Chapter 6
Chapter 6 – This Is My Grandpa?
After answering all of Grandma's questions—about my hobbies, school, the bookstore, why I never go out, why I look the way I do—I felt... exhausted.
Mentally, I mean.
I just wanted to rest. Maybe melt into the couch. Maybe play my phone in peace.
But no.
Fate wasn't that kind.
I heard the sound of slow, heavy footsteps behind me.
When I turned my head, an old man stood there.
Gray hair. Thick glasses. Big eyebrows.
...Is this...?
"Yo," he said simply, standing over me like a mountain.
I blinked.
Is this my grandpa?
Yep. Definitely.
Grandpa glanced down at me, arms crossed. Then—without asking—he sat down right beside me.
Very close.
And stared.
For an uncomfortably long time.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked suddenly.
I tilted my head, giving him a half-tired smile.
"My grandpa," I replied.
He smiled.
"Correct."
Well. That was easy.
But then he leaned in slightly... and asked something weird.
"So... do you have a boyfriend?"
I froze.
Blink. Blink.
"...Huh?" I muttered, completely confused.
What the hell was that question?
He frowned slightly. "A pretty girl like you... there's no way you don't have a boyfriend. C'mon, tell me the truth."
...Oh.
Ohhh no.
Here we go again.
I let out a soft sigh, scratching my cheek.
"I'm a boy," I said flatly. "And I'm not gay either."
Grandpa's face froze.
"...Eh?"
His thick eyebrows twitched.
He stared at me for a long moment.
And then... he leaned back slightly, eyes scanning me from head to toe like some old detective.
"...No way. No way you're a boy," he muttered.
I sighed again.
Seriously, old man... you too...?
Mom tried to cut in from across the room. "Dad, seriously—he is a boy. Nio's always been—"
"Shut up!" Grandpa barked, waving his hand.
The room went silent.
Even Grandma sighed beside me.
Grandpa leaned closer again.
"You're not joking? Not pulling my leg?" he asked carefully, as if expecting me to suddenly shout, "Just kidding!"
But I shook my head slowly.
"I'm serious. Born as a boy. Still a boy now."
Grandpa stared at me.
And then... sighed deeply.
"Haaah... This is... yeah. This is hard to believe."
I nodded softly.
"I get it. You see someone like this... pretty, soft, small... cute... and you think it's a girl."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It's like the gods are playing tricks... giving a boy the face of a beautiful young maiden. A blessing and a curse at the same time."
I let out a small giggle at that.
Well... he wasn't wrong.
A blessing and a curse. That sounded about right.
I glanced sideways...
And noticed something.
Far across the living room, behind the couch... three pairs of eyes were peeking.
My cousins.
The twin girls and the boy.
Trying so hard to listen without being seen.
Hegh... seriously? You think I don't notice?
They flinched when I looked their way.
I smiled faintly.
Guess I'd have to introduce myself to them after I finished dealing with Grandpa.
Grandpa sighed again beside me.
"Well... this is going to take time to get used to. But... I guess you're my grandson, after all."
I nodded, smiling softly.
"Yup. Like it or not."
He chuckled.
"Blessing and curse, huh..." he muttered again.
I leaned back in the seat, finally relaxing a little.
Even if they were confused... this family wasn't bad.
Not bad at all.