Chapter 24: Things will work out somehow

These days, I have a lot on my mind.

It’s because Seo Yuna’s actions have become too forward lately.

To be honest, I’m flustered.

There’s been a peculiar atmosphere for a while now, but lately, it’s become clear.

From the way she looks at me to the affection I feel in her every word, it’s obvious.

It seems her affection level has risen much higher than I anticipated.

In “Love is War!”, affection levels play a very simple role.

<Affection Level 0%: The protagonist dies.>

<Affection Level 30%: The heroine’s affection slowly decreases.>

<Affection Level 50%: The heroine shows interest.>

<Affection Level 70%: If the protagonist confesses to the heroine, the success rate is 50%.>

<Affection Level 80%: If the protagonist confesses to the heroine, the success rate is 100%.>

<Affection Level 90% or higher: Unknown, except in the case of Kim Harin.>

‘Where does Seo Yuna’s affection level stand right now?’

Considering her actions since the sports festival, it seems like it’s over 80%.

Look at this, even now—my smartphone won’t stop buzzing.

[Seo Yuna: What are you doing? Are you asleep?]

But strangely, I can’t fully enjoy this.

‘This is seriously troublesome.’

Worries start creeping in.

‘Let’s be honest: what guy wouldn’t like it if a beautiful girl acted affectionate?’

I’m no exception to that.

However, if I secretly date Seo Yuna and Kim Harin finds out…

Crunch—

I might just board the direct train to the afterlife while I’m sleeping.

***

Knock, knock, knock.

The door swung open with a sudden noise.

“Brother! It’s time to eat!”

Harin entered the room with a bright voice and a radiant smile.

Her gaze fell on my continuously buzzing smartphone, and her expression turned peculiar.

‘Damn it.’

“What have you been staring at since earlier?”

Harin stepped closer as if to snatch the phone from my hand.

Quickly, I turned off the screen and made an excuse.

“Nothing. Just a game.”

Harin gave me a suspicious look but soon turned away.

“A game? Anyway, if you don’t come to eat, I’m going to finish everything myself!”

Sitting across from Harin at the dining table, my mind remained a tangled mess.

‘How should I handle this clingy little sister…’

Harin cheerfully chattered on about various topics, from things that happened at school to her favorite teddy bear character.

“This time, they’re releasing a new Mochi-kun doll… Brother, why do you look so spaced out?”

She paused her rambling and stared at my face intently.

‘She’s terrifying. Even scarier than Jason from horror movies.’

I forced a smile and answered as casually as I could.

“Ah, I’m just a little tired.”

It seemed clear I needed a solution for this.

Either a way to treat this clinginess or something else entirely.

As I chewed my food, I recalled what I’d read earlier.

According to my research, developing independence is crucial.

If she could focus on hobbies or activities that gave her a sense of achievement, her dependency would naturally decrease.

I glanced at Harin and asked, “Do you have any hobbies, Harin?”

“Hobbies…? Hmm…”

She brought her fist to her lips, thinking seriously.

Before long, her face lit up as if she’d come to a decision.

“Cooking! I get so happy every time you enjoy my food!”

Oh, even her hobbies are specialized for being a clingy little sister.

My head spun.

It didn’t seem like this method would be effective.

I thought again about the advice I’d read in the academic journal.

Expanding her social circle.

If she built deeper bonds with friends through school or club activities, her reliance on family might decrease.

‘This is it.’

After a moment of contemplation, I spoke to Harin.

“Do you get along well with your friends?”

“Of course! I chat with Yumi often, and I went shopping with Hyejin too.”

“Really? Then you should meet them more frequently. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Harin tilted her head and smiled.

“Maybe… But spending time with you is more fun.”

‘This clingy little sister is tougher than I expected.’

Still, it didn’t seem like her social relationships were completely ruined.

Maybe there’s hope.

“You’re at the age where you should be having fun. I’d like it if you hung out with your friends more, even on weekends.”

Harin thought over my words quietly before nodding slowly.

“If that’s what you want, then I’ll try. I’ll meet my friends more often and go out with them too.”

A wave of relief washed over me.

At least she seemed to take it positively.

There’s still hope.

“That’s great. The weather’s been nice lately, so I hope you make lots of good memories with your friends.”

Harin maintained her smile but asked softly, “But, Brother…”

“By the way, Brother.”

“Yeah?”

“Will spending more time with my friends mean I’ll have less time with you?”

“…What?”

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Harin stared at me with an unreadable smile, her gaze piercing through me.

‘Why does the atmosphere suddenly feel like a thriller?’

“Th-that’s not it. I just thought it’d be nice for you to get closer to your friends.”

Harin tilted her head slightly and replied, “Hmm… Even so, you’ll still be the most important person to me. That won’t change, no matter how many friends I make.”

Her sharp gaze locked onto mine.

Caught off guard, I found myself staring back at her in silence.

“So, please don’t try to push me away too much. You understand what I mean, right?”

The air around us suddenly felt heavy.

It sounded as if she was telling me not to have any unnecessary thoughts.

I quickly changed the subject.

“Of course not. By the way, should we go grocery shopping together later?”

“Really?! You’re the best, Brother! Better than any friends!”

Ah, this won’t be easy.

***

On my way to school in the morning, I spotted a familiar figure in the alley leading to the academy.

Golden hair shimmering even more beautifully under the sunlight.

‘What’s she doing there?’

From a distance, Yuna spotted me and waved with a bright smile.

It would have been awkward to stop walking, so I had no choice but to approach her.

“Hey, let’s walk together! It’s lonely walking to school alone,” she said with a cheerful smile.

“I don’t mind walking together, but were you waiting for me?”

Yuna momentarily pressed her lips together as if at a loss for words.

Then she turned her head slightly and muttered, “Well… kind of…”

The atmosphere turned awkward quickly.

I tried to break it by saying, “Never mind then.”

But suddenly, Yuna looked up at me directly.

“Yeah, I was waiting for you. So what?”

Her attitude was confident, but her reddened ears betrayed her embarrassment.

It was impossible to pretend not to notice her affection when she was being this obvious.

“I wanted to keep things at this comfortable level, but…”

“Don’t you think you’re being too blunt about it?”

“So, do you dislike it…?”

Her words, and the way they carried a subtle rhythm that tugged at my heart, left me speechless.

The sight of her fidgeting with her fingers only made her seem more endearing.

Seriously… This isn’t fair.

“I don’t dislike it,” I finally admitted with a sigh.

Yuna smiled brightly and asked, “Then… can I walk with you tomorrow too?”

“Do whatever you want.”

I tried to sound indifferent, but my inner thoughts didn’t match my tone.

‘A beautiful girl wanting to walk to school with me every day?’

‘That’s an offer no guy could refuse.’

As we headed toward the school gates, Yuna slowed her pace slightly and moved closer to my side.

“Hey, Dohyun.”

“What?”

“Do you have an ideal type?”

The sudden question caught me off guard, but I replied as nonchalantly as I could.

“I guess… someone I get along well with.”

Yuna tilted her head, seemingly dissatisfied with my answer.

“That’s it? What about appearance?”

“Appearance? It’s nice if they’re good-looking, but it doesn’t really matter. That’s secondary.”

Hearing my response, Yuna seemed to mull it over before she smiled slyly and asked, “What about a girl who’s good at sports?”

“That’s not bad.”

“I see…”

Yuna nodded, appearing satisfied with my answer.

“Then, what about someone with a bright personality, who loves dressing up, and is cute?”

It was obvious she was describing herself.

Even though I knew it was a trap, I answered honestly.

There was no reason to lie, after all.

“…That’s not bad either.”

Her questions didn’t stop there.

She kept asking about my weekend activities, hobbies, and other trivial details about me.

It felt like she was conducting a thorough investigation into my life.

“Why are you asking all of this? Are you interested in me or something?”

Yuna’s face turned slightly red as she stammered, “No, I’m just curious…”

She brushed her hair awkwardly, looking visibly flustered.

Her reaction was so obvious that it made me feel embarrassed for her.

“Well, I guess it’s natural to be curious.”

I nodded casually and quickened my pace.

But Yuna moved even closer, matching my steps.

“Hey, Dohyun.”

“Yeah, what now?”

“Doesn’t that mean… I’m kind of close to your ideal type?”

Her straightforward remark made me stop in my tracks.

Yuna looked up at me with a smile, tilting her head slightly.

“Maybe.”

I forced myself to answer indifferently, though my voice betrayed a slight tremble.

Satisfied, Yuna grinned even wider and grabbed my arm.

“Come on! Hurry up, or we’ll be late!”

I quietly nodded and walked alongside her.

‘I don’t even know anymore. Things will work out somehow.’