Soo-jung and Geum-bi made up surprisingly quickly.
Maybe it's because I was caught in the middle, but they both felt like adults their own age apologising to each other.
She's only two or three years older than me. I'll be like her when I get a job in a few years.
He just smiled wryly at Force, a man who wouldn't even be able to give him a business card after his military career.
After the two older sisters had briefly shared the news of their mother with their younger siblings, they went to their rooms and began their daily routines.
And it was time for me to start the day's work that I had been putting off.
It was ... time for the dreaded bathroom cleaning.
"I wish I could do it in the afternoon when I've had a chance to relax. I wonder why everyone takes such long showers in the evening... ha ha".
My family lives in a big house with two floors and a yard, so we have a lot of chores to do, and of course we divide them up and everyone has a role to play.
I chose a once-a-week job like cleaning the bathroom out of boredom... but when it came down to it, this guy was a real pain in the neck.
"The more people there are, the more scum there is, and the shampoo and body soap run out quickly, so I have to keep replenishing them," he said, "and he wants me to take turns in the evenings so he can finish cleaning during the day... Ugh! I'm so tired in the morning!"
A moment ago I was sitting comfortably in Geumbi's room, feeling the warmth.
Now I'm squatting on the tiles and splashing cold water. I can't describe the feeling of emptiness that comes from this void.
"Oh, the shampoo bottle is empty again. I'll have to get some before dinner... Ugh."
Yesterday, I had quite a bit left when I washed up.
Geum-bi washed it before me, and Soo-jung is a bit of a hoarder, so... it must be Hwa-yeon. Damn girl, a nuisance in broad daylight.
"Anyway, Hwa-yeon, she's no help around the house."
"What, do you want to die? What are you talking about when you wake up?"
"What? Hua, Hua-yeon?"
"Brother, do you know how bad it feels to swear in front of no one? You're so mean."
Like a tiger, Hwa-yeon appeared in the bathroom door and rubbed her eyes.
I panicked for a moment, but soon looked at him and corrected him.
"Sorry, I'll be more careful from now on."
"Awww, please do. Think about the person you're talking to."
"Okay, okay. So what are you doing here, my little brother who doesn't contribute to the family income?"
"What?! Nothing has changed!"
"You asked me to stop talking backwards, so I talked forwards. Are you unhappy? Do you want some water?"
"Ew, that's not funny... Don't turn the shower on like that. It's really splashing!"
I splashed him, but he dodged it.
I set my cheeky little brother straight and glare at him as to why he's really here.
"My sisters were washing their faces on the second floor, so I came down, haha."
"You didn't even wake up to wash your face. Why don't you stay in your room and wait for your sisters to come out?"
"I'm washing my face because I'm still awake, you idiot."
"Silly to my brother? Do you want to get wet outside the bathroom?"
"Aaah~ Anyway, finish cleaning up quickly. I have to go out soon."
"It's the weekend, where are you going? Do you have a group project?"
"Watch out for your sister. I've got a weekend job since last week, okay?"
"Really? You've been holed up in your room all weekend."
"Maybe he's just not interested in me. He's always asking Mok-hee if she needs pocket money."
"My youngest went to a good university and it's going to cost him a lot of money as a freshman."
"I went to a pretty good university too."
"I was a bad student. Haha, I was so surprised when I heard about it in the army..."
"Aww, okay! You can take your time cleaning up, so shut up. I'm out, out, out, chit!
After faking tears, Hua Yan shook her head and ran out.
But she's got a big misunderstanding. I'm not giving you pocket money because you're unlucky, but because of your behaviour.
If you can't be as respectful as the youngest, you should at least stop swearing. ...It's just like your sister, why are they always fighting?
It's either envy or hate.
I'm glad it was Soo-jung who had the fight this morning. No one got hurt.
He's the one who used up all the shampoo. He's dyed his hair again, so he's making a mess.
I clicked my tongue as I remembered Hwa-yeon's hair, still red from yesterday.
I should've hosed down the bathroom. There were a lot of stains in the bathroom. You're the reason I'm in this mess and you want to come in here and complain?
"Hey, have you finished cleaning?"
"I just left! Stop being so impatient... Huh? Sis?!"
"Ouch! It's cold! What are you doing, Earth?"
"Mee, sorry. I thought it was Hwa-yeon, stop..."
Annoyed by the stain that wouldn't come off no matter how hard she scrubbed, she splashed water at the next customer.
This time, however, it was her first visit, and in the dressing room outside the bathroom, a soaked Soo-jung covered her top with her arm.
"I can't believe you thought it was Hwa-yeon, you shouldn't have thrown water on her too! Are you too old to play pranks like that?"
"No, I don't play pranks for no reason... Anyway, I'm sorry. I'll get the towel now."
I quickly handed the towel to Soo-jung and she started to rub her hair dry.
But as she did so, her arm covering her front went up and the white T-shirt she was wearing was... soaked through and not doing the job at all.
"Ewww! Take your time, sis. I'll go outside."
"Oh, wait, while I'm here I need to ask you something, Earth."
"What is it? I'll be right behind you, so tell me quickly."
"You... you said you were going to sleep in Goldie's room during the day from now on?"
It was Soo-jung who stopped me, and I looked as far away from her torso as I could.
But when I saw her breasts in the dressing room mirror, I felt embarrassed again, so I closed my eyes and thought about what she had said.
"But what was that? Do you want me to sleep in your room or not?
As if the conversation had gone off the rails, Soo-jung spoke up.
"You're just going to hug her, stroke her, pet her... Is that what you're going to do?"
"Mmm, I don't know what Geumbi said to you, Oh Hae, I just decided to come over and talk to you from time to time."
"Okay...? So when you went to her room earlier, you didn't hug her or anything?"
"... I was there to comfort her, so I sneaked in a hug."
I corrected the misinformation, but I couldn't deny the questioning that followed.
I tried to explain the situation and plead for understanding, but her anger only seemed to grow.
"Look, it's not for me to say, but... even though you're brother and sister, you're still a boy and a girl, so please be careful not to get too close."
"This time I had no choice, given the situation, and I don't think it's really your place to say..."
"Well, I'm used to making out with my siblings, but you're not, so if you're always so stubborn and suddenly you're so vulnerable... you might think something weird."
That sounds like the advice I heard from Goldie's sister yesterday.
They are sisters, after all, and I wonder if the reason they reconciled so quickly is because they have a similar way of thinking.
"I see what you mean. You mean when someone changes, things can go wrong, right?"
"Exactly, especially since... well, we don't know the outcome yet."
"I'll have to be more careful. I hear you, sis."
As it is, it's a matter that would be even more sensitive if Goldie were adopted.
The question, "...but isn't that the same for you?" rose to the top of my throat, but I could barely get it out because my eyes were closed.
By the way, I'm stuck in the middle, so I'm in a lot of trouble.
I can't wait for my mum to come home... Oh, I can't remember.
"Sis, have you heard anything more about your mum? Like an exact date of discharge or when she'll be coming home?"
"Well... but with a month in hospital and work commitments, I think she'll be there for a while... she always took every holiday she could get."
"So now that I've missed one, it'll be a while before my next holiday?"
"Yes. Goldie... sighed as soon as she heard about it."
To be honest, I feel the same way to some extent.
It's a complicated situation and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier.
"So, Earth, you... just be nice until Mum comes back. Keep the boundaries between brother and sister, of course."
"I'll do what I can. I know I'm not the only one you can count on, but don't worry too much, sis."
"Hm, shouldn't I be telling you to trust me at times like this?"
"Because I won't lie to you."
Soo-Jung laughed at the stupidly honest answer, as if she could believe it.
But it was a lot of responsibility for such a simple answer. I'm now responsible for the mental health of Soo-jung, Geum-bi and Jol-ji.
"It'll be fine," I said, "because tomorrow they'll be back at work and I'll be home alone a lot more.
Will it get boring?
Maybe I should get a part-time job like Hyeon-yi.
"Hmph, I'm done. Thanks for the towel, Earth.
"Are you done now? Were you that wet - ewww?!"
"Oh, I just dried off... and changed less clothes. Hehe."
Where was the person who just told me not to mess with Geumbi's sister?
When I opened my eyes and looked behind me, I saw Soo-jung standing there with her arms barely covering her breasts.
"Why are you looking like that? Put some clothes on!"
"No, I didn't come to wash up. I don't have a shirt or anything."
"Then get one! And why aren't you wearing any underwear?"
"Who walks around in a bra at home on their day off, Earth, I thought you were an adult, but you're a child in this part?"
"You're a big girl, act like one! Get out of here. No, don't stay in your room, get dressed and come back!"
Soo-jung thought it was funny to see me screaming and averting my eyes, and she teased me for a while without any shame.
I'm sure it's because she only sees me as her cute little brother, but I'm much bigger than she thinks, so take care of yourself. Take care of yourself.
No matter how much you think about it, you're not in a position to take care of anyone else. You have to look after yourself, please!
Red-faced and desperate, the younger sister runs away, while the older sister laughs hysterically as she covers her torso with a wet towel.
The chase in the cramped changing room came to an end as I turned my attention back to cleaning the bathroom.
"I'm going upstairs then - see you later, Earth."
"Don't come back! Don't even think about seeing me later, ugh."
As if she knew how desperate I was, Soo-jung waved goodbye at the end.
Afterwards, I splashed water all over the bathroom to relieve my frustration and self-pity.
"Hey, you're not done cleaning yet, Kaat!"
The bathroom door was flung open and I had already had my second water night of the day.
"Oh, it's Hwa-yeon, I'm surprised again."
"I'm even more surprised! What's happening to my hair?"
Luckily, unlike Soo-jung, Hwa-yeon was wearing a coloured t-shirt, so there were plenty of places to look.
As for his wet hair... well, he didn't care.
"We can wash it while it's wet. Here, I just finished cleaning."
"Ew, seriously, that sucks, get out of here, big brother!"
With my thoughts washed away like running water, I stormed out of the bathroom without hesitation.
* * *
I finished cleaning all the way to the upstairs toilet and kitchen and finally stretched.
I had been running around non-stop since early morning and my body was complaining of fatigue. I dragged my creaky legs to lie down in my room.
"Yang Zhiqi."
"What? Sister Jinbi?"
"Come to my room for a while."
"What? Why? I just finished cleaning...?"
"Why, because it's still... daylight."
Before I could catch my breath, Geum-Bi pulled me away.
I heard that you and Crystal made up, but is there anything else? What's going on?
"But... I don't know, I just want to lie down.
After being dragged away, Jinbi's room was soon locked.
I was about to say something when she cut me off and flopped down on the bed.
"Hey, hey, when did I tell you to lie down?!"
I had a feeling it was going to be a rainy day.
Anyway, right now I just wanted to bask in the feel of the fluffy duvet.
"That smell, that smell in the bathroom. No wonder we live in the same house.
Goldie's bed smelled like used bathroom shampoo.
It was the same scent I'd smelled when I'd hugged her a few hours earlier and I closed my eyes, relaxing into the warmth of that moment again.
"Wake up, ya... jungmaal."
I heard someone stirring beside me, but shrugged it off.
The shaking was soon replaced by a tentative pat, perhaps in return for my earlier gesture.