RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 167 — Table Manners

The praise finally acted as the blade that delivered the killing blow to her jealousy.

That sulky scowl on Mia's face contorted, shifted, and melted into the most alluring, predatory grin I'd ever been lucky enough to see.

All hints of deadly rage had apparently vanished, swapped for a sense of satisfaction. A negotiation triumph, I'd say, rescuing Su Ah from a premature end courtesy of our beloved big sister. But as Mia's arm wrapped around mine, her fingers wrapping tightly around my bicep like a vine taking hold, I pondered if I hadn't simply exchanged one life for my freedom, now bound by this gorgeous, unpredictable devotion.

Oh well. I was fine with that sort of setup. I handled crazies like her well, didn't I?

For some bizarre, unfathomable reason, I thought I did.

Still.

A girl shouldn't suppress her... essence. In Mia's case, that essence was an incestuous, near-psychotic delicate bloom. She fit into a rare category of obsessive flora where innocent affection always soured into deadly ownership.

And it had run wild since we fell into this fresh dynamic.

Now, Mia trapped her lower lip between her perfect teeth as she gazed at me. "You... you really mean it?"

"I mean every bit." I confirmed, and her clasp eased, turning from possessive grab to tender grasp. No more of her sharp nails digging into my flesh.

"Prove it." She whispered, lips lingering open on that final syllable.

"......"

I blinked.

"Prove it now." Her fingers squeezed once more, not hurting. "Prove I'm your top priority, Jae-il."

My eyes flicked to the kitchen, where Su Ah's faint cupboard rummaging set a risky timer ticking.

"Right here?" I whispered low, a secretive, disbelieving murmur near her ear. "Su Ah Noona's right there."

"So?" Mia's mouth brushed my neck now, planting soft, moist kisses. "She got her chance. Mine's next." Her free hand glided up my thigh, tracing a bold, heated trail that signaled its goal with scary certainty.

Mia had mastered seduction long before I took her virginity. That talent had led us here, after all.

I allowed her free rein for a few moments longer, her teeth nipping at my collarbone. It felt amazing. Way too good.

"Later." I forced out the word, snagging her roaming hand before it reached its mark. "When Su Ah's asleep or occupied. Just us. Mom too. Noona, got it? We gotta play it smart." I intertwined our fingers, lifting her hand to press a soft kiss to her knuckles. A calming little move. "You know I'd go anywhere, do anything with you. But we can't just..."

Mia halted, drawing back slightly to give me a stare mixing pout and thought. "Fine." She puffed, her posture relaxing a lot. "But you owe me big. And I'm collecting soon."

"Absolutely." I agreed without hesitation. "No complaints from me."

"... Pft, dork." Mia nestled her head against my shoulder, letting out an adorable giggle. "Have you eaten yet, Jae-il?"

"Besides your lips?"

"Yes, besides that."

I laughed. "Not a thing." My stomach growled fiercely—along with other neglected parts.

"Let's eat then." Mia rose using one hand, stretching out, and I anticipated it perfectly. So obvious, yet I watched in shocked, half-horrified awe as those massive assets swung in their own dramatic curve, smacking my face with a delightful thwack.

"......!"

"Mm." Mia tossed me a knowing peek, far too pure. "Oops, did I hit you?"

"You..."

Mia stood fully and flashed a cheeky smile before strutting to the kitchen.

I rose too, shaking my head quietly and trailing behind.

...

Domestic peace returned for the moment, except for my slightly soaked shorts and Su Ah carefully dodging any glances that might admit our prior romp, as Mia bent over to check the fridge's bottom shelves. The sight screamed perfect homey teasing.

Right on schedule, Su Ah headed to the stove with resolve in her beautiful, lowered gaze.

"What do you think you're doing?" Mia blocked her path.

"Handling my business by fixing us something to eat. Problem?" Su Ah shot back, tone infuriatingly even as her slim fingers hunted for a knife.

"I was in the middle of—"

"So was I, Unnie."

"......"

A charged pause hung as they locked eyes, sparks flying. Luckily, it passed quickly. Perhaps my earlier talk was sinking in?

"I'm handling the stew." Mia declared, seizing the pot handle with unyielding grip that dared release. "You wash veggies, Su Ah."

Su Ah didn't flinch, clutching her ladle tighter. "Your stew's always oversalted. I'll do the broth. You chop onions. Matches your mood."

"Excuse me?" Mia spun, brows vanishing upward. "My mood? Says the one who yanked our brother to her room?"

"And who mounted him on the couch like a hussy?"

"Okay, stop!" I jumped in, wedging between them. "Ladies, come on. I'm shaking from starvation. If I drop dead over your salt-shaker spat, everyone loses. Except the mortuary."

They glanced at me, then each other.

"Fine." Mia snorted, tossing her hair. "Together, but I chop veggies."

"Fine." Su Ah said coolly, eye-roll included. "I'll season it. Needs taste buds."

Mia muttered under her breath.

Thus, a fragile peace held.

I perched at the island, elbows propped, chin in palms, eyeing the chaos bending our home's usual rules.

Mia and Su Ah shared the kitchen space uneasily. They operated in tense sync, Mia hacking veggies with fierce, rhythmic chops while Su Ah organized herbs and spices.

No pros, no cooks, they didn't hide opinions on each other's skills with pointed whispers carrying across the room.

Still... they pulled it off. I held back words, fearing I'd break their delicate accord. So I watched happily as dinner took shape.

Soybean paste stew's aroma soon wafted. Idle, I prepped the table: three bowls, three chopstick sets.

A worry tugged my thoughts. Fingers drummed the counter.

I eyed the ceiling.

"Hey..." I spoke up.

Both sisters froze, turning to me.

"Mom hasn't come down."

Silence crashed in. Mia's knife stilled. Su Ah eased the ladle down.

"She hasn't." Mia confirmed, tone deepening, playfulness gone. She eyed the stairs, face hardening.

"She's been up there awhile." Su Ah said, drying hands, gaze lifting. "Since before you... me... yeah?"

Mia wrinkled her nose at Su Ah.

"Yeah." I sighed. "And she seemed off before. Skipping food'll make her ill, worse if stressed."

I skipped saying we caused the stress. No need. Guilt hit Mia's features; Su Ah fidgeted.

"I'll check on her." I headed out.

"Want me to—" Mia began, stepping up.

"No." I stopped her kindly. "Stay. Finish cooking. All of us rushing might scare her. I'll just ask if she's hungry."

Mia wavered, argumentative look fading to a nod. She knew Eun Ha eyed her warily now. I was the safer bet. Ironically.

Up the stairs I went, boards groaning lightly. So still here.

Master bedroom door shut firm. Fist raised, I paused. Heart thumped once, hard. Weird spot, unknown mood.

One way to learn.

"Mom?" Soft call. "Dinner's nearly done."

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