The Niece and Min-a
Even after all this time, the sight of the two of them together still feels awkward. Like forcing yourself into clothes that don’t fit. They aren’t even arguing. No one is grabbing anyone by the collar. ‘Get a grip. This is supposed to be a celebration for your niece.’
The strange tension between us never fades. Uncle and niece now see each other as man and woman. At least before, we had the excuse of the Suneung. But now…
“Everyone, a toast for Yerin! Congratulations on getting in. You’re our junior now, huh?”
“Thank you, Samchon, Sungmo. I really couldn’t have done it without the two of you.”
Yerin had received her acceptance letter from the university she wanted. The moment Min-a heard the news, she bustled about, insisting on throwing a celebration. I had worried a fight might break out, but…
[It’s fine, Samchon. Just let that woman do whatever she wants. Otherwise she’ll only make things harder for you again.]
Surprisingly, Yerin accepted the situation calmly. She even seemed relaxed. I, on the other hand, was pale with anxiety. We had made a promise between us.
‘If I get good scores, you’ll grant me one wish.’
I had made her promise not to ask for anything ridiculous, but I still had no idea what she intended to demand. Even after the exam ended, even after the interviews, even after the acceptance came through, she never once showed her hand. That alone kept me on edge.
“Starting university is going to be hectic. Between Yerin’s acceptance and our wedding, it feels like presents keep arriving around Christmas.”
“Yeah. From now on… only good things, right?”
Looking at Min-a’s bright smile made my lips tremble so badly I could barely speak. All this time I had hidden behind Yerin to keep my feelings from Min-a, but now… one way or another, I would have to reach a conclusion.
“Have you two set a date yet? Samchon hasn’t said anything.”
“Right, Samchon? Ah, I specifically told him not to tell you. You were already overwhelmed with studying; I didn’t want to add more stress.”
This time Yerin looked at me. There was unmistakable anger in her eyes. Even while preparing for the exam, she had called me over repeatedly to check. The moment I got home she would grab me by the nape and sniff for another woman’s perfume. If I was late because of overtime, she demanded to know whether I had been with Min-a instead. She had begged me not to see Sungmo until the exam was over, saying she couldn’t concentrate if she imagined that woman touching me.
‘I’m really something else.’
Caught between two women, I couldn’t move an inch. Maybe what Yerin wanted wasn’t a promise at all. Maybe she wanted an answer. She wanted the indecisive fool in front of her to finally make a choice—to cut ties with Sungmo and come to her for good.
“Once the date is set, things will get busy. I don’t know much about it, but there’ll be dress fittings, wedding photos, invitation cards…”
“The company will handle most of the preparations, so we just have to make the decisions. You and your Samchon should go check things out together. If you want to come along too, Yerin, we can all go. Your uncle has no sense for these things. He can’t tell what’s pretty even when I show him pictures—they all look the same to him.”
While the two of them talked, I stood up. Yerin followed me into the kitchen as I poured myself a glass of water.
“Water?”
“Yes.”
The moment I handed her the glass, she poured it straight into the sink.
“It looks like the two of you have been having a great time without me knowing. I asked you not to let it interfere with my studying, and now everything’s a mess.”
“A mess…? What do you mean?”
“Samchon.”
Yerin called my name, her face now openly furious.
“You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you? Aren’t you even worried about what I might ask for?”
“You’re the one who promised. You said you wouldn’t ask for anything ridiculous.”
“We’ll see. No one knows what counts as ridiculous until it happens. Who gets to decide that, anyway?”
“Are you two fighting?”
Min-a called from behind us, sensing the tension.
“We’re not fighting. Just talking.”
“Right. Just talking. Between Samchon and his niece.”
“I don’t know what the two of you don’t like about each other, but get along. Once we’re married and off on our honeymoon, you won’t see your uncle as often. He’ll be living in the new house.”
“You don’t seriously think they’d turn me away at the door, do you? I just won’t visit at night.”
“At night? What are you even saying, Yerin?”
Min-a laughed from the sofa, unable to see the expression on Yerin’s face as she turned away. Pure, unfiltered rage. Yerin shot me a look that said brace yourself. I set the cup down, trying not to show anything, and Yerin leaned in, her voice low and sharp against my ear.
“Samchon. I’ll be twenty soon. You know that, right? Sungmo, I’m tired, so I’m going to bed first.”
“Oh? Oh, sure. Go rest. You haven’t had a proper break while studying. Sleep well.”
“By the way, you must feel a bit sad too, leaving this place.”
Once I sat on the sofa, Min-a leaned her shoulder against mine. This used to be our everyday life, but now it felt strangely awkward. It wasn’t Yerin resting against me anymore—it was Min-a pressing into my arms.
“We promised, remember? And who knows about Yerin. She might prefer being alone.”
“Your niece must be worried. What if she starts bringing men home like I did when I lived alone?”
Min-a poked my cheek repeatedly while bringing up her own past. As her biggest accomplice, I could only offer a bitter smile and stare straight ahead.
“Why is she like that? She already knew we were getting married.”
“What do you mean?”
“Can’t you tell by her expression? She looks upset. Maybe it’s because we didn’t tell her the date. She should have been mentally prepared once she knew her uncle was getting married.”
Min-a slid smoothly onto my lap, straddling me.
“Well… if she thinks I’m stealing her uncle, she might be annoyed. Originally, she was the one wedged between us.”
She rubbed her hips blatantly against my crotch and exhaled hot breath against my neck.
“Hey. Hey. Yerin’s here.”
I gestured toward the master bedroom, but she didn’t budge.
“She’s probably on her phone. Or sleeping. She said she was tired.”
“Be reasonable. At least do this at your place. Tone it down for now.”
When I tried to pull my head back, Min-a grabbed it. Our lips brushed, but I twisted away, unwilling to go further.
“Oppa. Kim Jiho.”
Min-a called my name.
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
“You’re the one who needs to decide what you’re doing. Yerin’s in the house.”
“So what? She doesn’t know anything? She’ll just assume her Sungmo and Samchon are fooling around if they’re close. Oppa.”
Min-a began undoing my buttons one by one. Before I could stop her, she exposed skin and let out quick, shallow breaths.
“I’ve really held back all this time, you know? I know you’ve been distracted because of your niece, so I tried to be considerate until her exam was over. I even prayed for the first time in my life. I’ve never cared about anything I couldn’t obtain through my own effort.”
Her hands fumbled with my belt and unfastened my pants. She stroked between my legs while leaving kiss marks on my neck.
“But you can’t say things like that. What did I do to her? I’m not kicking her out. I’m not telling her to leave. I’m even offering money—tuition, allowance. I’ll make sure supporting her doesn’t burden you. So stop annoying me.”
“Min-a… so… us. I’m sorry if stopping you hurt your feelings. I was wrong, but at least let’s wait until we’re alone. You don’t like it when I can’t focus either, right? Yerin’s here.”
“Hey. Kim Jiho.”
Min-a’s hand slipped inside my underwear. She groped me while glaring as if she wanted to kill me.
“I told you not to use your niece as an excuse. I’ve been overlooking it until now. Or should we do it with her bedroom door open? Just stay still. I’m doing this because I want to.”
Her caresses were far rougher than usual. She rubbed the tip and squeezed hard enough to make me feel like I might burst.
“Who does she think she is, acting all high and mighty? Once you’re married, you won’t even be able to look at her properly. Does she really think I’d allow you to pay attention to her?”
Min-a pulled off her own underwear as well, hiking her skirt up and letting her panties dangle around one ankle. A colorful piece of lingerie hung loosely. She produced a condom—when had she taken it out?—and tore the wrapper open, scattering the pieces on the floor on purpose. As if she wanted someone to see. As if she wanted to be caught. She covered my mouth, checked the collar around my neck again, forcing me to remember my place. Forcing me to remember exactly where my heart belonged.