We tried hard not to make it obvious at school that we were dating
but even when we tried not to show it, well...
Actually, we used to talk like this before too, so
no one looked at us weirdly.
And so spring was coming to an end.
Now the pretty flowers are fading away
and blue-green leaves are growing.
With summer vacation drawing near,
my birthday was drawing near too.
While I was walking with Sanghyuk as usual
“Doa!”
“Y-yeah?”
”Wha?”
“You’re about to have your birthday soon.”
“Right..? But?”
“Geez!! You know that!”
“I d-don’t know~?”
“H..don’t you want to do anything?”
“Um...not really?”
“What..then you’re not gonna do anything on your birthday?”
“Maybe... Is my birthday really that important?”
“Of course it is!! It’s the day you were born.. ”
Honestly, I don’t think birthdays are anything special.
...It’s not like I’ve ever really been celebrated on my birthday
The most I got was an extra 10,000 won on top of my allowance?
Because of that, I thought birthdays weren’t special occasions.
Come to think of it, on my birthdays, I never had anyone
care for me.
My big brother is always out working,
and my parents...ugh, I don’t know.
A few years ago, both of them left home and never came back.
I have no idea where they went, leaving their middle school daughter behind...
Ugh... I don’t even want to think about it.
Every time, some unknown name sends money to my brother
for living expenses, on the dot...
By now, I’m starting to forget what my parents even looked like.
I’ve decided to just stop thinking about my parents.
My big brother is enough for me.
...That’s what I’ll think.
“What are you thinking about so hard...?”
Sanghyuk asked.
“..Ah!! Nothing..hahaha”
“But really, you’re not gonna do anything..?”
“Um...”
“Then I’ll decide for you!”
“?? What do you mea..”
“H..wait and see!”
“Are you free on your actual birthday?”
“Probably...?”
“Okay! Hehe”
“What..?”
“Heh, look forward to it!”
“...? What a..”
“Geez!! How cute, ‘look forward to it’? Don’t look forward to it too much..
Just let’s have a happy birthday, hehe.”
“Go on in...!!”
“..? O-okay!! See you tomorrow~!!”
And that’s how we went back home.
After I went inside the house
“You’re back?”
“Yeah, I’m back!”
“Heh..did you eat?”
“I did! What about you, big brother?”
”I just ate..
By the way, your birthday’s coming up soon..?”
”Yeah...?”
”Heh..sorry, I still can’t do anything for you this time either.”
”..Why are you acting like it’s sudden.. It’s always been like this...”
““...Heh, sorry
for having such an older brother.”“No...! What do you mean, sorry..? Big brother, you didn’t do anything h..”
“..! Hey, I’m heading out!”
“Oh..take care!”
Seeing it like this, my brother really seemed pitiful.
Because of the parents who abandoned their child,
he had to earn my tuition by himself, and even living expenses were short,
so he worked like this..
I wondered if my brother was happy.
Then, before I knew it, tears were coming out of my eyes.
“...Ha..why am I doing this again..”
I didn’t want to cry.
I didn’t want to cry because of the parents who abandoned me.
And so, somehow, a bitter night was passing.
A few days later, my birthday came.
On the table was a small letter from my brother.
Well, there wasn’t much written in it.
Just a formal happy birthday message.
And when I looked at my phone,
a few of the kids had messaged me to say happy birthday.
And then I got a message from Sanghyuk.
“Hey, come outside! Dress up a little, hehe.
Let me know when you’re all ready!”
Compared to the other happy birthday messages, I liked this one more.
I got ready and went outside.
When I stepped out, Sanghyuk was there to greet me.
“Haha, Doa!!”
“You’re here?”
“Yeah! Where are we going..?”
“We’re going to the sea!”
“..?? The sea?”
“Heh, you said last time you wanted to go to the sea.”
“Right..?”
“Heh..let’s go!!”
“But how are we supposed to get there fr..”
“Hahaha, I’ve already thought of everything!”
“Just follow me, princess~ hehe.”
And so, summer came to me with you.
( Chapter 16 End )
