Chapter 10

She doesn't like being touched, even if it's just a hug.

I was embarrassed when she grabbed me by the hand yesterday, and she was nervous too.

I always hug Soo-jung, but I never thought I would hug Geum-bi.

He slowly reached out and gently touched her shoulder.

She shivered, and instead of asking if she was okay, I put my fingertips on her shoulder.

"Mmm."

"Let me pull a little."

I was right next to her, but very close.

Instead of going to her from that side, I pulled her to me and pressed our bodies together.

Ouch.

She was pulled into my arms, the tip of her hair brushing against my cheek.

I pressed my lips together and held my breath as her slightly stiff body rested on my ribcage.

"...."

"...."

Her posture was more like a hug than an embrace.

I don't know if that's what Geumbi asked for, but it was more comfortable than hugging her face to face.

It'll be less awkward for you too, if we're not facing each other.

I look over and see Goldie's red ears.

Her eyes were red from crying earlier, but there was only one reason for her flushed ears, neck and cheeks.

You must be very embarrassed. Why did you ask me to do that? Hmmm.

Her face was also red with embarrassment, but she didn't look away.

With his fingers unnecessarily tight, his waist and shoulders not relaxing for a moment, he spoke quietly, as he could hear Geumbi's breathing.

"I'm sorry. I asked you to do something strange."

"No, it's not. It's family you turn to in times of difficulty."

"That's right. It's family you turn to in times of difficulty, right?"

Faced with words meant to comfort her, Goldie nodded.

But her response was more than just a comforting gesture; it brought back memories of the conversation we had had on the first floor earlier.

The tension in the room increased slightly.

"You think so too, don't you, Terra?"

"About what?"

"You mean that I'm only a family member if I'm there for you when you need me, when you're in trouble?"

"That's what you usually say."

"So, on the other hand, if you're not there for them when they're struggling or suffering, or even when they're happy or celebrating, can you call them family?"

It was obvious who Goldie was referring to.

She was saying it to convince someone on the first floor, not me.

To keep her happy, I would have to bow my head and look meek.

"I don't think it's fair to say I'm being disrespectful."

"...!"

At that point, I decided to be honest even if it meant I wouldn't be nice.

Goldie turned round and gave me a hard look, as if she had been betrayed by someone she trusted.

But I didn't care. I took the mask off my sister, who just smiled at me.

She wanted someone to convince her, not a cheerful sister.

If she was looking for empty sympathy, she would have found it on the first floor and demanded an answer a long time ago.

"You think you should always be there for your family, don't you?"

"Of course not, but... there is a minimum requirement."

"Who created these conditions?"

"It's... just common sense, or something we've agreed as a family."

"Either way, they're just made up, aren't they?"

"What are you trying to say?"

My fiery older sister wasn't offended by my answer, but asked me to explain more.

I discreetly turned my head towards her, considering this a half success.

This time, I could see her shudder, not just her body, but also her face.

I pretended not to notice, and gently pulled my hand to her shoulder to explain.

"I think any form of marriage is acceptable, as long as the people involved agree to it."

"Even if there is no consideration or obligation at all?"

"Because there are many different types of families in the world, and they all have their own histories.So what you're saying is that a father goose, or a separated couple, or a divorced family, can't be a family for life?"

"That's not right. We don't fit into any of those categories, do we?"

"That's right. Our family is our own thing and our own form."

"So you expect me to just accept that your mum had a story too and that it just happened to be like that?"

Goldie flinched and moved closer to me.

But I didn't move away, and she couldn't because of the hands on her shoulders and back.

I reached out another hand and hugged her from the front.

"Ha?! Terra, what are you doing...!"

"You don't have to convince me."

"Huh?"

"If you don't like her, you don't need to understand or convince her."

"What, what?"

Geum-bi was nervous in my arms, and even more nervous about what I was going to say next.

But the hand that tried to push her away grabbed my chest instead, as if she wanted to hear the story.

"I've already told you that I don't care what form it takes, as long as it's okay for both of us."

"...But?"

"Well, on the other hand, if it's not your family, you might get mad at each other."

"Like I'm angry with my mum now?"

"Because it's natural for family members."

Like Soo-Jung, even if they didn't see each other often, they could understand each other's situation.

But if they thought something was wrong, like Geum-Bi, they had to ask the other person about it.

"Isn't that how a real family works, by making compromises and sorting things out together?"

You weren't born a mother and you didn't raise five siblings on your own.

It seemed to you that the only way to be a real family was to find a new way to fit into the present, to reconcile what you both wanted to be.

"It's all very well talking about it, but I'm not sure it's going to work."

But that's just what I think.

I think I may have said too much, so I take a step back at the end to gauge my sister's reaction.

"Didn't it sound like I was lecturing her? I hope she doesn't get angry with me for being so presumptuous...".

I felt really nervous and started to drool.

I turned to face Geum Bi, who was suddenly still in my arms, and smiled brightly.

"Yangjie."

"Mmm, big sister."

"Thank you, little one."

"Eh, eh, eh?"

"I said thank you, but why can't you understand me?!"

Geumbi's face was redder than ever.

A series of sounds came out of him, but before I could hear them, I heard him say thank you.

"Yeah, why worry about it on your own? I haven't even spoken to my mum, which is the real problem... Haha, I've been putting off this easy thing for so long and now I'm fighting with my sister... Hahaha!"

"Ji, calm down, big sister. If you don't mind, I'll try to make room so we can reconcile."

"Stop it! Why do you treat me like a child? I can make peace with you without your help."

"Mee, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Anyway, it was useful, so thanks, you idiot."

She muttered something to herself, then shouted at me, then thanked me and added a swear word at the end.

It didn't make any sense, but she seemed to mean it.

"Well, I'm glad you've calmed down. Shall we release the arm now?"

"Hmph, it's not all your fault. I always thought it would be fine after a while."

"So you want me to release my arm now?

"Loosen it or not, why do you have to ask me that?"

"No... why is your sister still holding the hem of your dress?"

I tried to release Goldie from my arms when things calmed down a bit.

But her grip on my clothes was firm enough to rip them, and she wouldn't let go, no matter how I signalled.

"You idiot. Being a man, can't you get rid of a girl's hand?"

"Well, isn't it silly to brag about your strength to your sister?"

"Then just keep holding her. I can't blame you for being weak, can I?"

"Ah, well, yes. Time will tell... eh."

After a short conversation, we agreed to carry on like this.

As we sat in silence, I noticed the smell of Geumbi's hair and the shine and softness of her skin, which I hadn't noticed before.

"Mmmm, mmmm."

"Hold still, it's uncomfortable to touch her."

"Sorry."

"I mean, there's nothing to apologise for."

I was worried that someone else would come in and misunderstand the situation.

But then I thought about it, and Goldie kept the door locked, so there was no problem.

So, yes.

Apart from the two of us, who were stuck together and unwilling to leave, there wasn't really an issue.

"Earth."

"Mmm, yes."

"Are you sneaking out with Soo-jung every night?"

"Huh? Oh, no, I never... Ugh."

"Don't lie."

"I didn't do anything wrong, I just heard you talking about her sometimes."

"Hmph~ Really? Hmph, hmph."

I didn't understand what she meant.

She hummed to herself for a while, as if she was thinking about something, and then looked at me.

"I can see why she kept coming to you, and not to me."

"I don't mean I don't trust her, it's just that it happened.

"OK, I don't care about all that now."

"Really?"

"Yes. But... if you go to your room at night, you can come to mine during the day."

"What...?"

"I want to talk to you in the same way. You're a better listener than you think, Earth."

I've discovered a talent I didn't realise I had.

It's good to be good at anything, but this was a bit strange.

"You know what, Geum-bi, I think that's...

"Just so you know, I won't take no for an answer, discrimination is not tolerated in my family."

"Ugh...!"

Geum Bi said, and squeezed my chest.

I nodded, this time not only squeezing my clothes but also my flesh.

"OK, I'll do it, humm."

"I'll wait. Just make sure you lock the door when you come in, in case anyone sees you."

The demands got louder and louder.

I held her tightly, not knowing whether to be happy that she was feeling better or sad that I had more work to do.

In my arms, she made a sound like mine, "Mmmm".

After all, we're siblings and this is one of our family duties... I've convinced myself of that.