When Love Across the Time

I was kicked out by my landlord and had no choice but to move into the house of my childhood friend.

I thought we were both as pure as before, so I let my guard down.

But in the middle of the night, he took advantage of me.

From a kind and sunny guy, he turned into a ravenous man.

He whispered in my ear, "Opal, keep your voice down. You don't want it to be strained."

Since childhood, I had a little crybaby and tag-along named Kenny Cummings. He was good-looking and shared the same birthday as me, though he was a year younger. Because of this, I accepted him as my little sidekick.

We went to the same kindergarten and high school. I watched him grow from a spoiled crybaby into a handsome young man. Naturally, quite a few girls were chasing after him.

Each time, I would scrutinize those girls, point out their flaws, and inevitably conclude, "You can't be with her."

Kenny was always obedient in front of me. Every time I said a girl wasn't suitable, he would nod even before I gave reasons. He would immediately reject them. So, although I planned every day to find a good match for him, I never succeeded.

Whenever I brought up the topic of him finding a girlfriend, he would blush with shyness. But when other girls confessed to him, he acted all normal. Maybe he was just used to it.

From childhood to adulthood, I always treated Kenny like a brother.

But the sight of his strong build and undeniable charm still caused me to swallow hard.

I told myself to calm down. I shouldn't fantasize things about him.

But his robust muscles were tempting. I shook my head to dispel the evil thought. My action puzzled Kenny, and he asked, "Opal, what's wrong?"

I instantly failed in defense. This was so tempting. I chuckled and fled in confusion.

When I got home, I kept telling myself that Kenny was still a kid.

After a while, I stopped my dirty thoughts, but every time I saw him afterward, I had an inexplicable feeling. Maybe the impact of that bathing scene was too great. In an instant, he went from being a child to a man.

Just as I pondered how this kid had grown up overnight, trouble came.

A junior schoolmate found me in a rage, questioning me if I was dating Kenny. I looked at her in confusion and asked if she was crazy.

"I saw it! That day on the playground, you were touching his face and smiling at him!" she said.

Feeling helpless, I crossed my arms and leaned against the door. "Is it not allowed to pinch my brother's face?"

"Everyone knows you're not real siblings! You're just using the brother-sister label to get closer to him. You're shameless," she said harshly and certainly.

I snorted, staring provocatively at her. "So what if I am? Do the same if you can. Oh, by the way, except for his parents, I have been with him for more than ten years. You can't replicate that."