Chapter 26

I put my hand on Goldie's shoulder.

It didn't feel like I had touched her, but rather like a butterfly was resting on her shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"...."

Kumbi lowered the pillow until only her eyes were visible, then turned to me.

But I didn't say anything; I just stared at her in silence against the background of the bedside table lights.

Her voice sounded rough, but her gaze was not irritated.

Her eyes were wide and anxious, like a child's in the dark.I could see my face in her pupils.

"You're not the stranger."

"Well then, who is strange?"

"I don't know. One thing's for sure, neither of us is doing anything wrong."

Instead of arguing with her, I chose to comfort her.

I'd already thought of that.No matter how many times I told myself, neither of us was a bad person.

"When you worried about me or Crystal, or when I encouraged you, it wasn't all wrong, was it?"

But what about yesterday? Can you call that concern or encouragement?"

"I don't know, but how can I be judged fairly for something like that?"

"Of course... of course."

"Then let's just talk about our thoughts for now."

"You mean you and me, Terra?"

"Yes, and we thought it was all right at the time, and I still think it is, and that's all that matters, isn't it? We had good intentions and the result wasn't bad."

The process was a bit ugly, though.

There was a lot of tension in the air, and everyone was worried and greedy, and things were changing... I could see why Geumbi was so confused.

In any case, it wasn't something between brother and sister, blood or not.

But she couldn't let herself worry forever.

After all, Goldie had said yesterday that we should end the day, so I hugged her to return the favour.

"What?!"

"I told you on the road, it's not that I don't care. You're not the only one who's struggling."

"But... you're still going to sleep with Suzie... even after all this...!"

"That's not the point. If we can move on, that shows we're strong, right?"

"Terra, when you talk like that, it sounds like you're only worried about me. It's very casual."

"We promised to just be calm for one day, didn't we? You helped me calm down."

At that moment, you're both embarrassed, ashamed and heartbroken.

Eventually, you'll both want to forget this.

I'll be back at the shop, opening another beer. If she's anything like her sister, she'll blame me and make fun of me.

Then I'd have to hit back with a joke about what's happening now.

Now that I have a good weapon and I'm smiling, she pats me on the back with her arm.

"Chi, silly. I was so annoyed with you until I got home."

"You know, I felt the same. If I hadn't bumped into you on the way out, it would have been awkward on the way home."

"At the time, I was very upset too, because I didn't expect to bump into you in the street and I didn't get to talk much outside."

"Did he leave with a smile at the end?"

"Well, it was a bit of a conversation, then... Anyway, now that you're feeling better, untie this. I'm your sister, you cheeky bastard.

It seems to be a family tradition to go round in circles.

Goldie and I realised that not much had changed, but our faces were more relaxed when we looked at each other.

"So, Terra, you and I, are we back to normal now?"

"Nonsense. I wasn't planning on getting any of that strange help, was I?"

"You let him into your trousers yesterday and now you're saying you don't want him?"

"What? Sister, you were the shy one before, are you teasing me?"

"Hmph, it was just a momentary lapse, that's how it is. Well, let me know if you need anything else. I'll help you if you're willing."

"I don't think that's right for me right now. I've just put the lid back on."

I say that because I don't want that to happen.

I straightened my clothes, squeezing the lidded bottle to stop it opening.

"Haha, me too. It's hard enough for Earth, it's hard enough for you, it's hard enough for Crystal and it's hard enough for everyone else."

"You're being thoughtful all of a sudden? You should know that by now, heh."

"Oh, you're being silly again... But thanks. I'm sure it's complicated for you too, but you've helped me in many ways."

"Don't flatter me. You're not like that."

"Do you want to die?"

"Hmph. ...By the way, Soo-jung's hair is taking a while to dry. What's left?"

"Skin, lotion and a few other things before bed.I'm going to be alone to clear my head."

"Hmph. How were you when we showered together earlier, Crystal? Did you look okay?"

"I'm the one who should be worried about you. Anyway, stop acting like a grown-up..."

She's already an adult, she's just saying not to act like a child.

Geumbi muttered and looked at the slightly open door.

"Didn't I have a rough day with you today?"

"Oh yes, very much so. I thought we were going to fight again."

"I don't know who's to blame for that, the culprit is talking a lot."

"Anyway, what does it matter?"

"We made up on the way home, but it wasn't until we were in the shower that we really said how we felt."

"That's why you stayed in there so long."

"So... Sister, she cried a bit at the end."

"What, Sister Crystal?!"

I listened quietly and was surprised by the news.

But Geumbi waved his hands in a calm gesture, hugged his pillow and continued.

"I didn't cry, just a little. Just a few tears."

"But... why, Crystal?"

"I know you've been through a lot too. She's been fighting with me a lot since Mum told me the news, and she's been acting like a fool with you, your little brother, the Earth... And, in the end, you never knew who was adopted."

This seemed to be a problem for both Geumbi and Soo-jung.

The pillow she was hugging crumpled and she looked down at the duvet, whimpering softly.

"It's scary, and if it's really me, or if it's my other sister, either way, it's a lot to worry about."

I mumbled to myself, as if I understood, or at least tried to.

I realised something and sat up in bed, looking at Geumbi.

"Is that why you let the three of us sleep together tonight? Are you worried about Soo-jung's condition?"

"No, I was against that weird stuff, do you know how much I thought about it?"

I did.

Unlike Soo-jung, who gave up fighting at the last minute and accepted my opinion, Geum-bi thought until the last minute.

In the end, however, she gave in to her thoughts because she was more worried about Soo-jung than herself.

She fought because she was worried about Soo-jung and backed down because she was worried about Soo-jung. She must be the stupidest sister in our family.

I felt I would never be able to keep up with her.

I stroked her hair.

"Boba, what are you doing?"

Geumbi pouted and looked up at me from the pillow.

But now there was no sign of anxiety in his eyes, and it was worth staying by his side for a while.

"Terra, you've been surprising me lately. You're getting very seductive. Are you sure you won't let it go?"

"Yes, I'll remember."

"You're just talking again, aren't you? You're going to have to control your mouth sometime."

"How? What are we going to do here?"

"I don't know how. I mean, how do you control what you say?"

Geum-Bi's sister teased even more, trying to hide her embarrassment.

I giggled and moved closer to her.

She was definitely in a joking mood.

Maybe it was the darkness, but I got closer than I realised.

"You're too close... What are you doing?"

"No, I'm just a bit drunk and I can't control my body."

"You idiot. You drank the foam and paid for it with your own money."

"Well, yes. Anyway, sorry, I'm leaving."

"He's going to get out of bed anyway, so don't walk away. You're bothering me, so keep quiet."

"Huh? Ah... ugh."

Just as I was about to stand up again, Geumbi grabbed my sleeve.

She didn't really pull, she just held on as if she didn't want me to leave, but... I was really drunk and my body swayed towards her by about a centimetre.

"You're taking too long."

"I hear you've got a lot to do."

This time, Geumbi looked at Soo-jung, but she couldn't see the changing room through the small door.

The sound of the hairdryer had stopped, so she should be back soon after applying lotion or something.

"...."

"..."

Sitting here in bed, I can't stop thinking about yesterday.

I crossed my legs and prayed I hadn't made a mistake, since we were talking about it so much.

"It's the Earth."

"Huh?"

"Huh?""Come to think of it... I heard it in the bath with my sister."

"Heard what?"

"You said you kissed Soo-jung."

"Huh? Huh, huh, huh?!"

I was trying to stay calm, but I couldn't help but say it.

I turned my head in surprise, and Geum-bi's face was very close to mine.

But even so, she was looking at me as if there was no space between us.

"Oh, right, on your forehead... Anyway, since you brought it up."

"Duh, you two must have talked about something in the bathroom."

"We had... a long time."

"Yes, we did."

"...Ah, well."

"Hmmm."

Their voices echoed in my mind as they spoke, and Goldie's mouth trembled, trying to say something.

I coughed to try and keep quiet, but she kept going.

"A test, you say? To make sure there are no feelings between you and your brother."

"But didn't Goldie do something similar to me?"

"Did you have any problems with her?"

"Well... of course not. It's a real problem if there is one."

"So... what about me?"

"Huh?"

"You said everything was fine, but since I'm sleeping with you tonight, shouldn't you... test it too?"

With that, the older sister closed her eyes softly.

As if she had finished speaking, she put her hands together, as if it were up to me.

"No way, right? But after what happened yesterday, it's understandable that you're worried.

I had just got out of the shower and the air was full of the smell of soap and shampoo.

If it had smelt of alcohol, I would have stayed awake, but the relaxing smell made me close my eyes.

"Hmph? Hmph?!"

"Is that right?"

I kissed Goldie's sister.

It was only for a couple of seconds, but it felt like a lifetime.

Her lips touched mine, but then they separated.