RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 180 — Under the Stars II

~5 minute read · 1,179 words

Previously on RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class)...

Mom anxiously fussed over Jae-il and Su Ah before their hike to watch the comet, tying his laces and handing over thermoses of tea while Mia teased from the sidelines. As they departed, neighborhood residents and schoolgirls gawked at the famous young footballer. Jae-il playfully carried Su Ah to the bus stop, and en route through the countryside, their flirtatious banter intensified, culminating in his bold compliment on her beauty, leaving her flustered.

"Guh." A choked groan burst from Su Ah. "Stupid..."

She pushed at me, hiding her face against the window.

"You're blushing, Noona~"

"Shut. Up."

Now she pouted fully. For the first time, I caught Su Ah's 'evil face', the kind only girls perfect—cheeks puffed out, eyes narrowed to slits like a killer's, whispering threats while masking her shame.

"But you like it~" I teased, my voice lilting playfully to coax her from her shell. Poking at her was irresistible with such an adorable, sparkling response.

"......"

Silence hit like a bomb. No answer came. Even peeking failed; she just turned her head farther until we hit a stalemate set to drag through the whole trip. Yet it felt cozy, that standoff.

My gaze shifted outward. Scenery glided by, bathed in sunlight, nearly still against the bus's rush. Endless crop fields faded into dense forests. My elbow rested on the armrest, brushing just past hers.

Soon her focus followed, that same idle wonder settling in. Tracing a curving limb or eyeing ancient, warped trunks was effortless. Bit by bit, maybe without thinking, Su Ah scooted closer, sighed softly, and rested her head on my arm.

Just us two remained on the bus by now, owning the space entirely. Fun how the driver faded from notice in tight confines—like a roommate's breath blending into white noise after ages, utterly ignored.

Moments flowed on. As our stop neared, I nudged her gently with my arm. "Hey, almost there."

"... nnh?"

She'd been dozing lightly.

Her eyes flew wide; she yanked back, fully alert as brakes screeched and speed dropped. Doors creaked wide, admitting a dusty whisper of mountain air from the afternoon.

The bus wouldn't linger. Just a quick one-minute halt for locals and passersby. No souls waited outside, though.

"Let's go." I seized her hand, hauling her upright.

We stepped off, boots crunching gravel in this remote mountain hamlet's heart. She arched her back and stretched her legs with a deep breath.

"... did I doze off...?"

"Hm~ just a tad." I replied. "Nothing major, though."

She snorted dismissively.

We paused to readjust to firm, steady earth underfoot.

The bus growled off along the narrow, curving lane.

I shifted my shoulder strap, peering toward the skyline at rising ridges. Our plan: scale the peak, pitch camp, and catch the comet's show.

We trailed the yellow stripe along the concrete path into the hills. Then pavement gave way to dirt trail under fir shade, air cooling instantly.

This mountain wasn't Everest-scale—no need for guides or pro gear. Still, far from a lazy riverside stroll.

The path stayed straightforward: dirt, stones, zigzags, stray logs. Shadows from trees cloaked all. We ascended the mild slope.

Sweat sheened Su Ah's face; her thin white shirt clung damp to her back.

"Need a rest, Noona?"

She shook her head, dark locks whipping her shoulders. "Mm. I'm fine. Almost there anyhow."

Truth was, she spoke right. Five minutes topped a ridge. Air turned crisp and pure; below rippled a vast grassy ocean.

Breaths eased deeper now, lungs gulping richer oxygen.

Gazing down past slopes to terraced fields and dollhouse homes, plains sprawled lush and savage, rolling to distant peaks.

The vista shone pretty solo, but Su Ah made it perfection?

My stare fell to her windswept black hair swaying side to side. Fine jawline, slim elegant nose. She drank the scene, hands clasped back, wind-kissed.

Her scent rode the breeze right to me.

Su Ah brushed hair behind her ear, glancing my way briefly. "I've never seen such a beautiful landscape like this before..."

Our eyes met; her smile blazed radiant, stunning—and damn if the sun didn't flare brighter right then.

"Hm." I managed a goofy nod and shrug. Words stuck in my throat.

Su Ah giggled lightly, eyeing my odd vibe before diving back into the panorama's wonders.

I dropped our bags on grass, swiping sweat from my forehead. Breath steady, but legs burned nicely from the hike.

"You packed snacks, Noona...?" I asked, eyeing bags. "Protein bars sound perfect. Tons of 'em."

She cocked her head, rolling eyes as I nodded to a nearby log. "I got dried jerky, grapes, apples, water, lunch boxes, Mom's tea... and yeah, protein bars. Plenty."

As expected—Noona covered all bases.

"My stomach bows to you." I mock-bowed deep, flopping onto the stump.

Another tiny eye-roll, cute as ever, then she hit the packs, crouching to snag the food stash.

Her pose flashed her shorts' straps vanishing into her cleft. Nearly grabbed a finger to yank them free—back where they oughta be, not wedged there.

She fished water bottles out, lobbing one my way.

"Ugh." Defeat crossed her face handing hers over. "Open this for me?"

"For you, dear Noona? Gladly. No one dares call your bro weak or clumsy. Behold my prowess once more..."

"Please don't."

Laughter rose with yet another adorable eye-roll.

That sound, that sight—pure bliss. I twisted her cap with flair, striking a knightly pose before handing it back like to royalty.

Amusement lit her grip as we dug into eats.

Silence wrapped us comfy, eyes on distant peaks, ears tuned to whispering leaves.

"It would be nice to do this more... often." Su Ah's soft words cut through my nature trance slowly.

She crunched slow bites from a fresh green apple.

"Kinda fun, yeah." I chimed in. Sweet escape from routine grind. "But family trip awaits too..."

Look forward? Sure. Dread gnawed inside—Mia being... well,

And Su Ah, more sensible than Mia, shared her knack for chaos in hiding our secret.

"Yeah... but it's not the same." Su Ah mused, nibbling apple rind. "I like this better. Just us. And nature."

"Hmhm..."

No missing her point. Not a chance.

"Just us." She'd said. Worlds hid in those words.

This trip beat comet-gazing alone. Sure, the rock mattered, but her real aim? Being here,

Not my debut. If she craved that, denial wasn't coming. Growth or scum? Last year, horror at the idea—date outsiders, flee family ties. But indulgence hooked me. One tiny lapse snowballed.

Now? Plummeting.

Rationalizing pros. Could justify anything, even worse.

This? Rationalized. They desired me; I returned it. Done.

No light ahead—just endless void of brazen sin.

Apathy crept in.

Freefall? Absolutely. Whatever. Torch my life for those faces.

I sighed.

Su Ah, brighter now, devoured her apple eagerly.

I faked ignoring peeks at those lips drawing fruit juice as teeth sank and tugged.

Well...

"I agree." I confessed, stare holding longer. "It is nice. Just us."

Shy smile bloomed. My nod sealed it for her.