My Feisty Sisters Are Coming After Me

Chapter 31

—–CROW—– 

If only today had been a weekday.

The Sunday morning dawned with sunlight stabbing at my eyes, and as expected, my two older sisters were lounging around somewhere in the house.

Thankfully, they had already returned to their respective rooms by the time I opened my eyes.

…And the reason why that was a relief was because I had absolutely no idea what kind of face to make when I saw them.

‘Especially with Su-jeong noona… Haa, this won’t do. I should go out for a walk after breakfast.’

Racking my brain in bed wouldn’t change anything.

Figuring I might as well soothe my body with a run, I took advantage of the empty house and quickly headed for the kitchen refrigerator.

-A plan that seemed perfect at first glance.

Unfortunately, predicting the actions of my noonas staying on the second floor was impossible from the start.

“Ah…! J, Ji-gu-ya.”

“Su, Su-jeong noona. Uh… Did you come down for water?”

“Mm-hmm, Ji-gu, you… Are you going to have breakfast? It’s pretty late.”

“Yeah. But there aren’t many side dishes, so I was just going to have some milk.”

While I was rummaging around, unable to find anything appealing to eat, I ran into Su-jeong noona coming down the stairs.

Of all people, it had to be the person I least wanted to see at home right now.

Noona seemed to feel the same, avoiding my gaze and fidgeting with the ends of her hair, unable to approach.

‘I expected it, but it’s even more awkward than I thought…. It can’t be helped, the feeling from back then is still vivid in my chest.’

Last night, when I returned to my room, Su-jeong noona was already asleep.

I didn’t know if she was really asleep or just pretending, but I quietly turned my back to her without a word and lay down.

As if what happened earlier was just a momentary lapse.

As if it could still be dismissed as a one-time incident.

…That was what I wanted to believe, but there was no way I could fall asleep peacefully after experiencing something like that.

In the end, I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, and the dark circles under my eyes were proof of that.

And for some reason, Su-jeong noona, who had fallen asleep first, also had dark circles under her eyes.

“Um, are there no side dishes in the refrigerator? I made a lot last time….”

“I guess we ate them all. Sorry, noona. I’ve had a big appetite lately.”

“Oh, no. It’s natural for your appetite to come back after being discharged and eating outside food. I didn’t consider a guy’s appetite… Sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing, noona?  It’s already a lot of work preparing food twice a week.”

“Still, I was thinking too much from my own perspective. Usually… I haven’t had much to do with men lately.”

“You, you’re talking about mealtimes, right?  Let’s eat together often from now on, haha.”

In our house, the five siblings shared the housework, and Su-jeong noona’s role was preparing side dishes and managing the ingredients.

Since our meal times and preferences were so different, we usually took care of our own cooking and dishes, but Su-jeong noona always prepared the basic side dishes and kept them in the refrigerator.

So, she bit her lip and checked if there were any ingredients left.

I told her it was okay several times, but in the end, I couldn’t stop her from grabbing a frying pan.

“Let me at least do this. …I’m already getting a lot of help from you, Ji-gu.”

“It’s really okay… I’ve actually received more help from you.”

“Huh?”

“Huh? …No, no, not that kind of help! Well, it was help, but. I mean, it was more… mentally, emotionally helpful…!”

“Ah… Mm-hmm. Right, mentally… you feel much more stable, I’m glad.”

“Wait, not that kind of stable?!  I mean, of course, I’m stable, but, anyway, it’s not like that!”

While we were chatting, something that could be interpreted in multiple ways slipped out.

Su-jeong noona blushed and turned her head away.

However, even the tips of her ears, visible from behind, were bright red, making it obvious what kind of thoughts she was having.

I hurriedly added an explanation, but no matter what I said, it seemed to sound different to her.

“Um, will you sit down…? It’s dangerous when I’m cooking, so stay back… mm-hmm.”

“You mean it’s dangerous because it’s hot, right? You’re not shrinking back and being wary of me, are you?”

“W, what’s there to be wary of? We’re… noona and dongsaeng.”

“R, right. We’re just noona and dongsaeng… hmm.”

“Anyway, it’s hot… so please step back a little.”

“Mm-hmm. …Because the frying pan is hot, ahem.”

If we were ordinary siblings, it wouldn’t matter how close we were, we shouldn’t be conscious of it.

But I took a step back and pulled out a chair, stumbling slightly.

“……What are you two doing?”

“Whoa?! G, Geum-bi noona? When did you wake up?”

“I woke up a while ago. You know I wasn’t there with Su-jeong unnie when you opened your eyes, right?”

“Ah, right. But why are you here…?”

“Why? I came down to get some water because I was thirsty. More importantly, what’s going on? Why are you two so loud?”

My head was already full of thoughts about Su-jeong noona, and now Geum-bi noona walked into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.

She acted nonchalant, but the way she glanced at Su-jeong noona made it clear she wasn’t completely at ease.

“…Why, what are you looking at?”

“Nothing, nothing at all… yeah.”

Ever since the kissing incident, things had been awkward between Geum-bi noona and me.

It wasn’t a big deal that warranted an apology or explanation, but it was still an embarrassing incident that couldn’t be easily ignored.

As I agonized and stalled, we ended up in situations like this, where we’d either pick fights or avoid eye contact when we saw each other.

“Oh, Geum-bi-ya. When did you come down? Are you here for breakfast too?”

“We’ve been chatting for a while, didn’t you hear, unnie? What great dish are you making?”

“J, just… Ji-gu said he was hungry, so I’m making a little omurice….”

“Hmm~ Can I ask for some too?”

“Of course. I made enough for everyone, so sit down and wait.”

“Thanks, unnie~! As expected of my unnie. The best, amazing!”

“S, stop with the obvious flattery. It’s embarrassing.”

Geum-bi noona’s mood seemed to have improved after talking with Su-jeong noona, and she quickly sat next to me.

Meanwhile, Su-jeong noona blushed to the tips of her ears, shy from the praise, and I felt relieved that the complicated atmosphere was dissipating.

‘Phew, that’s a relief. If the three of us are together, I won’t be in a difficult situation alone.’

It would be even better if the two noonas sat facing each other and chatted away.

In the meantime, I’d quickly finish my meal and escape outside.

“Here, it’s done…… Huh? Geum-bi-ya, why are you sitting there?”

“Huh? No particular reason?”

“No particular reason… but you sat next to Ji-gu?”

“Hmm, if I had to think of a reason, it’s so I don’t get in the way of unnie’s cooking? That side is closer to the sink.”

“Ah, I see… Right. It would have been inconvenient if you were here, hehe.”

Su-jeong noona, saying we waited long enough, plated the omurice and set it on the table.

But when she handed the plate to Geum-bi noona, she flinched in surprise, then scratched her cheek with a wry smile for some reason.

‘What’s this? I have a bad feeling… Ugh?’

A steaming plate of omurice was placed in front of me, and Su-jeong noona walked over with her spoon, as if she was going to eat with us.

However, she left the empty seat across from me and deliberately came to my right side, pulling her chair close.

Naturally, I was the first to be surprised as my shoulder brushed against Su-jeong noona’s.

The next one surprised was Geum-bi noona, who widened her eyes from my left.

“Unnie? Why are you sitting there?”

“Huh? No particular reason…?”

“But there are plenty of seats on the other side, why bother?”

“Hmm, well. I wanted to try eating together, side by side, hehe.”

Su-jeong noona responded to the puzzled Geum-bi noona with a smile.

Since the person who cooked the food was smiling, Geum-bi noona couldn’t argue further and closed her mouth.

‘Ouch. Why is my foot being stepped on? What did I do?’

For some reason, Geum-bi noona’s kick landed on my foot.

I didn’t know why and was full of frustration, but I couldn’t complain because Su-jeong noona wanted me to tell her how the food tasted.

“Let’s eat.”

“I’ll enjoy this… Unnie.”

“Eat well, both of you~ Ehe.”

As soon as I took a bite, my eyes widened at the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the egg.

There wasn’t any special sauce besides ketchup, but the savory and sweet taste that stimulated my tongue made me blurt out a compliment as soon as I swallowed.

“This is really good? What, did you go to a cooking class while I was away, noona?”

“Don’t exaggerate~. You’ve eaten the side dishes I made before, haven’t you?”

“Food from the refrigerator and freshly made food are different. Wow, if I knew it would be this good, I should’ve tried the other side dishes as soon as they were made.”

“Hee hee, really? If you want, Ji-gu, I’ll call you every time I make something.”

“Really? Thanks, thank you~!”

“Hey, I’m more thankful that you’re enjoying it. …I love you, my dongsaeng.”

Clatter.

While I was engrossed in a pleasant food review with Su-jeong noona, I heard something drop from my left.

I turned my head to see Geum-bi noona picking up her chopsticks that had fallen on the floor, her mouth opening and closing slightly.

“Ah, um, sorry. I guess I’m still half asleep… My chopsticks are slippery, haha.”

Even though no one asked, Geum-bi noona muttered to herself and grabbed a new pair of chopsticks.

Su-jeong noona glanced at her and asked how the food tasted.

“Geum-bi-ya, how does it taste? Does it suit your palate?”

“Mm-hmm, it’s good. As expected of my unnie… your cooking skills are the best.”

“Hee hee~ Right? Thanks, Geum-bi-ya~.”

Su-jeong noona beamed again, but that was it.

The conversation didn’t continue, and Geum-bi noona looked at Su-jeong noona with a slightly disappointed expression.

Her eyes seemed to be murmuring, ‘Is that all…?’

Unfortunately, Su-jeong noona’s gaze had already returned to me.

“By the way, Ji-gu-ya.  Is it enough? It might not be enough for a guy, I didn’t think of that either.”

“No, it’s fine. This is the perfect amount for breakfast.”

“Really~? Hmm, okay. I’ll remember that, hee hee.”

“…Unnie, aren’t you going to ask me if it’s enough?”

“Huh? I served you the usual amount, Geum-bi? I asked Ji-gu because he said his appetite came back after being discharged.”

“Ah, is that so? I see… Hmm~.”

Su-jeong noona seemed to recall our earlier conversation and was already planning to adjust the food portions.

Meanwhile, Geum-bi noona, who had briefly joined the conversation, seemed dissatisfied and chewed on her spoon, pouting.

From then until the omurice plates were empty, Su-jeong noona didn’t stop chattering.

And Geum-bi noona’s lips became more and more pouty as time passed.

* * *

“Yang Ji-gu.”

“Yes? Geum-bi noona, what is it?”

“Come upstairs for a second. I need to talk to you.”

“Huh? Okay… Wait a moment.”

After finishing my meal and brushing my teeth, as I was about to go back to my room, Geum-bi noona called me from the stairs.

Clueless, I grabbed my phone and went up to the second floor.  Geum-bi noona pulled me into her room and quickly locked the door.

“What is it?  Suddenly, noona…?”

“What is it and what isn’t it, Ji-gu.  Something happened between you and Su-jeong unnie, didn’t it?”

“What?!”

“Don’t even think about lying. I can see it in your eyes.”

Whether she sensed something in the kitchen or had suspected it all along, Geum-bi noona blocked my escape route and pressed me.

I held my breath, trying to think of an excuse, but Geum-bi noona didn’t even give me a moment to think.

“If you don’t tell me…… I’ll ask your body.”

“Huh? W, what?! Noona?”

Geum-bi noona shoved me hard, knocking me onto the bed.

I landed underneath her, my expression stunned.

I was used to this kind of look in Geum-bi noona’s eyes.

But this situation… being pounced on by my noona… no matter how many times it happened, I couldn’t seem to get used to it.

‘Even though it seems to be happening a lot lately.’

Despite the repeating situation, my heart pounded just like the first time.

As if she heard it, Geum-bi noona’s face slowly drew closer to mine.

—–CROW—–