RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 175 — Everything Happens for a Reason III

Eun Ha's POV:

Barefoot, she softly descended the stairs.

The living room gradually appeared before her. Jae-il perched on the couch arm. Mia sat cross-legged on the ground, her back resting against his legs. Su Ah huddled in the large armchair, knees pulled up, phone resting on one thigh.

All three focused intently on Jae-il's laptop screen.

Su Ah glanced up first, her brow furrowing. Mia followed suit with her eyes. Jae-il turned around. Silence fell abruptly as the video got muted, heads turning toward her, stares locking on intensely, like she'd committed some shocking surprise.

"...Is something wrong?"

"Why aren't you resting?" Jae-il inquired, lightly pushing Mia aside to stand up.

"Um..." Eun Ha hesitated briefly, pondering her response. Jae-il's gentle look sharply brought back memories of her bathroom indiscretion.

For a second, she fidgeted in place. Had she planned what to say or do upon seeing him? Had she thought he wouldn't be back yet?

Those thoughts, urges, and deeds felt completely ridiculous now—like the culprit couldn't possibly be her, the strict mother and devoted spouse, the shy and withdrawn mature woman.

Possession by some entity seemed the sole logical cause, the only believable excuse. Some fiend had performed forbidden acts in the bath, labeling it 'stress relief.'

Not that it hadn't helped a bit, but that missed the point.

Her inner scolding worked effectively. With her voice unusually weak, face fatigued, and composure absent... her statement carried genuine conviction. Besides, who would suspect a thing, especially their own mom?

"I got bored... plus, I feel better now, though still a bit sore."

"You sure?" Jae-il approached. Instinctively, Eun Ha stepped back once, then again, until the wall halted her.

Oh great, she was acting like a horror flick damsel. Total mess.

"...Yeah."

"You seem pale."

She did feel dizzy-ish, but from mortification and guilt—not something she'd confess.

"Just a tad weary, honestly." She murmured. "So, uh... did you all enjoy yourselves?" She shifted focus to her other kids, aiming to divert.

Jae-il's brows knit. His hand extended toward her, but Eun Ha sidestepped smoothly from the wall, heading to her daughter in the armchair.

"What's on the screen?"

"A soccer match." Mia replied, watching as the woman settled beside her.

"Got it." Eun Ha nodded faintly, eyeing the replay of a goal on display.

"Jae-il was explaining the World Cup competition style." Su Ah chimed in. "It seems tougher than the Asian Games."

Eun Ha murmured agreement without further comment.

"Want me to warm some leftover soup?" Jae-il offered, his rich tone drawing her eyes to him.

She shook her head slightly. "No thanks, I'm good. Don't fret." Realizing her skittish dodges made it worse, she blurted next, "But, um... if you're kitchen-bound, could you grab me juice? Or any drink? Thirsty here."

"Of course, easy."

Eun Ha exhaled as Jae-il's frame vanished into the kitchen.

Mia and Su Ah kept watching her.

Soon, her son returned with a glass of juice.

"This ought to help." He passed it over.

Eun Ha accepted thankfully, swallowing a big sip while fixing her eyes on the laptop. "Thanks, dear." She whispered, swirling the glass lightly.

Jae-il settled on the couch's far end, eyebrow arched skeptically at her. "As Su Ah Noona mentioned, the World Cup's a different animal entirely." He resumed with his sisters. "Competition level's on another plane. European and South American squads are far fiercer."

Mia gazed at the screen—now on her lap—tilting her head, brows creased. "You'll win it anyway, right?"

Eun Ha also fixed her stare on him.

Jae-il shrugged, lacking his typical assurance for once. "We'll give it our all, but truth is, victory's no sure thing."

Shock painted Eun Ha, Mia, and Su Ah's faces. Jae-il's dominance in past tournaments made his doubt startling.

"What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you the greatest player?" Mia questioned, peering up with a scowl. "How's winning not certain?"

Eun Ha pondered the same. Her sports savvy was minimal; she tuned in solely for Jae-il's games.

She hadn't researched global rivals. Assuming local supremacy meant worldwide success seemed logical.

Jae-il offered her a tender smile and headshake.

"Come on!" Mia puffed.

"I'm no deity, you know. Not superhuman or perfect." Jae-il clarified.

"I get that..."

"Can't conquer a team solo, no matter my skill."

"I know, Jae-il. We're not clueless."

"Team synergy's key too."

"Then why sound like it's doomed? You'll crush it!" Mia folded her arms.

"Not saying we won't reach it—just don't bank on easy triumphs from our recent blowouts." Jae-il set the laptop back on his lap, restarting the footage. "Take Brazil—they're the entrants. See them, Noona? Dubbed the 'Generation of Gods,' Brazil's football deities. Insane roster. They've dominated their league like us... but while ours is our modest circuit packed with aging has-beens, theirs teems with fresh prodigies. Huge gap between ruling here and there." Thoughtfulness edged toward worry on his features. "Reports claim no such talent surge in fifty years. Fifty..."

"Huh." Mia and Su Ah uttered.

Eun Ha leaned in quietly for a peek. She grasped little, yet listened closely.

"That ignores titans like Germany, Spain, Italy, England, France." Jae-il went on, rubbing his chin. "These football empires have ruled globally for ages. They churn out pros and stars endlessly. This round, they'll pose unprecedented hurdles. Buzz says we're entering football's Golden Era. Geniuses popping up everywhere. So if we hit finals against them or consistent elites, defeat's possible. We're underdogs. Fairy tale squad. The improbable upset—not assured. It'll be... brutal."

"Well..." Mia pouted. "Stated like that, no letdown if you don't take it, eh? Still, total faith in you, bro. You'll spark those miracles, bet on it."

Su Ah nodded too, grinning. "You'll shock the world. Win or lose, we're cheering full throttle. Give it everything."

Eun Ha nodded, more reservedly. "Same here, honey. We'll back you regardless. You're young with tons of future ahead—no retirement looming. Outcome won't shake national support."

"Thanks, everyone." Jae-il laughed. "That's heavy pressure."

"Sorry." The women chorused.

"No worries, love the trust." He beamed, easing the laptop shut. "Enough gloom. World Cup's months off; we'll tackle it later."

Eun Ha mirrored her son's smile, thoughts wandering afar.

Ultimately, her boy remained unchanged.

Surveying the room, Eun Ha noted their... joy.

Every one.

Jae-il's homecoming had shifted dynamics.

Daughters shed their gloom, eyes alive and warm again.

They appeared... ordinary now. Wild, given prior estrangement.

Odd indeed.

Was Eun Ha the abnormal one currently?