To My Brother’s Friend - Chapter 7

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 7
Blink. Blink.
Long lashes fluttered slowly, opening and closing.
As my vision gradually cleared, I found myself staring at the empty space beside me.
“….”
I slowly reached out my hand.
The sheets were already cold.
‘I knew this would happen.’
What was I even expecting, Yoon Hee-jo?
I laughed bitterly at myself and closed my eyes again.
It was over.
Beom Gwon-yeol and I were truly finished now.
My brother’s friend standing in for my brother.
My friend’s younger sister who needed looking after in place of my friend.
That relationship had completely shattered.
‘Still… I don’t regret it.’
Not for a moment.
I drew in a deep breath.
Kwon Yeol’s scent lingered faintly in the air.
‘I just hope it wasn’t a terrible memory for Kwon Yeol.’
Unlike me, last night might have been tedious and dull for him.
The thought made me feel a little sorry.
But what could I do? I couldn’t exactly practice beforehand.
When I imagined that I might have done those intimate, embarrassing acts with another man instead of Kwon Yeol, a strong sense of revulsion washed over me.
‘I don’t want to get married. I don’t want to meet anyone else.’
But even if Kwon Yeol married, if I didn’t, Jin Seo-ryeong would never feel at ease and would continue to monitor me.
So I was planning to move to Gyeongnam with my teacher, Han Young-sook.
Han Young-sook, who wanted to stay in Seoul only until this year and then move back to her hometown next year to carry on the legacy of Traditional Knot-making, hoped I would accompany her.
It was a truly grateful offer for me.
I needed something to focus on to distance myself from Kwon Yeol and forget him.
‘She said I could even give lectures abroad in a couple of years.’
That was the reason I had found the courage to ask Kwon Yeol for one night as a gift.
There would be no reason for us to meet again after this.
“…sigh.”
I exhaled deeply and opened my eyes again.
Since I had tasted ‘happiness’, now I had to turn completely back toward the ‘ordinary’.
As I thought this and tried to sit up—
“Ugh…!”
A gasp escaped me involuntarily, and I collapsed back onto the bed.
My entire body ached as if it had been beaten.
My lower back and inner thighs were particularly sore, making it impossible to move.
Thinking back to last night with Kwon Yeol, it was hardly surprising.
I had never realized before that there were so many different positions possible between two people.
Would he be alright?
Unlike me, who had simply been guided by his touch, Kwon Yeol must have exerted himself far more, lifting me effortlessly and carrying me from place to place.
Of course, he was famous for his exceptional stamina, but still…
Then I shook my head.
Now Kwon Yeol and I are complete strangers.
I have no need—and no reason—to worry about him.
He wouldn’t want that either.
It would take time to forget Kwon Yeol, but I had to at least pretend to move on.
That way, everyone could be at ease.
Taking a deep breath, I gripped the headboard and slowly pushed myself upright.
Barely managing to stand, I made my way toward the Bathroom.
I’d wash up and then go eat breakfast.
Bean sprout soup sounded perfect.
The hangover I’d forgotten about during that intense night with Kwon Yeol was beginning to resurface.
At least Kwon Yeol was the type who never suffered from hangovers.
I stopped mid-motion as I was about to wash my hair.
“…What am I doing right now?”
I found it ridiculous how I kept thinking about Kwon Yeol.
I shook my head vigorously, as if trying to brush him away.
Just wash and forget. Starting today, I’m living a new life.
A life without Beom Gwon-yeol.
Whoooosh—
A strong stream of water cascaded down over my head.
I lathered myself thoroughly, scrubbing every inch of my body.
All the while, deliberately ignoring the weight and warmth of Kwon Yeol imprinted across my skin.
* * *
Beep—click.
The Suite Room door opened.
Kwon Yeol set down the shopping bag he’d been carrying onto the Table, then immediately headed toward the Bedroom.
The bed was empty, but he could hear sounds coming from the Bathroom.
She was showering.
Without realizing it, I felt relieved—but then I caught myself, and my brow furrowed.
That expressionless face from yesterday, staring into the distance… why did her profile keep coming back to me?
It was why I’d felt anxious on the way here.
What if Yoon Hee-jo wasn’t here?
What if she’d received a call from that idiot from the blind date yesterday?
Even though I knew it was unlikely, given that she’d spent the entire night with me.
“…Kwon Yeol?”
The moment Hee-jo set down the clothes on the bed, a soft voice reached my ears.
The instant I saw her emerge from the Bathroom.
My pupils constricted sharply.
My breathing deepened, and my blood rushed faster through my veins.
Those wide, warm hazel eyes filled entirely with my reflection—was it truly such a reassuring sight?
Even as I found myself ridiculous for the thought, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Hee-jo.
“How… How are you here?”
But my relief was short-lived.
Watching Hee-jo struggle to mask her surprise, something twisted in my chest.
“Where else should I be?”
At my words, Hee-jo seemed to realize this was my space and lowered her head.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking clearly and mistook—”
Whoosh.
“Look up.”
I caught her chin and tilted it upward.
“Don’t bow so carelessly.”
Not to me, not to anyone.
Silence settled between us as we faced each other.
It didn’t take long for that pristine quiet to be charged with the same electric, sensual current as yesterday.
Pale skin peeked through the gaps of the white robe draped loosely over her bare form.
Unlike yesterday’s unmarked softness, faint red marks now decorated her skin in places.
The moment I saw them.
My eyes burned.
I knew all too well how sweet the breath escaping between those slightly parted lips truly was.
“….”
Yet I stepped back slightly, reaching out to tighten the knot of her robe more firmly.
“O-Oppa.”
“Get ready and come out.”
I turned and left the Bedroom, closing the door behind me.
Click—.
The moment the soft friction sound faded, Hee-jo released the breath she’d been holding.
“Hah….”
She cradled her flushed cheeks in both hands.
‘I thought he was going to do it again like yesterday.’
* * *
After drying my hair and changing into the clothes Kwon Yeol had prepared, I found bean sprout soup and side dishes arranged on the Table.
“I picked it up from a nearby Shop. They said it’s good for recovery.”
At the sight of Hee-jo’s bewildered expression, her eyes wide like a startled rabbit’s, I tilted my head slightly.
“What. Do you want something else?”
“Ah, no.”
She quickly shook her head and hurried into her seat.
“I was thinking I should have some bean sprout soup. That’s why I was surprised.”
“Good timing.”
Speaking casually, Kwon Yeol placed a spoon in front of Hee-jo.
“Aren’t you going to eat, oppa?”
“I already ate.”
Then why did he come back?
I was curious, but when I met Kwon Yeol’s unwavering gaze, I felt my face flushing, so I quickly lowered my head and began eating.
As the warm broth slid down my throat, an involuntary sigh escaped me.
Ah, this is wonderful. So this is why people need hangover soup.
I’d been watching Kwon Yeol’s expression, but soon I was moving my hands eagerly, savoring the taste of hangover soup for the first time.
It seemed like people drank alcohol just to have an excuse for this.
“….”
A faint smile played at the corners of Kwon Yeol’s mouth as he watched her.
Like some squirrel gathering food.
The way her small lips moved was so endearing that he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
She eats well.
Though they’d shared birthday dinners together every year, he’d never seen her eat with such enthusiasm.
Perhaps it was because this casual dining space was so different from the fine restaurants they usually frequented.
Or perhaps… our relationship had become a little more comfortable.
Tap. Tap.
At the sound of his index finger tapping on the table, Hee-jo stopped chewing and looked at him.
“Why… are you looking at me like that?”
“What do you mean, how am I looking?”
Something… really….
“…strangely.”
I couldn’t possibly tell him he was looking at me as if I were cute.
At Hee-jo’s answer, Kwon Yeol let out an exasperated breath.
“Everything about you is strange.”
Yesterday you kept saying the same thing.
Kwon Yeol swallowed the words he couldn’t quite voice and placed a side dish on top of Hee-jo’s rice.
“Keep eating. Chew slowly and thoroughly.”
Indifferent on the surface, yet tender toward me.
I’d always been happy about how he treated me specially.
But today was different.
Today… felt hollow. A little sad.
Even as I felt relieved that his attitude hadn’t changed from usual, I couldn’t help the hollow ache spreading through my chest.
‘Kwon Yeol is really composed.’
Perhaps that night truly meant nothing to him after all.
Yes, that’s right. It was nothing but a dull, tedious, forgettable moment.
“….”
Something hot surged up from the depths of Hee-jo’s heart.
Perhaps it was because of the absurdity of what she had just done.
An impulse born of recklessness spurred her on.
“I… I haven’t received my full gift yet.”
Defiance flared within her.
After all, she would be leaving soon anyway.
“What gift.”
I wanted to shake Kwon Yeol’s composure, even if only slightly.
I wanted to leave behind some trace of myself, however small.
I wanted to make him think of me at least once when I was gone.
“You said three times.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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