Chapter 142 – Three Peaches (2)

What could be Zodiac’s favorite food?

“Heh, hehe, hehe~”

Zodiac, who was humming with her arms folded next to me, made cute eye contact as soon as she felt my gaze.

“Why, big brother?”
“Do you have a favorite food?”

As an adult, Zodiac made a fuss regardless of what I did for her, so I had no idea what food she truly liked.
The type who likes serving others rather than enjoying eating herself?
I know her preference for chicken skewers, but it feels wrong to offer just a single skewer, especially when we’re dining out.

“Umm~”

Zodiac caressed her chin with her fingers.

“Ah!”

Unfolding her arms, she made one hand into a fist and placed it in her palm with a thud.

“Food to eat with Do-won’s big brother?”
“… … .”

This mischievous little one.
This sister is truly a constant presence.

While petting Zodiac’s head, which clung tightly to my right arm, I pondered and eventually thought of a restaurant.

“How about a buffet?”
“A buffet? There’s no such place in Do-won…”
“Of course, we’d have to go outside.”
“Wow! Outside?!”

At the mention of “outside,” Zodiac’s eyes grew as large as marbles.
Her expression instantly brightened, her lips quivering with excitement even as she smiled.

“Are we really going outside?”
“Of course~”
“I really love you, big brother!”

-Wham!

Zodiac let out a squeal and firmly hugged my waist with both arms.
There’s nothing quite as gratifying as seeing the recipient of a gift react positively, and this was precisely that situation.

“But it’ll take quite a while to go outside… Is it okay if I don’t tell my sisters?”

There’s always a way.
It’s been a long time since I memorized various coordinates outside while helping Hong-Yeon with her work.

I carefully arranged Zodiac’s hair and invoked magic.

“Older brother?”
“Close your eyes and count for 10 seconds.”
“Why?”
“Then you’ll be outside, which you like.”

Taking my words to heart, Zodiac covered her eyes with both hands and began to count.

Covering one’s eyes can help reduce motion sickness. I gently wrapped my right hand around her eyes, ensuring she wouldn’t remove her hands.

“One, two, three…”

Space magic.
I showed her the magic I had learned from Zodiac once more.

-Flash!

A sensation of floating throughout the body. Zodiac, startled, shook her shoulders.
As I wrapped my hands around her trembling shoulders, she finally stopped shaking, seemingly reassured.

“Is it okay? Older brother?”
“Now open your eyes.”

Zodiac murmured in a voice filled with anxiety and slowly removed her hands that covered her eyes like a sea otter.

Soon, the sight that unfolded before the young Zodiac’s eyes was perhaps nothing short of magical to her.

“Oh!”

The dirt floor transformed into paved blocks.
Brightly blooming flowers lined the streets.

The faint smell of the city and the sound of car horns filled the air.
Having spent a lifetime secluded in the mountains, Hwangdo was now fully immersed in the bustling urban landscape.

“How do you like it?”

Hwangdo couldn’t find the words, taking in the city scenery with her mouth agape and her hands trembling, like a lost penguin searching for its mother.

“…Brother.”

She swallowed.

Hwangdo swallowed her saliva, a single drop of sweat rolling down her cheek as her pupils darted around, scanning the surroundings.

“I, I want to go to so many places.”
“Then let’s go.”
“There are so many things I want to buy, but…”
“We’ll buy them.”
“Really? But-“
“Let’s eat first, then take our time exploring.”

As if she had met the savior of her life, Hwangdo tightly clasped her hands and gazed at me with amazement.

“…I have nothing to give you in return.”

“I’ll give you enough later, so it’s okay.”
“Is that so?”

In truth, I had already received plenty from her. The value of the magic I learned from Zodiac alone was worth well over billions.

If I don’t repay her in some way, I’ll only feel guilty.

‘But, if my actions now affect the present, will I also remain in Zodiac’s memory?’

Curiosity suddenly struck me, and I discreetly called upon the World Tree of Time.

[…….]

It seemed I wouldn’t get an answer. It made sense, as this was a delicate subject, and I should have been more cautious with my words. I shouldn’t have asked such a question. I’m sorry.

I ceased my pondering and took the lead, heading toward a restaurant I had seen earlier.

– Thump, thump, patter!

Left foot, left foot, right foot. Right foot.

It was a running stance I had often used when I was younger. Zodiac followed me closely, mirroring my movements along the way.

Since the clothes Hwangdo and I were wearing were casual attire tailored for Do-won, several passersby sent curious and admiring glances our way.

“That outfit is so beautiful… It’s just like the one I saw in a magazine.”

Despite those looks, Hwangdo’s eyes seemed to only see me and the city.

*Tap tap*

This time, Hwangdo pulled on my arm and let out an excited squeal. Following the direction she pointed, I saw a tree-shaped fountain.

“Look, big brother! Look at that fountain!”

It was the kind of fountain where water poured out from the knots in the tree. The tree sculpture was so blatantly carved, it evoked images of the female form.

“Ah… it’s so risqué.”
“Risqué?”
“Eek! That kind of joke… You don’t like it, do you?”

Men go crazy for such things. I was always confident, but it was clear that Hwangdo, even without me, could easily entice a good man. Of course, it was impossible to know when that man would meet his end.

“No, no, I do like moderately risqué jokes.”

“Well, then. Do you read magazines like that too?”

Such magazines? Is she referring to something like Maxim or Moksim? I’ve never seen an adult magazine in this world. Even if I had, I only managed to sneak a peek at the cover while passing by.

But… why has the conversation taken this turn?

I was about to admit that I’ve seen them when I suddenly realized how strange the topic was and promptly clamped my mouth shut.

‘What kind of conversation am I having with a minor?’

Fortunately, we arrived at the restaurant just then, and I was able to divert Zodiac’s gaze elsewhere.

“Are there two of you? I’ll show you to your table.”

Once we were seated at the restaurant, we each picked up a plate and began to serve ourselves food. Zodiac excitedly declared that all the dishes she wanted to try were here, and proceeded to pile her plate high with food.

Can she really eat all of that?

Unable to control herself and going overboard, Zodiac had amassed a mountain of food on the table, easily more than five times what her stomach could handle.

Chicken with pasta, fried rice and pizza. Steak. French fries. Even ramen, which isn’t usually eaten.

“I’ve always wanted to drink a lot of cola.”
“Heh, really?”

*Slurp.*

Hwangdo brought her mouth to the straw and gulped down the cola, shivering and hitting the table.

“Haahhhh…”

The fizzing carbonation was creating havoc. Next, she put a piece of chicken in her mouth and savored it.

“Mmm!”

An immediate burst of nasal sound. Then, it was time for pizza. Biting into the triangular slice and stretching her hand holding the pizza outwards, the warm cheese stretched along.

“Ooh~!”

An instant reaction sprang forth.

Given her eating speed, it seemed she wouldn’t be able to eat much. However, as they continued their meal, it became apparent that Hwangdo’s appetite was extraordinary.

“It’s so delicious, brother. Try this too!”
“Uh, sure.”

Was the modern Hwangdo just putting on airs?

I had already emptied a bowl about twice the size of my face. Hwangdo ate heartily and spoke gracefully, so much so that I forgot about my own meal and found myself watching her feast up close.

– Meow-meow!

I could practically hear that sound effect in my head.

The meal ended as intensely and swiftly as if a typhoon had swept through.

“Phew.”

After clearing about three plates, Hwangdo smiled contentedly. Then, seemingly noticing my gaze, her face flushed with a hint of embarrassment.

“Was it… a bit strange? I don’t eat this kind of food often.”
“Not at all.”

I was surprised, but that was about it – the rest was rather enjoyable.

“Really?”
“Yes, truly.”

As I took out a tissue and wiped the spaghetti sauce from Hwangdo’s lips, her eyes blinked, and her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.

“…Do you do this for other people too?”
“With you all, I do. Why?”
“No particular reason. I’m just curious since I’ve dated quite a bit.”

You have to call it a woman there; if you say it’s a tree, what will I become?
I answered honestly, placing the used tissue in a spot where Zodiac couldn’t see it.

“One. Or two? What about you?”

I knew it wasn’t there, but I asked as if trying to recall.
In response, Zodiac dropped her shoulders as if it were the obvious answer.

“I haven’t met them yet.”
“Really? At your age, kids on the outside would have had many relationships.”

It’s not like that in Do-won, but the world outside was just as precocious, whether it was the world I used to live in or this one.
Dating is something even elementary school students do.
In fact, my cousin’s first experience was in elementary school. If you look closely, there are many students who have had experiences even in middle school.
All the kids who want to play around a bit when they’re in high school have experience.

When I was in college, it was hardly worth mentioning.

“I’m only going to date someone I’m going to marry.”
“Is that how everyone is in Do-won?”

“Yes. There is the option of doing it with multiple people… but honestly, I don’t care for it much.”
“*Cough, cough*.”

Engaging in activities with many people?
I’ll interpret it as being involved with two partners.

It was already well known that Zodiac’s precociousness had crossed the line, reaching the heights of lewdness and debauchery.
It was truly a sad affair, considering that it had been like this since her younger years.

“I hope it works out for you.”
“It has to work out! They are my destined person… They must have been born somewhere, right?”
“…Weigh your options and choose wisely. Don’t make rash decisions.”
“I know everything, alright? I even know things that you don’t, big brother.”

So, was it because she was so thorough in her evaluations that she attacked me, unable to resist her carnal desires while I slept?
Remembering those days made my head spin.

I took a sip of my Coke and sighed through my nose.

“How was your love life, big brother?”

With that, Zodiac showed interest in what I had said.
Continuing to sip my Coke, I pondered in my mind.

“Romance.”

The fact that I had hurt Azalea still lingers in my mind, making me feel uneasy.
Let me tell you the story of my first romance.
It was necessary to explain the harshness of love to Zodiac, whose head was filled with pink.

“It was during college. Back then, I was neither talkative nor assertive.”
“A herbivore? No, you were a nerd!”
“…Let’s call it that. I was so socially inept at the time, it was as if I wasn’t even human. I couldn’t do anything when I went to orientation or retreats. But there was this girl who kept talking to me.”
“Ah! Then what?”

Like a middle school girl listening to her homeroom teacher’s love story, Zodiac laughed cheerfully, urging me to continue.

“What would you say the characteristics of those nerds were like? If a decent-looking girl talks to them, they fall for her. And in most romances, the one who falls in love ends up losing.”
“That’s true.”

I received a confession. Or did I?

Despite utilizing every possible means to convey my interest in you, my timidity persisted, and in the end, I confessed.

“But we haven’t known each other for very long. How well can we truly know one another? We merely appreciated each other’s appearances and had some shared hobbies, which led to us getting together.”
“Gasp!”

Zodiac’s face filled with anxiety.
Seeing her reaction made unraveling the story quite entertaining in its own way.

“So, that’s how our romance began.”

However, the real problem started there.

“I was always a homebody, struggling to properly communicate with women and acting awkward on dates. At first, she found my clumsiness endearing and liked it, but as time went on, it seemed she grew weary of it.”

Even with the most exceptional eloquence, time takes its toll and rust sets in. As the experiences with women fade, it’s only natural for things to change.

“Gradually, the number of dates dwindled, and our relationship became more and more distant. Now, I’m the one growing impatient.”
“Oh, heavens…”

In the end, we didn’t even have a relationship.
There were various issues, so let’s move on.

“Holding onto the ankle… Hmm. Did I end up catching a fool? Acting so pathetically, only to part ways in silence.”

I didn’t mention the military service in this conversation.
There were more stories in between, of course.
I don’t know what other people’s first relationships were like, but I didn’t have many fond memories.
If I had done better, maybe they would have shown more interest, but I don’t think about it anymore.

“You get it?”
“Hmph. Poor big brother.”
“What’s there to pity?”
“What about the second one?”

The second one…
Since it was a disaster from the start, I decided not to elaborate.

“Anyway, there’s one thing I want to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t give your heart and soul just because you have someone you like.”

Everyone knows this, but there are often those who don’t.
I was one of them.

“I mean, prioritize yourself.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Hwangdo nodded with a remarkably serious expression.

Could she truly comprehend my words?
As I stacked the empty plates, I recalled the adult Hwangdo in the present time.

“Don’t forget.”
“Yes, yes!”
“Your life is of the utmost importance.”

Once more, just to be sure.
Unintentionally, I emphasized the importance of her life.

Hwangdo didn’t seem to catch on to my underlying concern, but I wanted to convey this, even if it only brought me a sense of self-satisfaction.
With the warning given, perhaps it was time to purchase a gift for Hwangdo.

At last, placing the glasses of cola beside our plates, we rose from our seats and exited the restaurant.