Secretly, But Unable to Hide It

Sick

Hanni starts to regret mentioning these things. She feels maybe it's because she drank beer that she is losing her mind, or perhaps she isn't fully awake.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hanni waves her hand, showing that she doesn't want to discuss it further. "Forget it, stop it. I want to sleep again."

"Don't you think I'm being reasonable?" Hyein laughs. "What does your unnie's friend do for a living?"

"She seems to be working at a gaming company," Hanni thinks. "A programmer? She writes code. I heard from my unnie that she's in the online games department."

"Programmer?" Karina falls silent for several seconds. "Is she good looking?"

"Yes," Hanni says. "Maybe I haven't seen many people in society, but at my age, I haven't met anyone more good looking than her."

Karina asks, "Isn't this the kind of job where you stay up late at night with a computer?"

Hanni replies, "She should take care of her appearance; maybe she goes to a beauty parlor."

Hyein says, "You also mentioned that her words are quite flirty. Who does she usually do that with?"

Hanni thinks about when Minji chatted with her sister and friends. "Mostly with people around her age, maybe younger. That's basically how she talks."

Karina chokes. "I don't think that's appropriate. With a woman like that, the chance of her having an affair is quite high."

Hanni frowns. "She won't."

Karina says, "I'm just guessing. After all, I haven't met her."

"She's not that kind of person," Hanni insists. "She treats everyone well. Besides, it's obvious she's just joking and teasing."

At that moment, Danielle comes out of the bathroom. She notices the tense atmosphere, dries her hair, and asks, "What are you guys talking about?"

Hyein quickly sums up the conversation for her.

Danielle suddenly understands. "Sis, you're beautiful. Why are you hanging on to her? If you let her go, you'll probably notice that there are lots of people better than her."

Hanni stays quiet for a few seconds. "Maybe,"

"If you feel like you can't let her go, then try," Danielle says. "As for whether she's dated or not, don't overthink it. There's no need to worry."

Hanni asks, "Are you telling me to pursue her?"

Danielle replies, "Yes."

"Impossible," Hanni says. She can't imagine how Minji would react if that happened. "Forget it. I'll just live my comfortable life."

Hyein says, "You don't need to chase her, just show some signs."

Hanni asks, "What?"

"You said she always teases you, right? She's flirty, right?" Hyein suggests. "Then why don't you do the same with her?"

It sounds reasonable.

Hyein thinks it's a good plan. "What do you think?"

"Stop it." Hanni covers her face with the blanket. "Let's not mention it again. Just think I was drunk and acting crazy."

The next day, Hanni wakes up early. Maybe because she's uneasy, or maybe because of her mood, she tosses in bed for a while. Then she grabs her phone and replies to Minji.

Hanni: I know.

Hanni assumes Minji is still asleep, considering she came home late last night. It's only 6:00 a.m. She hesitates whether she should ask Minji out for a meal.