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Chapter 32: "What Do I Do?"
Ju-kyoung glanced at the message again.
"But Soo-hoo, who did you just call?"
Her phone screen glared back at her. His words replayed in her head.
"Ju-kyoung with makeup, or without makeup?"
Ju-kyoung rushed to the table where she had left the sweater and comic book. She pulled them out, staring at the suit jacket and then at the novel.
"What on earth does he want me to bring?" she muttered with a deep frown.
Then her expression softened. "Right. He told me to throw the jacket away, so he wouldn't ask me to bring it."
Her eyes went back to the book. "It has to be the comic book. But… my number will be easier to find through school."
She sighed. "Is it the jacket or the book?"
Her imagination began to spiral.
What if I bring the novel with makeup on? Soo-hoo will stare at me, shocked.
"Lim Ju-kyoung?" His cold gaze would turn icier as he threw the novel to the ground. "How dare you deceive me?"
The thought sent chills down her spine.
Or… what if I show up with makeup and put his jacket on the table?
Soo-hoo's brows would knit together. "You're the acne girl from the comic shop? How dare you deceive me?"
Or maybe…
She imagined herself with makeup on one side of her face, the other bare. She'd comb her hair over, covering one half. When he looked surprised, she would poke his eyes and quickly switch her hair to the other side to reveal her no-makeup face.
"Why? Is there a problem?" she would say coolly.
"You're crazy," he would snap, like always.
Back in the present, Ju-kyoung tried to copy her half-makeup idea. She tossed her blush and eyeliner onto the dresser, nearly crying in frustration.
"What do you want me to do?" she yelled at the mirror.
Still, she picked up the blush and painted only one side of her face. The result was terrifying—half zombie, half human.
She glanced at the wall clock. 8:30.
"Ahh!" She stuffed the comic book into a green bag. She almost grabbed the jacket, but then an idea lit up her face. Smiling, she dashed out of her room.
"Hee-Kyung!" she shouted as she opened her sister's door—empty.
"Where did she go?" she muttered.
Running downstairs, her eyes landed on her brother, Ju-young, who looked like he was heading out.
"Hey! Lim Ju-young!"
He turned, saw her half-face disaster, and burst out laughing.
"What's wrong with your face? This is ridiculous!" He pulled out his phone to take a picture, but Ju-kyoung grabbed his arms before he could.
"You're not busy, right?" she pleaded, then suddenly dropped to her knees. "Please, do me a favor!"
Ju-young frowned.
"Just one favor! I'll deliver you comics for life!" She paused. "No, I'll be your little sister forever! Please!"
Ju-young's brows stayed furrowed, but he smirked. "Really? That's a tempting offer."
Ju-kyoung beamed. "Thanks, big brother!"
His grin turned sly. "Unfortunately, your big brother already has plans."
Her smile vanished instantly.
"I'll help you some other time," he said casually, turning away.
Ju-kyoung grabbed his sleeve. "Big brother, is it more important than me?" She gave her best puppy eyes.
He gave her a flat look. "Are you kidding? Obviously."
He tried to walk off, but her grip tightened.
"Let go of me, jeez," he muttered, yanking free. "I don't need it."
He walked away without a backward glance.
Ju-kyoung collapsed onto the floor, clutching her head in frustration. "What should I do?"
Then suddenly, an idea popped into her head. Her face lit up with a mischievous smile as she ran back upstairs.
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Rewritten Version (More Comedic & Emotional)
Chapter 32: "What Do I Do?"
Ju-kyoung stared at the message on her phone like it was a death sentence.
With makeup… or without makeup.
"What does that even mean?" she groaned, pacing in circles.
Her eyes darted to the table where Soo-hoo's jacket lay folded beside the comic book. She grabbed both, frowning.
"What on earth am I supposed to bring? The jacket? The novel?!"
Then she froze, her expression clearing. "Wait. He told me to throw the jacket away… so it can't be that."
She picked up the comic book and held it tightly. "Then it must be this. But if I take it, he might trace my number back to school."
Her stomach twisted. "Ugh! Is it the jacket or the book?!"
Her imagination went wild.
Option one: She shows up with makeup and the novel. Soo-hoo's icy eyes slice through her. "Lim Ju-kyoung?" His hand slams the book to the floor. "How dare you deceive me?"
Ju-kyoung shivered at the thought.
Option two: She brings the jacket with makeup on. Soo-hoo glares with disdain. "You're that acne girl from the comic shop? How dare you deceive me?"
She hugged herself, trembling.
Option three… genius. Half-makeup, half bare face. Hair covering one side like some kind of tragic drama heroine. If he stares too long, she'll poke his eyes and dramatically flip her hair to reveal her no-makeup face.
"What? Is there a problem?" she'd say.
"You're insane," he'd reply.
She nodded to herself. "Perfect."
Back in reality, she rushed to her dresser, slapping blush on one cheek and eyeliner on just one eye. The mirror reflected a monster—half zombie, half clown.
Ju-kyoung shrieked. "What do you want from me?!"
She tossed her makeup down, clutching her head. But the clock was merciless—8:30 already.
"No time!" She shoved the comic into a green bag and almost added the jacket. Then—an idea. Her eyes sparkled.
"Hee-Kyung!" she yelled, sprinting to her sister's room. Empty.
"Ugh, where did she go?"
She dashed downstairs and spotted Ju-young heading out the door.
"Hey! Lim Ju-young!"
He turned, took one look at her half-done face, and burst into uncontrollable laughter. "What's wrong with your face? You look ridiculous!"
He pulled out his phone to snap a picture, but Ju-kyoung lunged forward, gripping his arms.
"Big brother, you're not busy, right?" she begged.
"Uh…" He looked suspicious.
She dropped to her knees dramatically. "Please! Just do me one favor!"
Ju-young frowned, but she was relentless. "I'll deliver comics to you forever! No, I'll be your slave—your little sister servant forever!"
His lips twitched. "Wow, that's tempting."
Her face brightened with hope. "Really?!"
He smirked. "Unfortunately… your amazing big brother already has plans."
Her smile collapsed like glass shattering.
"I'll help you another time," he added, turning to leave.
Ju-kyoung grabbed his sleeve. "What's more important than me?" She batted her eyes like a desperate puppy.
He stared at her flatly. "Are you kidding? Everything."
He yanked his arm free and left, waving her off.
Ju-kyoung flopped onto the floor, pulling at her hair. "What should I do?!"
Then her eyes widened, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "That's it…"
Without another word, she bolted upstairs, her new plan forming.
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