Chapter 96:Sister……?(6)

Still, after that, we were able to continue our conversation without any major issues.  

I had no idea how I managed to get through that situation, but somehow, the amusement park talk ended on a positive note.

After all, I had secured the chance to go on a date with her…..just the two of us.  

Besides, the amusement park wasn’t ridiculously far away.

Since it was within Seoul, we could have fun during the day and still have time to go somewhere else in the evening. Whether it was watching a movie together or having a nice dinner, the possibilities were endless.  

Or maybe, like today, we could even grab a drink.  

Speaking of which, it seemed like she wasn’t particularly weak to alcohol.

She finished a glass of beer without much difficulty, and it wasn’t like she left all the snacks untouched either, meaning she wasn’t the type to eat more than she drank.  

But she wasn’t a heavy drinker, either. By the time she was on her second beer, a soft smile started to linger on her lips.  

Her once upright posture relaxed slightly forward, her elbows resting on the table as she barely maintained her balance.  

Not to the point of completely collapsing, though.  

“Unnie, are you okay?”  

I asked cautiously, and she waved her hand with a smile.  

“Oh, no, no. I wouldn’t go down over just this…”  

Even as she said that, she absentmindedly picked up a few cold fries and popped them into her mouth.  

…That wasn’t exactly what I was worried about.  

Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was nearly ten. Rather than letting her drink any more, it seemed like a better idea to take her home.  

We both had work tomorrow, after all.  

“Unnie, should we start heading out?”  

“Hm?”  

When I asked with a concerned look, she checked her phone on the table.  

“Oh, it’s already this late…?”  

Muttering to herself, she wobbled slightly as she got up.  

Yeah, now that I thought about it again, she probably was on the weaker side when it came to alcohol. Not to the point of being completely incapable of drinking, but two glasses of beer had pushed her to a pretty unsteady state.  

I reached out to support her as she stood.  

Even through her coat, I could feel the warmth radiating from her body.  

She took a deep breath ‘hoo’ and the faintly sweet scent of alcohol lingered in the air.  

“Sorry… I was the one who suggested coming for drinks…”  

“It’s okay. It happens.”  

She spoke with slight embarrassment, and I responded with a smile.  

Though she was a little unsteady, she could still walk.  

But—  

“No.”  

Just as I was about to subtly take care of the bill, she grabbed my hand, pushed it down, and handed over her card instead.  

I could have insisted on splitting it, but she looked genuinely pleased to be paying, so I let it slide.  

It wasn’t exactly freezing yet, but stepping outside, the cold hit sharply. Maybe it was because we had been drinking indoors. Alcohol warmed you up at first, but after a while, it only made the cold feel worse.  

“……”  

“……”  

We walked in silence.  

I wasn’t sure if it was because she didn’t have the energy to chat or if we had simply run out of things to say.  

But it didn’t feel awkward.  

Whether we were just colleagues, just an older sister and a younger sibling-like figure, or something else altogether…….. 

There was something between us, undeniably.  

We reached her apartment building.  

Even after spending more time together than usual, parting ways still felt a little disappointing.  

“Well then, unnie.”  

I was about to say, I should head home now……  

But just then, she turned toward me.  

And swayed.  

I instinctively reached out.  

Thud.  

She leaned into me, resting her full weight against me.  

Face to face, her breath was warm against my skin.  

“……”  

“……”  

Just a little.  

Just a little closer, and our lips would touch.  

Her flushed face looked up at me.  

Was it because of the alcohol? Embarrassment? Or maybe……..  

“Shihyun.”  

She called my name softly.  

There was a slight nasal tone to her voice. It was… cute.  

I couldn’t answer.  

I felt her arms wrap around my waist.  

It wasn’t just to steady herself.  

My heartbeat pounded in my chest. And it wasn’t just because of the drinks.  

Even through the thick layers of clothing, I could feel her warmth. Everywhere our bodies touched, heat spread.  

For a while, we just stood there, gazing at each other—

*

Shihyun’s face was flushed.  

Her eyes, widened slightly in surprise, looked beautiful.  

Was Shihyun appearing this lovely to me because I had feelings for her? Or was it because I was seeing the person I loved reflected in her?  

I still wasn’t sure. I didn’t have confidence in my own feelings.  

Not too long ago, my heart wouldn’t have raced just from looking at a beautiful woman.  

I had never been in love with a woman before. Then again, I had only ever loved one person, and he was a man. Maybe I had always been someone who could have loved women, too.  

But even so.  

If I didn’t sort out my feelings for Shihyun first, wouldn’t liking her now mean I was openly trying to have it both ways?  

Even as I was lost in those thoughts, I couldn’t deny it.  

Up close like this, Shihyun looked incredibly beautiful.  

Just a little.  

If I moved just a little closer, our lips would meet.  

And so, just a little just the slightest bit I leaned in.  

The distance between the tips of our noses was no more than a fingertip’s width.  

Shihyun’s face filled my entire vision, too close to take in all at once.

No, only Shihyun’s eyes were visible.  

Clear and beautiful eyes.  

Would it be okay if I used being drunk as an excuse and stole just a small kiss?  

Shihyun looked surprised, but he didn’t seem to dislike it.  

I think he once said he doesn’t wear perfume.  

And yet, there was a sweet scent.  

“N-Nuna…?”  

Shihyun mumbled in a barely audible voice.  

Nuna.  

Was he saying it on purpose? To tempt me?  

Did he know that every time he used that word, I couldn’t help but see Shihyun overlapping with Shihyun?  

Or was it just a habit he had developed for some reason?  

Since he only said it when he was flustered or overwhelmed by his emotions, maybe it was the latter.  

But still, it was unfair. No matter the reason.  

Because every time I heard that word, my heart fluttered.  

Calling me the way he always did—no matter how I looked at it, that was cheating.  

Yeah. It was so unfair that this had to be a punishment.  

Slowly, little by little, as if time itself was stretching, I moved closer to Shihyun.  

Our noses brushed.  

Just a little closer now.  

There was a sweet scent.  

And in between that sweet breath—  

The smell of alcohol.  

…The smell of alcohol?  

—Wait.  

Alcohol smell?  

My eyes snapped open.  

“No!”  

Even though I was the one who had closed the distance, I suddenly panicked and pulled away from Shihyun.  

As I unwrapped my arms around him and backed away, I nearly fell over.  

“N-Nuna!?”  

Shihyun hurriedly reached out to support my back, and thanks to him, I managed to avoid tumbling over.  

Ah, I was completely sober now.  

My face burned as I recalled what I had just tried to do.  

And it wasn’t because of the alcohol. It was because of my own actions.  

If I had gone through with that kiss just now, the scent of alcohol would have been overpowering.  

…No matter what, it was my first kiss.  

I—I didn’t really mind, but still.  

I didn’t want to be remembered as the girl who gave Shihyun his first kiss while reeking of alcohol.  

If possible…  

I screamed internally, a high-pitched shriek only I could hear.  

Out of embarrassment. Out of sheer mortification.  

Shihyun blinked at me.  

“A-ah, um, thanks for walking me home!”  

When I said that,  

“O-oh… okay…”  

Shihyun responded in a dazed voice.  

Ugh.

I’m sorry.  

Really, I’m so sorry.  

I ruined everything at the last moment.  

To be honest, I wanted to stay wrapped up in Shihyun’s arms. I wanted to kiss him. A thousand thoughts ran through my head.  

But when I thought about it again doing all of that for the first time while drunk just felt wrong.  

I knew I was being overly picky.  

I knew, but still.  

No matter what.  

As I loosened my arms, Shihyun did the same.  

Just moments ago, I had been stumbling around, but now, I was completely sober.  

And the mood was completely ruined.  

“Th-then… see you tomorrow.”  

“Y-yeah. See you tomorrow…”  

After saying that, I waved my hand before quickly turning around and heading toward my villa.  

Right before stepping inside, I glanced back.  

Shihyun was standing there, giving me an awkward smile as he waved.  

I fought the urge to grab my hair in frustration and stepped inside.  

The moment I was in my apartment, I collapsed onto my bed without even bothering to change clothes, twisting and turning in embarrassment.  

Ah, How am I supposed to face Shihyun tomorrow?  

It was a long time before I finally managed to fall asleep.