"Son, does your neck hurt?"
"Ah… It's just a little scratched."
"Be careful."
Her mother noticed the band-aid on the nape of her neck.
It wasn't a big deal—just a slight swelling, like from cupping.
She had claimed her sister bit her, but the excuse was vague, so she covered it with a bandage. Apparently, her mother had caught on.
Does being a lecturer require this level of observation?
"Son, have you thought about taking on a part-time job?"
"Do you have something in mind?"
"You were a driver during your military service, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, winter break starts tomorrow."
"…What does that have to do with anything?"
"How about driving your brother to and from school? I don't use my car much anyway, so I'll give you the keys. You don't know the way, do you?"
"Huh?"
I nearly dropped the spoon I was holding.
…Are you asking me to be my brother's chauffeur?
The school is right next to my alma mater, so of course I know the way…
"It's only a 30-minute bus ride, so just drive him."
"It's only 20 minutes by car."
"It's just 10 minutes, so what's the big deal?"
"Public transportation in Amman is crowded, even if you wear a mask. In case you didn't know."
Oh, so that's the reason.
I get it, but isn't this a bit overprotective?
The word "test taker" feels like a cheat code, but whatever.
"And ever since you were discharged, you've grown closer to your brother."
"…I guess so."
"Then take this chance to get even closer. In the end, you'll rely on your siblings the most."
…I don't know what to say. It's like she's speaking from experience.
And she's not wrong.
"…How much are you paying me?"
"I'll give you 50,000 won a day."
"Well, if Winter doesn't mind…"
Even if it's just two trips a day, totaling about an hour and a half, 50,000 won isn't bad.
When I got the car keys, it felt like a small escape.
"Don't worry, I already talked to him. He said he's fine with it."
"…Why does it feel like this was decided without me?"
Judging by how things are going, even if I had stubbornly refused, wouldn't I have ended up in the driver's seat tomorrow morning anyway?
I don't feel great about it—it's like I'm being swayed by pocket change.
"Then why don't you take the money?"
"No, that's not the point."
…Still, 50,000 won a day is tempting.
Even if it's just 20 days a month, that's 1 million won.
Not bad for a three-digit sum.
"Brother, you can drop me off here."
"I don't know how long you've been standing there."
Back to school.
After a short summer break, I dropped my younger brother off near the front gate.
Seeing him in his uniform made me realize how much time had passed.
I hadn't noticed before, but he's now up to my chin.
When I enlisted, he was only up to my chest.
People say girls stop growing after middle school, but I guess that's not always the case.
"School ends at 4:30, so just wait in front of the mart."
"You're not staying for any after-school activities?"
"No, I'm heading straight home."
"…Do you have any friends?"
"Do you even know who I am?"
Harsh words. I do have friends, you know.
I even canceled plans last time because of you.
Though I used it as half an excuse.
"I have friends. It's just that we live in different directions."
"Okay? That's a shame."
"…What are you sorry about?"
For the first time in a while, my brother made a face that suited him.
It's kind of unsettling when he glares like that. Is it genetic?
Even the students walking by are glancing at us and then looking away.
"Just so you know, if you run into my friends, don't act like you do with me."
"What have I ever done to you?"
"I mean, don't try to act all friendly."
My brother, Kim Winter, treats me like some kind of dangerous creature.
Sure, I might look a bit intimidating… I have sharp features, but I'm a decent-looking guy as long as I don't scowl.
Personality-wise… I'm practically an adult when it comes to picking up my little brother from school.
"Do I really look that scary?"
"…Your face."
"…Isn't that a bit much?"
If we're talking about harm, isn't my brother the one who's hurting me?
Seriously, even stray cats don't bite this much.
"Anyway, I'm going."
"Call me if something comes up or if you have plans."
"Yeah."
"Call me even after your plans."
"Why?"
"I'm getting paid, so I can't just stop working. I have to pick you up."
"…Overprotective."
"You'll understand when you start working."
I'm not getting a ton of money, but it's more than my military salary, so I should work harder than I did back then.
Loyalty to my real mother beats loyalty to the motherland.
"…I'm late. I'll go."
"Okay, drive safely."
"Take care of your brother who kicks."
My brother turned around, holding his bag with both hands, and walked away.
Did I talk too much in front of the car? Why do my eyes feel so hot?
I watched him trudge toward the school gate, then pulled away.
This is weird.
Ever since I was discharged, it feels like my free time has disappeared.
After dropping my brother off in the morning, having lunch, and taking a nap, it's already 4 p.m.
After rushing to get ready, I hurried to school.
By the time I pick him up, it's 5 p.m., and after eating and cleaning up, it's almost 7.
A little exercise, and the day's over.
Did I just get scammed?
Feeling uneasy, I gripped the steering wheel as my brother came into view.
With two friends dressed just like him.
"…Ha."
"What's up, friend?"
My brother let out a deep sigh, looking exhausted.
Does he lose all his energy the moment we make eye contact?
"Hello~"
A friend much shorter than my brother and another slightly shorter one nodded.
The shorter one looks familiar, but where have I seen him before?
My memory's failing me.
"…Is it okay if we go?"
"Wow, your eyes look so alike. Is Winter your older brother?"
"Uh? Yeah, that's right."
"…Oppa, why are you suddenly being so formal?"
"You can't talk casually to someone you're meeting for the first time."
Talking to strangers… Aren't you reluctant to act friendly?
And didn't you tell me not to do anything out of character?
"Are these Winter's friends?"
"Yes, I followed Kyeol-gyeol because he said he'd show me around."
"Me too."
"…I followed on my own."
My brother pointed to his friends with a tired expression.
…I'm not a zoo exhibit.
Even if I'm popular, it's in the most useless ways.
"I've heard a lot about Winter."
"Georeum talks about you all the time~"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, he's always talking about his brother! Yesterday, he even sang a song about missing you."
"…"
My brother glared at his friends with a pitiful look and climbed into the passenger seat.
Seeing the two of them giggling, even I could tell they were teasing him.
No, it was just vacation until yesterday.
It's been longer since I was discharged than the time we've spent together, but if he's already tired of me, I don't want to see it.
"Let's go."
"What about them?"
"It doesn't matter. Hurry up."
He urged me, as if begging me to leave quickly, then leaned over and closed the window on his side.
I awkwardly waved at the two nodding through the window and drove off.
"…You're really close with your friends."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course, it's nonsense."
"Ha… That's why I didn't want to show you."
Carrying his bag forward, my brother sighed deeply.
It was fun teasing him, but it's not as comfortable when it's just the two of us.
"Why is everyone so interested in other people's families?"
"It's natural to be curious about your friends' families."
"…What would you do if your friend asked to meet me?"
"I'd never show you, even if I died."
I wasn't worried about my brother—I just didn't trust his friends.
I'm not the type to mess around with my friend's younger brother, but I'd definitely slander, spread rumors, and ruin my reputation at every opportunity.
"That's why I feel the same way."
"They seem nice, though."
"…Did you really just say that after seeing them?"
"We're just friendly. If it weren't for you, I'd have kicked them out."
"…Somehow."
Sometimes I wonder why I'm so close with my high school friends.
Even if we get along well, there are times when I'm not sure if our conversations are actual dialogue or just collective monologues.
But when we get together, it's always fun.
"…And oppa, what was that earlier?"
"What?"
"Why were you so formal with my friends?"
"Isn't it awkward to talk casually?"
"Your voice sounded weird."
"You can talk a little like you do on the phone. What's the big deal?"
"It's creepy."
"I've always talked like that on the phone. What are you talking about?"
"It's weird hearing it while looking at your face."
Seeing the goosebumps on his arm as he clutched his bag, a sadistic urge crept into me.
Seeing him hate it so much makes me want to tease him more.
Are there any phrases that make him shudder as soon as he hears them?
Hmm…
"…Brother, are you thinking something weird again?"
"No, not at all."
"Your neck is twitching. Don't lie to me."
"…Winter."
"If you say anything strange, I'll bite you."
He swallowed his words.
If I end up with another band-aid, I won't even have an excuse.