Chapter 11: Why is your sister at home this time as an adult?

“……So, you don’t clean, Sister?”

Bora’s words struck me like a nail to the heart.

I was trying to be generous by offering her something worth 22,500 won, but I never expected a comment like that in return.

Of course, one look at Bora’s clear, innocent eyes made it easy to tell that her words carried no malice, just pure curiosity… but that only made it hurt more.

However, if you’re wondering whether I simply accepted Bora’s remark without resistance, the answer is absolutely not.

No, to be honest, it’s almost unfair.

It’s not like I never vacuum or take out the trash.

At the very least, I vacuum every other day, and on trash days, I always separate the recyclables and put out the trash bag accordingly.

In other words… everything in my house has a purpose.

“Uh… Bora-ssi? Bo… Bora-yang?”

“Yeah? Just call me Bora!”

“Uh, um. It’s not that I don’t clean, it’s just….”

Right.

It’s not that I don’t clean, it’s that I don’t organize.

Those scattered items aren’t trash; they’re just placed where my hands can easily reach them.

“Those things are there for a reason… let’s say that.”

“But… it still looks messy! My mom says you should tide up clothes you’re not wearing!”

“Those are… clothes for home….”

“Still, my mom says you should clean up before you go out….”

But such excuses wouldn’t work on a six-year-old who still sees the world as right and beautiful.

I felt a massive pang of guilt.

“Should I help you clean, Sister? I clean by myself at home every day, so I’m really good at it!”

“I-I’ll do it….”

Even though Bora said that with sparkling eyes, it felt like accepting her help would make me a completely failed adult.

Not that I’m a true adult to begin with….

Anyway, under Bora’s watchful gaze, I quickly tidied up some clothes and a few items, then laid the chicken out on the table.

Though it had cooled a bit, there was still some warmth.

Add to that the mouthwatering smell of fried chicken and the sight of the bubbly soda next to it.

It really was a perfect combination.

“Are you… sure it’s okay for me to eat this, Sister..?”

“Yes. Eat as much as you want until you’re full.”

“Is it okay if I eat all of it?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Of course, this chicken was supposed to last until at least tonight.

Even though I said that, I was secretly hoping she’d leave about two pieces.

…Well, I’m not a big eater, and since Bora’s still young, she probably can’t eat that much either.

At least two pieces should be left, right?

“Thank you for the meal!”

In any case, we both grabbed a drumstick to start the meal.

As I watched Bora nibble at her drumstick with her tiny mouth, I savored the taste of fried chicken I hadn’t had in a while.

Sweet, salty, savory….

The flavor of the chicken I hadn’t tasted in ages was exactly as expected: deliciously unhealthy.

It’s so good….

It almost brought tears to my eyes….

But I couldn’t show a pathetic side, crying while eating chicken in front of a little kid.

At times like this, you have to maintain composure….

Handing out chicken as if it were nothing, I had to show such generosity…!

“Is it… tasty?”

“Yeah! It’s incredibly delicious! Thank you, Sister!”

I’m glad she liked it.

Of course, it might not have been to her taste, and she could be saying that just out of courtesy.

But if she’s saying that to show appreciation for the person who bought it, then she’s certainly a well-mannered child.

“Thank you for the meal!”

As expected. Bora, who had declared she would eat it all, surrendered after three pieces, and I stopped at four.

I wished there were only two pieces left, but no, there were a whopping nine pieces remaining.

Looks like I’ll have enough to last until tomorrow morning.

“So, I guess it’s about time to head back….”

“Sister. My mom comes back at 6, can I stay with you until then?”

Just as I was about to suggest walking her home, Bora looked up at me and asked.

“Uh, well…. I don’t think I can… No, it’s not that I can’t, but there’s not much to do….”

“We can just chat together!”

Does she even realize that’s the hardest thing for me right now?

Probably not. Yeah….

“I’m fine with it… but, B-Bora? I think you’ll find it boring….”

“Just call me Bora, I told you!”

“Oh, right…. I’ll try….”

I tried hard to get her to go home, but seeing her eyes sparkle with curiosity as she looked at me, I had no choice but to give in.

“Ah, by the way! I’ve been curious about something for a while. Can I ask you?”

“Sure….”

“Why do you wear a hat and sunglasses even at home?”

Because of you. But I can’t say that, right?

I want to be kind to the kid.

“It’s… fashion….”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Isn’t it uncomfortable wearing that at home?”

“…It is a bit uncomfortable.”

Well, I guess it’s fine to take off the hat and sunglasses now.

After all, I was wearing both to avoid drawing attention, but there’s no need to keep wearing them in front of just Bora.

It’s not because her gaze is making me uncomfortable.

It’s not because she seems eager to see me take them off.

It’s definitely not because I’m giving in to her persistence.

Yeah, I really just think it’s uncomfortable, that’s all. Really.

“Hmm….”

“Wow….”

As I slowly took off my hat and sunglasses, Bora let out an astonished “wow.”

Do I look strange?

Silver hair and red eyes are hardly common, after all.

Adults might think I look like a delinquent, and children probably find me even more peculiar.

I thought to myself that it couldn’t be helped if Bora was startled or scared.

“Sis!” She’s so pretty.

“…Pardon?”

But the response I received was really unexpected.

“You’re incredibly pretty!”

“R-Really…?”

The sparkle in Bora’s eyes as she nodded made it clear that what she just said wasn’t a lie.

…Thank you.

I’ve been feeling really down lately, with my self-esteem at an all-time low, but thanks to you, I feel a bit better.

“Hehe…”

“But sis, can I ask you something else?”

“Oh, yes! Ask anything!”

It was the first time someone had complimented my appearance like this.

Honestly, I think my current appearance is quite striking, but for some reason, the people around me seem to find it unusual.

Well, I can’t really say I don’t understand.

If I were to objectively look at myself, I’d probably be shocked for various reasons too.

Anyway, since Bora was the one who praised my appearance, I felt like I could answer anything!

“You said earlier that you’re 20, right? So you’re an adult?”

“Ah, yes… An adult? Yeah, I’m an adult.”

Technically, I’m 16, but that doesn’t really matter.

In my previous life, I lived up to 29 years old, and people always said I acted mature.

Besides, my ID card says I’m 20 now, so there’s nothing more to explain.

“Wow, so you really are an adult, Renee!”

“Yes. Are you curious about what being an adult means?”

I figured it might be something she’s curious about, given her age… Just as I was thinking that.

“But sis, if you’re an adult, why are you at home at this time?”

“…Huh?”

Once again, Bora’s words hit me right in the heart.

“Dad said adults have to work hard outside on weekdays, except for Saturdays and Sundays.”

“Ah, that… Uh… Ah… Umm… Uh…?”

Her follow-up punch.

In just two sentences, my heart was utterly shattered.

Was the compliment about my appearance just to set me up for this?

But still, I couldn’t let someone much younger than me just land blows without retaliating.

It was time for me to launch my own counterattack.

“W-Well, I work from home…”

Ahem, that’s not a lie at all.

You can make a living from home if you want to.

“But sis, you’re not working right now.”

“T-That’s because I’m with you right now, Bora…”

“Oh, I see… Sorry, sis!”

“It’s okay if you understand…”

“Then, can I watch you work, sis? I’m curious!”

“Ah… that, that’s…”

The moment I thought I had dodged the question, Bora’s next inquiry left me momentarily speechless.

What should I say?

That I can’t show her because I make money selling items from games?

Or should I just say it’s a job that’s hard to explain to her?

Is it really okay to lie to this pure and innocent child…?

Inside, my conscience and pride clashed, neither willing to back down.

“In fact, I… I’m still unemployed with no job…”

And the final winner… though it wasn’t what I wanted, was my conscience.

While I was getting pummeled with curiosity-fueled questions from Bora, time had flown by, and it was now 6 PM.

It was time for Bora to go home.

“If my daughter caused you any trouble, I truly apologize.”

Bora’s mother was incredibly kind.

Even when she saw my appearance, she didn’t seem surprised at all and even bowed her head to me, someone much younger than her, saying she would repay me sometime.

Thanks to her, my heart, which had been battered by Bora’s barrage of questions, felt a little healed.

“It was, um, kind of a fun time… so it’s okay.”

“Yep! I played with Rene sis!”

“You shouldn’t speak like that to your sis!”

No, it’s okay. Bora’s right about everything…

She played with me, someone without friends, without a job, and without money…

Yeah. That’s exactly what happened…

“Haha…”

At my hollow laugh, Bora’s mother once again bowed her head to me.

Bora, who was standing next to her with a proud grin, was both adorable and annoying.