FORBIDDEN MEMORIES

FM3

Namji racked his brain, desperate to devise a plan that would allow him to take a trip to Ilsan without his family discovering his true intentions. He knew he had to act normal, but the challenge was far from easy.

"If I say it's for an educational trip, Dad will see through it," he muttered to himself. His father, after all, was a trustee at the college, and any lie about school would easily be seen through. "Scratch that," he concluded, shaking his head.

For someone who rarely lied, coming up with a perfect cover story was proving to be a daunting task. The frustration was mounting, "This is harder than acing the CSAT," he thought, almost chuckling at the irony.

He paced back and forth in his room, his mind racing through every conceivable excuse that might pass muster. Each idea was swiftly discarded as too transparent or too easily debunked. Whatever story he concocted had to be not just plausible but also one that wouldn't immediately raise suspicion within his family.

Jihan barged in his room without knocking, startling Namji out of his mental battle. "Noona, you scared the living viruses out of me!" Namji exclaimed, half in jest, half in genuine surprise.

Jihan chuckled and made herself at home on Namji's bed, grabbing her phone and settling in. "Can't help it if you're a wuss," she teased, scrolling through her notifications.

Namji shot her a look of disbelief, then sighed and sat down next to her. Jihan glanced at him knowingly, her gaze curious and Understanding all at once. "You know," she began casually, "you can ask for help anytime."

Namji hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "You can't help me with this one, noona."

"Why not? I'm older than you," Jihan retorted playfully, though she continued to scroll through her phone more like pretending to scroll..

"Yeah, by a whole two months," Namji replied dryly.

Jihan suddenly grabbed his ear and twisted it lightly but painfully. "I'm still your noona, you little bratshit."

"Ouch! That hurt you bitch of a Noona," Namji winced, managing to free his ear from her grasp. Despite the discomfort, he knew Jihan cared deeply for him. Being the older sibling and the firstborn in the family seemed to grant her an unspoken authority that Namji often found puzzling. Everyone, including Namji himself, tended to listen to her commands as if she's some kind of queen.

There was a moment of silence between them before Jihan decided to break it. "Still didn't find an excuse for your trip to Ilsan?" she asked.

"Yeah," Namji replied.

"Oh," Jihan expressed.

"Yeah?" Namji asked, suddenly realizing his noona knew about his plans.

"Hmm?" Jihan tilted her head, confused.

"I-I. What a-are you s-saying, noona? W-why would I go to Ilsan?" Namji stuttered.

Jihan grabbed Namji in a chokehold. "You can't lie, you fucktard. And the person you're asking help for is my love, if you remember correctly."

"One-sided love," Namji snickered.

Jihan tightened her grip, making Namji cough. "Aren't you talking way too boldly in front of me?" she asked while Namji tapped her arm, pleading for her to let him go. But Jihan only freed him after hearing a sincere apology.

"But seriously, Taetae-uncle is literally your father's age," Namji said carefully, trying not to irritate or upset his noona further.

"So? Your point? If he can be in a one-sided love with your Yoonie appa, why can't I?" Jihan replied coolly, though it hurt her inside.