My Younger Sister Was My First Love

8. Should I Console Myself?

Taehak-dong, the holy land of Korea’s education!

This neighborhood, with its ridiculously high housing prices, owes it all to the academic district.

A high school that sends students to top universities, including medical school!

Huge academies where star teachers actually come to teach!

Parents sacrifice everything to settle down here, all for the sake of creating that perfect “environment” for their kids.

Undoubtedly, the attitude towards studying in this area is something that can’t be ignored.

As a result, kids who don’t take their studies seriously are brutally ostracized while living in this neighborhood.

Considering the national standards, this place is close to being a village of delinquents.

There are neighborhoods where students who don’t care about studying are the majority, and on the other hand, there are neighborhoods where students and parents are obsessed with grades.

“…… Really? Are you quitting everything?”

The bombshell dropped on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.

As I had promised to take on the role of a parent, I woke up early and prepared brunch for Jihee and me.

Simple toast.

Eggs and sausage.

I also cut up some cabbage, considering the importance of nutritional balance for students, and called Jihee over.

I thought this was a pretty decent breakfast…

…but then I received the unexpected news of the academy’s full cancellation.

“Yeah, really.”

“What? Why? No way! It’s hard to get a spot in that teacher’s class!”

“It’s just that I think it’s better to study alone at home.”

Jihee gave me a look as if it was no big deal and took a bite of the sausage.

“But didn’t you decide that without consulting me?”

“Well, isn’t the academy just for filling in the gaps in our studies anyway?”

That’s true, theoretically.

“But won’t you be lacking in some areas? Managing your schedule and preparing for the entrance exams by yourself is a lot to handle.”

“You have me, so what’s there to worry about?”

Unlike me, who was sweating bullets, Jihee chuckled with a smirk.

“Oppa, isn’t this Korea University? You’re not some top elite who just took the college entrance exam.”

Simply put, that’s a fact.

But I’ve never taught anyone before.

Even if I tried to teach Jihee, my level would be far inferior to a professional instructor.

I usually answer questions willingly.

However, taking responsibility for Jihee’s entire academic performance seemed like a huge burden.

“If you’re doing this because you trust me, then go register again right away.”

“No way.”

I spoke in a fairly stern tone, but Jihee didn’t even pretend to listen to me.

“I’ve decided to study at home this year. Whether to attend the academy or hire a private tutor is a personal choice, right? I think it’s a bit too much for you to intervene.”

Jihee expressed her opinion calmly, as if my reaction was already predictable.

Hmm… Let me think calmly.

“Okay, fine. But why did you suddenly change your mind after your parents left? You were going to attend the academy quietly before, weren’t you?”

If Mom heard this news, she might pack her bags and return from the US in just a week.

I didn’t want that to happen at all.

I just wanted to know why Jihee was doing this.

Was it because she was originally a student who didn’t want to study and was simply giving up, or did she really think there was a problem with the academy or that she didn’t have enough time to study?

It’s been a few weeks since I started living under the same roof with Ji-hui, but I still didn’t know much about him.

However, his unexpected response today went beyond my expectations.

“…I want to be with Oppa.”

Really?

That’s possible.

He can just quit school and focus on being with me….

“…What?”

“I said I want to be with Oppa.”

“Me? Why me? What do you want to do with me?”

“Is it weird to want to be with family at home?”

If the devil edited out just that part, it wouldn’t seem strange at all.

“No. I mean. No. That’s not it.”

It’s weird, right?

Who quits school just because they want to be with Oppa?

Oppa is just… Oppa?

The guy who confessed and then got rejected….

My head started aching.

“Well, anyway, I should tell Mom and Dad about this. It’s not just about studying, but also about the economic aspect.”

I was already taking three subjects.

The expenses exceeding 1 million won would disappear.

It was a part that required a report.

“Got it. I’ll tell them myself. Will that be okay?”

“…For now.”

After finishing his meal, Ji-hui naturally took his plate to the sink.

“Leave the dishes. I’ll do them.”

I stopped Ji-hui, who was about to do the dishes late.

It was because I didn’t want to force him to do household chores like a student.

“No way. Oppa cooked, so I can do this much too.”

“Okay. Even our mom didn’t make me do it when she was home during my high school and retake years.”

Ji-hui slowly turned his back, his hand stretching towards the rubber gloves.

“…Really?”

“Yes. So you can relax when you’re at home too.”

Ji-hui seemed to listen to my words, then started putting on the rubber gloves again.

“Can I relax?”

“No. I’m uncomfortable when Oppa does everything for me.”

Ji-hui turned on the water at the sink, as if there was an untouchable area.

“Oppa used to do all the household chores himself when our mom was out working.”

“Yes. So you can trust me with it.”

“I hated it when Dad was never home and I had to do all the household chores myself.”

Ji-hui slightly tilted his head back, just enough to meet my eyes.

“So, let’s do it together from now on.”

The atmosphere had become extremely serious, and I bit my lips tightly.

“…Alright.”

I didn’t go back to my room, but instead sat down at the dining table again, watching Ji-hui’s back as she did the dishes.

The conversation from earlier was still on my mind.

I knew better than anyone the feeling of being a teenager who had to take care of household chores alone without an adult, and it was a really pathetic situation.

Although I didn’t resent my mom for not being around, I knew how frustrating it was, so I couldn’t bring myself to disagree with Ji-hui’s suggestion to do it together.

Looking at this, it seemed like she was a really nice person.

She was considerate and had a deep understanding of things.

But why did she quit school?

It wasn’t like she had the vibe of those troublemakers who dropped out of school, nor did she seem like the type who would get dragged around by her parents.

Basically, there was no problem, but I got the feeling that something was missing.

It seemed okay, but not quite.

“Oppa, do you want to eat some fruit? I think we had apples at home.”

“Ah, I’ll peel them for you.”

I took out the cutting board and began to peel the apples with a familiar motion, standing next to Ji-hui.

The sound of running water from the sink, the crisp sound of the apple peels being cut and falling onto the cutting board.

The daily noises we made together were definitely proof that we had become a family.

“…Is it really okay?”

It seemed like our cohabitation was off to a strange start from the very beginning.

* * *

In Korea, it was 3 pm.

In LA, it was 10 pm.

On the phone screen, which was connected for a video call, the beautiful LA night view was unfolding.

It looked like Dad and Stepmom were out on a date, even at such a late hour.

“Yes! I’ll contact you again in a few days!”

“Okay. Tell Ji-hui to be careful, and eat well. And when Jun-ho wakes up, make sure to contact him.”

After hanging up the phone, I flopped down onto the bed, exhausted.

Finally, my long-awaited cohabitation with Oppa had begun!

The first step had been taken quite smoothly.

I had successfully quit all the academies I had registered for to focus on studying.

Dad didn’t care what I did anyway.

Stepmom was worried, but she respected my opinion and gave me time to study on my own.

To be honest, I was a bit envious of Jun-ho Oppa during the entire phone call with Stepmom.

Stepmom… No, I should correct that.

New Mom was really a kind person, the more I saw her.

Unlike my father, who was always aloof and told me to figure things out on my own, my stepmother raised my brother with love and care.

My brother, who grew up under a warm and loving mother’s care, was now a part of my family.

As I thought about my brother’s new existence, I felt an inexplicable thrill, as if I had found someone who could fill the void within me.

It was as if the person who could satisfy this burning desire had appeared before me.

I wanted to see my brother change.

I wanted him to pay more attention to me.

I wanted him to stay with me longer.

And our relationship was extraordinary from the start.

First love.

Surprisingly, I was my brother’s first love before we became family.

And the fact that no other woman had touched him was an enormous bonus!

Now that I had erased the factors that forced me to go out, I could say that this house was completely under my control.

“Brother.”

I stood in front of my brother’s door, raising my voice instead of knocking.

“Can I come in?”

Instead of an answer, I heard the sound of slow footsteps.

My brother, wearing a black T-shirt and no glasses, looked down at me with a drowsy expression.

“Sorry. Did I wake you up? I thought you’d been up for a while.”

“…Yeah.”

“I have something to say, so I called you.”

It was true that I had something to say, but there was a more important task at hand.

“What is it?”

“Can I come in?”

“…Let’s talk in the living room.”

Sigh. The point was to go into his room, but…

I wanted to create an atmosphere where we could freely enter each other’s rooms, but I had to swallow my disappointment.

“What did you want to say?”

As my brother sat on the sofa, I quickly followed and sat next to him.

“I got permission from Mom and Dad! I don’t have to go to the academy!”

“…Is that so.”

“Yeah. Mom also said she supports me, and I can ask you anything I’m curious about anytime?”

“…Is that so.”

My brother, who was still half asleep, looked quite defenseless.

It seemed like he was having trouble understanding the situation, and his guard was down.

It was like a scene from a manga.

My brother, half asleep and defenseless, was a sight to behold.

All the scenes I had seen until now were overlapping in this moment.

In fast-paced developments, they would even steal a kiss at such an ambiguous timing.

Ugh.

I couldn’t help but touch my lips.

But this is a bit…?

Fantasy and reality are different, after all.

“Jihee-ya.”

I, who had been spreading out a hot fantasy, finally came to my senses at my brother’s call.

“Yeah?”

“What time is it now?”

“It’s past 3 pm.”

“……3 pm? 3 pm in the afternoon?”

“Yeah. 3 pm.”

“Why is it 3 pm?”

“Why? Because it’s 3 pm, that’s why……”

“aah!”

My brother, who had heard the words “3 pm,” suddenly opened his eyes wide and started rushing towards his room.

“No! Wait! Ahh!”

“Why are you like that?”

I followed him into the room and saw him crying out in front of his laptop.

“Today was the day for additional course registration, wasn’t it?”

“But didn’t you say you already did it a while ago, brother?”

“No. That’s why. Yeah.”

My brother grabbed his hair, then dove onto his bed.

“……I’m done for.”

He let out a moaning sound like a whimpering puppy, then kicked the blankets with his feet.

“Ahh! Why do I always oversleep!”

Unlike my brother, who was crying out, I felt like I had entered a new world with the lively reaction of this “brother” creature.

My hands involuntarily came together in reverence.

This is what it means to have a brother……!

I get to see this brother every day……!

I can feel my heart pounding.

My blood circulation has definitely sped up.

I slowly got up onto my brother’s bed on my knees.

“……Brother.”

Our eyes met again at my call.

My brother, who had been crying out for a while, looked at me and made a unique, embarrassed expression.

……It’s so cute.

“Should I comfort you?”

This is a very classic line, indeed.