Senpai [Michaeng]

24. Pre-celebration

[Chaeyoung's POV]

We had reconciled, but the atmosphere remained awkward. Our conversations were now punctuated with stammering and hesitant words.

Currently, I'm at home and just got out of the shower. I don't even want to dwell on it..

dingdong!...

I wondered who it could be. Is anyone at home? Why isn't anyone answering the door? With a sigh, I groaned and went to check since there was no one else at home.

As I opened the door, my heart lightened at the sight of my favorite family member—Joohyun Unnie.

"Unnie!" I exclaimed, immediately hugging her.

She hugged me back and playfully glared, "I came the day before yesterday, and you didn't even come to visit."

"I forgot," I admitted sheepishly, realizing it probably wasn't the best thing to say.

"How old are you turning tomorrow? Fifteen?" she teased with a mischievous grin.

"Yaaa, are you teasing me?! I'm turning eighteen," I replied, my tone a mix of annoyance and amusement.

My eyes then shifted to someone standing behind her.

"Oh, this is Seulgi, by the way. My friend," she introduced.

"Annyeong unnie. Nice to meet you. I'm Chaeyoung," I said, bowing and greeting her formally. Irene unnie had that teasing expression—the 'when-did-you-become-so-polite' look.

"Please come in," I said, making way for them to enter.

"Where's aunty?" unnie asked.

"I don't know. She hasn't returned from work yet. Both she and Dad are busy."

"And your brother? Where's that kid?" she asked in an accent that made me laugh.

"I'll go call him," I said and went to knock on his door.

"Jeonghoon!" I called out as I knocked.

"Yes. The door is open. You can come in," he replied from inside, and I entered.

"There's someone who wants to meet you."

"Eh? Who?" he asked, confused.

"Come and see for yourself," I answered and left, with him following me.

"Ya, Son Jeonghoon! How have you been?" Irene unnie asked him with a smile.

"Oh, noona?!" he exclaimed, surprised. They greeted each other and also Seulgi unnie.

As we were having some small talk, the doorbell rang again. I went to get it—it was my mom.

"Waaa, Joohyun-ah! How have you been?! Come here," my mom hugged her immediately and also introduced herself to unnie's friend.

"Both of you should have dinner with us, okay?" my mom suggested warmly.

"Aunty, don't worry. We're just here to visit. Omma has already cooked dinner. We'll come next time," Joohyun unnie reassured.

"Oh, by the way, Chaeyoung, I thought of surprising you, but I remembered you hate surprises. So let me just tell you—we'll be celebrating your 18th birthday at my place. Inform your friends too," she said while my mother was not around.

"W-what? Why? I wasn't even going to celebrate it. Don't trouble yourself, unnie. You don't need to. I'll just—" I replied in a panic.

"I don't want to hear a no. Come on, I come only once in a blue moon. Unnie wants to do it for you," she continued with a determined smile.