New Family Member (1)
"For now... let's start with girlfriend."
At Seonwoo's words, Rico's face flushed bright red, as if it were on fire. She hung her head low, fidgeting helplessly with her fingers. The girl who had been drowning in fear and despair worse than death just moments ago was nowhere to be seen.
Seonwoo couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. He took her hand and gently pulled her to her feet.
"Let's head to the hotel suite where I'm staying for now. We can't stick around here."
The two headed to Seonwoo's hotel suite. As soon as they opened the door, Yoo Sori came rushing out from the living room sofa in her pajamas, where she'd been watching TV. The moment she saw Seonwoo, her face filled with worry as she threw herself into his arms.
"Oppa! Where have you been? I've been waiting forever! I was so worried something happened!"
"Sorry, sorry. I just stepped out for some air."
Seonwoo soothed her, patting her back. Then Sori spotted Rico peeking timidly from behind him and tilted her head.
"Huh? Who's this pretty unnie?"
Seonwoo replied casually, as if introducing snacks he'd picked up from the corner store.
"Yeah, my new girlfriend."
"Whoa!"
Far from being shocked, Sori's face lit up with childlike excitement. She approached Rico, scanning her landmine-style outfit up and down with curious eyes and gushing in admiration.
"Unnie, your clothes are so cute! You look like a doll! Your hair color's pretty too—it suits you perfectly! Where'd you get it?"
Overwhelmed by the sudden whirlwind, Rico glanced at Seonwoo in confusion.
"Wh-who is she...?"
"Yeah, my girlfriend."
Seonwoo grinned slyly as he answered. Stunned, Rico blurted out in Japanese without thinking.
"Ch-cheating!?"
"What, you don't like playboys?"
Seonwoo teased with a smirk, and Rico stammered, "Th-that's..."
At that moment, Sori grabbed Rico's hand.
"Unnie, what's your name? How old are you?"
"A-Amahara Rico... Twenty."
"Twenty? Whoa!"
Sori whipped around to Seonwoo, letting out a cheer.
"Oppa! I finally have a little sister! I was always the baby!"
She hugged Rico tightly, genuinely thrilled.
"Rico! Call me unnie from now on, okay? Let's get along!"
Caught off guard in Sori's embrace, Rico felt her wariness melting away under the girl's pure welcome.
"Where do you get clothes like this? They're so pretty... You look like a princess..."
"Th-there are stores that specialize in this style... I-I'll introduce you later..."
As night deepened, Sori stuck to Rico like a new little sister, chattering nonstop. Seeing no end to their conversation, Seonwoo stepped in.
"Alright, it's late—let's wrap it up and continue tomorrow, yeah?"
Sori pouted but perked up quickly.
"Okay! So we'll all sleep together, right?"
Rico startled and glanced at Seonwoo, but Sori had already shoved her to the inside of the bed and flopped down beside her. That left just enough space in the middle for Seonwoo. With him in the center, the two women lay on either side.
Seonwoo lightly pulled Sori into his arms and reached out to the stiff, tense Rico on his other side, offering her his arm as a pillow.
"Relax and sleep."
He patted her like he would a child. The gentle touch of this unfamiliar man felt awkward, but the warmth eased the tension from Rico's body without her realizing it. Lulled by Sori's soft breathing beside her and the comfort of Seonwoo's arm, she drifted off to sleep feeling a rare sense of security.
The next day, the three decided to enjoy their last day in Japan.
"Rico, you know all the best spots, right? Be our guide today."
At Seonwoo's words, Rico showed real enthusiasm for the first time. She led them to hidden gems only locals knew. The place looked rundown and shabby, but the ramen there was the best they'd ever had.
"Whoa! This is so good! The broth is amazing!"
Sori slurped the noodles in delight. Seonwoo nodded silently, polishing off his bowl. Seeing their satisfaction with her recommendation brought a faint smile to Rico's lips.
In the afternoon, Rico took Sori's hand and headed to a Shibuya clothing store. It sold the lacy, frilly landmine fashion Sori had never tried before.
"Unnie, this is the place where I shop."
"Whoa! So many fluttery clothes!"
Delighted by Sori's reaction, Rico picked out outfits with sparkling eyes. As Sori headed into the changing room, Seonwoo turned to Rico.
"What do you think?"
Rico hesitated, nibbling her lip, then answered.
"Sori unnie... she's weird... How can someone be that nice...?"
"Haha, that's Sori's charm. She's super kind and pure, so take good care of her, yeah? Even though you're the unnie—kekeke."
Moments later, the curtain parted, revealing Sori perfectly transformed in landmine fashion. Awkward but adorably suited to her cute looks, she drew gasps from both Seonwoo and Rico.
"Oppa, how do I look? Does it suit me?"
Sori spun around, and Seonwoo grinned.
"Yeah, it suits you great. You look like a total princess."
Watching the two chat like lovers from a short distance, Rico gazed at them with envious eyes. Sensing it, Seonwoo approached her.
"It suits you really well too, Rico."
He gently stroked her hair. The unexpected praise and touch made her face burn red.
After shopping, the three boarded their flight to Korea. Rico clutched her battered suitcase and the shopping bags of new clothes Seonwoo had bought her.
Her face held anxiety mixed with faint hope for her new life.
As the plane reached cruising altitude, Seonwoo leaned close to Rico in the seat beside him.
"Rico."
"Yes?"
"When we get to Korea... and go to my place, don't freak out too much."
Rico looked puzzled, so he gazed out at the clouds and continued.
"I'm not a normal guy. Besides Sori, there are other women living with me. And... it's not just living together—some have more special relationships."
He avoided saying "slave" outright but hinted that what awaited her wasn't ordinary.
"It'll be hard to understand at first. But just... get used to it. That's how you'll live comfortably by my side."
His calm but weighty words stirred vague fear and strange curiosity in Rico about the unknown life ahead.
Back in Korea, they headed to the penthouse. Chae Jiyeong greeted them inside. Seonwoo sat Jiyeong and Sori on the sofa, then stood Rico in front of them.
"Introduce yourselves. This is my new girlfriend, Amahara Rico. She's second-generation Zainichi, but she speaks some Korean, so no pressure—get along. This is my lover, Chae Jiyeong."
"L-lover!? Y-you already have a girlfriend...?"
Jiyeong was briefly surprised but soon welcomed Rico with a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you, Rico. I'm Chae Jiyeong. Let's get along."
Sori laughed. "Jiyeong unnie! Rico's an amazing cook! Now we can take turns!"
Befuddled yet warmed by their kindness, Rico felt echoes of long-lost family.
Seonwoo showed Rico to an empty room and told her to rest. As evening came, Jiyeong headed to the kitchen, but Rico stepped in front of her.
"Um... can I do it?"
Eager to repay the man who'd saved her from hell, Rico volunteered for dinner. Soon, the table was laden with perfect Japanese home cooking: nikujaga, chawanmushi, karaage chicken, fresh white rice, and miso soup.
Everyone marveled at the taste.
"Whoa... Rico, you made all this? You could open a restaurant."
Seonwoo smiled in satisfaction, stroking her hair.
"It's delicious."
Her face lit up at his praise. She was starting to find her place—and joy—in this home.
Watching, Sori slurped her chopsticks and declared,
"Whoa! So Rico's our house chef now!"
Everyone burst into laughter. As the happy time passed and night fell, Seonwoo called Rico to the master bedroom.
"Rico, how was it? Your first day here?"
"It was... too good... Sori unnie and Jiyeong unnie are all so nice..."
Rico kept her head down, tears of happiness welling up.
"Good. Glad you like it."
Seonwoo lifted her chin, meeting her eyes.
"Ah... O-oppa..."
The first "oppa" from her lips sounded awkward but fit perfectly. Satisfied, Seonwoo tilted her chin up and kissed her lightly.
"Puha... O-oppa... I-I now..."
"Now that you're my girlfriend, we should get closer, right?"
Seonwoo's hand slid toward the hem of her clothes.
