating profusely as she worked.

“No, I just came because the kids wanted to have some fun.”

“Hey, then why don’t you help us increase our sales while you’re at it?”

“I’d rather give you 5,000 won instead of buying this.”

“Our stuff is not that bad, is it? It’s actually pretty tasty.”

“Really?”

“Ugh, just wait here for a bit.”

Minju disappeared into the student council crowd, including the student council president, and suddenly produced a tornado potato stick.

“Here.”

“…Is this not embezzlement?”

“What are you talking about? I bought it with my own money.”

“What’s going on? You really didn’t have to do that.”

“There’s a student council discount. I got it for half price.”

As Minju raised her elbow a bit higher, the tornado potato stick pointed at my nose like a fencing sword.

I had no choice but to take the stick and brought a thinly sliced piece of potato to my mouth.

…It’s actually pretty good.

“How is it?”

“It’s good.”

“Sorry for being rude earlier.”

“Sorry. But can you keep playing like this?”

The school festival stalls were still bustling with people.

“I’m on break right now. I was stuck over there until just a while ago. I’m dying from the heat.”

“That must be tough. When does it end?”

“It should be over by evening. But what about Jihee? Didn’t she say she was coming to have some fun?”

“Jihee will come a bit later. I told her to study during the day.”

“Honestly, I don’t understand why you’re bringing her here now.”

Democrat, with her arms crossed, let out a sigh.

“I promised her, okay? We’ll just watch the performance and leave.”

“Keep your word. Don’t do anything weird.”

“What’s weird about it?”

Under Democrat’s gaze, my skin prickled, and I subtly turned my head towards the kids.

Jihyun and Kyungho were laughing and chatting with their seniors, having the time of their lives.

“Joonho.”

“Yeah?”

“What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah, do we have a promise for tomorrow?”

Although tomorrow was a festival, we didn’t have any specific plans.

“There’s no promise, but I want to go home early.”

“……Really?”

“Yeah, I need to make up for the work I’ve been neglecting.”

It wasn’t desirable to neglect my main job for two days in a row.

“I see.”

“Why are you sulking?”

“……I wanted to play with you too.”

I had to momentarily filter Democrat’s words in my head.

You wanted to play with me during the festival? Hmm……

“Is it because we couldn’t play today since we were preparing for this?”

“That’s part of it, but I also wanted to spend time with you two.”

“Why?”

“I’ll get paid for the tutoring, and I can also take a break from this exhausting mental state.”

I naturally nodded in agreement with her reasonable response.

That’s right.

I hadn’t bought anything for her since we started tutoring.

In fact, Democrat had even brought chicken to my house.

I felt embarrassed for having misunderstood her and was about to apologize.

“Then, do you have time on Saturday night?”

“What?”

“Do you have time on Saturday night?”

Democrat’s eyes widened in surprise.

Was it that surprising that I was making a promise first?

“Of course, I do! Why? What will I buy for you?”

“Yeah, I’ll buy it. Tell me what you want to eat.”

“Do you want something expensive?”

“You’ll only call me when you need a tutor, right?”

“I’ll eat steak.”

“That’s right.”

I didn’t feel guilty about using my uncle’s card since it’s his money anyway.

“Hmm, good. Then I’ll contact you again. Leave Saturday evening open?”

“Okay.”

“Have fun at the festival. Bring Jihee along if you want. I’ll give you a staff discount.”

“I’ll come if the concert schedule doesn’t conflict.”

“Got it.”

“Okay, I’ll go first.”

I wandered around the school, waiting for Jihee to arrive, until the afternoon sun began to set at 5 pm.

Finally, the problematic younger sibling arrived at our school.

“Oppa!”

Her hair was styled the same way as when she visited the school last time.

Above her wide, light blue jeans, her belly button was visible instead of a shirt.

“…… Jihee.”

“What?”

“Why did you wear something like that?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Jihee looked at her clothes and let out a brief remark.

“Isn’t it pretty?”

“It’s not that… it’s just too…”

It’s pretty, no doubt.

You’d look great in anything.

But the way her waistline and shoulders were exposed seemed a bit too much.

Maybe I’m just too old-fashioned, but seeing my sibling’s outfit made me think I had to put something on her right away.

“Ah, okay. I have a spare uniform in the academy office. I’ll go get it.”

“Oppa, are you saying I should wear a school uniform?”

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t it too hot for that?”

I wanted to say something to make Jihee listen, so I put aside my embarrassment and grabbed her shoulder.

I leaned in slightly and whispered in her ear.

“…… Maybe you should just dress like that at home.”

Did it work?

Did it not?

As I pulled back, I saw Jihee’s face, slightly flushed.

It was a moment when I could clearly feel the effect of my plan.

“Is that so? Ah, well. That’s about right. I guess I should let it slide. Let’s go to the academy office!”

Jihee, who had been here once before, led the way into the humanities building.

With the fake uniform on, he really didn’t look like a university student at all.

If he were a current student, he should be attending university at his age, but even so, he gave off a stronger university student vibe than I did.

“Buy me something delicious.”

Jihee, who was stuck to me like glue, snuck her arm around my arm.

“If you let go, I’ll buy it for you.”

“If we’re wearing the same jacket, everyone will think we’re just CC (celebrity couple) fans, and no one will suspect we’re siblings.”

“There are people who know your face, too.”

“Who, Unnie Minju?”

“Not just her.”

To be honest, I didn’t want to run into someone who knew us, even if we could pass as siblings holding hands.

“I want tteokbokki.”

I walked the familiar path again with my younger sibling.

Thanks to our previous reconnaissance, I could confidently take on the role of guide.

“There’s nothing more to see this way.”

“What’s going on? Is it the end?”

“Yeah. We should go ahead since the performance is about to start. If we go late, we’ll end up farther back.”

As expected, my uneasy premonition wasn’t wrong.

Even though the performance hadn’t started yet, the standing zone was packed with people.

“Wow, there are so many people.”

“Yeah.”

“If we don’t grab a good spot, we’ll get pushed out.”

With a line reminiscent of a Japanese manga festival, I tightly grasped Jihee’s wrist.

“Is this okay?”

“It would be better if we got closer.”

“It’s okay.”

Somehow, we managed to get a good spot, dragging my younger sibling who was trying to get even more skinship.

The dark stage.

The spotlight shone down from the sky.

The flashing lights and the emcee, who was in charge of the proceedings.

The large screen floating in the back created a concert-like atmosphere.

“Now, let’s introduce the first artist to light up today’s festival! Please welcome them!”

“Wooaaah!”

The applause and cheering.

I clapped awkwardly, glancing at Jihee beside me.

Jihee’s eyes sparkled like stars, reflecting the spotlight.

Just looking at her, you could tell she was really excited.

It seemed like she really had a passion for festivals.

Haha… this kid who loves to have fun is always cooped up at home…

My pitying heart was short-lived.

The loud speaker sound grabbed my attention, and I was immediately drawn to the stage.

“Hello! Everyone in Korea! We’re~”

A famous indie band vocalist.

A rapper who participated in a famous audition program.

The idol, who could be called the “backbone,” was placed at the very back.

“The next artist is~ a solo singer who’s recently been making a huge hit with their reverse-running song! Come on out! Take a look!”

As the MC introduced, the solo female singer who had swept the charts this month appeared on stage.

“Unnie, I love you!”

“Wow, X is so pretty. Is she crazy? Her face is a work of art.”

“No, is she really crazy?”

The students’ murmurs were already intense even before the comments started.

“Do you like that person, oppa?”

Jihee was asking about my preferences every time the singers came out.

“I don’t know, but their recent song is good. I’ve been listening to it a lot unintentionally.”

“Me too. I’ve watched the music video a lot.”

As the female singer who had captured everyone’s expectations appeared on screen, cheers erupted.

Her first words, holding the mic, were:

“I need one more participant.”

It seemed that a male student was needed to pair up with her on stage, as a staff member brought out a chair from behind.

“Me! Me!”

“Noona!”

“Pick me!”

The near-shrieking shouting was momentarily interrupted by laughter.

“There, the guy in the blue cardigan!”

She suddenly turned to look this way, pointing her finger.

The camera also followed her finger.

In an instant, the screen was filled with my and Jihee’s faces.

I was frozen in shock, unable to take my eyes off the screen.

“Is the girl next to you your girlfriend?”

I thought this was something you’d only do at a baseball stadium.

If I answered that she was my girlfriend, it would seem like I was trying to avoid someone else.

But this was our school.

Considering that people from our department would definitely be here, I had to raise both hands and make an X.

“Then, come on out and let’s see?”

As soon as the signal dropped, the staff rushed towards me as if to escort me.

At the same time, Jihee grabbed my collar tightly.

“……Are you going?”

“……Do you have to?”

“Can’t you not go?”

“But…”

I thought that even if I cancelled now, it would be too late.

“Please hurry!”

At the loud staff’s voice, I glanced at my younger sibling, who was on the other side.

Huh……

Is it just going to be like this, sitting and waiting?

“……I’ll be right back.”

As I slipped away to the side, Jihee’s hand let go of my clothes, and I ended up following the instructor to the stage, sitting on the chair.

This was the first time I’d seen a singer up close like this.

They’re incredibly beautiful.

But rather than being beautiful, I felt a sense of wonder that was even more overwhelming.

I awkwardly bowed my head, still frozen in place.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Lee Junho.”

“What’s your major?”

“I’m in the English Language and Literature Department.”

“Is the pretty friend who came with you your real girlfriend?”

The camera zoomed in on Jihee’s face again.

Her face looked a bit annoyed.

I could tell she was genuinely upset.

“She’s my younger sibling.”

“Ah-ha! So that’s why you have that expression! You’re real siblings, indeed~”

Danger, danger, danger, danger.

After confirming that, I started to seriously consider getting off the stage right now.

“Then let’s start the music!”

I wasn’t given a chance to refuse.

The red lights enveloped me warmly.

At the same time, I felt an extremely soft touch on my shoulder.

As I made eye contact with my younger sibling from afar, I sensed it.

It was a feeling that I wouldn’t be able to just brush off.