Chapter 13

Soo-jung's eyes seemed to ask if I had been having a nap with Geum-bi, so I smiled awkwardly.

She flipped up the duvet and turned her body the other way.

"I'm going to bed first. Good night."

"Uh, mmm... good night, sis."

It was a normal goodnight, but his tone was strangely stiff.

The atmosphere was cold, and I knew I shouldn't close my eyes, but I did anyway.

What am I supposed to say? I didn't do anything wrong. I just slept like Crystal.

What am I supposed to say?

Should I apologise for having slept in the same bed as Geumbi without thinking about it, just because she pointed it out?

Should I confess that I was only supposed to be counselling her, but I ended up making out with her?

Sister Soo-jung is in the same situation, and if I mention it, I'll be seen as a rude girl.

Neither an apology nor a confession seemed right, so I gave up trying to be clever.

Instead, I went over to her, hugged her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

Her curled-up body, like a prawn, fell into my arms.

She embraced me and spoke through the futon.

"What are you doing?"

"Are you just kissing like a brother and sister would?"

"Terra, is this normal?"

"You said it was normal for your family to hug and caress each other."

"That was when I did it. I never said it was normal for you."

"If I can do it, you can do it to me. Remember how I hugged and cuddled you just a few days ago?"

"Not since I found out about your mum."

"Not then. When we were playing in the kitchen and Goldie caught us."

Crystal remained strangely calm, but gave in when I gave her a good argument.

If we'd been debating, I would have pushed her further, but instead I took a step back and gave her some space.

"You're right, it was you who touched me, not me. I know it's strange, but it's not every day I do that."

"Yes, I know."

"But, in other words, you didn't use it when you could and you kept it so you could use it when you needed it?"

"And now is the time?"

"Yes. As if now is the right time for you."

While he was arguing for the backhug, he pressed his body even closer to Soo-Jung.

When my racing heartbeat touched his back, Soo-Jung pulled his head out from under the covers and looked at me.

"Is that how you comforted Geum-bi?"

"Of course not. With her personality, she'd probably make a fuss if she was treated like that."

"Hmph, that's true."

As if imagining it, Soo-sung smiled slightly.

I took the chance to gently run my fingers through his unkempt hair, which made the atmosphere more relaxed.

"Nothing happened between me and Geum-Bi, none of the problems you're worried about, none of the possible flirting."

"Really? No, I mean, it's not like I'm going to go out of my way to pick on you..."

"But you can still feel bad.I know how you feel. It's been a while since I've given you advice, and I'm sorry I misunderstood you."

"No, it's just that you two have become so close; I thought you might have lost touch with each other."

"That's impossible. You've always been my top priority."

"Don't make it a competition. Do you think I'll be happy to hear that?"

Soo-jung rolled her eyes and blushed like Geum-bi on the second floor.

I could tell she was happy, even if she was pretending, so I stifled a laugh and pushed her hair.

I see, that's it, you're getting upset about something so trivial, heh.

I put my hair up in a ponytail and laid it on the pillow, trying to understand how Soo-jung felt.

As the eldest, I understood the responsibilities she had to take on, so I didn't call it meddling or interference.

I just smelled her hair on my belly and felt relieved and grateful.

I bowed my head in silent greeting to my sister, who was looking after me, Goldie and our family.

"Ew, why do you smell your hair... like a pervert".

"I like the smell of your shampoo, so I bought a new one."

"Anyway, we use the same shampoo. ...You didn't smell it on me?"

"I had a nap in her room before I showered and fell asleep without realising, so I didn't have time to do anything strange."

"Hmph~ I see, you did, hmph."

"Why do you look so happy?"

"What do you mean? How can I be happy about this?"

"Are the corners of your mouth twitching, sister?"

"I'm just laughing because it's ridiculous and I feel sorry for my sister, who keeps holding her hair back even though she knows it's weird."

"Shall we stop then?"

"Whatever, it's the shampoo we all use, although I think you should know what it smells like...."

It was Soo-jung's sister who told me to do what I wanted, adding her own words.

I took her opinion into consideration and sniffed my hair for a while, my eyes slowly closing at the faint smell.

"Sister."

"Yes."

"I'm getting a bit sleepy. Can I sleep like this?"

"I'm still hugging you.

"We've hugged many times."

"There's a difference between hugging each other to get comfortable and hugging just for the sake of it."

"Are you saying you want to hug face to face?"

"Don't misunderstand me. I just wanted to say that it's not the same thing."

"Is that why you don't like it?"

"I don't hate it, but if I roll over in my sleep, it might bother you."

"I know you don't sleep well."

"No, I'm not, so don't be so sure."

"Well, you've been sleeping whenever I wake up, so you wouldn't know."

"...."

"Your sister?"

"Mmm, yes. I get up later than you, so I don't know, yeah."

Soo-Jung seemed worried that she would have difficulties, but she was used to it.

In fact, it was easier to fall asleep cuddled up to her than not.The smell of her perfume lulled me to sleep.

Besides, I'm sure we'll have no accidents. I can't see your face and I won't bump into your chest or anything.

When I woke up later, I still managed to avoid accidents like Goldie's.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I lied and said I wasn't with her. Maybe when I was asleep, but when I woke up, I was a mess.

"Earth."

"Mmm, sis."

"Hm, that's good, as long as it doesn't bother you... I think I can sleep like this."

Crystal nodded and closed her eyes, her chest tightening at the memory of what had happened.

She curled up with her hands together, as if ashamed of what she had said, and went straight to sleep.

I didn't want to wake her... I hesitated, then decided to stay in that position.

'Well, I don't know. What's done is done, and now is now.Now that I've said it, I'm going to see it through.Huh.

We all forgave ourselves for touching Geumbi's chest.

I decided not to try to rekindle the relationship and lowered my hand to her belly button so that my arm wouldn't be uncomfortable.

"Mmm, hmm..."

I gently stroked her stomach with my fingertips, and she let out a quiet sigh.

I pretended nothing had happened so she wouldn't be embarrassed and kept my other hand on her lower back, barely switching off my brain.

Good night, sis; I love you.

She loves us the most in the family for some reason.

She used to beg for hugs when she was younger, but now I hug her tightly, hiding the words of love in her shy mouth.

Tick, tick, tick.

The room was quiet enough in the middle of the night that I could hear the clock's hands moving in the living room.

The sound of someone moving in the darkness wasn't loud enough to wake anyone who was asleep.

* * *

The morning dawned.

The alarm clock didn't go off, and I knew this because Soo-jung, who had woken up first for some reason, was moving around.

She was running in and out of the house, tidying up, changing clothes and making a lot of noise.

I could hear Geumbi and other people, too.

'What is this, a party without me? Hmm?

I was curious, but not curious enough to wake me up from my light sleep.

I turned over and breathed quietly, trying to calm down.

I felt someone climb into bed.

I heard a rustling noise, as if someone was crawling through the duvet, and felt a snort rub against my skin, my eyes still closed.

"Ugh... hmm... what's that?"

"Hmph?! Wake up, wake up, Terra, you need some more sleep."

"Yeah... when did you wake up?"

"Oh, today's a weekday again, and an office worker has to get up early to get ready for work."

"Ah, I see... Hmmm."

I opened my eyes a little, just my upper body, and saw Soo-sung.

She pursed her lips as if checking her make-up and then got out of bed, clearly in a hurry.

"Have a good trip, big sister... ha ha".

"Yes, Terra, you should get some more sleep. You look very sleepy."

"Ha, I will... Mmm."

I closed my eyes and lay back on the pillow when I heard the door close.

As I rolled over to find the perfect position, I felt one cheek sticky from drooling in my sleep.

"Ew! What happened this morning? Don't you think your sister saw that? You're embarrassing me.

I wiped my cheek, but the sticky feeling didn't go away.

I'll wash my face when I wake up, I thought, and decided not to think about it.

I must have slept with him all night.

I could still smell Soo-Jung's perfume on my face, including my flushed cheeks.