Chapter 122: An Unexpected Visit

The younger sibling he hadn’t seen in quite a while had been waiting for a long time in front of the shared entrance, her irritation rising to the limit, her long black hair tied tightly up, her face scrunched in annoyance.

“Why do you keep speaking casually to your older brother?”

“Ah, move. I feel like I’m going to die from the heat.”

Saetbyeol shoved Wooju aside and stepped into the house, then suddenly froze.

As she casually tried to kick off her sneakers at the shoe cabinet, her eyes caught sight of someone, and she slowly blinked.

“Hey, that’s…….”

Wooju followed behind his sister to explain.

“Whoa, what is this. You filmed one variety show together and already bought a life-size standee?”

As the door slowly closed and the sound of the door lock clicked, Saetbyeol burst out laughing.

“Huh?”

A standee? Wooju rolled his eyes around, not quite understanding right away.

Jitae, who had been about to greet her, also stood awkwardly, unsure of how to act.

“But where did you even get this? The quality is insane…….”

“It’s not a standee. It’s real, you idiot.”

“…….”

Saetbyeol had very poor eyesight.

When she was younger, she secretly watched idol performance videos late at night with all the lights off so her mother wouldn’t catch her, which completely ruined her vision.

Of course, her mother mistakenly believed it was because she studied hard from a young age.

She usually wore contact lenses, but for some reason today, she had come without them.

Otherwise, there was no way she would mistake a real person for a standee.

“…Real?”

“Ah, hi. Have you been well? It’s been a really long time.”

Jitae finally raised his hand and greeted her awkwardly.

“…No way. I-is that really Won Jitae?!”

“He’s older than you, so watch your tone.”

Wooju lightly knocked the top of Saetbyeol’s head and walked inside, leaving behind his sister who kept muttering, “This is crazy, unbelievable,” like she had lost the ability to speak properly.

“B-but why is he at your house? Early morning on a precious weekend?”

Saetbyeol stuttered, clearly flustered.

At her unexpectedly sharp question, both Wooju and Jitae flinched at the same time.

There was no way they could admit that their feelings had aligned and they had been together since yesterday.

“Well, that’s…….”

“I was bored, so I came over to Wooju’s place to hang out.”

While Wooju scratched his head in panic, unable to say anything, Jitae wore his signature bright smile.

A fairly believable excuse flowed smoothly from his lips, and Wooju felt relieved watching him.

Who knew Jitae’s acting would come in handy like this again.

“Wow, he’s insanely handsome in real life…….”

But Saetbyeol had already forgotten her own question and was too busy admiring Jitae’s face with her hand over her mouth.

She was proving firsthand how seeing someone extremely handsome could make your rationality stop functioning.

Wooju looked at his sister with exasperation and stepped in to mediate, introducing them properly first.

“Come to think of it, have you two met when you were younger?”

They had gone to different schools, but since Wooju and Jitae lived in the same neighborhood and trained together, there was a chance she had seen him before.

“Of course. I saw you a few times when I went to watch his matches. We even talked a few times. I thought you were really handsome back then too, but now you’re even more handsome, Jitae oppa.”

“Really? I don’t think I’ve changed much since I was young.”

Saetbyeol raised her index finger in front of Jitae’s face and shook it side to side.

“What are you saying! Your mature vibe is no joke. It’s such a regret that I didn’t wear my lenses today…… ah!”

This time, Wooju smacked the top of her head harder than before.

Saetbyeol glared at him with sharp eyes as if asking if he had lost his mind.

If Jitae weren’t there, she probably would’ve already been shouting and swearing.

“Don’t shove that ugly face in front of people and make them uncomfortable.”

“Bullshit. I’m prettier than you.”

Ignoring his sister’s words, Wooju headed into the kitchen.

Even if she was family, she had come after a long time, so he at least intended to give her something to drink.

Jitae followed him into the kitchen.

“Want some help?”

“It’s fine.”

He wasn’t planning to treat her like an honored guest anyway—just give her a glass of juice and call it a day.

“By the way, sorry. I didn’t expect her to just show up without calling.”

Come to think of it, Saetbyeol occasionally dropped by like this without notice.

She didn’t mind coming, but Wooju’s desperate pleas for her to at least call beforehand were, once again, ignored.

“It’s okay. It’s nice seeing her after such a long time.”

Jitae seemed unbothered, but Wooju kept letting out small sighs.

“Even if you’re okay with it, I’m not. I was planning to go out with you since you’re resting…….”

“You were thinking of going on a date with me?”

Jitae, now quite naturally rummaging through the upper drawer, lightly touched Wooju’s waist.

Startled, Wooju whispered sharply, asking what he was doing, glancing toward the living room.

Thankfully, the kitchen wasn’t clearly visible from there.

Wooju brushed Jitae’s hand away and carried a glass of grape juice out to the living room.

“What, did you just come back from a vineyard?”

“Be grateful I’m giving you anything. Anyway, why did you come? Even if it’s the weekend, aren’t college students busy?”

“When has it been since school went on break? Please show some interest in your little sister.”

With a sarcastic tone, Saetbyeol pressed her palms together dramatically in front of Wooju, but didn’t forget to smile happily at Jitae as he came out of the kitchen.

“Mom told me to check if you’re alive or dead. And she told me to bring this too.”

Saetbyeol slid over the shopping bag she had been holding.

Inside were plastic containers filled with side dishes—all of Wooju’s favorites.

Wooju’s mother was still teaching at school and currently held a senior administrative position, so she had a very busy life even in her middle age.

That was probably why she sent Saetbyeol instead.

And judging by how willingly she came, there must have been some kind of financial deal behind it.

“She could’ve just called me to come get it…….”

As Jitae leaned in curiously to look inside the bag, Wooju smirked and opened it wider for him.

Saetbyeol sipped her grape juice while staring at the two of them.

“…You think Mom wouldn’t know you’re busy? She knows, that’s why she sent me.”

These days, with filming and various activities, Wooju had a packed schedule even during the off-season and hadn’t been able to rest properly.

“Honestly, it’s annoying. Mom only talks about you to me. Saying you don’t look as good on screen…….”

“That’s true.”

That wasn’t Wooju who said it.

Wooju didn’t think that highly of his own appearance.

It was Jitae who nodded in strong agreement.

“…Really? I don’t see it.”

“No. Kang Wooju looks way better in real life.”

At the direct compliment toward her brother, Saetbyeol failed to control her expression.

Unaware, Jitae was about to explain the differences between on-screen and real life, but Wooju pinched his thigh, stopping him.

“Anyway, thanks for coming. I’ll call Mom later.”

“Don’t just call—visit when you have time. Dad says he’s starting to forget your face, and Mom keeps buying ingredients saying she’ll cook something good for you.”

Wooju finally let out a small laugh.

His mother had always been like that.

She didn’t ask much about his training, but behind the scenes, she always thought about taking care of her son’s health.

Watching Wooju bicker with his sister yet share such warmth, Jitae smiled faintly.

“Anyway, I’ve finished my errand, so I’m leaving.”

Saetbyeol placed her empty glass on the coffee table and slowly stood up.

“Saetbyeol, do you want to stay for lunch? I’ll treat you.”

Jitae, thinking he shouldn’t just send his lover’s sister off like that, stood up awkwardly and offered.

Saetbyeol thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“Next time. I have plans.”

As she walked toward the front door, Wooju followed behind.

“Hey, wait. I’ll call a taxi—let’s go down together.”

“Oh, nice.”

Excited at the thought of a free taxi, Saetbyeol headed out with him.

After confirming the taxi through the app, Wooju suddenly realized his back pocket felt empty.

“Ah, I left my wallet upstairs.”

“Then I’ll pay.”

As Jitae reached into his pocket, Wooju stopped him.

“It’s fine. The taxi will take a bit to arrive anyway—I’ll just run up and grab it quickly.”

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