Chapter 7: The Relationship Between Dolls and Thread(3).
Two days later, in the hospital’s underground parking lot.
After finishing discharge procedures, I followed my sister’s tall figure, taking small, quick steps.
I was never that tall, but I was at least average for a guy.
Now, in this body, I’m slightly below the average height for a woman.
My sister’s tall for a woman, so the difference is stark.
And this new height causes a problem.
My shorter stride makes it hard to keep up with her.
Plus, the long coat she brought is a few sizes too big, making walking awkward.
“Should I slow down?”
Hearing my panting, my sister asked.
It was a casual question, but I was inwardly shocked.
Park Hyunseo, showing me kindness like that?
“I’m fine. I’ll keep up.”
Feeling strange, I answered a bit curtly.
I regretted the edge in my voice, but thankfully, she didn’t seem to care.
“You look like you’re struggling.”
“I can keep up.”
“No need to match my pace. Take your time. The car’s parked at R127.”
“…Got it.”
It was a small gesture, but it felt bizarre to me.
Her graceful stride seemed like that of a stranger.
The fact she brought clothes and drove here at all is suspicious.
Park Hyunseo, going out of her way for me?
Normally, she wouldn’t care if I was discharged or not.
Even if I begged her to pick me up, she’d probably say, “Why should I waste my weekend on you?” and refuse.
Is she actually worried about her brother caught up in a sudden mess?
“No way.”
There’s no way.
Probably.
If she was genuinely worried—
‘Get out of my place as soon as possible.’
She wouldn’t have said that in the ward two days ago.
*
My sister’s Benz S-Class cruised along the Han River.
The smooth yet powerful engine hum was pleasant to the ears.
Despite living together for months, this is my first time in her car.
No, wait.
Even when she drove an Audi during law school, she never gave me a ride.
I asked a few times to be dropped off somewhere, but she always refused.
“…Can I ask something, Sis?”
“Go ahead.”
“That thing you said two days ago. Is there a specific deadline?”
“No specific deadline. Just as I said.”
“…”
“As soon as possible.”
I always knew this day would come.
I lived quietly, cautiously, to delay it as long as possible.
As long as I didn’t screw up, she wouldn’t kick me out.
But that was just my hope.
I’m like a spider in the corner of her house.
If the homeowner decides, my web could be swept away with a single gesture.
“…Did I do something wrong?”
“Maybe getting drunk and making a scene at night. But that’s not why. That was just a warning-level offense.”
“Then why—”
“Do I owe you an explanation?”
Her calm voice delivered cruel words.
But calling it cruel is just my perspective.
Letting me stay rent-free for months was already more than enough kindness.
If she suddenly wants me out, that’s her right.
“…No.”
“Don’t look so glum. I’m not saying tomorrow. Just let me know when you’re ready to move out. I won’t rush you until then.”
In other words—
“I’m leaving it to your conscience, Minseo.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“And if I had to give a reason, it’s because of your request.”
My request.
That must mean—
“Think about it. What if our parents suddenly show up?”
“…Oh.”
“They already know you’re staying with me and ask about you through me. That basically makes me your guardian.”
The car exited Olympic Road and hit traffic.
We’ll probably crawl along for a while.
“Do I have to lie to them for you?”
“…No.”
“I could lie if I really had to. But if it comes out, you’re the one in trouble, not me. They’re your parents. If they hear about your condition, they’ll drag you back home and keep you under their watch.”
She’s right.
Even if that man doesn’t care about me, Mom would fret and insist on taking me in.
Then I’d have to live under the same roof as him again.
How much time and effort would it take to escape that house again?
The thought alone makes me nauseous.
“Do you get it now?”
I nodded quietly.
“So, ‘as soon as possible.’ Do your best.”
Her voice sounded almost cheerful.
I felt a surge of irritation, but as always, there was nothing I could do.
*
Around then, the traffic cleared.
But the car wasn’t heading toward home.
“This isn’t the way.”
“I’m stopping by the department store.”
“…Right now?”
“I can’t let you keep walking around like that.”
It took me a while to process her words.
So, my sister, Park Hyunseo, is saying she’s taking me shopping?
Why?
Seeing my puzzled look, she smirked, eyes crinkling.
“Don’t like the idea?”
Of course I don’t.
What younger brother would enjoy shopping with his sister?
Maybe somewhere in the world, but not me.
Especially not after waking up in this body.
“I’ll walk home—”
“You know women’s clothes are expensive, right? Unless you plan to wear rags, decent ones cost money.”
So what’s her point?
As I hesitated, unsure how to respond, her Benz pulled into the department store parking lot.
“Don’t worry about the cost. I’m not asking for repayment. You’ll need to save up to move out, won’t you?”
“…”
It’s an offer I can’t refuse.
Every penny counts right now, and she’s covering my clothing expenses.
Her taste means it’ll be designer stuff, which I could sell later on Carrot for a good price.
But I couldn’t just calmly accept it.
“Get out.”
She turned off the engine after parking and spoke.
Instead of obeying, I voiced the doubt I’d been holding in.
“Why are you doing this?”
Why is Park Hyunseo being so kind to me?
The unease I felt since the hospital parking lot wasn’t my imagination.
Her attitude toward me has subtly but definitely changed.
Where’s this sudden kindness coming from?
The first thing that comes to mind is my changed appearance.
A few days ago, I was an average guy; now, I’m a stunning girl who could be an influencer.
People naturally favor beauty.
But would she feel that way knowing it’s her brother inside?
The old Park Hyunseo practically ignored my existence.
Most people might act this way.
But the sister I know doesn’t do kindness without a reason.
There’s got to be another motive.
There has to be.
“Hm…”
Surprisingly, she trailed off, frowning.
As if she hadn’t realized her own behavior until now.
She closed her eyes, crossed her arms, and tapped her finger, sinking into thought.
Seeing that, I felt a small relief.
This contemplative Park Hyunseo always comes up with an answer.
Surely, I’d learn the reason behind her kindness.
But when she opened her eyes, her words were completely unexpected.
“Just get out.”
Her voice sounded almost irritated.
“…I mean, why.”
“Shut up.”
My renewed attempt at questioning was cut off by her cold tone.
“Follow me quietly.”
Her commanding attitude left no room for further questions.
It was a side of her I hadn’t seen before, yet somehow familiar.
I could only nod silently.