For some reason, from here on out, the text is bolded. That’s not a mistake but that’s how it was in the epub.
It was a day just before summer break, when he was sixteen. The school, past dismissal time, was quiet.
Jaeyoon was sprawled out in the library, utterly absorbed in a novel. Though it was labeled a crime story, it was surprisingly delicate in how it portrayed the characters’ emotions.
“You like me? No—you don’t like me. You pity me. You think I’m pathetic because I can’t do anything without you.”
“No, that’s not it! I really love you. I see you as the center of my world.”
“Then… can you prove it?”
“What do you want me to do to make you believe me?”*
“Hold me. Right now. Prove that you see me as a woman.”
Well, physical desire was probably the simplest way to classify love. Sharing bodies often served as proof of affection.
Just as the tension between the two characters was reaching its peak, he turned the page—and felt a faint vibration against his elbow.
Pulled from his immersion, Jaeyoon finally lifted his gaze from the words and glanced at his phone.
[You go ahead]
[This is taking for-freaking-ever]
It was a message from Hyungwon. He was in his final year of middle school and deep into the hell that was high school counseling season. At the time, Hyungwon was being strongly encouraged to apply to a physical education high school.
Though he’d only been diligent with club activities, his steady wins at competitions had caught attention, and now offers were pouring in.
He said he’d turn them down and come right away, but it seemed the homeroom teacher wasn’t letting go easily. Understandable—after all, anyone who’d seen Hyungwon dominate the court would think twice about giving up on him. Who knew? That teacher might end up in an interview one day as the person who discovered Korea’s next basketball prodigy.
[How long’s it gonna take?]
[No clue]
[Ugh….]
[Just go ahead]
When Hyungwon said this much, it usually meant there was no end in sight.
[Okay.]
Jaeyoon sent back a short reply and closed the book.
Only then, emerging from the printed world, did he notice the sound of rain. At some point, without warning, it had begun to pour steadily.
He had been considering borrowing the book since it turned out to be more interesting than expected, but moisture was paper’s greatest enemy. It would have to wait. Even if it wasn’t his own book, seeing a warped and wrinkled one always hurt a little.
He returned the novel to its shelf and exited the library.
With finals over and break right around the corner, the whole school felt like it was floating a little.
Jaeyoon, slightly out of sync with that buoyant atmosphere, carefully stepped across the rippling puddles.
Lately, his vision had been flickering, the world constantly out of focus. Like a camera lens that refused to adjust—not because it was broken, but because there was simply nothing worth photographing.
Was this that cursed puberty?
Nothing excited him. Not even books—unless they were fast-paced or intense—could hold his attention. Inside, everything was still, silent, and desolate. His chest felt so tight and numb, he wouldn’t have been surprised to just suffocate and die.
Bzzzt—his phone buzzed again. He figured it was Hyungwon, but it wasn’t.
[Jaeyoon, you have a baby sister now!]
It was from his mom. After divorcing his dad, she had remarried a foreigner and was now living in England.
He opened the photo attached to the message. The baby stared straight into the camera, her sapphire-blue eyes sparkling like gems, her soft light-brown hair looking silky even through the image. She was as pretty as one of the “Mimi dolls” in his room.
[Isn’t she cute? You said you wanted a baby sister, remember? Her name’s Selena.]
He thought… maybe he *had* said that once. When he was little, he had genuinely envied Hyungwon for having a younger sister.
[She looks just like our Jaeyoon. Fair skin, long eyelashes, rosy lips… Maybe that’s why I miss you so much these days. The truth is, I’ve always missed you—ever since I left you behind. Jaeyoon, when you graduate this time, why don’t you come live with me? Come to England. Live with Mom. Matthew really wants to see you, too. He’s such a kind man. I’m sure he’d be a great father to you. I promise.]
[Our Jaeyoon is so smart—he’ll adjust in no time here.]
[Think about it positively and message me back. I miss you so, so much. You know how much I love you, right?]
The words piled up like a landslide, scattering through his head and tapping at the emptiness of his mind.
Jaeyoon had never doubted that her feelings were genuine—that she missed him, that she loved him. The fact that she always timed her messages to arrive just after his classes, despite the time difference with England, was proof enough.
England. Mom. A little sister…
These unfamiliar words floated around before his eyes, unresolved and heavy. But maybe—just maybe—they’d become a kind of gravity strong enough to pull him somewhere. A faint hope stirred.
As he stood beneath the eaves, looking up at the rain-streaked sky, a message arrived from Hyungwon. Jaeyoon realized just how distracted he’d been lately.
[It’s raining outside]
[Tough luck, man]
[You freak out when you get wet]
[Little princess]
“Princess”—if Hyerin said it, it might sound like a compliment, but coming from Hyungwon, it was definitely mockery.
Still, Hyungwon wasn’t wrong. Jaeyoon hated getting caught in the rain. More specifically, he hated being dirty. The idea of water, heavy with dust from the air, trickling down his skin was enough to make his stomach churn.
That’s why he always carried an umbrella. Something Hyungwon clearly didn’t remember.
I’ve got an umbr—
His fingers paused mid-text as another message arrived before he could finish.
[Wait—Joo Hyerin said she has an umbrella and she’s coming to get you]
Joo Hyerin. A first-year student at the same school. They sometimes went home together. If she said she was coming, she must be nearby.
Just then, the sound of rushing footsteps pierced through the steady curtain of rain. Jaeyoon lifted his head and saw a light blue umbrella crossing the field beyond the school gate.
Could it be…?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, the umbrella tilted slightly, and a pale, familiar face peeked out.
“Oppa!”
Hyerin waved brightly, grinning from ear to ear.
In that moment, the world snapped into focus—every detail sharpening like a lens clicking into place. It was as if, after chapters of bland supporting characters, the true protagonist had finally appeared in the story, bringing with her purpose, order, and a level of interest nothing else could match.
Jaeyoon’s gaze, like a camera, zoomed in on every little thing about her. The way her damp hair clung to her cheeks, the skirt fluttering up slightly with each stride, the footprints she left across the wet ground… He didn’t even dare blink, afraid to miss a single frame.
“Tada! Umbrella delivery service. You’re so glad to see me, right?”
Hyerin stepped under the overhang where Jaeyoon stood, panting heavily. Her chest rose and fell dramatically, and her thin summer blouse, soaked through with rain, clung to her and became faintly translucent.
Even that… was sky blue.
His gaze, which had wandered without thinking, rose again to meet her flushed face.
Jaeyoon reached out, gently brushed back her damp hair, and locked eyes with her.
“You’re soaked.”
“Ah, I must’ve sprinted too hard.”
“Why’d you run in the rain? It’s dangerous.”
“I thought you might be waiting.”
The hand that tucked her black hair behind her ear brushed the curve of her earlobe and trailed down the length of her damp hair. Jaeyoon’s eyes lingered—on her wet eyelashes, her flushed cheeks, and finally, her full lips.
Right. He used to want a little sister.
“…Oppa?”
Maybe his desire had slipped through somehow. Hyerin’s wide, catlike eyes rolled slightly as if reading the room.
Only then did he realize he’d unconsciously gripped her slender shoulders. He let go, but his gaze stayed stuck on her red lips… and the soft line of her neck.
Sensing his stare, Hyerin, too, suddenly held her breath. Her throat bobbed slightly as she swallowed.
Feeling a pang of guilt at her nervousness, Jaeyoon gave her a gentle smile.
“I thought you might be cold.”
“Ah, no—I’m not! I’m boiling! So hot from all the running…”
She turned her head, fanning herself. Her earlobe, where his fingers had brushed, was bright red. After taking a moment to cool down, she asked, now trying to sound nonchalant:
“What about Joo Hyungwon?”
“He told me to go ahead. I think his counseling session ran long.”
At that, Hyerin glanced at Jaeyoon, nodded slowly, then bit her lower lip as she stared off into the distance.
“Then… I guess it’s just us.”
Her bottom lip, pressed earlier against her teeth, was now even redder, plumper. Jaeyoon stared, dazed, and responded absentmindedly.
“Yeah, I guess.”
Hyerin opened her folded sky-blue umbrella and turned to face him.
“Let’s go, oppa. I’ll walk you home!”
She beamed beneath her umbrella. Jaeyoon looked down at her in silence, then gently wrapped his hand around the small one holding the handle.
“I should be the one walking you home.”
He slowly took the umbrella from her with a quiet smile.
“The taller person carries the umbrella. Let’s go.”
“…”
“Come here.”
At his gesture, Hyerin stepped forward hesitantly. Her eyes were darting around as if looking for an escape route.
As she stopped near the edge of the umbrella’s cover, Jaeyoon pulled her close by the shoulder. Through the wet blouse, he could feel her warmth, the texture of her skin. So warm and smooth—it made him want to stay close.
Their bodies almost pressed together. She flinched slightly.
“You’ll get soaked.”
“…”
“You’ll catch a cold.”
Hyerin pressed her lips shut and simply nodded.
“Let’s go.”
“…Okay.”
They stepped forward at the same time—
“Hey, hey! Wait for me!”
A familiar voice called out behind them, and just like that, a tall figure pushed between the two. Hyungwon had wedged himself under the umbrella. Jaeyoon withdrew his hand from Hyerin and turned.
“I thought you said you’d be late.”
“I dunno, I just kinda slipped out halfway through.”
Hyungwon ruffled his hair in irritation, looked Hyerin up and down, and clicked his tongue. Then he took off his uniform jacket and draped it around her shoulders like a napkin.
Jaeyoon instantly realized what Hyungwon was covering up. It was a good call. His own gaze had been stuck on that exact spot too—a certain rounded swell.
“What the hell?”
“Protecting innocent bystanders. You want to take responsibility if someone burns their eyes on your see-through bra?”
“What are you even talking about?”
“Your whole front’s soaked. I told you to wear a tee underneath, didn’t I? Sky-blue piglet.”
At the mention of “sky-blue,” Hyerin flinched and gave Jaeyoon a quick sideways glance—likely recalling where his eyes had lingered earlier.
Jaeyoon quickly looked away, clearing his throat awkwardly. Still, he couldn’t help but sneak glances at Hyerin’s flushed face and ears, burning red from embarrassment… and something more mischievous blooming deep inside him.
Hyerin gripped the jacket tightly around her and stepped out from under the cramped umbrella, glaring at Hyungwon.
“Ugh, how are three people supposed to share one umbrella!”
“Just walk. As long as your head’s covered, it’s fine.”
“Jaeyoon oppa’s getting soaked!”
She snapped sharply, muttering curses as she dug through her bag and pulled out a small umbrella. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who’d come prepared. Hyungwon chuckled dryly and ruffled her hair.
“Where’d you learn to pull stunts like this?”
“Screw you—if you know it’s a stunt, then back off already. You’re no help in my life, Joo Hyungwon.”
“Why do you even have two umbrellas?”
“I borrowed one from Irae just in case. Oppa, you take this. I’ll walk with Jaeyoon oppa—”
“Idiot. If you do that, Jaeyoon’ll get totally drenched. If he tries to cover you, his whole side will get soaked.”
Hearing that, Hyerin looked at Jaeyoon in hesitation. His eyes silently said, “It’s fine. Come here.” But the conclusion she came to wasn’t what he’d expected.
“You’re right. Jaeyoon oppa is too nice.”
“Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
Their sibling-like exchange was snappy and in sync. As Hyerin opened the umbrella, Hyungwon snatched it from her and slung an arm around her shoulders—just like Jaeyoon had done earlier.
Jaeyoon watched the pink umbrella drift ahead, caught in a strange feeling. Was it jealousy? Or just the uncomfortable sense that something had been taken from him.
Right. He’d wanted a little sister….
“What are you doing? Let’s go,” Hyungwon said, jerking his chin toward the road. Jaeyoon followed the pink umbrella in silence.
“What’d the homeroom teacher say?” Jaeyoon asked as he caught up. Hyungwon furrowed his brow and shook his head, as if just remembering was exhausting.
“Something about wasting my talent, or how my height’s going to waste… I mean, I’m only tall here. I’m not good enough to go pro. She said I’d grow more, though…”
Hyungwon had already passed 180 cm—tall enough to stand out among their peers. He’d also been insanely athletic since they were kids. The only one who could compete with him was Jaeyoon, driven purely by grit.
“You really never thought about trying? At this rate you’ll break 190.”
“Ew, don’t say gross stuff like that. Besides, you know how expensive arts and sports schools are? We’re not rich. I just play for fun. Anyway, I told her I’m going to a regular high school and dipped out. Oh, yours is tomorrow, right? Career counseling?”
“Yeah…”
“Your first choice is the school nearby, right?”
‘Nearby’ referred to the high school near his house.
The moment Hyerin came to mind again, his vision, which had briefly sharpened, turned fuzzy. Words began to drift in and out—
England, Mom, little sister, immigration….
The truth was, he’d been waiting for someone to suggest it.
He had been feeling alienated at home. And when that happened, he missed his mother even more.
He longed for the affection he’d gotten as a child. Loving parents, an adorable younger sister, a warm home.
If he went to England, he could have everything he envied about *Hyungwon’s* life.
“Now that I think about it, I never asked—you got any plans? What do you want to do with your life?”
When Hyungwon asked, Hyerin poked her head out slightly, eyes twinkling. She looked like she was waiting for his answer.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it in detail.”
“But you can do whatever you want. There’s gotta be something you like.”
“Hmm…”
Hyungwon was right. Jaeyoon could do pretty much anything.
His father wasn’t the warmest or most attentive parent, but he never withheld financial support. That’s why Jaeyoon had ended up in his care instead of his mother’s.
“Oppa, you like reading!”
Hyerin suddenly blurted.
It was true—he liked books. There was something fascinating about peeking into someone else’s mind, and it was the best way to kill time in silence.
When Jaeyoon smiled faintly in agreement, Hyerin lit up and added,
“Once, I got curious about what you were reading and borrowed the same book—but it was all in English, so I couldn’t read a thing… Your English is *super* good. You think I’ll be able to read stuff like that when I’m in ninth grade?”
“No way. He used to live in the U.S. before we met.”
“Ah, really? That explains it… Same age, but Joo Hyungwon’s hopeless.”
“Why am I catching strays here? If you wanna read it, look for a translated version.”
“I did, but there wasn’t one. The cover looked so fun though…”
Hyerin pouted her lips in disappointment. Jaeyoon found the expression adorable and stared at her for a while before casually asking,
“What was on the cover?”
“There was a dragon, and a guy and a girl riding on it.”
Jaeyoon instantly recalled the novel he had read a few days ago. It was a mix of romance and classic fantasy—just the kind of humanistic, uplifting story Hyerin would enjoy. Not only was the worldbuilding solid, the romance was well-crafted too. Especially the wedding scene at the end—it reminded him of the puppet shows she used to put on as a kid.
She’d definitely love it…
That was the thought running through his mind when the grating sound of an engine made him glance back. A black sedan was speeding down the rainy street. Without even signaling, it suddenly swerved and veered dangerously close to the sidewalk—
As if it was going to hit them directly.
Screeech—!
It all happened in a flash.
Jaeyoon threw himself in front of the two just as the car barely missed the sidewalk and sped down the road.
Splash—!
Water burst from a puddle between the street and sidewalk, soaking Jaeyoon head to toe. The cold water dripped from his face, and his white school shirt was now a dull gray.
*Ah… fuck. This is bullshit.*
“Fucking hell… Learn how to fucking drive.”
The curse was so clear that Jaeyoon had to wonder if he’d said it out loud.
Then a small hand suddenly entered his view—shaking, urgently patting him down. Hyerin, her brow furrowed deep, was muttering curses under her breath.
“Oppa hates getting wet… What do we do… You’re soaked… Goddamn bastard…”
Her harsh words were nothing compared to her trembling voice—it sounded like she was almost crying.
She unwrapped Hyungwon’s uniform jacket from around her neck and began wiping Jaeyoon’s face with it, her lips still pouty with frustration.
He stared blankly at her face when suddenly he felt a hand gripping his shoulder so tightly it hurt. Turning his head, he saw Hyungwon’s face contorted in worry.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“…Yeah.”
“You scared the shit outta me, idiot. Why’d you do that? What if you got hurt…”
Even Hyungwon’s voice was shaking—something unusual for him. Given how close they’d come to getting hit, the reaction wasn’t unwarranted.
“Yeah… Why did I do that?”
Jaeyoon mumbled in a daze. His body had moved before he even thought.
Maybe it was the fear that if he didn’t act, he’d lose everything.
He glanced down at Hyerin, who was now wiping off his clothes.
Right. He’d wanted a little sister.
He wanted Joo Hyerin, Joo Hyungwon’s sister.
As that desire solidified in his chest and his vision sharpened, all the floating words in his head—England, mother, immigration…—burst like bubbles and vanished.
Something heavy pulled him down, rooting him to the ground. It refused to let him go.
“Hyerin…”
“Yeah?”
She looked up, eyes brimming with tears. Jaeyoon brushed her eye and smiled gently.
“I’ll translate that book for you.”
“…Really?”
When Jaeyoon nodded, Hyerin’s red, swollen eyes curved into a crescent-moon smile.
He could breathe again.
He felt the weight of his feet solid on the pavement.
Like this was exactly where he was meant to be.
Then he turned to Hyungwon.
“What school are you applying to as your first choice?”
“…What?”
“I wanna go to the same one. Is it ‘that school nearby’?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Hyungwon blinked blankly before letting out a small laugh.
“If you want, we can go to ‘that school over there’ too. They’ve got a brand-new building—nicer facilities.”
“Then I’ll go there.”
“Okay. Me too.”
With that, Hyungwon casually slung an arm around Hyerin’s shoulder, pulling her under his umbrella again and started walking. Jaeyoon followed beside them.
“Hey, come to my place and clean up.”
“Can I?”
“Why not? You used to drop by like it was your second home when we were kids.”
At that, Hyerin’s eyes lit up, and she bounced with excitement.
“Oppa, stay for dinner too! Mom bought galbi yesterday. You know how generous she is with portions!”
“…Wouldn’t it be rude though? Just showing up like this?”
Jaeyoon hesitated, but Hyungwon waved his hand dismissively, almost shuddering at the thought.
“No, you have to show up unannounced. If you tell her ahead of time, she’ll go all out and load the table with food.”
“Exactly. She always makes a big deal out of it. Just stay until the rain stops.”
“Oh right, they said it’ll stop by this evening? Then that works.”
At their urging, Jaeyoon smiled gently and nodded.
“I’ve got a little sister now. She’s so cute. Want to see a photo?”
Their chatter continued, light and cheerful, mixing easily with the sound of rain tapping on the umbrella.
