Chapter XXX – The Sister We All Knew

Yawning deeply, Arthur sat up in his bed and stretched his arms out. Glancing out the window with blurry sight, he noticed that it was daytime. Repeatedly yawning, he shook his head and sniffled. Turned out that staying up all night blocked his nose a bit, but nothing that fresh air wouldn’t fix within minutes.

“What time is it anyway?” he glanced to his clock only to realize that it was already two in the afternoon.

Fuck! Our morning plans. . .

Without thinking, Arthur rushed out of his room practically flying down the stairs before finally reaching the living room. To his surprise, the girls were sitting on the couch watching TV, though their attention was stolen away by his sudden appearance.

“You’re all still here. . .” he sighed.

“Oppa. . .” Sophie said with one eyebrow raised. “You should probably get dressed.”

Ari looked at him surprised, while Irene couldn’t help but chuckle. Arthur glanced down realizing he is only in pajama pants.

“Well, whatever. . .” he shook his head with a smile.

“I don’t mind. You can walk like that all day long,” Irene teased.

“Same here,” Ari added averting her gaze slightly.

“Look at you two gawking at my Oppa,” Sophie chuckled. “I gotta admit though, you look a lot fitter now.”

Arthur ignored the comment and walked towards the kitchen to get a glass of water before returning. He sat down on a chair next to them.

“We can scoot over if you wanna jump on the couch,” Irene offered. “There’s plenty of room.”

“No way. . . I like comfort,” Sophie said raising her legs onto the table in front.

“I tried,” Irene said leaning on Sophie, resting her head on her shoulder. “I ain’t giving up this seat though.”

“Can we at least pause the episode?” Ari took the remote.

“You already saw this episode like three times,” Sophie pointed out.

“Fine, fine. . .” she sighed dropping the remote to the side. “So, did you at least sleep well?”

“Yeah. . . I didn’t expect much since I had a hard time falling asleep all night.”

“We didn’t either,” Ari sighed while Irene chuckled knowing what she was implying.

“Hey! Are you trying to start something with me?” Sophie asked with a deadpan expression.

“Don’t, Ari. She finally stopped kicking,” Irene teased, though her smug attitude was stopped abruptly as she burst into tearful laughter with Sophie vengefully tickling her. “HAHA! Soph- AH! STOP. . . Please!”

Ari scooted away from them, while Arthur laughed not knowing she was so ticklish. After a few minutes of utter torture, Sophie finally settled down leaving Irene panting with her head tilted over the side and one arm against her forehead.

“That should teach you a lesson,” Sophie chuckled smugly.

“You’re. . . Ruthless. . .” Irene mumbled with heavy breaths.

“Too far Soph,” Ari mumbled.

Sophie simply huffed. She glanced towards Irene over the shoulder feeling a tad bit guilty.

“Irene,” she touched her thigh to which Irene instantly twitched. “I ugh. . .”

Glancing under her arm which covered her face, Irene shook her head and pulled herself up.

“I deserved it,” she mumbled with a smile resting her head on Sophie once more. “But Imma borrow you a bit.”

“Sure,” Sophie chuckled.

“Anyway. . . Now that the show’s over, I was surprised to see the two of you still here.”

“Well, we agreed to go to F&I,” Ari said. “We let you sleep in a bit. Besides, midterms are over so it's not like we got things to do right now.”

“Cool,” Arthur smiled placidly. “Let’s give her time to recover and we can get going.”

“While they might be cool with it, I ain’t dragging your ass out there dressed like that,” Sophie said jokingly.

“You just hate not being the center of attention,” Arthur teased back.

“You dare make fun of me after what you’ve just witnessed?”

“Arthur. . . Don’t,” Irene said with a weak voice. “You mustn’t dare anger her. . . Speaking from experience.”

“See?” Sophie grinned.

“Takes more than that to make me afraid,” he walked past her patting her head with a smile that dispersed any desire in her to answer back. “I’ll be right back.”

Once ready to go, the girls and Arthur leave the house heading straight for F&I. It was a quiet sunny day, a typical Sunday.

“Sure you’re fine not eating? We could’ve waited a bit longer you know,” Irene asked worriedly.

“I’ll have a vanilla milkshake and I’ll be good to go.”

“I hate skipping meals,” Ari cut in.

“I don’t mind skipping, but now that we run every morning, I’ll die if I skip breakfast,” Sophie commented.

“We’ve been everything but consistent when it comes to our morning runs,” Arthur sighed.

“I mean. . . Midterms were around the corner. We’ll fix it.”

Arthur refrained from commenting, but he was doubtful.

“How much longer till we’re there?” Irene asked excitedly.

“It’s just around that corner,” Sophie pointed with her finger.

Arriving, the group went inside and sat by the window. There were only a few customers, mostly elderly folk and a group of kids with their mothers. Light and joyful instrumental music was playing in the background.

“Hey you two,” said cheerfully Iseul. “I see you brought company.”

“Unnie!” yelled Sophie. “I was hoping to see you working today.”

“You know I work the weekends,” she points out winking at her.

The two of them got a lot closer since Sophie became a regular.

“Right,” Sophie turned towards Ari. “This is Ari, my BFF. Ari, this is. . . Well, you already know cuz I told you.”

“Hi. . .” Ari said shyly.

“Pleasure meeting you, name is Iseul.”

Arthur was always amazed by Iseul’s approachable and cheerful attitude.

Unable to refrain from smiling, he turned halfway towards Irene. “And this is-”

“Irene?” Iseul cut him off. “Is that you?”

“Hey, Iseul. . .” Irene sighed.

“You two know each other?” asked Arthur.

“You could say that,” Irene was soft-spoken but appeared annoyed.

“I overheard from Aera that you’ve returned. . .”

“I bet that b-“ Irene stopped herself. “She. . . Talked about me already.”

“Who’s Aera?” Sophie asked confused.

“My classmate,” Iseul said. “We all used to hang out together when I was still first year, but Irene and Aera had a fallout. . .”

“That’s a nice way of putting it,” Irene sighed.

“Sorry to be blunt like this, but are you two OK. . .” Arthur spoke up.

“Umm. . .” Iseul sighed awkwardly.

“I’m fine if she is,” Irene sighed one last time before looking up towards Iseul. “At least don’t tell her you met me. . .”

Iseul chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about that. We’re no longer friends.”

“Oh? I thought you two were inseparable,” Irene appeared genuinely surprised.

“We were never that close to begin with. I couldn’t handle her manipulative tendencies. . .”

“Right!” Irene chuckled for the first time. “So why did you hang out with her in the first place?”

“I was first year and trying to make friends. I didn’t know back then. After the whole incident, once you left, I stopped talking to her all together. I wanted to tell you, but didn’t get the chance to.”

“Oh right. . . I blocked the group chat,” Irene chuckled. “Well, I never really had anything against you. So, sorry for making it awkward.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing for not helping you out when you needed it. Sorry. . .” Iseul seemed genuine.

Arthur, Ari, and Sophie just sat and listened. There wasn’t much they could say.

“Well,” Sophie spoke up. “Whatever happened in the past, I’m sure you guys can be friends again. After all, I like both of you and you’re both badass in your own way.”

Both of them chuckled glancing at each other.

Seeing Iseul hesitate, Irene smiled before saying anything. “I’m willing to give it a try if you’re cool with it.”

“Yes!” Iseul yelled out delighted, it was obvious that this was something that weighed on her for a long time. “I mean. . . Yeah, I’m cool with it.”

“Great,” Sophie interrupted. “I love when things work out.”

“Wanna join us for drinks?” Irene offered as she glanced at the rest seeking approval.

“Fine with me,” Arthur commented while Ari nodded, Sophie’s opinion was obvious.

“Ah. . . I’m working, but. . .” Iseul turned her back to them and went towards the kitchen.

“You really ok?” Arthur asked Irene.

“Yeah,” she sighed but smiled regardless. “It wasn’t what I expected, but I’ve never had any problems with Iseul. If anything, she was always nice. Besides, it’s been like two years since that happened. It’d be nice to get to know her without that bitch. Sorry. . .”

“No need to apologize,” Arthur chuckled. “From what I’ve gathered, she truly does seem like a kindhearted person. Besides, look at Sophie. Do you think she’d gaze in awe towards just anyone?”

“Hey. . .” Sophie mumbled.

“It’s true tho,” Ari added. “You did brag about knowing her.”

“Well,” Irene chuckled leaning forward with a grin. “If Sophie thinks highly of her, then I’d be a fool not to give her a chance.”

“That’s the spirit,” Arthur said turning towards the kitchen door.

Coming out from the back was Iseul as she changed out of her uniform.

“That was fast,” Irene commented impressed. “You fine with dropping work like that?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said sitting down next to Sophie. “It’s actually my family’s business.”

“Wait, what? I thought you work here just for the pocket money,” Sophie said shocked.

“I mean. . . I do, but yeah. . . My mom runs this place,” she explained. “I didn’t want to hide it, but I don’t typically tell people.”

“I get it,” Arthur cut in. “Makes it easier if people you know don’t swarm the place all the time.”

“Exactly. . .” she sighed.

“Alright. . . What’ll you be having,” said a familiar disembodied male voice as Iseul’s replacement arrived at the table.

Turning towards him, everyone looked shocked.

“Max?” Sophie mumbled.

“Huh?” Max looked down at the table past his little writing pad realizing who Iseul sat down with. “What are you guys doing here?”

He wore a grey shirt with his sleeves rolled up, and a dark blue apron with matching pants.

“Better question is what are you doing here?” Arthur asked equally confused.

“What do you mean? I work here. . . It’s my mom’s shop. . .”

“Wait. . .” Sophie mumbled having an epiphany. “You’re Iseul’s younger brother!? No way!”

“You know each other?” Iseul asked.

“Wait, Max is your obnoxious younger brother you complained about?” Irene looked at Iseul before bursting into laughter. “Small world.”

“Obnoxious younger brother? Nonna?” Max looked at Iseul confused.

“Oh come on! I said that ages ago,” Iseul looked dreadfully towards Irene. “You can’t do me in like that. Max, listen. . .”

“Whatever. . .” he sighed. “How the hell do you know my classmates?”

“Classmates? Oh wait, so it was with them that you spent last night drinking,” Iseul connected the dots.

“I wasn’t drinking!” Max looked back panicked. “Mom might hear you. . .”

Max sighed as the rest laughed.

“Yeah, he was with us,” Irene said. “It was Arthur’s birthday yesterday.”

Iseul smilingly glanced towards Arthur. “Happy birthday with a slight delay.”

“Thanks,” he said shaking his head somewhat embarrassed.

“What are you all flustered about?” Irene looked at him with one eyebrow raised.

“Wait a second,” Sophie paused with her hands spread. “Kim Iseul, Kim Mun-Hee. . . No matter how much I think about it, it seems to be true. . .”

“Is it so hard to believe?” Max mumbled.

“Of course it is. How’d you end up with such a cool sister and you turned out like this?”

“What is that supposed to mean? Ha?!” Max stared at Sophie.

“Max, behave. . .” Iseul said sternly.

“Ugh. . .” Max mumbled to himself.

“I wish he’d listen to us like that,” Irene chuckled.

“Anyway. . . New people are coming in, so order up.”

Finishing up with orders, Iseul made all the drinks on the house to celebrate Arthur’s birthday. What started as an awkward introduction turned into a conversation heavily dominated by the two. They had loads to catch up on and from what Arthur could tell, the two hit it off nicely. Meanwhile, Arthur drowned himself in his vanilla milkshake as he had quite the sweet tooth.

“I’m glad that I finally know the people my brother keeps blabbing about all the time,” Iseul giggles. “Never suspected you guys.”

“That hard to believe he’d hang out with us?” Ari asked.

“He had a tendency of picking the wrong friends. . .”

Arthur recalled Max stating a similar thing about Iseul.

“Worse than Aera?” Irene asked. “Must be a common trait. . .”

“You got the there,” Iseul sighed.

“What happened back then anyway?” Sophie dared ask.

“Well. . .” Iseul awkwardly tried to avoid the question.

“It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you about it later if you’re still curious. I’d rather not talk about it now if you don’t mind,” Irene interrupted.

“Ah, OK. You don’t have to if you don’t wanna,” Sophie gave her a warm smile.

“It’s cool. Not hiding anything.”

It was funny seeing Max working hard while wearing a uniform, but he’d also make sure to drop by and joke around between orders. Luckily for him, it wasn’t that busy. Iseul and Max would tease each other, but it was obvious that they too cared deeply for one another, though Arthur already knew that by the fact that Max was extremely protective whenever talking about her.

Eventually, the conversation shifted towards school and midterms, a point at which both Arthur and Max zoned out.

Few hours passed and the group finally decided to go their separate way. The girls made plans to meet up for a girl’s night out, meanwhile, Max and Arthur planned a gaming night at Don’s place.

“Well, thanks for dropping by. It was really nice seeing you again Irene,” Iseul said. “I hope it’s not the last time we get to hang out.”

“I mean we already made plans, but how about you join us for lunch at school?”

“I don’t know. . .” Iseul looked back at Max who preferred they keep to themselves, at least that’s what he said a year ago.

“Don’t mind him,” Arthur cut in. “You should definitely join us.”

“I’m sure Max can find a different table,” Sophie pointed out.

“Hey! Why do I have to find a different table?” Max glanced at Sophie pettily annoyed at her poking fun at him all day long. “Besides. . . I don’t mind.”

“You don’t?” Iseul asked. “But you used to complain when I wanted to sit with you last year.”

“That’s cuz-” he stopped himself, taking a deep breath. “Look. . . I said I don’t mind.”

“Alright. . . I won’t question you,” Iseul said ruffling his hair.

“Hey, stop that. . .”

The rest giggled finding the two cute.

“I’ll see you guys in school I guess,” Iseul said with an infectious smile.

Max and Iseul eventually returned to work leaving the four wondering the street.

“Well, it’s been fun but I do have to get going,” Irene said slightly disappointed. “Ari, you staying with them or you coming with me? I’ll be taking the cab, so I can drop you off.”

“Sure, I’ll split with you.”

It took a few minutes to find a free cab, but the time came for them to finally say their goodbyes. Afterward, Arthur and Sophie returned home and eventually began cleaning up the leftover mess.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading!