Defective Banana - Chapter 23

Ara heard Donghee’s voice calling faintly from somewhere inside.

“Ara! Ara…!”

She kicked off her shoes and rushed in toward the master bedroom, calling loudly in return.

“Unnie! Donghee unnie!”

The closer she got to the bedroom, the more urgent her sister’s voice became—along with the sound of fists banging wildly on the bathroom door.

“I’m in here! I’m stuck! The bathroom door won’t open—get me out!”

“Okay, hang on a second!”

Ara grabbed the doorknob and tried turning it, but it wouldn’t budge. It was completely stuck.

“Ugh, this isn’t moving at all. What do I do…?”

She needed something sharp to wedge into the gap. She hurried into the kitchen and grabbed a kitchen knife, then ran back to the bathroom door.

“Unnie, I’m gonna try opening it. Just wait a second, okay?”

“Ara… I’m cold and hungry…”

“If I can’t get it open, I’ll call someone right away, I promise. Just hang in there.”

Ara wedged the knife into the gap between the door and the frame, grabbed the knob, and twisted the knife at an angle while pushing hard.

It was her first time using her drawing hands like this. But the thought of her sister trapped inside pushed her into action without hesitation.

As she pressed and twisted with all her strength, there was a loud click—and the door slowly creaked open from the inside.

Beyond the door, Donghee stood pale and shaken. She stepped out with trembling legs and threw her arms around Ara.

“Hrk… Ara… I thought I was gonna die in there… hic…”

Still in her pajamas with layers of towels wrapped around her, Donghee clung to Ara, who gently patted her back.

“You’re okay now. Take a breath, unnie.”

Sobbing with tears and snot running down her face, Donghee tried to speak.

“No… I’m not okay. I’ve been stuck since yesterday morning—I barely slept, I haven’t eaten a thing. I’m starving…”

“Wait, since yesterday morning?!”

Ara stared at her in disbelief.

She’d only ever seen stuff like this in the news—never imagined it could happen to someone she knew. This wasn’t just a mishap. It was serious.

“How many hours were you stuck in there?”

“If it weren’t for you, I might’ve died in there! Ara, you seriously saved my life. I mean it. hic… thank you…”

Donghee clung to her, crying harder, and Ara felt tears sting her own eyes.

“Unnie, let me get you some warm water. Sit here on the bed for now.”

Ara helped her over to the bed, then went to the kitchen to pour a warm glass of water before returning.

“Here, have some water. But do you think we should take you to the hospital?”

“I think I need food before anything else. My stomach feels glued to my spine.”

“Alright, I’ll bring you something to eat. Just lie down and rest under the blanket for now.”

Ara rushed into the kitchen, flung open the fridge, and grabbed the first three eggs she saw. She cracked them into a bowl, whisked them with milk, then poured them into a hot frying pan to make scrambled eggs.

In no time, she’d whipped up some soft, fluffy eggs and placed them on a small plate, which she brought to her sister.

“Here—try eating this slowly, at least.”

Donghee took the plate and the fork Ara handed her, then started devouring the food while leaning her head affectionately against Ara’s shoulder.

“Thank you. You really saved me, Ara.”

“I’m just glad I got here in time.”

Ara had grown used to Donghee’s clingy affection, so she let her rest against her without complaint.

While Donghee ate, Ara called a locksmith. She couldn’t relax until the bathroom door handle was properly fixed.

As they waited together, they exchanged phone numbers and ended up chatting more casually. It didn’t take long before they became a lot closer.

An hour later, the locksmith arrived and replaced the broken doorknob. Only then did Ara finally feel like she could leave.

“Make sure you always keep your phone with you. And call me if anything happens, okay?”

“I will. Thank you, Ara. Go home and get some rest.”

Back home, Ara still looked uneasy. She couldn’t quite shake the lump in her throat.

“Phew… that really could’ve ended badly.”

Living alone herself, the whole situation hit a little too close to home—it left her feeling both shaken and sad.

After that incident, she and Donghee started seeing each other more often. They texted, shared beers, and went to cafés together. Donghee told her about her grown son—how she’d had him young, divorced when he was in middle school, and how her ex had cheated on her, the bastard.

Still, she said her son had turned out great, no major problems, and she was proud of him.

Ara believed it. Donghee was warm, sweet, affectionate—of course her son would grow up well.

And that very same, well-raised son… was now dating Ara. And also, just yesterday, they’d had seriously intense s3x.

“Hmm. Hm-hmm.”

Donghee, completely unaware of Ara’s inner panic, just kept chatting about men.

“You know, I should ask my son to set you up with someone. What do you think? Want me to find you a nice guy?”

Ara, eyes twitching slightly, casually slid her hand off Donghee’s shoulder and scooted just a little away.

“No need. I’m kind of busy lately anyway, so it’s okay.”

“Busy? Come on, I know you—you’re always holed up at home!”

“No, really, I’m fine. I’ve got stuff going on.”

She awkwardly waved her hands and wandered around the kitchen, trying to change the subject.

Then—click—a door creaked open from the living room.

Ara’s head whipped around instinctively, only to see the last person she wanted to. Kang Seohyuk.

She froze, frowning. He walked toward her in what felt like slow motion.

In casual clothes, Seohyuk strolled out of the living room and stopped in front of the kitchen, giving her a soft, slightly smug smile.

“Ara, welcome.”

“…You were home,” she replied, deadpan.

After returning home that morning, Seohyuk had come back to the apartment. He’d received Ara’s text suggesting they only meet outside, and had paced around the room, unsure how to respond.

Then he’d heard the doorbell ring and Ara’s voice calling, “Unnie, I’m here!”

He knew he’d probably get scolded if he came out now. But if he didn’t go out… he wouldn’t get to see her.

Torn, he finally gave in and stepped outside. Even now, facing her icy glare, he thought he’d made the right choice.

‘Will she scold me? Spank me? Maybe grab me down there and tease me?’

He walked slowly toward the kitchen, filled with completely inappropriate excitement. He tried to suppress the grin tugging at his lips but failed miserably.

Seohyuk grabbed a cup and poured himself some water beside her, sneaking side glances in between gulps.

Their eyes met.

He smirked.

Ara stared him down, unimpressed. That sly smile—if he had a tail, he’d be wagging it like crazy.

He was way too easy to read. She felt a surge of anxiety, terrified Donghee would pick up on something.

‘Is he even an actor? Why is he so bad at hiding his face?’

She shot him another cold glance, doing her best to stay stone-faced as she headed deeper into the kitchen.

Donghee was just about to close the lid on a container of japchae. Ara swooped in, snatched it away, and spoke quickly.

“Unnie, thanks for the food. I’ve gotta go now.”

“What? So soon? Stay and have some coffee!”

“I’ve got a lot to do.”

Ara hurried past Seohyuk—until he stopped her.

“Come on. Stay for just one cup of coffee.”

She turned slightly, shot him a glare, and forced a polite smile.

“Ah. No. I’m really, seriously busy.”

At that moment, Donghee lit up and clapped her gloved hands together.

“Perfect timing! Ara, let my son set you up with someone nice!”

Seohyuk froze, eyes widening slightly, then looked at Ara and replied slowly.

“Hmm… I don’t think I know anyone decent…”

Trailing off, he wandered over to the living room and flopped onto the edge of the sofa.

Donghee, offended, raised her voice.

“What do you mean you don’t? What about Director Hong? Isn’t he single? He looked tall and handsome in that group photo!”

“A-ah… no, actually, he’s seeing someone…”

It was a total lie, but Seohyuk said it with a completely straight face as he reached for a magazine on the table, feigning total calm.