16 — Honesty Isn’t Always the Best Policy

Eun Ha picked us up from the stadium. She didn't ask how the match went; the result had already spread throughout the academy and the club. She didn't seem very surprised, but did seem particularly sorry for the other team. It was a bit hard to explain Mia's presence to her. Eun Ha just smiled and shook her head at Mia's new hair, and that was the end of that.

Back home, I spent the afternoon lazing around. My mom and Su Ah were doing their thing while Mia stuck to me like a puppy. She'd sit next to me, watch whatever I was watching, and occasionally throw in a few comments or two about her own thoughts on the matter.

Mostly, though, she was quiet, and I didn't mind her presence.

I was sitting on the couch, engrossed in a television show, when I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

"Hey, Jae-il?" Her voice was soft, almost tentative.

"Yeah?"

"Do you, uh, think we could go out for a bit? Just the two of us?" She was looking at me, one of her eyes hidden behind a curtain of blonde hair. Her arms were crossed. Was it a measly attempt to show dominance or a mask to hide nervousness?

"Where to?"

"Anywhere, really. I just feel like hanging out with you." She shrugged, her head tilted, her smile widening. "Is that weird?"

"No." I paused. "But there's nothing to do in the area. You know that."

My current age restricted a lot of activities I could have partook in.

She frowned. "Yeah, I know. But there has to be something, right? Maybe we could go for a walk or something?"

"Mom's not gonna let me leave the house without her." I pointed out. I was too young to be wandering outside alone without the supervision of an adult.

"I can handle her. Just tell me where you wanna go and I'll convince her, easy." Mia said confidently. She did have a point, she could charm the pants off of Eun Ha. And Yeong Gu, to an extent. Especially him, actually.

I pondered for a moment, considering her proposition. "There's this park not far from here. Has a nice field and some exercise equipment. It'd be nice to take a stroll there." I finally said.

She beamed. "Great! I'll go ask mom. Be ready in ten."

As Mia hurried off to find our mom, I couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this sudden invitation. She seemed more clingy and affectionate as of late. Perhaps it was a phase? Or maybe she was just excited about the new look? I'd never had siblings, so I didn't know. This was all uncharted territory for me.

Ten minutes later, as promised, I was dressed and ready to go. Mia had managed to convince our mom to let us leave the house alone. The only condition was that we'd be back by dinner. I didn't ask how she did it, and I didn't care to. Perhaps one day I'd learn that power.

Together, we stepped out into the sunlit street.

The afternoon was warm, with a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves on the trees lining the road. Mia, her blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight, had a skip in her step, and her face was adorned with a wide smile. She was wearing a white tank, black shorts, and a pair of white tennis shoes.

"You look happy." I commented, casting a sidelong glance at her.

"I am!" She chirped, her eyes sparkling. "It's nice getting out of the house, y'know? And hanging out with you is always fun."

"Fun?" I arched an eyebrow. "How so? I barely even talk."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, you talk enough. And besides, it's not all about that. It's more about who you're with, isn't it?"

"......"

I didn't respond, choosing to focus on the path ahead.

The park was a short walk from our house, nestled in a quiet neighborhood with rows of modest homes and neatly manicured lawns. It was a simple, yet welcoming place, with a playground at its center, a few benches scattered around, and a large, open field where kids often played various sports, usually soccer.

We found a bench overlooking the field, and Mia flopped onto it, stretching out her legs and sighing contentedly.

"It's a nice place." She remarked, tilting her face to catch the last of the day's sun.

I sat down beside her, observing the children on the field. Most of them were around our age, running around with a ball, their laughter filling the air. I watched them for a while, lost in my own thoughts.

Mia, sitting next to me, seemed to notice my distraction. "Penny for your thoughts?" She nudged me gently.

"Just thinking about football." I admitted.

"Always the same." She rolled her eyes, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "Do you ever think about anything else?"

"Not really."

She chuckled. "Well, that's one thing about you that never changes." Her gaze followed mine, watching the kids play. "Do you think you'll be a pro someday?"

"I know I will." My answer was firm. "The coach today suggested moving me up to the U-12's."

Her eyes widened. "Really? That's... that's incredible!" She paused. "But don't you think that's a little... soon? I mean, I'm no expert, but I thought these things were supposed to take time."

"I'm exceptional." I tilted my chin slightly, imitating some of her haughty demeanor.

"Arrogant, aren't you?" She raised an eyebrow, grinning.

"Arrogance is just confidence that doesn't suit people. My arrogance is my confidence. And it suits me just fine."

"You always have an answer for everything, don't you? Creepy seven year old kid." She sighed, but it was a happy sigh. "Seriously though, I'm happy for you. I hope everything works out." She winked at the end.

"What about you?" Since we were talking about the future, I wondered if this wayward sister of mine had any plans. I doubted she did, but you could never be too sure with someone like Mia. She had the tendency to spring surprises on you.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Any goals? Dreams? Plans for the future?"

"Me?" She looked taken aback for a second. "Uh, not really. I mean, I'm only eleven, you know? I don't have it all figured out yet."

"That's a boring answer."

"Hey, you asked!" She poked my side, causing me to flinch. "Besides, I'm sure I'll find something I'm passionate about. Just like you did. It might take a while, but I'm not worried."

I nodded. It was a fair response. "Well, whatever you choose to do, make sure you're good at it."

She scoffed. "Says the boy who's a prodigy at everything he tries." She nudged me again, this time with a playful smile. "But I get what you mean. Thanks for the advice, o wise one." Her tone was teasing, but her words were sincere. She turned her gaze back to the field, watching the kids run and play.

The conversation ebbed and flowed, touching on various topics.

She talked about school, her friends, and the latest boy she turned down because he 'didn't meet her standards'. I listened, nodding occasionally, offering a word or two when necessary. It wasn't the most riveting conversation, but I didn't mind.

It was nice, just being in the moment, with someone I considered family.

Not everything had to be about football, BOPE, or anything else. Sometimes, I could just sit with my sister and talk about nothing, and it felt... right. Normal. Like something I should have experienced in my previous life. Something I'd missed out on.

And now, I was slowly getting a taste of it.

I didn't hate it, I had to admit.

"Hey, Jae-il." Mia's voice cut through my thoughts. "I'm going to get a drink from the vending machine. Want anything?" She asked, pointing to a lone vending machine in the distance.

"Water." I responded, reaching into my pocket to pull out a 1000 Won bill.

She shook her head. "No need. My treat today." She winked, then skipped off towards the vending machine.

I watched her go, her blonde hair swaying as she moved.

It didn't take long for her to return, two drinks in hand.

"Here you go." Mia said, handing me a bottle of water. She popped the cap of her own bottle, which was a bright pink color, and took a long sip. "Ah, that's good." She literally melted.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing to her drink. I still had to acquaint myself with most korean beverages.

"Oh, this?" She held up the bottle, the liquid inside catching the light. "It's just some kind of fruit juice. Want to try it?"

I blinked for a moment, then nodded. "Sure." She handed me the bottle. I took a swig, the sweet taste of mixed fruit filling my mouth. It was surprisingly refreshing. A bit too sweet, perhaps.

"Good, right?" Mia grinned. "Right?" She leaned in, invading my space.

"Better than I anticipated." I agreed, handing the bottle back to her.

She took it, her fingers briefly brushing against mine. "Hehe~" She eyed the lip of the bottle, where I'd just drunk from, before taking another sip.

I didn't think much of it.

Mia leaned back, stretching her arms over her head. "So..." She began, fidgeting slightly. Almost ten seconds passed, and I turned around to see if she needed any prompt from me. Turns out she didn't; she was merely waiting for my full attention.

She hummed, legs swinging.

"Have you ever thought about, like, kissing someone?"

And then she asked, out of the blue.