RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 190 — Discord

Mia's POV:

Hurting her younger sister was not something Mia relished. Her own jealousy was the root cause. Though young, her sister shouldn't be afforded endless excuses for such heartless actions.

Their mother's frequent admonishments against holding grudges echoed in Mia's mind; grudges were ultimately more damaging to the holder than the target. Yet, Mia found herself unable to release a particular grievance, a festering ache centered on love, the contest for it, and the potent mix of hatred and craving it provoked.

The memory of that cafe incident remained vivid, a moment teetering on the brink. One more step, and the only place she would have seen her beloved brother would be in a psychiatric ward during visiting hours.

Ah, this overwhelming hysteria and madness that had taken hold of her…

No, a relapse into such a state, leading to regrettable actions, was a luxury she could not afford.

Furthermore, the sight of Su Ah weeping was unbearable.

They were, after all, siblings bound by a profound, intrinsic connection.

Yet, despite this understanding, the simple act of knocking on Su Ah's door felt insurmountable, an action she knew she should take but couldn't bring herself to perform.

Bravery was lacking in Mia, or perhaps, she wasn't ready. What was the true value of an apology offered before her own emotions had settled? Provocation could easily derail her, leading to further harm. In fact, it was almost guaranteed.

Su Ah might be nurturing her own resentments, and any peace offering from Mia could be met with a spiteful rejection, the offer itself perhaps brutally dismantled.

Her capacity for emotional endurance was already critically depleted.

However, without an apology, the situation would remain stagnant, unresolved.

So, what course of action? How should she bridge this divide?

As Mia stood immobile outside Su Ah's bedroom door, the distinct sound of another door opening nearby caused her to freeze. It was the bathroom door, situated at the hall's end, opposite Mia's and Su Ah's adjoining rooms.

And from it emerged Jae-il.

Their movements ceased in unison, exchanged gazes holding mutual surprise and shock. Jae-il was clad only in a loosely tied towel around his waist, droplets of water tracing paths down his lean, sculpted physique.

Mia's throat tightened. Her eyes lingered on the sight of her nearly undressed younger brother, found so unexpectedly. He was devastatingly attractive, a fact that sent an involuntary shiver through her entire being. In that precise moment, her deepest desire was to enfold him in her arms, pulling him into a fierce, encompassing hug.

"Noona?" His typically sharp purple eyes widened slightly as they focused on her tear-streaked face, illuminated by the dim hallway light. He approached her soundlessly, his body still dewy from his recent bath. Water dripped from his hair, saturating the floor, while his skin gave off a warm, radiant glow, flushed pink from the heat and moisture. Each deliberate, unhurried stride he took caused his biceps and chest to subtly flex.

"Yes, something has indeed happened." Mia replied, quickly wiping her cheeks as the recent, acrimonious exchange with her sister surfaced in her mind.

Dropping her head, she bowed, seeking absolution from the one person whose clear-headed consideration she craved above all else.

"I apologize, Jae-il. Su Ah and I had a significant argument while you were showering. I… I understand you two bonded during your trip, and I… I…"

He extended a hand, his fingertips lightly brushing over the damp trails on her cheeks. A held breath escaped her as his fingers slowly, gently moved across her jawline, culminating in a gentle cupping of her chin.

With care, he lifted her face until her eyes met his.

"Noona...?"

"It appears…" Mia faltered, hesitant to meet his gaze fully. "Su Ah and I experienced a rather heated disagreement while you were occupied with your shower."

His eyes softened, though their sharpness remained undimmed. "Was it physical?"

She did not flinch from his directness. This was Jae-il—always cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "She appears to have sustained some bruising, I believe."

A soft exhalation escaped him, so subtle she wondered if she had truly heard it.

"I suspect I may have as well."

A dark, protective instinct stirred within her core at the look on his face. Accompanying it was a surge of hysteria, a desperate urge to confess the tangled emotions that seized her whenever he was near, how witnessing his affection for another ignited a desire to commit terrible acts, how jealousy functioned as a corrosive agent within her.

She forcefully suppressed this rising tide, pushing it down to a place where it could not affect him.

Mia harbored a deep wish that Jae-il would remain forever unaware of this obsessive facet of her personality, a side that endless cycles of therapy, medication, and more therapy had proven incapable of altering his perception of.

Because, to be candid, such an revelation would signify the absolute end of their relationship, both as siblings and as lovers, consigning it to ruin.

And she had no desire to further complicate her already precarious situation, especially given the undeniable pleasure she derived from their connection. This dynamic she shared with Jae-il. Even with Su Ah persistently flitting around like an irritating insect.

As his elder sister, Mia felt a strong compulsion to ensure her dear younger brother's life was free from undue hardship. Most certainly not due to any actions on her part.

"I made a mistake, Jae-il." Mia confessed, leaping into his embrace and pressing her front firmly against his body, burying her face in the crook of his neck. A slight shiver traversed her frame as she felt his damp, cool skin. Her arms, however, instinctively snaked around his bare waist, pulling him closer like an overly affectionate feline.

His scent was intoxicatingly wonderful—freshly washed, with a sweet, masculine aroma. Mia drew a deep breath, her eyelids fluttering shut.

"You really ought to apologize..." Jae-il murmured, his own arms encircling her.

They swayed gently together in the stillness.

Mia shook her head against his chest. "I can't..." Her voice was muffled. "She was already furious... we'll likely just end up arguing again."

"What exactly transpired, Noona?"

"She told me... that the two of you... had sex." Mia's words were barely audible, laced with a hint of accusation as she lifted her chin to meet his gaze, her eyes narrowed. "And she recounted it all in explicit detail." I could feel her fingers digging into my back, tightening their grip. "She told me you came inside her... Jae-il!"

"That... that was a regrettable lapse in judgment, Noona." He let out a sigh, not quite ashamed but undeniably mortified. And rightfully so! Mia huffed. "I truly didn't intend for it to happen... Su Ah Noona already took a morning-after pill, so there shouldn't be any risk. I suppose I was simply overwhelmed by the intensity of our last encounter, and my mind wasn't functioning properly."

"I'm quite angry, Jae-il." Mia whispered, stepping back to fold her arms across her chest, fixing him with a look of pronounced disapproval. "We've been intimate so many times, and you've never once done that with me! Am I truly that unsatisfactory in bed?!"

"You are an absolutely incredible lover." Jae-il stated calmly. "In fact, you've been far more than satisfactory on numerous occasions. What happened was merely a product of the heat of the moment."

"Heat of the moment." Mia repeated, her nose wrinkling in distaste. Her arms uncrossed, falling to her sides, her eyebrows arching with mild skepticism. Honestly, that was the most ludicrous excuse she had ever heard.

Excuses and justifications weren't something she typically accepted. However, she decided to hold her tongue. Mia genuinely did not want their evening to conclude on such a bitter note.

"Yes, Noona... these things happen."

"So, you took Su Ah's virginity." Mia sniffed indignantly. "And conveniently, the 'heat of the moment' caused you to completely lose your senses."

Jae-il rolled his eyes, adjusting the towel loosely tied around his waist. "I took your virginity as well, Noona."

"But you never came inside—"

"And Su Ah never took mine. But I did."

"......"

There was something uniquely profound, she mused, about the experience of losing one's virginity; regardless of which position one occupied in that exchange.

"I really shouldn't have gone through with that, Noona." Jae-il added, reaching up to gently stroke her cheek.

Mia's gaze locked onto his once more, her own hand rising to cover his. "You shouldn't have... but... I forgive you, my sweet baby brother. You made a mistake. As long as you make amends later."

And she had a very clear understanding of precisely how he would make amends—a fact he was also fully aware of.

Her finger traced a damp path from his chest, descending all the way to the knot of the towel secured around his hips.

She felt a powerful urge to kiss him, right there, standing against Su Ah's bedroom door, and continue until every unseemly thought had vanished from both their minds, until they had forgotten who, and what, and where they were, and simply made love until the sun rose.

It might have even been more satisfying if Su Ah had been privy to overhearing their entire exchange.

But alas. They needed to exercise some level of discretion, after all.

Jae-il gently pushed her back. "Promise me you'll try to speak with her tomorrow. Calmly. Do you understand me?"

"I'll make it up to you, I promise. B&B?" Jae-il offered, flashing one of those heart-meltingly boyish grins.

"With bubbles?" Mia couldn't suppress a smile.

"As many bubbles as you desire, Noona."

Ah, what a profound sense of relief, what an absolute blessing.

"Good." Mia declared, fighting the urge to swoon.

He invariably knew the perfect words to bring her happiness. Mia launched herself at him again, wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing him close. "Thank you, my darling baby brother~"

"You should head to bed now. It's getting quite late."

"But what about Su Ah?" she inquired softly.

"Allow me to handle the conversation with her." Jae-il said, gradually disengaging himself. "You two have been at loggerheads far too frequently lately. It's evident to me that direct discussion of any issues you might be experiencing inevitably escalates into heated arguments. My hope is that we can all sit down together and resolve this soon. For the time being, please promise me you will offer her an apology tomorrow."

Mia bit her lower lip. "I'll do my best..."

Neither Mia nor Su Ah had ever resorted to physical altercations like this; well, at least Mia hadn't resorted to striking Su Ah before, and she was unsure how to navigate such an exceptionally awkward predicament.

Still, Jae-il's assessment was accurate...

Resolving this wouldn't be a straightforward matter.

But no more shouting, no more blows, no more curses, and certainly no further attempts at physical confrontation. They would endeavor to engage in genuine communication.