While my older sister Seo-ha finished getting ready, I took the initiative to secure a spot on the sandy beach early, setting up the parasol and sunbed before organizing the drinks I brought in the cooler.
“Wow, there are all sorts of things in the storage. Seo-ha really meant it when she said I didn’t need to buy stuff for the beach.”
Wiping my sweat away, I satisfiedly checked my setup and gulped down the chilled water bottle I had left outside.
“Ah, I feel alive! This is it!”
“Uju, did you wait long?”
While I was lost in refreshment, a familiar voice came from behind.
Turning my head, there was my older sister Seo-ha, wearing a white t-shirt over her swimsuit. It looked like she thought sunscreen alone wouldn’t be enough to protect her skin.
“Good thing she didn’t come out in that black bikini I saw earlier. I’d have spent the whole day clutching my nose instead of swimming.”
“No, no, Seo-ha. You’ve got a t-shirt on, huh?”
“The sun is too strong, so I thought I’d wear it a bit and take it off while tanning. Are you disappointed?”
“Disappointed? No, not at all! It just means you look good in it.”
I quickly shook my head, trying to hide my flustered feelings. Of course, I had a honest desire to see her in the swimsuit, but that would mean a full day of battling my sanity.
“By the way, tanning? Are you trying to get a tan, Seo-ha?”
“Yeah, I’m a bit too pale, so I’m thinking about getting a little bit of a healthy glow.”
“You look good just the way you are.”
Park Jae-seong, who had a bit of a complex with darker skin, I wondered if Seo-ha felt insecure about being too pale.
As I shared this honest thought, my sister brought her hand to her mouth and smiled alluringly.
“Hehe, who knows? Maybe Uju will like me even more once I get a tan.”
“Honestly, I’d like you no matter if you’re tan or pale.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
My answer must’ve been satisfying because Seo-ha smiled and tilted her head at me.
“But, Uju, did you forget to put on sunscreen?”
Ah, busted. I thought I could escape that.
“Well, I just can’t get used to slathering things on my body, you know? I was just planning to enjoy myself…”
“No way! Ordinary cosmetics are one thing, but you need to put on sunscreen to avoid regretting it later!”
It struck me as funny that the sister who was trying to tan was lecturing me, but she wasn’t wrong. Resolving to apply some sunscreen, I reached for it next to the sunbed.
Whoosh.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, it vanished from my sight as if it had been hijacked, disappearing into who knows where.
And the hijacker was none other than Seo-ha.
“If you put it on alone, you won’t reach your back. Lay down; I’ll do it for you.”
“Ah, no! I can do it myself…”
“Hey, big sister is getting annoyed!”
She wasn’t going to give up the sunscreen, clenching her hands and pretending to be angry as she placed them on her hips.
But honestly, even with that stern look, it was more cute than scary. Still, knowing she might actually be mad, it would be wise for me to comply.
“Fine, go ahead.”
“Okay!”
As I replied, feeling a little tense, I heard her squeeze out some sunscreen, and her voice joined it.
Swoosh.
Before I could brace myself, her soft, slightly sticky touch glided over my back, making me flinch instinctively.
What kind of new torture is this?
She rubbed sunscreen all over, sometimes back and forth for what felt like forever, before moving her hand to my arms and applying it there.
…Hmm. It feels less like applying and more like… massaging? Knowing how meticulous she is, I wondered if that was just how it felt because she was being thorough.
Sure, if the roles were reversed, there’s no way she’d be kneading my body like dough. Let’s put that thought away, Kang Woo-joo.
“I’ve noticed for a while now that you have a pretty good build, Uju.”
“R-really?”
I desperately tried to shake off the thoughts as Seo-ha’s gentle voice re-introduced troubling ideas.
Why did she have to say something so distracting at a time like this? Now I can’t help but think nonsense!
“Yeah, you’re pretty toned. Your arms are surprisingly thick. Speaking of which, you said you used to work out every morning when you lived in your studio?”
“Yeah. Nowadays I can’t go as often because of work, but I try to at least squeeze in a workout before broadcasting starts.”
I didn’t start exercising to get fit; it just felt like something I had to do since I was stuck at home all day.
Still, I was relieved to know it worked out in my favor with Seo-ha. I wouldn’t end up showing off a saggy belly at the beach, scaring people away instead.
“Great, all set! Now shall we have some fun?”
“Absolutely!”
Expressing my gratitude, I stood up and took her hand, heading towards the incoming waves.
Whenever I hear the sound of the waves, it strangely calms me. Is that what they mean by the placebo effect?
Splash.
“Wow, the water is quite cold even though it’s shallow.”
“Right? Even in the middle of summer…”
As soon as we dipped our feet, I felt the chill in the water, just as she said.
But it wasn’t nearly as icy as winter valley water, more like a refreshing chill that just eased the heat, leaving me feeling pretty good.
“Uju, Uju.”
“Yes, Seo…”
Splash!
“Pfft!?”
When she hurriedly called me, I thought she might’ve spotted some seafood, but suddenly a jet of water splashed onto my face, clouding my vision.
Wow, I never thought this sister of mine would engage in such childish antics.
“Hehe, when you’re at the beach, you can’t let your guard down.”
She watched me, soaked and looking like a drowned rat, with a pleased smile on her face.
Okay, so you want to play like that?
“Did you start this? You know you can’t escape it now, right?”
“Even if you say that, I’m not scared at all!”
“Oh, really…”
So, you’re challenging me, huh?
I was prepared to let it slide, but now I’ve got to take action!
Splash!
“Ahhhh!?”
I scooped up a big handful of water and dumped it over her head, causing her to shriek in surprise.
How dare she! My older sister doesn’t just let anyone mess with her at the beach. I’m confident in my water fighting skills.
Splash! Splash!
“Wait! Uju, I give up…!”
“How can you say ‘give up’ already? You were the one who started this fight!”
“Y-yeah, but… Pfft!?”
She swung her tiny arms to retaliate, but her efforts felt more like a tickle compared to the damage I was doing.
“Ugh! I’ve swallowed too much water…”
Eventually, trying to escape from me, Seo-ha made her way to the shore, gasping for refuge in the water.
Feeling a little guilty, I followed her closely, checking in on her.
“Are you okay? Was that too much?”
“You were too harsh. Can’t you let me slide a little?”
“Hey, the world of competition is harsh. But I didn’t dunk you all the way; I only splashed you.”
“So that counted as being lenient?”
It seems she didn’t think I’d respond like that when she usually took her teasing without much reaction.
But seeing her laugh gleefully, I thought we had a great time playing around.
“I’ll definitely get my revenge later.”
“Fuh, good luck with that… huh?”
I laughed at her somber declaration, but that humor didn’t last long.
The reason? The sudden transformation of my sister’s appearance.
Just moments ago, her white t-shirt let just enough skin peek through, allowing my eyes to wander, but now it clung to her body after getting drenched, creating quite a provocative scene.
If she’d just worn her swimsuit, it would have been better, but instead, the contrast of her soaked shirt revealing her skin against that black bikini was disorienting.
“U-Uju…?”
“…Yes?”
I lost my train of thought, staring mindlessly at that shocking view, until Seo-ha’s soft voice pulled me back.
Looking at her red cheeks—not just from the sun, but from embarrassment—as she tugged at the hem of her shirt while gazing at me, I finally came to my senses.
“If you keep staring like that, it’s going to make me a bit embarrassed too…”
“I’m so sorry…!”
Realizing I hadn’t been controlling my gaze at all, I hastily turned away, but it was already far too late.
Seriously, Kang Woo-joo! Why do you have to make a scene out of the innocent moment? Just go away and disappear!
Swoosh.
As I mentally berated myself, something soft wrapped itself around my wrist, and I felt a wet sensation on my arm.
“Um, you don’t need to apologize… instead, could you do me a favor?”
“A favor? Of course, anything…!”
I thought maybe this was my chance to redeem myself and nodded vigorously.
Thud.
She plopped an oil bottle—wherever she got it from—onto my hand, her eyes half-lidded as she spoke in a sultry voice.
“I need to tan… could you help me apply some oil?”
“…….”
In that moment, I gave up on thinking entirely.
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