Brother Complex (1)
“Taeyang~ Taeyang~”
I opened my eyes to the sensation of someone shaking me and that saccharine voice. Sunlight filtered through the blackout curtains I'd apparently drawn at some point.
“...Mm... Sis?”
When I blinked awake, Hayan was smiling down at me, gently rousing me from sleep.
“Huh? Am I late?”
She'd come to wake me on my first day transferring schools because there was so much to prepare, but after that, she only did it if I was running really behind. As I scrambled to get up, my phone alarm blared—ring ring ring.
It was only 6:50.
“You've still got time, so take it easy.”
“Okay...”
I gave her a puzzled look, but Hayan just smiled extra sweetly today before leaving my room. She was always kind, but... this felt over the top. And I wasn't wrong—it hit me soon enough.
“Come on, breakfast time.”
“What's with the feast today...? Did you start cooking at dawn or something?”
This was way beyond a simple breakfast. Omelet rice topped with a half-boiled egg on a hamburger steak, plus a fruit salad I hadn't seen yesterday... Oh, and ketchup scripted a big FIGHTING! on the omelet rice. Super thoughtful.
Usually, it was just whatever was in the fridge or a quick fried egg. What wind was blowing today?
“Gotta eat well to power through the day with energy. Sit down already.”
“...Okay.”
She pulled out my chair, so I sat, but I still felt uneasy.
“Thanks for the food.”
After eating and washing up, Hayan was waiting for me.
“Wanna sit and check the mirror?”
“No, seriously, what day is it today?”
My birthday was next month. Mid-June still—about thirty days to go. Hers? Nah, winter. And she wouldn't need to do all this for her own birthday anyway...
So then...
“What day? I'm just doing it 'cause I love my Taeyang.”
“...You're creeping me out, why?”
“Calling your sister creepy! Now sit pretty. I'll make you look sharp.”
She plopped me back down and inspected my hair in the mirror.
“Time for a trim.”
“Yeah.”
I'd been too busy with other stuff to care lately. Hayan kept chatting as she fussed with my hair.
“How's school life these days, Taeyang?”
“Same old.”
“How's it the same?”
“Studying, eating with the guys, chatting.”
“I see. I bring friends over sometimes, so feel free to invite yours next time—don't worry about me.”
“Uh... sure, okay.”
I paused, lost in thought. Who could I even bring on short notice? Most kids were tied up with clubs or cram school after hours. That was why I always came home alone.
Hmm... Closest to free time would be...
—Bro-in-law.
—Bro-in-law~ I trust you for real~
No way. Ever since he saw Hayan, that guy's been spouting nonsense at me nonstop.
Besides, nothing fun to do at home. No gaming console or anything—better to kick a ball outside.
“Ah, right, third-year middle schoolers must be swamped with entrance exams.”
Hayan laughed it off like it was just idle talk. She finished styling my hair perfectly and let me go.
I grabbed my bag and headed out, fully prepped. We chatted about nothing on the walk, then Hayan casually asked,
“How's Yuyeong been lately?”
“Huh? Yuyeong?”
Lee Yuyeong. Come to think of it, I'd barely seen her around. These days, she'd just give a quick greeting if we crossed paths... but sometimes, it felt like she was glaring? No, less hostile—more complicated. Worry and sadness mixed together, maybe...
I'd chalked it up to her still not over the rejection, but one day she looked like she was about to burst into tears, which threw me off.
Was her crush on me that deep? Explains hitting Yandere Stage 1.
Thanks to that, my rep with the girls was tanking daily. Sure, you can reject someone if feelings don't match, but Yuyeong's girl friends wouldn't buy that logic. They get it rationally but hate me emotionally anyway.
Whatever—no skin off my back.
“Taeyang.”
“Yeah?”
Lost in thought, Hayan grabbed my shoulder.
“You didn't do anything wrong with Yuyeong.”
“...Thanks.”
Her serious gaze really touched me. Felt like proper comfort.
“Anyway, don't overthink it. Let's crush school today!”
“...Sis, what's with you since this morning?”
“Huh? Did my questions bother you?”
Not bothered—more like goosebumps. No clue what her angle was.
“Nah, not that... Want cake or something? Running an errand for dessert?”
Maybe she wanted me fetching sweets or whatever. But she shook her head.
“Nothing like that. Siblings need sweet talks sometimes~”
“Feels like a farewell speech.”
Was Hayan gonna murder me in a few days or something? If Yandere Stage 3 hit out of nowhere with a kitchen knife, I'd faint on the spot...
“No idea what you're thinking, Sis, but spare me. I don't wanna die.”
“Huh?”
Half-joking, really. I knew the heroine route's dark future, but it wasn't happening now. Just tossing out pointless banter. She'd clap back like last time: 'If you make me late for school 'cause of you, you're dead.'
“...”
I suddenly couldn't breathe easy.
She wasn't threatening me. She'd just smooshed my face straight into her chest.
The sudden hug caught me off guard—super embarrassing. People around, too—what the hell?
“S-Sis... what're you doing?”
“Like I'd ever hurt you.”
“Mmph... it was a joke.”
I shoved her arms away to escape.
“W-What was that?!”
“Seriously! Some jokes you can make, some you can't.”
She pouted a bit, scolding me.
“I got worried thinking you don't trust family.”
Why take it so seriously? Still, she was hurt on my account, so I figured apologize first.
“Whoa~ you two are hot and heavy this morning~”
Then that grating voice hit my ears.
Turning, Min Iri strolled up lazily, grinning mischievously.
“People might misunderstand.”
“You siblings look so close. Total siscon.”
She wasn't groping me like before, but her verbal jabs were as sharp as ever.
“I said she hugged me out of nowhere!”
“So Hayan's the brocon then?”
Hayan just smiled, no denial in sight.
“Sis... say something. Iri's getting the wrong idea.”
But Hayan saw it as Iri's usual teasing and just giggled, greeting her.
Thankfully, with Iri there, Hayan stopped prying or being sappy with me.
At the fork, though, she turned back with more attention—fixing my clothes like always.
“I'll make hamburg steak tonight! Fight on today!”
“......Okay.”
“Taeyang, this is when you act spoiled.”
“Shut it, Iri.”
I parted from them feeling dubious. Hayan beamed brightly; Iri smirked slyly, waving as they headed to school.
“Phew~ why're they like that... Don't tell me it's that?”
Once the hectic morning commute ended, it clicked right away.
Last time with Cho Yuli, I'd gone to the youth counseling center and gotten pamphlets and intake forms. Hayan must've seen them.
Skipping family trips for secret counseling? She'd think something was wrong and overcompensate—subtly probing.
“Way too obvious.”
Later, Hayan's exact thoughts matched mine word-for-word. And one more person had watched it all.
“Too obvious how?”
“Huh?”
As my sisters left and I started walking, Lee Yuyeong called out from behind.
Turning, she was in uniform, bag slung over her shoulder—heading to school now. When'd she show up?
“...No manager duties?”
“Hmm... whatever.”
...Her vibe was impossible to pin down. Dejected? Resigned? Looked rough.
Prefer if she'd just yell it out. Her constant low energy was draining mine.
“Whatever about your own fun gig?”
“Some fun you can have, some you can't. Like love...”
“......Ah, got it. Later.”
“Wait... one question?”
I tried bolting, but Yuyeong stopped me. Glancing back, dark circles, lifeless eyes—not yandere, just dull. Flat voice, frozen face, lost her bubbly spark.
“...What?”
I asked cautiously. Then she dropped a total curveball I never saw coming.
“Are you a siscon, Taeyang?”
“.........”
Iri's felt playful; hers was weirdly serious. I almost answered bluntly but hesitated.
Nah, just say yes? Admit siscon, rumors might spread weirdly, but it'd make Yuyeong hate me for sure.
'Eww, seeing his own sister as a girl? Gross...' Total disgust—perfect cutoff.
But counterargument hit fast. Knowing her patterns, she'd overinvest: 'Taeyang rejects other girls 'cause of his sister. Unhealthy love—I'll show him true love!'
Second soccer team fiasco incoming. Or she'd turn on Hayan—trouble.
Decision made.
“Sorry, just messing around.”
“.........”
“Ahaha!! Taeyang, your serious face is hilarious!”
Suddenly cheery Yuyeong popped up. What the—? Mood swings were creepier.
“I was just teasing like your sisters. Good morning~”
“Yeah, morning.”
“Manager stuff's down to three days a week now! Newbies are handling it.”
She chattered energetically like old times, tossing in anime talk as friends do. Near school, she naturally pulled away.
Other kids heading in had already seen us chatting anyway.
Later, Yuyeong's thoughts matched mine exactly, word-for-word.