247 Troubled Nigh (2/2)

”Mm. Only one, but she said I can take another one if it's not enough; just two, maximum. I asked her to give me something stronger a while ago since the usual one wasn't working much anymore. I just picked up the new prescription recently since it's about time for a refill.”

”Oh...” Gun's brows scrunched again worriedly. He uncapped the bottle and tipped out a single pill, passing it to the girl.

”Thank you, Oppa.” Yeo Ri popped the pill in her mouth and downed it with some milk.

Soon enough, the drug manifested its effects, and the girl began to feel drowsy again. She tried to get up, intending to walk to the bedroom.

”It's okay, Yeo Ri-ah. Go to sleep. I'll carry you to bed later.”

”...Will you...? Tha...nks, Oppa...” she yawned, smiling lazily. Feeling as if she was floating, the girl ended up closing her eyes and fell into a deep slumber.

Once Gun confirmed that the girl was unconscious, he placed an arm under her knees and supported her top with his other arm, lifting her up princess carry-style. He pushed open the bedroom door with his foot and carefully placed her on top of the queen-sized bed.

Afterwards, he went back to the living room. He first turned the television off, then gathered the pillows and blankets, intending to arrange it on the bed properly.

Since the two had been busy, the unpacking process was done at a snail's pace, and their bedrooms remained undecorated, and even the beds were only recently bought and delivered the day prior. Before the beds arrived, the two had slept in the living room together, as if they were having a sleepover.

Gun covered his sister with the blanket and gently lifted her head as he slipped in a pillow underneath it. Once she was fully tucked in, he washed up and changed into fresh clothes.

Instead of immediately retiring to bed like Yeo Ri, Gun chose to spend the next two hours working on his schoolwork. Only when he had felt as if he made sufficient progress in his assignments did he decide to go to bed.

Even though they had enough space to have their own rooms now, the two still kept up their habit of sleeping together. Neither was used to sleeping separately, and for the sake of his own peace of mind, Gun chose to sleep next to her.

He rested on his side, staring at his sister's sleeping figure intently.

The girl was breathing deeply, and looked as if nothing was burdening her. Without any emotions pulling at her facial muscles, the girl appeared younger—no, for once, she appeared her age.

”My pretty baby...” Gun murmured as he tucked away a stray strand of hair on her face. ”I wish you didn't have to grow up so quickly.” He sighed.

His eyes continued to linger on her for several more moments before he finally settled his troubled mind.

Nearing 3 a.m., the boy finally closed his eyes.