467

 [Chapter 131]

[Summer Vacation Under the Lamp (4)]

A report came in that a large-scale pyeonjae was detected in the multiplex building.

Eun-a and Han Changjin, who happened to be on duty nearby, went to the building to resolve the pyeonjae.

Fortunately, it was a pyeonjae that could be resolved by just the two of them.

"Since it's lunchtime anyway, why don't we eat lunch here before we go?"

"Sure, sounds good! I actually know a great place! I went there with Eunha and Eun-ae before and it was really delicious. Let's go there."

"Really? If you say it's delicious, it must be really good. Let's check it out."

By the time the two resolved the pyeonjae, it was around lunchtime.

Han Changjin suggested eating lunch here since they were already here.

Of course, Eun-a readily agreed. She decided to guide him to the restaurant she had gone to with her siblings recently.

And when they were almost there—

"—Eunha?"

No Eun-a's Eunha sensor lit up.

She spotted her younger brother walking alongside a female student passing by nearby.

It was a female student she had never seen before.

No, she vaguely remembered seeing her in a photo Eunha had sent.

But that photo was a group photo—

Why are they alone together?

—Not like this, just the two of them.

No Eun-a used her quick perception to deduce the situation.

A multiplex building with many things for a man and woman to enjoy spending time together.

A route that seemed to have come from the restaurant with nice interior and good food that she had gone to with Eunha before.

Her younger brother No Eunha looking startled as if caught doing something when he saw her.

Lastly, the female student who seemed to have put effort into her appearance.

"—Who's the person next to you?"

Perfect, just perfect.

Eun-a was convinced that the assumption she came up with in her head was the truth.

She couldn't help but smile.

On the other hand, she felt disappointed.

Eunha was hanging out alone with a girl she didn't know.

If it was Yeonhwa or Hayang, she wouldn't mind.

He must be secretly contacting a girl I don't know about.

Of course, Eunha didn't have to tell her everything.

But as his older sister, she couldn't help but feel hurt.

On the other hand, she was curious about what kind of person this female student was who was sticking close to Eunha's side and observing the situation.

It seems that girl is interested in Eunha rather than the other way around...

But the fact that they met alone means Eunha must be somewhat interested too, right?

She wasn't particularly opposed to Eunha dating.

Rather, she welcomed it.

How could she not be happy that her younger brother, who didn't show much interest in anyone besides family and friends, was showing interest in someone else?

Nevertheless, as an older sister, she just wanted to make sure he was meeting a good person.

"—Aha, you were planning to go to a cafe? We also happened to have some time left and were thinking of killing time at a cafe... Since it's come to this, why don't we go together? Noona will buy the coffee."

"...Well, I'm fine with it but Ibyeol..."

"You said Ibyeol, right? Ibyeol, how about you? Is that okay?"

"...Yes... I'm fine with it too."

Eun-a briefly exchanged introductions with Yoon Ibyeol on the street.

Then she skillfully led the conversation and decided to enter the cafe together with the two.

"Eun-a, we were going to eat..."

"Changjin, is food important right now? Do you have a beggar in your stomach?"

"That's not it, but..."

"We can just eat brunch in the cafe, right? Right?"

"...That's true."

Changjin said something from the side.

But Eun-a ignored his words and guided them to the nearest cafe.

After paying by card, she approached them who were already seated and sat down next to Changjin.

"Ibyeol, you're not uncomfortable, are you?"

"...Ah, no! I'm happy. Eunha talks about you often, so I wanted to meet you too..."

"Oh, really? Eunha talks about me often..."

Now begins the interview disguised as conversation.

Eun-a asked Yoon Ibyeol sitting across from her various probing questions.

Her lips curled up hearing that Eunha often talked about her.

Her sharp feelings softened a bit seeing Eunha sitting next to Yoon Ibyeol turn his head away as if embarrassed.

Just then the buzzer went off.

"Ah! I'll go get it!"

Yoon Ibyeol jumped up from her seat.

She quickly snatched the buzzer Eunha was about to take and headed to the counter with energetic steps.

Hmm...

Eun-a evaluated Yoon Ibyeol's actions.

She seems timid but is quite perceptive.

And judging by her answers to questions after bringing the coffee, she seemed polite, diligent, and kind.

She doesn't seem to be trying to measure up to others... Rather than trying to use Eunha, she's trying hard to do anything to get Eunha's attention.

Though she couldn't fully grasp her just from exchanging a few words.

Eun-a roughly figured out what kind of person Yoon Ibyeol was.

She's devoted to Eunha.

Eun-a felt grateful to her for liking her younger brother this much.

However—

—Eunha doesn't seem to feel the same way.

No Eunha was the problem.

While Eunha carelessly took care of Ibyeol, his gaze kept looking at herself.

Occasionally glaring at Changjin too.

His gaze only rested on Yoon Ibyeol for brief moments.

...He's pretending not to know while trying to push Ibyeol away.

Though she felt good that Eunha was giving her attention as if she was his whole world.

But seeing Yoon Ibyeol not receiving much attention from him despite trying so hard made her feel very sorry for her.

Eunha is more precious to me, but...

Still, Ibyeol doesn't deserve to be treated like this elsewhere.

She ended up empathizing with Yoon Ibyeol.

If she were in her position, her pride would be so hurt she would cry.

"Come to think of it noona, are you not working with Yeonhwa noona today?"

While she was so happy that Eunha was giving her attention.

Eun-a felt strangely sad.

She conversed with her younger brother with complex emotions.

☆

Eun-a's gaze is sharp.

He could guess the reason.

So he felt secretly proud inside.

She's ignoring Changjin hyung next to her and only paying attention to me.

A cafe located inside the multiplex building.

Han Changjin sat quietly next to Eun-a just drinking coffee.

He was truly a wallflower.

"Even though I've graduated, if you ever have any questions about final evaluations or anything, feel free to ask anytime. Oh, should we exchange numbers?"

"Ah, thank you. Here it is."

"Oh, then I'll also..."

"Changjin, you keep your mouth shut."

"Hyung, please stay quiet."

"...Okay."

Meanwhile, Han Changjin tried to add something while reading the atmosphere.

The No siblings retorted to Han Changjin at almost the same timing.

<Shadow > Han Changjin gets scolded just for being quiet.

Eunha inwardly chuckled thinking it served him right.

How dare you try to hit on our noona.

Eunha had been suspicious when he first saw the two of them here.

This multiplex building is very suitable for a man and woman to spend time together.

But the two who should be on duty were wandering around near a restaurant with good food and nice interior.

There was no way his No Eun-a sensor wouldn't sound an alarm.

Sure enough.

Han Changjin had tried to make a move.

Though it's a bit nice to see him after a long time, hyung should still stay put over there.

So Eunha just briefly greeted him and thoroughly ignored Han Changjin.

And Eun-a completely blocked Han Changjin from talking to Ibyeol.

Han Changjin ended up being treated like he didn't exist by the No siblings.

He truly became a shadow, <Shadow >.

"But does Eunha treat you well usually? He can be a bit inconsiderate..."

"No, not at all. Eunha is so cool and considerate. To me too..."

Meanwhile, Ibyeol who was awkward with Eun-a at first was now conversing with her without burden.

It was mostly talk about Eunha though.

Eunha watched Eun-a ask questions and Ibyeol answer, occasionally joining in the conversation appropriately.

It was then.

"Ah. Unni, I'll be right back from the restroom."

"Okay, okay! Sure!"

Yoon Ibyeol who had been chatting got up from her seat.

Eunha watched her walk away, about to drink his coffee with a relaxed mind.

He was about to drink.

"..."

"...Noona, why are you looking at me like that?"

Eun-a changed her expression and stared intently at him.

Eunha tensed up for a moment and asked if he had done something wrong.

Then she—

"—You shouldn't bring up other girls in front of someone who likes you."

"..."

Eun-a blurted out.

There were thorns hidden in her gentle tone.

Eunha was at a loss for words at her scolding.

And taking his silence as a cue, she continued with her eyes curved downwards.

"Don't try to play with someone's feelings when you know everything. That's a bad thing to do. You must know that too."

"...I'm sorry."

"That's not something you should apologize to me for."

"..."

"If it's not true, say it's not. Say it clearly. Don't hurt someone else's feelings. I... I hope my brother isn't that kind of person."

"..."

"If you weren't my brother, I really wouldn't have let this slide. I hate that kind of person the most."

Eun-a appealed emotionally.

And sometimes sharply and sternly.

Eunha listened to her advice silently, at a loss for words.

"...I understand."

After a pause.

Eunha nodded.

Eun-a didn't try to interrogate in detail whether he truly understood after hearing the answer she wanted.

She just sighed with a dark expression.

"Okay, Eunha. Listen to noona..."

"Changjin, keep your mouth shut."

"Hyung, please be quiet."

"...Yes."

Meanwhile, Han Changjin tried to add something while reading the atmosphere.

The No siblings retorted to Han Changjin at almost the same timing.

☆

Time passed before they knew it.

The four decided to leave the cafe.

"What are you two going to do now?"

"Ah, well..."

Eun-a who left the cafe turned around and asked Eunha and Ibyeol.

Yoon Ibyeol who received the question hesitated and looked at Eunha's expression.

They had met just on the pretext of having lunch together without any particular plans.

That's why Yoon Ibyeol couldn't readily answer and kept looking at Eunha's expression.

To this, Eunha who had been keeping his mouth shut—

"—We're going to head back now. Let's go, I'll walk you to the station."

"Ah, okay..."

Eunha opened his mouth.

Yoon Ibyeol nodded, visibly depressed at his answer betraying her expectations.

If he had treated her precariously before, almost crossing the line but not quite.

Afterwards, he tried to treat her without crossing the line.

"Go in."

"I really had fun today. Let's meet again next..."

"Then I'll see you when school starts."

"Ah... okay..."

Eunha sent Yoon Ibyeol in first.

After confirming she entered the ticket gate, Eunha turned around.

Eun-a and Han Changjin were standing there.

"Are you going back to Regulus Clan now, noona?"

"Hmm... I'm planning to go back, give a work report, and leave work early today... Why? Is something up?"

As if forgetting what happened earlier.

The two conversed no differently than usual.

Rather, Eun-a even hugged Eunha tightly as if feeling bad about saying harsh things to him earlier.

"No, just..."

He trailed off while gently placing his arm on Eun-a's shoulders that had become smaller than his at some point.

Then he continued.

"I just got a call from Haesu hyung that the new swords are finished. I was thinking of going to see them together if you have time."

"Oh, that? It was finished faster than you thought."

"He said it just happened that way. And noona, you said before that you wanted to change your stone spear to a new one too. I was thinking maybe we could request your stone spear while we're there."

"Hmm..."

Eunha made up an appropriate excuse.

When in fact, he just wanted to comfort her.

Meanwhile, Eun-a in his arms seemed lost in thought.

"Okay, sounds good. I should go on a date with just you after a long time, Eunha."

As if understanding Eunha's heart.

Eun-a answered with a bright smile.

Only then could Eunha relax his stiff face.

"Oh, guys then let me come along too. I also happen to need a new device..."

"Changjin. Did you not hear what I just said? I said I'm going on a date, just the two of us, with Eunha."

"...Oh..."

"And who's going to give the report to the clan if we both leave?"

Eun-a snapped at Han Changjin.

Han Changjin nodded with a gloomy face, now looking resigned.

...I'm glad noona is our noona.

Eunha smiled bitterly.

He felt a bit sorry for Han Changjin getting scolded by Eun-a.

He was glad Eun-a was his sister.

Eunha expressed condolences to Han Changjin returning to the clan alone.

"Alright, let's go!"

And as if nothing had happened.

Soon Eun-a linked arms with Eunha and shouted energetically.

But that was only for a moment.

"—Eunha."

"Yeah?"

While waiting for the subway.

When no one was around, Eun-a looked up at Eunha and spoke.

This time in a worried tone.

"I don't want you to become someone who plays with people's feelings... But I also don't want you to become someone who just endures too much."

"..."

"You know what I'm saying, right?"

It was out of the blue.

Eunha couldn't answer her sudden words.

He just blankly looked down at her.

Then he paused, looking into her shaking eyes reflecting himself.

Because for a moment, he was making a face he had never seen before.

"—I'm glad though. At least now you show that kind of face too."

"..."

"I'm not sure who you were thinking of just now... But don't try to suppress those feelings too much. It's not a bad thing. Okay?"

As if relieved.

Eun-a smiled gently.

She clung to him tightly and patted his large frame that was bigger than hers.

"No one will criticize you for doing that, Eunha. Please don't try to push yourself too hard."

"..."

"Even if someone says something to you, I won't let anyone who criticizes you off easy then."

"...Thank you."

Though she's so small in stature.

Though he thought he was older due to regressing.

Still, noona is noona.

Eunha chuckled softly.

"—I'll try."

"...Okay."

He's happy that Eun-a is worried about him.

And Eunha accepted her words and answered as sincerely as possible.

She must have known that too.

She didn't try to say anything more.

She just hugged Eunha with her small body and nuzzled her face against his arm.

"—But who were you thinking of?"

The question that suddenly struck.

Eunha closed his mouth again as he met her gaze looking up at him.

But she stared intently as if telling him to answer.

In the end, Eunha—

"—Noona..."

"Pfft, this kid is flattering me again?"

Eunha turned his head away as he answered.