Chapter 44
“Welcome, miss.”
The uninvited guest gave us a sidelong glance as if annoyed by our greeting, then shrugged off her coat.
Handing it to Mrs. Kim, she said,
“Coffee. Iced.”
Unlike Yoonjae or ourselves, Eunse entered with a distinctly aloof attitude. She glanced around the room lightly and settled into the most prominent seat on the sofa.
“This sofa is hard.”
She complained first, and we smiled briefly before taking our own seats.
“I didn’t expect you to come without notice.”
“How could I contact you? I don’t have your number.”
“You could have found a way if you tried.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you upset that I came?”
“Not at all. It’s just that nothing was prepared.”
Eunse was busy grumbling the whole time, as if she’d deliberately come to pick a fight. For us, though, it was amusing.
Dusting off the sofa and frowning, she finally asked the one question that highlighted the oddest thing about us.
“Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors?”
We lifted our sunglasses over the bridge of our nose and back down again.
“I had LASIK.”
“…Drawing lines on a pumpkin won’t change it, will it?”
She always had to add a sharp comment.
‘Cute, though.’
We concealed our smile and gave a slight eye-smile.
“Here you go.”
Mrs. Kim placed drinks and snacks on the table, adding to the subtly tense atmosphere. We lifted our cups in thanks.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Ma’am? Hah.”
Hmm, not so cute.
Our expression shifted slightly, but Eunse, shielded by her sunglasses, didn’t notice.
“Let’s go out together.”
“Where?”
“There’s a meeting next week, and I need to prepare a few things. I was told to check it out.”
Check it out?
Taking another sip of iced coffee, Eunse gave a faint eye-smile.
“My mom said so.”
It was a card she played that couldn’t be refused. Considering she came out of nowhere like this, it seemed our improvisation last time left quite an impression.
We leisurely sipped our tea.
“So you need my eyes, huh?”
Correct.
Eunse still didn’t understand her mother’s suggestion to visit ‘Joo Aejeong,’ but she didn’t need to—she would just follow instructions. Half the work was already done that way.
“Thirty minutes enough?”
“For what?”
“To get ready. I don’t have much time.”
From her tone, it seemed she didn’t even think of this as a request.
Eunse tilted her head in a slightly pompous, almost learned manner.
“Do I need Hayoonjae’s permission?”
“…No, you don’t.”
“Of course. That half-assed guy doesn’t have time to worry about this anyway.”
A short remark, but it perfectly revealed how she usually addressed Yoonjae.
We didn’t need to hear more. We continued to sip our tea elegantly.
“This won’t work.”
Setting down our empty cup, we continued,
“What should I do? I just had eye surgery yesterday, so that might make things difficult.”
“What? You mean you can’t go?”
“No, I can go. I just wondered if I’d actually be of any help. If I just get in the way, it would be a disaster—I’d get scolded by your mother.”
Anyone not noticing something strange here would be a fool.
Eunse’s expression twisted instantly.
“Right now….”
“Once you’ve finished, you can head out.”
We rose, holding our emptied tea cups, and asked pointedly,
“Uh, do you have more to say, or would you like some more tea?”
Realizing our deliberately clipped tone, Eunse’s lips trembled.
“I-I’m your sister-in-law. I don’t know why you think this is okay, but my mom will—”
“Oh? Sister-in-law is a title? Were you offended? Sorry. That wasn’t my intention at all. I just worried I might get in your way. I wouldn’t want to be a bother.”
“A title?! And whether it’s helpful or not, I should decide—!”
“Sorry. You didn’t even ask for help, so offering help is just my overstepping. You’d have to ask first for me to step in. How could I interfere without permission?”
“….”
Ssss—
Listening to this, Eunse felt prickling stabs all over her body. Though she hesitated timidly, oddly, the pain was ours to witness. Repeated words made her instantly understand the meaning.
Her temper flared, and she jumped to her feet.
“I said I’ll do it! Why so many words?!”
“Why… why are you mad? I’m just trying to help you—”
“No! I mean for me! Do it! I said do it!”
“I don’t understand. So… what, exactly, should I do?”
“Help…!”
Her lips closed again, stubborn pride blocking her request.
Red and flustered, Eunse’s face twisted in confusion. We covered our own mouths, enjoying the rare display of drama.
Even without seeing her eyes, the quivering voice sounded almost tearful, turning Eunse’s emotions upside down.
‘Still usable.’
Hiding oneself had been our survival method since childhood: appear silly, act foolish, appease others, and gain advantage. Manipulating Eunse was easy.
As expected, she couldn’t respond properly.
“What… what… what is this?”
Her fiery determination was admirable, but we had no desire to prolong this verbal sparring. Such theatrics were reserved for when someone was truly irritating.
Strangely, we didn’t dislike Eunse. Her pretensions fell short, revealing her vulnerabilities. That made us want to push things further.
“Ha Eunse.”
She straightened her slightly hunched posture and gave honest advice.
“If you came for help, don’t mess around. Ask properly. Don’t play boss halfway.”
Our voice turned cold, pressing against the bridge of her nose. Surprised, Eunse blinked widely. She got one last chance.
“Not going to do it?”
Swallow.
After the heated exchange, Eunse, fidgeting with her hands and nervously smacking her lips, finally gave in.
“…Please help me.”
Finally, a bright smile spread across our face. We spoke gently to the flustered, blushing Eunse.
“Wait an hour, miss.”
Very kind and gentle.
The brief but rich “lesson” over, the two of them got into one car.
Eunse drove a flashy yellow sports car that suited her style.
We, drawn to the bright primary color, asked,
“What kind of meeting is this?”
“You’ll see.”
Still grumbling, she didn’t seem entirely placated. We observed her closely.
Even with sunglasses, her determined gaze was palpable. She hurriedly started the car.
“…It’s just a meeting. People I know gather annually, that’s all.”
Her submission pleased us instinctively. We murmured softly,
“Since she came to me specifically, it’s not a common luxury item. Among those, she must want something special.”
“Probably.”
“Then it’s not a class reunion, but since gifts are exchanged, it’s likely a long-standing gathering. Probably small, valuing substance over show.”
Without even hearing much, we reached for the navigation system.
“I’ll set the GPS.”
We fastened our seatbelt without hesitation, and Eunse, caught off guard, asked,
“Is there something special?”
“Everything except the impossible. Let’s go.”
We were just happy to indulge our eyes after a long time.
“Executive Director?”
Mrs. Kim, stepping out from the utility room, was startled to see Yoonjae standing quietly in the living room.
“How did you come at this hour?”
Rushing over, she asked. He glanced around, replying,
“I came to get some documents.”
“…Excuse me?”
Yoonjae leaving documents? Never happened before.
Before she could ponder, he asked,
“Is that person still being held?”
“Ah, Madam? No, she left about thirty minutes ago.”
“She left? Where?”
Perhaps he glanced around to check.
Mrs. Kim explained briefly,
“Miss came from the family house.”
“Ha Eunse, you mean?”
“Yes, right before you arrived. They went together.”
Eunse, who had never come near here before, had visited our home—and even brought us along. His expression stiffened.
“Do you know why she came?”
“She said she came to help with a meeting. It seemed the matriarch sent her.”
Knowing Sehye-won was involved, Yoonjae frowned slightly.
Did she comply obediently?
“Well… she got scolded.”
The tense air froze.
His calm eyes suddenly sharpened.
“For what reason?”
He asked without showing anger, but his aura was different.
Had Sehye-won sent her to find a fault?
It had been quiet recently, but he hadn’t expected such a sudden visit.
He clenched his empty fists and turned, as if ready to chase them.
Mrs. Kim quickly followed, adding,
“No, don’t misunderstand. She was scolded by the madam herself.”
“…?”
Unexpected again.
Yoonjae, for a moment, revealed his confusion to Mrs. Kim.
“What… exactly happened?”
Though mischievous, Eunse wasn’t the type to act recklessly.
Still, Mrs. Kim looked proud as she said,
“It was for your sake, Executive Director.”
“….”
“She was scolded very harshly.”
Even without more, it was clear. Eunse’s behavior had been noticeable, and scolding her meant she sided with him.
Yoonjae stood silently for a while.
Mrs. Kim didn’t interrupt, watching quietly.
Soon, he moved.
“I should go now.”
“Excuse me? But you came to get documents just now—”
Turning away without even entering the study, Mrs. Kim said no more.
His back showed clearly that his goal had been achieved.
