“Sister”
Somewhere, the night wind blew.
The damp night wind, laden with humidity, swept between Ji Na and Jin Woo.
Jin Woo’s eyes were as dark as the night sky. It was impossible to gauge his emotions.
“When did you get here……?”
Instead of answering, Jin Woo quietly approached Ji Na. His cast shadow seemed as if it would engulf Ji Na.
“Sister, did something happen today?”
His subdued gaze fell on Ji Na. His worried look was still affectionate.
“Why do you look so tired? It’s worrying.”
His hand touched Ji Na’s cold cheek.
Just that warmth seemed to bring color back to her face.
Her heart, which had been frozen solid, began to beat at last.
The fact that she had a secret from him, even if it wasn’t a lie, stung her heart.
She didn’t want to hide anything from Jin Woo. She hated lying.
But she was willing to endure it to protect Jin Woo.
“I’m just tired today. Maybe because of the rain. Haha.”
Ji Na’s attempt to put on a smile made her face awkward. Jin Woo didn’t ask her anything further. Instead of probing Ji Na’s difficulties, he silently watched her like the enveloping darkness.
“You should go inside and rest.”
“Huh? Didn’t you come to see me?”
“Seeing your face is enough for me.”
At Jin Woo’s unexpected words, the tension on Ji Na’s face relaxed.
“What’s that about.”
Jin Woo was always like this. He only brought Ji Na excitement and warmth.
“I’m serious about proposing to you.”
The pupils of Jin Woo’s eyes glowed dimly. Ji Na’s heart began to beat of its own accord. Because of the man who suddenly appeared and shook her, Seo Jin Woo.
Ji Na averted her gaze and fumbled intentionally. She tried her best to maintain her maturity and sisterly nature, but she repeatedly failed in front of Jin Woo.
“We’re not even dating, and I’m not ready in my heart yet……”
At the same time, she remembered accepting his proposal impulsively while drunk not long ago. The memory struck her like a fluorescent light flickering on, and she quickly closed her mouth.
“Um…… that is……”
It was too sudden. It felt like she was using Jin Woo’s pure heart to get over her relationship with Do Jin. Her feelings for Jin Woo weren’t clear either. She couldn’t tell if it was just a simple liking, or if she really liked him.
“For now, go inside and rest.”
Seeing Ji Na’s tired look, Jin Woo led her sympathetically to the entrance.
“Alright, I’ll go in now.”
Ji Na, exhausted in body and spirit, looked so precarious it seemed she might collapse at any moment.
“Sister, wait a moment.”
Jin Woo called out to Ji Na, then pulled her into his arms. Startled, Ji Na forgot what she was supposed to say, and simply let herself be held in his arms.
His solid and warm embrace made her feel like she could burst into tears.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s hard for me to see you struggling alone……”
His low voice was sweet.
Strangely, it felt like strength was returning to her drooping shoulders. Even the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat from his chest sounded like sweet music to Ji Na.
“Haah…… I wish I could do everything for you.”
Jin Woo’s voice was as sweet as melted cream. Ji Na, as if regaining her senses, hastily pulled away. Jin Woo, seeming regretful, let go of his arm that had been around her.
“I’m recharged. Thank you.”
Ji Na’s steps, which had been as heavy as if she were dragging a block of iron, felt as light as walking on clouds or as a feather. She smiled brightly at Jin Woo and hurriedly moved her feet.
It felt as if Jin Woo had applied a salve over the wound named Do Jin.
Her heart, which had felt beaten and sore, was greatly soothed.
The alarm on her cell phone blared noisily. As she reached out her arm, her body seemed to start throbbing as if it had been waiting.
“Ugh……”
As her consciousness cleared, the pain became distinct.
She hurt all over as if she had been beaten by someone.
Even opening her eyes was a struggle.
“Ji Na, aren’t you going to work?”
Ji Na’s mother cautiously asked as she approached.
“My, you’re burning up.”
Her mother’s hand felt icy cold.
“This is serious. What do we do now.”
As she heard her mother’s voice, Ji Na’s consciousness once again plunged into darkness.
‘……It’s me. Ji……Na……’
Multiple voices tangled together.
The sounds throbbed as if gnawing at her bones, growing distant, then loud, then scattering.
In the midst of it all, Ji Na stood alone.
In the endless darkness.
‘Ji Na, sister.’
With the clear voice, a ray of light entered.
As if a lie, the chill that enveloped Ji Na’s body faded.
“Ji Na.”
At her mother’s voice, Ji Na regained consciousness.
Her throat felt dry and sore like a cracked field.
“Water……”
Soon, a cold cup touched her lips. Along with the cold water, she barely swallowed the pill her mother offered.
“Do we need to go to the hospital?”
Just slightly lifting her body made her head feel like it would split open.
Ji Na strained to shake her head.
“I want to sleep……”
“Alright. You’ve taken your medicine, so for now, get some deep sleep.”
On one hand, she was worried about work, but thinking too deeply made her head hurt.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
