Chapter 35

〈 Chapter 35 〉 Really, it's great

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As expected,

the ominous premonition that something was amiss never fails when you place a ward in the bush.

Strictly speaking, it's not a big deal.

All I have to do is take the vibrating bell and pick up the drinks that come out according to the order.

Objectively and subjectively, it's an incredibly easy task.

However...

For some reason, my lips won't part.

"Why are you hesitating? The boss is waiting."

My younger sister, grinning, extends the vibrating bell to me.

Whether it's revenge for me putting on her shoes or for some other reason, I can sense her firm resolve to make me take on this quest from her expression.

"Big sister?"

In the end, due to my sister's urging, I have no choice but to give a reluctant nod.

"...Alright."

"Be careful on your way back."

A distance of no more than ten meters.

It's literally a stone's throw away, yet the way she encourages me suggests she understands the significance of this task for me.

What is a trivial matter for ordinary people feels as challenging as stealing a major objective in a 1:15 situation for me.

"Huff..."

Taking a small deep breath, I finally turn my gaze to the cafe I've been avoiding.

Thanks to the cafe's modest size, there aren't many other customers inside.

There are a total of five tables, and three of them, including ours, are occupied, while the other two are empty.

I plan the optimal route.

'Probably better to go left to avoid bumping into anyone. Just walk over and pick it up. That's all there is to it.'

Of course, the route is about how to get there without disturbing others while also being quick and safe, but for me, it's a serious issue.

'Okay, perfect.'

With the plan set, I head to the counter with the vibrating bell, not exactly confidently, but with a quick pace.

"The white chocolate mocha, iced Americano, and egg tart you ordered are ready. Oh, and these two are on the house."

As she said, there were two small cookies on the tray that we hadn't ordered.

"Th-thank you."

"Enjoy your meal."

Taking the tray, I turn to leave.

"Wait, just a moment."

Suddenly, a staff member calls me back, making me flinch involuntarily.

"Y-yes?"

"Could you give me this?"

The staff member points to the vibrating bell, which I'm clutching tightly as if it's precious.

"Oh."

Realizing this, I hurriedly hand the bell to the staff member.

For a moment, I'm unsure what to do with my hands, but eventually, I place the tray back on the table to finish the task.

"S-sorry."

"It's okay. People often forget."

The staff member smiles kindly, as if this happens frequently.

Despite her smile suiting her well, the only word filling my mind right now is one.

Embarrassing!

I return to my sister's side with the tray as if fleeing.

And...

"Big... big..."

My sister's face is a sight to behold.

Just a moment ago, she exuded a coldness that could have been mistaken for Siberia, but now her face is flushed like the Amazon climate, trying to suppress a giggle.

"...What are you doing?"

"Y-yeah... hah... you're back?"

"..."

Really, it's great.

My sister, who had just regained her composure, naturally takes the iced Americano and an egg tart for herself, then looks at me curiously.

"We didn't order this?"

"...It's a freebie."

"Really? They don't usually give freebies here. ...Well, I guess my big sister is pretty."

My sister adds playfully with a mischievous smile.

"But you're cute too, right?"

"...Stop it."

"I'm not joking. Do you know how cute you are right now? Or do you just want to be my little sister? I'll take good care of you. I'll even buy you shoes."

"Shut up."

"Shut up? To be even cuter?"

My sister laughs heartily, as if she's found a new hobby in teasing me.

'What did I ever do to deserve a brother like this?'

I! I made the runners-up of the Red Cup kneel! And! I recently received an offer of 800 million yuan from China! And! Do you know?!

"..."

Of course, that silent outburst can only be swallowed in my mind.

I'm not so lacking in judgment to spout such nonsense to my ordinary college student sister.

'Sigh.'

This too shall pass.

Thinking this, I take a sip of the drink.

"Hot! Hot!"

"Be careful. Drink slowly. You'll burn your tongue."

"Ugh..."

In the end, I have to blow on the drink several times before I can drink it.

"...It's good."

No joke, it really is.

If canned coffee is the condensed flavor of renowned scholars from around the world, this is a bit more natural, fresher, and sweeter.

"Right? There's a reason I come here often. My friends do too."

At my sister's words, I involuntarily flinch.

"Your friends come here often too?"

Usually, I would have let this slide.

But it's lunchtime now.

The perfect time to stop by a cafe after lunch.

"Yeah."

My sister, with a 'so what?' expression, bites into the egg tart nonchalantly.

...Why does this feel ominous?

Usually, when I feel ominous, it turns out to be true.

Maybe decades of living as the weakest of the weak have honed my sense of danger to an excessive degree.

Is that why...

"Hey? Yurie!"

As if on cue, the cafe door opens, and a pair of college students, a boy and a girl, enter.

At first, I thought they were a couple, but the awkward distance between them suggests they're just friends or classmates.

"I saw you outside and thought it might be you, Yurie. The professor called the roll one last time, so I covered for you. Thanks, right?"

"Really? Thanks a lot."

"I was worried when you suddenly ran out..."

My sister's friend's gaze naturally turns to me, the other person at the table.

"Oh."

A short exclamation.

"Uh... sorry. I was a bit distracted by how beautiful you are. Hello."

And a natural greeting follows.

Greeting a stranger like that... For someone with my social skills, it's unimaginable, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal for my sister's friend.

"Ah, yes... Hello."

"Yurie's friend. If it's not too much to ask, what's your relationship...?"

I look at my sister with a 'what do I do?' expression.

Unlike me, my sister remains calm, sipping her Americano and saying,

"Ah, my big sister."

"Big sister? Real big sister?"

"Yeah."

My sister's straightforward admission leaves her friend stunned.

"Y-Yurie?"

I probably had the same expression.

Is it okay to say this?

Well, it's not like it's not okay, right?

Still, why is she so relaxed? She's not usually like this.

Does she have some plan?

Come to think of it, she mentioned talking to our mother separately earlier...

What is it? Is there something I don't know?

What, what, what...

...I don't know.

A surrender vote is taking place in my mind.

The result is 5:0.

Unanimous.

"...R-really! You do look alike. Amazing. Hello, big sister. Please feel comfortable."

"Ah, yes..."

Now even strangers are calling me 'big sister'...

I might have reached a point where I can't deny it anymore.

While I'm lost in thought, my sister and her friend continue their conversation.

"By the way, are you mixed-race?"

My sister's friend still seems shocked.

Well, anyone can see the exotic look.

Especially since she looks younger than my sister, it must be quite a shock.

"Probably not."

"Either you are or you aren't. What do you mean by 'probably not'?"

"From what I know, I'm pure Korean, but who knows if there's someone in the family tree. Maybe a few percent Mongolian or something."

"What does that mean?"

My sister's attitude remains incredibly relaxed.

So much so that I want to give her a good slap.

"Our big sister was often sick."

"Oh..."

Hearing this, my sister's friend stops asking.

"Are... are you okay now?"

My sister's friend looks at me with genuine concern.

"Ah!"

I choke, not expecting the conversation to come back to me.

"Um, yes. I'm fine now."

"I'm really glad, big sister."

It's a bit too much, but...

"By the way, did you skip class to come see your big sister?"

"I missed her so much, I couldn't stand it."

Saying this, my sister chuckles.

I realize I'm learning new sides of my sister I didn't know before.

It probably means I've been distant from my family.

In many ways, it's a good thing.

"Then..."

After a brief, meaningless conversation, my sister's friend stands up.

"Leaving?"

"Yeah. I just came to say hi. I have a two-hour break and some homework to do, so I'm heading to the PC room. I can't stay here with just the two of us."

Only then does the male classmate, who had been standing nearby like a backdrop, become visible.

Well, in my opinion as a fan of youth dramas, it's not easy for young men and women who aren't close to sit in a cafe for two hours.

Especially since they don't seem to have laptops and haven't mentioned any homework.

While I'm thinking all this, my sister seems to have a different idea.

"PC room?"

My sister, who has naturally turned to me, gives a mischievous smile.

"Big sister."

"...What?"

"Should we go too?"

I don't want to admit it, but...

It's tempting.

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